"Lack of zeal?" I heard the governor say. "_Par-dieu,_ where have I let a known Huguenot rest in peace in my provinces since the edicts have been proclaimed? And I have even made Catholics suffer for showing a disposition to shield heretics. There was that gentleman of this very town--" "M. de Varion," put in Montignac. "Ay, M. de Varion,--a good Catholic. Yet I caused his arrest because he hid his old friend, that Polignart, who had turned heretic. _Mon dieu_, what can I do more? I punish not only heretics, but also those who shield heretics. Yet the Duke of Guise hints that I lack zeal!" "As to M. de Varion," said Montignac; "what is your intention regarding him?" "To make an example of him, that hereafter no Catholic will dare shelter a Huguenot on the score of old friendship. Let him remain a prisoner in the chateau of Fleurier until the judges, whom I will instruct, shall find him guilty of treason. Then his body shall hang at the chateau gate for the nourishment of the crows." "Fortunately," said Montignac listlessly, "he has no family to give trouble afterward." "No son," replied the governor. "Did not M. de Brissard say that there was a daughter?" "Yes, an unmarried daughter who was visiting some bourgeois relation in Bourges at the time of her father's arrest." "When she learns of her father's incarceration she will probably pester me with supplications for his release. See to it, Montignac, that this Mlle. de Varion be not suffered to approach me." My eavesdropping was again interrupted by the return of the inn-maid. On going out of the chamber this time, she closed the door. Hunger and prudence, together, overcoming my curiosity, I did not open it, but joined Blaise in disposing of the dinner. The table at which we ate was near the window of the chamber, and we could look out on the grassy space of land before the inn. La Chatre's men were moving about, looking to their horses and harness, talking in little groups, and watching for their master's appearance at the inn door. Presently four new figures came into view, all mounted. From our window we could see them plainly as they approached the inn. One of these newcomers was a young lady who wore a mask. At her side rode a maid, slim, youthful, and fresh-looking. Behind these were two serving boys, one tall, large, and strong; the other small and agile. "By the blue heaven!" Blaise blurted out; "a dainty piece of womankind!" "Silence, Blaise!" I said, reprovingly. "How dare you speak with such liberty of a lady?" "I thought I was supposed to be masquerading as a gentleman," he growled. "But it was not of the lady that I spoke. It was the maid."