Still it did not prevent him from trying to justify himself,
although he was careful not to confess the truth, for he dreaded
his mother's censure, knowing well enough that she would be less
indulgent than his own conscience.
"I believe you, my son," said the good woman, gravely; "you
wouldn't deceive me, I'm sure." And she added: "What reassured
me, when you kissed me, was that you hadn't been drinking."
Chupin did not speak a word; this confidence made him strangely
uneasy. "May I be hung," he thought, "if after this I ever do
anything that I can't confess to this poor good woman!"
But he hadn't time for sentimental reflections. He had gone too
far to draw back, and it was necessary for him to report the
result of his researches as soon as possible. Accordingly, he
hastily ate a morsel, for he was faint with hunger, and started
out again, promising to return to dinner. He was in all the
greater haste as it was Sunday. M. Fortunat was in the habit of
passing these days in the country, and Chupin feared he might fail
to see him if he was not expeditious in his movements. And while
running to the Place de la Bourse, he carefully prepared the story
he meant to relate, deeply impressed by the wisdom of the popular
maxim which says: "It is not always well to tell the whole truth."
Ought he to describe the scene at the restaurant, mention Coralth,
and say that there was nothing more to be done respecting M.
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