'I am, madame, thanks to your kindness, which Alban de Breuil can never forget.'
Her colour deepened slightly. 'It is the other way, Chevalier, the debt is on my side.'
'I have done nothing—and the repayment was too much.'
'I am sorry you think so,' looking straight between her horse's ears.
'I did not mean that—I have already said I can never requite your kindness, and if Madame ever needs a stout arm and a good sword, it is my hope she will call on that of Auriac.'
'Perhaps I may—some day,' she answered, 'for the blood of my fathers runs strong in me, but I think Maître Palin here will tell you that I am wrong, and that the sword is accursed.'
'Unless it be drawn in the service of God, madame,' put in the Huguenot gravely.
'Mon père Palin has been a man-at-arms in his day,' said Madame, 'and has fought at Jarnac and Moncontour. He is therefore of the church militant, as you see.'
'I am proud to meet so brave a soldier as I doubt not you were, Maître Palin. We took different sides; but all that is passed now, and Huguenot and Leaguer are merged in the common name of Frenchman.'
'Long live the King!' said Madame gaily; but Palin answered sadly: