He is generous; he will dower you handsomely." "I can do all except deny my love." "But if that alone can save your father, yourself, and Monseigneur de Nivron ?" "Etienne," she replied, "would die of it, and so should I." "Monseigneur de Nivron will be unhappy at losing you, but he will live for the honor of his house; you will resign yourself to be the wife of a baron only, instead of being a duchess, and your father will live out his days," said the practical man.
At this moment Etienne reached the house.

He did not see Gabrielle, and he uttered a piercing cry.
"He is here!" cried the young girl; "let me go now and comfort him." "I shall come for your answer to-morrow," said the baron.
"I will consult my father," she replied.
"You will not see him again.

I have received orders to arrest him and send him in chains, under escort, to Rouen," said d'Artagnon, leaving Gabrielle dumb with terror.
The young girl sprang to the house, and found Etienne horrified by the silence of the nurse in answer to his question, "Where is she ?" "I am here!" cried the young girl, whose voice was icy, her step heavy, her color gone.
"What has happened ?" he said.

"I heard you cry." "Yes, I hurt my foot against--" "No, love," replied Etienne, interrupting her.

"I heard the steps of a man." "Etienne, we must have offended God; let us kneel down and pray.