volunteered to join our party as far as
Blois. I assented gladly, and he did so, this addition to our numbers
ridding me at once of the greater part of my fears. I did not expect any
opposition on the part of mademoiselle, who would gain in consequence as
well as in safety. Nor did she offer any. She was content, I think,
to welcome any addition to our party which would save her from the
necessity of riding in the company of my old cloak.

CHAPTER VI. MY MOTHER'S LODGING.

Travelling by way of Chatelherault and Tours, we reached the
neighbourhood of Blois a little after noon on the third day without
misadventure or any intimation of pursuit. The Norman proved himself
a cheerful companion on the road, as I already knew him to be a man of
sense and shrewdness while his presence rendered the task of keeping
my men in order an easy one. I began to consider the adventure as
practically achieved; and regarding Mademoiselle de la Vire as already
in effect transferred to the care of M. de Rosny, I ventured to turn my
thoughts to the development of my own plans and the choice of a haven in
which I might rest secure from the vengeance of M. de Turenne.

For the moment I had evaded his pursuit, and, assisted by the confusion
caused everywhere by the death of Guise had succeeded in thwarting his
plans and affronting his authority with seeming ease. But I knew too
much of his power and had heard too many instances of his fierce temper
and resolute will to presume on short impunity or to expect the future
with anything but diffidence and dismay.

The exclamations of my companions on coming within sight of Blois
aroused me from these reflections. I joined them, and fully shared their
emotion as I gazed on the stately towers which had witnessed so many
royal festivities, and, alas! one royal tragedy; which had sheltered
Louis the Well-beloved and Francis the Great, and rung with the laughter
of Diana of Poitiers and the second Henry. The play of fancy wreathed
the sombre building with a hundred memories grave and gay. But, though
the rich plain of the Loire still swelled upward as of old in gentle
homage at the feet of the gallant town, the shadow of crime seemed to
darken all, and dim even the glories of the royal standard which hung
idly in the air.

We had heard so many reports of the fear and suspicion which reigned in
the city and of the strict supervision which was exercised over all
who entered--the king dreading a rep