"Hé my little Joan of Arc!" she said merrily, "par Dieu, your eloquence, ma mignonne, has warmed up my old heart too. But, please God, our dear old country will not have need of heroism again."
"I am not so sure of that, ma tante."
"You are thinking of that ugly rumour which was current in Grenoble yesterday."
"Yes!"
"If that Corsican brigand dares to set his foot again upon this land . . ." began the old lady vehemently.
"Let him come, ma tante," broke in Crystal exultantly, "we are ready for him. Let him come, and this time when God has punished him again, it won't be to Elba that he will be sent to expiate his villainies!"
"Amen to that, my child," concluded Madame fervently. "And now, my dear, don't let me forget the hour of my audience. Hector will be back in a moment or two, and I must not lose any more time gossiping. But before I go, little one, will you tell me one thing?"
"Of course I will, ma tante."
"Absolutely."