"Stop," cried Gerard, springing to his feet. "No one leaves the hall except at my orders. The force you hear of is a Bourbon army coming here under my command. Your power is broken, my lord Duke. Who disobeys me now will answer to the Suzerain Duke, Great Bourbon, for his disobedience. Bear the Duchess away. Gabrielle, you had better leave with her."
"By God, you shall rue this insolent presumption! Let the hall be cleared, I say. It is I, the Governor, who order it."
The Great Hall became now the scene of intense excitement and commotion.
The guards commenced to obey the Governor's command to drive the prisoners back to the cells. Groans and hooting broke out, and in the confusion Lucette contrived to slip past the soldiers and hasten to Gabrielle, and with her left by the side of the Duchess' litter.
"Pascal, now," called Gerard. "Captain Dubois, post your men at the doors, and see that no one enters."
"To me, those who are for Bourbon," shouted Pascal. "Down with the guards!" and he flung himself upon the soldier nearest to him, and wrenching his musket from him, began to use it vigorously. This was the signal for a fierce conflict between the prisoners and the guards; and in the meanwhile Dubois, sending half his men to guard the entrance to the hall, drew up the remainder as a bodyguard to protect Gerard, who had left the daïs and was now threatened by the officers and courtiers of the Governor.
The two bodies faced each other with fierce menacing looks: the Governor heading his courtiers, and Gerard his men, Dubois close at his side; while the din and clamour of the fight between prisoners and soldiers rendered it impossible for a word to be heard.
The struggle was not long. The prisoners outnumbered their opponents by three or four to one, and fought
