"By the right of Lausane,' vociferated I, in a voice of thunder.
'Lausane! (repeated he, looking steadily upon me); ah! 'tis but too true; I now recollect your features. Well, it can't be help'd; the mischief is out, and there's an end of it. If it will give you any satisfaction, master, I will solemnly swear, that what I have told my friend Josephe here, I heard from Blanche, and she, I am sure, would not utter a falsehood; people seldom commit a sin without intending to derive some benefit from it; and what could accrue to her by defaming her mistress? I will also swear, that I met your brother this morning ascending the Alps; and that, while I was at the cottage of my godfather, Blanche told me that you had left home, and that her lady had lain in two days after your departure of a fine boy, who had been removed by her to a neighbouring cottage.'
"Ere I go in quest of vengeance (I cried, relinquishing my hold), I will ascertain whether the Count has left the castle.'
