" The governor's curiosity
was manifest.
"Conspiring did not bring him here?"
"No, Madame."
"Monsieur, one more question, and then I will go. Is there a
Mademoiselle Catharine Coquenard upon your books?"
"Peasant or noble?"
"Peasant, Monsieur, of a positive type," with enough scorn to attract
the governor's ear.
He consulted his books, wondering what it was all about. "No such
name, Madame," he said, finally, "I regret to say."
"Thank you, Monsieur; that is all."
For the rest of the day his Excellency the governor went about with a
preoccupied expression on his face.
The sun sank; the green of the forests deepened; a violet mist rose
from the banks; the channel of the river became a perfect mirror, which
softened the gorgeous colors which the heavens flung upon its surface.
Madame wandered aimlessly around within the outer parapet of the
citadel. Far out upon the river she saw the black hull of the Henri
IV, the rigging weaving a delicate spider-web against the faded horizon
of the south. A breeze touched madame's cheek, as soft a kiss as that
which a mother gives to her sleeping child.
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