The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling.

“What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?” inquired the young man, much alarmed.

“No, no, my dear Edmond⁠—my boy⁠—my son!⁠—no; but I did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so suddenly⁠—Ah, I feel as if I were going to die.”

“Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! ’Tis I⁠—really I! They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be happy.”

“Yes, yes, my boy, so we will⁠—so we will,” replied the old man; “but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has befallen you.”