“That it must be my office to prevent,” answered the girl, with quiet resolution.  “I have thought many times of some such thing as this, hoping as it seemed where no hope was, and Annette and I have taken counsel together.  Leave it to me to see that all the Castle is filled with feasting and revelry.  I will see that the mead which circulates tonight be so mingled with Annette’s potion that it will work in the brains of the men till they forget all but rioting and sleep.  For mine uncle and his saturnine guest, I have other means of keeping them in the great banqueting hall, far away from the lonely Tower where their prisoner lies languishing.  They shall be so well served at the board this night, that no thought of aught beside the pleasure of the table shall enter to trouble their heads.  And at ten of the clock, if I come not again to warn thee, cross fearlessly the great moat, and do as I have bid thee.  But if thou hearest from the Castle wall the hooting of an owl thrice repeated like this” —­ and the girl put her hands to her mouth, and gave forth so exact an mutation of an owl’s note that Gaston started to hear it —­ “thrice times thrice, so that there can be no mistake, then tarry here on this side; stir not till I come again.  It will be a danger signal to tell that all is not well.  But if at the hour of ten thou hast heard naught, then go forward, and fear not.  Thy brother will be alone, and all men far away from the Tower.  Take him, and go forth; and the Blessed Saints bless and protect you all.”

She stretched forth her hand and placed it in his.  There was a sudden sadness in her face.  Gaston caught her hand and pressed it to his lips, but he had more to say than a simple word of parting.

“But I shall see thee again, sweet Constanza?  Am I not thy true knight?  Shall I not owe to thee a debt I know not how to pay?  Thou wilt not send me forth without a word of promise of another meeting?  When can I see thee again to tell thee how we have fared?”

“Thou must not dream of loitering here once thy object is secured,” answered the girl, speaking very firmly and almost sternly, though there was a deep sadness in her eyes.  “It will not be many hours ere they find their captive has escaped them, and they will rouse the whole country after you.  Nay, to linger is certain death; it must not be thought of.  In Bordeaux, and there alone, wilt thou be safe.  It is thither that thou must fly, for thither alone will the Sieur de Navailles fear to follow you.  For me, I must remain here, as I have done these many years.  It will not be worse than it hath ever been.”