"
"You know," replied M. Tabaret kindly, "that I regard you as my own son.
Do not scruple to let me serve you."
"Know then," commenced the advocate,--"but no, not here: what I have to
say must not be overheard. Let us go into my study."
CHAPTER IV.
When Noel and old Tabaret were seated face to face in Noel's study, and
the door had been carefully shut, the old fellow felt uneasy, and said:
"What if your mother should require anything."
"If Madame Gerdy rings," replied the young man drily, "the servant will
attend to her."
This indifference, this cold disdain, amazed old Tabaret, accustomed as
he was to the affectionate relations always existing between mother and
son.
"For heaven's sake, Noel," said he, "calm yourself. Do not allow
yourself to be overcome by a feeling of irritation. You have, I see,
some little pique against your mother, which you will have forgotten
to-morrow. Don't speak of her in this icy tone; but tell me what you
mean by calling her Madame Gerdy?"
"What I mean?" rejoined the advocate in a hollow tone,--"what I mean?"
Then rising from his arm-chair, he took several strides about the room,
and, returning to his place near the old fellow, said,--
"Because, M.
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