Madam leaned nearer and asked, “She inherits estates in France?”
“She would if she were disposed to relinquish her religion, otherwise they are confiscate.”
“Ah! They are fair estates?”
“Very fair. Her father possessed wealth and position, now both will be transferred to the eldest son of his sister, one Étienne Villeneau.”
“Whom the girl does not fancy?”
“As cousins they were good friends, but as husband and wife, that is another thing.”
“This other, the wild, piratical Dupont, of whom the girl told me, what is his object?”
“That, madam, I have yet to learn. He desires to marry mademoiselle, it would seem.”
“For her possible wealth?”
“I think not.”