nothing what you
think or what you say of me, provided I can do what I have undertaken
to do and place you safely in the hands of your friends. But enough,
mademoiselle, we are at the gate. If you will permit me, I will ride
through the streets beside you. We shall so attract less attention.'

Without waiting for a permission which she was very unlikely to give,
I pushed my horse forward, and took my place beside her, signing to
Fanchette to fall back. The maid obeyed, speechless with indignation;
while mademoiselle flashed a scathing glance at me and looked round in
helpless anger, as though it was in her mind to appeal against me even
to the passers-by. But she thought better of it, and contenting herself
with muttering the word 'Impertinent' put on her mask with fingers which
trembled, I fancy, not a little.

A small rain was falling and the afternoon was well advanced when we
entered the town, but I noticed that, notwithstanding this, the streets
presented a busy and animated appearance, being full of knots of people
engaged in earnest talk. A bell was tolling somewhere, and near the
cathedral a crowd of no little size was standing, listening to a man
who seemed to be rending a placard or manifesto attached to the wall. In
another place a soldier, wearing the crimson colours of the League,
but splashed and stained as with recent travel, was holding forth to
a breathless circle who seemed to hang upon his lips. A neighbouring
corner sheltered a handful of priests who whispered together with gloomy
faces. Many stared at us as we passed, and some would have spoken; but I
rode steadily on, inviting no converse. Nevertheless at the north gate I
got a rare fright; for, though it wanted a full half-hour of sunset,
the porter was in the act of closing it. Seeing us, he waited grumbling
until we came up, and then muttered, in answer to my remonstrance,
something about queer times and wilful people having their way. I
took little notice of what he said, however, being anxious only to get
through the gate and leave as few traces of our passage as might be.

As soon as we were outside the town I fell back, permitting Fanchette to
take my place. For another league, a long and dreary one, we plodded
on in silence, horses and men alike jaded and sullen, and the women
scarcely able to keep their saddles for fatigue. At last, much to my
relief, seeing that I began to fear I had taxed mademoiselle's strength
too far, the long low b