"Or that you were jealous—of Eulalie, for example?"
Avoye gave a little laugh. Yet she was unable to avoid reddening at the name, a fact which by no means escaped Mme de la Rocheterie, who said, watching her closely: "It certainly was curious that he should ride off in that extraordinary fashion the very day she left."
"Do you really think, Grand'mère, that he rode after her?"
"No, I am not such a fool," admitted the Vicomtesse. "Unless, indeed, he wished to question her more closely."
"Question her? Why should he?" For she was obliged to say something.
"Because I have been thinking over Eulalie's remarks that evening," answered her grandmother coolly, "and I am convinced that she was not making them innocently. And since his return, Aymar's demeanour has been such——Yes, there is something behind this talk of treachery and mistaken judgment. You will kindly tell me, Avoye, what it is!"
"Why did you not ask Eulalie?" said the girl, her eyes on the ground.
The Vicomtesse waved the question aside. "What story is going about connecting Aymar unfavourably with his defeat?"
No answer.
"Is it some calumny based on his actual absence from the fight?"