"No harm can touch me with her."
"But first I must know that you are safely out from this cell. Call Pierre. I cannot leave you here. The rack would be a gentler punishment than the suspense till I knew you were safe."
"I will go then."
"God keep you, dearest, till we meet at Malincourt."
He threw his arms round her and they kissed again; and then both started back in alarm.
Some one tried the door of the cell, and a voice harsh and stern called loudly—
"Pierre, Pierre, come here at once and open the door."
"God have mercy upon us both, it is the Duke's voice," whispered Gabrielle, clinging to Gerard. Then with intense agitation in her voice she added—"Fly, Gerard, if you love me; fly, or it will be too late."
"Nay, it is too late. I cannot leave you now," he answered, in a tone of calm strength.
"Then let us go together."
"That also were useless. He would be in before ever we could reach the courtyard; and he would either cut the rope and we should go to our death, or summon his soldiers and we should be caught. I will await him here."
The Governor's voice was heard again then, oathing and cursing at Pierre's delay and calling to him in strident tones to hasten.
