Presently afterwards a chamberlain appeared, followed by four serving-men, charged with the materials of a plentiful repast. While serving the dishes to Warthy, who ate all that was offered him, and emptied several goblets of wine, the chamberlain remarked the keys lying on the table, and it instantly occurred to him that he might be able to secure them. While replenishing Warthy's goblet he threw a napkin over the keys, and immediately afterwards took it up again so cautiously that no sound was audible, and then quitted the hall, ostensibly for the purpose of fetching another flask of wine. Warthy was too much engaged with his repast to remark what had taken place, and he was still sedulously occupied when the chamberlain returned, bringing with him another flask of wine, and also a second bunch of keys--somewhat resembling those he had carried off--and while moving about he let them drop on the floor. “Ha! give me those keys!” cried Warthy, angrily. And taking them from the chamberlain, who apologised for the inadvertence, he thrust them into his girdle. Just then Lallières entered the hall, accompanied by Marcelline. “This lady has desired me to bring her to you, sir,” said the châtelain. “She has a favour to ask of you.” “Indeed!” exclaimed Warthy, rising and bowing. “I trust it may be in my power to grant it.” “It is merely that I may be permitted to quit the castle,” said Marcelline. “Alone, fair lady, at this hour?” rejoined Warthy. “I have too much consideration for you to grant the request.” “Were I to depart alone, I should have no fear,” she replied, “but I shall have three attendants with me.” “This is a stratagem to get Bourbon out of the castle,” thought Warthy. “But I will defeat it and secure my prey at the same time. When do you desire to depart?' he added to Marcelline. “An hour hence,” she replied. “Well, you have my permission. You have three attendants, you say?” “Yes, three,” she answered. “You can see them before they quit the castle.” “Of course I shall see them,” he returned. “They cannot depart till I am satisfied. Go fetch the warder,” he added to an attendant. Presently the personage in question entered the hall, and Warthy told him he had granted permission to the Demoiselle d'Herment to quit the château with three attendants. “To-night?” asked the warder. “Ay, to-night, at any hour she pleases,” said Warthy. The warder bowed, and retired. “I am much beholden to you, messire,” said Marcelline. “Nay, fair lady, I am happy to oblige you,” he returned, gallantly. Marcelline then withdrew, accompanied by Lallières, both looking well pleased. “I have him now,” thought Warthy, as he was left alone. “It is needless to give any further instructions to the warder. He cannot unlock the gate without coming to me,” he added, satisfying himself that the keys were safe.