"Monsieur de Canolles governor of Île Saint-Georges?"
"Himself."
"Impossible! He was arrested before my very eyes!"
"True. But he has a powerful protector, no doubt, and his disgrace is changed to favor."
"And you fancied him dead ere this, my poor Claire," said Madame la Princesse, laughingly.
"Are you quite sure?" asked the viscountess, amazed beyond measure.
As usual, Lenet put his hand into the famous pocket and produced a paper.
"Here is a letter from Richon," he said, "giving me all the details of the new governor's installation, and expressing his regret that your Highness did not station him at Île Saint-Georges."
"Madame la Princesse station Monsieur Richon at Île Saint-Georges!" exclaimed Madame de Tourville, with a smile of triumph. "Pray, do we dispose of governor-ships of his Majesty's fortresses?"