“At once, if you are ready.” Thereupon he rang a bell, and ordered the servant who answered it to call Mademoiselle de Chafleur. It was not long before Marie came running into the room, full of joyous exultation. “Dear uncle, see these beautiful violets,” she cried. “Oh, what delicious perfume!” “Very beautiful indeed. They are messengers sent by Spring to the other flowers.” “It must be so. Oh, you cannot imagine how beautiful the park is already! Tell me quickly what I am to do, so that I can return soon.” “So you find it very pleasant in the park?” “Oh, I could stay there always.” “I am all the more sorry, then, that you will have to leave it soon.” “What! Leave! Uncle, I do not understand you.” “Yes, child. The tumult of war approaches nearer and nearer.” “What of that? Is not the castle safe? Let the Englishmen come. We will send those long-nosed gentlemen home again. Yes, ‘we,’ I say, for you know I am a Chafleur.” “I have the highest respect for your courage, my little Amazon, but the English will not be greatly scared by it. No, child, I must find a safer place for you.” “And my aunts?” “Oh, that is a different matter. My wife and sister must submit to the inevitable.” “And I can also.” “No, child. Your father sacredly intrusted you to me. I should not be keeping my word if I exposed you to the dangers of war.” “But I say again, uncle, and you have said yourself, that the castle is safe enough.” “Still it can be taken; but no enemy will dare to attack the sacred walls of a convent.” “A convent! What do you mean? Do you intend to make me a nun? Me! A nun! Ha! ha! ha! I shall die a-laughing.” “It is not always nuns who find shelter in a convent.” “Nevertheless, uncle, and once for all, I say I will have nothing to do with a convent.” “Then tell me what you will do, for you cannot stay here.” “Are you in earnest, uncle?” “Absolutely so.” The tears came to the girl’s eyes. Sobbing, and throwing her arms around his neck, she exclaimed: “Uncle, you cannot send me away from you.” “It is for your safety, my child.” “But I do not wish any special safety. Where my aunts can stay, I can stay.” “It is of no use. No use. My decision is final.” The girl stood erect. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at the knight with a strange and distressed expression. Gradually her look became colder and more fixed, and at last he realized her undaunted determination. “My decision is made too, uncle. I will not go to a convent. I would rather fall into the hands of the English. But the situation is not so desperate as that. I will let my kinsman La Hire know. He will protect me. Let me have a messenger, uncle. In an hour I will have a letter ready.” Thereupon she left the room. “Well, what do you think now, noble knight?” began the Bishop. “Pah!” he replied, “I will send her a messenger who will throw her letter into the first forest brook he comes to, and return without seeing La Hire.”