"
"Are you sure there is no mistake?" she inquired after a pause. "Is all
this really true, Monsieur?"
"It is, indeed."
"But how comes it that my father has seen naught of what has been so plain
to me--that M. de Mancini was ever at my sister's side?"
"Your father, Mademoiselle, is much engrossed in his vineyard. Moreover,
when the Chevalier has been at hand he has been careful to show no greater
regard for the one than for the other of you. I instructed him in this
duplicity many weeks ago."
She looked at me for a moment.
"Oh, Monsieur," she cried passionately, "how deep is my humiliation! To
think that I was made a part of so vile a bargain! Oh, I am glad that M.
de Mancini has proved above the sordid task to which they set him--glad
that he will dupe the Cardinal and my father."
"So am not I, Mademoiselle," I exclaimed. She vouchsafed me a stare of
ineffable surprise.
"How?
"Diable!" I answered. "I am M. de Mancini's friend. It was to shield him
that I fought your brother; again, because of my attitude towards him was
it that I went perilously near assassination at Reaux.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208