Æsop resumed his narrative. "I sent her and her tribe Franceward from Madrid. I didn't accompany them, for I'm not fond of companionship; but I told them to wait me here, and here they are. What place could be more excellent? All sorts of vagabonds come hither from all parts of the world at fair-time. How natural that your admirable master should amuse his leisure by visiting the fair, and in so diverting himself be struck by a beautiful gypsy girl's resemblance to the features of his dear dead friend! It is all a romance, friend Peyrolles, and a very good romance. And I, Æsop, made it." The hunchback struck an attitude as he spoke, and strove to twist his evil countenance into a look of inspiration. Peyrolles was all eagerness now. "Let me see the girl," he pleaded. Æsop shook his head. "By-and-by. It is understood that if Gonzague accepts the girl as Nevers's child he takes me into his service in Paris. Eh?" Peyrolles nodded. "That is understood." Æsop yawned on the conclusion of the bargain. "Curse me if I see why he wants the child when he has got the mother." Peyrolles again neared, and spoke with a lowered voice: "I can be frank with you, master Æsop?" "It's the best plan," Æsop growled. XII FLORA Peyrolles prepared to be frank. He put up his hand, and whispered behind it cautiously: "The married life of the Prince de Gonzague and the widow of Nevers has not been ideally happy." Æsop grinned at him in derision. "You surprise me!" he commented, ironically. Peyrolles went on: "The marriage is only a marriage in name. What arguments succeeded in persuading so young a widow to marry again so soon I do not, of course, know." He paused for a moment and frowned a little, for Æsop, though saying nothing, was lolling out his tongue at him mockingly. Then he went on, with a somewhat ruffled manner: "At all events, whatever the arguments were, they succeeded, and the Duchess de Nevers became the Princess de Gonzague. After the ceremony the Princess de Gonzague told her husband that she lived only in the hope of recovering her child, and that she would kill herself if she were not left in peace." He paused for a moment. Æsop spurred him on: "Well, go on, go on." Peyrolles cleared his throat. Being frank was neither habitual nor pleasant. "As the princess had absolute control of the wealth of her dead husband, the Duke de Nevers, and as she promised to allow my master the use of her fortune as long as he--" Again he paused, and Æsop interpolated: "Left her in peace." Peyrolles accepted the suggestion. "Exactly--my master, who is a perfect gentleman, accepted the situation. Since that day they seldom meet, seldom speak. The princess always wears mourning--" Æsop shivered. "Cheerful spouse."