This seemed to be an afterthought, suggested perhaps by conversation passing in the room in which he sat.
The other exile, writing from Stockholm, was briefer in his communications.
“I am well,” wrote Antoine Sebastian, “and hope to arrive soon after you receive this. Felix Meyer, the notary, has instructions to furnish you with money for household expenses.”
It would appear that Sebastian possessed other friends in Dantzig, who had kept him advised of all that passed in the city.
For neither Mathilde nor Desiree had obeyed Barlasch's blunt order to write to their father. They did not know whither he had fled, neither had they received any communication giving an address or a hint as to his future movements. It would appear that the same direct and laconic mind which had carried out his escape deemed it wiser that those left behind should be in no position to furnish information.
In fairness to Barlasch, Desiree had made little of that soldier's part in Sebastian's evasion, and Mathilde displayed small interest in such details. She rather fastened, however, upon the assistance rendered by Louis d'Arragon.
“Why did he do it?” she asked.
“Oh, because I asked him,” was the reply.
“And why did you ask him?”
“Who else was there to ask?” returned Desiree, which was indeed unanswerable.