The lieutenant of the watch stood squarely before him with a forbidding air, while a file of arquebusiers lounged in the archway.
"There's no going out to-night," was the answer to the impatient rider.
"Tut, man, I am the Sieur de Laval, riding north on urgent affairs.

My servants left at noon.

Be quick.

Open!" "Who ordered this folly ?" "The Marshal Tavannes.

Go argue with him, if your mightiness has the courage." The horseman was too old a campaigner to waste time in wrangling.