"Alone?" cried Antoinette, overcome with terror at the thought of the dangers Philip would incur.
"Six of us have resolved to save her or die! We go together. A vessel is to convey us to the coast of Brittany. From there we shall make our way to Paris as best we can."
"But what can you do, you, so few in number?"
"God will be with us," replied Philip. "Besides, we shall find friends in Paris who will gladly join our little band."
On hearing these words which proved that Philip's determination was immovable, Antoinette could not control her emotion. She sank into an arm chair, covered her pale face with her trembling hands and burst into tears.
"Do not weep so bitterly, my dear Antoinette," said Philip, touched by her despair and kneeling beside her.
"Why did you not consult me before engaging in this mad and perilous undertaking?" she said, at last. "You are leaving me, abandoning me without even asking what my fate will be when I no longer have you to protect me; without thinking how I shall suffer in your absence, and forgetting that if you should be killed I too should die!"
Philip, deeply moved, took her hands and said, gently:
"Be comforted; I shall not die; you will see me again soon. Do you not feel that I should be dishonored if I shrank from the task that is before me? Could you respect a man who might be justly accused of cowardice and of failure to perform his duty. The queen was formerly my benefactress; how can I stand here to-day, and make no effort to rescue her from death?"