“In God’s mercy we will hope not, for your sweet sake. For though he be true as steel, yet is he in a sorry plight; and we, you and I together, sweetheart, will save him. We must first get him out of the Castle and the task may test our wits. Think, child, think; don’t waste time in useless repinings over the inevitable. We have work to do.” “I knew I could rely on you,” said Gabrielle. “First we must find out where they have bestowed him. Pauline can do this. She is old Pierre’s daughter--you know how together we saved her from ruin--and she will serve us both to the death; and so too will her father. Call her, and she will be at hand.” Gabrielle hastened away to return in a minute with the maid. “Pauline, we are going to trust you,” said the Duchess. “You will be faithful, I know; and will do what we need cleverly and secretly--for Mademoiselle de Malincourt’s sake as well as mine.” “With all my heart, miladi,” answered the girl, a bright-eyed shrewd brunette. “There has been an arrest in the Castle, within the past hour or so, of a M. de Cobalt. Go and find out where he has been bestowed. Your father can tell you. No one else must know that I have even asked. And be quick.” “You give me hope already,” said Gabrielle, as the girl left. “I will do more than that; child, I will give you your lover. I am feeble and bed-ridden, but not yet helpless. As soon as we know where he is, we will have a plan to set him free. I know the secrets of every cell in the Castle; and unless he has been placed in one of the underground dungeons of the keep, there is not one I cannot help him out of.” Their impatience and anxiety made the interval before Pauline’s return seem long; but when she came, she had done her errand well and brought the expected news. “The gentleman is placed in one of the cells in my father’s ward, miladi,” she said, “and very strict orders have been given as to his close watching.” “Which cell, Pauline?” The girl’s eyes signalled trouble at the question. “Oh, miladi,” she exclaimed, distressfully. “He was at first placed elsewhere and has just been moved by the Governor’s orders into the--the turret cell.” She shuddered as she mentioned it and glanced toward Gabrielle who noticed the look and the gesture. “What is the turret cell?” she asked. Pauline bit her lips and was silent. “A place from which he must be rescued, Gabrielle, as soon as we can form the plan;” and the Duchess warned Pauline with a glance to be silent. “While the daylight lasts nothing is possible; but as soon as darkness falls the attempt must be made. Pauline, you must go to your father again, and tell him from me that no harm must befall this prisoner, and that at the least sign of danger, notice must be brought to me. The escape must be managed to-night; and say that later I will send full instructions how he is to act. If he can offer a suggestion, let him send it by you. I will protect him from the Duke’s anger.”