None shall stay you," she promised him.
He smiled.

"I'll need some security for that.

I do not choose to take your word for it, Madame de Condillac." "What security can I give you ?" she cried, wringing her hands, her eyes on the boy's ashen face ashen from mingling fear and rage--where it showed beyond Garnache's heavy boot.
"Bid one of your knaves summon my servant.

I left him awaiting me in the courtyard." The order was given, and one of the cut-throats departed.
In a tense and anxious silence they awaited his return, though he kept them but an instant.
Rabecque's eyes took on a startled look when he had viewed the situation.

Garnache called to him to deprive those present of their weapons.
"And let none refuse, or offer him violence," he added, "or your master's life shall pay the price of it." The Dowager with a ready anxiety repeated to them his commands.
Rabecque, understanding nothing, went from man to man, and received from each his weapons.