He rushed to the young Count and seized him by both hands, while Camors remarked that his face was troubled and his lips trembled.

"Sit down and be calm," he said.
"My friend," said the other, after a pause, "I come late to see you, for which I crave pardon; but--I am myself so miserable! See, I am in mourning!" Camors felt a chill run to his very marrow.

"In mourning! and why ?" he asked, mechanically.
"Juliette is dead!" sobbed Lescande, and covered his eyes with his great hands.
"Great God!" cried Camors in a hollow voice.

He listened a moment to Lescande's bitter sobs, then made a movement to take his hand, but dared not do it.

"Great God! is it possible ?" he repeated.
"It was so sudden!" sobbed Lescande, brokenly.