"I … I … I do not know … a catastrophe … where is my father?"
"In his room, and…."
At that very moment Maurice knocked at the door, and before they had time to answer him, he entered. His face was distorted with grief.
"A catastrophe, a catastrophe!" repeated Esperance, at sight of him.
"Get up, put on a wrap, put something on your head, and come, come quickly! A carriage is waiting for us!"
"A catastrophe, a catastrophe! Albert? the Duke?…"
"Albert!" he answered brusquely. "Come quickly! He wants to see you before…."
The words died in his throat.
He helped his cousin and led her rapidly to the carriage. Esperance was gasping with anguish.
"Tell me, Maurice, tell me."