I shook my head. ‘I believe that they have him confined somewhere. And Louis, too,’ I said. ‘But I have not seen either of them.’
‘And where are—I thought these people would be here,’ she muttered. And she glanced askance at the two vacant places. The servant had brought in the meal.
‘They will be here presently,’ I said coolly. Let us make the most of the time. A little wine and food will do Madame good.’
She smiled rather sadly.
‘I think that we have changed places,’ she said. ‘And that you have turned host and we guests.’
‘Let it be so,’ I said cheerfully. ‘I recommend some of this ragout. Come, Mademoiselle, fasting can aid no one. A full meal has saved many a man’s life.’
It was clumsily said, perhaps; for she shuddered and looked at me with a ghastly smile. But she persuaded her sister to take something; and she took something on her own plate and raised her fork to her lips. But in a moment she laid it down again.
‘I cannot,’ she murmured. ‘I cannot swallow. Oh, my God, at this moment they may be taking him.’
I thought that she was about to burst into a passion of tears, and I repented that I had induced her to descend. But her self-control was not yet exhausted. By an effort, painful to see, she recovered her composure. She took up her fork, and ate a few mouthfuls. Then she looked at me with a fierce under-look.
‘I want to see Clon,’ she whispered feverishly. The man who waited on us had left the room.