"By order of the Emperor," was the curt reply.
"I know of no such person in France!"
"Vive l'Empereur!" was shouted defiantly in response.
Whereupon M. le Comte de Cambray—proud, disdainful and determined to show no fear or concern, withdrew from the window and threw himself back against the cushions of the carriage.
"What in the Virgin's name is the meaning of this?" murmured Mme. la Duchesse.
"God in heaven only knows," sighed the Comte.
But obviously the coach had not been stopped by a troop of mounted soldiers for the mere purpose of proclaiming the Emperor's name on the high road in the dark. The same commanding voice which had answered the Comte's challenge was giving rapid orders to dismount and to bring along one of the carriage lanthorns.
The next moment the door of the coach was opened from without, and the light of the lanthorn held up by a man in uniform fell full on the figure and on the profile of Victor de Marmont.
"M. le Comte, I regret," he said coldly, "in the name of the Emperor I must demand from you the restitution of his property."
The Comte shrugged his shoulders and vouchsafed no reply.