My agents are everywhere scouring
the province for your servants, and let us pray Heaven that they
may succeed in their search."
"It is a forlorn hope, Monsieur de Castelroux," I sighed, "and I
will pin no faith to it lest I suffer a disappointment that will
embitter my last moments, and perhaps rob me of some of the
fortitude I shall have need of."
He answered me, nevertheless, with words of encouragement. No
effort was being spared, and if Rodenard and my men were still in
Languedoc then was every likelihood that they would be brought to
Toulouse in time. Then he added that that, however, was not the
sole object of his visit. A lady had obtained permission of the
Keeper of the Seals to visit me, and she was waiting to be admitted.
"A lady?" I exclaimed, and the thought of Roxalanne flitted through
my mind. "Mademoiselle de Lavedan?" I inquired.
He nodded. "Yes," said he; then added, "She seems in sore
affliction, monsieur."
I besought him to admit her forthwith, and presently she came.
Castelroux closed the door as he withdrew, and we were left alone
together. As she put aside her cloak, and disclosed to me the pallor
of her face and the disfiguring red about her gentle eyes, telling
of tears and sleeplessness, all my own trouble seemed to vanish in
the contemplation of her affliction.
We stood a moment confronting each other with no word spoken. Then,
dropping her glance, and advancing a step, in a faltering,
hesitating manner "Monsieur, monsieur," she murmured in a suffocating
voice.
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