Florestan rang, and Boyer appeared.
"Desire M. Petit-Jean to come up."
"Yes, my lord," and Boyer withdrew.
"How good you are, father, to remember your kind promise!"
"I always remember what I promise."
"What gratitude do I owe you! How can I ever prove to you—"
"I will not have my name dishonoured! It shall not be!"
"It shall not be! No, it shall never be, I swear to you, my father!"
The comte looked strangely at his son, and repeated:
"No, it shall never be!" Then he added, with a sarcastic air, "You are a prophet."