"True, Madame," responded Wentworth; "but if I hear nothing from him by to-morrow at this hour—"
He did not finish his sentence. Lord Derby at this moment burst into the room in terror.
"My Lord," he cried, "I was right! It was the French, and they are marching upon Calais!"
"Nonsense!" rejoined Wentworth, changing color in spite of himself,—"nonsense! It is impossible! Who says it is so? More rumors and gossip and fanciful alarms?"
"Alas! no, but facts, unfortunately," Lord Derby replied.
"Not so loud, Derby; don't speak so loud," said the governor, approaching his lieutenant. "Come, come, be cool! What do you mean by your facts?"
Lord Derby replied in a low voice, in accordance with the request of his superior officer, who did not choose to show any signs of weakness before Diane.
"The French attacked Fort Ste. Agathe unexpectedly. Nothing was in readiness to resist their assault,—neither walls nor men; and I am much afraid that they are by this time masters of the first line of fortifications of Calais."
"They will still be a long way off from us," said Lord Wentworth, eagerly.
"Yes," rejoined Lord Derby; "but they will meet with no obstacle after that until they reach the bridge of Nieullay; and the bridge of Nieullay is two miles from this place."