est, and lives here under the safeguard of my
honour.'

Rochefoucauld bowed submissively, and with the air of a man severely but
justly rebuked; and then advancing to me said, 'I beg to tender you
my apology, monsieur, for an expression which should never have been
uttered by me in your presence.'

'Quite sufficient, sir,' said I, bowing, and anxious to conclude a scene
which for the first time had disturbed the harmony of our meetings.
Slight as was the incident, its effects were yet visible in the
disconcerted looks of the party, and I could see that more than one
glance was directed towards me with an expression of coldness and
distrust.

'Here comes D'Egville at last,' said one, throwing open the window
to listen. The night was starlit, but dark, and the air calm and
motionless. 'I certainly heard a horses tread on the causeway.'

'I hear distinctly the sound of several,' cried Coigny; 'and, if I
mistake not much, so does Monsieur de Tiernay.' This sudden allusion
turned every eye towards me, as I stood still, suffering from the
confusion of the late scene.

'Yes; I hear the tramp of horses, and cavalry too, I should say, by
their measured tread.'

'There was a trumpet-call!' cried Coigny; 'what does that mean?'

'It is the signal to take open order,' said I, answering as if
the question were addressed to myself. 'It is a picket taking a
reconnaissance.'

'How do you know that, sir?' said Gramont sternly.

'Ay! how does he know that?' cried several passionately, as they closed
around me.

'You must ask in another tone, messieurs,' said I calmly, 'if you expect
to be answered.'

'They mean to say, how do you happen to know the German trumpet-calls,
Tiernay,' said De Marsanne mildly, as he laid his hand on my arm.

'It's a French signal,' said I; 'I ought to know it well.'

Before my words were well uttered the door was thrown open, and
D'Egville burst into the room, pale as death, his clothes all
mud-stained and disordered. Making his way through the others, he
whispered a few words in De Marsanne's ear.

'Impossible!' cried the other; 'we are here in the territory of the
Margrave.'

'It is as I say,' replied D'Egville; 'there's not a second to lose--it
may be too late even now--by Heavens it is!--they've drawn a cordon
round the chateau.'

'What's to be done, gentlemen?' said De Marsanne, seating himself
calmly, and crossing his arms on his breast.

'What do you say, sir?' cried Gramont, adva