friends in the world, which was attested by the protecting arm that I
slipped around her waist, as I asked her whether she loved that village
swain of hers better than she loved me, and refused to believe her when she
answered that she did.

Outside two men were talking, one calling for a farrier, and when informed
that the only one in the village was absent and not likely to return till
noon, demanding relays of horses. The other--probably the hostler--
answered him that the Connétable was not a post-house and that no horses
were to be had there. Then a woman's voice, sweet yet commanding, rose
above theirs.

"Very well, Guilbert," it said. "We will await this farrier's return."

"Let me go, Monsieur!" cried Jeanneton. "Some one comes."

Now for myself I cared little who might come, but methought that it was
likely to do poor Jeanneton's fair name no benefit, if the arm of Gaston de
Luynes were seen about her waist. And so I obeyed her, but not quickly
enough; for already a shadow lay athwart the threshold, and in the doorway
stood a woman, whose eye took in the situation before we had altered it
sufficiently to avert suspicion. To my amazement I beheld the lady of the
coach--she who had saved me from the mob in Place Vendôme, and touching
whose identity I could have hazarded a shrewd guess.

In her eyes also I saw the light of recognition which swiftly changed to
one of scorn. Then they passed from me to the vanishing Jeanneton, and
methought that she was about to call her back. She paused, however, and,
turning to the lackey who followed at her heels.