"At the risk of what may happen to you?"
"Don't be alarmed; I have a place for it. As to taking my leave, I shall make no such blunder, being here by the duke's invitation. Furthermore, in your desire to be rid of me, you forget one thing."
"What is that?"
"The important commission the duke mentioned, which is likely to make my fortune."
Nanon turned pale.
"Why, you know perfectly well that it was not intended for you," she said. "You know that to abuse your present position would be a crime, for which you would have to pay the penalty one day or another."
"For that reason I don't propose to abuse it. I am anxious to use it, nothing more."
"Besides, Monsieur de Canolles is named in the commission."
"Very good; am I not Baron de Canolles?"