street and the fosse, which took a bend and ran immediately below the wall. After lying perfectly still for a little, I slowly pushed myself forwards until at last I was beneath the skylight, and then, raising myself cautiously, peeped in. I saw a room of moderate size, and well but plainly furnished. In the centre was an oblong table covered with a dark cloth, and round about it were set a number of chairs. The skylight alone admitted light, and from this to the floor of the room was a matter of twelve feet or so. The chamber was empty, and I had more than half a mind to risk the descent, when the door was opened and Babette stepped in. I shrank back as low as possible, and observed that she was making arrangements for some one, for she placed a couple of decanters with glasses on the table, arranged the chairs, and then, after taking a look round, went out once more. I made up my mind to wait, and, settling myself under the skylight, began to exercise my patience. After an hour or so had passed I heard the door opened again, and then the sound of voices. Presently some one called out, 'We had better shut the skylight,' and then another voice, this time Lafin's, said, 'No, it is no use, and we will want light to see.' Once more I raised myself and leaned against the edge of the opening, eyes and ears intent. There were three men in the room--Lafin, de Gomeron, and another whom I did not know, but whom I judged to be an Italian from his manner of pronouncing our language. They were all three seated round the table, poring over a number of documents and conversing in low tones. After a time it appeared to me that Lafin was urging something on de Gomeron, and the free-lance, who was short of temper, brought his clenched hand on the table in a manner to make the glasses ring, whilst he said with an oath-- 'I will not--I have risked too much. I have told you before that I did not come into this for the good of my health. My prize is my own. It has nothing to do with your affair, of which I am sick.' The other man then cut in-- 'I do not see, M. de Lafin, why we should drag this matter into our discussion. If M. de Gomeron wants a wife, well--many a fair dame has had a rougher wooing than the lady you speak of. But I--I have cause for complaint. I come here expecting to meet the Marshal--and I meet you and monsieur here. I mean no offence, but I must tell you plainly my master's instructions are that I should hear M. de Biron's promises and take his demands from his own lips. 'And what about Epernon, Bouillon, and Tremouille, count?' asked de Gomeron. The dark eyes of the stranger flashed on him for a moment. 'My master, the Duke of Savoy, knows their views.' 'Personally?' The Italian waved his hand with a laugh. 'Gentlemen, I have given you my terms--it is for you to choose. As for my part, I would that my master dropped this business and trusted the day to his sword.'