By the time I made it to the pressroom, Monsieur and Madame Abelliard were there, taking a moment to observe the printing process. Everyone was that much more industrious, except for Diego, seeming to be moody and in deep thought.

I considered approaching him but to my surprise the Monsieur made his way over to him before me, commenting, “The Declaration has not uplifted your spirits as it has for everyone else?”

Diego frowned a little more, pausing in his labors to look at the Monsieur, “No.” Simple, straightforward, and ever oblique, Diego’s style let it be known that he did not wish to be bothered.

As he began to work again, the Monsieur asked, “And why not?” The Monsieur’s expression had tightened, becoming a bit more firm and unyielding.

Diego stood to his full height, gazing into the Monsieur’s eyes as he spoke, “The rest of you may be happy, because your lives will change for the better, but mine will not. No African will be citizen to France. Many Europeans barely consider African’s men.” There was a touch of ice in his voice, chill, hard.

“Perhaps they are right in doing so. After all, there are very few cultural commodities Africa has given to Europe, so I would not expect them to give your homelands, or the people from there, much thought.”

The most common way to get a stubborn mule to plow was to harness him and then hold a tasty vegetable just out of reach. The mule would chase the vegetable, something he wants, and does what you want. I had hoped that Diego would recognize what was occurring. My stomach dropped with his bellow, “Only because you’ve tried to destroy us! Your treatment of Africans shows just how ‘enlightened’ your people really are.”

The Monsieur’s voice rose in challenge, but not to volume, “You can continue your work, or you can leave. But which ever one, you’ll do so quietly.”

That order quieted everyone in the room, from the Master LaMontangue and the pressmen to Madame Abelliard off to one side. My own breath was held for that moment as my mind raced.

Come to Diego's defense yourself.
Talk to Master LaMontangue and see if he will do anything.
Talk to the Madame and see if she'll interpose on Diego's behalf..