But I had small leisure to observe him then, for simultaneously with his turning there had been another movement at my bedside, which drew my eyes elsewhere.

A gentleman, richly dressed, and of an imposing height, approached me.
"You are awake, monsieur ?" he said in a half interrogative tone.
"Will you do me the favour to tell me where I am, monsieur ?" quoth I.
"You do not know?
You are at Lavedan.

I am the Vicomte de Lavedan--at your service." Although it was no more than I might have expected, yet a dull wonder filled me, to which presently I gave expression by asking stupidly-- "At Lavedan?
But how came I hither ?" "How you came is more than I can tell," he laughed.

"But I'll swear the King's dragoons were not far behind you.

We found you in the courtyard last night; in a swoon of exhaustion, wounded in the shoulder, and with a sprained foot.