He therefore directed
his utmost efforts to excite his son to argue.
However he was vainly prodigal of words, and unsparing in unpleasant
allusions, so that at last he fairly lost his temper, and, on receiving
a laconic reply, he burst forth: "Upon my word, the butler's son would
say the same as you! What blood have you in your veins? You are more
like one of the people than a Viscount de Commarin!"
There are certain conditions of mind in which the least conversation
jars upon the nerves. During the last hour, Albert had suffered an
intolerable punishment. The patience with which he had armed himself at
last escaped him.
"Well, sir," he answered, "if I resemble one of the people, there are
perhaps good reasons for it."
The glance with which the viscount accompanied his speech was so
expressive that the count experienced a sudden shock. All his animation
forsook him, and in a hesitating voice, he asked: "What is that you say,
viscount?"
Albert had no sooner uttered the sentence than he regretted his
precipitation, but he had gone too far to stop.
"Sir," he replied with some embarrassment, "I have to acquaint you with
some important matters.
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