"It was a terrible affair, Pierre, and I understand that an old and faithful servant must have felt it deeply—the father, mother, and two children to die at the same time!"
"You are mistaken," answered Labarre. "The father was shot, the mother perished in the flames, but the two children escaped."
"It is strange that you can persist in this illusion, Pierre. Simon's two children are dead."
The old man answered.
"No—they are living!"
The Marquis forgot himself:
"Ah! you know, then, where they are?"
"No; but your exclamation proves that you yourself do not believe in their death."
Fongereues bit his lips.
Cyprien shrugged his shoulders. He felt a little contempt for his master and doubted. The Society of Jesus would never trust him with a mission of diplomacy. He thought it was time for him to interfere.