"In that case, Monsieur," said Wentworth, with a scornful smile, "you will have to take Calais by assault."
Gabriel reflected a moment.
"I will take Calais by assault, my Lord," said he. "Au revoir!"
He saluted and left the room, leaving Lord Wentworth as if turned to stone, and in doubt as to whether he ought to smile or be alarmed.
Gabriel returned at once to the house of Pierre Peuquoy.
He found Pierre polishing the hilt of his sword, Jean making knots in his rope, and Babette sighing.
He repeated to his friends the conversation he had had with the governor, and announced his approaching departure. Not even did he conceal from them the possibly reckless remark with which he had taken leave of Lord Wentworth.
Then he said,—
"Now I am going to my room to make my preparations, and I leave you to your swords, Pierre; you, Jean, to your ropes; and you to your sighs, Babette."
He went, as he had said, to put everything in order for his departure in all haste. Now that he was free, time seemed to creep along until he could get to Paris to rescue his father, and return to Calais to rescue Diane.