"But are you safe in France since the Marquis du Plessy's death?"
"I am safe to-night, at least."
"Yes, far safer than you would be in Paris."
"And Skenedonk is my guard."
"I have sent a messenger to Plessy for him," Madame de Ferrier said. "He will be here in the morning."
I thanked her for remembering him in the excitement of her home coming. We heard a far sweet call through a cleft of the hills, and Eagle turned her head.
"That must be the shepherd of Les Rochers. He has missed a lamb. Les Rochers is the most distant of our farms, but its night noises can be heard through an opening in the forest. Paul will soon be listening for all these sounds! We must drive to Les Rochers to-morrow. It was there that Cousin Philippe died."
I could not say how opportunely Cousin Philippe had died. The violation of her childhood by such a marriage rose up that instant a wordless tragedy.
"Sire, we are not observing etiquette in Mont-Louis as they observe it at Mittau. I have been talking very familiarly to my king. I will keep silent. You speak."
"Madame, you have forbidden me to speak!"