g. I should not advise you to
be here, Pechaud." And with this he turned up the lantern, so that the
light fell more strongly on his clear-cut face and blue eyes. He was a
handsome man, and one well formed to win a woman's heart; but with all
this there were the marks of a weak and irresolute nature on his
countenance, and as I looked I thought to myself that here was one who,
if he fell, would fall utterly.

Pechaud the landlord, who stood respectfully near De Ganache, laughed
too as he heard the Vicomte's words.

"I shall be careful, monsieur," he said. "My only fear is that they
will find it so difficult to follow that they may stay here
indefinitely."

"The trooper is a knave for all that, and deserves to hang; but it was
well conceived--the cutting of the saddlery." And then they both
laughed again. I had a mind to join in their humour, and it was hard
to refrain from chuckling a little on my own account.

"'Tis a pity you could not get mademoiselle's horse."

"It was impossible, monsieur; but you will find mine carry her as well,
and it is even now ready.

"Well; it does not much matter." And rising De Ganache opened the
window and looked forth.

"It is a night of stars," he said, "and dark. Lord! if we but had a
moon!"

"Monsieur will find the guide lead you well."

"I want no guide on my own lands, Pechaud. Night and day are one to me
when I ride across them. But this guide: who is he?"

"I myself, monsieur."

"You! And yet, perhaps, 'tis as well; but I fear me, old friend, that
the sky will be red behind us with the flames of this good inn; they
will not forego that revenge."

"Let it be so, monsieur. My ancestors have followed yours for two
centuries, and taken the good with the bad--and I am as they are; you
know this."

De Ganache looked at him, and as I heard this faithful retainer's words
I began to understand the force that my opponent had on his side.
After a moment's pause Pechaud continued:

"But, monsieur, a word from an old man. How long is this to last? Why
are you not at the King's side, as your forefathers ever were? Make
your peace with the Court, as Monsieur d'Andelot and the Admiral have
done----"

"Enough, Pechaud! Perhaps I will take your advice, and that soon; but
for the present I must pull my sword-belt in by a hole, and see that my
saddlery at any rate is right. As for this Monsieur Broussel, he told
mademoiselle that he knew me, but I have never set