Stanley J. Weyman

“ Another horse was being led up and down by Louis, and, alas, my heart winced at the sight. For it bore a lady’s saddle, and I saw that we were to have company. Was it Madame who meant to come with us? or Mademoiselle? And how far? To Auch? or farther?
I suppose that they had set some kind of a watch on me; for, as I walked up, M. de Cocheforêt and his sister came out of the house—he looking white, with bright eyes, and a twitching visible in his cheek, though he still affected a jaunty bearing; she wearing a black mask.
‘Mademoiselle accompanies us?’ I said formally. ”

“ Our way lay down the valley of the Gers, under poplars and by long rows of willows; and presently the sun came out and warmed us. Unfortunately, the rain of the day before had swollen the brooks which crossed our path, and we more than once had a difficulty in fording them. Noon, therefore, found us little more than half-way to Lectoure, and I was growing each minute more impatient when our road, which had for a little while left the river bank, dropped down to it again, and I saw before us another crossing, half ford half slough. ”

“ A little delay, the least accident, might enable the other man to come to their help, or Mademoiselle, for all I knew, might shoot me with my own pistol; and, I confess, I was unfeignedly glad when a lucky parade sent the masked man’s sword flying across the road. ”

“ Last of all I rode myself, with my eyes open and a pistol loose in my holster. M. de Cocheforêt, I saw, was inclined to sneer at so many precautions and the mountain made of his request; but I had not done so much and come so far, I had not faced scorn and insults, to be cheated of my prize at last. Aware that until we were beyond Auch there must be hourly and pressing danger of a rescue, I was determined that he who should wrest my prisoner from me should pay dearly for it. ”

“ The man in the mask staggered to his feet, and felt stupidly for a pistol. But he could not find one, and was, I saw, in no state to use it if he had. He reeled helplessly to the bank and leaned against it. The man I had wounded was in scarcely better condition. He retreated before me for some paces, but then, losing courage, let drop his sword, and, wheeling round, cantered off, clinging to his pommel. There remained only the fellow engaged with my man, and I turned to see how they were getting on. ”

“ But there was not a line of Mademoiselle’s figure that did not speak scorn to me; not a turn of head that did not seem to say, ‘Oh, God, that such a thing should breathe.’
I had only speech with her once during the day, and that was on the last ridge before we went down into the valley to climb up again to Auch. The rain had ceased; the sun, near its setting, shone faintly; and for a few moments we stood on the brow and looked southwards while we breathed the horses. The mist lay like a pall on the country we had traversed ”

“ Mademoiselle’s horse made a little business of the place; this delayed them still longer, and in the result, we entered the water almost together, and I crossed close on her heels. The bank on either side was steep; while crossing we could see neither before nor behind. But at the moment I thought nothing of this nor of her delay, and I was following her quite at my leisure and picking my way, when the sudden report of a carbine, a second report, and a yell of alarm in front thrilled me through. ”

“ THE ROAD TO PARIS I remember hearing Marshal Bassompierre, who, of all the men within my knowledge, had the widest experience, say that not dangers, but discomforts, prove a man and show what he is; and that the worst sores in life are caused by crumpled rose-leaves and not by thorns. ”

“ You forget that if I were to release your husband to-day, he would be seized within the hour by those who are still in the village, and who are watching every road—who have not ceased to suspect my movements and my intentions. ”

“ When we were all mounted he looked at me. ‘Perhaps—as you have my parole, you will permit me to ride alone,’ he said with a little hesitation, ‘and—’
‘Without me!’ I rejoined keenly. ‘Assuredly, so far as is possible.’ I directed the troopers to ride in front and keep out of ear-shot; my two men followed the prisoner at a like distance, with their carbines on their knees. ”

“ In the morning, believing that on the farther side of Auch we ran little risk of attack, I dismissed the two dragoons, and an hour after sunrise we set out again. The day was dry and cold, the weather more promising. I proposed to go by way of Lectoure, crossing the Garonne at Agen; and I thought with roads continually improving as we moved northwards, we should be able to make good progress before night. My two men rode first; I came last by myself. ”