From the brief interview that I had with him I discovered that whilst he
but vaguely suspected me to be St. Auban--and when I say "he suspected me"
I mean he suspected him whose place I had taken--he was, nevertheless,
aware of the profit which his captor, whoever he might be, derived from
this business. It soon grew clear to me from what he said that St. Auban
had mocked him with it whilst concealing his identity; that he had told him
how he had obtained from Malpertuis the treasonable letter, and of the
bargain which it had enabled him to strike with Mazarin. I did not long
remain in his company, and, deeming the time not yet ripe for disclosures,
I said little in answer to his lengthy tirades, which had, I guessed, for
scope to trap me into betraying the identity he but suspected.
It wanted a few minutes to noon as I left the room in which the old
nobleman was confined, and by the door of which a trooper was stationed,
musket on shoulder. With every pulse a-throbbing at the thought of my
approaching interview with Mademoiselle, I made my way below and out into
the bright sunshine, the soldiers I chanced to meet saluting me as I passed
them.
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