Pitou did not see the drift of the reply.
Pitou was a lover of Catherine Billet, but he self-acknowledged that he could have no chance against the young nobleman who had captivated the rustic maid. When her father tried to shoot the gallant, he had—while not shielding her or her lover, helped her to conceal herself from Billet.
It was not he, however, but Isidore who had brought the girl to Paris, after she had given birth to a boy. This occurred in the absence of Billet and Pitou, both of whom were ignorant of the removal.
Pitou had housed her in a quiet corner, and he went to Paris without anything arising to cause him sadness.
He had found Dr. Gilbert, to whom he had to report that with money he had given, Captain Pitou had equipped his Guards at Haramont in uniform which was the admiration of the county.
The doctor gave him five-and-twenty more gold pieces to be applied to maintaining the company at its present state of efficiency.
"While I am talking with Billet," said Gilbert, "who has much to tell me, would you not like to see Sebastian?"
"I should think I do," answered the peasant, "but I did not like to ask your permission."
After meditating a few instants, Gilbert wrote several words on a paper which he folded up like a letter and addressed to his son.
"Take a hack and go find him," he said. "Probably from what I have written, he will want to pay a visit; take him thither and wait at the door. He may keep you an hour or so, but I know how obliging you are; you will not find the time hang heavy when you know you are doing me a kindness."