Yes, there is something in you, and when you want a hundred thousand francs to go into business with, here it is ready for you; and had I a daughter, you should marry her, and I would build your house for you." "I thank you much," said Andre; "but I have learned to depend entirely on myself." "True," returned Gandelu, "you never knew your parents; you never knew what a kind father would do for his child.

Do you know my son ?" asked he, suddenly turning upon Andre.
This question at once gave Andre the solution of the scene before him.
M.Gandelu was irritated at some folly that his son had committed.

For a moment Andre hesitated; he did not care to say anything that might revive the old man's feeling of anger, and therefore merely replied that he had only met his son Gaston two or three times.
"Gaston," cried the old man, with a bitter oath; "do not call him that.
Do you think it likely that old Nicholas Gandelu would ever have been ass enough to call his son Gaston?
He was called Peter, after his grandfather, but it wasn't a good enough one for the young fool; he wanted a swell name, and Peter had too much the savor of hard work in it for my fine gentleman.

But that isn't all; I could let that pass," continued the old man.

"Pray have you seen his cards?
Over the name of Gaston de Gandelu is a count's coronet.