"Her first husband was killed in action with his regiment at Gravelotte. She is now legally married to M. de Straz."
Moltke took snuff and said laconically:
"She has not taken long in changing her state."
Valverden began, rather lamely:
"Madame had virtually been separated from M. de Bayard——"
Like a bayonet thrust came the retort:
"Since your Cousin Max ran away with her from Paris, fourteen years ago! The woman is an adventuress, whom you will be wise to avoid."
Valverden answered, with his disarming look of frankness:
"Your Excellency, I was applied to by the person you mention for advice in a matter of serious urgency. Madame de Straz has unhappily lost all trace of the whereabouts of her daughter, Mademoiselle de Bayard.... She has entreated me to solicit for her an audience with Your Excellency, in the hope that you might aid her to recover the young girl."
The War Eagle croaked, ruffling his feathers with indignation: