"That is my salvation," thought Nanon. "So you have a secret with Monsieur de Canolles, have you?" continued the duke. VI. Nanon realized that to hesitate for a second would be her destruction. Moreover, she had had time enough to develop in her brain the scheme suggested by the anonymous letter. "Yes," said she, gazing fixedly at the duke, "I have a secret with that gentleman." "You confess it?" cried Monsieur d'Épernon. "I must; for one can conceal nothing from you." "Oh!" shouted the duke. "Yes, I was expecting Monsieur de Canolles," continued Nanon, calmly. "You were expecting him?" "I was expecting him." "You dare admit it?" "Freely. Tell me, now, do you know who Monsieur de Canolles is?" "He is a jackanapes, whom I will punish cruelly for his impudence." "He is a noble and gallant gentleman, to whom you will continue your benefactions." "Oh! I swear by the Almighty that I will not!" "No oaths, Monsieur le Duc; at all events, not until I have said what I have to say," rejoined Nanon, smiling sweetly. "Say on, then, but waste no time." "Haven't you, who are so skilful in probing the human heart to its lowest depths," said Nanon, "haven't you remarked my partiality for Monsieur de Canolles, my repeated solicitations in his interest?--the captain's commission I procured for him, the grant of money for a trip to Bretagne with Monsieur de Meilleraie, his recent leave of absence,--in a word, my constant efforts to gratify him?" "Madame, madame!" said the duke, "you exceed all bounds!" "For God's sake, Monsieur le Duc, wait until you hear the end!" "Why should I wait any longer? What more is there for you to tell me?" "That I have a most affectionate interest in Monsieur de Canolles." "_Pardieu!_ I know it well." "That I am devoted to him, body and soul." "Madame, you abuse--" "That I will do my utmost to oblige him while I live, and all because--" "Because he's your lover; that's not difficult to guess." "Because," continued Nanon, seizing the wrathful duke's arm with a dramatic gesture, "because he is my brother!" Monsieur d'Épernon's arm fell to his side. "Your brother?" he said. Nanon nodded affirmatively with a triumphant smile. "This calls for an explanation," the duke cried, after a moment's reflection. "Which I will give you," said Nanon. "When did my father die?" "Why, about eight months since," replied the duke, after a short mental calculation. "When did you sign the captain's commission for Canolles?" "Eh? at about the same time." "A fortnight later," said Nanon. "A fortnight later; it's very possible." "It is a sad thing for me to disclose another woman's shame, to divulge a secret which belongs to us alone, you understand. But your extraordinary jealousy drives me to it, your cruelty leaves me no alternative. I am like you, Monsieur le Duc, I lack generosity." "Go on, go on!" cried the duke, beginning to yield to the fair Gasconne's imaginative flights.