Before he could explain further,—if he meant to,—the door opened, and Mlle. de Montluc came in.
Her eyes travelled first to us, in anxiety; then with relief to Mayenne, sitting over the jewels; last, to Lucas, with startlement. She advanced without hesitation to the duke.
"I am come, monsieur, to fetch you to supper."
"Pardieu, Lorance!" Mayenne exclaimed, "you show me a different face from that of dinner-time." Indeed, so she did, for her eyes were shining with excitement, while the colour that M. Étienne had kissed into them still flushed her cheeks.
"If I do," she made quick answer, "it is because, the more I think on it, the surer I grow that my loving cousin will not break my heart."
"I want a word with you, Lorance," Mayenne said quietly.
"As many as you like, monsieur," she replied promptly. "But will you not send these creatures from the room first?"
"Do you include your cousin Paul in that term?"
"I meant these jewellers. But since you suggest it, perhaps it would be as well for Paul to go."
"You hear your orders, Paul."