Finally, “Gabord,” said I, “I give you my word of honour that I will not put Mademoiselle or Monsieur Duvarney in peril.”
“You will not try to escape?”
“Not to use them for escape. To elude my guards, to fight my way to liberty—yes—yes—yes!”
“But that mends not. Who’s to know the lady did not help you?”
“You. You are to be my jailer again there?”
He nodded, and fell to pulling his mustache. “‘Tis not enough,” he said decisively.
“Come, then,” said I, “I will strike a bargain with you. If you will grant me one thing, I will give my word of honour not to escape from the seigneur’s house.”
“Say on.”
“You tell me I am not to go to the seigneur’s for three days yet. Arrange that mademoiselle may come to me to-morrow at dusk—at six o’clock, when all the world dines—and I will give my word. No more do I ask you—only that.”
“Done,” said he. “It shall be so.”