I will join you directly." Then M.Daburon slowly got out of bed, put on a dressing gown, and seated himself, or rather fell, into an armchair.

His face, to which in the exercise of his austere functions he had managed to give the immobility of marble, reflected the most cruel agitation; while his eyes betrayed the inward agony of his soul.

The name of Commarin, so unexpectedly pronounced, awakened in him the most sorrowful recollections, and tore open a wound but badly healed.

This name recalled to him an event which had rudely extinguished his youth and spoilt his life.

Involuntarily, he carried his thoughts back to this epoch, so as to taste again all its bitterness.