"Thereby," the former continued, "shall madame's way be made easier for her. The ground is a little encumbered," he said, turning to the Comtesse.
After which, and when more politenesses had been exchanged, the coach proceeded on its way towards the city.
A few moments later Madame de Valorme spoke to the trooper who had vaulted on to a horse on receiving his officer's orders, and was now riding on the other side of the carriage from that on which Bevill rode, and asked:
"Who is that officer who was so gallant to me? He is a very perfect gentleman."
"He is, madame, the Duc de Guise."
"Ah!" she repeated, "the Duc de Guise!" while Bevill, who had glanced into the carriage as she asked the question, saw that her face was clouded as though by a sudden pain.
Still a few moments more and the trooper had moved his horse to the front of those that were drawing the carriage, evidently with the intention of piloting Joseph through the enormous mass of arms and weapons of all kinds, gun carriages, and other materials of war with which the track through the camp was encumbered. So that, seeing they were free from being overheard by the man, Bevill said:
"'Madame is at liberty to pass."
"That name caused madame some unpleasant thoughts. It is a great one, though not now prominent."