"And you say he is really on his way?"
"He cannot be many leagues away now!" said one.
"And his name is Nigel Charteris?" In his mouth it sounded like "Chartaire."
"A Catholic family of the south of Scotland!"
"Like this?" asking Father Lamormain, writing the name on his tablets and erasing it.
"Yes!"
"Ah! Very interesting! He is not a recent convert?"
"No, Father!" said the other one, catching his eye and smiling. "It is a pity even to seem to discourage a loyal son in the faith!" His tone conveyed a real regret.
"You were obliged to resort to some slight measure of force? I trust it was slight?"
The two exchanged glances and smiled in their fine ingenious way, showing their beautiful teeth.