Madame courtesied. Her innate mockery was always near the surface.
"Will you grant me the pleasure of showing you the mission?"
"No, Monsieur le Chevalier; Monsieur de Saumaise and Brother Jacques have already offered to do that service. Monsieur," decidedly, "is it to be peace or war?"
"Should I be here else?"
"Else what, peace or war?"
"Neither. I shall know no peace. I have followed you, as I said, though indirectly."
"Ah! then you really followed me this time? Did you read that letter which I sent to you?"
"Letter? I have seen no letter from you."
"I believe I sent you one … after that morning."
"I have not seen it."