"You are counting without illness or the force of events. How many unexpected circumstances may reduce you to idleness for months! And then how should we live?" "But, my dear father, if we poor people anticipated all the trouble we may be threatened with, we should certainly lose courage. Let us close our eyes to the future, and think of the present only. Thank God! there is nothing to frighten us in that." "When the future is threatening, it is assuredly wiser to turn the eyes away; but when it may be happy and smiling, it is better to face it!" "I don't deny that." "Well, I repeat it, our future lies in your hands; it depends entirely on you to make it happy and assured." "Then it is done. Only tell me how?" "I shall astonish you greatly. That poor M. Ramon, with whom you have just spent a few days and whom you judge so harshly, is an old friend of mine." "He, your friend?" "Your visit to Dreux was arranged beforehand between us." "But those deeds--" "Your employer obligingly consented to aid us in our little ruse, by entrusting you with valueless papers." "But what was your purpose?" "Ramon wanted to observe and study your character without your knowledge, and he assures me he is quite enchanted with you. I received a long letter from him this morning, in which he speaks of you is the highest terms." "I regret my inability to return the compliment; but why should it matter to me whether he thinks well or ill of me?" "It matters very much, indeed, my boy; for the happy future of which I spoke depends entirely on Ramon's opinion of you." "This is an enigma to me." "Although not exactly rich, Ramon possesses a modest fortune, augmented each day by his economies." "Humph! I believe that. But what you charitably term economy is sordid avarice, and nothing else." "Call it what you will; we shall not bandy words about it. Owing to this avarice, however, Ramon will leave a snug fortune after him--I say after him, because he gives nothing away during his life-time." "I am not surprised at that. But I really cannot understand what you are leading to, father!" "I feel some hesitation in pursuing; for however false and unjust first impressions may be, they are exceedingly tenacious--and you judged Mademoiselle Ramon so severely--" "_Red-nose_! Say rather that I was very indulgent!" "You will overcome these prejudices, I am sure. Believe me, Mademoiselle Ramon is one of those persons who improve on better acquaintance. She is a woman of firm character and exemplary virtues. What more can be desired in the mother of a family?" "The mother of a family!" gasped Louis, who until now had not suspected the danger that threatened him, but was beginning to conceive a vague fear. "The mother of a family!" he repeated in dismay, "and what matters it to me whether Mademoiselle Ramon is or is not fitted to become a good mother?" "It matters more to you than to anyone else." "To me?" "Certainly." "And why, pray?"