But Mlle. de Courtornieu was a brave woman.
“Who are you?” she demanded, haughtily, “and what do you desire?”
“You will know to-morrow,” replied Chanlouineau. “Until then, you are our prisoner.”
“I see that you do not know who I am, boy.”
“Excuse me. I do know who you are, and, for this very reason, I request you to descend from your carriage. She must leave the carriage, must she not, Monsieur d’Escorval?”
“Very well! I declare that I will not leave my carriage; tear me from it if you dare!”
They would certainly have dared had it not been for Marie-Anne, who checked some peasants as they were springing toward the carriage.
“Let Mademoiselle de Courtornieu pass without hinderance,” said she.
But this permission might produce such serious consequences that Chanlouineau found courage to resist.
“That cannot be, Marie-Anne,” said he; “she will warn her father. We must keep her as a hostage; her life may save the life of our friends.”