ght herself together and faced Montluc.

"Very well, monsieur. I understand your friendship and your kindness
now. I tell you plainly that I will escape at the first opportunity.
I shall never reach Paris."

"That is M. Broussel's affair; and, mademoiselle, the marches are long
in Poitou."

She gave him no answer, but, as it were, resigning herself to the
present, went up to her horse, accepting only the assistance of the
groom to mount.

When all was ready Montluc called me aside, and we stood together for a
moment on the wide steps.

"_Mordieu_!" he muttered as he glanced at mademoiselle, "I do not envy
your task. Upon my soul, I am glad that Jean de Paradis won her
mother's hand and not I!" And then in an altered manner:

"I have your word to do all that man can for her safety?"

"I have said so, monsieur."

There was a little silence, and he stretched out a lean hand.

"Monsieur, forget not: there is room for you in Italy; it would gladden
me to see the golden cock of Orrain once more upon the field. And now
go."

CHAPTER XV

MY PRISONER

We left Poitiers by the Porte de Rochereuil, as I had no mind to be
shut within the angle between the Clain and the Vienne, whence escape
would be a difficult matter if trouble arose. Whilst crossing the
bridge my eyes fell on a rock on the opposite bank of the river which
commanded the faubourg, and even held in check the old fortress of Jean
de Berri, which guarded the junction of the Clain and Boivre on our
left. I made a mental note of this, and years after I was to use this
knowledge to some purpose when I stood by Coligny's side before
Poitiers.

I had sent forward two of my men, with instructions to make
arrangements for our accommodation for the night at Les Barres. I
deemed it inadvisable to go on to Chatellerault, and Les Barres was a
convenient halting-place, as there was no moon now, and there could be
little travelling after sundown. Moreover, I wished to spare my charge
as much as possible.

For these reasons we travelled at an easy pace, mademoiselle riding by
herself a few yards ahead, for I confess that after a few civil words
had passed between us I had taken the opportunity to fall back. This I
did under pretence of giving instructions to Pierrebon, though I never
spoke a word to him. Frankly, I was in a state that made me bad
company, and I desired to be alone. The face of De Ganache seemed ever
to be between me and Diane, a