"Understand, Adamas, that I do not blush for my father's name, and that that name, which was borne by my brother, will always be dear to me. But as I am much more attached to the name that my king gave me, I propose that Mario, also, shall bear it, and shall be Bouron de Bois-Doré, which, by the customary abbreviation, will become plain Bois-Doré."
"That is what I intended to suggest! Come, monsieur, dress yourself and eat your breakfast here in your bedroom with the child, for the hall below is in the hands of my decorators; then I will make your toilet. But you must wear to-day the clothes that I ask you to put on."
"Do what you please, Adamas, as you are responsible for everything!"
While eating and laughing and talking with his heir, honest Sylvain suddenly fell into profound melancholy. He succeeded in concealing it from the boy. But when Adamas, declaring that everything was going satisfactorily, came to make him up for the day, he opened his heart to him, while the child played about the château.
"My poor friend," he said, "I am amazed that the numes célestes, who have watched over me with such paternal care of late, have allowed me none the less to become involved in a terrible embarrassment."
"What embarrassment, monsieur?"
"Have you already forgotten, Adamas, that I offered my heart and my life to a beautiful enchantress on the morning of the very day when I found Mario? Now, as she did not reject, but simply postponed my offer, the result is that I run the risk—according to you!—of having other heirs than this child, to whom I would gladly devote my life and bequeath my property."
"The devil! monsieur, I did not think of that! But do not be disturbed! As it was I who put the fatal plan into your mind, it is for me to find you a way out of the dilemma. I will think about it, monsieur, I will think about it! Don't forget to beautify yourself and to make merry to-day."
"Indeed I will not. But what coat is that you are giving me, my friend!"
"Your coat à la paysanne, monsieur; it is one of the handsomest you have."