"You
employ such men as that?"
"Hush! he'll hear you. Do you see that other man in malignant
conversation with Madame du Gua?"
"The one in black who looks like a judge?"
"That is one of our go-betweens, La Billardiere, son of a councillor
to the Breton Parliament, whose real name is something like Flamet; he
is in close correspondence with the princes."
"And his neighbor? the one who is just putting up his white clay pipe,
and uses all the fingers of his right hand to snap the box, like a
countryman."
"By Jove, you are right; he was game-keeper to the deceased husband of
that lady, and now commands one of the companies I send against the
Republican militia. He and Marche-a-Terre are the two most
conscientious vassals the king has here."
"But she--who is she?"
"Charette's last mistress," replied the marquis. "She wields great
influence over all these people."
"Is she faithful to his memory?"
For all answer the marquis gave a dubious smile.
"Do you think well of her?"
"You are very inquisitive."
"She is my enemy because she can no longer be my rival," said
Mademoiselle de Verneuil, laughing. "I forgive her her past errors if
she forgives mine. Who is that officer with the long moustache?"
"Permit me not to name him; he wants to get rid of the First Consul by
assassination. Whether he succeeds or not you will hear of him.
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