Creeping along for a short distance into the open country, he mounted a little hill and carefully surveyed the surrounding fields and plains. Feeling certain that none of their enemies were near at hand in the flat country before them, Bernard went back to the woods, got on his horse, and, turning to the Countess, he said: "Now, my lady, we must make a rapid dash, and in a quarter of an hour we shall be at our journey's end." Without a word the Countess—who had put herself entirely into her faithful squire's care, and who had found early in the ride that he wished to avoid answering any questions in regard to their destination—followed Bernard out of the forest, and the whole party began a wild gallop across the fields. For a few minutes they rode in silence, as they had been riding for the greater part of the night, and then the Countess suddenly called out: "Bernard! Oh, Bernard! Where are we going? That is Viteau!" "Yes," shouted back the squire. "That is Viteau, and, by your leave, we are going there. For you, it is the safest place in France." "But the _cotereaux_! The _cotereaux_!" cried the Countess. "It is filled with those wicked men!" "I hope it is yet filled with _cotereaux_," cried the squire, still galloping on; "for it is those fellows who will make it safe for you. Fear them not, fair lady. They want only your money, and as long as they have a good hope of that they will not harm you nor yield you up to any claimant." The Countess answered not a word; but very pale, and trembling a little, she rode on, and in a very short time the party drew up before the great gate of Viteau. "Open!" cried Bernard, "open to the Countess of Viteau!" Receiving no immediate answer, Bernard shouted again: "Open! Open quickly! It is the lady of this chateau who asks admittance. She is pursued! Open quickly!" There was now heard inside a sound of running and calling, and in a few minutes the head of Michol appeared at the window in the gate. Perceiving that his visitors were but three ladies and half a dozen men, all looking very tired and anxious to enter, and recognizing Bernard, whom he had seen several times and with whose position in the household of Viteau he was quite familiar, he concluded that he could run no risk, and might do himself much good, by admitting the little party; and he therefore ordered the gate to be opened and bade the Countess ride in. The moment the fugitives had entered the court, and the gate had been closed behind them, Bernard sprang from his horse exclaiming: "Now, at last, I can breathe at ease." The Countess, although a good deal frightened at her peculiar situation, could not help smiling at this speech, considering that they were surrounded by a great crowd of armed men, known to have in their number some of the most notorious robbers in the country, and who were crowding into the court to see the visitors, although keeping, by command of their captain, at a respectful distance.