That he could carry the place with the resources at his command was not, of course, open to question; although there would be a stout resistance involving bloodshed and the loss of many lives on both sides. It was not this which made him hesitate. But to batter the maison to pieces and burn it while Gabrielle was inside with the defenders, was at once to subject her to imminent personal danger and to rouse every one of her supporters in the city to active interference.
There was another course open, however: to starve those in Malincourt to surrender. It involved delay, always distasteful to his impetuous overbearing will, but it was less dangerous and in the end would be equally effective. Thus he decided to adopt it, and at the same time to keep up a sufficient show of force to intimidate those in Malincourt. He could easily surround the house so that not a soul could leave it, and by an occasional feint could harry those defending it and thus hasten their submission.
First, however, he would make sure that Gabrielle was really in Malincourt, and at the end of the hour of grace he had allowed, he caused another summons for admission to be made, and when as before Pascal appeared in answer to it, he demanded to speak with Gabrielle.
She came at once, with Gerard at her side, and very proud and defiant she looked.
“I wish you to understand the nature of the resistance you are offering to me, mademoiselle, and the consequences,” began the Governor.
“I understand it perfectly, my lord,” she answered resolutely.
“You are harbouring at Malincourt a prisoner of mine, and this neither the laws of France nor I myself can permit.”
“There is no one in Malincourt, my lord, who can rightly be termed your prisoner. Whom do you mean?”
“The man who stands at your side, at whose escape from my prison you connived.”
“You mean the Lord Gerard de Bourbon. It is by his commands that the doors of Malincourt are closed against you. And they will remain closed, my lord.”