Not a moment was lost, even in explanations.

Waving me to the door again, and exchanging a few sentences with his nephew, he gave the word to start, and we issued from the house in a body.

Doubtless the fact that those who sought to ruin me were his political enemies had some weight with him; for I saw his face harden as his eyes met those of M.
de Villequier, who passed slowly before the door as we came out.

The Gascon, however, was not the man to interfere with so large a party, and dropped back; while M.de Rambouillet, after exchanging a cold salute with him, led the way towards the Castle at a round pace.

His nephew and I walked one on either side of him, and the others, to the number of ten or eleven, pressed on behind in a compact body, our cortege presenting so determined a front that the crowd, which had remained hanging about the door, fled every way.