"Monsieur le comte, yellow is not a color to be scorned; in China, the marks of highest distinction consist of yellow waistcoats and peacocks' feathers."
"Morbleu! monsieur, never mind the Chinese, but answer my question: why do I find you rigged out like this?"
"Because I am to play Thésée this evening, monsieur le comte."
"You, play Thésée!"
"Yes, monsieur le comte; in Phèdre, which is to be given at the local theatre."
"What! monsieur le précepteur, you propose to act?"
"Why not, monsieur le comte? circumstances—— Besides, Roscius was entertained by Sylla, Garrick is buried at Westminster, and Molière——"
"Do you consider yourself on a level with those men, monsieur? Do you suppose that I sent you with my son, with the idea of your being an actor? Was it with that end in view that you undertook this journey? Did you think, as well as Frédéric, that you could deceive me for long? In a fortnight, you spent the eight thousand francs I handed you——"
"We didn't spend them, monsieur le comte——"
"Silence, monsieur! I was willing to forgive that first escapade; I sent you more money, and I learned that, instead of continuing your journey, you had remained at Grenoble, and that my son was making the tour of Europe in Dauphiné."