"Yes, mademoiselle. The Duke thought you would like to have it."
"It was a kind thought," Christine said.
"The people of Montvilliers have much to learn concerning Duke Roger," said the Viscount. "For once we are ahead of the times in Passey, and love him already."
"Perhaps I shall learn the lesson easily in Passey," Christine answered.
"I hope so, mademoiselle. You will find this room little changed." And the Viscount stood aside to let her enter. He did not follow her in, but, closing the door, walked back along the corridor.
Lighted candles were upon a table at the far end of the room, and a man rose from a deep chair, and came toward her.
"I have been expecting you, Christine."
"Maurice!"
Even as she spoke his name, tears of joy and excitement at this sudden and unexpected revelation in her eyes, her thoughts flew to Roger Herrick. She understood the meaning of his parting words now. And as Maurice told her of his slow recovery; his waking to consciousness to find that he was in the hands of his enemies; his refusal to purchase his freedom by accepting their help to regain his kingdom and to hold it as a tributary state; his close confinement in the tower by Larne; the sudden coming of Roger Herrick, and all that he had achieved upon the frontier; Christine began to understand the character of the Duke better.
"And what is the Duke's purpose with regard to you now?" she asked at length.