ction of the little portrait of Marechal, which had vanished,
recurred to his mind. He must find it! When he should see it perhaps he
should cease to doubt!

His brother stirred, conscious no doubt of a presence, or disturbed by
the light of the taper on his eyelids. The doctor retired on tip-toe to
the door which he noiselessly closed; then he went back to his room, but
not to bed again.

Day was long in coming. The hours struck one after another on the
dining-room clock, and its tone was a deep and solemn one, as though the
little piece of clockwork had swallowed a cathedral-bell. The sound rose
through the empty staircase, penetrating through walls and doors, and
dying away in the rooms where it fell on the torpid ears of the sleeping
household. Pierre had taken to walking to and fro between his bed and
the window. What was he going to do? He was too much upset to spend this
day at home. He wanted still to be alone, at any rate till the next day,
to reflect, to compose himself, to strengthen himself for the common
every-day life which he must take up again.

Well, he would go over to Trouville to see the swarming crowd on the
sands. That would amuse him, change the air of his thoughts, and give
him time to inure himself to the horrible thing he had discovered.
As soon as morning dawned he made his toilet and dressed. The fog had
vanished and it was fine, very fine. As the boat for Trouville did not
start till nine, it struck the doctor that he must greet his mother
before starting.

He waited till the hour at which she was accustomed to get up, and then
went downstairs. His heart beat so violently as he touched her door
that he paused for breath. His hand as it lay on the lock was limp and
tremulous, almost incapable of the slight effort of turning the handle
to open it. He knocked. His mother's voice inquired:

"Who is there?"

"I--Pierre."

"What do you want?"

"Only to say good-morning, because I am going to spend the day at
Trouville with some friends."

"But I am still in bed."

"Very well, do not disturb yourself. I shall see you this evening, when
I come in."

He hoped to get off without seeing her, without pressing on her cheek
the false kiss which it made his heart sick to think of. But she
replied:

"No. Wait a moment. I will let you in. Wait till I get into bed again."

He heard her bare feet on the floor and the sound of the bolt drawn
back. Then she called out:

"Come in."

He went