He bit his lip and a red spot showed in either cheek, but he controlled his own rising temper.
“Assuredly, mademoiselle,� he replied, “if she is guilty of the detestable crime of heresy.�
“And you will be guilty of the crime of murder, monsieur,� she retorted with a fierce indignation; for the moment, she was perfectly fearless. “Where is she? Where have you taken her?� she cried.
He looked at the clock. “She must be in Nîmes now, mademoiselle,� he replied courteously; “she will be strictly confined there under guard until she has been interrogated by the authorities.�
Rosaline uttered a low cry of despair.
“Mon Dieu!� she said, “it will kill her; you know it will kill her!�
He shrugged his shoulders. “I am not responsible,� he said; “I am a soldier, bound to execute the orders of my superiors. For her sake, for yours, mademoiselle, I have endeavored to alleviate the circumstances of her arrest, and ’tis possible that—that there might be a compromise.�
He paused, looking at her with a strange expression.
“What do you mean?� she demanded eagerly.
M. de Baudri laid his hand on his heart.