Page:A courier of fortune (1904).djvu/134



ERARD saw at once by the faces of all three that some fresh complication had occurred during his absence.

"I am very glad you have come, Gerard," said Gabrielle. "M. le Duc de Rochelle and my uncle have made some charges which you will be glad to face."

"Certainly," he answered, with a bow to the Governor and a quick glance at de Proballe. The Duke took no notice of his salutation.

"We had a conversation yesterday concerning the reason for your coming to Morvaix," said de Proballe. "You have not forgotten it?"

"I am not likely to have forgotten. Do you wish it repeated now?" Gabrielle smiled confidently at the tone in which this was said. Gerard spoke as the challenger, not the challenged. There could be no mistaking that.

"Leave this to me," interposed the Duke abruptly.

"He admitted everything to me yesterday," declared de Proballe; but the Duke waved his hand impatiently.

"Now, monsieur," he said sharply to Gerard. "A letter of yours to M. de Proballe was read this morning. Where is it?"

"A letter was read. It is here;" and he took it from his pocket.

"The Duke and my uncle were listening to our conversation," said Gabrielle quietly. "They say that the statements in the letter are true."

"They may be," he said readily.