l, I am sure, too sympathetic with his amorous ambition to
interfere with his wishes. Let him ply his wooing untroubled. Stand
apart, please, and give AEsop a fair field."

Wondering, laughing, whispering, Gonzague's guests drew back and ranged
themselves against the golden doors, and Gabrielle was left standing
alone in the middle of the room. The hunchback caught up a chair and
carried it to where she stood, making a gesture which requested her to be
seated.

Gabrielle looked at him scornfully. "I have nothing to say to you. I
trust to the justice of France."

The hunchback spoke to her in a low voice, so evenly calculated that
every syllable of what he said was clear to the girl's ears, though no
syllable reached the others: "Do not start; do not show surprise."

Gabrielle had the strength of spirit to control the wonder, the joy, the
hope at the sound of the loved voice thus brought her so suddenly; but
she trembled, and her strength seemed to fail her. She sank into the
chair which the hunchback had offered her. "My God!" she murmured, and
then said no more, but sat with clasped hands and rigid face.

The hunchback spoke again, in the same low, measured tones: "Seem to
listen against your will. A sign may betray us both."

"Henri!" Gabrielle murmured.

The hunchback went on: "Seem as if you were enchanted at my words, by my
gestures. They are watching us."

Now the hunchback walked slowly in a circle round the chair on which
Gabrielle was seated, making as he did so fantastic gestures with his
hands over her head--gestures which suggested to the amazed spectators
some wizard busy with his horrid incantations.

Taranne nudged Oriol. "She listens."

"She seems pleased," Oriol answered.

Chavernay muttered, angrily: "This must be witch-craft."

Noce, leaning forward a little, called to the hunchback: "How speeds your
suit?"

The hunchback paused for a moment in his round to make a motion for
silence. "Famously, gentlemen, famously. But you must not disturb my
incantations."

Navailles touched Noce on the shoulder. "Let the dog have his day."

The hunchback was again at the side of Gabrielle, still indulging in
extravagant antics of gesticulation, speaking softly the while.
"Gabrielle, they think me dead, but I live and hope to save you. But we
face danger, dear, but we face death, and must be wary. Will you do
whatever I tell you to do?"

"Yes," Gabrielle answered.

The hunchback went on: "God kn