"Well, mine was short: it was simply to beware of a church under the ground and a woman in black and white. I have never seen such a church nor ever met such a woman."
I thought of Diane of Valentinois and her favourite colours, and a sudden chill came over me. For a moment I stood silent.
"Now for yours, monsieur," she said gaily.
"Mine! Well, it was wrapped up in long names, and I never could make aught of it. As far as I remember, Aquarius, Mars, and Mercury are in the ascendant, and the face of Venus is from me. In the second house Sol is in Pisces. In the fifth Luna in Gemini, and Jupiter——"
She put her hands to her ears. "Enough, monsieur! I almost fear to look out, lest I should see a cauldron of burning sulphur, and witches dancing around it."
And as she spoke there came to us the distant echoes of hoarse laughter. I recognised the voices of the landlord and Capus, my man-at-arms.
"'Tis not Capus' business to hob-nob with the host at this hour, mademoiselle. I had better go and see that he keeps stricter watch."
With this I made a half movement to go, but she stayed me with a little gesture of command.
"Monsieur Broussel, I have a favour to ask of you; will you grant it?"
"Mademoiselle, all that is in my power I will do. What is it?"