I who in all things had been arrogant, presumptuous, and self-satisfied,
had methought erred for once through over-humility.
And, indeed, even as I sat and pondered on that June day, it seemed to me a
thing incredible that she whom I accounted the most queenly and superb of
women should have deigned to grant a tender thought to one so mean, so far
beneath her as I had ever held myself to be.
CHAPTER XXVI
REPARATION
Things came to pass that night as I had planned, and the fates which of
late had smiled upon me were kind unto the end.
Soon after ten, and before the moon had risen, a silent procession wended
its way from the ch?teau to the river. First went Montr?sor and two of his
men; next came the Chevalier with Mademoiselle, and on either side of them
a trooper; whilst I, in head-piece and back and breast of steel, went last
with Mathurin, the sergeant--who warmly praised the plan I had devised for
the conveyance of M. de Canaples to Paris without further loss of time.
Two boats which I had caused to be secretly procured were in readiness, and
by these a couple of soldiers awaited us, holding the bridles of eight
horses, one of which was equipped with a lady's saddle.
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