She bent her head again; that was all.
I strove to speak with confidence. ‘You will pardon me, mademoiselle,’ I said, ‘if I seem to be abrupt, but time is everything. The horses are standing within a hundred yards of the house, and all the preparations for your flight are made. If we leave now, we can do so without opposition. The delay even of an hour may lead to discovery.’
For answer she laughed behind her mask-laughed coldly and ironically. ‘You go too fast, sir,’ she said, her low clear voice matching the laugh and rousing a feeling almost of anger in my heart. ‘I do not know you; or, rather, I know nothing of you which should entitle you to interfere in my affairs. You are too quick to presume, sir. You say you come from a friend. From whom?’
‘From one whom I am proud to call by that title,’ I answered with what patience I might.
‘His name!’
I answered firmly that I could not give it. And I eyed her steadily as I did so.
This for the moment seemed to baffle and confuse her, but after a pause she continued: ‘Where do you propose to take me, sir?’
‘To Blois; to the lodging of a friend of my friend.’
‘You speak bravely,’ she replied with a faint sneer. ‘You have made some great friends lately it seems! But you bring me some letter, no doubt; at least some sign, some token, some warranty, that you are the person you pretend to be, M. de Marsac?’
‘The truth is, Mademoiselle,’ I stammered, ‘I must explain. I should tell you—’