"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.