I had decided to go straight to the point.
'Sir,' said I, 'my mission is painful.

The facts I am about to reveal to you are incredible.

I beg you, do not answer me until you have read the letters I have here.

I beseech you, above all, to keep calm.' He looked at me with an air of extreme surprise, and answered, 'Speak! I can hear all.' I stood up, and said, 'Sir, I must inform you that you are not the legitimate son of M.de Commarin, as this correspondence will prove to you.

The legitimate son exists; and he it is who sends me.' I kept my eyes on his while speaking, and I saw there a passing gleam of fury.
For a moment I thought he was about to spring at my throat.