The ruse by which Gerard had succeeded in getting a hundred of his own soldiers enrolled among the Castle troops, by pretending that they came as a gift from the Cardinal Archbishop, was thus having singular results. The Governor read it as a proof that he stood so well with the Cardinal that he could hope to receive his Eminence’s support in the matter of the divorce; and as he concluded Dubois had been chosen as the Cardinal’s delegate because of the latter’s confidence in him, here was the very man at hand to sound on the matter. Dubois was a clever soldier and a brave fighter, and had been selected by Gerard for his present task because his influence with the men was most likely to keep them in bounds while in the Castle. He made a very brusque unmonklike monk, however; and he now found himself in a very awkward position. Moreover, he knew nothing of Gerard’s experiences within the last few hours. He listened quietly to the Duke, and, seeing no connection between the matter and any of Gerard’s affairs, felt no interest in it at all, and gave his own opinion bluntly. He was a soldier, not a cleric; knew little and cared less about the theological views as to the dissolution of a tie cemented by a sacrament of the Church; and the only thought he had about it was that as the Tiger Governor was such a tyrant, it was a blessing and not a curse that he was childless--the point on which with him the Duke laid the chief stress. “His Eminence would never sanction it, my lord,” he declared brusquely. “It is against the Canon of Holy Church.” “But it has been sanctioned before now,” replied the Governor, and went on to cite instances and to argue the matter. Dubois had, however, only one reply to everything. “The Cardinal would never sanction it;” and his dogged insistence upon this began at length to enrage the Governor, not a little to Dubois’ grim amusement. “I would rather have the countenance of the Church, but in Morvaix I am the head of the Church as of all else. I am wont to act first and inquire afterwards in most things. It is simpler, and the end is the same. This may be such a case. If I should seek your help as the Cardinal’s representative you would give it?” “It is none of my affair,” replied Dubois hastily. “I repeat my question;” and the Governor looked at him meaningly. But Dubois was the last man in the world to be browbeaten; and thus he answered stolidly: “And I repeat my answer, my lord.” “I am not wont to be set at defiance by monk or priest.” “Nor I to be driven from my duty, my lord. I am not setting you at defiance.” “My priests in Morvaix do not answer me thus.” “I am not your lordship’s priest.” “You will at least keep silence about what has passed between us.” “Unless my duty demand that I should speak of it.” “What is that but threatening me and defying me?” The Governor’s anger was mounting fast in view of what he deemed the monk’s contumacy, and Dubois was no less dogged and blunt.