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back。 As night fell they closed in upon us with their usual care。 When
Bure joined us there was a gleam of intelligence in his bold eyes； a flash of
conscious trickery。 He knew that we had found him out； and cared
nothing for it。
And the others cared nothing。 But the thought that if left to myself I
should have fallen into the Vidame's cunning trap filled me with new
hatred towards him； such hatred and such fearfor there was humiliation
mingled with themas I had scarcely felt before。 I brooded over this；
barely noticing what passed in our company for hoursnay； not until the
next day when； towards evening； the cry arose round me that we were
within sight of Cahors。 Yes； there it lay below us； in its shallow basin；
surrounded by gentle hills。 The domes of the cathedral； the towers of the
Vallandre Bridge； the bend of the Lot； where its stream embraces the
townI knew them all。 Our long journey was over。
And I had but one idea。 I had some time before communicated to
Croisette the desperate design I had formedto fall upon Bezers and kill
him in the midst of his men in the last resort。 Now the time had come if
the thing was ever to be done： if we had not left it too long already。
And I looked about me。 There was some confusion and jostling as we
halted on the brow of the hill； while two men were despatched ahead to
announce the governor's arrival； and Bure； with half a dozen spears； rode
out as an advanced guard。
The road where we stood was narrow； a shallow cutting winding down
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the declivity of the hills。 The horses were tired； It was a bad time and
place for my design； and only the coming night was in my favour。 But I
was desperate。
Yet before I moved or gave a signal which nothing could recall； I
scanned the landscape eagerly； scrutinizing in turn the small； rich plain
below us； warmed by the last rays of the sun； the bare hills here glowing；
there dark； the scattered wood…clumps and spinneys that filled the angles
of the river； even the dusky line of helm…oaks that crowned the ridge
beyondCaylus way。 So near our own country there might be help！ If
the messenger whom we had despatched to the Vicomte before leaving
home had reached him； our uncle might have returned； and even be in
Cahors to meet us。
But no party appeared in sight： and I saw no place where an ambush
could be lying。 I remembered that no tidings of our present plight or of
what had happened could have reached the Vicomte。 The hope faded out
of life as soon as despair had given it birth。 We must fend for ourselves
and for Kit。
That was my justification。 I leaned from my saddle towards
CroisetteI was riding by his sideand muttered； as I felt my horse's head
and settled myself firmly in the stirrups； 〃You remember what I said？
Are you ready？〃
He looked at me in a startled way； with a face showing white in the
shadow： and from me to the one solitary figure seated like a pillar a
score of paces in front with no one between us and it。 〃There need be but
two of us；〃 I muttered； loosening my sword。 〃Shall it be you or Marie？
The others must leap their horses out of the road in the confusion； cross
the river at the Arembal Ford if they are not overtaken； and make for
Caylus。〃
He hesitated。 I do not know whether it had anything to do with his
hesitation that at that moment the cathedral bell in the town below us
began to ring slowly for Vespers。 Yes； he hesitated。 Hea Caylus。
Turning to him again； I repeated my question impatiently。 〃Which shall
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it be？ A moment； and we shall be moving on； and it will be too late。〃
He laid his hand hurriedly on my bridle； and began a rambling answer。
Rambling as it was I gathered his meaning。 It was enough for me！ I cut
him short with one word of fiery indignation； and turned to Marie and
spoke quickly。 〃Will you； then？〃 I said。
But Marie shook his head in perplexity； and answering little； said the
same。 So it happened a second time。
Strange！ Yet strange as it seemed； I was not greatly surprised。 Under
other circumstances I should have been beside myself with anger at the
defection。 Now I felt as if I had half expected it； and without further
words of reproach I dropped my head and gave it up。 I passed again into
the stupor of endurance。 The Vidame was too strong for me。 It was
useless to fight against him。 We were under the spell。 When the troop
moved forward； I went with them； silent and apathetic。
We passed through the gate of Cahors； and no doubt the scene was
worthy of note； but I had only a listless eye for itmuch such an eye as a
man about to be broken on the wheel must have for that curious
instrument； supposing him never to have seen it before。 The whole
population had come out to line the streets through which we rode； and
stood gazing； with scarcely veiled looks of apprehension； at the procession
of troopers and the stern face of the new governor。
We dismounted passively in the courtyard of the castle； and were for
going in together； when Bure intervened。 〃M。 de Pavannes；〃 he said；
pushing rather rudely between us； 〃will sup alone to… night。 For you；
gentlemen； this way； if you please。〃
I went without remonstrance。 What was the use？ I was conscious
that the Vidame from the top of the stairs leading to the grand entrance
was watching us with a wolfish glare in his eyes。 I went quietly。 But I
heard Croisette urging something with passionate energy。
We were led through a low doorway to a room on the ground floor； a
place very like a cell。 Were we took our meal in silence。 When it was
over I flung myself on on