"Then I shall enter the chateau!" I answered, helping Maugert buckle on my armor. "And meet the governor and garrison!" said Blaise. "They will rejoice to see me!" "'Tis rushing into the lion's den, monsieur!" put in Frojac. "Let the lion look to himself," said I, standing forth at last, all armed and ready. Frojac ran to get the horses. "They would not let you see her!" cried Blaise, stubbornly standing in my way. "You would go straight to death for nothing! My captain, you shall not!" And, as I started towards the stables to mount, he lay hands on me to hold me back, and Maugert, too, caught me by one of the arms. "Out of my way, rebels!" I cried, vehemently, struggling to free myself from them. "I shall see her to-night though I have to beat down every sword in France and force the very gates of hell!" I threw them both from me so violently that neither dared touch me again. As I stepped forward I saw on the ground at my feet the glove that mademoiselle had given me, and which I had been caressing while sitting alone in the courtyard. I must have dropped it on hearing Frojac's news. I now stopped and picked it up. 'Twas all that was left with me of mademoiselle. She had worn it, it had the form of her hand. I held it in my fingers and looked at it. Again came the song of the gypsy: "False flame of woman's love!" I pressed the glove again and again to my lips, tears gushed from my eyes, and I murmured: "Ah, mademoiselle, God grant I do not find you false!" Five minutes later, Frojac and I were speeding our horses over the forest path towards Clochonne. CHAPTER XV. TO CLOCHONNE, AFTER MADEMOISELLE On through the forest, on over the narrow path, the horse seeming to feel my own impatience, his hoofs crushing the fallen twigs and the vegetation that lay in the way, the branches of the trees striking me in forehead and eyes, my heart on fire, my mind a turmoil, on to learn the truth, on to see her! The moon was now overhead, and here and there it lighted up the path. Close behind me came Frojac. I heard the footfalls and the breathing of his horse. Would we come up to her before she reached Clochonne? This depended on the length of start she had. She would lose some time, perhaps, through being less familiar with the road than we were, yet wherever the road lay straight before her she would force her horse to its utmost, guessing that her departure would be discovered and herself pursued.