a dozen good rapiers about the court which are to be bought
for less than I carry in one pocket. There is De la Touche, young
Turberville, old Major Despard, Raymond de Carnac, and the four Latours.
I will gather them together, and wait on the road."

"And waylay the archbishop?"

"No; the messengers."

"Oh, excellent! You are a prince of brothers! If no message reaches
Paris, we are saved. Go; go; do not lose a moment, my dear Charles."

"It is very well, Francoise; but what are we to do with them when we get
them? We may lose our heads over the matter, it seems to me. After
all, they are the king's messengers, and we can scarce pass our swords
through them."

"No?"

"There would be no forgiveness for that."

"But consider that before the matter is looked into I shall have
regained my influence with the king."

"All very fine, my little sister, but how long is your influence to
last? A pleasant life for us if at every change of favour we have to
fly the country! No, no, Francoise; the most that we can do is to
detain the messengers."

"Where can you detain them?"

"I have an idea. There is the castle of the Marquis de Montespan at
Portillac."

"Of my husband!"

"Precisely."

"Of my most bitter enemy! Oh, Charles, you are not serious."

"On the contrary, I was never more so. The marquis was away in Paris
yesterday, and has not yet returned. Where is the ring with his arms?"

She hunted among her jewels and picked out a gold ring with a broad
engraved face.

"This will be our key. When good Marceau, the steward, sees it, every
dungeon in the castle will be at our disposal. It is that or nothing.
There is no other place where we can hold them safe."

"But when my husband returns?"

"Ah, he may be a little puzzled as to his captives. And the complaisant
Marceau may have an evil quarter of an hour. But that may not be for a
week, and by that time, my little sister, I have confidence enough in
you to think that you really may have finished the campaign. Not
another word, for every moment is of value. Adieu, Francoise! We shall
not be conquered without a struggle. I will send a message to you
to-night to let you know how fortune uses us." He took her fondly in
his arms, kissed her, and then hurried from the room.

For hours after his departure she paced up and down with noiseless steps
upon the deep soft carpet, her hand still clenched, her eyes flaming,
her whole soul wrapped a