"Ah," Bastien says, with intentionally arranged sympathy over real amused interest over deeper, more genuine sympathy—three layers, like a cake, and he doesn't take any pains to ensure Yseult won't be privy to each of them. "there is always a man. Unless there is a woman."

Who are her employers, exactly? He doesn't know. He doesn't ask. He might die of curiosity, but that's the third best thing to die of, after old age and an unseen blow to the head.

He's only being a little conniving when he adds, "Have you tried throwing his letters in the fire?"

Because that must be how they are communicating.