I closed the door, and dropped the bar securely into place. I knew the worst now, and felt sick and faint. Tears would not come to relieve, yet it seemed as though my brain ceased working, as if I had lost all physical and mental power. I know not how long I sat there, dazed, incompetent to even express the vague thoughts which flashed through my brain. A rapping on the door aroused me. The noise, the insistent raps awoke me as from sleep. "Who wishes entrance?" "I--Cassion; I demand speech with you." "For what purpose, Monsieur?" "_Mon Dieu!_ Does a man have to give excuse for desiring to speak with his own wife? Open the door, or I'll have it broken in. Have you not yet learned I am master here?" I drew the bar, no longer with any sense of fear, but impelled by a desire to hear the man's message. I stepped back, taking refuge behind the table, as the door opened, and he strode in, glancing first at me, then suspiciously about the apartment. "You are alone?" "Assuredly, Monsieur; did you suspect others to be present?" "Hell's fire! How did I know; you have time enough to spare for others, although I have had no word with you since you came. I come now only to tell you the news." "If it be the condemnation of Sieur de Artigny, you may spare your words." "You know that! Who brought you the message?" "What difference, Monsieur? I would know the result without messenger. You have done your master's will. What said De Tonty when you told him?" Cassion laughed, as though the memory was pleasant. "Faith, Madame, if you base your hopes there on rescue you'll scarce meet with great result. De Tonty is all bark. _Mon Dieu!_ I went in to hold him to account for his insult, and the fellow met us with such gracious speech, that the four of us drank together like old comrades. The others are there yet, but I had a proposition to make you--so I left them." "A proposition, Monsieur?" "Ay, a declaration of peace, if you will. Listen Adele, for this is the last time I speak you thus fairly. I have this De Artigny just where I want him now. His life is in my hands. I can squeeze it out like that; or I can open my fingers, and let him go. Now you are to decide which it is to be. Here is where you choose, between that forest brat and me." "Choose between you? Monsieur you must make your meaning more clear." "_Mon Dieu_, is it not clear already? Then I will make it so. You are my wife by law of Holy Church. Never have you loved me, yet I can pass that by, if you grant me a husband's right. This De Artigny has come between us, and now his life is in my hands. I know not that you love the brat, yet you have that interest in him which would prevent forgiveness of me if I show no mercy. So now I come and offer you his life, if you consent to be my wife in truth. Is that fair?" "It may so sound," I answered calmly, "yet the sacrifice is all mine. How would you save the man?"