"It means that we are gentlepeople—and that in my father there, you behold the real or principal Chevalier de Lincy. I am but the younger Chevalier."
The family, at this announcement, gave voice to a mutual cry. The father looked up and said soberly—
"You mistake, my son."
"In no respect, dear father. I have learnt our descent in France, and am glad to inform you that you are what you deserve to be—a noble."
"There, François Xavier!" exclaimed the wife. "You are not going to deny it."
"Many good stocks forget their origin in going out to the colonies," added Germain. "You, sir, crossed the sea at a very early age."
"At twelve years old," asserted the merchant.
"You were too young to make those inquiries which I have completed. You knew little of your parents."
"My father was a butcher of Paris; I know that."
"That is an error, sir. Those you regarded as your parents were but foster-parents, though they bore the same name."