Pavannes, and warn him. It would be a race between the Vidame
and ourselves; a race for the life of Kit's suitor. Could we
reach Paris first, or even within twenty-four hours of Bezers'
arrival, we should in all probability be in time, and be able to
put Pavannes on his guard. It had been the first thought of all
of us, to take such men as we could get together and fall upon
Bezers wherever we found him, making it our simple object to kill
him. But the lackeys M. le Vicomte had left with us, the times
being peaceful and the neighbours friendly, were poor-spirited
fellows. Bezers' handful, on the contrary, were reckless Swiss
riders--like master, like men. We decided that it would be wiser
simply to warn Pavannes, and then stand by him if necessary.

We might have despatched a messenger. But our servants--Gil
excepted, and he was too old to bear the journey--were ignorant
of Paris. Nor could any one of them be trusted with a mission so
delicate. We thought of Pavannes' courier indeed. But he was a
Rochellois, and a stranger to the capital. There was nothing for
it but to go ourselves.

Yet we did not determine on this adventure with light hearts, I
remember. Paris loomed big and awesome in the eyes of all of us.
The glamour of the court rather frightened than allured us. We
felt that shrinking from contact with the world which a country
life engenders, as well as that dread of seeming unlike other
people which is peculiar to youth. It was a great plunge, and a
dangerous which we meditated. And we trembled. If we had known
more--especially of the future--we should have trembled more.

But we were young, and with our fears mingled a delicious