The young lawyer followed him with a doubtful expression.

"What is the matter?" asked the Count.

"The matter, father, is that I am sure I am right."

"But you have said nothing."

"No; but I have been thinking that you have still ten thousand francs
a year left of your original fortune. You will leave them to me--as
long a time hence as possible, I hope. But if you are ready to give me
a hundred thousand francs to make a foolish match, you will surely
allow me to ask you for only fifty thousand to save me from such a
misfortune, and enjoy as a bachelor a fortune equal to what your
Mademoiselle Bontems would bring me."

"Are you crazy?"

"No, father. These are the facts. The Chief Justice promised me
yesterday that I should have a seat on the Bench. Fifty thousand
francs added to what I have, and to the pay of my appointment, will
give me an income of twelve thousand francs a year. And I then shall
most certainly have a chance of marrying a fortune, better than this
alliance, which will be poor in happiness if rich in goods."

"It is very clear," said his father, "that you were not brought up
under the old _regime_. Does a man of our rank ever allow his wife to
be in his way?"