Part 22 (1/2)
”Yes, I,” she replied--”Mademoiselle de Varenac. You will see they will listen to me as well as to Morice, and if the worst came, and they made mock of a woman's command, I would don man's dress and proclaim myself the Marquis.”
Wild words, but daring spirit.
How different to gentle, shy Cecile!
Yet the young Count had nothing but reverence and admiration in his heart as he looked into the beautiful face animated with that kindred courage which made of her sweet comrade as well as fair lady. But Michael Berrington's brow was knit in a frown of perplexity.
”It is impossible, Mistress Gabrielle,” he said. ”How could you journey thither alone and unattended, even if there were not a hundred other dangers?”
”Dangers!” she scoffed, flus.h.i.+ng. ”How can one talk of dangers after the news you bring?”
Her eyes challenged him.
”Did you not yourself tell me that honour is above everything?” she demanded.
”A man's honour----”
”You are scarcely complimentary, Mr. Berrington. I see you find that of a woman poor stuff which needs no defending.”
”Mistress, indeed you wholly mistake----”
”Besides, I shall not go alone,” she added, with a smile succeeding the frown. ”You will both be with me.”
She held out her hands.
It was here that her cousin interposed.
”Nay, Gabrielle,” he said--and Michael, with a jealous pang, noted how his voice lingered over her name--”you yourself know well that we are not proper escort for you without another----”
”Chaperon?” she asked quickly. ”Oh, if that is all, I will take Nurse Bond. But go I _shall_, and at once.”
”Mistress Gabrielle, think----”
She paused, her dark eyes raised to Michael's perplexed and shadowed face.
”I do think,” she replied softly. ”And that is why I am going. I may save Varenac, I may save a very n.o.ble cause; still, it is true I may fail in all that, yet I vow to succeed in one thing--I will save my brother.”
Long he looked into the sweet, childish face, which had grown so inexpressibly dear to him, and, reading there the purpose of high resolve, bowed low and stood aside.
At least she had bidden him ride with her, and he would be at hand to protect her with his life against those dangers which before had been without reality.
But de Quernais, claiming the right of cousins.h.i.+p, must needs have the last word.
”Ma cousine,” he whispered, catching at her hand, and raising it to his lips, ”what shall I say? From despair springs hope, and you are the angel who brings it. Yes, yes. They will listen to you. My heart tells me so. They will listen to you, and Brittany will save not only herself but all France. We will save the King and our fair Queen too.
Ah, ciel! could I think otherwise I should go mad. And la Rouerie will thank you himself for the n.o.ble part you play.”
He spoke as though that last were reward enough for all.