"Because he's your lover; that's not difficult to guess."
"Because," continued Nanon, seizing the wrathful duke's arm with a dramatic gesture, "because he is my brother!"
Monsieur d'Épernon's arm fell to his side.
"Your brother?" he said.
Nanon nodded affirmatively with a triumphant smile.
"This calls for an explanation," the duke cried, after a moment's reflection.
"Which I will give you," said Nanon. "When did my father die?"
"Why, about eight months since," replied the duke, after a short mental calculation.
"When did you sign the captain's commission for Canolles?"