"All right, Martin, don't disturb yourself," said Gabriel. "Aloyse, I wish you would not trouble poor Martin; his zeal and devotion are more necessary to me than ever at this moment, and I have some very serious matters to talk over with him." Vicomte d'Exmès's slightest wish was sacred to Aloyse. She favored the squire with her sweetest smile, now that he was restored to grace, and discreetly left the room, to leave Gabriel more at liberty to say what was in his mind. "Martin," said he, when they were alone, "what were you doing there? What were you thinking about so deeply?" "Monseigneur," Martin-Guerre replied, "I was cudgelling my brain to solve in some degree the enigma of our friend this morning." "Well, how have you succeeded?" asked Gabriel, smiling. "Very indifferently, alas! Monseigneur. If I must confess it, I have been able to see nothing but darkness, however widely I have opened my eyes." "But I told you, Martin, that I thought I could see something better than that." "What is it, Monseigneur? I am almost dead trying to find out." "The time has not come to tell you," said Gabriel. "You are still devoted to me, Martin?" "Does Monseigneur put that as a question?" "No, Martin, I say it by way of commendation. Now I appeal to this devotion of which I speak. You must for a time forget yourself, forget the shadow which darkens your life, and which we will drive away hereafter. I promise you. But at present I need you, Martin." "So much the better! so much the better! so much the better!" cried Martin-Guerre. "But let us have no misunderstanding," said Gabriel. "I have need of your whole being, of your whole life, and all your manhood; are you willing to place yourself in my hands, to postpone your private troubles, and devote yourself solely to my fortunes?" "Am I willing!" cried Martin; "why, Monseigneur, it is not only my duty to do so, but will be my greatest pleasure. By Saint Martin! I have been separated from you only too long, and I long to make up for lost time! Though there be a legion of Martin-Guerres inside my clothes, never fear, Monseigneur, I will laugh at them all. So long as you are standing there in front of me, I will see nobody but you in the world." "Brave heart!" said Gabriel. "But you must consider, Martin, that the enterprise in which I ask you to engage is full of danger and pitfalls." "_Basta_! I will leap over them!" said Martin, snapping his fingers carelessly. "We shall hazard our lives a hundred times over, Martin." "The higher the stake, the better the sport, Monseigneur." "But this terrible game, once we engage in it, my friend, cannot be laid aside until it is finished." "Then none but a fine player should take part in it," rejoined the squire, proudly.