"We must then act, lady," resumed Rodin; "yes, act promptly.The moment approaches.Hate and suspicion are awake.There is not a moment to lose."
"As for hate," replied the princess, "Mdlle.de Cardoville must have seen to what her lawsuit would lead, about what she called her illegal detention in a lunatic asylum, and that of the two young ladies in St.
Mary's Convent.Thank heaven, we have friends everywhere! I know from good authority, that the case will break down from want of evidence, in spite of the animosity of certain parliamentary magistrates, who shall be well remembered."
"Under these circumstances," replied Rodin, "the departure of the marshal gives us every latitude.We must act immediately on his daughters."
"But how?" said the princess.
"We must see them," resumed Rodin, "talk with them, study them.Then we shall act in consequence."
"But the soldier will not leave them a second," said Father d'Aigrigny.
"Then," replied Rodin, "we must talk to them in presence of the soldier, and get him on our side."
"That hope is idle," cried Father d'Aigrigny."You do not know the military honor of his character.You do not know this man."
"Don't I know him?" said Rodin, shrugging his shoulders."Did not Mdlle.
de Cardoville present me to him as her liberator, when I denounced you as the soul of the conspiracy? Did I not restore to him his ridiculous imperial relic--his cross of honor--when we met at Dr.Baleinier's? Did I not bring him back the girls from the convent, and place them in the arms of their father?"
"Yes," replied the princess; "but, since that time, my abominable niece has either guessed or discovered all.She told you so herself, father."
"She told me, that she considered me her most mortal enemy," said Rodin.
"Be it so.But did she tell the same to the marshal? Has she ever mentioned me to him? and if she have done so, has the marshal communicated this circumstance to his soldier? It may be so; but it is by no means sure; in any case.I must ascertain the fact; if the soldier treats me as an enemy, we shall see what is next to be done--but I will first try to be received as a friend."
"When?" asked the princess.
"To-morrow morning," replied Rodin.
"Good heaven, my clear father!" cried the Princess de Saint-Dizier, in alarm; "if this soldier were to treat you as an enemy--beware--"
"I always beware, madame.I have had to face worse enemies than he is,"
said the Jesuit showing his black teeth; "the cholera to begin with."
"But he may refuse to see you, and in what way will you then get at Marshal Simon's daughters?" said Father d'Aigrigny.
"I do not yet know." answered Rodin."But as I intend to do it, I shall find the means."
"Father," said the princess, suddenly, on reflection, "these girls have never seen me, and I might obtain admittance to them, without sending in my name."
"That would be perfectly useless at present, madame, for I must first know what course to take with respect to them.I must see and converse with them, at any cost, and then, after I have fixed my plan, your assistance may be very useful.In any case, please to be ready to-
morrow, madame, to accompany me."
"To what place, father?"
"To Marshal Simon's."
"To the marshal's?"
"Not exactly.You will get into your carriage, and I will take a hackney-coach.I will then try to obtain an interview with the girls, and, during that time, you will wait for me at a few yards from the house.If I succeed, and require your aid, I will come and fetch you; I can give you my instructions without any appearance of concert between us."
"I am content, reverend father; but, in truth, I tremble at the thought of your interview with that rough trooper."
"The Lord will watch over his servant, madame!" replied Rodin."As for you, father," added he, addressing the Abbe d'Aigrigny, "despatch instantly to Vienna the note which is all prepared to announce the departure and speedy arrival of the marshal.Every precaution has been taken.I shall write more fully this evening."
The next morning, about eight o'clock, the Princess de Saint-Dizier, in her carriage, and Rodin, in his hackney-coach, took the direction of Marshal Simon's house.