She shrugged her shoulders. "That I cannot tell."
"Do you mean you can't, or won't?"
"I know nothing, Monsieur, except that I have been paid well, and told
that I may go home as soon as I like, and by what route I like, having
delivered the letter to Monsieur. My young master gave me enough to
return with the donkeys to Mentone all the way from Chambery by rail
if I chose; but I prefer to walk down, and keep the extra money for my
_dot_. It will make me a good one."
I am not sure that, before disentangling a huge bottle-fly from
Fanny's long lashes, she did not glance under her own at Joseph, when
giving this information.
"Look here, Innocentina," I said beguilingly, "tell me which way, and
how, your young Monsieur has gone, and I will double that _dot_ of
yours."
"Not if you would quadruple it, Monsieur. I promised my master to say
nothing."
"Couldn't you get absolution for breaking a promise?"
"No, Monsieur. I am not that kind of Catholic. It is only heretics
who break their promises, and take money for it--like Judas Iscariot."
Joseph did not charge at this red rag, but looked so utterly depressed
that Innocentina's eyes relented.
"Very well," I said. "You deserve praise for your loyalty. I ought not
to have tried to corrupt it. But, you know, I shall find out in the
town, or at the railway station."
Innocentina smiled.
Pages:
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348