otive of the
undertaking. For my part, I aimed only at the possibility of affording
my children some pleasures. The hundred thousand francs I have made,
quite in spite of myself, will pay for their fencing lessons, horses,
dress, and theatres, pay the masters who teach them accomplishments,
procure them canvases to spoil, the books they may wish to buy, in
short, all the little fancies which a father finds so much pleasure in
gratifying. If I had been compelled to refuse these indulgences to my
poor boys, who are so good and work so hard, the sacrifice I made to the
honor of my name would have been doubly painful.

"In point of fact, the twelve years I have spent in retirement from the
world to educate my children have led to my being completely forgotten
at Court. I have given up the career of politics; I have lost my
historical fortune, and all the distinctions which I might have acquired
and bequeathed to my children; but our house will have lost nothing;
my boys will be men of mark. Though I have missed the senatorship, they
will win it nobly by devoting themselves to the affairs of the country,
and doing such service as is not soon forgotten. While purifying the
past record of my family, I have insured it a glorious future; and is
not that to have achieved a noble task, though in secret and without
glory?--And now, monsieur, have you any other explanations to ask me?"

At this instant the tramp of horses was heard in the courtyard.

"Here they are!" said the Marquis. In a moment the two lads, fashionably
but plainly dressed, came into the room, booted, spurred, and gloved,
and flourishing their riding-whips. Their beaming faces brought in the
freshness of the outer air; they were brilliant with health. They both
grasped their father's hand, giving him a look, as friends do, a glance
of unspoken affection, and then they bowed coldly to the lawyer. Popinot
felt that it was quite unnecessary to question the Marquis as to his
relations towards his sons.

"Have you enjoyed yourselves?" asked the Marquis.

"Yes, father; I knocked down six dolls in twelve shots at the first
trial!" cried Camille.

"And where did you ride?"

"In the Bois; we saw my mother."

"Did she stop?"

"We were riding so fast just then that I daresay she did not see us,"
replied the young Count.

"But, then, why did you not go to speak to her?"

"I fancy I have noticed, father, that she does not care that we should
speak to her in publi