Antoine and La Verrerie,
through the gloomy narrows of the Rue la Ferronerie, and so past the
house in the Rue St. Honore where Mademoiselle sat awaiting the
morrow--sat awaiting Tignonville, the minister, the marriage! Doubtless
there were still bands of plunderers roaming to and fro; at the barriers
troops of archers stopping the suspected; at the windows pale faces
gazing down; at the gates of the Temple, and of the walled enclosures
which largely made up the city, strong guards set to prevent invasion.
Biron would go with sufficient to secure himself; and unless he
encountered the bodyguard of Guise his passage would quiet the town. But
was it so certain that _she_ was safe? He knew his men, and while he had
been free he had not hesitated to leave her in their care. But now that
he could not go, now that he could not raise a hand to help, the
confidence which had not failed him in straits more dangerous grew weak.
He pictured the things which might happen, at which, in his normal frame
of mind, he would have laughed. Now they troubled him so that he started
at a shadow, so that he quailed at a thought. He, who last night, when
free to act, had timed his coming and her rescue to a minute! Who had
rejoiced in the peril, since with the glamour of such things foolish
women were taken! Who had not flinched when the crowd roared most
fiercely for her blood!
Why had he suffered himself to be trapped? Why indeed? And thrice in
passion he paced the room.
Pages:
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186