“You are right then, Gerard. I will see to this, Gabrielle. Denys is too good a fellow for us to run any risks with. My man, Jacques Dauban, has had some training in surgery, and would gladly keep such a vigil.” Lucette bit her lip and cast down her eyes. “I think we need not trouble Master Dauban or cause him to lose a night’s rest,” she said. “My maid and I can watch, monsieur.” “Ever kind and considerate, Lucette,” said de Proballe. “Well, we can see to it, as Gabrielle says. And now, Gerard, I have a word for your ear about the Governor. He cannot receive you to-night.” “I am sorry; but to-morrow will do for me.” “What is this about Denys?” asked de Proballe, eagerly, when Gabrielle and Lucette had left them. “You should not have urged that watching. If the man is alive to-morrow, everything may be ruined. What has he said to Lucette there?” “Indeed, I neither know nor care.” “Are you mad?” “To-night, perhaps yes; sanity may come in the morning. I have been talking long and earnestly with Gabrielle, and her purity and innocence may have maddened me. If that be so, it is sweet madness.” “Psh. Spare me such cant. Would you ruin everything? We are men with work to do, not fools to stuff our minds with folly.” “Nor villains to murder sick men. If harm should come to Denys I should never forgive myself--nor you, monsieur; and I should hold you responsible.” “Then you do not wish this marriage?” “Not if the path to it be cold-blooded murder, Monsieur de Proballe.” “Does it lie in your mouth to speak of murder, after Cambrai? But your head is turned because you find your cousin has a pretty face; and if it is not to be turned next on the headsman’s block, you will cease this folly.” “So it was held to be murder at Cambrai?” “You try my patience beyond endurance. See to it that you have more reason in the morning; and that you may find it, I will give you something to ponder in the night. I have talked with the Duke to-night, and found him with another plan half-fledged in his thoughts; and if ever it gets full-feathered you may look to yourself.” “He seems a man quick at hatching schemes. I fear neither him nor them.” “Fool! Do you dream to oppose him? He is now half-minded to divorce his Duchess and make Gabrielle his wife. He finds that he stands higher in the favour of the Cardinal Archbishop than he deemed; his Eminence has sent him a hundred fighting men for his army; and he now thinks he can secure a dispensation to put away his wife. He is childless, and she a bed-ridden invalid; and the Church might not willingly see so noble a line as his extinct. If you do not hurry to make Gabrielle your wife, I would not answer for your head. Ponder that to-night, and mouth of sweet madness in the morning, if you have any mind left for such folly.” Waiting for no reply, de Proballe turned on his heel and entered the house; and as Gerard was gazing after him, Pascal approached and touched him on the arm.