"Yes, monsieur, it is as madame says.

It is my wish to remain at Condillac." From the Dowager, standing a pace or two away from Garnache, came the sound of a half-sigh.

Garnache missed nothing.

He caught the sound, and accepted it as an expression of relief.

The Marquise stepped back a pace; idly, one might have thought; not so thought Garnache.