“Your noble lordship’s caution is timely, yet a little suspicious, considering all things. If you will not come out to me, open the door of Malincourt that I may come in to you. I am more than wishful to render you your due. I am anxious, I promise you.” “I am the bearer of a despatch to your lordship from my father, which will prove the commission I hold from him.” “By all means bring it me.” “I am sending it that you may see great Bourbon’s seal and signature,” and as he spoke a young lieutenant who had left the house secretly made his way toward the Governor and handed him the paper. The Governor took it with a scowl and glanced at it. “Have you any other forgeries?” he demanded. “I await your answer and submission.” “Submission, in God’s name! And pray what are your noble lordship’s commands for me?” “That you at once dismiss the force that you have wrongfully brought against this house and leave me and all here in peace.” “Hell’s peace!” roared the Governor. “Here is my answer,” and he tore the paper in two and flung it into the messenger’s face, bidding two of the soldiers seize him. “I have a further answer yet. If you do not surrender yourself and all in the house within an hour, I will order my troops to take it by force and burn it as the refuge of a murderer.” “We are in great strength, and shall resist you. You will refuse my demands at your peril.” The Governor’s reply was a threat, emphasized with an oath as he wheeled his horse round and rode off. “There goes the last chance of avoiding a conflict,” said Pascal, as he and Gerard watched him. “I am not so sure,” answered Gerard thoughtfully. “We have taken him by surprise and set him a problem, and he is not so dull-witted as to think the solution can be found with just a threat and a curse.” CHAPTER XXVI AT THE CITY GATES Gerard’s judgment that the unexpected position at Malincourt would be found much too formidable to be dismissed with a curse and a threat was quite correct. The Governor was furiously angry, and as sternly resolved as ever to carry his purpose through; nothing should be suffered to come between him and it; but the last few hours had revealed certain obstacles to the importance of which even his selfish rage could not blind him. He had had convincing proof that in threatening Gabrielle he would provoke far greater and more dangerous antagonism than any he had yet encountered at any time of his government.