Blaise came running out of the inn, with sword drawn. When he had joined me, I stopped and turned to face De Berquin. He was before me ere I had time to explain to Blaise. In his rage, he made a violent thrust at me, which Blaise turned aside. De Berquin then leaped back, to put himself on guard. At that instant, the first stroke of eight came from the distant tower of Clochonne. "Filthy cur, you have lied to me!" cried De Berquin. "Nay, monsieur," I answered, throwing from me the weapons of Barbemouche and Francois, "I keep my word. I promised you La Tournoire unarmed. Behold him!" And I stepped out from beside Blaise and stood with open arms. "La Tournoire!" repeated De Berquin, taking a backward step and staring at me with open mouth. "La Tournoire!" came in a faint, horror-stricken voice from behind me. I turned and beheld mademoiselle, who had come out from the inn on hearing my call for Blaise. With her were Hugo and Jeannotte. Behind were the inn-keepers and the gypsies. On mademoiselle's face, which was lighted by a torch that Hugo carried, was a death-like pallor, and such a look of horror, grief, and self-reproach, as I have never seen on any other human countenance. "Mademoiselle!" I cried, hastening to her side. "What is the matter?" "'Tis but--surprise,--M. de la Tournoire!" she answered, weakly, raising her hand feebly as if to keep me from approaching her, while her eyes, which were fixed on mine as by a terrible fascination, seemed to be starting from her head. An instant later, she fell in a swoon, and I was just in time to save her from striking the ground and to pillow her head on my arm. As for De Berquin, he had made a rush at me, but Blaise had repulsed him with such fury that, seeing no hope of being joined by his men, he soon turned and fled. I bore the senseless body of mademoiselle into the inn, vainly asking myself why she had shown so profound a distress at my disclosure. CHAPTER XII. AT THE CHATEAU OF MAURY Presently mademoiselle recovered from her faintness and went up to her chamber, supported by Jeannotte. Her eyes met mine as she was about to go, but she immediately dropped them, and seemed by an effort to repress some kind of emotion. With a heart saddened by the sight of mademoiselle's distress, I then made arrangements for the night. I was to lie at the front door of the inn, Blaise at the rear door, Hugo and the gypsies in the horse sheds, Marianne in the chamber with mademoiselle and Jeannotte, old Godeau where he chose. It happened that he chose a place before the smouldering fire in the kitchen.