"For the privy purse of Monsieur le Gouverneur of Île Saint-Georges." "_Corbleu!_" said Canolles, blushing; "the queen does things very well." Instinctively the thought of Buckingham came into his mind. Perhaps the queen had seen the handsome features of the young captain from behind some curtain; perhaps a tender interest in him led her to extend her protecting influence over him. Perhaps--We must remember that Canolles was a Gascon. Unfortunately, the queen was twenty years older than in Buckingham's time. Whatever the explanation, wherever the purse came from, Canolles put his hand in it and took out ten pistoles, which he handed to Barrabas, who left the room with a profusion of most respectful reverences. X. When Barrabas had gone, Canolles summoned the officer, and requested him to act as his guide in the inspection he proposed to make of his new dominions. The officer at once placed himself at his command. At the door he found a sort of staff composed of the other principal functionaries of the citadel. Escorted by them, talking with them, and listening to descriptions of all the half-moons, casemates, cellars, and attics, the morning wore away, and about eleven o'clock he returned to his apartments, having made a thorough inspection. His escort disappeared, and Canolles was left alone with the officer whose acquaintance he had first made. "Now," said that officer, drawing near him with an air of mystery, "there remains but a single apartment and a single person for Monsieur le Gouverneur to see." "I beg your pardon?" said Canolles. "That person's apartment is yonder," said the officer, pointing to a door which Canolles had not yet opened. "Ah! it is yonder, is it?" "Yes." "And the person too? "Yes." "Very well. Pardon me, I beg, but I am greatly fatigued, having travelled night and day, and my head's not very clear this morning; so pray explain your meaning a little more fully." "Well, Monsieur le Gouverneur," rejoined the officer, with a most knowing smile, "the apartment--" "--of the person--" said Canolles. "--who awaits you, is yonder. You understand now, don't you?" Canolles started, as if he were returning from the land of dreams. "Yes, yes. Very good," said he; "and I may go in?" "To be sure, as you are expected." "Here goes, then!" said Canolles; and with his heart beating fit to burst its walls, hardly able to see, his fears and his desires inextricably confused in his mind, he opened the door and saw behind the hangings, with laughing face and sparkling eyes, Nanon de Lartigues, who cried out with joy, as she threw her arms around the young man's neck. Canolles stood like a statue, with his arms hanging at his sides, and lifeless eye. "You?" he faltered. "I!" said she, redoubling her smiles and kisses.