"For persons of high honor," he said slowly, "it is a noble employment
of wealth to repair the ravages of time and destiny, and restore the
old historic families."
"Yes, papa," said Modeste, gravely.
The colonel invited the duke and Canalis to dine with him sociably in
their riding-dress, promising them to make no change himself. When
Modeste went to her room to make her toilette, she looked at the
jewelled whip she had disdained in the morning.
"What workmanship they put into such things nowadays!" she said to
Francoise Cochet, who had become her waiting-maid.
"That poor young man, mademoiselle, who has got a fever--"
"Who told you that?"
"Monsieur Butscha. He came here this afternoon and asked me to say to
you that he hoped you would notice he had kept his word on the
appointed day."
Modeste came down into the salon dressed with royal simplicity.
"My dear father," she said aloud, taking the colonel by the arm,
"please go and ask after Monsieur de La Briere's health, and take him
back his present. You can say that my small means, as well as my
natural tastes, forbid my wearing ornaments which are only fit for
queens or courtesans.
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