"Because I sent for you to come here on a matter of forgery."
And the notary fixed his green spectacles on the viscount.
"And how can this forgery in any way affect me?"
After a moment's silence, M. Ferrand said to the viscount, with a stern air:
"Are you aware, sir, of the duties which a notary fulfils?"
"Those duties appear to me, sir, very simple indeed; just now I had forty thousand francs, now I have thirteen hundred francs left."
"You are facetious, sir; I will tell you that a notary is, in temporal matters, what a confessor is in spiritual affairs; by virtue of his position, he often becomes possessed of disgraceful secrets."
"Go on, I beg, sir."
"He is often brought into contact with rogues."
"Go on, sir."