"Yes, monsieur."
"Governor of Île Saint-Georges?"
"Yes."
"Formerly captain in the Navailles regiment?"
"Yes."
The sergeant, for such he seemed to be, waved his hand, and four soldiers, hidden from sight by a carriage, at once came forward; the carriage itself drove up so that its step was close to the gate, and the sergeant ordered Canolles to enter.
The young man looked about. He was absolutely alone, except that he could see, among the trees in the distance, Madame de Lalasne and her sister, like two ghosts, gazing at him, as he fancied, with compassion.
"Pardieu!" he said to himself, utterly unable to comprehend what was going on; "Madame de Cambes has selected a strange escort for me. However," he added, smiling at his own thought, "we must not be too particular as to the means."
"We are waiting for you, commandant," said the sergeant.
"I beg your pardon, messieurs," Canolles replied, "I am ready;" and he entered the carriage.