"Unfortunately it must be so. We have received orders not to permit monsieur to pass the gate for the moment. Doubtless for the moment only. It is very regrettable----"
"And," asked the Comtesse, "has monsieur le Duc also received orders not to permit me and my dame de compagnie to pass out?"
"Je suis désolé, but, alas!----"
"Is it so?"
"It is so, madame."
"Are we to be detained here? And for how long?"
"Ah, Madame la Comtesse! For how long! But for a moment. Monsieur de Violaine, the Governor, makes the night rounds regularly, reaching here at eleven as the clocks strike, or very little later. Madame may rely on seeing him in a few minutes. If he decides that it shall be so the gate will be opened to let madame and mademoiselle pass out."
"And as for me, sir?" Bevill asked.
"Monsieur, I cannot say. Our orders were simply to detain you if you presented yourself at the gate."
Then, again addressing the Comtesse, the young Duke said: