I felt my heart beat at his words, but said nothing; and Achon continued:
“You will be punctual, monsieur—a good day!”
And this strange man rode on, leaving me a prey to a hundred emotions. For a moment I held my horse reined in, and then, turning, rode on toward the palace.
On entering the gates I found the courtyard crowded, and there was evidently an unwonted commotion; but I stopped to make no inquiry, and, dismounting from my horse, gave the trooper the reins, and walked up the steps, feeling with my hand at my breast-pocket to discover if the letter Marcilly had given me was safe. It was there; but the touch seemed to burn me, and, dropping my hand, I joined the throng at the main entrance.
So great was the crush that at first I could make no way; and, leaning against a pillar, cast about to see if there was any one I knew who would conduct me to Madame de Marcilly. Not a face could I recognize, until at last I saw Lorgnac a few yards from me. As often happens in a crowd, I had looked at the spot where he was ten times before without noticing him, and then his face flashed upon me as if he had sprung from nowhere. He caught my eye as I looked, nodded and smiled, and finally I edged myself to his side, and we exchanged greetings.
“There is something more than usual going on to-day, is there not?” I asked.
“I believe news has come that has fluttered the dovecotes here a little. All sorts of rumors are afloat. They say that Coligny and the Huguenots are in arms, and that the Constable, with ten thousand men, is marching to cut off our retreat to Paris.”
“Ha! The usual stories when no one knows anything, I suppose.”
“Nevertheless, there is something afoot—and Richelieu swears they mean to hasten the execution of the Prince.”
“Richelieu! He would be likely to know.”