During that headlong journey from Langton Hall to the Manor of Varenac he had been brooding over it.
What would la Rouerie say? A last hope gone through the betrayal of one who should have been heart and soul on their side.
The collapse of a golden castle in the air had caused Monsieur le Comte to despair.
He was very young and very enthusiastic. Besides, his adoration of la Rouerie amounted almost to an absurdity. The Chouan leader had inspired such affection a score of times in man and woman.
And la Rouerie must be told, not only of failure on his follower's part, but the shame of a noble Breton name. It was terrible.
But Monsieur le Comte could not feel as murderous as he chose since Morice Conyers' sister had so nobly stepped into the breach.
Here was a kindred spirit, here a true Varenac with Breton blood running unsullied in her veins.
Love for the sister almost counterbalanced hatred for the brother in the heart of Jéhan de Quernais.
In such a turmoil of emotion he had ridden to Varenac and found that the new Marquis had failed to arrive.
The news inspired that hope which is twin comrade to youth.