Laurence, wholly taken aback, answered neither yea nor nay, but held
his peace.
Then Gilles de Retz nodded sagely, with a quiet satisfaction in his
own prevision, which to one less bold and reckless than the young
clerk of Dulce Cor would have proved disconcerting. Then he propounded
his next question:
"How many came hither with you?"
"One," said Laurence, promptly; "I came here alone with your servant
De Sille."
The marshal smiled.
"Good--we will try some other method with you," he said; "but be
advised and speak. None hath ever hidden aught from Gilles de Retz."
"Then, my lord," said Laurence, "there is the less reason for you to
put me to the question."
"I can expound dark speeches," said the marshal, "and I also know my
way through the subtleties of lying tongues. Hope not to lie to me.
How many were they that came to France with you?"
"I will not tell you," said the son of Malise.
The marshal smiled again and nodded his head repeatedly with a certain
gustful appreciation.
"You would make a good soldier.
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