\"Youhavecome，monsieur，frommyfriendMongenod？\"hesaid。
\"Yes，\"repliedErnest，growingtimidwhenhesawbeforehimafaceassombreasOthello’s。\"MynameisErnestdeLaBriere，relatedtothefamilyofthelatecabinetminister，andhisprivatesecretaryduringhistermofoffice。Onhisdismissal，hisExcellencyputmeintheCourtofClaims，towhichIamlegalcounsel，andwhereImaypossiblysucceedaschief——\"
\"AndhowdoesallthisconcernMademoiselledeLaBastie？\"askedthecount。
\"Monsieur，Iloveher;andIhavetheunhoped—forhappinessofbeinglovedbyher。Hearme，monsieur，\"criedErnest，checkingaviolentmovementonthepartoftheangryfather。\"Ihavethestrangestconfessiontomaketoyou，ashamefuloneforamanofhonor;buttheworstpunishmentofmyconduct，naturalenoughinitself，isnotthetellingofittoyou;no，Ifearthedaughterevenmorethanthefather。\"
Ernestthenrelatedsimply，andwiththenoblenessthatcomesofsincerity，allthefactsofhislittledrama，notomittingthetwentyormoreletters，whichhehadbroughtwithhim，northeinterviewwhichhehadjusthadwithCanalis。WhenMonsieurMignonhadfinishedreadingtheletters，theunfortunatelover，paleandsuppliant，actuallytrembledunderthefieryglanceoftheProvencal。