The poor young man of genius had no protector the night before, but on the morrow of his death a thousand voices cried aloud, "I would have helped him." It is so easy and convenient to be charitable gratis! The suicide was explained by the Chevalier de Valois.

He revealed, in a spirit of revenge, the artless, sincere, and genuine love of Athanase for Mademoiselle Cormon.

Madame Granson, enlightened by the chevalier, remembered a thousand little circumstances which confirmed the chevalier's statement.

The story then became touching, and many women wept over it.

Madame Granson's grief was silent, concentrated, and little understood.