"Very well then, my dear Desmarais; let us put aside politics for the moment. Nevertheless, since we are concerned with the unworthy love of my niece for that artisan, I must, indeed, recall to your mind that I have often reproached you for your intimacy with the young fellow. To-day, a grave peril menaces you. Your regrets are tardy." "My dear Hubert, we waste precious time in vain recriminations of the past. Unfortunately, what is done, is done. Let us speak, I pray you, of the present. My wife and I, in order to cut short this attachment of Charlotte for John Lebrenn, have decided to take our daughter with us to Versailles. What do you think of that resolution?" "That it will not accomplish the object you seek. Versailles is too near to Paris. If your man is as persevering as enamored--not of Charlotte, but of her fortune, for, do not mistake, the fellow is after nothing but her dower--he will find a way to meet her. My advice would be to send Mademoiselle Charlotte, instantly, a hundred leagues from Paris, to throw this lover off the track. Send her, say, to Lyons, to our cousin Dusommier; my sister will accompany her and remain beside her until this puppy-love is forgotten. A month or two will do for that." "Your advice, brother, seems wise. But I fear that Charlotte will not consent to the trip." "Heavens, sister! Is paternal authority an empty word! A flightabout of seventeen years to dare disobey the orders of her parents? That is not probable, surely. Have some strength." "But it is well to be prepared for everything. Let us suppose this case--she refuses to obey--" "In that case, brother-in-law, willy-nilly, bundle Mademoiselle Charlotte into the stage for Lyons--then, whip up, coachman!" Just then Gertrude the servant entered and said: "Monsieur John Lebrenn desires to speak with monsieur on a very pressing matter. He is in the vestibule." "What! The wretch still has the audacity to present himself here!" cried Hubert, purple with rage. "He does not know that my daughter has revealed their engagement; and besides--a while ago--" stammered Desmarais, turning red with confusion, "I had to give him a cordial greeting." "Yes, brother," said Madam Desmarais, coming to the aid of her husband, "a while ago, a column returning from the Bastille, commanded by John Lebrenn, halted before our house, shouting 'Long live Citizen Desmarais! Long live the friend of the people!'" "And so, I had to bow to necessity," acknowledged the lawyer. "I was forced to harangue the insurgents." "Wonderful, brother-in-law, wonderful!" retorted Hubert, with a burst of cutting laughter. "The lesson and the punishment are complete!" "My friend--if you receive this young man, be calm, I conjure you," said Madam Desmarais uneasily to the lawyer. "Refuse him politely." "Death of my life! my poor sister, have you not a drop of blood in your veins?" "Brother, I beg of you, do not speak so loud. John Lebrenn is even now, perhaps, in the dining room."