Bigot, with two of the ten men who hitherto had been missing, was with him.
It was clear, however, that they brought no good news, for they had scarcely ridden up before Count Hannibal cried, "Faster! faster!" in his harshest voice, and Bigot urged the horses to a quicker trot.

Their course lay almost parallel with the Loire in the direction of Beaupreau; and Tignonville began to fear that Count Hannibal intended to recross the river at Nantes, where the only bridge below Angers spanned the stream.
With this in view it was easy to comprehend his wish to distance his pursuers before he recrossed.
The Countess had no such thought.

"They must be close upon us!" she murmured, as she urged her horse in obedience to the order.
"Whoever they are!" Tignonville muttered bitterly.

"If we knew what had happened, or who followed, we should know more about it, Madame.

For that matter, I know what I wish he would do.