“I would bind his wounds!� she retorted, taking a step nearer the gate; but the sight had sickened her, the scene swam before her eyes, she reeled, and would have fallen but for François, who had been standing a few yards behind her, and who now sprang forward and caught her in his arms.
“Why do you exhibit such cruelties to her?� he demanded sharply, looking over her head into de Baudri’s eyes.
The latter had made a motion as if to spring from the saddle at the sight of Rosaline’s white face, but now he straightened himself and returned the other’s look with disdain.
“So!� he said with a sneer, “the menial turns into a champion. Mère de Dieu, Sir Camisard, we will be pleased to accommodate you in Nîmes.�
“You may sometime have that pleasure, M. de Baudri,� d’Aguesseau replied, coldly, and lifting Rosaline’s unconscious form in his arms, he carried her back into the house.
The soldier remained a moment staring after them, his blue eyes on fire, then he recollected where he was and gave an order. The bugle sounded “Forward!� and the troop disappeared along the highroad to Nîmes, leaving a cloud of dust in its track.
Meanwhile d’Aguesseau, fearing to alarm Madame de St. Cyr, carried Rosaline into the hall and summoned Babet. But the girl began to recover without any ministrations, and sat up on the high settle by the door, the soft air reviving her; but her joyous mood was gone, she looked out into the garden with unseeing eyes.
“Alas!� she said faintly, “I have been happy—and all this misery at my door! I live a lie secure, and these martyrs die for their religion. What a poor creature I am!�
Babet stood looking at her with a grim face; d’Aguesseau was silent, his own conscience accusing him.
“It will not last,� Rosaline went on slowly, “I feel that trouble is coming to us! What right have we to stand by and see it all and rejoice in our false security. Ah, mon Dieu, that poor man!�