d. "Can you ask,
Mademoiselle, after the events of last night? Because, if you please, I
do not wish to share the fate of M. de Tignonville. Because in these
days life is uncertain, and death too certain. Because it was our turn
last night, and it may be the turn of your friends--to-morrow night!"

"Then some have escaped?" she cried.

He smiled. "I am glad to find you so shrewd," he replied. "In an honest
wife it is an excellent quality. Yes, Mademoiselle; one or two."

"Who? Who? I pray you tell me."

"M. de Montgomery, who slept beyond the river, for one; and the Vidame,
and some with him. M. de Biron, whom I count a Huguenot, and who holds
the Arsenal in the King's teeth, for another. And a few more. Enough,
in a word, Mademoiselle, to keep us wakeful. It is impossible,
therefore, for me to postpone the fulfilment of your promise."

"A promise on conditions!" she retorted, in rage that she could win no
more. And every line of her splendid figure, every tone of her voice
flamed sudden, hot rebellion. "I do not go for nothing! You gave me the
lives of all in the house, Monsieur! Of all!" she repeated with passion.
"And all are not here! Before I marry you, you must show me M. de
Tignonville alive and safe!"

He shrugged his shoulders. "He has taken himself off," he said. "It is
naught to me what happens to him now."

"It is all to me!" she retorted.

At that he glared at her, the veins of his forehead swelling suddenly.
But after a seeming struggle with himself he put the insult by, perhaps
for future reckoning and account.

"I did what I could," he said sullenly. "Had I willed it he had died
there and then in the room below. I gave him his life. If he has risked
it anew and lost it, it is naught to me."

"It was his life you gave me," she repeated stubbornly. "His life--and
the others. But that is not all," she continued; "you promised me a
minister."

He nodded, smiling sourly to himself, as if this confirmed a suspicion he
had entertained.

"Or a priest," he said.

"No, a minister."

"If one could be obtained. If not, a priest."

"No, it was to be at my will; and I will a minister! I will a minister!"
she cried passionately. "Show me M. de Tignonville alive, and bring me a
minister of my faith, and I will keep my promise, M. de Tavannes. Have
no fear of that. But otherwise, I will not."

"You will not?" he cried. "You will not?"

"No!"

"You will not marry me?"