"The first who stops me I kill," said Gaston quietly, as he drew his sword.
"What a will," cried Madame Desroches; "ah, Mesdemoiselles de Chartres and de Valois, I recognize you there."
The two young people heard this exclamation, but did not understand it.
"We are going, madame," said Helene; "do not forget to repeat, word by word, what I told you."
And, hanging on Gaston's arm, flushed with pleasure and pride, brave as an ancient Amazon, the young girl ordered that the door should be opened for her; the Swiss did not dare to resist. Gaston took Helene by the hand, summoned the carriage in which he had come, and seeing that he was to be followed, he stepped toward the assailants, and said in a loud voice:
"Two steps further, and I tell this history aloud, and place myself and mademoiselle under the safeguard of the public honor."
Madame Desroches believed that Gaston knew the mystery, and would declare it: she therefore thought best to retire quickly, followed by the servants.
The intelligent driver started at a gallop.