Note 285 — Chapter VI · THE KING.

I may again refer to the story of the vase at Soissons. Clovis put the soldier to death on pretext of a breach of discipline; in reality, because the man had opposed him with respect to the booty. But, except in the field, it is not to be imagined that Clovis could have taken his life; and certainly not without a legal conviction and condemnation by the people.