The War of Women Volume 2

r own way the poor woman was carrying on the war in the king's int

id she, "and in a week w

Canolles, with a sad smile; "u

s reliable, my dear baron, and he w

he may, Nanon, he will

do you

t over these maps and papers, you would do

cape?

new expedition is preparing, and

e that I should share your fate and

n to burn you at the stake? Did they not try to throw you into the river? Nanon, in pity for me

anolles, you

your word that you will do what

I make suc

u do not promise to obey me blindly, I swear that I

, Canolles; I swea

more at ease now. Get together your mo

l iron-bou

ady. You must t

my heart is neither gold nor jewels. Canolles, is

y good; upon my honor, what I now do is inspired so

believe that

Saint-Georges will

, pr

ot say, but

se I conse

n my power to preserve

ng her hand to Canolles, regardless, in the intensity of her

he would have wiped away those two pearls with his lips; but he placed his han

les' ears. How?-by what means? What ground had the viscountess for speaking with such conviction? Was he to be attacked b

ere for the enemy. After dark he strained his eyes trying to peer into the depths of the forest, scan

the Chateau de Cambes; it was the first time he had detected the s

drawn sigh, "there are Nano

and yet, at the moment of separation from her whom he no longer loved, he felt as if his heart would break; it was only when he was far away from

ioning the silence of the night. Never was darkness more absolutely dumb, or apparently more soli

case they would have been unlikely to give him warning; but he resolved none the less to guard the passage. He ordered a barrel of powder to be prepared with a slow-match, selected the braves

upon them to withdraw; if they refuse, set fire to the match and give the ba

stood motionless behind him, in its reddish

room he saw Nanon, who had seen him come down from the ramparts and return indoors, and had followed him

said she, "wha

ge through which you a

n't require me to leave you exc

enew my

he island seems to

a torch within twenty feet of us. If the man should put the torch to the powder, in one second no

from the young

e me shudder

ll your packages, and your footman with your money. Perhaps I am mistaken

sergeant's voice in th

eplied, but in

olles, "they hav

heart; all is quiet. Let me sta

ang out thrice in the inner court-yard, and the th

to the window, a

ied the senti

ring forth in floods from a low, arched doorway opening into a cellar

ried Canolles; "hur

core of muskets. Two or three bullets shattered the

non on her knees. Her women and her man-s

to lose, Nanon!" cried

e than a feather, and plunged into the undergrou

ed, were ready to fire upon a group of men, among whom was our old acquaintance,

hat you were expecting us; what the devil! one doesn't

one whom you know has agreed upon her honor to answer to

wer for everythi

cried Nanon, clinging to the young man's n

while one stone stands upon anothe

e's hands, and he, with the assistance of two or three servants of Madame de C

ms outstretched toward him. But suddenly he remembered that he was expected elsewhere, and

room, pale and hatless, wit

on as he caught sight of Can

now

must w

urse!" and Canolles darted down into the court-yard. On t

trying to defend the door leading to the governor's apartments. In the direction of the ramparts

mmandant!" cried the soldi

h you. Courage, my lads, courage! they have surprised us by

ith his arm in a sling was urging his men on to take Canolles.

I thought I had paid you my debt of friends

in his hand at Ravailly with such force that it cut through the helmet and gorget

eply to proffered courtesies! I ought, though, to be we

from the enemy's ranks, and five

cried he

se, just when they were least expecting it, and confused

t there wa

you; we will barricade ourselves, and we won't surrender a

et and La Rochefoucauld. "Remember your dead co

about Canolles without touching him, bu

ried Vibr

ried Ravailly; "forwa

more than a half a score of men, sustained the shock; he

ith their united efforts they succeeded in closing the door, despite the efforts

bars at t

ried the voice of Duc de La Rochefoucauld

charge; two or three bullets pierced the do

count is settled; do you look now to

the wall, unabl

still in fighting trim, among them the sergea

nolles; "what did yo

beside the barr

still b

oba

ors and windows. Obtain for them and for yoursel

comman

be

hey all disappeared toward the rear of the house; they understood the purpose

, but the fusillade did not abate; they were firing at random, mostly at

had yielded, and Canolles heard the assailan

tes hence these cries of joy wil

ound a young man sitting on the barrel, with the t

und of footsteps and Canolle

at last!" she cr

Canolles, "why ha

, if you are det

ed, and there is nothi

your honor is sec

here they are! Claire, make your escape while you m

t fly, I w

ame down here? Do you kn

p the torch, and put it n

suspicion,

Canolles in di

propose to die, and

esolution that Canolles realized that she was qui

at you wish

you to s

ev

rrender. I offer you life and honor, for I give yo

t the king's feet, and beseech him to gi

hall n

y n

o longer; because I cannot live a

owing himself at Madame de Cambes' knees, and h

have him, and no one can ta

apable of explanation, however; namely, that

and gentle by nature, had beco

wilful, had become s

ore and more confident that she was beloved by Canolles; Nanon felt th