“And you have no news yet?”
“Nothing,” replied M. Seneschal and M. Folgat at the same breath.
“And we are frightened by this delay,” added Dionysia.
“And why?” asked the physician.
Then taking down his spectacles, and wiping them diligently, he said,—
“Did you think, my dear young lady, that Jacques de Boiscoran’s affair could be settled in five minutes? If they let you believe that, they did wrong. I, who despise all concealment, I will tell you the truth. At the bottom of all these occurrences at Valpinson, there lies, I am perfectly sure, some dark intrigue. Most assuredly we shall put Jacques out of his trouble; but I fear it will be hard work.”
“M. Magloire!” announced old Anthony.
The eminent advocate of Sauveterre entered. He looked so undone, and bore so evidently the traces of his excitement, that all had the same terrible thought which Dionysia expressed.
“Jacques is lost!”
M. Magloire did not say no.