"'You understand what I mean, do you not, monsieur?
"'My chambermaid, who knew nothing, who understood nothing, was coming in every moment, believing, naturally, that I had lost my reason. I sent her away with a word or a movement of the hand. She went for the doctor, who found me in the throes of a nervous fit.
"'I was put to bed. I got an attack of brain-fever.
"'When I regained consciousness, after a long illness, I saw beside my bed my—lover—alone.
"'I exclaimed:
"'"My son? Where is my son?"
"'He replied:
"'"No, no, I assure you every effort has been made by me to find him, but I have failed!"
"'Then, becoming suddenly exasperated and even indignant—for women are subject to such outbursts of unaccountable and unreasoning anger—I said:
"'"I forbid you to come near me or to see me again unless you find him. Go away!"