“What do you take me for, uncle? It is sufficient that I am your guest.”
“All right—I know my physiology and how to use it. May I trust you? You swear it? Very well.”
“As for her,” he added with a crafty smile, “I am easy for the time being. She has lately seen my way of treating suitors. I advise you not to make trial of it.”
Having got up, with his hands in his pockets, and his pipe between his teeth, Lerne looked me up and down in a jocular and provocative manner. This physiologist inspired me with an unconquerable aversion.
We continued our walk round the park.
“Ah, by the way, do you know German?” said the Professor.
“No, uncle; I only understand French and Spanish.”
“No English either? That’s not much for a future merchant prince. You have not been taught much, I fear.”
“Tell that to the Marines, uncle,” said I to myself. “I had begun to keep wide open those eyes you commanded me to keep shut, and I saw just then that your satisfied expression gave your words the lie.”
We reached the end of the park by way of the foot of the cliffs and came in front of the château which seemed stretching its two wings towards us and dominating the underwood with its ruinous façade.