"Leave us, Lucille," said Christine. "A priest may enter anywhere, even to a prisoner."
"The Countess said——"
"Go! You may lose the friendship of the Countess to find a better one. Christine de Liancourt has still power in Vayenne. Go! You shall have excuse. See, I force you from the room!" And she gently pushed her out, shut the door, and locked it.
As she turned Herrick threw back his hood, and let the cloak fall apart.
"Again as a priest I come to you, mademoiselle."
"But this house is dangerous for you. Only to-night I have learned that I am virtually a prisoner in it."
"To-night I believe Count Felix has learned that you are here," said Herrick.
"From whom?"
"From the Countess Elisabeth. Jean saw her approach the Count, heard your name mentioned. That is why I have come. I thought it might be that as a priest I should more easily gain admittance, and Jean borrowed the cloak for me."
"But they may be here at any moment if the Countess has betrayed me."