DUPONT. But that is another matter. We will discuss that in a moment with Julie and her mother. They are in the next room. At present I am speaking only of you. All difficulties are removed now—I had a lot of trouble over it, by the way—and to-morrow at four at the lawyer’s you will receive the sum of thirty one thousand three hundred and eighteen francs and a few centimes. Ahem. My dear Caroline, you are old enough to know what you are about. Still you are not one of those undutiful children who throw aside all obedience to their fathers as soon as they are of age. You continue, I am sure, to recognize my right at least to give you advice. I have lived longer than you, I am a man of business, and I can clearly be of use to you when you want to invest your money. Have you any plans as to this so far? CAROLINE. I had some idea— DUPONT. May I know what it is? CAROLINE. I would rather not say. DUPONT. Not say! CAROLINE. Yes. DUPONT. Indeed. Oh, in that case—[_shrug_] CAROLINE. You don’t mind, father? DUPONT [_much put out, but endeavoring to control himself_] Not at all. By no means. Then there’s nothing more to be said. I am a little surprised, of course; hurt even; greatly hurt, in fact. CAROLINE. I am sorry, father. DUPONT. No matter. No matter. CAROLINE. You understand— DUPONT. I understand that you do not trust your father. That is what I understand. But have your own way. I ask nothing. CAROLINE. Are you vexed with me? DUPONT. Oh no. Not the least in the world. Only when you have given everything you possess to some religious community or other, I should like to know what you will have to live upon when you are old. I assume, of course, that it is some community you are thinking of. [_Caroline is silent_]. You admit it? CAROLINE. No. I would rather say nothing about it. DUPONT. It is so, all the same? CAROLINE. Please, father! DUPONT. You won’t give me any idea? CAROLINE. No. DUPONT. You refuse, then? You refuse absolutely? CAROLINE. I have the right to do so, have I not? DUPONT. Clearly. You are old enough. CAROLINE. Don’t let us talk about it any more. DUPONT. Very well. [_After a moment, breaking into a passion_] So this is my reward! This is the result of having sacrificed my whole life for my daughters. You do not even trust me as much as you would trust any little attorney you consulted. CAROLINE. Father! Of course I trust you. DUPONT [_furiously_] Hold your tongue. You are heartless and undutiful. I did not expect this. CAROLINE. Please don’t be angry, father. DUPONT. Angry? Yes; I am angry, and I have good reason. [_Striking the table_] Damnation! This is too much! To have lived to be sixtytwo and be insulted like this. [_He strides up and down the room_]. CAROLINE. I thought I could—I have only disposed of part of the money. DUPONT [_stopping short_] What? CAROLINE. I have only disposed of part of the money.