"Yes," I said, quickly; "tell me."
"One of them was drowned in a shipwreck," Monsieur le Marquis continued. "Sad, sad, alas! and the other married some nobody, and went to reside in the wilderness."
I rather resented this, for I yet cherished the memory of him who had carried me on his shoulder, but I said nothing.
"Hortense and Hélène, those were the names," said the tall man.
"It was la belle Hélène who lost her life by drowning," said Monsieur le Marquis.
"Pardon me," put in Monsieur de Brissac; "it was Hortense, I am quite certain."
Here again arose the uncertainty.
"Who was it, monsieur, that married the English sea-captain?" I asked.
"Ah, was that it?" returned the tall man. "I did not know, nor have I any recollection of having heard which one of the ladies made this mésalliance."