Madame de St. Cyr’s hands trembled, and she controlled herself with an effort.
“I think you are mistaken, M. de Baudri,� she protested; “he was well recommended, and I have seen nothing to indicate—that he was other than he claimed to be.�
“You can see that he is no steward by profession, though, madame,� retorted the officer, coolly, “and his presence may be dangerous at St. Cyr.�
“He has done his duty so far, monsieur,� she mustered courage to reply, “and I have no pretext for his discharge.�
De Baudri shrugged his shoulders.
“Madame should not need a second warning,� he remarked, with much suavity; “perhaps ’twould be well for me to investigate his antecedents and thus relieve madame of farther embarrassments.�
“I thank you, monsieur,� she said, with an effort to be calm, “I can see to the matter myself. I will refer it to Père Ambroise. If any one is anxious about our spiritual welfare, he should be.�
“Doubtless, madame,� M. de Baudri replied pleasantly, “but Père Ambroise is notoriously easy-tempered. I should advise you to be careful. You cannot afford to harbor a heretic here; a word to M. de Bâville—� He broke off, shrugging his shoulders.
Madame stirred uneasily in her chair. Every word that he had uttered had been a covert threat, and she knew well enough to what end it all tended. He loved Rosaline and he meant to have her. “Mon Dieu!� thought the old woman, “he would have the child even against her will! Can he be wicked enough to try to intimidate her,—to force her into a marriage?�
She awoke from these reflections to find him making his adieux.