He perished, disgraced and forsaken, of starvation in Paris, the city of pleasures and of crimes.

They told me that my son was little more than a living skeleton when he was found, so slowly had the end come.

If I did not spare him, can I relent toward Roland?
The justice I demand is, in comparison, mercy for him." As he finished speaking he opened his eyes, and saw those of Felicita fastened on the reflection of his face in the mirror.

He turned away, and in a minute or two resumed his seat, and spoke again in his ordinary abrupt tone.
"What will you do ?" he asked.
"I cannot tell yet," she answered; "I must wait till suspense is over.
If Roland comes back, or is brought back," she faltered, "then I must decide what to do.

I shall keep to myself till then.