I thought the attack over, and was just turning to rest when there came another burst of firing from behind the hill--M. le Comte was trying to force the castle! The firing waxed and waned and died away. I listened in vain for any further outcry. Plainly, he had been repulsed, and seeing how desperate the road was, had not ventured a second assault. Would he ever venture it, I wondered! He loved his daughter, to be sure, yet would it not be the purest folly to dash himself to pieces against this rock in the attempt to rescue her? What could he hope to accomplish? And whenever Roquefort scented danger, could he not threaten reprisals on Mademoiselle herself? Better to draw off, to leave Mademoiselle to such fate as Roquefort had prepared for her, and wait another day, when, by some ruse or sudden ambuscade, Roquefort and d’Aurilly might be made to pay drop for drop! Weighted with such bitter thoughts, I lay down again upon my pallet and this time dropped asleep. Nor did I waken till some one shook me roughly, and I opened my eyes to see Drouet standing above me and full day peering in at the window. “God’s blood!” he cried, “but you sleep soundly! Here, get up and eat. You will need your strength this day!” I got to my feet and looked at him. “And why?” I questioned, as carelessly as I could, for there was a menace in his words that startled me. “Because you are to have a little interview with Mother Brodequin and others of her family.” “Mother Brodequin?” I repeated. “Yes,” and he bent over towards one foot and made a gesture as of tightening a screw. “You understand? ’Tis our pet name for her. She is not lovely to look at, but she has a tight embrace.” I understood, and I found my craving for the food suddenly vanished. I protest I am no coward--but the boot--the rack--I knew not what horrors lay before me. ’Twas enough to chill the courage of any man. Still, I made pretence of eating that Drouet might not see my terror. “I heard some shots last night,” I said at last. “Was there an attack?” “Hardly that,” he laughed. “Cadillac tried to crawl up the road, but was soon glad to scuttle down again. He will not try it a second time unless he is madder than I think him.” “But he gained the town,” I said. “The town, yes. But the town is nothing. M. le Duc never deigns to assist in its defence; its walls are down in a dozen places. That was no victory. He will never take the castle.” I quite agreed, but held my tongue. “M. le Duc holds the upper hand,” he added exultantly. “How he will squeeze Cadillac dry ere he is done with him! But there, I must go. Somehow when I am with you I run to gossip. But then you will talk so little in this world!” “When is this interview to take place?” I asked. “Soon,” and he laughed. “There are certain preparations to be made, but they will not take long,” and, still laughing, he was gone.