“A delightful surprise for you, Monsieur Cassion,” he said genially, “and let us hope no less a pleasure for the fair lady. Be seated, Mademoiselle; there may be a brief delay. You perceive my plan, no doubt?”
Cassion did not answer, and the Governor looked at me.
“No, Monsieur.”
“And yet so simple, so joyful a way out of this unfortunate predicament. I am surprised. Cassion here might not appreciate how nicely this method will answer to close your lips, but you, remembering clearly the private conference between myself and Colonel Delguard, should grasp my purpose at once. Your marriage is to take place tonight, Mademoiselle.”
“Tonight! my marriage! to whom?”
“Ah! is there then more than one prospective bridegroom? Monsieur Cassion surely I am not in error that you informed me of your engagement to Mademoiselle la Chesnayne?”
“She has been pledged me in marriage, Monsieur––the banns published.”
I sat with bowed head, my cheeks flaming.
“’Tis then as I understood,” La Barre went on, chuckling. “The lady is over modest.”