But the moment that de Maurel's back was turned, and the steps of the three men had ceased to echo through the house, Fernande threw down her work and ran over to her aunt. She stood before the older woman, holding herself very erect, her little head held up with a remarkable air of dignity, her hands clasped behind her back.
"_Ma tante_, tell me," she said abruptly, "for, of a truth, I have become confused--which of the two things in life do you prize the most--the cause of our King or the fetish of social conventions?"
"Fernande," retorted Madame sternly, "meseems that for the past day or two you have taken leave of your senses. I will not be questioned in this fashion by a childlike you...."
"_Ma tante_," broke in the young girl solemnly, "I entreat you to believe that I am asking no idle question. I beg of you most earnestly to answer the question which I have put to you."
"The question hath no need of answer. It is answered already. And you, Fernande, are impertinent to put the question to me."
"Nevertheless, _ma tante_, I ask it in all seriousness, and I beg for an answer in the name of the cause which we all hold dear."
"If you put it that way, child," rejoined Madame coldly, "I cannot help but reply: you are foolish and impertinent, and I almost feel bemeaned by pandering to your foolishness."
"_Ma tante_," pleaded Fernande insistently.
"What is it you want me to say, _enfin_?"
"Tell me plainly and simply, _ma tante_, which you prize most: a few hollow conventions or the success of our arms in the cause of our King."
"Tush, child! of course you know that I prize the cause of our King above all else on earth."
"And you are ready to make any sacrifice for its success?"
"Of course I am! What nonsense has got into that childish head of yours, I wonder?"
"One moment, _ma tante_. Tell me one thing more."
"In your opinion, do you think that every one of us should be ready for any sacrifice that might help to further the cause of our King?"
"Of course, child. I trust you are prepared to make whatever sacrifice the cause of the King may demand from you. I know that your father is more than prepared, and so is Laurent."
"And so am I, _ma tante_," said Fernande firmly. "Therefore, one day soon I'll go to meet M. de Maurel in the woods of La Frontenay, and together we'll visit the Maurel foundries--all in the name of the King, _ma tante_."