“I hope so,” she answered, mystified still, but smiling. “Poor Denys is better, but very weak, and is asking for you.” “With your leave I will go to him,” she said to Gerard. “I sent her off that we may have a talk and an understanding, too,” said de Proballe, when Gabrielle had gone into the house. “Let us walk here in the open where no ears can catch our words.” He led the way to where a fountain stood among the flower beds surrounded by a broad path, and Gerard accompanied him, in bewildered curiosity as to what this new development was to be. CHAPTER VII AT MALINCOURT Distressed as Gerard had been by the necessity to deceive Gabrielle, into which he had allowed himself to be drawn, he had no such qualms in regard to her uncle. He was convinced that, as Pascal had said, if there was evil work on foot, de Proballe would be concerned in it. That such a man should be found established at Malincourt, posing as the true friend of an innocent girl, and regarded by her as an honourable and confidential adviser, was in itself enough to rouse suspicion. He decided at once, therefore, to fall in with de Proballe’s mood, whatever it might be, and to lead him to talk as freely as he would. “Why did you not come straight to Malincourt, Gerard, or at any rate let me know of your presence in Morvaix, that I might have word with you?” “If I was doubtful of my reception by Gabrielle, can you blame me?” asked Gerard in reply, dropping readily into his assumed character. “But I had told you exactly how matters were with her.” “But I had not seen her with my own eyes.” “Psh, a sentimental fool’s reason,” exclaimed de Proballe, contemptuously. “Yet, I am no sentimental fool, monsieur.” “If you were no worse, you would be lucky. Your kinsman, Raouf, in Paris, gave me your history.” “He may have lied,” answered Gerard, calmly, suppressing a start at the mention of the name and the coincidence it suggested. “But let it pass. What I have done, I have done. If it comes to that, Raouf gave me no saintly account of you.” “Paris is not Morvaix, and what I do there or here is no concern of yours or his,” was the curt, half angry reply. Gerard laughed. “As I said, Raouf may have lied. It is of no account; but I cannot see that in choosing my own method I have done so ill.” De Proballe smiled unpleasantly. “You played boldly. I did not know you had such courage--except in your cups. Yes, you have made a good impression on Gabrielle; but have none the less done ill.” “In what way?” “In saving that fool to-day. You were too hasty. You should have let one of the swords find his heart, and then have played the rescuer of Gabrielle. The men wouldn’t have touched you.” “Why not?” asked Gerard quickly. “They tried.” “Because you stood between them and Denys.” “Read me the riddle.” “Denys has found out something of the real purpose of this marriage; how much I know not; and his silence is necessary to our success. The Duke will not thank you.”