"Courage!" said Nanon to herself; "there is a possibility that Canolles will read in my eyes what I want to say, or will understand a hint. Send yourself, my dear duke," she said aloud, for she suspected that if she undertook to do the errand herself, he would not allow her. D'Épernon called Francinette, and despatched her to the inn with no other instructions than these,-- "Say to Monsieur le Baron de Canolles that Mademoiselle de Lartigues expects him to breakfast." Nanon darted a meaning glance at Francinette, but, eloquent as it was, Francinette could not read in it, "Tell Monsieur le Baron de Canolles that I am his sister." Francinette departed on her errand, satisfied that there was a needle under the rock, and that the needle might prove to be a good, healthy serpent. Meanwhile Nanon rose, and took up a position behind the duke, so that she might be able, at the first glance she exchanged with Canolles, to warn him to be on his guard; and she busied herself in constructing a sentence by means of which she might at the outset convey to the baron all that he ought to know, in order that he might not sing false in the family trio about to be performed. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the whole of the road as far as the turn where Monsieur d'Épernon and his men had lain in ambush the night before. "Ah!" exclaimed the duke, "Francinette is returning." And he fixed his eyes upon Nanon's, who was compelled to look away from the road to meet his gaze. Nanon's heart was beating as if it would burst through her breast; she had seen no one but Francinette, and it was Canolles whom she hoped to see, and to read in his face some comforting assurance. Steps were heard upon the stairs; the duke prepared a smile which was at once condescending and affable; Nanon forced back the flush which mounted to her cheeks, and summoned all her strength for the conflict. Francinette tapped gently at the door. "Come in!" said the duke. Nanon conned the famous sentence with which she proposed to greet Canolles. The door opened; Francinette was alone. Nanon gazed eagerly into the reception-room; there was no one there. "Madame," said Francinette, with the imperturbable self-possession of a comedy soubrette, "Monsieur le Baron de Canolles has left the Golden Calf." The duke stared, and his face grew dark. Nanon threw back her head and drew a long breath. "What!" exclaimed the duke; "Monsieur de Canolles is not at the Golden Calf." "You are surely mistaken, Francinette," chimed in Nanon. "Madame," said Francinette, "I tell you what Monsieur Biscarros himself told me." "He must have guessed the whole truth," murmured Nanon. "Dear Canolles! as quick-witted and clever as he is gallant and handsome!" "Go at once to Master Biscarros," said the duke, with a face like a thundercloud, "and--" "Oh! I fancy," said Nanon, hastily, "that he knew you were here, and disliked to disturb you. Poor Canolles is so timid!"