Whether Madame had heard anything of the adventure with the baby he did not know, as she did not mention it, nor did he.
It was after a little pause for breath on her side that he presently asked, as if the matter were of no particular interest to him,—
“By-the-bye, have you seen anything of old M. Bayre and his young ward since we were here?”
Madame stood up and stared at him strangely.
“Oh, haven’t you heard?” she said in a low voice.
Bayre could scarcely keep his voice steady.
“Heard what?” said he.
“Why, the young lady was to be married to a gentleman of the island—this island—a Monsieur Blaise.”
“Yes, yes, so I heard. Well?”
“The wedding was arranged, so I understand; it was to be very quiet.”