"Monsieur le Comte Léodgard is still very young," murmured Hector, still draped by the portière. "Very young--when he has nearly reached his twenty-sixth year! A man is a man at that age, and he no longer has the first effervescence of youth for an excuse! Ah! when I was at that age, you were already in my service--do you remember, Hector?" "As if it was yesterday, monseigneur; my memory is as sound as my ears." "Very well! I served in the army, I fought, I lived in camp. But, although I was a bachelor,--for I married quite late,--did I ever lead this life of licentiousness, of debauchery, which makes me blush for my son?" "All young men are not as irreproachable as monseigneur has always been--as bachelor, husband, and widower." "I do not expect that he shall be faultless! I do not demand the impossible! But I do not propose that weaknesses shall become vices; faults, crimes!" "Oh! monsieur le marquis! be indulgent to monsieur your son!" "I have been indulgent enough, too much so, perhaps. I must see Léodgard; he must be made acquainted with my irrevocable determination!--And that rascally Latournelle, his valet--is he still in the house?" "No, monseigneur; I have not seen him for several days." "I told my son to discharge that knave; a scoundrel, a blackleg, a gambler, who ought to be hanged." At that moment, the conversation was interrupted by the sound of a horse galloping into the courtyard. Hector let the portière fall, went into a reception room, looked out of the window, and returned with a radiant face, saying to his master: "Here is Monsieur le Comte Léodgard, just coming in." "Go to him, then; tell him that I await him. Go--do not lose an instant, for he may have gone away again." Old Hector disappeared to execute his master's command. In a few moments, Léodgard entered his father's apartment. The young count was pale, his face was drawn and haggard, his eyes sunken from loss of sleep; and the disorder of his clothes, the dust with which they were covered, seemed to indicate that he had recently ridden a long distance on horseback. He walked forward with a respectful air, but was evidently out of temper. He bowed to his father and remained standing in the middle of the room. The old marquis pointed to a chair, saying in a stern tone: "Be seated, monsieur; what I have to say to you will take some moments, and deserves to be listened to with attention." "I beg pardon, monsieur, but you see the disordered state of my dress; I am ashamed to appear before you in such disarray; allow me simply the necessary time to change, and I will at once return."