By Genevieve I was utterly disregarded, and my endeavours to converse were sorely unsuccessful--for one may not converse alone.
I clearly saw that Yvonne only awaited an opportunity to unmask me, and denounce me to her father as the man who had sought his son's life.
This opportunity, however, came not until the moment of my departure from the chateau, that evening.

I was crossing the hail with the Chevalier de Canaples, and we had stopped for a moment to admire a piece of old chain armour of the days of the Crusaders.

Andrea and Genevieve had preceded us, and passed out through the open doorway, whilst Yvonne lingered upon the threshold looking back.
"I trust, M.de Luynes," said Canaples, as we moved towards her, "that you will remember my invitation, and that whilst you remain at Biois we shall see you here as often as you may be pleased to come; indeed, I trust that you will be a daily visitor." Before I could utter a reply--"Father," exclaimed Mademoiselle, coming forward, "do you know to whom you are offering the hospitality of Canaples ?" "Why that question, child?
To M.de Luynes, M.de Mancini's friend." "And the would-be murderer of Eugene," she added fiercely.
Canaples started.
"Surely such affairs are not for women to meddle with," he cried.
"Moreover, M.de Luynes has already given me all details of the affair." Her eyes grew very wide at that.
"He has told you?
Yet you invite him hither ?" she exclaimed.
"M.

de Luynes has naught wherewith to reproach himself, nor have I.
Those details which he has given me I may not impart to you; suffice it, however, that I am satisfied that his conduct could not have been other than it was, whereas that of my son reflects but little credit upon his name." She stamped her foot, and her eyes, blazing with anger, passed from one to the other of us.
"And you--you believe this man's story ?" "Yvonne!" "Possibly," I interposed, coolly, "Mademoiselle may have received some false account of it that justifies her evident unbelief in what I may have told you." It is not easy to give a lie unless you can prove it a lie.

I made her realise this, and she bit her lip in vexation.