"You are from Valmy?"
"By order of the King."
"With despatches?"
"With instructions, and," he paused, motioning to the open doorway behind him, then added, "means to carry them out."
"What are your instructions?"
"To arrest Monsieur Stephen La Mothe——"
"Arrest Monsieur La Mothe? Why? On what ground—on what charge?" Sweeping the Dauphin aside Ursula de Vesc moved forward as she spoke. The instinct of protection had given way to something very like the instinct of attack: her love for the boy was satisfied with a passivity which could never content her love for the man.
"If I could tell you, I would," he replied courteously, "but I fear Monsieur La Mothe must ask the King that question himself. I know nothing beyond my instructions."
"Are your orders in writing?" It was Villon who spoke.
"Yes, but I do not recognize your right to see them."