The man was very pale, and held a sealed paper, which he extended with a trembling hand.
"What is it, Joseph ?" asked Camors.
"A letter which--which Monsieur le Comte wrote for you before he left." "Before he left! my father is gone, then?
But--where--how?
What, the devil! why do you weep ?" Unable to speak, the servant handed him the paper.

Camors seized it and tore it open.
"Good God! there is blood! what is this!" He read the first words--"My son, life is a burden to me.

I leave it--" and fell fainting to the floor.
The poor lad loved his father, notwithstanding the past.
They carried him to his chamber..