a manufacturer of fine phrases, a vender of words!" replied
the countess, disdainfully.

"An advantageous merchandise," answered Maurice,--"one which it costs
nothing, to manufacture but which may be sold dear."

"Sold? You shock me more and more! Never has one who bore the name of de
Gramont earned money!" replied the countess, with increased _hauteur_.

"Very true, and very unfortunate! We are now feeling the ill effects of
the idleness of our ancestors. It is time that the new generation should
reform their bad system," replied Maurice.

"Maurice"--began his father.

"My dear father, let me speak upon this subject, for I have it greatly
at heart. I have an iron constitution, buoyant spirits, a tolerably good
head, a tolerably large heart, an ample stock of imagination, an
unstinted amount of energy, and an admiration for genius; now, all these
gifts--mind, heart, imagination, spirit, energy--cry out for
action,--ask to vindicate their right to existence,--need to find vent!
_That_ is one ground upon which I plant my intention to become a lawyer.
Another is that a man of my temperament, liberal views, and tendencies
to extravagance, also needs to have the command of means"--

"Have we ever restricted you, Maurice?" asked his father, reproachfully.

"No, it is only yourselves you have restricted. But do you suppose I am
willing to expend what has been saved through your economy? Until lately
I never knew the actual state of our finances. Now I see the necessity
for exertion, that I may be enabled to live as my tastes and habits
prompt."

"That you may obtain by making an advantageous marriage," remarked the
countess, forgetting at the moment that Bertha was present.

"What! owe my privileges, my luxuries, my very position, to my wife?
Never! Every manly and independent impulse within me rises in arms
against such a suggestion; while the emotion I experienced when I felt I
could become something _of myself_,--that I had talents which I could
employ,--that I had a future before me,--renown to win,--great deeds to
achieve,--filled me with a strange joy hitherto unknown. I tell you, my
father, there is a force and fire in my spirit that must have some
outlet,--must leap into action,--_must_ and _will_!"

"It shall find an outlet," replied the countess, "without making you a
hired declaimer of fine words,--a paid champion of the low mob. Let us
hear no more of this absurd lawyer project. The matter is settled: you