"But, if we can't buy her, we must take her!" said Madame de Tourville, still in favor of violent measures.
"You would render her Highness an inestimable service, madame, could you attain that object; but it would be difficult of attainment, as we have absolutely no idea where she is. But let us leave that for the present; let us first of all effect an entrance into Bordeaux, then we will find a way into Île Saint-Georges."
"No, no!" cried Claire; "no, we will effect an entrance at Île Saint-Georges first!"
This exclamation, evidently from the heart, caused the other women to turn toward the viscountess, while Lenet gazed at her as earnestly as Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld could have done, but with a kindlier interest.
"Why, you are mad!" said the princess; "you have heard Lenet say that the place is impregnable!"
"That may be," said Claire, "but I think that we can take it."
"Have you a plan?" said Madame de Tourville, with the air of one who fears the erection of an altar in opposition to her own.
"Perhaps," said Claire.
"But," laughed the princess, "if Île Saint-Georges is held at so high a figure as Lenet says, perhaps we are not rich enough to buy it."
"We will not buy it," said Claire, "but we will have it all the same."