Marquis's marriage her mind had flown back to its wonted pondering
of the possibilities of Marius's wedding Valerie.

But Garnache dispelled such speculations.

"No, madame," said he. "Marius looks elsewhere for a wife - unless
mademoiselle of her own free will should elect to wed him - a thing
unlikely." Then, with a sudden change to sternness - "Mademoiselle
de La Vauvraye is well, madame?" he asked.

She nodded her head, but made no answer in words. He turned to
Fortunio.

"Go fetch her," he bade the captain, and one of the men unlocked
the door to let Fortunio out upon that errand.

The Parisian took a turn in the apartment, and came close to Tressan.
He nodded to the Seneschal with a friendliness that turned him sick
with fright.

"Well met, my dear Lord Seneschal. I am rejoiced to find you here.
Had it been otherwise I must have sent for you. There is a little
matter to be settled between us. You may depend upon me to settle
it to your present satisfaction, if to your future grief." And,
with a smile, he passed on, leaving the Seneschal too palsied to
answer him, too stricken to disclaim his share in what had taken
place at Condillac.

"You have terms to make with me?" the Marquise questioned proudly.