Munza scanned de Morin closely, seeking to read his very eyes and discover the truth there.
Delange and I breathed more freely, and we began to have a vague notion of our friend's project. As he had said, he wanted, in the common interest, to take advantage of the King's love; he was bent upon making Munza help us to find M. de Guéran, and, instead of describing him as the husband of our companion—which would have been dangerous both for her and for us—he passed him off as her father.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
After having scanned de Morin attentively for some time, the King suddenly said to him—
"How is it that your father has not been mentioned before to-day? Why did you not let me know sooner what was the real object of your journey?"
"I wanted to tell you long ago," replied our friend. "Did I not ask you for a private interview? You acceded to my request, and my sister came with us on the following morning to your palace. If you had received us then, you would have known everything."
"But," remarked Munza, "you have seen me frequently, and might have spoken to me."
"You insulted us, and were no longer our friend. Secrets of such importance as ours are only confided to a friend. If I speak out to-day, it is only because I have forgiven you since you asked for my sister's hand."
Munza was at a loss for an answer. He, however, did not seem satisfied.
"How," said he, after a pause, "can your father be living southward of my kingdom? Where has he come from?"