The Count of Monte Cristo

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gentleman to be properly instructed in music and dancing are not too
much. Well, you soon become tired of singing, and you take a fancy
to study diplomacy with the minister's secretary. You understand, it
signifies nothing to me so long as you pay for your lessons out of your
own cashbox. But to-day I find you are drawing on mine, and that your
apprenticeship may cost me 700,000 francs per month. Stop there, madame,
for this cannot last. Either the diplomatist must give his lessons
gratis, and I will tolerate him, or he must never set his foot again in
my house;--do you understand, madame?"

"Oh, this is too much," cried Hermine, choking, "you are worse than
despicable."

"But," continued Danglars, "I find you did not even pause there"--

"Insults!"