'And let me tell you, sir,' she went on impetuously, 'once for all, that you take too much upon yourself.

You are here to escort me, and to give orders to these ragamuffins, for they are nothing better, with whom you have thought fit to disgrace our company; but not to give orders to me or to control my movements.

Confine yourself for the future, sir, to your duties, if you please.' 'I desire only to obey you,' I answered, suppressing the angry feelings which rose in my breast, and speaking as coolly as lay in my power.
'But, as the first of my duties is to provide for your safety, I am determined to omit nothing which can conduce to that end.

You have not considered that, if a party in pursuit of us reaches Poitiers to-night, search will be made for us in the city, and we shall be taken.

If, on the other hand, we are known to have passed through, the hunt may go no farther; certainly will go no farther to-night.