"How does this forgery affect me?"
After a moment's pause Ferrand said, with a severe tone, "Are you acquainted, sir, with the duties of a notary?"
"The duties are perfectly clear to me, sir. I had just now forty thousand francs; I have now remaining but thirteen hundred."
"You are very jocose, sir. I will tell you, that a notary is to temporal affairs what a confessor is to spiritual ones; from his profession he often knows ignoble secrets."
"What next, sir?"
"He is often obliged to be in relations with rogues."
"What after this, sir?"
"He ought, as much as in his power, to prevent an honorable name from being dragged in the mire."
"What have I in common with all this?"
"Your father has left you a respected name, which you dishoner, sir!"