"Nothing is futile that is right, Michel," the girl replied. "Thou hast done as thy soul answered to God's messages: thou hast fought when thou couldst, and thou hast sheathed thy blade when there was naught else to do. Are not both right?"
He clasped her to his breast; then, holding her from him a little, looked into her eyes steadily a moment. "God hath given thee a true heart, and the true heart hath wisdom," he answered.
"You will not seek escape? Nor resist the Governor?" she asked eagerly.
"Whither should I go? My place is here by you, by the Comtesse de Montgomery. One day it may be I shall return to France, and to our cause--"
"If it be God's will."
"If it be God's will."
"Whatever comes, you will love me, Michel?"
"I will love you, whatever comes."
"Listen." She drew his head down. "I am no dragweight to thy life? Thou wouldst not do otherwise if there were no foolish Angele?"
He did not hesitate. "What is best is. I might do otherwise if there were no Angele in my life to pilot my heart, but that were worse for me."
"Thou art the best lover in all the world."
"I hope to make a better husband. To-morrow is carmine-lettered in my calendar, if thou sayst thou wilt still have me under the sword of the Medici."
Her hand pressed her heart suddenly. "Under the sword, if it be God's will," she answered. Then, with a faint smile: "But no, I will not believe the Queen of England will send thee, one of her own Protestant faith, to the Medici."
"And thou wilt marry me?"
"When the Queen of England approves thee," she answered, and buried her face in the hollow of his arm.
An hour later Sir Hugh Pawlett came to the manor-house of Rozel with two-score men-at-arms. The Seigneur himself answered the Governor's knocking, and showed himself in the doorway, with a dozen halberdiers behind him.
"I have come seeking Michel de la Foret," said the Governor.
"He is my guest."
"I have the Queen's command to take him."
"He is my cherished guest."
"Must I force my way?"
"Is it the Queen's will that blood be shed?"
"The Queen's commands must be obeyed."
"The Queen is a miracle of the world, God save her! What is the charge against him?"