Let me repeat to you the conditions.

The Count will give two-thirds of his fortune, which is estimated at five millions--just think of that!--and when we get that, we shall be able to screw and save with better heart.

Think of the restoration of our house, and the colossal fortune that our descendants will one day inherit, and realize all the beauties of a life of self-denial." While the Duke was uttering this string of incoherent sentences, he was pacing up and down the room, and now he halted immediately in front of his son.

"You understand," said he; "to-morrow you will go to Poitiers, and on Sunday we will dine at the house of your future father-in-law." In this fearful crisis Norbert did not know what to say or how to act.
"Father," he once more commenced, "I have no wish to go to Poitiers to-morrow." "What are you saying?
What in heaven's name do you mean ?" "I mean that as I shall never love Mademoiselle de Puymandour, she will never be my wife." The Duke had never foreseen the chance of rebellion on the part of his son, and he could not bring his mind to receive such an unlooked-for event.
"You are mad," said he at last, "and do not know what you are saying." "I know very well." "Think of what you are doing." "I have reflected." The Duke was making a violent effort to compose his ordinarily violent temper.
"Do you imagine," answered he disdainfully, "that I shall be satisfied with an answer of this kind?
I hope that you will submit to my wishes, for I think that, as the head of the family, I have conceived a splendid plan for its future aggrandizement; and do you think that, for the mere whim of a boy, I will be turned aside from my fixed determination ?" "No, father," answered Norbert, "it is no boyish whim that makes me oppose your wishes.

Tell me, have I not ever been a dutiful son to you?
Have I ever refused to do what I was ordered?
No; I have obeyed you implicitly.