He looked to the bearer of the epistle for explanation, and then for the first time saw Noémi, her face rigid and ghastly, as though she had seen a ghost, and could not shake off the impression.
"Jean," she said, "let them go back. I will tell you all, between you and myself. No, not back. Step aside."
When Noémi saw that she and Jean were alone she said—
"Do you not understand? Your father—he has been let down into an oubliette."
Jean started back as though he had been struck in the face by a mailed hand.
"And now," proceeded Noémi, "there is but one chance for him, one way open to you."
"Where—where is it?" gasped the lad.
"At Domme. No, you cannot storm that castle. It has held out against French and English, and it would hold out against your peasants."
Jean looked at her in silence. What other way was open?
"You must go yourself to Domme," she said.