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They entered the room together; and Maurice and the old soldier greeted Jean with the most ardent expressions of friendship. They had not seen each other since the duel on the Reche, which had been interrupted by the arrival of the soldiers; and when they parted that day they scarcely expected to meet again. "And now we are together once more," said Maurice, gayly, "and we have nothing to fear."
The whiche I sende unto you, as well to shewe my selfe gratefull, although my habilitie reche not to the benefites, which I have received of you, as also for that beyng the custome to honour with like workes them who for nobilitie, riches, wisedome, and liberalitie doe shine: I knowe you for riches, and nobilitie, not to have many peeres, for wisedome fewe, and for liberalitie none.
I knew what I was doing when I left the Reche with my gun upon my shoulder, and my sword by my side; I have no right to complain. But those cruel judges have condemned an innocent man " "Baron d'Escorval?" "Yes the father of Maurice!" His voice changed in uttering the name of this man, for whose happiness he would have given ten lives had they been his to give.
The clock in the tower of Sairmeuse was striking the hour of eight when Lacheneur and his little band of followers left the Reche. An hour later, at the Chateau de Courtornieu, Mlle. Blanche, after finishing her dinner, ordered the carriage to convey her to Montaignac.
"And finally," continued Chupin, "when Lacheneur set fire to his house to give the signal for the insurrection, the prisoner was with him." "That," exclaimed the duke, "is conclusive evidence." "I was, indeed, at the Reche," interrupted the baron; "but it was, as I have already told you, with the firm determination of preventing this outbreak."
"He must be hard to please, if he is not satisfied!" growled the duke, enraged at such prodigality, though it did not cost him a penny. Martial had supposed himself the only visitor at the cottage on the Reche; and when he discovered that such was not the case, he became furious. "Am I, then, the dupe of a shameless girl?" he thought.
Two rows of iron bars protected it. These were placed in such a way that it was impossible for him to put out his head and see how far he was above the ground. The height, however, must be considerable, judging from the extent of the view. The sun was setting; and through the violet haze the baron could discern an undulating line of hills, whose culminating point must be the land of the Reche.
"By killing me you would, it is true, escape the chastisement I am reserving for you. Consent to fight with me. Shall I await you to-morrow on the Reche? At what hour? With what weapons? "If you are the vilest of men, you can appoint a rendezvous, and then send your gendarmes to arrest me. That would be an act worthy of you. "Maurice d'Escorval." The duke was in despair.
He awoke about nine o'clock, ordered breakfast, concluded to return to Sairmeuse, and he was eating with a good appetite, when suddenly: "Have a horse saddled instantly!" he exclaimed. He had just remembered the rendezvous with Maurice. Why should he not go there? He set out at once, and thanks to a spirited horse, he reached the Reche at half-past eleven o'clock.
On reaching the little grove on the Reche, he paused for a moment at a place which commanded a view of the cottage. While he stood there, he saw Jean Lacheneur and Chanlouineau leave the house, each laden with a pedler's pack. Maurice was therefore sure that M. Lacheneur and Marie-Anne were alone in the house. He hastened to the cottage and entered without stopping to rap.
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