"Not at your command, I promise you;" but Gabrielle making a hasty gesture to them, fell back, and at the moment there came a blast of trumpets heralding the approach, as they thought, of the Governor.
But to their amazement, it was Gerard, dressed in Bourbon uniform and preceded by two courtiers, who backed before him, bowing deeply as if in profound respect. One of them was d'Estelle, whose sallow sardonic face wore a smile of mockery; and as they entered, a herald called in loud tones—
"Place, there, place, for the most noble Lord Gerard de Bourbon."
At the announcement the men about the Governor's seat made a profound obeisance, and formed a lane to the steps leading to the daïs.
Gabrielle trembled, and showed such agitation and pain that Lucette was full of concern for her, while Pascal smiled and muttered to himself: "In the name of the devil, what can this mean?"
Gerard bore himself with great dignity, though understanding the thing little better than Pascal. He saw the smiles of derision which the Governor's favourites exchanged one with another, but paid no heed to them, and acted as though the scene were no mockery, but earnest.
He was bowed to the Governor's chair, and as he took his seat the Bourbon colours were suddenly unfurled, one on either side.
"His Grace the Duke de Rochelle entreats your lordship to be seated here, and will wait upon you to make his homage to your lordship as the representative of the illustrious Duke de Bourbon, the gracious Suzerain of Morvaix." It was d'Estelle who said this, and his cynical smile was answered by the sneers of every courtier near.
"I shall be glad to receive his homage," said Gerard
