"Oh! it is his business to remember, while it is the duke's to forget. How could he live if he did not forget? But Aurilly will not have forgotten; he will recognize you, and will denounce you as an avenging shade." "Remy, I thought I told you I had a mask, and that you told me you had a knife." "It is true, madame; and I begin to think that God is assisting us to punish the wicked." Then, calling Aurilly from the top of the staircase, "Monsieur," said he. "Well!" replied Aurilly. "My mistress thanks M. du Bouchage for having provided thus for her safety, and accepts with gratitude your obliging offer." "It is well," said Aurilly, "the horses are ready." "Come, madame, come," said Remy, offering his arm to Diana. Aurilly waited at the bottom of the staircase, lantern in hand, all anxiety to see the lady. "Diable!" murmured he, "she has a mask. But between this and Chateau-Thierry the silk cords will be worn out or cut." CHAPTER LXXVI. THE JOURNEY. They set off. Aurilly affected the most perfect equality with Remy, and showed to Diana the greatest respect. But this respect was very interested. Indeed, to hold the stirrup of a woman when she mounts or dismounts, to watch each of her movements with solicitude, to let slip no occasion of picking up her glove, is the role either of a lover, a servant, or a spy. In touching Diana's glove Aurilly saw her hand, in clasping her cloak he peeped under her mask, and always did his utmost to see that face which the duke had not been able to recognize, but which he doubted not he should be able to. But Aurilly had to deal with one as skillful as himself; Remy claimed to perform his ordinary services to Diana, and seemed jealous of Aurilly, while Diana herself, without appearing to have any suspicions, begged Aurilly not to interfere with the services which her old attendant was accustomed to render to her. Aurilly was then reduced to hoping for rain or sun to make her remove her mask; but neither rain nor sun had any effect, and whenever they stopped Diana took her meals in her own room. Aurilly tried to look through the keyholes, but Diana always sat with her back to the door. He tried to peep through the windows, but there were always thick curtains drawn, or if none were there, cloaks were hung up to supply their place. Neither questions, nor attempts at corruption, succeeded with Remy, who always declared that his mistress's will was his. "But these precautions are, then, taken only on my account?" said Aurilly. "No, for everybody." "But M. d'Anjou saw her; she was not hidden then." "Pure chance; but it is just because he did see her that she is more careful than ever." Days passed on, and they were nearing their destination, but Aurilly's curiosity had not been gratified. Already Picardy appeared to the eyes of the travelers.