"The power," repeated Marguerite, who began to be afraid of a private conversation with one who frequented witches' sabbaths, "Oh, you have the power?"
"As to your dear Blanche, I do not know her, and I have never even seen her."
These words greatly increased Marguerite's terror, but Julia continued without paying any attention to it,—
"Listen to me, good woman, my personal interest leads me to seek Blanche. The one who abducted her was everything to me, I adored him, I would have sacrificed my life for him, and the ungrateful man has forgotten me. Do you understand now, the motive which has caused me to act?"
"Oh, I breathe more freely," said Marguerite, "yes, madame, I understand; this seigneur who came here is perhaps your husband. Alas! that does not astonish me, men are truly most unaccountable creatures."
"Tell me all that you know, good Marguerite."
Marguerite told her of the marquis' visit and of all that he had said.
"He had never seen her before that day?"
"Never, I can certify to that."