he appeared to have set at naught when he plunged into that rash
wager.

He must have realized that because he had failed was no reason to
presume that I must also fail. There was no consequence in such an
argument, and often, as I have said, had I marvelled during the past
days at the readiness with which Chatellerault had flung down the
gage. Now I held the explanation of it. He counted upon the Vicomte
de Lavedan to reason precisely as he was reasoning, and he was
confident that no opportunities would be afforded me of so much as
seeing this beautiful and cold Roxalanne.

It was a wily trap he had set me, worthy only of a trickster.

Fate, however, had taken a hand in the game, and the cards were
redealt since I had left Paris. The terms of the wager permitted
me to choose any line of action that I considered desirable; but
Destiny, it seemed, had chosen for me, and set me in a line that
should at least suffice to overcome the parental resistance - that
breastwork upon which Chatellerault had so confidently depended.

As the rebel Rene de Lesperon I was sheltered at Lavedan and made
welcome by my fellow-rebel the Vicomte, who already seemed much
taken with me, and who had esteemed me before seeing me from the
much that Monsieur de Marsac - whoever he might be - had told him of
me. As Rene de Lesperon I must remain, and turn to best account my
sojourn, praying God meanwhile that this same Monsieur de Marsac
might be pleased to refrain from visiting Lavedan whilst I was there.