And, one by one, their heads fell heavy on the table, or they sprawled on their stools, and so sank on to the floor, so potent were the poppy and mandragora of the leech in Tours.
At last they were all sound on sleep, one man's hand yet clutching a pile of my gold that now and again would slip forth and jingle on the stone floor.
Now all this time she had never stirred, but lay as she had lain, her face downwards, her arms above her neck.
Stealthily I took the chain and the key from about the neck of the sleeping lourdaud, and then drew near her on tiptoe.
I listened, and, from her breathing, I believe that she slept, as extreme labour and weariness and sorrow do sometimes bring their own remede.
Then a thought came into my mind, how I should best awake her, and stooping, I said in her ear-- "Fille De!" Instantly she turned about, and, sitting up, folded her hands as one in prayer, deeming, belike, that she was aroused by the voices of her Saints.

I kneeled down beside the bed, and whispered--"Madame, Jeanne, look on my face!" She gazed on me, and now I saw her brave face, weary and thin and white, and, greater than of old, the great grey eyes.
"I said once," came her sweet voice, "that thou alone shouldst stand by me when all had forsaken me.

Fair Saints, do I dream but a dream ?" "Nay, Madame," I said, "thou wakest and dost not dream.

One has sent me who loves thee, even my lady Elliot; and now listen, for the time is short.

See, here I have the master-key, and when I have unlocked thy bonds.