nce the Duke
halted in front of his son's chair.

"What fortune I have now," said he in a hoarse voice, "is little or
nothing in times like these, when the tradesman contrives to make an
almost unlimited income, and, setting up as a gentleman, imitates, not
our virtues, but our vices; while the nobles, not understanding the
present hour, are in poverty and want. Without money, nothing can be
done. To hold his own against these mushroom fortunes, a Champdoce
should possess millions. Neither you nor I, my son, will see our coffers
overflowing with millions, but our descendants will reap the benefit
of our toil. Our ancestors gained their name and glory by their
determination; let us show that we are their worthy offspring."

As he approached the subject which had occupied his mind entirely for
years, the old noble's voice quivered and shook.

"I have done my duty," said he, calming himself by a mighty effort, "and
it is now your turn to do yours. You shall marry some wealthy heiress,
and you shall bring up your son as I have reared and nurtured you. You
will be able to leave him fifteen millions; and if he will only follow
in our footsteps, he will be able to bequeath to his heir a fortune that
a monarch might envy. And this shall and will come to pass, because it
is my fixed determination."

The strange outburst of confidence petrified Norbert.

"The task is heavy and painful," continued the Duke, "but it is one that
several scores of illustrious houses have accomplished. He who wishes
to revive the fallen fortunes of some mighty house must live only in the
future, and have no thought but for the prosperity of his descendants.
More than once I have faltered and hesitated, but I have conquered
my weakness, and now only live to make the line of Champdoce the most
wealthy in France. You have seen me haggle for an hour over a wretched
louis, but it was for the reason that at a future day one of our
descendants might fling it to a beggar from the window of his
magnificent equipage. Next year I will take you to Paris and show
you our house there. You will see in it the most wonderful tapestry,
pictures by the best masters, for I have ornamented and embellished
it as a lover adorns a house for a beloved mistress, and that house,
Norbert, is the home that your grandchildren will dwell in."

The Duke uttered these words in a tone of jubilant triumph.

"I have spoken to you thus," resumed he, after a short pause, "because