a
convent. A gentlewoman, yes, but of obscure family."

"I can't suppose she is very happy."

"Who knows, Monsieur? They do say the old wolf--I mean the Count,
Monsieur,--we are sometimes playful in our talk here at Montoire,--they
say he is terribly jealous. They say that is why he keeps her so close.
Of course I know nothing of it.--You noticed, perhaps, that the moat was
full of water. The drawbridge is up half the time. One would suppose the
Civil wars were back again. To be sure, some people hint that there may
be another reason for all that: but I, for one, take no interest in
politics."

"You mean the Count is thought to be one of those who are disaffected
toward the King?"

"H-sh, Monsieur! We mustn't say such things. If idle whispers go around,
we can't help hearing them; but as for repeating them, or believing
them, that's another matter. I mention only what all can see--that the
Chateau de Lavardin is kept very much closed against company. The saying
is, that it's as hard to get into the Chateau de Lavardin nowadays as
into heaven. It's very certain, the Count has no welcome for strangers."

And yet somehow I should have to get into the chateau, and obtain
private speech with the Countess,--for it must be she who had summoned
Monsieur de Merri.

"In that case," said I, "they must have no visitors at all. But I recall
meeting a young gentleman the other day, who was acquainted with some
great family near Montoire, and, from certain things, I think it must be
this very Lavardin family. He was a Monsieur de Merri."

"Ah, yes. He has stayed at this inn. It was here the Count met him, one
day when the Count was returning from the hunt. The Count was thirsty
and stopped to drink, and the young gentleman began to talk with him
about the hounds. At that time half the Count's pack were suffering from
a strange disease, which threatened the others. When the Count described
the disease, Monsieur de Merri said he knew all about it and could cure
it. The Count took him to the chateau, where he stayed a fortnight, for
you see, however jealous the count may be of his wife, he cares more for
his hounds. Monsieur de Merri cured them, and that is how he got
admission to the Chateau de Lavardin. But besides him and the red
Captain, there aren't many who can boast of that privilege."

"The red Captain? Who is he?"

"Captain Ferragant. He is a friend of the Count's, who comes to the
chateau sometimes and makes long vis