They passed, then, silently and almost breathlessly, the hour that preceded midnight.

The clock, by striking, alone pointed out to them how many minutes had lasted the painful journey made by their souls in the immensity of their remembrances of the past and fear of the future.

Athos rose first, saying, "it is late, then....

Till to-morrow." Raoul rose, and in his turn embraced his father.

The latter held him clasped to his breast, and said, in a tremulous voice, "In two days, you will have left me, my son--left me forever, Raoul!" "Monsieur," replied the young man, "I had formed a determination, that of piercing my heart with my sword; but you would have thought that cowardly.