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38 knowing of his absence. Thus the train was all laid when at noon the Governor, in accordance with the arrangement of the previous day, came to wait upon Gabrielle.

"You have made all arrangements?" was de Proballe's greeting when they met for a moment and were going to Gabrielle.

"I am not likely to fail, m'sieu," was the drily-spoken reply. "Antoine de Cavannes and Henri d'Estelle have ridden out, and know me better than to return with any mission unfulfilled. My men serve me well or do not serve me long."

The next minute he was bowing over Gabrielle's hand, which he would have carried to his lips had she not adroitly and with unseeming intention prevented him.

"The sun never shines for me, mademoiselle, when I have no chance to look into your eyes," he murmured, with glances of bold, almost aggressive admiration.

Words and glance were alike detestable to Gabrielle.

"Your lordship is pleased to flatter, but flattery does not please me," she returned with a smile.

"It is no flattery, but the truth," he protested, his hand on his heart. "Your beauty is the fairest thing the earth holds for me."

"The good opinion of the husband of my dear friend, the Duchess de Rochelle, must of course be ever welcome, but I beg you to burden it with less wealth of language."

At the reference to his wife the Duke frowned, as he took a seat near her.

"We see too little of you, mademoiselle," he said next, "and rumour says you are often to be found in many of the humble houses in Morvaix."

"Alas! my lord, there is much distress and poverty among the people, and Holy Church requires that those who can should minister to them."