rting a haughty glance at me,
muttered, 'And--that lady? Are we to be shut up together, sir?'

'Mademoiselle,' I answered quickly in the low tone she had used herself,
'have I ever asked anything dishonourable of you?'

She seemed by a slight movement of the head to answer in the negative.

'Nor do I now,' I replied with earnestness. 'I entrust to your care a
lady who has risked great peril for US; and the rest I leave to you.'

She looked me very keenly in the face for a second, and then, without
answering, she passed on, Madame and Fanchette following her in that
order. I closed the door and turned to Simon; who by my direction had
blown the embers of the fire into a blaze so as to partially illumine
the room, in which only he and I now remained. The lad seemed afraid to
meet my eye, and owing to the scene at which he had just assisted, or to
the onslaught on the door, which grew each moment more furious, betrayed
greater restlessness than I had lately observed in him. I did not doubt
his fidelity, however, or his devotion to mademoiselle; and the orders I
had to give him were simple enough.

'This is what you have got to do,' I said, my hand already on the bars.
'The moment I am outside secure this door. After that, open to no one
except Maignan. When he applies, let him in with caution, and bid him,
as he loves M. de Rosny, take his men as soon as the coast is clear, and
guard the King of France to the castle. Charge him to be brave and wary,
for his life will answer for the king's.'

Twice I repeated this; then fearing lest the Provost-Marshal should make
good his word and apply a ram to the door, I opened the trap. A dozen
angry voices hailed my appearance, and this with so much violence and
impatience that it was some time before I could get a hearing; the
knaves threatening me if I would not instantly open, and persisting that
I should do so without more words. Their leader at length quieted them,
but it was plain that his patience too was worn out. 'Do you surrender
or do you not?' he said. 'I am not going to stay out of my bed all night
for you!'

'I warn you,' I answered, 'that the order you have there has been
cancelled by the king!'

'That is not my business,' he rejoined hardily.

'No, but it will be when the king sends for you to-morrow morning,' I
retorted; at which he looked somewhat moved. 'However, I will surrender
to you on two conditions,' I continued, keenly observing the coarse
faces of