“You will of course understand——”
“I will understand nothing but that you must do as I say.”
De Proballe spread out his hands and was about to expostulate again, when the Duke cut him short, and said very sternly—
“Will you do as I say, M. le Baron, or must I find some other way?”
“It shall be as you please. The best plan I can conceive is that we remain hidden here where we can watch any one on the terrace, and I will send word to de Cobalt that the hour is close at hand when he is to accompany me to the Castle, and ask him to wait me on the terrace. Then I can send for Gabrielle, and get her there.”
“Give the instructions in my presence.”
“Monsieur le Duc!” exclaimed de Proballe, in a tone of indignation.
“Monsieur le Baron!” He imitated de Proballe’s tone, and then laughed coarsely. “I can trust my own ears, and mean to have no warning conveyed to either of them.”
De Proballe started and bit his lip. He had contemplated doing the very thing the Duke insinuated, and was bitterly vexed his thought should have been read. For a moment they faced each other, and then de Proballe with a shrug of his shoulders turned to obey. But at that instant the Duke caught sight of Gerard and Gabrielle strolling in the gardens, and frowned.
“There is no need to summon any one. I see them. You will remain with me, monsieur.”