"My good lady," replied the commandant, with his usual grimace,
"that's none of your business."
Irritated by the tone and words of the old soldier, but still more at
the sort of humiliation offered to her in presence of a man who was
under the influence of her charms, Mademoiselle de Verneuil rose,
abandoning the simple and modest manner she had hitherto adopted; her
cheeks glowed and her eyes shone as she said in a quiet tone but with
a trembling voice: "Tell me, has this young man met all the
requirements of the law?"
"Yes--apparently," said Hulot ironically.
"Then, I desire that you will leave him, /apparently/, alone," she
said. "Are you afraid he will escape you? You are to escort him with
me to Mayenne; he will be in the coach with his mother. Make no
objection; it is my will--Well, what?" she added, noticing Hulot's
grimace; "do you suspect him still?"
"Rather."
"What do you want to do with him?"
"Oh, nothing; balance his head with a little lead perhaps. He's a
giddy-pate!" said the commandant, ironically.
"Are you joking, colonel?" cried Mademoiselle de Verneuil.
"Come!" said the commandant, nodding to the young man, "make haste,
let us be off."
At this impertinence Mademoiselle de Verneuil became calm and smiling.
"Do not go," she said to the young man, protecting him with a gesture
that was full of dignity.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133