"Then your mistress is not expecting my return?"
"No, my lord; but——"
"It is well; leave us."
"But, my lord, I will go and inform Madame de——"
"No, it is no matter; I will go myself," said the Gascon, passing before Mirette and walking toward the drawing room.
"Your highness, you are about to give a pleasant surprise to the duchess, who does not expect you for some days, and will thus change her regrets to a very tender joy, since Father Griffen has not yet been able to see your wife," said De Chemerant.
"She is always thus, poor dear child, she is very timid; when I am not here," said Croustillac, tenderly, "she will not see a human face, not even this good priest; my shortest absence causes her sadness, desolation and tears; this is what worries me; all this is very simple; since I have been condemned to this absolute retirement I have never left my wife, and this absence to-day, short as she believes it to be, is terribly hard for her, poor, dear soul."
"But then, your highness, what a delightful surprise! If your highness will permit me to advise, I will promise to persuade the duchess to leave this night, for you know, our enterprise cannot succeed except it be by a very rapid move."
"My wish also is to carry away my wife as soon as possible."
"This hasty journey will unfortunately cause the duchess some inconveniences."