Much of this feeling was due, no doubt, to the glimpse I had had of mademoiselle, and the fiery words she had spoken; more, I fancy, to chagrin and anger at the manner in which the cup of success had been dashed at the last moment from my lips.
For four hours I wandered through the streets, now hot with purpose, now seeking aimlessly.

It was ten o'clock when at length I gave up the search, and, worn out both in body and mind, climbed the stairs at my mother's lodgings and entered her room.

An old woman sat by the fire, crooning softly to herself, while she stirred something in a black pot.
My mother lay in the same heavy, deep sleep in which I had left her.

I sat down opposite the nurse (who cried out at my appearance) and asked her dully for some food.

When I had eaten it, sitting in a kind of stupor the while, the result partly of my late exertions, and partly of the silence which prevailed round me, I bade the woman call me if any change took place; and then going heavily across to the garret Simon had occupied, I lay down on his pallet, and fell into a sound, dreamless sleep.
The next day and the next night I spent beside my mother, watching the life ebb fast away, and thinking with grave sorrow of her past and my future.