for
the moment hideous.

"Get her some wine," said Simon shortly to De Mouchy--"and get it
yourself."

De Mouchy rose and left the room, and the two were alone together.

"Listen, Diane!" said Simon. "You stand on the edge of a precipice.
It is said that the King has spoken of nothing this morning but the
beauty of Mademoiselle de Paradis."

She gasped; and he went on:

"I see you understand. Well, unless you agree to my terms mademoiselle
is secure from harm; and I think you will find Anet a dull retreat."

There was a little snapping sound, and she had broken her fan, and
flung it from her on to the table. At this moment De Mouchy returned,
bringing with him some wine and glasses. One he filled and handed to
Diane, who drank it without a word, and then sat staring in front of
her.

"I think," said Simon, "that madame now agrees to our proposal. Is it
not so?'

"Yes," she said in a low voice, "I agree," but her eyes were kept down
to hide their expression.

"That, then, is settled. And remember, madame, that we cannot take
action until we have the King's grant in writing. De Mouchy here will
see that it is properly registered in the Chambre--and remember it must
be within a week, or----" And he bent forward and whispered something
in her ear.

"It shall be as you desire, Monsieur le Vidame."

"In that case," said Simon, filling himself a glass, "I drink to the
health of the Great Enterprise. To the unending radiance of the
crescent moon, to your new estate of Chateaux Vieux de Mouchy, and to
Simon, _Duc_ d'Orrain!"

With this he drank, and set the glass back on the table with a little
click.

There was a silence, and then Diane rose.

"There is nothing further to discuss, I think?" she said.

"No," replied Simon; "except that Dom Antoine here would like to
register a certain grant within a week."

She made no answer; but, preceded by De Mouchy and followed by Simon,
moved to the door, and all three left the room together. The stars had
been with me, and two minutes later I stood beside La Marmotte.

"Well?" she asked.

"There is no time to talk. If we could but get back that rope it would
remove all suspicion."

She hesitated, and then: "Perhaps with your sword."

"Excellent!" And, drawing my sword, which I had slung on once more, I
leaned forth from the window, and found that the point easily reached
the hook. It needed but a turn of the wrist to free the rope, which, a
moment