"Mon Dieu!" murmured Madame Bastien, with a despairing sob, and, overcome with shame and confusion, she dared not even lift her eyes to Henri David's face.
"You will regret those words when you learn to know me better," said Henri David, with a look of infinite compassion.
Frederick burst into a shrill, sardonic laugh, and rushed out of the room.
"Don't leave him alone, doctor, I implore you," exclaimed the mother.
But this entreaty had not passed her lips before M. Dufour started after Frederick.
CHAPTER XX.
LEFT alone with Madame Bastien, Henri David remained silent for several minutes as if to collect his thoughts, then, turning to his companion, he said, earnestly:
"I wish, madame, that you could see in me a physician who is devoting himself to a dangerous but by no means hopeless case. I should like to receive from you a full account of all the events which have taken place since you first noticed the change in your son's character which distresses you so much. Our friend, Doctor Dufour, has already given me some information on the subject. But what you can tell me, madame, will doubtless enlighten me still more."
Marie complied with his request, but when she came to the description of the scene in the forest, she hesitated and turned pale, and her distress was so apparent that Henri David exclaimed:
"What is the matter, madame? This emotion, these tears—"