De Flavigny shook his head. "I do not know."
"In any case you must disregard him—go behind him, in fact," observed the Chevalier de la Vireville, settling Anne-Hilarion in his arms.
"I suppose so," said de Flavigny, with an expression of distaste, for he did not like the task, as he had said.
"And Monseigneur le Comte d'Artois?" asked the Abbé.
"Of course the Government will acquaint him in good time. Almost certainly His Royal Highness will wish to lead the expedition. But since he is so near, at Bremen or thereabouts, there will be little difficulty in personal communication with him later, if this project of the Government comes to anything."
"As no doubt it will not," observed La Vireville sceptically.
"If ever it did, Monsieur Augustin," remarked M. de Soucy, with an emphasis on the name, "it would concern you very much, I imagine. For if, as seems natural, it took place in the West, you could join it with your Chouans, while we, though we should bring our swords, could bring nothing else."
La Vireville nodded.
"It goes without question," said a voice, "that any expeditionary force should be landed in the West; the question is, Where?"
"A port would be needed, of course," said de Flavigny, "and the port would be best as near M. de Charette as possible, if not actually in Vendée."