XXII. Describes the Most Convincing Proof that a Woman can give that a Man is not her Lover XXIII. Useless Devotion XXIV. Shows that Blood-Stains can never be completely washed out XXV. An Heroic Ransom XXVI. Jean Peuquoy the Weaver XXVII. Gabriel at Work XXVIII. Wherein Martin-Guerre is not Clever XXIX. Wherein Martin-Guerre is a Bungler XXX. The Strategy of War XXXI. Arnauld du Thill's Memory XXXII. Theology XXXIII. Sister Bénie XXXIV. A Victorious Defeat XXXV. Arnauld du Thill is still up to his Little Tricks XXXVI. Continuation of Master Arnauld du Thill's Honorable Negotiations XXXVII. Lord Wentworth XXXVIII. The Amorous Jailer XXXIX. The Armorer's House [Illustration: Alexandre Dumas.] THE TWO DIANAS CHAPTER I A COUNT'S SON AND A KING'S DAUGHTER It was the 5th of May, 1551. A young man of eighteen years, and a woman of forty, together leaving a house of unpretentious appearance, walked side by side through the main street of the village of Montgommery, in the province of Auge. The young man was of the fine Norman type, with chestnut hair, blue eyes, white teeth, and red lips. He had the fresh, velvety complexion common to men of the North, which sometimes takes away a little manly strength from their beauty, by making it almost feminine in its quality; but his figure was superb, both in its proportions and its suppleness, partaking at once of the character of the oak and the reed. He was simply but handsomely dressed, in a doublet of rich purple cloth, with light silk embroidery of the same color. His breeches were of similar cloth, and trimmed in the same way as the doublet; long black leather boots, such as pages and varlets wore, extended above his knees; and a velvet cap, worn slightly on one side and adorned with a white plume, covered a brow on which could be read indications of a tranquil and steadfast mind. His horse, whose rein was passed through his arm, followed him, raising his head from time to time, snorting and neighing with pleasure in the fresh air that was blowing. The woman seemed to belong, if not to the lower orders of society, at least to a class somewhere between them and the bourgeoisie. Her dress was simple, but of such exquisite neatness that very quality seemed to give it elegance. More than once the young man offered her the support of his arm, but she persistently declined it, as if it would have been an honor above her condition. As they walked through the village, and drew near the end of the street that led to the château, whose ponderous towers were in full sight, overlooking the humble settlement, it was very noticeable that not only the young people and the men, but even the gray heads bowed low as the young man passed, while he responded with a friendly nod of the head. Each one seemed to recognize a superior and a master in this youth, who, as we shall soon see, did not know his own identity.