"Yes! I would stake my head on it!"
"Tell me, then."
"It was the Château de Bayard, which must be in this neighborhood, in the valley of Grésivaudan."
"The Château de Bayard? Faith! it's quite possible; however, we'll ask him at breakfast."
But Frédéric did not appear at breakfast. Dubourg summoned one of the servants.
"Has our companion gone away already?"
"Yes, monsieur, at daybreak; he took the first horse that was ready, and went off at a gallop."
"Gone again! and left us here, perhaps for the whole day!"
"I am convinced that it's the Château de Bayard that has turned his head."
"Hum! I'm very much afraid myself that it's some more modern marvel. However, as we have nothing better to do, let's go and see the ruins of this château, and we can look for Frédéric there; what do you say, Monsieur Ménard?"