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Updated: June 19, 2025
'I wish that they had not shot my poor man before they went. He shrugged his shoulders. 'They were my friends, he said. 'You must not expect me to blame them. But that is not all, M. de Berault. 'No, I said, wiping my sword. 'There is this gentleman in the mask. And I turned to go towards him. 'M. de Berault! Cocheforet called after me, his tone strained and abrupt. I stood.
I am not quite sure that I understand, I said. 'That is precisely what I don't do understand! he retorted, in a tone of surly triumph. 'Before I came on this duty, I was told that there was a gentleman here, bearing sealed orders from the Cardinal to arrest M. de Cocheforet; and I was instructed to avoid collision with him so far as might be possible. At first I took you for the gentleman.
When I do so for a treasure ten times the worth of that, may my hand rot off! She sank on a seat with a moan of despair; and precisely at that moment M. de Cocheforet opened the door and came in. Over his shoulder I had a glimpse of Mademoiselle's proud face, a little whiter than of yore, with dark marks under the eyes, but like Satan's for coldness.
'You say well, she retorted. 'I am not a man and if you are one, thank God for it. Neither am I Madame. Madame de Cocheforet has spent this afternoon thanks to your absence and your imbecility with her husband. Yes, I hope that hurts you! she went on, savagely snapping her little white teeth together.
What it was, and whether it had to do with M. de Cocheforet, I could not tell. But there it was, and I grew more curious the longer I remained alone. She came back to me presently, looking thoughtful and a trifle downcast. 'That was Clon, was it not? I said, studying her face. 'Yes, she answered. She spoke absently, and did not look at me.
I guessed that the gems were family property, the last treasure of the house; and that M. de Cocheforet, when I saw him at the inn, was on his way to convey them out of the country; either to secure them from seizure by the Government, or to raise money by selling them money to be spent in some last desperate enterprise.
She thought, and had reason to think, that the moment he knew her secret he went out, not even closing the door, and used it. But the truth was that while her words were still in his ears news came to him that others had the secret; and had he not gone out on the instant and done what he did, and forestalled them, M. de Cocheforet would have been taken, but by others.
His airy nonchalance, his careless gaiety were gone. 'You know what I do not want to say to her, M. de Cocheforet, I answered. 'That should be enough. He glowered at me a moment, still ill content. Then, without a word, he made me a gesture to go to her. She had halted a score of paces away; wondering, doubtless, what was on foot. I rode towards her.
'Very well, you can speak in my presence, he answered rudely. 'If that be all, let us ride on and join her. And he made a movement as if to do so. 'That will not do, M. de Cocheforet, I said firmly, stopping him with my hand. 'Let me beg you to be more complaisant.
But the plague take me if I understand the matter now. 'Why not? I said coldly. 'Because well, the question is in a nutshell! he answered impetuously. 'Are you here on behalf of Madame de Cocheforet, to shield her husband? Or are you here to arrest him? That is what I do not understand, M. de Berault. 'If you mean, am I the Cardinal's agent I am! I answered sternly.
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