The four men took up the warrior on their muskets, and Pitou, with his drawn sword, placed himself at the head of the funeral party. Andrea walked beside the corpse, holding the cold and rigid hand in her own. They put the body on the countess's bed, when that lady said to the National Guardsmen:
"Receive the blessings of one who will pray to God for you to-morrow before Him. Captain Pitou," she added, "I owe you more than I ever can repay you. May I rely on you for a final service?"
"Order me, madame."
"Arrange that Doctor Gilbert shall be here at eight o'clock in the morning."
Pitou bowed and went out. Turning his head as he did so, he saw Andrea kneel at the bed as at an altar.
[CHAPTER XVII.]
WHAT ANDREA WANTED OF GILBERT.
At eight precisely next day, Gilbert knocked at the house-door of the Countess of Charny.
On hearing of her request made to Pitou, he had asked him for full particulars of the occurrence, and he had pondered over them.
As he went out in the morning, he sent for Pitou to go to the college where his son and Andrea's, Sebastian, was being educated, and bring him to Coq-Heron Street. He was to wait at the door there for the physician to come out.