Monsieur's name was the only one he could
find. His Eminence thought that by making a prisoner of me he might
force me to disclose the names of those most intimate with monsieur.
He is searching France for me, Anne; and you know how well he searches
when he sets about it. Will he find me? I think not. His arm can not
reach very far into Spain. How lucky it was that I should meet you in
Rouen! I was wondering where in the world I should go. And I shall
live peacefully in that little red chateau of yours. Oh! if you knew
what it is to be free! The odious life I have lived! He used to bring
his actress into the dining-hall. Pah! the paint was so thick on her
face that she might have been a negress for all you could tell what her
color was. And he left her a house near the forest park and seven
thousand livres beside. Free!" She drew in deep breaths of briny air.
"Gabrielle, you are a mystery to me. Four years out of convent, and
not a lover; I mean one upon whom you might bestow love. And that
handsome Vicomte d'Halluys?"
"Pouf! I would not throw him yesterday's rose."
"And Monsieur de Saumaise?"
"Well, yes; he is a gallant fellow.
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