Then Mathurin saluted and turned on his heel. It was not his place to question or to show surprise. Even in the most remote cell of his brain there was not room for a rebellious or a disloyal thought. He had his orders and at once he set about to execute them, and a moment or two later his voice was heard calling to Gresset and to Picart.
"Will you at least allow me to walk with you as far as the gate?" asked de Maurel, after the man had gone.
"If you wish it," she replied. Then, with sudden unconquerable impulse, she added in a tone of agonized entreaty:
"My father ... and Laurent?"
"What can I do?" he said with an impatient sigh.
"You have influence," she pleaded; "you can save them if you have the will."
"From the consequences of their own treachery?" he retorted harshly.
"Treachery?" she protested hotly.
"Let us call it folly. If Leroux' coup had succeeded the heritage which I hold in trust for France would have been wrenched from me with the help of assassins and of traitors."