"We will await this farrier's return." "Let me go, Monsieur!" cried Jeanneton.

"Some one comes." Now for myself I cared little who might come, but methought that it was likely to do poor Jeanneton's fair name no benefit, if the arm of Gaston de Luynes were seen about her waist.

And so I obeyed her, but not quickly enough; for already a shadow lay athwart the threshold, and in the doorway stood a woman, whose eye took in the situation before we had altered it sufficiently to avert suspicion.

To my amazement I beheld the lady of the coach--she who had saved me from the mob in Place Vendome, and touching whose identity I could have hazarded a shrewd guess.
In her eyes also I saw the light of recognition which swiftly changed to one of scorn.

Then they passed from me to the vanishing Jeanneton, and methought that she was about to call her back.