“No, far from that, madame; he seemed to be rather cheerful.”
“Well, there is nothing that need make us uneasy. This letter was written some days ago, and, in spite of its three black seals, it has no reference to anything that has happened since.”
Philippe bowed and went away. As soon as husband and wife were alone together, Monsieur de l’Estorade said, stretching out his hand for the letter,—
“What did he write about?”
“No, don’t read it,” said the countess, not giving him the letter.
“Why not?”
“It would pain you. It is enough for me to have had the shock; I could scarcely control myself before that old servant.”
“Does it refer to suicide?”
Madame de l’Estorade nodded her head in affirmation.
“A real, immediate intention?”