l I expect to release the pus and clear the head. I have already
performed this operation three times. It was invented by a Piedmontese;
but I have had the honor to perfect it. The first operation I performed
was at the siege of Metz, on Monsieur de Pienne, whom I cured, who was
afterwards all the more intelligent in consequence. His was an abscess
caused by the blow of an arquebuse. The second was on the head of a
pauper, on whom I wanted to prove the value of the audacious operation
Monsieur de Pienne had allowed me to perform. The third I did in Paris
on a gentleman who is now entirely recovered. Trepanning--that is the
name given to the operation--is very little known. Patients refuse it,
partly because of the imperfection of the instruments; but I have at
last improved them. I am practising now on this skull, that I may be
sure of not failing to-morrow, when I operate on the head of the king."

"You ought indeed to be very sure you are right, for your own head would
be in danger in case--"

"I'd wager my life I can cure him," replied Ambroise, with the
conviction of a man of genius. "Ah! my old friend, where's the danger of
boring into a skull with proper precautions? That is what soldiers do in
battle every day of their lives, without taking any precautions."

"My son," said the burgher, boldly, "do you know that to save the king
is to ruin France? Do you know that this instrument of yours will place
the crown of the Valois on the head of the Lorrain who calls himself
the heir of Charlemagne? Do you know that surgery and policy are at this
moment sternly opposed to each other? Yes, the triumph of your genius
will be the death of your religion. If the Guises gain the regency, the
blood of the Reformers will flow like water. Be a greater citizen than
you are a surgeon; oversleep yourself to-morrow morning and leave a free
field to the other doctors who if they cannot cure the king will cure
France."

"I!" exclaimed Pare. "I leave a man to die when I can cure him? No, no!
were I to hang as an abettor of Calvin I shall go early to court. Do you
not feel that the first and only reward I shall ask will be the life
of your Christophe? Surely at such a moment Queen Mary can deny me
nothing."

"Alas! my friend," returned Lecamus, "the little king has refused the
pardon of the Prince de Conde to the princess. Do not kill your religion
by saving the life of a man who ought to die."

"Do not you meddle with God's orderi