of that name anywhere in the country round. Upon being questioned
closely, she said that she had lived in the neighbourhood for seventy
years, knew every house within many leagues, and could positively assure
them that there was no such Chateau within a day's journey. So it was
only too evident that they were the dupes of the clever agents of the
Duke of Vallombreuse, who had at last succeeded in getting possession
of Isabelle, as he had sworn that he would do. Accordingly, all of the
party turned back towards Paris, excepting de Sigognac, the tyrant and
Scapin, who had decided to go on to the next village, where they hoped
to be able to procure horses, with which to prosecute their search for
Isabelle and her abductors.

After the baron's fall, she had been swiftly taken on to the other side
of the thicket, where the carriage stood awaiting her; then lifted down
from the horse and put into it, in spite of her frantic struggles and
remonstrances. The man who had held her in front of him got down also
and sprang in after her, closing the door with a bang, and instantly
they were off at a tremendous pace. He seated himself opposite to her,
and when she impetuously tried to pull aside the curtain, so that she
could see out of the window nearest to her, he respectfully but firmly
restrained her.

"Mademoiselle, I implore you to keep quiet," he said, with the utmost
politeness, "and not oblige me to use forcible means to restrain so
charming and adorable a creature as your most lovely self. No harm shall
come to you--do not be afraid!--only kindness is intended; therefore I
beseech you do not persist in vain resistance. If you will only submit
quietly, you shall be treated with as much consideration and respect as
a captive queen, but if you go on acting like the devil, struggling and
shrieking, I have means to bring you to terms, and I shall certainly
resort to them. THIS will stop your screaming, mademoiselle, and THIS
will prevent your struggling."

As he spoke he drew out of his pocket a small gag, very artistically
made, and a long, thick, silken cord, rolled up into a ball.

"It would be barbarous indeed," he continued, "to apply such a thing as
this to that sweet, rosy mouth of yours, mademoiselle, as I am sure
that you will admit--or to bind together those pretty, delicate, little
wrists, upon which no worse fetters than diamond bracelets should ever
be placed."

Poor Isabelle, furious and frightened though she