"Oh! the cunning creature," thought Croustillac; "she wishes to say, what I did not know, that there is a vessel of hers called the Chameleon, whose captain is devoted to her, and who will anchor to-morrow near here. I have it! This is just her own vessel she had prepared hastily to furnish her and the duke a means of escape, when she saw me carried off by Colonel Rutler; one of the negro fishermen was doubtless sent ahead to deliver her directions." The Gascon, after some little reflection, said aloud, "Yes, those memories are terrible to you, I know it, madame." "Then, your highness, have you the heart----" "Yes, yes," cried the chevalier, in an explosion of rage, "yes, no pity for the infamous creature who has so unworthily outraged me! All the better, my vengeance commences but the sooner. I will show you that you have no pity to look for from me; you shall see!" He struck a bell. "What are you going to do, your highness." "Your faithful Mirette will come; you shall yourself give her the order to send to Captain Ralph to prepare everything on board the Chameleon to set sail at daybreak." "Ah, your highness, it is barbarous to make me give the order, myself." "Obey, madame, obey." Mirette appeared. Angela gave the order in a broken voice. "I have obeyed you, and now your highness, in pity grant me a last favor in the name of our past love." "Oh, yes, by St. George!" cried Croustillac, "past? oh, past, decidedly." "Allow me one moment, your highness, the favor of an interview." "No, no, never!" "Do not refuse me; do not be so pitiless?" "Out of my sight, faithless woman!" "My lord!" said Angela, clasping her hands. "Your highness," said De Chemerant, "at the moment of quitting madame forever, do not refuse her this last consolation." "You also, De Chemerant, you also? and though you have been a witness?--Ah, well, I consent, madame, but upon one condition." "You have but to order." "That your paramour remain during our conversation." "Really, this is not so bad, I think," said Croustillac to himself; "I hope the duchess will understand me and at first refuse." "But, my dear lord," said Angela; "the last interview that you grant me should be between us alone." "Marvelous! oh, she comprehends a half word," said Croustillac to himself; then aloud, "And why, then, should our interview be private? Have you something you desire to hide from your best beloved--from the lover of your choice?" "But if I desire to beg your forgiveness, sir?" "You can do so before your accomplice. The more you accuse yourself, the more you depict your conduct as disloyal, infamous, unworthy, the more you affirm the lowness of your choice. This will be your punishment and this scoundrel's also." "But, my lord?" "That is my ultimatum," replied Croustillac. "Do you not fear the despair of this man?" said De Chemerant in a low tone.