roudly, "you were the last
to whom I would have told my wretchedness. It is all my own fault;
I married a man whose incapacity is almost beyond belief. Yes, I am,
indeed, most unhappy."

"Listen to me, madame," said the little old man, "and don't weep; it is
most painful to me to see a fair lady cry. After all, your son bears the
name of Husson, and if my dear deceased wife were living she would wish
to do something for the name of her father and of her brother--"

"She loved her brother," said Oscar's mother.

"But all my fortune is given to my children, who expect nothing from
me at my death," continued the old man. "I have divided among them the
millions that I had, because I wanted to see them happy and enjoying
their wealth during my lifetime. I have nothing now except an annuity;
and at my age one clings to old habits. Do you know the path on which
you ought to start this young fellow?" he went on, after calling to
Oscar and taking him by the arm. "Let him study law; I'll pay the
costs. Put him in a lawyer's office and let him learn the business of
pettifogging; if he does well, if he distinguishes himself, if he likes
his profession and I am still alive, each of my children shall, when the
proper time comes, lend him a quarter of the cost of a practice; and I
will be security for him. You will only have to feed and clothe him. Of
course he'll sow a few wild oats, but he'll learn life. Look at me: I
left Lyon with two double louis which my grandmother gave me, and walked
to Paris; and what am I now? Fasting is good for the health. Discretion,
honesty, and work, young man, and you'll succeed. There's a great deal
of pleasure in earning one's fortune; and if a man keeps his teeth
he eats what he likes in his old age, and sings, as I do, 'La Mere
Godichon.' Remember my words: Honesty, work, discretion."

"Do you hear that, Oscar?" said his mother. "Your uncle sums up in three
words all that I have been saying to you. You ought to carve the last
word in letters of fire on your memory."

"Oh, I have," said Oscar.

"Very good,--then thank your uncle; didn't you hear him say he would
take charge of your future? You will be a lawyer in Paris."

"He doesn't see the grandeur of his destiny," said the little old man,
observing Oscar's apathetic air. "Well, he's just out of school. Listen,
I'm no talker," he continued; "but I have this to say: Remember that
at your age honesty and uprightness are maintained only by res