Gauthier stopped for a minute, overcome with emotion.
"You are too sensitive," said Saussier.
"Perhaps so, but I have had something to bear."
"Is it a love affair, Gauthier?"
"No, no! I have never loved anyone, and besides, I am one of those who must not, who dare not love——"
"I do not understand."
"No, I will explain. My mother, who was dying of consumption, brought on by some great grief that she had always suffered alone, sent for me to bid me farewell. Three days before her death I was at her bedside.
"'My son,' she said, 'I have sent for you to tell you something which I feel you ought to know before my death. I have always led you to believe that your father was dead.'
"'And he is not dead. I have felt sure of that for a long time.'
"'How could you nave guessed it?' exclaimed my mother.