"I am no breaker of laws, captain; and even if I were, the citizens of Vayenne would not easily shout for me. A few—oh yes, there would be a few, but they would be of the rabble chiefly. I have no soul for such an enterprise."
"Yet you might go to the Count," urged Lemasle, "and demand justice for the Duke."
"And every courtier would urge my marriage with Count Felix," she said. "That way will they welcome me as Duchess, who would not draw a sword to place me on the throne. Such a marriage might bring peace. Were the Duke dead, I might be tempted to make it for my country's sake. As it is——"
"You hate such a marriage?" said Herrick.
"Yes; hate it. Only to save Montvilliers would I make it."
"Mademoiselle, if you bid me, I will go to Vayenne."
"You!"
"Think what you will of me, but at least have I not proved myself a man?" said Herrick.
"There was no mean thought in my mind," she answered. "But what would you do in Vayenne?"
"Why, even cast this treachery in the Count's teeth; let the city know that its honor is at stake, since the Duke is a prisoner; if need be, boast loudly of what I have done to save him, and perhaps ride at the head of that rabble you talk of."