Raoul Spencer, supposed to be Raoul de Clameran, began to triumph over his instincts of revolt. He ran to the door and rang the bell. It opened.
"Is my aunt at home?" he asked the footman.
"Madame is alone in the boudoir next her room," replied the servant.
Raoul ascended.
Clameran had said to Raoul, "Above all, be careful about your entrance; your appearance must express everything, and thus you will avoid impossible explanations."
When Raoul entered the little reception-room, his pale face and wild eyes frightened Madame Fauvel, who cried:—
"Raoul! What has happened to you?"
The sound of her gentle voice produced upon the young vagrant the effect of an electric shock. He trembled from head to foot: yet his mind was clear; Louis had not been mistaken in him. Raoul continued his role as if on the stage, and as assurance came to him his knavery crushed his better nature.
"Mother, the misfortune which has come to me," he replied, "is the last one."