"Why, my brave boy," resumed Dagobert with emotion, "there is something in thy conduct that savors of constraint, of oppression.I know something of men.He you call superior, whom I saw for some moments after the shipwreck at Cardoville Castle, has a bad look; and I am sorry to see you enrolled under such a commander."
"At Cardoville Castle!" exclaimed Agricola, struck with the identity of the name with that of the young lady of the golden hair; "was it in Cardoville Castle that you were received after your shipwreck?"
"Yes, my boy; why, does that astonish you?" asked Dagobert.
"Nothing father; but were the owners of the castle there at the time?"
"No; for the steward, when I applied to him for an opportunity to return thanks for the kind hospitality we had experienced, informed me that the person to whom the house belonged was resident at Paris."
"What a singular coincidence," thought Agricola, "if the young lady should be the proprietor of the dwelling which bears her name!"
This reflection having recalled to Agricola the promise which he had made to Mother Bunch, he said to Dagobert; "Dear father, excuse me; but it is already late, and I ought to be in the workshop by eight o'clock."
"That is too true, my boy.Let us go.This party is adjourned till my return from Chartres.Embrace me once more, and take care of yourself."
Since Dagobert had spoken of constraint and oppression to Gabriel, the latter had continued pensive.At the moment when Agricola approached him to shake hands, and to bid him adieu, the missionary said to him solemnly, with a grave voice, and in a tone of decision that astonished both the blacksmith and the soldier: "My dear brother, one word more.I have come here to say to you also that within a few days hence I shall have need of you; and of you also, my father (permit me so to call you),"
added Gabriel, with emotion, as he turned round to Dagobert.
"How! you speak thus to us!" exclaimed Agricola; "what is the matter?"
"Yes," replied Gabriel, "I need the advice and assistance of two men of honor--of two men of resolution;--and I can reckon upon you two--can I not? At any hour, on whatever day it may be, upon a word from me, will you come?"
Dagobert and his son regarded each other in silence, astonished at the accents of the missionary.Agricola felt an oppression of the heart.If he should be a prisoner when his brother should require his assistance, what could be done?
"At every hour, by night or by day, my brave boy, you may depend upon us," said Dagobert, as much surprised as interested--"You have a father and a brother; make your own use of them."
"Thanks, thanks," said Gabriel, "you set me quite at ease."
"I'll tell you what," resumed the soldier, "were it not for your priest's robe, I should believe, from the manner in which you have spoken to us, that you are about to be engaged in a duel--in a mortal combat."
"In a duel?" said Gabriel, starting."Yes; it may be a duel--uncommon and fearful--at which it is necessary to have two witnesses such as you--
A FATHER and A BROTHER!"
Some instants afterwards, Agricola, whose anxiety was continually increasing, set off in haste for the dwelling of Mademoiselle de Cardoville, to which we now beg leave to take the reader.