"Perhaps."
"What do you mean by perhaps?"
"It will depend upon the conversation we are about to have. Pray take the trouble to dismount, viscount; so! that's right. Now accept my arm; the inn people will take your horse to the stable."
"I obey, monsieur; for, as you say, you are the stronger. I have no means of resisting, but I tell you now that the person I am expecting will soon be here, and that he is an officer of the king."
"Very well, viscount; you will do me the honor to present me to him, and I shall be charmed to make his acquaintance."
The viscountess realized that resistance was useless at present, and she led the way into the inn, making a sign to her strange interlocutor that he was at liberty to follow her if he chose.
Cauvignac escorted her to the door of the room bespoken by Pompée, and was about to follow her in, when Ferguzon ran quickly up the stairs and whispered to him:—
"Captain, a carriage with three horses, a young man, masked, inside, and two servants at the doors."
"Good!" said Cauvignac; "it is probably the gentleman expected."