CHAPTER IV.
"HER LIFE STANDS IN THE PATH OF OTHERS' GREED."
Awakened in the dark of the morning by a loud knocking on the door, St. Georges sprang off the bed and called lustily to know who was there?
"It is near dawn," a female voice answered. "Monsieur was to be awakened."
"Where is the man called Pierre?" asked St. Georges, perceiving that the tones were not his gruff ones.
"He has gone forth to one of the bishop's farms at Pouilly. He bade me call monsieur."
"And the bishop?"
"Monseigneur is not yet risen. There is a meal prepared for monsieur below, if he will partake of it."
Monsieur so far partook of it on descending—after he had made a rapid toilet, cleaned his sword by passing the folds of his cloak over it, and (good soldier as he was!) having said a prayer at his bedside ere leaving the room—as to drink a cup of thick, lukewarm chocolate. But beyond this he would wait no longer, being very anxious to regain the custody of his child. Also he thought that the "Ours" would offer a more satisfying meal than that now set before him, which, in truth, was nothing but the selfsame chocolate, some bread, and a half-finished saucisson which did not look particularly appetizing.
Therefore he tossed on the table a silver crown to the miserable-looking old woman who had called him, and who afterward escorted him downstairs, and, following her across the more than ever snow-covered courtyard, emerged on to the great place.