M. Daburon then quitted his chair, and, taking the advocate by the hand, led him to the count.

“M. de Commarin,” said he, “I have the honour of presenting to you M. Noel Gerdy.”

M. de Commarin was probably expecting some scene of this kind:  for not a muscle of his face moved:  he remained perfectly calm.  Noel, on his side, was like a man who had received a blow on the head; he staggered, and was obliged to seek support from the back of a chair.

Then these two, father and son, stood face to face, apparently deep in thought, but in reality examining one another with mutual distrust, each striving to gather something of the other’s thoughts.

M. Daburon had augured better results from this meeting, which he had been awaiting ever since the count’s arrival.  He had expected that this abrupt presentation would bring about an intensely pathetic scene, which would not give his two witnesses time for reflection.  The count would open his arms:  Noel would throw himself into them; and this reconciliation would only await the sanction of the tribunals, to be complete.

The coldness of the one, the embarrassment of the other, disconcerted his plans.  He therefore thought it necessary to intervene.

“Count,” said he reproachfully, “remember that it was only a few minutes ago that you admitted that M. Gerdy was your legitimate son.”

M. de Commarin made no reply; to judge from his lack of emotion, he could not have heard.

So Noel, summoning all his courage, ventured to speak first,—­“Sir,” he stammered, “I entertain no—­”

“You may call me father,” interrupted the haughty old man, in a tone which was by no means affectionate.  Then addressing the magistrate he said:  “Can I be of any further use to you, sir?”

“Only to hear your evidence read over,” replied M. Daburon, “and to sign it if you find everything correct.  You can proceed, Constant,” he added.

The tall clerk turned half round on his chair and commenced.  He had a peculiar way of jabbering over what he had scrawled.  He read very quickly, all at a stretch, without paying the least attention to either full stops or commas, questions or replies; but went on reading as long as his breath lasted.  When he could go on no longer, he took a breath, and then continued as before.  Unconsciously, he reminded one of a diver, who every now and then raises his head above water, obtains a supply of air, and disappears again.  Noel was the only one to listen attentively to the reading, which to unpractised ears was unintelligible.  It apprised him of many things which it was important for him to know.  At last Constant pronounced the words, “In testimony whereof,” etc., which end all official reports in France.

He handed the pen to the count, who signed without hesitation.  The old nobleman then turned towards Noel.

“I am not very strong,” he said; “you must therefore, my son,” emphasizing the word, “help your father to his carriage.”