See, he weeps; I had feared for his reason." After many questions and incoherent answers, Madame de Mussidan at last arrived at the fact that her husband had shot Montlouis by accident.
Diana believed this story, but it was far from the truth.

Montlouis had met his death at her hands quite as much as the Duke de Champdoce had done.

He had died because he was the possessor of a fatal secret.
This was what had really occurred.

After lunch, Octave, who had drunk rather freely, began to rally Montlouis regarding his mysterious movements, and to assert that some woman must be at the bottom of them.
At first Montlouis joined in the laugh; but at length M.de Mussidan became too personal in remarks regarding the woman his secretary loved, and Montlouis responded angrily.

This influenced his master's temper, and he went on to say that he could no longer permit such doings, and he reproached his secretary for risking his present and future for a woman who was worthy neither of love nor respect, and who was notoriously unfaithful to him.