You think, Gustave, I suppose, that Grinselhof and all its dependencies belong to us?
It is not so: we are penniless.

We are poorer far than the peasant who rents our farming-land and lives yonder at the gate!" Gustave looked doubtingly at De Vlierbeck, with so incredulous a smile that the poor gentleman blushed, and trembled like an aspen.
"I see you do not believe me," continued he; "I see it in your smile and look.

Like the rest of them, you think me a miser, hiding my wealth and starving my child and myself to amass riches,--a wretch who sacrifices every thing for money,--a vagabond whom all ought to fear and despise!" "Oh, pardon me, pardon me, sir!" interrupted Gustave, moved by the excitement of the old man "I think nothing of the kind! My veneration for you is unbounded!" "Nay, don't be frightened at my words, young man," continued De Vlierbeck, in a calmer tone.

"I make no accusations against you, Gustave.

I only saw in your incredulous smile that I had succeeded in masking my poverty even from you, and in making you suppose that my economy was avarice.