When the inn-maid brought us a bottle of wine, Blaise
asked her whose cavalcade it was that waited before the inn.
"It is that of the governor of the province, M. de la Chatre," said she,
"who is below with his secretary, M. de Montignac."
And she left the room in haste to help serve so distinguished a guest.
CHAPTER VIII.
A SWEET LADY IN DISTRESS
Blaise looked at me solemnly, with a face that seemed to say, "Did I not
warn you?" We had seated ourselves at either side of a small, rough
table, I on the edge of the bed, Blaise on a three-legged stool. For a
moment I sat returning Blaise's gaze across the table; then noticing that
the maid had left the door of our chamber slightly ajar, I arose and
walked stealthily to the crack, through which I could see a part of the
kitchen below. Blaise remained seated at the table, glumly watching me.
I saw the maid bearing wine to a table near the window, where sat the two
guests whose names she had mentioned. The landlord was carrying a tray
full of bottles and drinking-cups out to La Chatre's men, who remained
before the inn, some having dismounted, some still on horse. I could hear
their talk, their oaths and cries to one another and to their horses, the
snorts and pawings of their steeds. A shout of welcome greeted the coming
of the landlord with the wine.
With curiosity I fastened my gaze on the two at the table.
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