XXXIX
M. Mauperin had gone out into the garden as he usually did on coming downstairs in the morning, when, to his surprise, he saw Denoisel advancing to meet him.
"You here, at this hour?" he said. "Why, where did you sleep?"
"M. Mauperin," said Denoisel, pressing his hand as he spoke.
"What is it? What's the matter?" asked M. Mauperin, feeling that something had happened.
"Henri is wounded."
"Dangerously? Is it a duel?"
Denoisel nodded.
"Wounded? Ah, he is dead!"