skull, whereupon
the second one had discharged his pistol without effect, then made
off towards the road, whilst Michelot, remembering that I might need
assistance, had let him go.

"There, good Michelot," quoth Mademoiselle, completing her task, "I have
done what little I can. And now, M. de Luynes, let us go."

It was close upon seven o'clock, and night was at hand. Already the moon
was showing her large, full face above the tree-tops by Chambord, and
casting a silver streak athwart the stream. The plash of oars from the
Marquis's boat was waxing indistinct despite the stillness, whilst by
the eye the boat itself was no longer to be distinguished.

As I turned, my glance fell upon the bravo whom I had shot. He lay
stiff and stark upon his back, his sightless eyes wide open and staring
heavenwards, his face all blood-smeared and ghastly to behold.

Mademoiselle shuddered. "Let us go," she repeated in a faint whisper;
her eye had also fallen on that thing, and her voice was full of awe.
She laid her hand upon my sleeve and 'neath the suasion of her touch I
moved away.

To our surprise and joy we found St. Auban's coach where we had left it,
with two saddled horses tethered close by. The others had doubtless been
taken by the coachman and the bravo who had escaped Michelot, both of
whom had fled. These animals we looked upon as the spoils of war, and
accordingly when we set out in the coach,--Mademoiselle having desired
me to ride beside her therein,--Michelot wielding the reins, it was with
those two horses tethered behind.

"Monsieur de Luynes," said my companion softly, "I fear that I have done
you a great injustice. Indeed, I know not how to crave your forgiveness,
how to thank you, or how to hide my shame at those words I spoke to you
this afternoon at Canaples."

"Not another word on that score, Mademoiselle!"

And to myself I thought of what recompense already had been mine. To me
it had been given to have her lean trustingly upon me, my arm about her
waist, whilst, sword in hand, I had fought for her. Dieu! Was that not
something to have lived for?--aye, and to have died for, methought.

"I deserved, Monsieur," she continued presently, "that you should have
left me to my fate for all the odious things I uttered when you warned
me of my peril,--for the manner in which I have treated you since your
coming to Blois."

"You have but treated me, Mademoiselle, in the only manner in which you
could treat on