"As you please," said De Montalvan, indifferently.
"Is it a wager, then?" asked De Berniers, half trembling with impatience. "Yes.
"For ten louis?"
"Very well."
On arriving at the chateau, M. de Berniers sought his fellow-conspirator alone, and, finding her duly attired, proceeded to criticise.
"Hum, another patch on the left cheek, I should say. But no matter. Pray be careful of your voice. Nothing is so difficult to disguise as the voice. I always detect a man instantly by his voice; though, to be sure, De Montalvan is not experienced, like me, and there will be up trouble in deceiving him. Now let me see you walk."
Virginie took a few steps to and fro.
"My dear friend, don't stride like that," said De Berniers; "short steps, in this manner, if you please";—and he mincingly illustrated, to Virginie's intense gratification.
"Now, a salutation," he added.
Virginie courtesied.