The maid came again to the doorway, and asked timidly:––
“Is there danger for you, M’sieu? Will they come back?”
“No. It is merely a lot of drunken youths. They have probably forgotten by now. Can you sleep, Mademoiselle?––have you tried?”
“No, I––I fear that I could not.”
“It would be well to make the effort,” he said gently, looking over his shoulder at her as she leaned against the doorpost. “We do not know what may happen. At any rate, even if 189 you escape, you will need all your strength on the morrow. A fallen captain may not command, Mademoiselle, but––”
“If it is your command, M’sieu, I will try. Good night.”
There was a long stillness, broken only by the distant noises of the dance.
“You, too, will sleep, M’sieu?” said Father Claude. “I will watch.”
“No, no, Father.”
“I beg it of you. At the least you will let me divide the night with you?”