Monsieur Roguin then read a stamped paper, containing the “respectful summons,” prepared for the occasion; after which he proceeded to ask Bartolomeo what answer he made to it.
“Are there laws in France which destroy paternal authority?—” demanded the Corsican.
“Monsieur—” said Roguin, in his honeyed tones.
“Which tear a daughter from her father?—”
“Monsieur—”
“Which deprive an old man of his last consolation?—”
“Monsieur, your daughter only belongs to you if—”
“And kill him?—”
“Monsieur, permit me—”
There is nothing more horrible than the coolness and precise reasoning of notaries amid the many passionate scenes in which they are accustomed to take part.