"Here is a letter for you, M. Louis."
"Very well," replied the young man, abstractedly, too much engaged in wondering what the important matter to which his father had alluded could be to pay much attention to the letter, which Father Richard instantly recognised as the one which he had written to his son that morning, and which he had addressed to the Rue de Grenelle instead of to Dreux, as poor Mariette had requested.
Knowing the contents of the missive, the old scrivener was on the point of advising his son to read the letter immediately, but, after a moment's reflection, he adopted the opposite course, and said:
"My dear boy, you will have plenty of time to read your letter by and by. Listen to me now, for I repeat there is a matter of great importance both to you and to me, that I must consult you about."
"I am at your service, my dear father," replied Louis, laying the letter which he had been about to open on the table.
CHAPTER VI.
A FATHER'S AMBITION.
Father Richard remained silent for a moment, then, turning to his son, said:
"I have warned you that I am about to appeal to your generosity as well as to your affection for me."
"Then you have only to speak, father."
"You told me just now that, if you sometimes dreamed of a less humble existence than ours, it was not on your own account, but mine."