‘She is?’ he exclaimed, quite taken aback.
‘And if she has aught of complaint against me,’ I continued with pride,’ I will submit to whatever punishment you order or M. de Turenne demands. But if she has no complaint to make, and vows that she accompanied me of her own free-will and accord, and has suffered neither wrong nor displeasure at my hands, then, sire, I claim that this is a private matter between myself and M. de Turenne.’
‘Even so I think you will have your hands full,’ he answered grimly. At the same time he stopped by a gesture those who would have cried out upon me, and looked at me himself with an altered countenance. ‘Do I understand that you assert that the lady went of her own accord?’ he asked.
‘She went and has returned, sire,’ I answered.
‘Strange!’ he ejaculated. ‘Have you married her?’
‘No, sire,’ I answered. ‘I desire leave to do so.’
‘Mon dieu! she is M. de Turenne’s ward,’ he rejoined, almost dumbfounded by my audacity.
‘I do not despair of obtaining his assent, sire,’ I said patiently.
‘SAINT GRIS! the man is mad!’ he cried, wheeling his horse and facing his train with a gesture of the utmost wonder. ‘It is the strangest story I ever heard.’
‘But somewhat more to the gentleman’s credit than the lady’s!’ one said with a smirk and a smile.