'Your word, your honour, your heart--you should have added your fortune,' replied M. de Veron with frigid, slowly-distilled, sarcastic bitterness--'are irrevocably engaged, are they, to Adeline le Blanc, sister of my collecting clerk--daughter of a deceased sous-lieutenant of the line'---- 'Of the Imperial Guard,' interposed Eugene. 'Who aids her mother to eke out a scanty pension by embroidery'---- 'Very superior, artistic embroidery,' again interjected the son. 'Be it so. I have not been quite so unobservant, Eugene, of certain incidents, as you and your friends appear to have supposed. But time proves all things, and the De Merodes and I can wait.' Nothing further passed till M. de Veron rose to leave the room, when his son, with heightened colour and trembling speech, although especially aiming at a careless indifference of tone and manner, said: Sir--sir--one word, if you please. I have a slight favour to ask. There are a few debts, to the amount of about two thousand francs, which I wish to discharge immediately--this morning, in fact.' 'Debts to the amount of about two thousand francs, which you wish to discharge immediately--this morning, in fact,' slowly repeated De Veron, fixing on his son a triumphant, mocking glance, admirably seconded by the curve of his thin white lips. 'Well, let the bills be sent to me. If correct and fair, they shall be paid.' 'But--but, father, one, the chief item, is a debt of honour!' 'Indeed! Then your honour is pledged to others besides Mademoiselle _la brodeuse_? I have only to say, that in that case I _will not_ assist you.' Having said this, M. de Veron, quite regardless of his son's angry expostulations, limped out of the apartment, and shortly after, the sound of carriage-wheels announced his departure to Le Havre. Eugene, about an hour afterwards followed, vainly striving to calm his apprehensions by the hope, that before the day for balancing Edouard's accounts arrived, he should find his father in a more Christian-like and generous mood, or, at any rate, hit upon some means of raising the money. The day, like the gorgeous procession that swept through the crowded streets, passed slowly and uninterruptedly away in M. de Veron's place of business, till about half-past four, when that gentleman directed a porter, who was leaving the private office, to inform M. le Blanc, that he, M. de Veron, wished to speak with him immediately. On hearing this order, Eugene looked quickly up from the desk at which he was engaged, to his father's face; but he discerned nothing on that impassive tablet either to dissipate or confirm his fear. 'Edouard le Blanc,' said M. de Veron with mild suavity of voice the instant the summoned clerk presented himself, 'it so chances that I have no further occasion for your services'---- Sir!--sir!' gasped the terrified young man.