"If madame will pardon me," he answered, "I will ask you to take me where we can confer alone."
"It is not necessary, monsieur. Madame de Ferrier knows my whole story."
But the priest moved his shoulders.
"I followed you in this remote place, monsieur, that we might talk together without interruption, unembarrassed by any witness."
Madame de Ferrier rose. I put her into her seat again with authority.
"It is my wish, madame, to have at least one witness with Abbé Edgeworth and myself."
"I hope," he protested, "that madame will believe there can be no objection to her presence. I am simply following instructions. I was instructed to deliver my message in private."
"Monsieur," Eagle answered, "I would gladly withdraw to another room."
"I forbid it, madame," I said to her.
"Very well," yielded Abbé Edgeworth.