All the possibilities of the law to which Daumon had alluded struck the Duke with over-whelming force, and he at once saw that his violent conduct had given ample grounds upon which to base a plaint, with results which he greatly feared.

If the court entertained the matter, his son would most likely be removed from his control.

He knew that such an idea would never cross Norbert's brain, but there were plenty of persons to suggest it to him.

The danger of his position occurred to him, and at the same time he felt that he must frame his future conduct with extreme prudence.

He had not given up his views regarding his son's marriage with Mademoiselle de Puymandour.