The duke made a wry face. Lenet shrugged his shoulders, and the solemn procession left the palace to go to the prison.
Madame de Cambes had traversed the distance in less than five minutes; she showed the order to the sentinel at the drawbridge, then to the doorkeeper at the prison, and asked to see the governor.
The governor scrutinized the order with the inexpressive eye characteristic of prison-governors, which never lights up at sight of a death-warrant or pardon, recognized the signature and seal of Madame de Condé, saluted the messenger, and said, turning to the door:
"Call the lieutenant."
Then he motioned to Madame de Cambes to be seated; but her excitement and impatience were too intense to allow her to be at rest, and she remained on her feet.
The governor thought it incumbent upon him to speak to her.
"You know Monsieur de Canolles?" he said in the same tone in which he would have asked what the weather was.
"Oh! yes, monsieur," was the reply.
"He is your brother, mayhap, madame?"
"No, monsieur."