" And the Seneschal, moved by that confident promise of evil, threw
himself before the men-at-arms.

"A moment, I beseech you, Marquise," he cried, and the men, seeing his
earnestness and knowing his quality, stood undecided, buffeted as they
were between his will and the Marquise's. "What have you to say to me?"
Tressan demanded, seeking to render arrogant his tone.

"This: That my servant knows where I am, and that should I fail within a
very few days to come forth safe and sound from Condillac to rejoin
him, he is to ride to Paris with certain letters I have given him. Those
letters incriminate you to the full in this infamous matter here at
Condillac. I have set forth in them how you refused me help, how you
ignored the Queen's commands of which I was the bearer; and should it be
proved, in addition, that through your treachery and insubordination my
life has been lost, I promise you that nothing in all this world will
save you from a hanging."

"Never listen, monsieur," cried the Dowager, seeing Tressan start back
like a man in sudden fear. "It is no more than the ruse of a desperate
man."

"Heed me or not, at your choice," Garnache retorted, addressing himself
ever to Tressan. "You have had your warning. I little thought to see you
here to-night. But seeing you confirms my worst suspicions, and if I
am to die, I can die easy in my conscience at the thought that in
sacrificing you to Her Majesty's wrath I have certainly not sacrificed
an innocent man."

"Madame--" the Seneschal began, turning to the Dowager. But she broke in
impatiently upon his intended words, upon the prayer that bubbled to his
lips that she should pause a while ere she made an end of this Parisian.

"Monsieur," said she, "you may bargain with him when he is taken. We
will have him alive. Go in," she bade her men, her voice so resolute now
that none dared tarry longer. "Fetch the knave out--alive."

Garnache smiled at mademoiselle as the words were uttered.

"They want me alive," said he. "That is a hopeful state of things. Bear
up, child; I may need your help ere we are through."

"You shall find me ready, monsieur," she assured him for all her
tremors. He looked at the pale face, composed now by an effort of her
will, and at the beautiful hazel eyes which strove to meet his with calm
and to reflect his smile, and he marvelled at her courage as much as did
she at his.

Then the assault began, and he could have laughed at the way in wh