."

Alarmed at this coarse language, and the threatening gestures that
accompanied it, Isabelle started back and drew out Chiquita's knife.

"Bravo!" cried the duke--"here comes the traditional poniard. We are
being treated to a bit of high tragedy. But, my fierce little beauty, if
you are well up in your Roman history, you will remember that the chaste
Mme. Lucretia did not make use of her dagger until AFTER the assault of
Sextus, the bold son of Tarquin the Proud. That ancient and much-cited
example is a good one to follow."

And without paying any more attention to the knife than to a bee-sting,
he had violently seized Isabelle in his arms before she could raise it
to strike.

Just at that moment a loud cracking noise was heard, followed by a
tremendous crash, and the casement fell clattering to the floor, with
every pane of glass in it shattered; as if a giant had put his knee
against it and broken it in; while a mass of branches protruded through
the opening into the room. It was the top of the tree that Chiquita had
made such good use of as a way of escape and return. The trunk, sawed
nearly through by de Sigognac and his companions, was guided in its fall
so as to make a means of access to Isabelle's window; both bridging the
moat, and answering all the purposes of a ladder.

The Duke of Vallombreuse, astonished at this most extraordinary
intrusion upon his love-making, released his trembling victim, and drew
his sword. Chiquita, who had crept into the room unperceived when the
crash came, pulled Isabelle's sleeve and whispered, "Come into this
corner, out of the way; the dance is going to begin."

As she spoke, several pistol shots were heard without, and four of
the duke's ruffians--who were doing garrison duty came rushing up the
stairs, four steps at a time, and dashed into the room-sword in hand,
and eager for the fray.

CHAPTER XVII. THE AMETHYST RING

The topmost branches of the tree, protruding through the window,
rendered the centre of the room untenable, so Malartic and his three
aids ranged themselves two and two against the wall on either side of
it, armed with pistols and swords--ready to give the assailants a warm
welcome.

"You had better retire, my lord duke, or else put on a mask," whispered
Malartic to the young nobleman, "so that you may not be seen and
recognised in this affair."

"What do I care?" cried Vallombreuse, flourishing his sword. "I am not
afraid of anybody in the w