Dubosq pulled his great mustaches thoughtfully.
“Is she an aristocrat?” he asked at last.
“Not at all,” I hastened to assure him. “She was merely a guest at the château like myself.”
“I will see what can be done,” he promised; “but it will be no easy task.”
“I know it, my friend; therefore I ask it of you.”
“Come, Citizen Tavernay,” he said, raising his head suddenly, “I can pledge you one thing.”
“And that?”
“That she has nothing worse to fear than death.”
“God bless you!” I said with trembling lips. “God bless you! Now I can die in peace.”
“Do you know, citizen,” said Dubosq in a voice almost tender, “I regret more and more that you did not accept my invitation to join us that morning, for, by my soul, you are a gallant fellow!”