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72 danger there. Some other means of silencing him must be found. For your part you have but to push your suit with Gabrielle with all speed, and hasten on the marriage. In that, the success you have gained to-day will help you. Your act yesterday in the market place almost turned her head; at any rate, it went to her heart. But now, tell me of yourself, something of the story of your life. She will surely question you, and you must have a gallant tale to tell."

"My past, like your reasons, is my own. Should she question me I shall know how to answer."

"From whence came you here, and how?"

"That I am here may suffice. I have come to do my task; and believe me I shall not fail to satisfy even the Duke himself of my thoroughness."

"You can be close-lipped, it seems," said de Proballe, irritably.

"No bad quality surely, when such work as mine has to be done."

"If you will not talk then, let us go into the house. You will of course bide at Malincourt. Have you a servant and apparel suited to your new position? You are but indifferently clad now."

"I am but a courier of fortune; but I have a servant, and can provide for all the needs of even my high position at Malincourt."

"You are a strange fellow, Gerard, and altogether unlike what your letters had led me to expect. But take your own way."

"I have done that always, and shall not change even in Malincourt. I have a matter that calls me to the town, and will return to the maison within an hour or so, by your leave," and without another word he turned and walked away, leaving de Proballe staring after him in high dudgeon at his unexpected independence.

Gerard plunged along at a quick pace, his brows pent