“Very well, sir,” Rupert said, “I will be here in time; and as I am not a prisoner, and can go about where I like, I do not think that even the king could object to my paying a visit of adieu.”

On presenting himself at Madame de Soissons’, Rupert heard that, in accordance with the king’s command that morning received, Madame de Soissons and Mademoiselle de Pignerolles had gone out to the hunt, one of the royal carriages having come for them.

Rupert, determined not to be baulked, hurried back to the stables where the horses of the marquis, one of which was always at his disposal, were kept.  In a few minutes he was riding out towards the forest of Saint Germains, where he learned that the royal chase had gone.

He rode for some time, until at last he came up with one of the royal carriages which had got separated from the others.  He saw at once that it contained two of the ladies of the court with whom he was most intimate.  They gave an exclamation of surprise as he reined up his horse at the window.

“You, Monsieur Holliday!  How imprudent!  Everyone knows that you are in disgrace, and exiled to Paris.  How foolish of you to come here!”

“I have done nothing to be ashamed of,” Rupert said.  “Besides, I was ordered to leave at one o’clock, and it is not one o’clock yet.”

“Oh, we are all angry with you, Monsieur l’Anglais, for you have been deceiving us all for the last three months.  But, now mind, we bear no malice; but pray ride off.”

As she spoke she made a sign to Rupert to alight and come to the window, so that the coachman might not overhear what was said.

“Do you know,” she said, earnestly, “that you are trifling with your safety; and, if la belle Anglaise loves you, with her happiness?  You have already done more than harm enough.  The king has today, when he joined the hunt, presented to her formally before all the court the Duc de Carolan as her future husband.  Remember, if you are found here you will not only be sent straight to some fortress, where you may remain till you are an old man, but you will do her harm by compromising her still further, in which case the king might be so enraged, that he might order her to marry the duke tomorrow.”

“You are right.  Thank you,” Rupert said, quietly; “and I have indeed, although most unwittingly, done harm.  Why you should all make up your minds I love Mademoiselle de Pignerolles I know not.  I have never thought of the matter myself.  I am but just twenty, and at twenty in England we are still little more than boys.  I only know that I liked her very much, just as I did when she was a little girl.”

“Oh, monsieur, but you are sly, you and l’Anglaise.  So it was you that she owned was her hero; and monsieur the marquis introduced you as a stranger.  Oh, what innocence!

“But there,” she went on kindly, “you know your secret is safe with us.  And monsieur,” and she leant forward, “although you would not make love to me, I bear no malice, and will act as your deputy.  A very strict watch is certain to be kept over her.  If you want to write to her, enclose a note to me.  Trust me, she shall have it.