real feelings for your own amusement; but, take care; this may cost you
more than you think."

"Ah, Marquis, can you believe that I would act so basely?"

"What else can I think?"

Daumon paused for a moment, and then said,--

"You will be angry when you hear what I have to say, but I cannot help
speaking the truth."

"I shall not be angry, and you can speak freely."

"I am but a very poor and humble man. What have I to gain by securing
any note, and by encouraging you to brave your father's anger? Just
think what must happen if I opposed the all-powerful Duke de Champdoce;
why, I might find myself in prison in next to no time."

"And for what reason, if you please?" asked Norbert.

"Have you never studied law in the slightest degree, Marquis? Dear me,
how neglectful some parents are! You are not of age, and there is a
certain article, 354 in the code, that could be so worked that a poor
humble creature like me could be locked up for perhaps five years. The
law deals very hardly when any one has dealings with a minor, the more
especially when the father is a man of untold wealth. If the Duke should
ever discover----"

"But how could he ever do so?"