"We did not know about it until a long time after, and then only through the indiscretion of one of the servants, upon whom absolute secrecy had been enjoined."
"So that Monsieur le Marquis de Santoval got wind of something? Is the man a tiger, a rhinoceros?"
"I know no more of him than you do, and I have no time to talk.—Adieu, Monsieur Bahuchet; and do not forget to carry the letter to Comte Léodgard!"
"It is as if he had it, piquant brunette!—By the way, are you still inclined to assume the defence of the famous Giovanni?"
"Giovanni! Giovanni!" murmured Miretta, whose face had become deathly pale; and she uttered a profound sigh.
"But I beg your pardon, my dear; I do not know why I speak to you of the illustrious brigand, for they say that he has not shown himself in Paris for more than six months—or, at all events, that he has not attacked anybody—which makes it fair to presume that he has left our city! I' faith, for my part, I am not sorry, and I wish him a pleasant journey; let him go elsewhere to get himself hanged!"
Miretta walked sadly away, murmuring:
"Gone away! oh, yes! he has gone away! He has left France without me! He has abandoned me—and still I cannot believe it!"
XLIV
PLACE ROYALE
It was not easy to obtain access to the Comte de Marvejols when one called at the house in Rue de Bretonvilliers. But Bahuchet persisted, although the concierge told him that the count did not choose to receive visitors.