e thinks fit, and your mother's fortune will render
you independent of your father."

"But I should never dare to claim it; how could I venture to do so?"

"You need not make the application personally; your solicitor would
manage all that for you; but, of course, you must wait until you are of
age."

"But I cannot wait until then," said Norbert; "I must at once free
myself from this tyranny."

"Luckily there are ways."

"Do you really think so, Daumon?"

"Yes, and I will show you what is done every day. Nothing is more common
in noble families. Would you like to be a soldier?"

"No, I do not care for that, and yet----"

"That is your last resource, Marquis. First, then, we could lay a plaint
before the court."

"A plaint?"

"Certainly. Do you suppose that our laws do not provide for such a case
as a father exceeding the proper bounds of parental authority? Tell me,
has the Duke, your father, ever struck you?"

"Never once."

"Well, that is almost a pity. We will say that your father's property
is worth two millions, and yet you derive so slight a benefit from this
that you are known everywhere as the 'Young Savage of Champdoce'!"

Norbert started to his feet.

"Who dares speak of me like that?" said he furiously. "Tell me his
name."

This outburst of passion did not in the smallest degree discompose
Daumon.

"Your father has many enemies, Marquis," he resumed, "for his manners
are overbearing and exacting; but you have many friends, and among
them all you will find none more devoted than myself, humble though my
position may be. Many ladies of high rank take a great interest in you.
Only a day or two ago some persons were speaking of you in the presence
of Mademoiselle de Laurebourg, and she blushed crimson at your name. Do
you know Mademoiselle Diana?"

Norbert colored.

"Ah, I understand," replied Daumon. "And when you have broken the
fetters that now bind you, we shall see something one of these days. And
now--"

But at this moment Norbert's eyes caught a glimpse of the old-fashioned
cuckoo clock that hung on the wall in one corner of the room. He started
to his feet.

"Why, it is dinner-time!" said he. "What upon earth will my father say?"

"What, does he keep you in such order as that?"

But, never heeding the sarcastic question of the Counsellor, Norbert had
regained his cart, and was driving off at full speed.

CHAPTER III.

A BOLD ADVENTURE.

Daumon had in no way exaggera