human
What about this new name? said the mother at length;
gpt
Not at all, mother,
human
But they call you 'Monsieur de Lincy,' you say.
gpt
It is not a new name; it is the real one of the family--you are entitled to it as well as I.
human
What does that mean, son Germain? Have we been ignorant of our own name?
gpt
It means that we are gentlepeople--and that in my father there, you behold the real or principal Chevalier de Lincy. I am but the younger Chevalier.
human
You mistake, my son.
gpt
In no respect, dear father. I have learnt our descent in France, and am glad to inform you that you are what you deserve to be--a noble.
human
There, François Xavier! exclaimed the wife.
gpt
You are not going to deny it.
human
Many good stocks forget their origin in going out to the colonies, added Germain.
gpt
You, sir, crossed the sea at a very early age.
human
At twelve years old,
gpt
You were too young to make those inquiries which I have completed. You knew little of your parents.
human
My father was a butcher of Paris; I know that.
gpt
That is an error, sir. Those you regarded as your parents were but foster-parents, though they bore the same name.
human
Who, then, do you pretend was my father? cried the merchant in amazement.
gpt
There was no question of that matter before I left France.
human
Because your mother had died, and your father, who was a poor man, though a gentleman, had departed for service in the East Indies, and there was heard of no more.
gpt
In any event I do not care about these things. I shall always remain the Merchant Lecour,
human
But François Xavier! cried his wife.
gpt
Have you no care about your children and me? Is it nothing to us if we are _noblesse_? Will you be forever turning over skins and measuring groceries when you ought to have a grand house and a grand office, like the gentry of the North-West Company at Montreal, who dine with the Governor, and are yet no better off than you? I am sure _they_ are no Chevaliers de Lincy
human
I cannot believe it, wife. I know where I came from, and that I was nothing but a boy sent out with the troops by the magistrates of Paris --Germain started--
gpt
Listen, father, exclaimed Germain with a kind of gaiety, appreciating the melancholy humour of the situation,
human
I have not only traced you up, but shall show you the evidence. Carry in my little box while I bring the black one.