He rose with the lark, and having gazed for a moment on Sabine's portrait, started for the abode of M.
Gandelu, the proud father of young Gaston.

This celebrated contractor lived in a splendid house in the Rue Chasse d'Antin, until his more palatial residence should be completed.
When Andre presented himself at the door, an old servant, who knew him well, strongly urged him not to go up.
"Never," said he, "in all the time that I have been with master, have I seen him in such a towering rage.

Only just listen!" It was easy to hear the noise alluded to, mingled with the breaking of glass and the smashing of furniture.
"The master has been at this game for over an hour," remarked the servant, "ever since his lawyer, M.Catenac, has left him." Andre, however, decided not to postpone his visit.

"I must see him in spite of everything; show me up," said he.
With evident reluctance the domestic obeyed, and threw open the door of a room superbly furnished and decorated, in the centre of which stood M.
Gandelu waving the leg of a chair frantically in his hand.

He was a man of sixty years of age, but did not look fifty, built like a Hercules, with huge hands and muscular limbs which seemed to fret under the restraint of his fashionable garments.