Undoubtedly, for ten years now, the boys' mother had been dead, but did not another scandal-inspiring creature dwell there, that young orphan girl to whom his brother had given shelter, and whom he was going to marry, although a difference of twenty years lay between them?
To Pierre all this was contrary to propriety, abnormal and revolting, and he pictured a home given over to social rebellion, where lack of principle led to every kind of disorder.
However, he was leaving the room to start upon his journey, when Guillaume called him back.

"Tell Madame Leroi," said he, "that if I should die you will let her know of it, so that she may immediately do what is necessary." "Yes, yes," answered Pierre.

"But calm yourself, and don't move about.
I'll say everything.

And in my absence Sophie will stop here with you in case you should need her." Having given full instructions to the servant, Pierre set out to take a tramcar, intending to alight from it on the Boulevard de Rochechouart, and then climb the height on foot.

And on the road, lulled by the gliding motion of the heavy vehicle, he began to think of his brother's past life and connections, with which he was but vaguely, imperfectly, acquainted.
It was only at a later date that details of everything came to his knowledge.