"I will send for you, Klussman, when I have refreshed myself."

"Yes, madame."

The other women filed past him, and entered behind his lady.

The Swiss soldier folded his arms, staring hard at that crouching
vagrant brought from Beausejour. She had a covering over her face, and
she held it close, crowding on the heels in front of her as if she dared
not meet his eye.




II.

LE ROSSIGNOL.


A girlish woman was waiting for Marie within the hall, and the two
exchanged kisses on the cheek with sedate and tender courtesy.

"Welcome home, madame."

"Home is more welcome to me because I find you in it, Antonia. Has
anything unusual happened in the fortress while I have been setting
monsieur on his way?"

"This morning, about dawn, I heard a great tramping of soldiers in the
hall. One of the women told me prisoners had been brought in."