e house
where he resided, and where, to his surprise, he found a carriage
waiting at the door.

"Monsieur, your son, the attorney-general, came about an hour since,"
said the man-servant, "and is waiting for you in your bedroom."

Granville signed to the man to leave him.

"What motive can be strong enough to require you to infringe the order
I have given my children never to come to me unless I send for them?"
asked the Count of his son as he went into the room.

"Father," replied the younger man in a tremulous voice, and with great
respect, "I venture to hope that you will forgive me when you have heard
me."

"Your reply is proper," said the Count. "Sit down," and he pointed to
a chair, "But whether I walk up and down, or take a seat, speak without
heeding me."

"Father," the son went on, "this afternoon, at four o'clock, a very
young man who was arrested in the house of a friend of mine, whom he had
robbed to a considerable extent, appealed to you.--He says he is your
son."

"His name?" asked the Count hoarsely.

"Charles Crochard."

"That will do," said the father, with an imperious wave of the hand.

Granville paced the room in solemn silence, and his son took care not to
break it.

"My son," he began, and the words were pronounced in a voice so mild
and fatherly, that the young lawyer started, "Charles Crochard spoke the
truth.--I am glad you came to me to-night, my good Eugene," he added.
"Here is a considerable sum of money"--and he gave him a bundle of
banknotes--"you can make any use of them you think proper in this
matter. I trust you implicitly, and approve beforehand whatever
arrangements you may make, either in the present or for the
future.--Eugene my dear son, kiss me. We part perhaps for the last time.
I shall to-morrow crave my dismissal from the King, and I am going to
Italy.

"Though a father owes no account of his life to his children, he is
bound to bequeath to them the experience Fate sells him so dearly--is
it not a part of their inheritance?--When you marry," the count went on,
with a little involuntary shudder, "do not undertake it lightly; that
act is the most important of all which society requires of us. Remember
to study at your leisure the character of the woman who is to be your
partner; but consult me too, I will judge of her myself. A lack of
union between husband and wife, from whatever cause, leads to terrible
misfortune; sooner or later we are always punished for con