"Oh, that is understood, of course," said Madame de Senneterre, hastily interrupting the baroness. "Nothing could be more just, I am sure. But let us make haste and find Gerald. Do you see him anywhere?"
"No, my dear duchess, but he is in the gallery, doubtless. Come, let us look for him there."
Then turning to Ernestine, Madame de la Rochaiguë said:
"We shall leave you only for a moment, my dear child. We are merely going to make some one as happy as a king."
And without waiting for any reply from Ernestine, Madame de la Rochaiguë gave her arm to the duchess, and the two ladies hastened towards the gallery.
M. de Maillefort, who seemed to have noted the departure of the two ladies, now approached Ernestine, and, availing himself of one of the privileges accorded a man of his years, took the seat beside the young girl which Madame de la Rochaiguë had just vacated.
CHAPTER XIV.
VILLAINY UNMASKED.
As M. de Maillefort seated himself beside Ernestine, he remarked, with a smile:
"So you are no longer afraid of me, I see."
"Ah, monsieur," replied the girl, "I am so thankful for this opportunity to thank you—"