No sooner had we appeared behind him, than he lifted his voice to a good loudness, and addressed the assemblage.
'I take you all to witness--can you hear me ?--I take you all to witness that I recognise as my heir and representative this gentleman, whom most of you see for the first time, the Viscount Anne de St.-Yves, my nephew of the younger line.

And I take you to witness at the same time that, for very good reasons known to myself, I have discarded and disinherited this other gentleman whom you all know, the Viscount de St.-Yves.

I have also to explain the unusual trouble to which I have put you all--and, since your supper was not over, I fear I may even say annoyance.

It has pleased M.Alain to make some threats of disputing my will, and to pretend that there are among your number certain estimable persons who may be trusted to swear as he shall direct them.

It pleases me thus to put it out of his power and to stop the mouths of his false witnesses.