The lady arose so trembling and frightened that my courage all came back to me. She forgot her gold pieces lying on the table in front of her. "My lord," she whispered, "you must protect me; it would be the scandal of all France were I to be discovered in such a place." Her appeal made me forget my own imminent danger, and I bethought myself what best to do. They could approach me by but one side, and while I considered a parley with the officers, heard a glad little cry from the lady. She calmly gathered up her gold and restored it to her purse, as if the matter were already settled, though I could see no change in the front of those around us. As the soldiers would have pulled the table away, she bade them wait, and said: "I would speak to your leader." The tall man asked: "And what would you say? We have no time to talk." "It is not to you, I know you both; I would speak to my lord by your side." With that, the other, who had remained rather in the background, came forward, and she took him aside where none could hear, save myself a word or two. The lady spoke to him in a low, quiet tone, and raised her mask a little. The man started back, then removed his cap deferentially. I was close enough to hear his exclamation: "Mademoiselle la Princesse." "Hush," she placed her finger on her lips, "he does not know," indicating me by a gesture. I was as astonished as he, but had no further anxiety. No officer would dare arrest a Princess of the Blood in such a place. "What does Mademoiselle do in Bertrand's gaming house?" "It is not for you to question, my lord," she drew herself up coldly, "I chose it. Now I would go. Provide an escort for me and the gentleman who has the honor to accompany me." She came back to me smiling. "We will go in peace; It is Vauban. It must be no trifling matter to fetch him out to-night. I wonder who it is he seeks?" I thought I could enlighten her, perhaps, but kept a still tongue. Vauban gave a quiet order to the tall man, who, it appears, was in command of the squad, which order he in turn communicated to them. "We have made a mistake. Permit these gentlemen to pass out, and none else." Vauban then interrupted: "De Verrue, do you take ten men and escort these, these--gentlemen where they will." A young officer stepped forward at the word, but seemed not pleased to leave in face of more exciting events. "Nay, nay, boy do not look so glum; take my word, it is an honor a marshal of France would assume did not sterner duties bid him stay." My lady tossed her purse to the sergeant as she passed: "Divide this with your men, and drink a health to--well--the Princess Unknown." CHAPTER X IN THE HOUSE OF BERTRAND