46/47 It could be scarcely half-an-hour after midnight; we might still be in time. I stretched myself and trod the level door jubilantly, and then noticed, while doing so, that our hostess had retreated to the door and was eyeing us timidly--half-scared. "Madame," I said, "I am M.Anne de Caylus, and these are my brothers. And we are at your service." "And I," she replied, smiling faintly--I do not know why--"am Madame de Pavannes, I gratefully accept your offers of service." "De Pavannes ?" I exclaimed, amazed and overjoyed. Madame de Pavannes! Why, she must be Louis' kinswoman! No doubt she could tell us where he was lodged, and so rid our task of half its difficulty. |