“Ah,” I replied. “And Mr. Temple?”
Madame la Vicomtesse smiled, for Auguste was fairly caught. He had not the astuteness to be a rogue; oddly, he had the sense to know that he could fool us no longer.
“Temple is at Lamarque's,” he answered sullenly.
I glanced questioningly at the Vicomtesse.
“Lamarque is an old pensioner of Monsieur de St. Gré's,” said she; “he has a house and an arpent of land not far below here.”
“Exactly,” said Auguste, “and if Mr. Ritchie believes that he will save money by keeping Mr. Temple in Louisiana instead of giving him this opportunity to escape, it is no concern of mine.”
I reflected a moment on this, for it was another sensible remark.
“It is indeed no concern of yours,” said Madame la Vicomtesse.
He shrugged his shoulders.
“And now,” he said, “I take it that there are no further conscientious scruples against my receiving this paltry sum.”