The secretary, in his turn, went to knock at the door of the inner room.

His master appeared, still grave and cold, but fearfully pale, and holding a letter in his hand.
"This for my mother," said he to Rodin; "you will send a courier on the instant." "On the instant," replied the secretary.
"Let the three letters for Leipsic, Batavia and Charlestown, leave to-day by the ordinary channel.

They are of the last importance.

You know it." Those were his last words.

Executing merciless orders with a merciless obedience, he departed without even attempting to see his mother.