“Do you take me for a fool, like your mother?” he exclaimed. “And do you think I don’t know what life you lead?”
“My life is that of a poor devil who works as hard as he can.”
“Indeed! How is it, then, that women are constantly seen at your house, whose dresses and manners are a scandal in the neighborhood?”
“You have been deceived, father.”
“I have seen.”
“It is impossible. Let me explain.”
“No, you would have your trouble for nothing. You are, and you will ever remain, the same; and it would be folly on my part to introduce into an office where I enjoy the esteem of all, a fellow, who, some day or other, will be fatally dragged into the mud by some lost creature.”
Such discussions were not calculated to make the relations between father and son more cordial. Several times M. Favoral had insinuated, that, since Maxence lodged away from home, he might as well dine away too. And he would evidently have notified him to do so, had he not been prevented by a remnant of human respect, and the fear of gossip.
On the other hand, the bitter regret of having, perhaps, spoiled his life, the uncertainty of the future, the penury of the moment, all the unsatisfied desires of youth, kept Maxence in a state of perpetual irritation.
The excellent Mme. Favoral exhausted all her arguments to quiet him.