"I feel that you are afraid of letting me know. You are so upset."
"I am upset for a very different reason."
"Why?"
"Because I too am going to see."
"But you have done so already."
"One always sees new things, Victorien; that's the terrifying part of it."
I took hold of the curtain.
"Don't touch it, don't touch it!" he cried. "No one has the right, except myself. Who knows what would happen if any one except me were to open the closed door! Stand back, Victorien. Take up your position at two paces from the wall, a little to one side. . . . And now look!"
His voice was vibrant with energy and implacable determination. His expression was that of a man facing death; and, suddenly, with a single movement, he drew the black-serge curtain.