"Come, now, Martin," continued Gabriel, "set about your quest at once. Discretion and courage! Now I must be alone for a time."
"Pardon! but will Monseigneur remain in the house?" asked Martin.
"Yes, until seven o'clock. I am not to go to the Louvre until eight."
"In that case," rejoined the squire, "I hope to be able to show you, before you leave, some specimens of the make up of your troop."
He saluted and left the room, as proud as a peacock, and already absorbed in his important commission.
Gabriel remained alone the rest of the day, studying the plan which Jean Peuquoy had handed him, making notes, and pacing thoughtfully up and down his apartment.
It was essential that he should be able to answer satisfactorily every objection that the Duc de Guise might raise.
He only broke the silence from time to time by repeating, with a firm voice and eager heart,—
"I will save you, dear father! My own Diane, I will save you!"
About six o'clock, Gabriel, yielding to the insistence of Aloyse, was just taking a little food, when Martin-Guerre entered, very serious and stately.