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292 you and believed he would have killed you. And you were so cool."

"We had to avoid bloodshed, somehow, and thank God we did so. And now, what will be the next move from the Castle when this party like the rest don't return? How shrewdly you held him in talk, mademoiselle. You wasted half an hour at least, and now another is gone. It will be dark before the Duke gets here after all."

"I am almost ashamed of my part," murmured Lucette.

"Nay, 'tis all fair in war, and—some other things. But I am getting more afraid of you than ever," answered Pascal, laughing and turning to meet Gerard, who had been to tell Gabrielle the news, and now came up with her. She congratulated Pascal on the success.

"We are strong enough now to hold the place throughout the night," said Pascal to Gerard.

"Strong enough, too, to speak with force behind us. If the Governor comes, I shall declare myself to him."

"He will come after this," said Pascal drily. "And while the light remains with us we can best use it by settling the plan of defence."

They were engaged in this when, as the dusk was falling, the approach of more troops was announced. The house was soon found to be surrounded and the Governor himself was seen, with de Proballe at his side, giving orders to the troops.

After some anxious minutes a demand that the door should be opened was made in a loud voice. No answer was returned, and a second demand followed, accompanied with the threat that it would be forced.

Then Pascal showed himself at an upper window.

"By what right do you threaten force?" he asked.

"I threaten it," cried the Duke, "as Governor of Morvaix."