Christine looked at Herrick, evidently asking his opinion.
"I should not shirk another desperate venture, mademoiselle," he said, "but there is wisdom in what Captain Lemasle says. To speak frankly, I do not know the real situation in Montvilliers well enough to give an opinion."
"And having heard it, you might have difficulty in understanding it," Lemasle muttered.
"At least you know that Count Felix has plotted the death of the young Duke," said Christine.
"That was the story which sent me to warn you," said Herrick.
"I have not believed that tale, I hardly credit it now," she went on, "but we know that the Duke's life has been attempted. Maurice dead, Felix becomes Duke. Montvilliers cannot be long without a ruler. Maurice in the hands of France or Germany is powerless; therefore this way Felix becomes Duke."
"Would not the people strike a blow for their rightful ruler?" Herrick asked.
"In their present mind they are more likely to listen to Count Felix. He is a strong man and has plenty of honeyed words when they fit in with his purpose. In Vayenne they hardly know Maurice, and the crowd likes a leader it can see; that is why I was so set on bringing him to the city."
"As the Duke is not dead, the Count may fear to move in this matter," said Herrick.
"Even now some of these traitors have ridden back to Vayenne," said Christine. "While we talk, preparations may be going forward for Felix's crowning. Would I were a man!"
"What would you do, mademoiselle?" asked Herrick.
"Do! I would ride to Vayenne, throw this treachery in Felix's teeth, demand the Duke's rescue, set all the wheels of diplomacy turning, and, if need be, cry revolution in the streets."
"Mademoiselle might set the law aside that forbids women to mount the throne, and do all this herself," said Lemasle.
"I am no breaker of laws, captain; and even if I were, the citizens of Vayenne would not easily shout for me. A few--oh yes, there would be a few, but they would be of the rabble chiefly. I have no soul for such an enterprise."
"Yet you might go to the Count," urged Lemasle, "and demand justice for the Duke."
"And every courtier would urge my marriage with Count Felix," she said. "That way will they welcome me as Duchess, who would not draw a sword to place me on the throne. Such a marriage might bring peace. Were the Duke dead, I might be tempted to make it for my country's sake. As it is----"