"Hush," she placed her finger on her lips, "he does not know," indicating me by a gesture.
I was as astonished as he, but had no further anxiety. No officer would dare arrest a Princess of the Blood in such a place.
"What does Mademoiselle do in Bertrand's gaming house?"
"It is not for you to question, my lord," she drew herself up coldly, "I chose it. Now I would go. Provide an escort for me and the gentleman who has the honour to accompany me."
She came back to me smiling. "We will go in peace; It is Vauban. It must be no trifling matter to fetch him out to-night. I wonder who it is he seeks?"
I thought I could enlighten her, perhaps, but kept a still tongue.
Vauban gave a quiet order to the tall man, who, it appears, was in command of the squad, which order he in turn communicated to them.
"We have made a mistake. Permit these gentlemen to pass out, and none else."
Vauban then interrupted:
"De Verrue, do you take ten men and escort these, these—gentlemen where they will."
A young officer stepped forward at the word, but seemed not pleased to leave in face of more exciting events.
"Nay, nay, boy do not look so glum; take my word, it is an honour a marshal of France would assume did not sterner duties bid him stay."
