of the future, when I may be kept in this horrible servitude for the
next thirty years? My father is still hale and hearty."

"What of that? You will be of age soon, and then you will have full
right to claim your mother's fortune."

The extreme surprise displayed by Norbert at this intelligence convinced
the Counsellor that he was much more unsophisticated than he had
supposed him to be.

"A man," continued he, "can, when he attains his majority, dispose of
his inheritance as he thinks fit, and your mother's fortune will render
you independent of your father."

"But I should never dare to claim it; how could I venture to do so?"

"You need not make the application personally; your solicitor would
manage all that for you; but, of course, you must wait until you are of
age."

"But I cannot wait until then," said Norbert; "I must at once free
myself from this tyranny."

"Luckily there are ways."

"Do you really think so, Daumon?"

"Yes, and I will show you what is done every day. Nothing is more common
in noble families. Would you like to be a soldier?"