This outburst of passion did not in the smallest degree discompose Daumon.
“Your father has many enemies, Marquis,” he resumed, “for his manners are overbearing and exacting; but you have many friends, and among them all you will find none more devoted than myself, humble though my position may be. Many ladies of high rank take a great interest in you. Only a day or two ago some persons were speaking of you in the presence of Mademoiselle de Laurebourg, and she blushed crimson at your name. Do you know Mademoiselle Diana?”
Norbert colored.
“Ah, I understand,” replied Daumon. “And when you have broken the fetters that now bind you, we shall see something one of these days. And now—”
But at this moment Norbert’s eyes caught a glimpse of the old-fashioned cuckoo clock that hung on the wall in one corner of the room. He started to his feet.
“Why, it is dinner-time!” said he. “What upon earth will my father say?”
“What, does he keep you in such order as that?”
But, never heeding the sarcastic question of the Counsellor, Norbert had regained his cart, and was driving off at full speed.