"But," I suggested feebly, being overwhelmed by her torrent of words, "you have no choice in the matter, madame. Unless you give me this list of your own free will, my orders are to lodge you in the Bastille, and to search your rooms."
"And if my aunt yields the papers?" asked Marie, who, I fancy, was rather alarmed at the mention of the Bastille.
"In that case, mademoiselle, the affair ends with a trip to Aunay. A carriage is outside, and in ten minutes we leave for one place or the other."
"Come, ma chère," said the girl soothingly, "you must submit. Life in the Bastille cannot be nearly as pleasant as at Aunay."
Madame Coutance opened a desk which stood in a corner of the tiny room, and drew out a roll of paper.
"There is what your master wants!" she exclaimed angrily, "but let him take care; it will be our turn soon."
"Do you accompany us to Aunay?" asked Marie.
"Yes, with an escort of troopers; for all the world as if you were two desperate prisoners. I am really sorry, but perhaps you will object less to me than to some rough soldier."
"Indeed we shall," she replied. "When do we start?"
"As soon as madame is ready," I answered. "The Cardinal likes not delay."