"Take them, my friend," said Canolles, "for the question I am about to ask you cannot compromise you in any way."
"Say on, then, commandant," rejoined the soldier, first pocketing the two louis.
"Very good! I would like to know the reason of my sudden arrest."
"It would seem," said the soldier, "that you have not heard of poor Monsieur Richon's death?"
"Richon dead!" cried Canolles, in a tone of heartfelt sorrow, for the close friendship between the two men will be remembered. "Was he killed when the fortress was taken?"
"No, commandant, he has been hanged since."
"Hanged!" muttered Canolles, with pallid cheeks, looking about at the ominous surroundings and the savage faces of his keepers. "Hanged! the devil! this is likely to postpone my wedding indefinitely!"
XX.
Madame de Cambes had finished her toilet,—a toilet all the more charming for its simplicity,—and throwing a light cape over her shoulders, motioned to Pompée to go before her. It was almost dark, and thinking that she would be less likely to be observed on foot than in a carriage, she ordered her carriage to await her at one of the doors of the Carmelite church, near a chapel in which she had obtained permission for the marriage ceremony to take place. Pompée descended the stairs and the viscountess followed. This assumption of the duties of a scout reminded the old soldier of the famous patrol of the night before the battle of Corbie.