"Sire, you are too good!" I murmured.

"Tell the officer to whom you entrust the execution of this warrant
that he will find the lady in the guardroom below, where she is
being detained, pending my pleasure. Did she but know that it was
your pleasure she has been waiting upon, I should tremble for your
future when the five years expire."




CHAPTER XXII

WE UNSADDLE


Mademoiselle held the royal warrant of her father's banishment in
her hand. She was pale, and her greeting of me had been timid. I
stood before her, and by the door stood Rodenard, whom I had bidden
attend me.

As I had approached Lavedan that day, I had been taken with a great,
an overwhelming shame at the bargain I had driven. I had pondered,
and it had come to me that she had been right to suggest that in
matters of love what is not freely given it is not worth while to
take. And out of my shame and that conclusion had sprung a new
resolve. So that nothing might weaken it, and lest, after all, the
sight of Roxalanne should bring me so to desire her that I might be
tempted to override my purpose, I had deemed it well to have the
restraint of a witness at our last interview. To this end had I