He was unable to withstand the feeling, and two hours later he returned to Lucan's.

As he went in, preparations for traveling greeted his eyes on all sides.

Lucan was engaged writing in his study.
"Now, my dear fellow!" said the count to him, "if I am impertinent, say so frankly and at once; but this sudden and hurried voyage doesn't look like anything.

Seriously, what is the matter?
Are you going to fight a duel outside the frontier ?": "Bah! In that case I should take you with me; you know that very well." "A woman, then ?" "Yes," said Lucan dryly.
"Excuse my importunity, and good-by." "I have wounded your feelings, dear friend ?" said Lucan, detaining him.
"Yes," said the count, "I certainly do not pretend to enter into your secrets; but I do not absolutely understand the tone of restraint, and almost of hostility, in which you are answering me on the subject of this journey.

It is not, moreover, the first symptoms of that nature that strike and grieve me; for some time past, I find you visibly embarrassed in your intercourse with me; it seems as though I were in your way and my friendship were a burden to you, and the cruel idea has occurred to my mind that this journey is merely a way of putting an end to it." "Mon Dieu!" murmured Lucan.