a moment while I gave her a seat and sat down beside her. Then by the
light of the flickering torch and flaring candles I watched her feelings
play upon her face as the warm light of autumn shifts upon the glories
of ripe fruits. Her happiness was tempered by the sadness of our
position, and my heart smote me that I had made her suffer, had brought
care to her young life. I could see that in the year she had grown
older, yet her beauty seemed enhanced by that and by the trouble she had
endured. I shall let her tell her story here unbroken by my questions
and those interruptions which Gabord made, bidding her to make haste.
She spoke without faltering, save here and there; but even then I could
see her brave spirit quelling the riot of her emotions, shutting down
the sluice-gate of tears.

"I knew," she said, her hand clasped in mine, "that Gabord was the only
person like to be admitted to you, and so for days, living in fear lest
the worst should happen, I have prepared for this chance. I have grown
so in height that I knew an old uniform of my brothers would fit me,
and I had it ready--small sword and all," she added, with a sad sort of
humour, touching the weapon at her side. "You must know that we have for
the winter a house here upon the ramparts near the Chateau. It was my
mother's doings, that my sister Georgette and I might have no great
journeyings in the cold to the festivities hereabouts. So I, being a
favourite with the Governor, ran in and out of the Chateau at my will;
of which my mother was proud, and she allowed me much liberty, for to be
a favourite of the Governor is an honour. I knew how things were going,
and what the chances were of the sentence being carried out on you.
Sometimes I thought my heart would burst with the anxiety of it all, but
I would not let that show to the world. If you could but have seen me
smile at the Governor and Monsieur Doltaire--nay, do not press my hand
so, Robert; you know well you have no need to fear monsieur--while
I learned secrets of state, among them news of you. Three nights ago
Monsieur Doltaire was talking with me at a ball--ah, those feastings
while you were lying in a dungeon, and I shutting up my love and your
danger close in my heart, even from those who loved me best! Well,
suddenly he said, 'I think I will not have our English captain shifted
to a better world.'

"My heart stood still; I felt an ache across my breast so that I could
hardly breathe. 'Why w