“Oh! why not? I am a bachelor,” said Cagliostro, with an air which quite deceived M. de Crosne.
“That is then the reason why my agents could not find her.”
“What! you were seeking this little girl? Had she then been guilty of any crime?”
“No, sir, no; pray go on.”
“Oh! I have done. I lodged her at my house, and that is all.”
“No, sir, for you just now associated her name with that of Madame de la Motte.”
“Only as neighbors.”
“But, sir, this Oliva, whom you say you had in your house, I found in the country with Beausire.”
“With Beausire? Ah! then I have wronged Madame de la Motte.”
“How so, sir?”