They held hands, they could neither speak more words. Her eyes filled with tears, and then she sobbed.
Jean was moved. "Noémi," he said, "I shall never, never forget what you have done for us."
The girl speedily recovered herself.
"I must back to Domme," she said. "My task is done. You did not say that I had surrendered myself?"
"No. I let Le Gros Guillem think that we had captured you. But it is with me as with you. I must be back to my father. There is a fellow come with me—called Heliot, and with my father is Peyrot le Fort."
"The worst—the most treacherous ruffians there are!"
"They can do no hurt. At all events, till you are restored."
"From that moment their hands are free."
Jean became grave for a moment. But his was an honest nature, not prone to mistrust, even in the midst of the lawlessness and falsehood of the times.
"Ah, bah!" said he. "I can defend myself!"