Twice she sent to inquire if he had come; pretending, even while despising herself for the pretence, that it was for Lucette’s sake; and when noon came and passed and he had not returned, she masked her own disappointment under a concern for Lucette. But he did return at length, despite the Duke’s plans against him. Unconscious of the danger in which he rode he had by a mere chance change of direction evaded the two men sent to waylay him, and they had only ascertained the fact in time to admit of their following him to Malincourt in hot haste and mortal fear of the Governor’s anger. They had wandered into a distant part of the grounds when Gabrielle caught sight of him pricking fast toward the maison, and she was at great pains to conceal the start she gave on seeing he was alone. She told herself that she was glad he brought no one with him; but a little stinging stab of disappointment deep down in her heart and an eager, hungry desire to learn the news he brought, told a very different story. Then Lucette caught sight of him. “Look, Gabrielle, look. There rides Denys,” she cried excitedly. “Where?” asked Gabrielle in a calm tone, feeling like a wicked hypocrite for her small pretence. “There, there. I hope he will not see us,” exclaimed Lucette, pointing in his direction and making herself as conspicuous as possible. “You are showing yourself plainly, Lucette.” “Then he will know where not to come, if he is not in a better temper than this morning.” Denys had seen Lucette. Gabrielle saw him turn and look toward them and then ride on toward the house without making a sign. “He might have waved a hand,” said Lucette, pouting and shrugging her shoulders. “But I will punish him. Let us go away from here.” “But just now you implied that he would not come here.” “I will not forgive him easily if he does,” said Lucette, with a shake of the head and a little stamp of the foot. “I will leave you to meet him, coz; and take my advice, cease to play this foolish game with him.” “There are two other cavaliers riding this way,” said Lucette suddenly, “and spurring hard in urgent haste, it would seem.” Had they not been so intent in watching these and speaking of Denys, they would have seen yet another cavalier who stepped for a moment from a belt of trees, looked eagerly in their direction, and then hurriedly hid himself. Gabrielle, quite unconscious of this, continued to urge Lucette to wait alone for Denys and seek to make her peace with him. But Lucette was obstinate; and when at length she caught sight of Denys in the distance, dust-stained with his long ride, walking in their direction, she drew Gabrielle hurriedly behind a clump of trees into hiding. “We will see what he does,” she whispered excitedly. “I shall know by his face what mood he is in.” When Denys reached the spot where they had been he paused and looked about him.