"Who is it I am to help?"
"You seem by your dress to belong to the country people. I shall therefore not hesitate to tell you the truth, for I am sure, whatever your political opinions may be, you will not betray us,--he is a royalist officer."
The voice of the unknown woman excited Courtin's curiosity to the utmost. He leaned from his saddle striving to see in the darkness the face of her to whom the voice belonged; but he did not succeed in doing so.
"Who are you, yourself?" he asked.
"What is that to you?"
"Do you expect me to lend my horse to persons I don't know?"
"I have made a mistake; your answer proves that I was wrong to treat you as a friend or a generous enemy. I had better have employed another means. Give me your horse at once!"
"Indeed!"
"You have two minutes for decision."
"And if I refuse?"