III.
As soon as the viscountess had disappeared, and her voice had died away in the distance, the gate having been closed behind her, the circle of officers drew closer around Canolles, and two men of sinister mien, suddenly appearing as if they had sprung from the ground, approached the duke and humbly awaited his commands.
The duke simply pointed to the prisoner. He himself drew near to him, and said, with his customary glacial courtesy:—
"Monsieur, you doubtless understand that the departure of your companion in misfortune renders you liable to the penalty which was to be inflicted upon him."
"Yes, monsieur," replied Canolles, "I suspected as much; but there is one thing of which I am perfectly certain, that Madame la Princesse granted a pardon to me by name. I saw, and you yourself might have seen just now, the order for my release in the hands of Madame la Vicomtesse de Cambes."
"It is true, monsieur," said the duke, "but Madame la Princesse could not have anticipated the present state of affairs."
"I am to understand, then, that Madame la Princesse recalls her signature?"
"Yes," replied the duke.
"A princess of the blood is false to her word?"