A moment afterwards he came into the house with Babette, leaving one of the soldiers holding his horse. After the old man had gone, I heard him say, “Were you at mass to-day? And did you see all?”
And when she had answered yes, he continued: “It was a mating as birds mate, but mating was it, and holy fathers and Master Devil Doltaire can’t change it till cock-pheasant Moray come rocketing to ‘s grave. They would have hanged me for my part in it, but I repent not, for they have wickedly hunted this little lady.”
“I weep with her,” said Jean’s wife.
“Ay, ay, weep on, Babette,” he answered.
“Has she asked help of you?” said the wife.
“Truly; but I know not what says she, for I read not, but I know her pecking. Here it is. But you must be secret.”
Looking through a crack in the floor, I could plainly see them. She took the letter from him and read aloud:
“If Gabord the soldier have a good heart still, as ever he had in the past, he will again help a poor friendless woman. She needs him, for all are against her. Will he leave her alone among her enemies? Will he not aid her to fly? At eight o’clock to-morrow night she will be taken to the Convent of the Ursulines, to be there shut in. Will he not come to her before that time?”
For a moment after the reading there was silence, and I could see the woman looking at him curiously. “What will you do?” she asked.
“My faith, there’s nut to crack, for I have little time. This letter but reached me with the news of Jean, two hours ago, and I know not what to do, but, scratching my head, here comes word from General Montcalm that I must ride to Master Devil Doltaire with a letter, and I must find him wherever he may be, and give it straight. So forth I come; and I must be at my post again by morn, said the General.”