But the Governor's daughter seemed, or affected, not to hear, regarding the other dancers, who likewise had come to a standstill--the two musicians looking up from instruments now silent. A moment yet the young fisherman lingered; seemed about once more to voice his acknowledgments, but, catching the dull eye of a peasant, stepped back instead. "_Sapristi_! They might, at least, have waited until the end of the dance!" he muttered, and, with a final look over his shoulder and a low laugh, disappeared in the crowd. "Where are the enemy?" It was the Marquis who spoke--in accents he strove to make light and thereby conceal, perhaps, possible annoyance. Coming forward, he looked around toward the point whence the sound had proceeded. "If I mistake not," a note of inquiry in his tone, "it means--a call to arms!" My lady bit her lips; her eyes still gleamed with the bright cold light of a topaz. "Why--a call to arms?" she asked somewhat petulantly, raising her hand to her hair, a little disarranged in the dance. "Perhaps, as a part of the military discipline?" murmured the Marquis dubiously. "See!" With sudden interest, he indicated a part of the Mount that had been black against the star-spangled sky, now showing sickly points of light. "It does mean something! They are coming down!" And even as the Marquis spoke, a clatter of hoofs on the stone pavement leading from the Mount to the sand ushered a horseman into view. He was followed by another and yet another, until in somewhat desultory fashion, owing to the tortuous difficulties of the narrow way that had separated them above, an array of mounted men was gathered at the base of the rock. But only for a moment; a few words from one of their number, evidently in command, and they dispersed; some to ride around the Mount to the left, others to the right. "Perhaps Elise will enlighten us?" Of one accord her guests now crowded around the girl. "Does the Governor intend to take us prisoners?" "You imply it is necessary to do that--to keep you?" answered my lady. "Then why--" Her expression, as perplexed as theirs, answered. "Beppo!" She waved her hand. The Governor's servitor, who was passing, with an anxious, inquiring look upon his face, glanced around. "Beppo!" she repeated, and beckoned again. The man approached. "Your Ladyship wishes to speak with me?" he asked in a voice he endeavored to make unconcerned. "I do." In her manner the old antipathy she had felt toward him as a child again became manifest. "What do the soldiers want? Why have they come down?" His eyes shifted. "I--my Lady--" he stammered. The little foot struck the strand. "Why don't you answer? You heard my question?" "I am sorry, my Lady--" Again he hesitated: "_Le Seigneur Noir_ has been seen on the beach!" "_Le Seigneur Noir?_" she repeated.