[Illustration: _Was about to embrace his father._ Etching by Marcel after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill.] The comte rose from his seat, saying: "I do not desire to have my name dishonoured." "Oh, my father!" exclaimed the vicomte, with warmth, and was about to embrace his father, when the old man, repressing his enthusiasm, said: "You are expected until three o'clock at the man's house who has the forged bill?" "Yes, father, and it is now two o'clock." "Let us go into your cabinet; give me writing materials." "They are here, father." The comte sat down and wrote, with a firm hand: "I undertake to pay this evening, at ten o'clock, the twenty-five thousand francs which my son owes. "COMTE DE SAINT-REMY." "Your creditor merely wants his money; my guarantee will obtain a further delay. Let him go to M. Dupont, the banker, at No. 7 in the Rue Richelieu, and he will assure him of the validity of this promise." "Oh, my father! How can I ever--" "Expect me this evening; at ten o'clock I will bring the money. Let your creditor be here." "Yes, father, and the day after I will set out for Africa. You shall see that I am not ungrateful! Then, perhaps, when I am again restored to honour you will accept my thanks?" "You owe me nothing. I have said that my name shall not be dishonoured again; nor shall it be," said M. de Saint-Remy, in reply, taking up his cane, and moving towards the door. "My father, at least shake hands with me!" said Florestan. "Here this evening at ten o'clock," said the comte, refusing his hand. "Saved!" exclaimed Florestan, joyously,--"saved!" Then he continued, after a moment's reflection: "Saved--almost--no matter--it is always so. Perhaps this evening I shall tell him of the other thing. He is in the vein, and will not allow a first sacrifice to become useless for lack of a second. Yet why should I tell him? Who will ever know it? Yet, if nothing should be discovered, I shall keep the money he will give me to pay this last debt. I had some work to move him. The bitterness of his sarcasms made me suspicious of his good resolution; but my threat of suicide, the fear of seeing his name dishonoured, decided him. That was the way to hit him. No doubt he is not so poor as he appears to be. But his arrival was indeed a godsend. Now, then, for the man of law!" He rang the bell, and M. Boyer appeared. "How was it that you did not inform me that my father was here? Really, this is most negligent." "Twice I endeavoured to address your lordship when you came in by the garden gate with M. Badinot, but your lordship made me a sign with your hand not to interrupt you. I did not venture to insist. I should be very much grieved if your lordship should impute negligence to me." "Very well. Desire Edwards to harness Orion or Ploughboy in the cabriolet immediately."