"Do nothing rash," she faltered. "Remember he is my sister's son."
Had he been less a gentleman Jéhan would have thundered out an oath and ridden forth, hot-haste, in search of his enemy. As it was, a higher instinct prevailed. He bowed, with old-fashioned formality, over his mother's hand, though his lips were livid and his eyes ablaze.
"I will remember, Madame," he replied, and dared not trust himself to say more.
*****
A sleepless night for those at Kérnak, and now, with morning, Count Jéhan had ridden over to Varenac.
But still Monsieur le Marquis was absent. It was inexplicable.
Was the fellow such a coward that he trumped up this excuse not to see him?
De Quernais felt his fingers itching at his sword-hilt; though what use to storm when one's foe is absent?
And if Morice were not here Gabrielle was. The door opened suddenly on the Count's meditations, and she stood there on the threshold.
"Oh, Jéhan!" she cried, running to him eagerly, "I am so glad you have come, so glad."