Neither Pille-Miche, nor Marche-a-Terre, nor the girl were visible;
but he felt himself gently pulled by the flap of his uniform, and,
turning round, saw Francine on her knees.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"I don't know; Pierre drove me back and told me not to stir from
here."
"Which way did they go?"
"That way," she replied, pointing to the causeway.
The captain and Francine then noticed in that direction a line of
strong shadows thrown by the moonlight on the lake, and among them
that of a female figure.
"It is she!" cried Francine.
Mademoiselle de Verneuil seemed to be standing, as if resigned, in the
midst of other figures, whose gestures denoted a debate.
"There are several," said the captain. "Well, no matter, let us go to
them."
"You will get yourself killed uselessly," said Francine.
"I have been killed once before to-day," he said gaily.
They both walked towards the gloomy gateway which led to the causeway;
there Francine suddenly stopped short.
"No," she said, gently, "I'll go no farther; Pierre told me not to
meddle; I believe in him; if we go on we shall spoil all. Do as you
please, officer, but leave me. If Pierre saw us together he would kill
you."
Just then Pille-Miche appeared in the gateway and called to the
postilion who was left in the stable. At the same moment he saw the
captain and covered him with his musket, shouting out, "By Saint Anne
of Auray! the rector was right enough in telling us the Blues had
signed a compact with the devil.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230