"Withstand you--you, the Lord Seneschal of Dauphiny?
You are amusing yourself at my expense." "But I tell you that she will," the other insisted in a passion.

"You may look for the girl in vain tomorrow unless you go to Condillac yourself and take her." Garnache drew himself up and delivered his answer in a tone that was final.
"You are the governor of the province, monsieur, and in this matter you have in addition the Queen's particular authority--nay, her commands are imposed upon you.

Those commands, as interpreted by me, you will execute in the manner I have indicated." The Seneschal shrugged his shoulders, and chewed a second at his beard.
"It is an easy thing for you to tell me what to do.

Tell me, rather, how to do it, how to overcome her opposition." "You are very sure of opposition--strangely sure, monsieur," said Garnache, looking him between the eyes.

"In any case, you have soldiers." "And so has she, and the strongest castle in southern France--to say nothing of the most cursed obstinacy in the world.