Even as she thought it for this thousandth time, her face flushed deeply, and a mist came before her eyes.

But she hardened her heart and gave orders to proceed as soon as the horses were ready.

After a hasty breakfast they were again on their way, and reached the third stage of their journey by eleven o'clock.
Tardif had passed two hours before.
So, for two days they travelled, with no sleep save what they could catch as the coach rolled on.

They were delayed three hours at one inn because of the trouble in getting horses, since it appeared that Tardif had taken the only available pair in the place; but a few gold pieces brought another pair galloping from a farm two miles away, and they were again on the road.

Fifty miles to go, and Tardif with three hours' start of them! Unless he had an accident there was faint chance of overtaking him, for at this stage he had taken to the saddle again.