“Monseigneur felt himself more feeble this evening, and desired monsieur to come without delay. If they found you absent, M. Jean was to fetch M. Pinot at once. I got him to talk about that affair at Minguard, which kept him a little; but it is too horrible to think of that other creature’s triumph. If monsieur were to walk very fast?”
“There is no occasion for such an exertion, Marie, since M. Pinot is there. Monseigneur is quite safe with him.”
“Monsieur will not go?”
“Oh, yes, I shall go. Only I should like my coffee first. And, stay, have there been no other messages?”
“Only one from that old André. The boy is worse—or so they said.”
“Why did you not say so?” demanded M. Deshoulières, sternly. “Give me my coat at once.”
“But, monsieur, the coffee—”
“Give me my coat.”
“Monseigneur—”
But the doctor was clattering down the stairs.