M. Zola.--“I meant to say, at any rate, that I do not revolt against
this grand idea of the law. I submit to it completely, and from it I
expect justice. I meant to say that my revolt was against the processes
that find expression in all these quibbles raised against me, against
the way in which I am prosecuted, against the limitation of the
complaint to fifteen lines from my long letter of accusation; and these
things I declare unworthy of justice. I say that these few lines are
not to be taken and passed upon without regard to all that I have said.
A writing is consecutive; phrases lead to phrases, ideas lead to ideas;
and to fix upon a single thing therein because it brings me under
the law is, I say, unworthy. That is what I say, and that is what I
meant. I do not place myself above the law, but I am above hypocritical
methods.”