It was early the next clay. The Countess Hortense was sitting at breakfast, when the Marquis de Montigny entered. "I am an early visitor, but I was passing the house," he said, greeting his sister affectionately. "Are you alone? I thought all breakfasted together here." Hortense shrugged her shoulders. "Not at all; my father-in-law rises with the dawn, and has usually been at work for three hours when I get up. There is something frightful in such strong, restless natures, which never feel the need for repose." "They seem to me rather to be envied, especially at the general's age," remarked Montigny. "Perhaps so; but he thinks others should emulate him. Our household is regulated like a barracks; everything is done at the word of command, and woe to the servant who is guilty of unpunctuality! It has cost me a positive struggle to preserve my personal liberty. I carried my point at last, but poor Raoul is absolutely forced to submit to this martinet rule." "I am afraid such a rule is sometimes necessary; Raoul is not easily controlled," said Montigny, dryly. "You, as a woman, are of course ignorant of much which I have learned since my arrival here, and of which the general is also cognizant. It is time that your son were married, Hortense." "I have no doubt that he sometimes goes rather far in his youthful exuberance," the Countess admitted. "His is a fiery, enthusiastic nature, that rebels against rules and barriers, but marriage will put an end to his follies, and Hertha is beautiful enough to hold him captive always. You admire her, I am sure; she had a brilliant triumph last evening." "No wonder. By the way, Hortense, the Clermonts were there last night. Are they intimate with Herr von Reval?" "I think Raoul introduced them there. It is the fashion to frequent the Reval house." "Indeed? Then Raoul is intimate with young Clermont?" "He is, and I should like to have him and his sister here, but--here you have a proof of my father-in-law's incredible tyranny--the general absolutely forbids my inviting them. I was once obliged to recall an invitation which I had sent them at Raoul's request. The general is determined to exclude the Clermonts from our circle." The marquis suddenly grew attentive. "That is strange. What reasons does he assign?" "Reasons? He never condescends to give me any. He simply commands, and I must obey." "I think you do well to obey in this instance," the Marquis said, in so significant a tone that his sister looked at him in surprise. "Why? Have you heard anything against the Clermonts? They do not seem to be very brilliantly circumstanced pecuniarily, but they brought excellent letters of introduction, and they belong to a very ancient French family." "Certainly; there is no doubt of that." "Well, then, I do not understand you, Leon."