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298 you are offering to me, mademoiselle, and the consequences," began the Governor.

"I understand it perfectly, my lord," she answered resolutely.

"You are harbouring at Malincourt a prisoner of mine, and this neither the laws of France nor I myself can permit."

"There is no one in Malincourt, my lord, who can rightly be termed your prisoner. Whom do you mean?"

"The man who stands at your side, at whose escape from my prison you connived."

"You mean the Lord Gerard de Bourbon. It is by his commands that the doors of Malincourt are closed against you. And they will remain closed, my lord."

"They cannot remain closed against the forces at my disposal."

"If you as Governor of Morvaix think you dare to use violence against the son of your Suzerain, the great Duke de Bourbon, you must act as you will."

"I demand that that man be given up to me."

"And I decline to listen to a demand I deem infamous."

"I wish no harm to come to you, mademoiselle, and if you will give him up, I will at once withdraw my troops from Malincourt."

"No harm can come to me, my lord Duke. I am with those who know how to protect me."

"The blood of those who may suffer if you drive me to use force will be upon your head. I have told you you can go free."

"The blood of the Bourbon soldiers here will be shed freely in defence of their master, and for the rest the responsibility is yours, my lord, not mine."

"I give you this last chance to avoid a conflict."

Gerard whispered to her before she answered.

"You ask me to surrender, and I am authorized by