“I have no claim, sir, upon your affection; I do not ask for it, but I insist at all times upon the utmost deference.  It is traditional in our house, that a son shall never interrupt his father when he is speaking; that, you have just been guilty of.  Neither do children judge their parents; that also you have just done.  When I was forty years of age my father was in his second childhood; but I do not remember ever having raised my voice above his.  This said, I continue.  I provided the necessary funds for the expenses of Albert’s household completely, distinct from my own, for he had his own servants, horses, and carriages; and besides that I allowed the unhappy boy four thousand francs a month.  I have decided in order to put a stop to all foolish gossip, and to make your position the easier, that you should live on a grander scale; this matter concerns myself.  Further, I will increase your monthly allowance to six thousand francs; which I trust you will spend as nobly as possible, giving the least possible cause for ridicule.  I cannot too strongly exhort you to the utmost caution.  Keep close watch over yourself.  Weigh your words well.  Study your slightest actions.  You will be the point of observation of the thousands of impertinent idlers who compose our world; your blunders will be their delight.  Do you fence?”

“Moderately well.”

“That will do!  Do you ride?”

“No; but in six months I will be a good horseman, or break my neck.”

“You must become a horseman, and not break anything.  Let us proceed.  You will, of course, not occupy Albert’s apartments.  They will be walled off, as soon as I am free of the police.  Thank heaven! the house is large.  You will occupy the other wing; and there will be a separate entrance to your apartments, by another staircase.  Servants, horses, carriages, furniture, such as become a viscount, will be at your service, cost what it may, within forty-eight hours.  On the day of your taking possession, you must look as though you had been installed there for years.  There will be a great scandal; but that cannot be avoided.  A prudent father might send you away for a few months to the Austrian or Russian courts; but, in this instance, such prudence would be absurd.  Much better a dreadful outcry, which ends quickly, than low murmurs which last forever.  Dare public opinion; and, in eight days, it will have exhausted its comments, and the story will have become old.  So, to work!  This very evening the workmen shall be here; and, in the first place, I must present you to my servants.”

To put his purpose into execution, the count moved to touch the bell-rope.  Noel stopped him.

Since the commencement of this interview, the advocate had wandered in the regions of the thousand and one nights, the wonderful lamp in his hand.  The fairy reality cast into the shade his wildest dreams.  He was dazzled by the count’s words, and had need of all his reason to struggle against the giddiness which came over him, on realising his great good fortune.  Touched by a magic wand, he seemed to awake to a thousand novel and unknown sensations.  He rolled in purple, and bathed in gold.