She went back to her father's side, and taking his arm in order to assure him that all was well, she turned to the musketeer.
"Sir," she said to him, "are there any further orders which you have to transmit to my father?"
"No, Mistress, none," replied the soldier. "Your father must understand that he is free to come and go as he pleases, so long as he remains in the city. Strong measures would only be taken if he attempted to go."
"My father understands all that, sir," she said with a haughty little toss of the head; "though we are strangers, we respect the laws of your country just as we in France would expect you to respect ours. My father understands the order as set forth in this paper, and he will not leave this city until His Majesty the King of England hath no longer any need of his services. Come, Father dear," she whispered, in her own mother tongue and with gentle pressure trying to lead the good man away, "I will explain everything to you when we are alone."
"But thy husband, child!" urged Papa Legros, whose bewilderment had reached its veriest climax. "Thy husband!"
Without giving direct reply, Rose Marie pointed to the coach, just ahead of them both, in the middle of the yard. Papa Legros, following his daughter's glance, saw Rupert Kestyon in the act of stepping into the carriage, and the groom closing the door in after him.
"He goes to France without us, Father dear," she said simply.
And for the first time for many days now, a real smile lit up the girl's eyes, and chased away the miserable, haggard look from her young face.
She bowed graciously to the musketeer officer, who saluted her with utmost deference. Then she led her father away. The soldier's eyes followed her graceful form with undisguised admiration. At the door she turned back and gave him a final little bow of farewell.