longer in catching up with my comrades than I had
thought. But I see all has gone well with that young gentleman in the
meantime."

"Yes, Monsieur. I, his brother, ought never to have allowed him to go on
alone. But I was riding after, expecting to overtake him, when I came
upon his horse; I supposed he must be near, and I was fortunate enough
to seek in the right place. He shall not leave me again; and for us both
I thank you more than my tongue can ever express."

"Pouf!--I did nothing. The question is, what now? My comrades and I have
affairs to look after in the forest. We shall continue on the path where
your brother met his accident, till we come to a certain forester's
house where we may pass the night. Your direction appears to be the
same, and you will be safe with us."

"Again I thank you, Monsieur," I said, "but we shall give up our journey
through the forest. As soon as my brother feels able to ride, we shall
go back to the highway and pass the night at some inn. I think we shall
be safe enough now that you have frightened the robbers from this part
of the forest."

The horseman eyed me shrewdly, and glanced at the Countess. It occurred
to me then that he had known her sex from the first, and that he now
trusted me with wisdom enough to judge best what I ought to do. So he
delicately refrained from pressing us, as he had all along from trying
to learn our secret. For a moment he silently twirled his moustaches;
then he said:

"In that case, I have but to wish you good-night, and good fortune.
I think you will be safe enough between here and the highway.
Please do not mention that you have seen any of the King's guard
hereabouts,--though I fear that news is already on the wing."

"What, Monsieur?--are you, then, of the King's guard?"

"We have the honour to be so."

"But I thought their uniform--"

"Faith, we are in our working clothes," said he, with a laugh. The next
moment he waved us adieu, turned his horse about, and, his companions
also turning at his order, followed them out of our sight.

"A very charming gentleman," said I, as the sound of their horses
diminished in our ears.

CHAPTER XV.

THE TOWER OF MORLON

The Countess still lay on the grassy couch beneath the oak. She seemed
to have lost all will as to her course of action.

"I think best not to go with those guards," I explained after a moment.
"For why should we travel their way without any destination? There is
not