THE FLIGHT OF THE COUNTESS.
They went more slowly now, for it was quite dark; but the squire led the way, and they kept steadily on all night.
At daybreak they reached what seemed to be the edge of the wood, and Bernard ordered a halt. Bidding the rest of the company remain concealed among the trees, he dismounted and cautiously made his way out of the forest.
Creeping along for a short distance into the open country, he mounted a little hill and carefully surveyed the surrounding fields and plains. Feeling certain that none of their enemies were near at hand in the flat country before them, Bernard went back to the woods, got on his horse, and, turning to the Countess, he said:
"Now, my lady, we must make a rapid dash, and in a quarter of an hour we shall be at our journey's end."
Without a word the Countess—who had put herself entirely into her faithful squire's care, and who had found early in the ride that he wished to avoid answering any questions in regard to their destination—followed Bernard out of the forest, and the whole party began a wild gallop across the fields.
For a few minutes they rode in silence, as they had been riding for the greater part of the night, and then the Countess suddenly called out:
"Bernard! Oh, Bernard! Where are we going? That is Viteau!"
"Yes," shouted back the squire. "That is Viteau, and, by your leave, we are going there. For you, it is the safest place in France."