"Monsieur!"
"Certainly not. I must go alone to-night."
"But, monsieur, you will need me. You will need some one to watch the street while you speak with mademoiselle."
"I can have no listener to-night," he replied immovably.
"But I will not listen, monsieur! I shall stand out of ear-shot. But you must have some one to give you warning should the guard set on you."
"I can manage my own affairs," he retorted haughtily; "I desire neither your advice nor your company."
"Monsieur!" I cried, almost in tears.
"Enough!" he bade sharply. "Go send me Vigo."
I went like one in whose face the doors of heaven had shut.
Vigo came at once from the guard-room at my summons. It was on my tongue to tell him of M. le Comte's mad resolve to fare forth alone; to beg him to stop it. But I remembered how blameworthy I myself had held the equery for interfering with M. Étienne, and I made up my mind that no word of cavil at my lord should ever pass my lips. I lagged across the court at Vigo's heels, silent.