"That's very well: but it is not Madame that I mean.'

Raoul colored deeply, but made no reply.

"You do not appear to understand me, monsieur le vicomte,"
persisted M. de la Fere, without accenting his words more
strongly, but with a rather severer look.

"I understand you quite plainly, monsieur," replied Raoul,
"and if I hesitate a little in my reply, you are well
assured I am not seeking for a falsehood."

"No, you cannot tell a lie, and that makes me so astonished
you should be so long in saying yes or no."

"I cannot answer you without understanding you very well,
and if I have understood you, you will take my first words
in ill part. You will be displeased, no doubt, monsieur le
comte, because I have seen ---- "

"Mademoiselle de la Valliere -- have you not?"

"It was of her you meant to speak, I know very well,
monsieur," said Raoul, with inexpressible sweetness.

"And I asked you if you have seen her."

"Monsieur, I was ignorant, when I entered the castle, that
Mademoiselle de la Valliere was there; it was only on my
return, after I had performed my mission, that chance