human
It is well with the child, and whispered,
gpt
God, I thank thee!
human
We passed through Troyes, monsieur, three months after you, and I saw her. She was a little outside the town, with an elderly _bonne_, hand in hand. I obtained permission to quit the ranks for a moment--I was not then promoted, you will understand--and, dismounting and leading my horse toward them--you remember the good horse, monsieur?--I said to the woman, 'Whose child is that, madame?' She drew away from me, gathered the _petite_ to her, and answered, 'Mine,' whereon I smiled; for I could not be harsh with her--the little creature looked so well cared for----
gpt
I thank Thee!
human
Boussac continued,
gpt
I could see that she repeated a story she had been taught, that she was a paid _gouvernante_. Yet, what to do? Already the troop was out of sight; I might not linger. Had I been alone, it may be I would have snatched the child from her, jumped on my horse, and carried it away as once you carried it, guarded it as you--as _we_, monsieur--guarded it. _Helas!_ that could not be. Therefore, on your behalf, I kissed the little thing, and I emptied my poor purse into the woman's hand. 'Keep it well,' I said, 'keep it well, and thereby you shall reap a reward greater by far than any you now receive. I know--I know more than you think.' Then the _bonne_ replied to me: 'So long as I am able it will be guarded well. No danger threatens the child at present'--she said 'at present'--I am unhappy that I have to mention those words. But she spoke them. I knew not what had happened then; I know now from your letter. But, monsieur, what does it mean? De Roquemaure tried to slay the child when you had her in your keeping. Now that he has her in his own--for who can doubt it?--he treats her well. Monsieur, again I say, what does it mean? And the 'at present'--what, too, does that mean?
human
What did it mean?
gpt
How can I answer him? he mused.
human
What answer find? The villain tried to slay her, as Boussac says, when we were there to guard her; now that he has her in his charge, now that his hate is doubled, must be doubled and intensified by my determination to slay him, as I almost succeeded in doing, he stays his hand. What does the mystery mean?