"He?" she cried.
"To be sure, my dear little sister," replied a most affable voice. "But I beg your pardon," added the owner of the voice, as he espied the Duc d'Épernon; "perhaps I intrude."
He bowed to the ground to the governor of Guyenne, who replied with a gracious gesture.
"Cauvignac!" muttered Nanon, but so low that the name was pronounced by her heart rather than by her lips.
"Welcome, Monsieur de Canolles," said the duke, with a most benevolent expression; "your sister and I have done naught but talk of you since last evening, and since last evening we have been most desirous of seeing you."
"Ah! you wished to see me? indeed!" said Cauvignac, turning to Nanon, with a look in which there was an indescribable expression of irony and suspicion.
"Yes," said Nanon; "Monsieur le Duc has been kind enough to express a wish that you should be presented to him."
"Naught save the fear of intruding upon you, monseigneur," said Cauvignac, bowing to the duke, "has prevented me from seeking that honor before this."
"On my word, baron," said the duke, "I admire your delicacy, but I feel bound to reproach you for it."