Du Mornay took no overt notice of the king's words, however, but
proceeded to give me my directions. 'Chize, which you know by
name,' he said, 'is six leagues from here. Mademoiselle de la
Vire is confined in the north-west room, on the first-floor,
overlooking the park. More I cannot tell you, except that her
woman's name is Fanchette, and that she is to be trusted. The
house is well guarded, and you will need four or five men, There
are plenty of cut-throats to be hired, only see, M. de Marsac,
that they are such as you can manage, and that Mademoiselle takes
no hurt among them. Have horses in waiting, and the moment; you
have released the lady ride north with her as fast as her
strength will permit. Indeed, you must not spare her, if Turenne
be on your heels. You should be across the Loire in sixty hours
after leaving Chize.'

'Across the Loire?' I exclaimed in astonishment.

'Yes, sir, across the Loire,' he replied, with some sternness.
'Your task, be good enough to understand, is to convoy
Mademoiselle de la Vire with all speed to Blois. There,
attracting as little notice as may be, you will inquire for the
Baron de Rosny at the Bleeding Heart, in the Rue de St. Denys.
He will take charge of the lady, or direct you how to dispose of
her, and your task will then be accomplished. You follow me?'

'Perfectly,' I answered, speaking in my turn with some dryness.
'But Mademoiselle I understand is young. What if she will not
accompany me, a stranger, entering her room at night, and by the
window?'