Mr. Marling could not resist the temptation of saying: “I apprehend that the unfortunate young female at present in his company is more in need of rescue.”
“Ah, bah!” cried the Duchess, “it is not possible to talk to you, for you are without sense!”
“I am sorry, ma’am, if I disappoint you, but you appear to regard this affair very lightly.”
“I do not regard it lightly at all,” said Léonie stiffly. “Only I do not believe that it is just as this Mrs. Challoner has told Fanny. If Vidal has taken her daughter to France I think she went very willingly, and the matter solves itself. Mrs. Challoner would have me believe that the one sister went with my son to save the other. Voilà une histoire peu croyable. I ask myself, if this were true where is the girl now? In England, bien sûr, for why should Vidal take to France someone he did not want?”
“I’ve thought of that too, Aunt Léonie, and I have the answer, though I am must afraid you will not credit it. If the story is true, Vidal will have taken her for revenge.”
There was a long silence. The Duchess clasped and unclasped her hands. “That is what you think, John?”
“It is possible, ma’am, you’ll agree.”
“Yes. In a black mood Dominique might ... I must go to Rupert at once! Why do we go so slowly? Tell them to hurry!”
“Go to my uncle?” John echoed. “I cannot conceive what good he will be to you!”
“No?” Léonie said fiercely. “I will tell you, then. He will go to France with me, and find Dominique and this girl.”