“Upon the subject of noble birth.”
“Who can be better informed on that subject than a De Grammont?”
“No compliments; it is your opinion I ask.”
“At least, inform me of the subject under discussion.”
“De Wardes asserts that the distribution of titles is abused; I, on the contrary, maintain that a title is useless to the man on whom it is bestowed.”
“And you are correct,” said Bragelonne, quietly.
“But, monsieur le vicomte,” interrupted De Wardes, with a kind of obstinacy, “I affirm that it is I who am correct.”
“What was your opinion, monsieur?”
“I was saying that everything is done in France at the present moment to humiliate men of family.”
“And by whom?”