That morning, on the Tuesday, Philippe came to the Old Mill. Mme. Morestal was told and hurried down, in a great state of excitement, eager to vent her wrath upon her unworthy son. But, at the sight of him standing outside on the terrace, she overcame her need of recrimination and uttered no reproach, so frightened was she at seeing him look so pale and sad. She asked: "Where have you been?" "What does it matter?" replied Philippe. "I ought not to have come back ... but I could not keep away, because of father.... I was too much upset.... How is he?" "Dr. Borel won't say anything definite yet." "And what is your opinion?" "My opinion? Well, frankly speaking, I am very hopeful. Your father is so strong! But, all the same, it was a violent shock...." "Yes," he said, "that is what alarms me. I have not lived, these last two days. How could I possibly go before knowing for certain?..." She hinted, with a certain feeling of apprehension: "Then you want to stay here?" "Yes ... provided he does not know." "The fact is ... it's like this ... Suzanne is here, in your father's room.... He insisted on her coming...." "Oh!" he said. "Is Suzanne here?" "Where would you have her go? She has no one left. Who knows when Jorance will be out of prison? And, besides, will he ever forgive her?" He stood wrapped in thought and asked: "Has Marthe met her?" "There was a terrible scene between them. I found Suzanne with her face streaming with blood, all over scratches." "Oh, the poor things!" he murmured. "The poor things!..." His head fell; and, presently, she saw that he was weeping. As she had no word of consolation to offer him, she turned round and walked to the drawing-room, where she shifted the furniture so as to have the satisfaction of putting it back in its place. She tried to find a pretext to utter her resentment. When Philippe sat down at the table, she showed him the newspapers: "Have you seen them?" "Yes, the news is bad." "That's not the point. The point is that the cabinet has fallen on the publication of the under-secretary's report. The whole Chamber rose up in protest." "Well?" "Well, that report is the one based upon the last enquiry ... of two days ago ... at the Butte-aux-Loups.... So you see ..." Philippe felt a need to justify himself: "You forget, mother, that there was an unexpected factor in the case. Before the sitting of the Chamber, a telegram had been published reporting the words spoken by the emperor after hearing the Statthalter's explanation." He pointed to one of the papers: "Here, mother, read this. These are the emperor's own words: 'Our conscience is now at ease. We had the might; we have the right. God decide the issue! I am ready.' And the Chamber, when condemning and overthrowing a ministry that was prepared for conciliation, intended to reply to words which it looked upon as provocative." "Very well," said the old lady. "But, all the same, the report made no difference." "Yes, that is so."