Comparing my lot with that of so many others, I felt that I had more than common advantages.

One day, Providence placed in my hands all the letters which my father, the Count de Commarin, had written to Madame Gerdy during the time she was his mistress.

On reading these letters, I was convinced that I was not what I had hitherto believed myself to be,--that Madame Gerdy was not my mother!" And, without giving M.Daburon time to reply, he laid before him the facts which, twelve hours before, he had related to M.Tabaret.

It was the same story, with the same circumstances, the same abundance of precise and conclusive details; but the tone in which it was told was entirely changed.

When speaking to the old detective, the young advocate had been emphatic and violent; but now, in the presence of the investigating magistrate, he restrained his vehement emotions.
One might imagine that he adapted his style to his auditors, wishing to produce the same effect on both, and using the method which would best accomplish his purpose.
To an ordinary mind like M.Tabaret's he used the exaggeration of anger; but to a man of superior intelligence like M.Daburon, he employed the exaggeration of restraint.