"What an idea! Good-night!"
"Am I always to be considered as occupying the stool of repentance?"
Henri inquired, as soon as his sister had left the room.
"Yes, but you will not be offended if I interrogate you a little, after the manner of a judge?" said the Duke.
"Quite the contrary. Go on; I will listen."
"Had you not just now expressed yourself very distinctly in disfavor of any project of marriage because of perfectly unimpeachable principles, I should not permit myself to make any allusion to your private life. Every man is his own master in his choice of liaisons, and on that head is answerable only to his own conscience. In these days, moreover, art is on a level with birth, and talent with military glory. You see that I am quite modern in my ideas! However—"
"Ah, there is a reserve?"
"Without liability. Mademoiselle Gontier is surrounded by great luxury. She maintains an expensive house and keeps an open table. Her annual salary and her income can not possibly cover these expenses. Whence does she obtain further resources?"
"From the investments made for her by the Baron de Samoreau."
"Without her having to pay a commission of any kind? A most remarkable case of disinterestedness!"
"I never have sought to examine the matter particularly," said Henri.