“You have not answered me,� he went on harshly. “Am I to understand that my suit is refused?�
“It is refused, monsieur,� she rejoined more calmly; “M. de Baudri should seek a bride of more wealth and distinction.�
He stood a moment silent, the picture of furious indignation, then he looked over the hedge and saw a man crossing the space between the house and the wing. M. de Baudri frowned.
“Who is that, mademoiselle?� he demanded sharply, pointing toward the stranger.
Rosaline’s eyes followed his finger, and she colored, her composure disturbed at last.
“It is the new steward, monsieur,� she replied.
“The new steward?� he repeated. “Madame de St. Cyr refused the man I recommended because she said she could not afford to pay for a successor to old Jacques.�
“That is true,� she rejoined quietly; “we really could not afford it. But since old Jacques died we have found ourselves in need of a man to help us, therefore we have afforded it, monsieur.�
“Humph!� ejaculated M. de Baudri, with another glance at the house. “A strange sort of a steward. You had best be careful, mademoiselle, and not employ disguised Camisards; the neighborhood swarms with the vermin, and M. le Maréchal means to exterminate them all.�
“I thank you for the caution, monsieur,� she replied, “but Père Ambroise looks after us very well.�