The princess started back; Claire let her arms fall despairingly; Lenet, who entered behind the messenger, turned pale.
Five or six other persons, who had so far forgotten the respect due the princess as to invade her chamber, were stricken dumb with dismay.
"Monsieur Ravailly," said Lenet,—for the messenger was no other than our captain of Navailles,—"repeat what you said, for I find it hard to credit."
"I say again, monsieur: Vayres has capitulated!"
"Capitulated!" echoed the princess; "what of the reinforcements you led thither?"
"We arrived too late, madame! Richon was in the act of surrendering at the very moment of our arrival."
"Richon surrendered!" cried Madame la Princesse; "the coward!"
This exclamation sent a shiver down the back of everybody who heard it; but all remained mute, save Lenet.
"Madame," said he, sternly, heedless of wounding Madame de Condé's pride, "do not forget that the honor of men is at the mercy of princes, as their lives are in the hands of God. Do not brand with the name of coward the bravest of your servants, unless you would see all the most faithful abandon you to-morrow, when they see how you treat their fellows, leaving you alone, accursed and lost."
"Monsieur!" exclaimed the princess.