“I am sure you are too frank to deceive me. I would trust you.”
“You are very good. I do not like this errand, it is true, but I have no option save to perform it.”
“I can understand that, monsieur,” she said, with a glance that made him wish any one else had been chosen for the task. “You have too good a heart to wish to frighten a poor girl like myself, or to persecute a noble innocent girl like Mademoiselle de Malincourt.”
“Several messengers have been sent here during the day and none of them have returned. I have come therefore to learn the reason.”
“Certainly, monsieur. It is very strange,” and Lucette looked at him, almost sympathetically. “What do you wish me to do?”
“I must see the guard for myself, mademoiselle.”
“Certainly, monsieur. Where are they?”
“Pardon me. You are either keeping matters from me—which I assure you will be useless—or you are strangely ignorant of what has occurred here.”
“I think it must be both, monsieur, don’t you?” and they laughed together at the reply.
“I beg you tell me.”