"Because—he says——"
"He says—— Well, go on."
"He says that you are a—reprobate."
"Why, he has never seen me more than three times!"
"It seems that somebody has talked to him about you."
"There are always people who make it their business to slander innocence. Do you know that, if monsieur le comte were not your father, I—— Although, after all, he is not far from right. But if he knew how thoroughly I have reformed! and how I have preached at myself since last night!—Well, what else?"
"He suggests as my travelling companion my former tutor, Monsieur Ménard."
"The idea of giving a tutor to a young man who is almost twenty-one! That sort of thing positively makes me ill! No matter; let us allow monsieur le comte to have his way; we will carry out our plans, all the same."
"How?"
"You won't be sorry to have me travel with you, will you?"