“No, I have found a faithful companion; that man who left the room when you came in. You did not recognize him, did you? It is that poor journeyman tailor who lived in the attic room near your dear Marguerite, and who used to get into his room by breaking the window.”
“Is it possible? And that man——”
“Did not leave me for one minute while my life was in danger. And yet I was a mere stranger to him. He is to travel with me, he will go wherever I go.”
“I am very glad to know that you will have some devoted friend with you.”
“Here, my friend, take this memorandum book.”
“What shall I do with it?”
“It contains the portrait of the woman whom I used to call my wife. I must not keep it any longer. Later, if you choose, you may give the book to—to her son.”
“Her son? But, Blémont, he is your son too. Are you not going to see him before you go away?”
“No, the sight of him is too painful to me. I have told you all that I thought,—all my torments. I shall never see that child again.”
“My dear Blémont, are you not wrong? Is that child responsible for his mother’s wrongdoing?”