‘I am glad to hear you say so,’ I answered, ’for it makes it easier for me to say that I wish to go my own way, and to have nothing more to do with you.  What you have just said frees me from the bond of gratitude which held me back.’

’I have no doubt that you would like to have nothing more to do with me,’ he cried.  ’You will wish it more heartily still before you finish.  Very well, sir, go your own way and I will go mine, and we shall see who comes out the best in the end.’

A group of hussars were standing by their horses’ heads in the gateway.  In a few minutes I had packed my scanty possessions, and I was hastening with them down the corridor when a chill struck suddenly through my heart at the thought of my cousin Sibylle.  How could I leave her alone with this grim companion in the old castle?  Had she not herself told me that her very life might be at stake?  I had stopped in my perplexity, and suddenly there was a patter of feet, and there she was running towards me.

‘Good-bye, Cousin Louis,’ she cried, with outstretched hands.

‘I was thinking of you,’ said I; ’your father and I have had an explanation and a quarrel.’

‘Thank God!’ she cried.  ’Your only chance was to get away from him.  But beware, for he will do you an injury if he can!’

‘He may do his worst; but how can I leave you here in his power?’

’Have no fears about me.  He has more reason to avoid me than I him.  But they are calling for you, Cousin Louis.  Good-bye, and God be with you!’

CHAPTER IX

THE CAMP OF BOULOGNE

My uncle was still standing at the castle gateway, the very picture of a usurper, with our own old coat-of-arms of the bend argent and the three blue martlets engraved upon the stones at either side of him.  He gave me no sign of greeting as I mounted the large grey horse which was awaiting me, but he looked thoughtfully at me from under his down-drawn brows, and his jaw muscles still throbbed with that stealthy rhythmical movement.  I read a cold and settled malice in his set yellow face and his stern eyes.  For my own part I sprang readily enough into the saddle, for the man’s presence had, from the first, been loathsome to me, and I was right glad to be able to turn my back upon him.  And so, with a stern quick order from the lieutenant and a jingle and clatter from the troopers, we were off upon our journey.  As I glanced back at the black keep of Grosbois, and at the sinister figure who stood looking after us from beside the gateway, I saw from over his head a white handkerchief gleam for an instant in a last greeting from one of the gloomy meurtriere windows, and again a chill ran through me as I thought of the fearless girl and of the hands in which we were leaving her.