"Ah, monsieur," said Gaston, in a reproachful tone, "you forget the brave D'Harmental and the learned Mademoiselle de Launay."
"D'Harmental is kept in bed by his wounds," said Brigaud.
"As to Mademoiselle de Launay," said the Chevalier Dumesnil, reddening with pleasure, "here she comes; she does us the honor of dining with us."
"Present me, monsieur," said Gaston; "among prisoners we must not make ceremonies; I reckon, therefore, on you."'
And Dumesnil, taking Gaston by the hand, presented him to Mademoiselle de Launay.
Gaston could not repress a certain expression of astonishment at all he saw.
"Ah, chevalier," said the governor, "I see that, like three-quarters of the inhabitants of Paris, you thought I devoured my prisoners."
"No, monsieur," said Gaston, "but I certainly thought for a moment that I should not have had the honor of dining with you to-day."——"How so?"
"Is it the habit to give your prisoners an appetite for their dinners by the walk I have had to-day?"
"Ah, yes," cried Mademoiselle de Launay, "was it not you who were being led to the torture just now?"