Her brows were arched inquisitively and her lips puckered....He had had a narrow escape.
He drew the message from his breast, leaned across and handed it to her.
"Why, what is this, Monsieur ?" "Read it and see." And he busied himself with the tangled mane of his horse.

When they had ridden several yards, he heard her voice.
"Here, Monsieur." The hand was extended, but the face was averted.
"Countess, you are too charming a woman to lend yourself to such schemes." There was no reply.
"Did you not volunteer to make me fall in love with you to keep me from interfering with Madame's plans ?" It was brutal, but he was compelled to say it.
Silence.
"Did you not ?" he persisted.

"When one writes such messages as these, one should use an intricate cipher.

Had I been other than a prisoner, what I have done would not be the act of a gentleman.

But I am a prisoner; I must defend myself.