"Why not?"
"Mademoiselle, listen. I fear the castle is in the hands of traitors."
"Since when have you feared this?"
"Not an hour since I saw Count Felix in the court-yard."
"Well, Jean?"
"He is not allowed in the castle. It was the Duke's strict command."
"Foolish Jean, to be carried away by a man's boldness. At present there is no Duke of Montvilliers."
"Ah, mademoiselle, listen to me," pleaded the dwarf. "I was coming to you when the soldier found me in the corridor; I was coming secretly lest they should stop me, because they know I am faithful. I am not as other men, therefore you—everyone—treats me differently. I am told secrets which I keep, and I am of such small account that no one minds me if I do overhear their words. I do not forget the night I came to you in the Place Beauvoisin, nor the message you gave me to deliver."
"He has played with us all, Jean."