But again the words died upon his lips.
After a few moments’ silence, he went on—
“It will distress you, but it must be done.”
The old servant in great anxiety hurried away to fetch the lamp; when she returned she saw Mathéus looking as pale as death.
“You are ill, Doctor,” she cried; “you are in pain, I am sure!”
But the illustrious Doctor had had time to collect his thoughts. A luminous idea flashed upon his mind—
“If I can succeed in convincing Martha, all will go well, and it will clearly prove besides that entire humanity will be unable to resist the eloquence of Frantz Mathéus.” Full of this conviction, he rose.
“Martha,” he said, “look me full in the face.”
“I’m looking at you, Doctor,” replied the bewildered old servant.