I did not see Monsieur le Marquis.

It was his servant brought me that letter with orders to ride hither." Marius approached his mother, his brow clouded.
"Let us see what he says," he suggested anxiously.

But his mother did not heed him.

She stood balancing the package in her hand.
"Can you tell us, then, nothing of Monsieur le Marquis ?" "Nothing more than I have told you, madame." She bade Marius call Fortunio, and then dismissed the courier, bidding her captain see to his refreshment.
Then, alone at last with her son, she hastily tore the covering from the letter, unfolded it and read.

And Marius, moved by anxiety, came to stand beside and just behind her, where he too might read.