"I wish to leave."
"What prevents you?"
"Mon Dieu! A multitude of things; first, the two ladies whom you know."
"That is true," said he with a smile.
"You do not understand me."
"How so?"
"Why, you appear to suppose that I wish to remain with them, whereas it is they who persistently demand that I stay with them."
The Montonero cast a stealthy and suspicious look on his companion, but the Frenchman was on his guard; his face was inexpressive as marble.
"Good, continue," said he, after a pause.
"You know that I have assisted at the interview."