"She is probably still in bed," added the Marchioness. "She must rise without delay and dress herself to receive her brother, myself and Monsieur the Abbot. We have to speak to her upon matters of the highest importance." "Oh! Mademoiselle has risen and dressed herself more than two hours ago, madam." "That being the case, go and request Monsieur the Count and Monsieur the Abbot to come and join me in my niece's chamber." "Madam the Marchioness will not find mademoiselle in her chamber." "Where is she?" "Mademoiselle went out for a walk in the park, as she often does." "What! Gone out! And yesterday and this morning she pretended to feel so ill that she could not receive me?" "The weather is so beautiful that mademoiselle believed a walk would do her good. She went down and walked towards the park." "You lie! My niece did not go out!" "Madam the Marchioness can ascertain the truth for herself by walking into the room." "This sudden going out looks highly suspicious. Toward what part of the park did my niece go?" "I could not say as to that, madam; mademoiselle took her gloves, her mask[6] and her taffeta hood to protect herself from the heat of the sun--and she left. That is all I know." "There is some mystery in this--you are hiding something from me." "I am telling madam all I know." "You are an accomplice in all the follies of Mademoiselle Plouernel, and it may happen that you will have reason to feel sorry for it!" "I obey the orders of mademoiselle the same as I obeyed the orders of Madam the Countess, her mother. That is my duty." "It is impossible that my niece, who only this morning claimed to be ill, can have gone out without some particular reason. You know the reason. Answer! What caused my niece to leave her chamber?" "I have already told madam. The weather is so beautiful that mademoiselle believed a walk would help her." "Enough!" ordered Madam Tremblay angrily, and casting a threatening look upon old Marion. "I shall remember your obstinacy. I shall find out the truth." The Marchioness hastened to rejoin the Count of Plouernel and the Abbot, who were no less surprised, alarmed and angry than herself at Mademoiselle Plouernel's unexpected outing. The Marquis of Chateauvieux could prolong his stay at the castle only a couple of hours, so that, if Bertha did not return before his departure the marriage would have to undergo a further postponement. Accordingly, not satisfied with sending several of his men in quest of his sister in all directions through the park, the Count himself took horse together with the Marquis of Chateauvieux in the hope of meeting Mademoiselle Plouernel; while, anxious not to be themselves idle in the search, Abbot Boujaron and the Marchioness of Tremblay went out in a carriage. CHAPTER VI. BERTHA AND NOMINOE.