"That it is cleverly planned," the minister answered.
"No more than that?"
"No more until I have eaten."
"Get him something!" Tignonville replied in a surly tone. "And we may as
well eat, ourselves. Lead the horses into the wood. And do you, Perrot,
call Tuez-les-Moines, who is forward. Two hours' riding should bring us
to La Fleche. We need not leave here, therefore, until the sun is low.
To dinner! To dinner!"
Probably he did not feel the indifference he affected, for his face as he
ate grew darker, and from time to time he shot a glance, barbed with
suspicion, at the minister. La Tribe on his side remained silent,
although the men ate apart. He was in doubt, indeed, as to his own
feelings. His instinct and his reason were at odds. Through all,
however, a single purpose, the rescue of Angers, held good, and gradually
other things fell into their places. When the meal was at an end, and
Tignonville challenged him, he was ready.
"Your enthusiasm seems to have waned," the younger man said with a sneer,
"since we met, monsieur! May I ask now if you find any fault with the
plan?"
"With the plan, none."
"If it was Providence brought us together, was it not Providence
furnished me with Perrot who knows La Fleche? If it was Providence
brought the danger of the faithful in Angers to your knowledge, was it
not Providence set us on the road--without whom you had been powerless?"
"I believe it!"
"Then, in His name, what is the matter?" Tignonville rejoined with a
passion of which the other's manner seemed an inadequate cause.
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