They seemed in perfect accord." "The younger one did not by any chance inquire of you whether it would be possible to hire a berline ?" asked Caron desperately.
"No," the landlord answered him, with wondering eyes.

"She appeared as anxious as her mother for the repairing of the coach in which they came, that they might again depart in it." La Boulaye stood a moment in thought, his brows drawn together, his breathing seeming suspended, for into his soul a suspicion had of a sudden been thrust--a hideous suspicion.

Abruptly he drew himself up to the full of his active figure, and threw back his head, his resolve taken.
"Can I have fresh horses at once ?" he inquired.

"I need eight." The landlord thoughtfully scratched his head.
"You can have two at once, and the other six in a half-hour." "Very well," he answered.

"Saddle me one at once, and have the other seven ready for my men as soon as possible." And whilst the host sent the ostler to execute the order, Caron called for a cup of wine and a crust of bread.