"De Berquin!" she said, and then heaved a deep sigh; "I had forgotten
about him."
"I would not commit his offence of thrusting unwelcome company on you," I
replied; "but I would gladly offer you for a few leagues the sword that
has already put him to flight."
She was for some time silent. Then she answered slowly in a low voice, "I
ride towards Clochonne, monsieur."
Taking this for an acceptance of my offer, I sheathed my sword, and
replied with an animation that betrayed my pleasure:
"And I towards the same place, mademoiselle. When you choose to set out,
I am ready."
"I am ready now, monsieur--," she said, lingering over the word
"monsieur," as if trying to recall whether or not I had told her my name.
It was no time at which to disclose the title under which I was known
throughout the province as one especially proscribed, and yet I was
unwilling to pass under a false name. Therefore, I said:
"I am M. de Launay, once of Anjou, but now of nowhere in particular. The
great have caused my chateau to be scattered over my lands, stone by
stone, and have otherwise encouraged my taste for travel and adventure."
At this moment, glancing towards Blaise, I saw on his face a look of
alarm and disapproval, as if he feared that the lady or her maid might be
aware that De Launay and La Tournoire were one man, but it was manifest
from their faces that he had no cause for such an apprehension.
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