weeks
ago I was a fool." I then told him how I had been taunted by a young
lady, whose name I did not mention, and with what particular object I
had so recently started for Paris. This was news to my father also, who
laughed without restraint. Brignan de Brignan, though certainly amused,
kept his mirth within bounds, and replied:

"Faith. I know not any young lady in your part of France who has a right
to glory in my personal appearance, even if I were an Apollo,--who, by
the way, is not represented with moustaches. But I believe I know who
this girl may be,--I have met such a one in Paris, and avoided her as a
pert little minx. As for your folly, as you call it, it was no more
foolish than many a thing I have done."

He had the breeding not to add, "At your age," and I loved him for that.
He and his men now set out upon their return to the farmstead, and my
father and I, after devising a more comfortable couch for the Countess
just within the open doorway of the tower, slept and watched by turns
outside.

In the morning the Countess, partaking of more food, was in better
strength and spirits, and had the curiosity to ask how my father came to
be there. In telling her, I broke the news of the Count's death. For a
moment she was startled, and then pity showed itself in her eyes and
words,--pity for the man who had been swayed by such passions and
delusions, and who had died in his sin with none else to shed a tear for
him. The Captain's death, of which I next informed her, did not move her
as much.

The turn of affairs caused a change of plan. She now resolved (as I had
foreseen) to return to Lavardin and do such honour to her husband's
memory as she might. Though his estates would probably, in all the
circumstances, be adjudged forfeit to the Crown, some provision would
doubtless be made for his widow. In any case, she might be sure of every
courtesy from the officer in command of the guardsmen now occupying the
chateau for the King, and there were certain jewels, apparel, and other
possessions of her own which could not be withheld from her.

In the afternoon, when Brignan de Brignan and his comrades reappeared,
the Countess was able to ride: and that evening we were all in Bonneval.
Monsieur de Brignan had taken possession of several things found in an
iron-bound chest where Captain Ferragant had kept his treasures. Among
others were two papers stolen from me by the robbers,--the incriminating
fragment of a let