the scattered wood-clumps and spinneys that filled
the angles of the river, even the dusky line of helm-oaks that crowned
the ridge beyond--Caylus way. So near our own country there might be
help! If the messenger whom we had despatched to the Vicomte before
leaving home had reached him, our uncle might have returned, and even
be in Cahors to meet us.

But no party appeared in sight: and I saw no place where an ambush
could be lying. I remembered that no tidings of our present plight or
of what had happened could have reached the Vicomte. The hope faded
out of life as soon as despair had given it birth. We must fend for
ourselves and for Kit.

That was my justification. I leaned from my saddle towards
Croisette--I was riding by his side--and muttered, as I felt my horse's
head and settled myself firmly in the stirrups, "You remember what I
said? Are you ready?"

He looked at me in a startled way, with a face showing white in the
shadow: and from me to the one solitary figure seated like a pillar a
score of paces in front with no one between us and it. "There need be
but two of us," I muttered, loosening my sword. "Shall it be you or
Marie? The others must leap their horses out of the road in the
confusion, cross the river at the Arembal Ford if they are not
overtaken, and make for Caylus."

He hesitated. I do not know whether it had anything to do with his
hesitation that at that moment the cathedral bell in the town below us
began to ring slowly for Vespers. Yes, he hesitated. He--a Caylus.
Turning to him again, I repeated my question impatiently. "Which shall
it be? A moment, and we shall be moving on, and it will be too late."

He laid his hand hurriedly on my bridle, and began a rambling answer.
Rambling as it was I gathered his meaning. It was enough for me! I
cut him short with one word of fiery indignation, and turned to Marie
and spoke quickly. "Will you, then?" I said.

But Marie shook his head in perplexity, and answering little, said the
same. So it happened a second time.

Strange! Yet strange as it seemed, I was not greatly surprised. Under
other circumstances I should have been beside myself with anger at the
defection. Now I felt as if I had half expected it, and without
further words of reproach I dropped my head and gave it up. I passed
again into the stupor of endurance. The Vidame was too strong for me.
It was useless to fight against him. We were under the spell. When