“I need not ask if you are noble.”
“I am at least as noble as Mary of Vendôme, whom your king is to marry, if he is cruel enough.”
At this point one of the women, who had stationed herself near the door, came running towards the group and warned them that somebody was approaching. The attendants, who had hitherto remained passive, probably with some womanly curiosity regarding the strange interview, now became wild with excitement, and joined their mistress in begging the stranger to depart.
“Not until I have whispered in your ear,” he said stoutly.
“I cannot permit it; I cannot permit it. Go, go at once, I implore you.”
“Then I escort you within the hall to meet whoever comes.”
“Sir, you are importunate. Well, it doesn’t matter; whisper.”
He bent toward her and said:—
“Madeleine, you must meet me here alone at this time to-morrow.”