"Then we must fight, though the odds are terribly against us."
"As monsieur pleases; we have only to obey orders," and without another word he recalled the soldiers who were in advance.
"What is it?" cried Madame Coutance, excitedly, as I returned to the carriage, "what has happened?"
"Nothing as yet," I answered smiling; "but some of your party have followed us from Paris. For what purpose I leave you to guess."
She clapped her hands and laughed like a child; it just suited her to be the central figure in any kind of adventure.
"A rescue!" she cried. "Marie, do you hear? Our brave cavaliers think we are being dragged to prison, and have come to rescue us. Ah, the fine fellows! How vexed Mazarin will be! Perhaps he imagined I had no friends!"
"Their folly can only do harm, madame," I replied.
"Chut! what absurdity! It is a rich joke, and Scarron shall make a song about it. How they will laugh when I explain that we are going to Aunay and not to prison!"
During this conversation Marie, had remained silent, but now in a low voice she asked, "Are there many, Albert?"
"A score, perhaps," I replied; "but do not be alarmed. As your aunt says, they will probably regard the venture as a rich joke. Now I must go to my men," and I ordered the coachman to drive on rapidly.