"'Undoubtedly--since the relic saved the dog, it would of course--But stay, is it quite certain that a heretic is as good as a Catholic's dog?' "Without listening to him, Madame de Turgis hastily unbuttoned the top of her closely fitting habit, and took from her bosom a little gold box, very flat, suspended by a black ribbon. 'Here,' she said,--'you promised to wear it. You shall return it me one day.' "'Certainly. If I am able.' "'But you will take care of it? No sacrilege! You will take the greatest care of it!' "'I have received it from you, madam.' "She gave him the relic, and he hung it round his neck. "'A Catholic would have thanked the hand that bestowed the holy talisman.' "Mergy seized her hand, and tried to raise it to his lips. "'No, no! it is too late.' "'Say not so! Remember, I may never again have such fortune.' "'Take off my glove,' said the lady. Whilst obeying, Mergy thought he felt a slight pressure. He imprinted a burning kiss on the white and beautiful hand." "Frank and free were the dames of the ninth Charles's court. Faithless in the virtues of the relic, feverishly excited by the novelty of his situation, and by the preference the Countess has shown him, which has given life a tenfold value in his eyes, Mergy passes an agitated and sleepless night. When the Louvre clock strikes eight, his brother enters his apartment, bringing the necessary weapons, and vainly endeavouring to conceal his sadness and anxiety. Bernard examines the sword and dagger, the manufacture of the famous Luno of Toledo. "'With such good arms,' he said, 'I shall surely be able to defend myself.' Then showing the relic given him by Madame de Turgis, and which he wore concealed in his bosom, 'Here too,' he added with a smile, 'is a talisman better than coat of mail against a sword-thrust.' "'Whence have you the bauble?' "'Guess.' And the vanity of appearing favoured by the fair, made him for a moment forget both Comminges and the duelling sword that lay naked before him. "'I would wager that crazy Countess gave it you! May the devil confound her and her box!' "'It is a relic for protection in to-day's encounter.' "'She had better have worn her gloves, instead of parading her fine white fingers.' "'God preserve me,' cried Mergy, blushing deeply, 'from believing in Papist relics. But if I fall to-day, I would have her know that I died with this upon my heart.' "'Folly!' cried the Captain, shrugging his shoulders.