Colombe took Benvenuto's arm, and the three walked to within a step or two of the door.
There Cellini stopped, and said to the provost in a loud voice, making sure that Colombe's arm and Dame Perrine's were safely within his own:—
"Monsieur le Prévôt, your daughter who is here desires to enter; I trust that you will open the door to her, unless you prefer to leave so charming a hostage in your enemy's hands."
Twenty times within two hours the provost, behind his ramparts, had thought of his daughter, whom he had so imprudently allowed to go out, being in considerable doubt as to the possibility of admitting her again. He was hoping that she would be warned in time, and would be wise enough to go to the Grand Châtelet and await results, when he saw Cellini leave his companions and go to meet two women, in whom he recognized Colombe and Dame Perrine.
"The little fool!" he muttered beneath his breath; "but I can't leave her in the midst of these miscreants."
He opened the wicket, and showed his face behind the grating.
"Well," said he, "what are your terms!"
"These," said Benvenuto. "I will allow Madame Colombe and her governess to enter, but only on condition that you come forth with all your men, and we will then decide our dispute by a fair fight in the open. They who remain in possession of the battle-field shall have the Hôtel de Nesle; 'Vœ victis!' as your compatriot Brennus said."
"I accept," said the provost, "on one condition."
"What is it?"