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While Frojac approached, I held my sword ready for any movement on the part of my unhappy adversary, for I saw him cast a furtive look at the tray on the other table, and I read on his face the birth of some new design. Rapidly I gave Frojac my commands, with the gold and the two orders first written. "Take this order immediately, with my horse and your own, to the chateau of Fleurier.
"The woman who told our hiding-place!" said Frojac. Could it be? Was she another Mademoiselle d'Arency? Had she thought that, after De Berquin's accusation, any attempt on her part to draw me from my men would convict her in my eyes; that indeed I might come at any moment to believe in the treachery of which he had warned me?
What, she was in the chateau, under this roof, and I tarried here deploring her treason when I might be at her side, clasping her, looking into her eyes! "In the chamber at the head of the staircase," the guard had said. I forgot Frojac, the guard, Pierre. But one thought, one desire, one impulse, possessed me. With my dripping sword in my hand, I bounded up the stairs.
Some of my men were off on various employments. A few had gone for game; others to fish. One of them, Frojac, was in Clochonne disguised as a peasant, to keep a watch on the garrison there. The party of foragers had not returned.
At the same moment Blaise came from the garden and stood beside the bench, curious to hear Frojac's news. "Ah, Frojac!" said I. "From Clochonne? I know your news already. M. de la Chatre is there." And I motioned to him to speak quietly, lest his news, which might be alarming, should reach the ears of mademoiselle through her chamber window.
I was surprised that she did not hear the clatter of our horses and look around. Then she called again. I heard an answer from the other side of the gate, and then the way was opened. She rode at once into the courtyard. We pressed on, Frojac and I, myself knowing not what was to come, he content to follow me and face whatever might arise.
Was she so absorbed in her own thoughts, in her desire to reach her destination, that she was conscious of nothing else? Frojac was right. She was already too near the chateau for us to overtake her before she arrived at the gate. We could but force our panting horses to their best, and keep our eyes on her.
One was that, by some miracle, Montignac might kill or wound me. The other was that the troops might return before I should have finished with Montignac. La Chatre had doubtless inferred that I had brought with me none of my men but Frojac; therefore I alone was to be feared. Montignac, keeping his eyes fixed on me, transferred his dagger to his left hand, and drew his sword with his right.
We stopped our horses and dismounted. There in the courtyard stood mademoiselle's horse, trembling and panting, but mademoiselle herself had disappeared. Before us was an open door, doubtless the principal entrance to the chateau. Mademoiselle had probably gone that way. "Come, Frojac!" said I, and started for this door. But at that instant we heard rough exclamations and hasty steps behind us.
At such a time how does a man welcome the least surmise that agrees with his wishes or checks his fears! "She is a woman, monsieur!" Blaise had said, even while this thought burst upon me. "So much the worse for any man that dare accuse her!" I cried. "She is the victim of some devilish seeming! My armor, Maugert! Frojac, to horse! You and I ride at once!
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