"My son," replied the countess, "I have informed you; but that insolent woman prevented your understanding; we are to return very soon to Brittany, to the Château de Gramont; I expect you to rejoice at this pleasing intelligence."
"No—no, I cannot go! I cannot leave"—
He stopped as though his mother's flashing eyes checked the words ready to burst from his lips.
"You will not have to leave Maurice," she said, coldly; "he is to accompany us."
"But Madeleine! Madeleine!" he sobbed forth as if unable to restrain himself.
The countess was on the point of replying angrily, when Maurice interposed.
"I beg you, madame, not to excite my father by further discussion. Come, my dear father, you are tired; it is getting late; I know it will do you good to lie down."
And he conducted the unresisting invalid to his own chamber, leaving the countess swelling with rage, yet glorying in the certainty that she would carry out her plans, in spite of every opposition.