Here the wildest rumours were current.

One held that the Huguenot had gone out of his senses; another, that he had watched for this opportunity of avenging his brethren; a third, that his intention had been to carry off the Countess and hold her to ransom.

Only Tavannes himself, from his position on the farther bank, had seen the packet of letters, and the hand which withheld them; and he said nothing.

Nay, when some of the men would have crossed to search for the fugitive, he forbade them, he scarcely knew why, save that it might please her; and when the women would have hurried to join her and hear the tale from her lips he forbade them also.
"She wishes to be alone," he said curtly.
"Alone ?" Madame St.Lo cried, in a fever of curiosity.

"You'll find her dead, or worse! What?
Leave a woman alone after such a fright as that!" "She wishes it." Madame laughed cynically; and the laugh brought a tinge of colour to his brow.
"Oh, does she ?" she sneered.