“No, no,” she exclaimed, “let him come here. If his errand is honest, he can face the light, and we have had too much of conspiracy. The next move will be against you, and I will not be put off—I understand my own people better than you do, and I am your best defence.”
“He asked me to give this token to your Excellency,” Touchet said, handing me a ring.
It was my own which I had given to the Swede, and I bade Touchet bring him in at once.
“Your fears were groundless, Zénaïde,” I remarked, smiling; “you are over-anxious.”
“It may be, but I cannot let you run any risks,” she replied gently, laying her hand upon my arm. “There are but two Philippes in the world for me, you and my boy, and I cannot afford to lose either of them.”
Looking down upon her fair and anxious face, I kissed her.
“We are a couple of fools, madame,” I said, “and I hear the feet of Touchet and the Swede upon the stair.”
“By your leave I will stay,” she said, retiring to the alcove by the chimney, as the door opened to admit my visitor.
It was Lenk, and I was anxious to hear his tidings, for I was confident that he had found some means to locate M. de Lambert, and my surmise proved correct.
“You are welcome, Lenk,” I said, “for I doubt not that you have some information.”