delighted.

"At last there comes an opportunity for us to display our devotion and
our zeal--and without danger! We have good walls, strong gates, and
three thousand soldiers at our command. These peasants are fools! But
be grateful for their folly, my dear duke, and run and order out the
Montaignac chasseurs----"

But suddenly a cloud overspread his face; he knit his brows, and added:

"The devil! I am expecting Blanche this evening. She was to leave
Courtornieu after dinner. Heaven grant that she may meet with no
misfortune on the way!"



CHAPTER XXI

The Duc de Sairmeuse and the Marquis de Courtornieu had more time before
them than they supposed.

The rebels were advancing, but not so rapidly as Chupin had said.

Two circumstances, which it was impossible to foresee, disarranged
Lacheneur's plans.

Standing beside his burning house, Lacheneur counted the signal fires
that blazed out in answer to his own.

Their number corresponded to his expectations; he uttered a cry of joy.