"Your guests? Why, really, Monsieur le marquis, I can't believe--"
"Come, come, Thomas Loriot, you shall see first, and believe afterwards."
And the Marquis de Souday, taking a torch himself, advanced to the portico. Bertha and Mary followed him; Mary thoughtful, Bertha anxious,--both looking earnestly into the shadows of the courtyard to see if they could discover any sign of the presence of him they were both thinking of.
[XXXII.]
THE GENERAL EATS A SUPPER WHICH HAD NOT BEEN PREPARED FOR HIM.
According to the instructions of the marquis transmitted by Mary to Rosine, the gate was opened to the soldiers at the first rap. No sooner was this done than they filed into the courtyard and hastened to surround the house.
Just as the old general was about to dismount he saw the two torchbearers on the portico, and beside them, partly in shadow, partly in the light, the two young girls. They all came toward him with a gracious, hospitable manner which greatly amazed him.
"Faith! general," said the marquis, coming down the last step, as if to go as far as possible to meet the general. "I began to despair of seeing you, this evening at least."
"You despaired of seeing me, Monsieur le marquis!" exclaimed the general, astonished at this exordium.
"Yes, I despaired of seeing you. At what hour did you leave Montaigu,--at seven?"