"Why not, my dear, I pray to know? they put Richon to death."
"Because, madame, this same Monsieur de Canolles saved your Highness at Chantilly."
"Ought I to thank him for being deceived by our stratagem?"
"Ah! madame, that's where you are in error; Monsieur de Canolles was not for one instant deceived by the substitution. He recognized me at the first glance."
"Recognized you, Claire?"
"Yes, madame. We made a part of the journey together; Monsieur de Canolles—Monsieur de Canolles was in love with me; and under those circumstances—Ah! madame, perhaps he did wrong, but it is not for you to reproach him for it,—under those circumstances he sacrificed his duty to his love."
"So the man whom you love—"
"Yes," said the viscountess.
"The man whom you asked my leave to marry—"
"Yes."