But her eyes had fallen on the cushion black with blood. She had a spasm, and her bosom heaved with heavy sobs. The station-master, who felt distressed, intervened with much concern:
"If you are unable to bear the sight, madam——We quite understand your grief——"
"Oh! just a few words," interrupted the commissary; "and we will then have madam conducted home again."
Roubaud hastened to continue:
"It was at this visit that Monsieur Grandmorin, after talking of various matters, informed us that he was going next day to Doinville, on a visit to his sister. I still see him seated at his writing-table. I was here, my wife there. That is right, my dear, is it not? He told us he would be leaving on the morrow."
"Yes, on the morrow," said she.
M. Cauche, who continued taking rapid pencil notes, raised his head:
"How is that, on the morrow," he inquired, "considering he left the same evening?"
"Wait a moment," replied the assistant station-master. "When he heard we were returning that night, he had an idea of taking the express with us, if my wife would accompany him to Doinville, to stay a few days with his sister, as had happened before. But my wife, having a great deal to do here, refused. That is so, you refused?"
"Yes, I refused," answered Séverine.