cessity to engage the enemy, but that
chicken-hearted one, (looking penetratingly at the young miller) that
downy-faced fellow is quite useless. May God forbid, we should be put
to so severe a test." He now, as well as the others, paid their parting
compliments to the Counsellor, as they were retiring for the night;
they were lighted to their apartments by the domestics, and Edmond
alone remained in the hall with his father. The rain had ceased, but
the night was dark and the sky was covered with lowering clouds. The
father and son walked up and down for some time in silence; at length
the Counsellor said: "will you not retire to rest my son?" "I am still
too much agitated and did you not hear, that our last guest feared we
should perhaps have to receive another unexpected visit?"--Silence
ensued, but Edmond after a pause recommenced: "Forgive me, my father,
if I confess, that I have not understood you to-day, that I have not
recognised in you the same person as formerly. That you received these
people and sheltered them from the storm, was natural enough, but how
it could be conformable to your disposition, (or what shall I call it)
to suffer them to eat at your table without distinction, I cannot
explain to myself. Often already have our people entertained menials;
and what countenance shall I assume when this squinting huntsman shall
wait upon me again at the table of the Lord of Basville, I know not;
and what will the Intendant and the Marshal, who certainly must hear of
it, think, or say? How shall I explain it to myself, that you received
that miller's boy not only with kindness and condescension, but yet
with hearty familiarity? who is even too low to be your menial, that
you allow my sister, who is always too forward to play and romp with
him?"

"My son," said the old man with some emotion, "it seems indeed, that,
the older I become, the less capable do I feel of justifying myself to
you: I might say, accustom yourself to my ways, as I must through
affection bear with yours, though I misunderstand them so often. You
must certainly excuse me, as you did not explain yourself before, our
conversation to-day had made so deep an impression on me, indeed, such
as I have not experienced for a long time. In my emotion I forgot to
attend to the usual etiquette of life, and as I could not avoid
entertaining the priest at our own table, I added the two other poor
fellows, but as to that miller, who has more particularly dr