"No, madame—at least not for the present. Later on we'll see."
Only keeping Saint-Quentin with her, she told the children to go and play in the garden. Then she sat down and said:
"I'm listening, madame."
"Just like that? Perfectly simply?"
"Perfectly simply."
"Well, then, mademoiselle——"
The Countess spoke in a tone the carelessness of which was not perhaps absolutely sincere.
"Well, then, mademoiselle, you spoke of forgotten dungeons and ancient stones and hidden treasures. Now, the Château de Roborey is several centuries old. It has undoubtedly been the scene of adventures and dramas; and it would amuse us to know whether any of its inhabitants have by any chance left in some out-of-way corner one of these fabulous treasures of which you spoke."
Dorothy kept silent for some little time. Then she said:
"I always answer with all the greater precision if full confidence is placed in me. If there are any reservations, if the question is not put as it ought to be...."