"There is no cause to shudder, mademoiselle," said I, perceiving the effect that the song had on her; "we are far away from fighting. There is no danger here." "There may be dangers of which you do not guess," she answered. As if to verify her words, a sudden, sharp cry broke the stillness. It came from the forest path by which we had arrived at the chateau. It was the voice of one of my sentinels challenging a newcomer. "It is I," came the reply. "I have important news for the captain." "Oh, it is you, Marianne?" replied the man on guard. "I didn't know you for an instant, you appeared so suddenly, without any noise." I hastened to the gate and called, "Come, Marianne, what is it?" She came up puffing and perspiring. So breathless was she that she had to sit down on a bench in the courtyard before she could answer me. "Oh, monsieur!" she said, when she had recovered some breath. "Look to yourself! The governor of the province is at Clochonne!" "The devil!" I said, and turned to see the effect of this news on mademoiselle. She was standing, trembling, as white as death, her one hand on the back of the bench for support. "Be not alarmed, mademoiselle," I said, "Clochonne is not Maury! They do not know our hiding-place. How did you learn, Marianne, and what else do you know?" Mademoiselle stood perfectly still and fixed her eyes on Marianne, awaiting the latter's answers with apparently as much interest as I myself felt. "Godeau went to Clochonne this morning with some eggs to sell, and learned that the governor arrived last night and occupies the chateau," said Marianne. "With how many men?" I asked. "Godeau said that the courtyard of the chateau and the market-place of the town were full of men-at-arms, but he did not wait to find out how many there were. He knew what he would catch from me if he did not immediately bring me the news, that I might let you know. So he came home at once, and as soon as I had heard it I started for this place." "I thank you, Marianne. You are the best of women. Yet it may not be on our account that M. de la Chatre honors Clochonne with a visit."