The father Dutertre, hearing the sound of voices as he sat in his chamber, suddenly opened his door, made two steps into the parlour, extending his hands before him, and cried, trembling with excitement:
"Charles! Sophie. My God! what is the matter?"
"My father!" whispered Dutertre, wholly overcome.
"The old man!" said Pascal. "Good! that suits me!"
CHAPTER IX.
A moment's silence followed the entrance of the old blind man into the parlour.
Dutertre went quickly to meet his father, took hold of his trembling hand, and said, as he pressed it tenderly:
"Calm yourself, father, it is nothing; a simple discussion, a little lively. Let me take you back to your chamber."
"Charles," said the old man, shaking his head sadly, "your hand is cold, you are nervous, your voice is changed; something has happened which you wish to hide from me."
"You are not mistaken, sir," said Pascal to the old man. "Your son is hiding something from you, and in his interest, in yours, and in the interest of your daughter-in-law and her children, you ought not to be ignorant of it."