"A point, Monsieur, to which also you had not given a thought till this moment," said Adèle.
Harry laughed; then, changing the subject, he added: "Have you heard or seen anything more of Monsieur de Polignac and his friend?"
"Nothing, Monsieur Harry," said the comtesse. "And indeed we do not wish to. I only fear lest his silence augurs no good for us. As for his friend, that odious captain——prrrut!"
Madame's indignation was too great for articulate expression. The idea of Aglionby daring to pay his addresses to her was too monstrous. As was her wont in this mood, she prattled away about her late husband, Harry listening sympathetically and wondering at the half-smile on Adèle's face. When taking his leave, he said:
"An old friend of mine, an English officer, is in camp at Breda. May I bring him, Madame, to call on you one day?"
"I shall be charmed, mon cher ami."
"Fanshawe speaks little French, I fear, but——"
"Ah bah!" interrupted the lady, "that matters nothing at all. Adèle shall teach him."
"I shall be charmed, as Mamma says," said Adèle.
Harry smiled; nevertheless the suggestion set him thinking as he rode back, and he felt a shade of annoyance when Fanshawe, to whom he mentioned the circumstance, laughed heartily and quoted: