“Remain quiet while I carry thee away where those terrible men can not find us.”—[Page 68.]
“When Gabrielle opened again her eyes the sun was shining; the boat was no longer afloat, but lodged on the sands under willow trees. A rough voice was saying, ‘What’s this?’ and Gabrielle saw a man in rough clothes bending over.
“‘It is my father,’ she said. ‘He is very weary. That is why he sleeps so long. You must not wake him.’
“‘That would be difficult,’ muttered the voice.
“True. The Marquis had received a sword-thrust in that encounter with the gens d’armes, and had expired from loss of blood.
“The rough man went away to a cluster of cottages near by. Soon he returned with several people, men and women. One of the latter offered sweet-cakes to Gabrielle. She had a pleasant face, too, but there were tears in her eyes. Gabrielle was hungry. When the sweet-cakes were gone she asked for more.
“‘If you will come with me to my house,’ said the good woman, ‘I will give you all you wish.’
“Gabrielle went home with her. After the dame had amused her some hours she desired to return to the boat. Her father was not there.