She held out her hands.
It was here that her cousin interposed.
"Nay, Gabrielle," he said—and Michael, with a jealous pang, noted how his voice lingered over her name—"you yourself know well that we are not proper escort for you without another——"
"Chaperon?" she asked quickly. "Oh, if that is all, I will take Nurse Bond. But go I shall, and at once."
"Mistress Gabrielle, think——"
She paused, her dark eyes raised to Michael's perplexed and shadowed face.
"I do think," she replied softly. "And that is why I am going. I may save Varenac, I may save a very noble cause; still, it is true I may fail in all that, yet I vow to succeed in one thing—I will save my brother."
Long he looked into the sweet, childish face, which had grown so inexpressibly dear to him, and, reading there the purpose of high resolve, bowed low and stood aside.
At least she had bidden him ride with her, and he would be at hand to protect her with his life against those dangers which before had been without reality.
But de Quernais, claiming the right of cousinship, must needs have the last word.