On the morrow, at the appointed hour, Charles presented himself in De Roberval's room. The nobleman met him with his usual frigid politeness. He was somewhat alarmed at seeing him enter unannounced by Etienne.
"How found you your way hither?" he enquired.
"Etienne Brulé, the faithful fellow who has waited on me since I entered your castle, directed me, Sieur," replied Charles.
"He is indeed a faithful fellow," said De Roberval, with a tinge of irony in his hard voice. "But now tell me more plainly the reason of this visit."
"The Sieur de Roberval knows only too well."
"Impossible, since you have not yet told me. Your vague hints of last night conveyed but little meaning. If you have ought to say, speak out boldly and bluntly, as a soldier should ever speak."
"Yes, and act," said Charles curtly.
"What do you mean?" cried De Roberval.
"If your answer does not satisfy me when I have spoken plainly, you will soon learn my meaning," said Charles.