"Fear nothing, dear Aglaé," said the duke, passing into the room where she was, and taking her hand, while Bathilde remained motionless in her place, not daring to move a step till her presence was explained.
"But will you tell me?" began Mademoiselle de Valois, looking at Bathilde uneasily.
"Directly. You have heard me speak of the Chevalier d'Harmental, have you not?"
"The day before yesterday you told me that by a word he might save his own life and compromise you all, but that he would never speak this word."
"Well, he has not spoken, and he is condemned to death, and is to be executed to-morrow. This young girl loves him, and his pardon depends on the regent. Do you understand?"
"Oh, yes!" said Mademoiselle de Valois.
"Come, mademoiselle," said the duke to Bathilde, taking her by the hand; then, turning again to the princess, "She did not know how to reach your father, my dear Aglaé, and came to me just as I had received your letter. I had to thank you for the good advice you gave me; and, as I know your heart, I thought I should please you by showing my gratitude, in offering you an opportunity to save the life of a man to whose silence you probably owe my own."
"And you were right, duke. You are welcome, mademoiselle. What can I do for you?"
"I wish to see the regent," said Bathilde, "and your highness can take me to him."
"Will you wait for me, duke?" asked Mademoiselle de Valois uneasily.