"Répentigny? ah, I know, I know."
"As I have said, sir, the man is a cheat. Here in my hands are proofs of it, and I, myself, am personal witness against him."
"Ah, this is serious, this is serious," repeated the Prince in a disturbed tone.
"Your Excellency will, then, order his expulsion from the company?"
"Ah, you ask much, you ask much. I refer you to my adjutant. He manages those things," and with a slightly impatient gesture the Prince bowed, and de Lotbinière knew that he must go.
He next proceeded to Troyes to see Collinot. That officer examined particularly the Genealogist's certificate, went to the records, compared it with the former attestation, arrived at a conclusion. He treated the matter as of its full importance, and the only respect in which he disappointed de Lotbinière was that he did not share the latter's violent feelings.
"The young man has been an efficient officer," he said regretfully, "and his conduct that of a gentleman. He is very unfortunate at an age when a man feels such misfortune keenly. It is regrettable for all of us. But, no doubt, we must do our duty."
"And preserve our young officers from consorting with the scum of the people, Monsieur Adjutant."
"He is scarcely scum, sir. One must allow that in point of form he is parfaitement bien. It is likely that the fortune of his father has led him quite naturally to believe himself fit for the regiment."
"He ought, instead, to have been standing aproned in a pork-market. He deserves the galleys."