"If they question me," Canolles continued, "I'll not answer; for what answer can I make? That I was not fond of Monsieur de Mazarin? In that case I was under no obligation to enter his service. That I did love Madame de Cambes? A fine reason that to give a queen and a first minister! So I won't reply at all. But these judges are very sensitive fellows; when they ask questions they like to be answered. There are brutal wedges in these provincial jails; they'll shatter my slender knees, of which I was so proud, and send me back to my rats and my toads a perfect wreck. I shall be bandy-legged all my life, like Monsieur le Prince de Conti, and that would make me extremely ugly, even supposing that his Majesty would cover me with his wing, which he will take good care not to do." Besides the governor and the rats and toads and wedges, there were certain scaffolds whereon rebels were beheaded, certain gallows whereon traitors were hanged, and certain drill grounds where deserters were shot. But all this was of small consequence to a well-favored youth like Canolles, in comparison with bandy legs. He resolved, therefore, to keep his mind clear and to question his companion upon the subject. The round eyes, the eagle's beak, and the frowning expression of that personage gave him but slight encouragement to accost him. However, no matter how stolid a man's face may be, it must soften a little at times, and Canolles took advantage of an instant when a grimace resembling a smile passed across the features of the subaltern who watched him so sharply. "Monsieur!" said he. "Monsieur?" was the reply. "Excuse me if I take you away from your reflections." "Make no excuses, monsieur, for I never reflect." "The devil! you are surely endowed with a fortunate mental organization, monsieur." "And therefore I never complain." "Ah, well, you're not like me in that; for I am very much inclined to complain." "Of what, monsieur?" "Because I was arrested just when I was least expecting it, to be taken I don't know where." "Oh! yes, monsieur, you do know, for you were told." "So I was. We are going to Île Saint-Georges, aren't we?" "Precisely." "Do you think I shall remain there long?" "I have no idea, monsieur; but from the way in which you were recommended, I think it's likely." "Oho! Is it a very forbidding place, this Île Saint-Georges?" "Don't you know the fortress?" "On the inside, no; I have never been inside." "It's not very attractive, monsieur; and, aside from the governor's apartments, which have been newly furnished and are very pleasant, as I am informed, it's rather a gloomy abode." "Very good. Do you suppose they will question me?" "It's the custom." "And suppose I don't answer?" "Suppose you don't answer?" "Yes." "The devil! in that case there's the torture, you know." "Ordinary?" "Ordinary or extraordinary, according to the charge. What is the charge against you, monsieur?"