"But my son has not breakfasted!" Madame Cormier exclaimed. "At least, take something before going, my dear child."
"It is not worth while."
He made a sign to her that she should not insist. His throat was too tight to swallow a piece of bread, and it was important that he should not betray his emotion before this agent.
"I am ready," he said.
Going to his mother he embraced her, but lightly, without effusion, as if he were only to be absent a short time.
"By-and-by."
She was distracted; but, understanding that she would compromise her son if she yielded to her feelings, she controlled herself.
CHAPTER XX
A TIGHTENING CHAIN
As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.