"Three sons! yes, there are still three," murmured the other with a sigh.
"The eldest, the Comte de Sainte-Hermine, who emigrated, and two others younger than he; one is about twenty and the other is not more than fourteen or fifteen."
"Thank you; how long is it since you left Besançon?"
"About eight days."
"Then you can give me some recent news about this family?"
"Yes, but it is sad news."
"Tell it nevertheless."
"The night before I left, my father and I attended the funeral of the countess."
"Ah!" exclaimed the young man, as if he had received an unexpected blow; "then the countess is dead?"
"Yes."