Julien went back dreamily, and sat down again before the hearth.  The revelation made by Reine Vincart had completely astounded him.  Such was his happy inexperience of life, that he had not for a moment suspected the real position of Manette and her son at the chateau.  And it was this young girl who had opened his eyes to the fact!  He experienced a certain degree of humiliation in having had so little perception.  Now that Reine’s explanation enabled him to view the matter from a different standpoint, he found Claudet’s attitude toward him both intelligible and excusable.  In fact, the lad was acting in accordance with a very legitimate feeling of mingled pride and anger.  After all, he really was Claude de Buxieres’s son—­a natural son, certainly, but one who had been implicitly acknowledged both in private and in public by his father.  If the latter had had time to draw up the incomplete will which had been found, he would, to all appearances, have made Claudet his heir.  Therefore, the fortune of which Julien had become possessed, he owed to some unexpected occurrence, a mere chance.  Public opinion throughout the entire village tacitly recognized and accepted the ‘grand chasserot’ as son of the deceased, and if this recognition had been made legally, he would have been rightful owner of half the property.

“Now that I have been made acquainted with this position of affairs, what is my duty?” asked Julien of himself.  Devout in feeling and in practice, he was also very scrupulous in all matters of conscience, and the reply was not long in coming:  that both religion and uprightness commanded him to indemnify Claudet for the wrong caused to him by the carelessness of Claude de Buxieres.  Reine had simply told him the facts without attempting to give him any advice, but it was evident that, according to her loyal and energetic way of thinking, there was injustice to be repaired.  Julien was conscious that by acting to that effect he would certainly gain the esteem and approbation of his amiable hostess of La Thuiliere, and he felt a secret satisfaction in the idea.  He rose suddenly, and, leaving the library, went to the kitchen, where Manette Sejournant was busy preparing the breakfast.

“Where is your son?” said he.  “I wish to speak with him.”

Manette looked inquiringly at him.

“My son,” she replied, “is in the garden, fixing up a box to take away his little belongings in—­he doesn’t want to stay any longer at other peoples’ expense.  And, by the way, Monsieur de Buxieres, have the goodness to provide yourself with a servant to take my place; we shall not finish the week here.”

Without making any reply, Julien went out by the door, leading to the garden, and discovered Claudet really occupied in putting together the sides of a packing-case.  Although the latter saw the heir of the de Buxieres family approaching, he continued driving in the nails without appearing to notice his presence.