"No, no, I need nothing."
She had hurried before him down the little stairs leading into the garden from the balcony, and she had begun to speak to the native before Tremont appeared. In this recital he addressed his words to Julia alone.
"I am a very poor man, Excellency," he said in a mellifluous tone, "and very sick."
"Have you any money, Monsieur?"
"Pray do not suggest it," said the duke sharply. "Let him tell what he will; we will pay him later."
"I have been very sick," said the man. "I have left the army. I do not like the French army," said the native simply.
"You are very frank," said Tremont brutally. "Why do you come here at any rate?"
"Hush," said Julia Redmond imploringly. "Do not anger him, Monsieur, he may have news." She asked: "Have you news?" and there was a note in her voice that made Tremont glance at her.
"I have seen the excellency and her grandmother," said the native, "many times going into the garrison."
"What news have you of Captain de Sabron?" asked the girl directly. Without replying, the man said in a melancholy voice: