She fastened her look on the maps.

They seemed to be her cue.
"Have you any influence with your uncle ?" she asked.
Elise remained gloomily silent.
"Because," Madame Chalice went on smoothly, ignoring her silence, "I think it would be better for him to go back to Ville Bambord--I am sure of it." The girl's lip curled angrily.

What right had this great lady to interfere with her or hers?
What did she mean?
"My uncle is a general and a brave man; he can take care of himself," she answered defiantly.

Madame Chalice did not smile at the title.
She admired the girl's courage.

She persisted however.