The Confession of a Child of the Century — Volume 2

Name: The Confession of a Child of the Century — Volume 2
Author: Alfred de Musset

by Alfred de Musset

Pages: about 103
Category: Literature & Fiction
Language: English
Reading time: 1.9 h at 250 wpm

Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 63 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

My father lived in the country some distance from Paris. When I arrived I found a physician in the house, who said to me:
"You are too late; your father expressed a desire to see you before he died."
I entered, and saw my father dead. "Sir," I said to the physician, "please have everyone retire that I may be alone here; my father had something to say to me, and he will say it."
In obedience to my order the servants left the room. I approached the bed and raised the shroud which covered the face. But when my eyes fell on that countenance, I stooped to kiss it and lost consciousness.
"If he requests it, you must refuse him on some pretext or other."
I understood that they wanted to get me away from the bed of death, and so I feigned that I had heard nothing. When they saw that I was resting quietly, they left me. I waited until the house was quiet, and then took a candle and made my way to my father's room. I found there a young priest seated near the bed.
"Sir," I said, "to dispute with an orphan the last vigil at a father's side is a bold enterprise. I do not know what your orders may be. You may remain in the adjoining room; if anything happens, I alone am responsible."
He retired. A single candle on the table shone on the bed. I sat down in the chair the priest had just left, and again uncovered those features I was to see for the last time.
"What do you wish to say to me, father?" I asked. "What was your last thought concerning your child?"
My father had a book in which he was accustomed to write from day to day the record of his life. That book lay on the table, and I saw that it was open; I kneeled before it; on the page were these words and no more:

A short sample. Read the whole book

The Confession of a Child of the Century — Volume 2

From the opening

More to read