“Further still,” she returned, “further still; we were talking of the connection—”
“Which existed between you and the Franciscan,” said Aramis, interrupting her eagerly, “well, I am listening to you very attentively.”
“It is easily explained,” returned the duchesse. “You know that I am living at Brussels with M. de Laicques?”
“I heard so.”
“You know that my children have ruined and stripped me of everything.”
“How terrible, dear duchesse.”
“Terrible indeed; this obliged me to resort to some means of obtaining a livelihood, and, particularly, to avoid vegetating for the remainder of my existence. I had old hatreds to turn to account, old friendships to make use of; I no longer had either credit or protectors.”
“You, who had extended protection towards so many persons,” said Aramis, softly.
“It is always the case, chevalier. Well, at the present time I am in the habit of seeing the king of Spain very frequently.”
“Ah!”