As for Mary, she came up to her sister, slipped her arm within Bertha's, and resting her head upon the latter's shoulder, awaited, with a curiosity she did not seek to disguise, the answer of Maître Loriot.
"Well, if you really wish to know why, young ladies--"
The notary made a pause, as though expecting to be encouraged; and Bertha did encourage him with a nod.
"I came," continued Maître Loriot, "because Madame la Baronne de la Logerie informed me that the château de Souday was probably the place to which her son went on taking flight from his home."
"And on what did Madame la Baronne de la Logerie base that supposition?" asked Bertha, with the same questioning look and the same firm, incisive voice.
"Mademoiselle," replied the notary, more and more embarrassed, "after what I said to your father, really I do not know whether, in spite of the reward you promise to my frankness, I have the courage to say more."
"Why not?" said Bertha, with the same coolness. "Shall I help you? It is because she thinks, I believe you said, that the object of Monsieur Michel's love is at Souday."
"Yes, mademoiselle, that is just it."
"Very good; but what I desire to know, and what I shall insist on knowing, is Madame de la Logerie's opinion of that love."
"Her opinion is not exactly favorable, mademoiselle," returned the notary; "that I must admit."