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and we could see that he had holsters to his saddle。 His steward was
running beside him； to take I suppose his last orders。 A cripple； whom
the bustle had attracted from his usual haunt； the church porch； held up his
hand for alms。 The Vidame as he passed； cut him savagely across the
face with his whip； and cursed him audibly。
〃May the devil take him！〃 exclaimed Croisette in just rage。 But I
said nothing； remembering that the cripple was a particular pet of
Catherine's。 I thought instead of an occasion； not so very long ago； when
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the Vicomte being at home； we had had a great hawking party。 Bezers
and Catherine had ridden up the street together； and Catherine giving the
cripple a piece of money； Bezers had flung to him all his share of the game。
And my heart sank。
Only for a moment； however。 The man was gone； or was going at
any rate。 We stood silent and motionless； all watching； until； after what
seemed a long interval； the little party of seven became visible on the
white road far below usto the northward； and moving in that direction。
Still we watched them； muttering a word to one another； now and again；
until presently the riders slackened their pace； and began to ascend the
winding track that led to the hills and Cahors； and to Paris also； if one
went far enough。
Then at length with a loud 〃Whoop！〃 we dashed across the terrace；
Croisette leading； and so through the courtyard to the parlour； where we
arrived breathless。 〃He is off！〃 Croisette cried shrilly。 〃He has started
for Paris！ And bad luck go with him！〃 And we all flung up our caps
and shouted。
But no answer； such as we expected； came from the women folk。
When we picked up our caps； and looked at Catherine； feeling rather
foolish； she was staring at us with a white face and great scornful eyes。
〃Fools！〃 she said。 〃Fools！〃
And that was all。 But it was enough to take me aback。 I had looked
to see her face lighten at our news； instead it wore an expression I had
never seen on it before。 Catherine； so kind and gentle； calling us fools！
And without cause！ I did not understand it。 I turned confusedly to
Croisette。 He was looking at her； and I saw that he was frightened。 As
for Madame Claude； she was crying in the corner。 A presentiment of evil
made my heart sink like lead。 What had happened？
〃Fools！〃 my cousin repeated with exceeding bitterness； her foot
tapping the parquet unceasingly。 〃Do you think he would have stooped
to avenge himself on YOU？ On you！ Or that he could hurt me one
hundredth part as much here asas〃 She broke off stammering。 Her
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scorn faltered for an instant。 〃Bah！ he is a man！ He knows！〃 she
exclaimed superbly； her chin in the air； 〃but you are boys。 You do not
understand！〃
I looked amazedly at this angry woman。 I had a difficulty in
associating her with my cousin。 As for Croisette； he stepped forward
abruptly； and picked up a white object which was lying at her feet。
〃Yes； read it！〃 she cried； 〃read it！ Ah！〃 and she clenched her little
hand； and in her passion struck the oak table beside her； so that a stain of
blood sprang out on her knuckles。 Why did you not kill him？ Why did
you not do it when you had the chance？ You were three to one；〃 she hissed。
〃You had him in your power！ You could have killed him； and you did not！
Now he will kill me！〃
Madame Claude muttered something tearfully； something about
Pavannes and the saints。 I looked over Croisette's shoulder； and read the
letter。 It began abruptly without any term of address； and ran thus； 〃I
have a mission in Paris； Mademoiselle； which admits of no delay； your
mission； as well as my ownto see Pavannes。 You have won his heart。
It is yours； and I will bring it you； or his right hand in token that he has
yielded up his claim to yours。 And to this I pledge myself。〃
The thing bore no signature。 It was written in some red fluid blood
perhapsa mean and sorry trick！ On the outside was scrawled a direction
to Mademoiselle de Caylus。 And the packet was sealed with the
Vidame's crest； a wolfs head。
〃The coward！ the miserable coward！〃 Croisette cried。 He was the
first to read the meaning of the thing。 And his eyes were full of tears
tears of rage。
For me I was angry exceedingly。 My veins seemed full of fire； as I
comprehended the mean cruelty which could thus torture a girl。
〃Who delivered this？〃 I thundered。 〃Who gave it to Mademoiselle？
How did it reach her hands？ Speak； some one！〃
A maid； whimpering in the background； said that Francis had given it
to her to hand to Mademoiselle。
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I ground my teeth together； while Marie； unbidden； left the room to
seek Francisand a stirrup leather。 The Vidame had brought the note in
his pocket no doubt； rightly expecting that he would not get an audience of
my cousin。 Returning to the gate alone he had seen his opportunity； and
given the note to Francis； probably with a small fee to secure its
transmission。
Croisette and I looked at one another； apprehending all this。 〃He will
sleep at Cahors to…night；〃 I said sullenly。
The lad shook his head and answered in a low voice； 〃I am afraid not。
His horses are fresh。 I think he will push on。 He always travels quickly。
And now you know〃
I nodded； understanding only too well。
Catherine had flung herself into a chair。 Her arms lay nerveless on
the table。 Her face was hidden in them。 But now； overhearing us； or
stung by some fresh thought； she sprang to her feet in anguish。 Her face