r you.
Ten of our men, well mounted and provided with torches, shall set out
this very moment in ten different directions and scour every corner of
Varenne. Thus, in two hours at the most, your relatives will be certain
to have news of you, and you will soon see them arriving here, where we
will entertain them as best we can. Please, then, set your mind at rest,
and take some cordial to restore you; for you must be wet through and
quite exhausted."

"Were it not for the anxiety I feel," she answered with a smile,
"I should be famished. I will try to eat something; but do not put
yourselves to any inconvenience on my account. You have been far too
good already."

Approaching the table, where I was still resting on my elbows, she took
some fruit that was by my side without noticing me. I turned and stared
at her insolently with a besotted expression. She returned my gaze
haughtily--at least, so it appeared to me then. I have since learned
that she did not even see me; for, while making a great effort to
appear calm and to reply with an air of confidence to the offers of
hospitality, she was at heart very much disturbed by the unexpected
presence of so many strange men with their forbidding mien and rough
garb. However, she did not suspect anything. I overheard one of the
Mauprats near me saying to John:

"Good! It's all right; she is falling into the trap. Let us make her
drink; then she will begin to talk."

"One moment," replied John; "watch her carefully; this is a serious
matter; there is something better to be had out of this than a little
passing pleasure. I am going to talk it over with the others; you will
be sent for to give your opinion. Meanwhile keep an eye on Bernard."

"What is the matter?" I said abruptly, as I faced him. "Does not
this girl belong to me? Did not Antony swear it by the soul of my
grandfather?"

"Yes, confound it, that's true," said Antony, approaching our group,
whilst the other Mauprats surrounded the lady. "Listen, Bernard; I will
keep my word on one condition."

"What is that?"

"It is quite simple: that you won't within the next ten minutes tell
this wench that she is not at old Rochemaure's."

"What do you take me for?" I answered, pulling my hat over my eyes. "Do
you think that I am an idiot? Wait a minute; would you like me to go
and get my grandmother's dress which is upstairs and pass myself off for
this same lady of Rochemaure?"

"A splendid idea!" replied Laurence.