"The King is implacable," he answered, "inexorable; there is no hope."
No hope! I could not speak, I could only put a hand to my throat and fight for breath.
"On Monday Jan Meert was sent to Poictiers——"
"Oh, Monseigneur, I know that; come to to-day."
"But," he persisted, "at least you cannot know that after nightfall yesterday Monsieur de Helville was arrested?"
"I saw it done, God help me, I saw it done."
"You, Mademoiselle? But it was at Poictiers!"
"At Poictiers," I echoed. "And all night I rode to catch your ear first. But I failed, unhappy woman that I am, I failed."
"All night?" he said, throwing his arms up. "A girl like you? Oh, poor child, poor child! We must try to save him yet."
"Is there time? Ah, Monseigneur, believe me, the worst truth is the truest mercy. Is there possible time?"