They were wise, and they took it, and thus afforded me the means of penetrating into Condillac and rescuing Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye." "Then Marius-- ?" She left her question unfinished, her hand clutching nervously at the bosom of her gown.
"Is sound and well, as Fortunio truthfully will have told you.

But he is not yet out of my grasp, nor will be until the affairs of Condillac are settled.

For if I meet with further opposition here, broken on the wheel he shall be yet, I promise you." Still she made a last attempt at hectoring it.

The long habit of mastership dies hard.

She threw back her head; her courage revived now that she knew Marius to be alive and sound.
"Fine words," she sneered.