On the very day that I received the
tidings I speak of, I sent her to Auch to the care of some relatives
of her mother's. Chatellerault remained a week. Then, growing
restive, he asked when my daughter would return. 'When you depart,
monsieur,' I answered him, and, being pressed for reasons, I dealt
so frankly with him that within twenty-four hours he was on his way
back to Paris."
The Vicomte paused and took a turn in the apartment, whilst I
pondered his words, which were bringing me a curious revelation.
Presently he resumed.
"And now, Chatellerault having failed in his purpose, the King
chooses a more dangerous person for the gratifying of his desires.
He sends the Marquis, Marcel de Bardelys to Lavedan on the same
business. No doubt he attributes Chatellerault's failure to
clumsiness, and he has decided this time to choose a man famed for
courtly address and gifted with such arts of dalliance that he
cannot fail but enmesh my daughter in them. It is a great compliment
that he pays us in sending hither the handsomest and most
accomplished gentleman of all his Court - so fame has it - yet it is
a compliment of whose flattery I am not sensible. Bardelys goes
hence as empty-handed as went Chatellerault. Let him but show his
face, and my daughter journeys to Auch again. Am I not well advised,
Monsieur de Lesperon?"
"Why, yes," I answered slowly, after the manner of one who
deliberates, "if you are persuaded that your conclusions touching
Bardelys are correct.
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