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He then returned to me, the plan being that if we heard pursuit he and I were to mount and ride on, thus leading our enemies away from the Countess, who with Mathilde should betake herself to the hiding-place till danger was past. With Hugues's knowledge of the byways and forest paths, we might be able to elude the hunt.
"They shall stay in Hugues's strong-box, and his own money too. I have enough." "Then I believe that is all, Monsieur, and I'd better be going back. Be on the watch for Brigitte with the key. Do you think of anything else?" We went hurriedly over the various details of the plan, and then she took her leave, darting along the passage as swiftly as a greyhound and as silently as a ghost.
"Oh, yes," she answered compliantly. I then broke to her that Hugues's and I had provided a suit of boy's clothes which she might substitute for her present attire at his house, and so travel with less likelihood of attracting notice. To this she made no objection. She seemed, on leaving the chateau, to have resigned herself, almost languidly, to guidance.
This was, indeed, the most likely supposition. The Count would scarce expect to find us harboured in any house in the neighbourhood, and he knew nothing of Hugues's attachment to Mathilde. Still I thought it well that the Countess should travel on as far as possible that night, and I asked her if she felt able to do so after stopping at Hugues's house for some food.
As we came out of the forest, beyond St. Outrille, the moon rose, and against the luminous Eastern sky we could see the dark tower we had left behind, tower of blood and death, on which I hoped never to set eyes again. We hoped to be at Hugues's house before the Countess's flight should be discovered. Hugues and I discussed the chances as we rode.
Hugues himself, who could entirely trust his old woman-servant and his boy, would see us as far as to our first resting-place. To these proposals also she said "Very well," in a tone of half-indifference, but she cast a long, sad look at Mathilde, at mention of leaving her. "And then, Madame," I went on, "as to our journey after we leave Hugues's house.
No; as matters are, it is scarce likely he will seek me in the neighbourhood of the convent." It was then determined that we should make for the convent, which, curiously, as it was beyond Chateaudun, happened to be upon my road to Paris. We now arrived at Hugues's gate.
I will say that we have ridden ahead of our baggage and attendants, which is literally true, for my baggage remains at Hugues's house and you have left Mathilde there." "Very well, Monsieur," she replied. "I should have some name to call you by upon occasion," said I. "I will travel as Henri de Varion, for De Varion was my mother's name, and if you are willing to use it " "Certainly, Monsieur.
I opened the packet, and found a piece of paper, to which two wisps of hair were fastened by a thread, and on which was written in a large, dashing hand: "Behold my moustaches. Brignan de Brignan." And so, after all, I might keep my promise to Mlle. Celeste! Two days later we arrived at Hugues's house, and were received with great joy by him and Mathilde.
"And at Hugues's house before one o'clock. You should be on horseback the Countess and you by half-past one. Have you money, Monsieur?" "Yes, this purse is nearly as full as when I left home." "That is well, for Madame has none, and I don't know how much Hugues could get together in ten minutes. I have ten crowns in his strong-box, which Madame shall have."
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