"Well, why haven't you handed it to her, knave?" said the duke; "is that all the respect you have for a nobleman's command?"
"I did hand it to her, monsieur; I did indeed!"
"Francinette!" roared the duke.
Francinette, who was listening at the door, made but one bound from the reception-room into the bedroom.
"Why didn't you give your mistress the letter Monsieur de Canolles left for her?"
"Why, monseigneur—" murmured the maid, in deadly terror.
"Monseigneur!" thought the amazed Biscarros, shrinking into the most remote corner of the room; "Monseigneur! it must be some prince in disguise."
"I had not asked her for it," Nanon, pale as a ghost, hastened to say.
"Give it me," said the duke, extending his hand.
Poor Francinette slowly held out the letter, turning to her mistress with a look which seemed to say,—