"I have ridden from Paris to prevent your arrest, mademoiselle; thank God I have arrived in time. Only do as I direct and I shall be able to save you."
"How are we to know that we can trust you?" she said, looking at him fixedly.
He caught his breath as if unprepared for such a question. "You must trust me, mademoiselle."
Edmé laughed scornfully.
The color which rose to his cheek showed that her laugh cut even deeper than her words.
"Mademoiselle," he began, "if you"—
She interrupted him passionately. "Are not those men below who seek to destroy my château your friends? They have been clamoring for admittance in the name of the Republic." And she looked significantly at the tricolored cockade in his hat.
"And because I am a Republican and wear the uniform of the nation do you really think that I could have anything in common with those ruffians? You do me great injustice; I am here with one object, to protect this household."
Edmé continued to look steadily at him.
"You say nothing, mademoiselle. You condemn me by your silence. I will prove to you how deeply you wrong me even if it take my life. I would give that gladly only to prove it to you. But there is more than my life at stake. There is your safety—and the safety of these, your servants. My father—mademoiselle!"