"Oh, yes! I was saying that you seem to me to be sadly astray as to the fate that awaits us when we leave the prison; you speak of the Esplanade, of military punishments; but I am inclined to think that we are the objects of the public attention, and that there is something more than mere flogging in the wind." "Nonsense!" said Canolles. "Zounds! monsieur, you look at things in rather a more cheerful light than I am able to do; perhaps because you haven't the same reasons for alarm that I have. But don't boast too much of your prospects, for they 're not over-flattering. Yours are nothing, however, compared to mine, and mine,--I must say it because I am firmly convinced that it is so,--are most infernally dark. Do you know who I am, monsieur?" "That's a strange question surely. You are Captain Cauvignac, Governor of Braune, I suppose." "Yes, for the moment; but I have not always borne that name or that title. I have changed my name very often, and have tried many different titles. For instance, one day I called myself Baron de Canolles, just as you call yourself." Canolles looked him in the eye. "Yes, I understand," pursued Cauvignac, "you are wondering whether I am insane, are you not? Have no fears on that score, for I am in full possession of all my mental faculties, and have never been more completely sane." "Explain yourself, then," said Canolles. "Nothing easier. Monsieur le Duc d'Épernon--You know Monsieur le Duc d'Épernon, do you not?" "By name only; I never saw him." "Luckily for me. Monsieur d'Épernon, I say, surprised me one day at a certain house where I knew that you were a favored guest, so I took the liberty of borrowing your name." "Monsieur, what mean you?" "There, there, softly! Don't be selfish enough to be jealous of one woman just as you are on the point of marrying another! And even if you should be,--and it would be quite consistent with human nature, for man is a vile brute,--you will forgive me in a moment. I am too closely connected with you for you to quarrel with me." "I do not understand a word that you are saying, monsieur." "I say that I have a right to be treated by you as a brother, or at least as a brother-in-law." "You speak in enigmas, and I am still all at sea." "Very good; I will enlighten you with a single word. My true name is Roland de Lartigues, and Nanon is my sister." Canolles' suspicions gave way before a sudden swelling of the heart. "You, Nanon's brother!" he cried. "Oh, poor fellow!"