. The Count married me without
dowry, and if there be any other claims I surrender them. As for your
generous offer, I cannot think of accepting it. You and I are soon to
separate, and must not see each other again."

"But, Madame, I need not be at La Tournoire while you are there. I shall
be out in the world, seeking honour and fortune."

"No, Monsieur, it is not to be thought of. My only refuge is the convent
from which the Count took me."

"But is it safe to go there? Have you not said yourself that the Count
would take measures to intercept you on the way?"

"But you and Hugues just now agreed that the Count would probably seek
me on the road to Chateaurenault. That is in the opposite direction to
the convent, which is beyond Chateaudun."

"But the Count may seek toward the convent when he fails to find you in
the other direction. Or he may take the precaution to send a party that
way at once."

"We shall be there before he or his emissaries can, shall we not? Once
in the convent, I shall be safe.--And besides, Monsieur,"--her voice
took on a faint touch of mock-laughing bitterness--"he will think I have
run away with you for love, and for a different life than that of a
convent. No; as matters are, it is scarce likely he will seek me in the
neighbourhood of the convent."

It was then determined that we should make for the convent, which,
curiously, as it was beyond Chateaudun, happened to be upon my road to
Paris. We now arrived at Hugues's gate.

I dismounted only to help the Countess, and stayed in the road with the
horses, while Hugues led Madame and Mathilde into the cottage. He took
them thence into the mill, that they might eat, and the Countess change
her dress, at the very entrance to the hiding-place. He then returned to
me, the plan being that if we heard pursuit he and I were to mount and
ride on, thus leading our enemies away from the Countess, who with
Mathilde should betake herself to the hiding-place till danger was past.
With Hugues's knowledge of the byways and forest paths, we might be able
to elude the hunt. During this wait we refreshed ourselves with wine and
bread, which the old woman brought, and the boy fed the horses. In a
short time the Countess reappeared, a graceful, slender youth in
doublet, breeches, riding-boots of thin leather, cap, and gloves. Her
undulating hair had been reduced by Mathilde, with a pair of shears, to
a suitable shortness. Mathilde followed her, loth to par