The woman stepped nearer and put her hand to her head.
"Nevertheless, I must see him. Have mercy!" she entreated piteously.
"Why? Do you think you can persuade him to produce the Eagle—to his discredit, be it remembered?" asked the old man, surveying her keenly, realizing at last the extraordinary interest she took in Marteau.
"But it is his life if he does not."
"Do you care so much for—his life?"
"Yes," answered the woman, looking the Marquis straight in the eyes.
He recognized a will as inflexible as his own. It aroused his admiration. He arose to his feet. He bowed before her.
"Mademoiselle," he said firmly, "you have the strength of our house. Perhaps it might be well if he could be induced to produce the Eagle and be thus discredited in the eyes of his comrades. It would tend to make my authority more secure. It would be to the advantage of the King."
"Yes, yes."
"But what argument can you bring?"