“We are strong enough now to hold the place throughout the night,” said Pascal to Gerard.
“Strong enough, too, to speak with force behind us. If the Governor comes, I shall declare myself to him.”
“He will come after this,” said Pascal drily. “And while the light remains with us we can best use it by settling the plan of defence.”
They were engaged in this when, as the dusk was falling, the approach of more troops was announced. The house was soon found to be surrounded and the Governor himself was seen, with de Proballe at his side, giving orders to the troops.
After some anxious minutes a demand that the door should be opened was made in a loud voice. No answer was returned, and a second demand followed, accompanied with the threat that it would be forced.
Then Pascal showed himself at an upper window.
“By what right do you threaten force?” he asked.
“I threaten it,” cried the Duke, “as Governor of Morvaix.”
“You have no right, my lord Duke. I am holding it by command of the Lord Gerard de Bourbon under the authority of your Suzerain, the Duke de Bourbon, whose officer I am.”
“Where is this Lord Gerard?”