This was the less remarkable as I am
not prone to look much in maids' faces, leaving that to younger
men; and Mademoiselle de Figeac's, though beautiful, was
disfigured on this occasion by the marked distress under which
she was labouring. Accustomed as I was to the visits of persons
of all classes and characters who came to me daily with
petitions, I should have been disposed to cut her short, but for
my wife's intimation that her errand had to do with the matter
which annoyed me. This, as well as a trifle of curiosity--from
which none are quite free--inclined me to be patient; and I asked
her what she would have with me.
"Justice, M. le Duc," she answered simply. "I have heard that
you are seeking M. de Vilain, and that one of your people is
lying under sentence for complicity in his escape."
"That is true, mademoiselle," I said. "If you can tell me--"
"I can tell you how he escaped, and by whose aid," she answered.
It is my custom to betray no astonishment, even when I am
astonished. "Do so," I said.
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