And at last, yielding to the deep compassion which filled him, vanquished by his ardent affection for his unhappy brother, he spoke out.

But he had drawn yet closer to Pierre, even passed one arm around him; and it was thus embracing him that he, in his turn, made his confession, lowering his voice as if he feared that someone might overhear his secret.

"Why should you not know it ?" he said.

"My own sons are ignorant of it.

But you are a man and my brother, and since there is nothing of the priest left in you, it is to the brother I will confide it.