"Very good," said the Emperor graciously. "But had she not struck up that hand it was in Marteau's heart that the bullet would have lodged, not in mine, if I remember rightly."
"And if that gives me a claim, Sire, to your consideration——"
"Have I not rewarded you enough," asked the Emperor, "in adding the official stamp of a patent to the nobility of heart which is already yours and by giving you the forfeited lands of Aumenier to boot?"
"And I would give them all for the safety of the lady yonder, whose family mine have served for eight hundred years, with whom I played when a boy, and be content to follow your Majesty as the simple soldier I have always been."
"Brave heart and true," said the Emperor, touched. "Mademoiselle, you cannot go back to Blücher. Within two days his army will be no more. I will give you a safe conduct. You can remain here for the night. Couriers will be dispatched to Troyes and to Paris under escort in the morning. They will take you there. You have friends there, I presume?"
"Many."
"You can remain there or, if opportunity arises, I will give orders to have you safely conducted so you can go back to England."
"And me, Sire?" growled out Sir Gervaise Yeovil.
The Emperor laughed.
"I am too good a soldier to fight with men of the law," he said. "You may go with your protégée and share her fortunes."