"Indeed, monsieur," she said, "it seems to me that I have seen you somewhere; but I cannot remember where." "The first time, as I have told you, was on the banks of the Dordogne." "And the second?" "The second was at Chantilly." "On the day of the hunt?" "Even so." "In that case, monsieur, I have nothing to fear, for you are one of us." "Why so?" "Because you were at Chantilly." "Permit me to observe that that is no reason." "It seems to me to be." "There were too many there to be sure that they were all friends." "Beware, monsieur, or you will force me to form a strange opinion of you." "Oh! form whatever opinion you choose; I am not sensitive." "But, when all is said, what do you desire?" "To do the honors of the inn, if you have no objection." "I am deeply grateful to you, monsieur, but I do not require your services. I am expecting a friend." "Very good; dismount, and while you are waiting, we will talk." "What am I to do, madame?" interposed Pompée. "Dismount, engage a room, and order supper," said Cauvignac. "Monsieur," rejoined the viscountess, "if I mistake not, it is for me to give orders to my servant." "That depends upon circumstances, viscount. I command at Jaulnay, and have fifty men at my beck and call. Pompée; do as I bid you." Pompée lowered his crest and entered the inn. "Do you presume to arrest me, monsieur?" demanded the young woman. "Perhaps." "What do you mean by perhaps?" "It will depend upon the conversation we are about to have. Pray take the trouble to dismount, viscount; so! that's right. Now accept my arm; the inn people will take your horse to the stable." "I obey, monsieur; for, as you say, you are the stronger. I have no means of resisting, but I tell you now that the person I am expecting will soon be here, and that he is an officer of the king." "Very well, viscount; you will do me the honor to present me to him, and I shall be charmed to make his acquaintance." The viscountess realized that resistance was useless at present, and she led the way into the inn, making a sign to her strange interlocutor that he was at liberty to follow her if he chose. Cauvignac escorted her to the door of the room bespoken by Pompée, and was about to follow her in, when Ferguzon ran quickly up the stairs and whispered to him:-- "Captain, a carriage with three horses, a young man, masked, inside, and two servants at the doors." "Good!" said Cauvignac; "it is probably the gentleman expected." "Ah! do we expect a gentleman?" "Yes, and I will go down to meet him. Do you remain in this corridor; don't lose sight of the door; let everybody in, but see that nobody goes out." "Very well, captain." A travelling-carriage had stopped at the door of the inn, escorted by four men of Cauvignac's company, who joined it a quarter of a league outside the town, and had not since parted company with it.