"Not to see her again--oh, it would be frightful!" And sinking upon a chair, overwhelmed with sorrow, he covered his face with his hands.
This great grief was sincere--he loved tenderly his mother that divine sentiment had accompanied him, unalterable and pure, through all the phases of a too often guilty life.
After a few minutes, Rodin ventured to say to his master, as he showed him the second letter: "This, also, has just been brought from M.
Duplessis.

It is very important--very pressing--" "See what it is, and answer it.

I have no head for business." "The letter is confidential," said Rodin, presenting it to his master.
"I dare not open it, as you may see by the mark on the cover." At sight of this mark, the countenance of Rodin's master assumed an indefinable expression of respect and fear.

With a trembling hand he broke the seal.

The note contained only the following words: "Leave all business, and without losing a minute, set out and come.