"I wish the Vicomte were here," Croisette said uneasily
after we had discussed several unpleasant contingencies.
"Or even Malines the steward," I suggested.
"He would not be much good," replied Croisette.
"And he is at St. Antonin, and will not be back this week.
Father Pierre too is at Albi."
"You do not think," said Marie, "that he will attack us?"
"Certainly not!" Croisette retorted with contempt. "Even the
Vidame would not dare to do that in time of peace. Besides, he
has not half a score of men here," continued the lad, shrewdly,
"and counting old Gil and ourselves we have as many. And
Pavannes always said that three men could hold the gate at the
bottom of the ramp against a score. Oh, he will not try that!"
"Certainly not!" I agreed. And so we crushed Marie. "But for
Louis de Pavannes--"
Catherine interrupted me. She came out quickly looking a
different person; her face flushed with anger, her tears dried.
"Anne!" she cried, imperiously, "what is the matter down below
--will you see?"
I had no difficulty in doing that.
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