"Are you ill, Madame?"
"No, Herr Doctor," she replied.
And a sudden pallor caused her dark face to become livid.
"Someone who is most dear to me," she added with lowered eyes, "my son—my only son—I fear consumption."
Again a rush of pallor passed over her features.
"Why did you not bring him with you, Madame?"
She raised her magnificent black eyes, where an immense pride was apparent, and looked at the doctor.
"Through fear, through fear," she stammered.
"Fear, Madame?"
"For fear that you might have something serious to tell my son. He is twenty-five, Doctor."