Rodin was here interrupted by two discreet taps at the door.  The secretary rose, went to see who knocked, remained a moment without, and then returned with two letters in his hand, saying:  “The princess has profited by the departure of a courier to—­”

“Give me the letter!” cried his master, without leaving him time to finish.  “At length,” he added, “I shall have news of my mother—­”

He had scarcely read the first few lines of the letter, when he grew deadly pale, and his features took an expression of painful astonishment and poignant grief.  “My mother!” he cried, “oh, heavens! my mother!”

“What misfortune has happened!” asked Rodin, with a look of alarm, as he rose at the exclamation of his master.

“The symptoms of improvement were fallacious,” replied the other, dejectedly; “she has now relapsed into a nearly hopeless state.  And yet the doctor thinks my presence might save her, for she calls for me without ceasing.  She wishes to see me for the last time, that she may die in peace.  Oh, that wish is sacred!  Not to grant it would be matricide.  If I can but arrive in time!  Travelling day and night, it will take nearly two days.”

“Alas! what a misfortune!” said Rodin, wringing his hands, and raising his eyes to heaven.

His master rang the bell violently, and said to the old servant that opened the door:  “Just put what is indispensable into the portmanteau of my travelling-carriage.  Let the porter take a cab, and go for post horses instantly.  Within an hour, I must be on the road.  Mother! mother!” cried he, as the servant departed in haste.  “Not to see her again—­oh, it would be frightful!” And sinking upon a chair, overwhelmed with sorrow, he covered his face with his hands.

This great grief was sincere—­he loved tenderly his mother that divine sentiment had accompanied him, unalterable and pure, through all the phases of a too often guilty life.

After a few minutes, Rodin ventured to say to his master, as he showed him the second letter:  “This, also, has just been brought from M. Duplessis.  It is very important—­very pressing—­”

“See what it is, and answer it.  I have no head for business.”

“The letter is confidential,” said Rodin, presenting it to his master.  “I dare not open it, as you may see by the mark on the cover.”

At sight of this mark, the countenance of Rodin’s master assumed an indefinable expression of respect and fear.  With a trembling hand he broke the seal.  The note contained only the following words:  “Leave all business, and without losing a minute, set out and come.  M. Duplessis will replace you.  He has orders.”

“Great God!” cried this man in despair.  “Set out before I have seen my mother!  It is frightful, impossible—­it would perhaps kill her—­yes, it would be matricide!”

Whilst he uttered these words, his eyes rested on the huge globe, marked with red crosses.  A sudden revolution seemed to take place within him; he appeared to repent of the violence of his regrets; his face, though still sad, became once more calm and grave.  He handed the fatal letter to his secretary, and said to him, whilst he stifled a sigh:  “To be classed under its proper number.”