They had fought stoutly, for three of the brigands lay beside them.

Six others were scattered near, and the brigands were gathered round a fallen man, who I guessed was their leader.
"I found Anne in a state of the wildest grief.

She told me that she had seen Philip shot by the vicomte, just as he was attacking him, and that you in turn had cut down the villain.
"For half an hour, nothing was done, and then one, who was evidently in authority over the others, left the troop and came up to the carriage.
"'Monsieur le Baron,' he said, 'the orders of my chief are that you are to be placed in the carriage, with your daughter and her maid.

If you will give your word of honour that you will not attempt to escape, or to give the alarm as you go along, or to address a word to anyone whom we may encounter, your arms will be freed, and you will be treated with all respect.

If, on the contrary, you decline to give this promise, my instructions are that your feet as well as your hands are to be tied, and that you are to be gagged and placed in the bottom of the carriage.