Then he said, impressively: "Well, young gentleman!" "Well, General." "What are you doing in here ?" "Oh, I am at work." "At work?
Um! Sit down there--sit down, sit down!" He threw himself on the sofa where Mademoiselle had been, which rather changed the perspective for Camors.
"Well, well!" he repeated, after a long pause.
"But what then, General ?" "What then?
The deuce! Why, have you not noticed that I have been for some days extraordinarily agitated ?" "No, General, I have not noticed it." "You are not very observing! I am extraordinarily agitated--enough to fatigue the eyes.

So agitated, upon my word of honor, that there are moments when I am tempted to believe your aunt is right: that I have disease of the heart!" "Bah, General! My aunt is dreaming; you have the pulse of an infant." "You believe so, really?
I do not fear death; but it is always annoying to think of it.

But I am too much agitated--it is necessary to put a stop to it.

You understand ?" "Perfectly; but how can it concern me ?" "Concern you?
You are about to hear.

You are my cousin, are you not ?" "Truly, General, I have that honor." "But very distant, eh?
I have thirty-six cousins as near as you, and--the devil! To speak plainly, I owe you nothing." "And I have never demanded payment even of that, General." "Ah, I know that! Well, you are my cousin, very far removed! But you are more than that.