What I have said in a page can be comprehended in a moment. He spoke to me of our journey and the countries we were going to visit.
“When do you go?” he asked.
“I do not know; Madame Pierson is indisposed, and has been confined to her bed for three days.”
“For three days!” he repeated, in surprise.
“Yes; why are you astonished?”
He arose and threw himself on me, his arms extended, his eyes fixed. He was trembling violently.
“Are you ill?” I asked, taking him by the hand. He pressed his hand to his head and burst into tears. When he had recovered sufficiently to speak, he said:
“Pardon me; be good enough to leave me. I fear I am not well; when I have sufficiently recovered I will return your visit.”