called
Madame de Chantemille,--a fit companion for a noble count!"

The shaft had penetrated the impassability which Gaston had up to this
displayed. "You should not insult Zora," said he.

"I shall not," returned his father with a grim laugh, "take the trouble
to do that; you are not of age, and I shall clap your friend Madame de
Chantemille into prison."

"You would not do that!"

"Would I not? You are a minor; but your Zora, whose real name is Rose,
is much older; the law is wholly on my side."

"But father--"

"There is no use in crying; my lawyer has the matter in hand, and by
nightfall your Zora will be securely caged."

This blow was so cruel and unexpected, that the young man could only
repeat,--

"Zora in prison!"

"Yes, in the House of Correction, and from thence to Saint Lazare.
Catenac told me the very things to be done."

"Shameful!" exclaimed Gaston, "Zora in prison! Why, I and my friends
will lay siege to the place. I will go to the Court, stand by her side,
and depose that this all comes from your devilish malignity. I will say
that I love and esteem her, and that as soon as I am of age I will marry
her; the papers will write about us. Go on, go on; I rather like the
idea."

However great a man's self-control may be, it has its limits. M. Gandelu
had restrained himself even while he told his son of his villainous
conduct; but these revolting threats were more than he could endure,
and Andre seeing this, stepped forward, opened the door, and thrust the
foolish youth into the corridor.

"What have you done" cried the contractor; "do you not see that he will
go and warn that vile creature, and that she will escape from justice?"

And as Andre, fearing he knew not what, tried to restrain him, the old
man, exerting all his muscular strength, thrust him on one side with
perfect ease, and rushed from the room, calling loudly to his servants.

Andre was horrified at the scene at which, in spite of himself, he had
been compelled to assist as a witness. He was not a fool, and had lived
too much in the world of art not to have witnessed many strange scenes
and met with many dissolute characters; but, as a rule, the follies of
the world had amused rather than disgusted him. But this display of want
of feeling on the part of a son toward a father absolutely chilled his
blood. In a few minutes M. Gandelu appeared with a calmer expression
upon his face.

"I will tell you how matters now stand," said