"In that case, go to my son and tell him that I wish to speak with him—at once, before he goes out."
The old servant looked down at his feet, but did not budge.
"Well! did you not hear me, Hector?" continued the marquis, testily; "have your ears grown dull, that I have to give you the same order twice?"
"No, monsieur le marquis, no, thank heaven! my ears are still good. I have not the least occasion to reproach them. And if I have not obeyed the command you have done me the honor to give me, it is because——"
"Well! because what? finish, I say!"
"I cannot tell Monsieur le Comte Léodgard to come to speak with you, because he is not in the house."
"Not in the house? Why, you told me only a moment ago that my son had not gone out this morning!"
"That is true, monseigneur; he has not gone out this morning, because he did not come in last night."
The marquis put his hand to his forehead.
"Ah!" he cried; "of course, I understand! You did not wish to tell me that, my poor Hector; you would like to conceal my son's disorderly conduct from me! But it is useless for you to try to deceive me. I know everything; and it is much better that I should know everything; for one must know where the trouble lies, in order to put a stop to it. All this has been going on a very long while, and it must come to an end!"