"Because he loved another, madame."
"And that other?"
"Was my ward."
"What ward?"
"Why, Mlle. de Beaumesnil," replied the baron, with a sort of ferocious joy, delighted to subject another person to the same torture to which the marquis had subjected him.
"Is it possible that you are trying to amuse yourself at my expense, M. le baron?" demanded the duchess, arrogantly.
"Madame la duchesse cannot suppose that I am capable of forgetting myself to such an extent as that."
"Then what does all this mystery mean? And why was it necessary that M. Olivier should be made to repeat that he had refused Mlle. de Beaumesnil's hand, though he is about to sign his marriage contract with her? and—"
"I promised M. de Maillefort I would keep his secret, so you must apply to him, madame la duchesse. He hasn't his equal for solving enigmas."
Despairing of obtaining any satisfaction from the baron, Madame de Senneterre approached M. de Maillefort, and asked: