y had with them a sumpter horse, whilst a third, which
was evidently intended for my prisoner, was held by a groom. I had
some little time to wait, which I passed in no enviable frame of mind.
Dismounting, I looked carefully at the saddlery of my party, and then
paced up and down the flagged court in converse with Sarlaboux, who
must have found me somewhat dull, for he rallied me, offering, if I
liked not the task of taking a pretty woman all the way to Paris, to
take my place, as he had need of a wife and a dowry to rebuild his
house. It was in the midst of one of his sallies that the door opened,
and Montluc appeared on the steps, and by his side--Diane. There was
not a doubt of it; and for a moment I became hot and cold all over,
but, collecting myself, advanced to meet them. As I came forward I saw
mademoiselle start slightly, make a half step towards me, and draw
back, and then Montluc said:

"This gentleman, mademoiselle, will be your escort to Paris."

I bowed, saying nothing, but she held out her hand.

"Monsieur, I had hoped you would have known me."

I confess I was tongue-tied, and could only mutter something, and
Montluc glanced from the one to the other of us.

"Then you are already acquainted?" he asked in surprise.

"Mademoiselle is the lady to whom, as I have mentioned to you,
monsieur, I was enabled to render a slight service----"

"That is what he calls saving my life, Monsieur de Montluc. I have at
any rate to thank you for giving me a friend for my jailor. There is
but one more kindness I ask of you----"

"And that is----?"

"Let this gentleman escort me to Chatellerault. I do not want to go to
Paris."

Montluc held up his hand. "That is the old cry, mademoiselle. It is
impossible! The Queen's orders are final."

"And you call yourself my dead father's friend?"

Montluc smiled grimly. "I saved his life at Pavia. That was
thirty-three years ago. But that has nothing to do with the matter.
You cannot stay here. You cannot stay at Chatellerault. You must go
to Paris, and it is growing late."

She flushed all over, but again returned to her point.

"You have time after time told me I am not a prisoner. Why, then----"

"Because Chatellerault no longer contains your friends, and Monsieur de
Randan now commands there."

She turned as white now as she had been red before, and a bitter pang
of jealousy went through me as I thought for whom all this feeling was;
but she brou