"I shall wait till I meet him face to face, and then I shall not use an arquebuse, as Paltrot did, nor a pistol, as Vitry did. I shall say, 'Monseigneur, you are the curse of France--I sacrifice you to her salvation;' and I shall stab him with my poniard." "As Ravaillac did," said the duke, with a serenity which made Gaston shudder; "it is well." Gaston did not reply. "This plan appears to me the most secure, and I approve of it; but I must ask you one other question: suppose you should be taken and interrogated?" "Your excellency knows what men do in such cases--they die, but do not answer; and since you have quoted Ravaillac, I think, if my memory serves me, that was what he did--and yet Ravaillac was not a gentleman." Gaston's pride did not displease the regent, who had a young heart and a chivalric mind; besides, accustomed to worn-out and time-serving courtiers, Gaston's vigorous and simple nature was a novelty to him; and we know how the regent loved a novelty. "I may then reckon," said he, "that you are immovable?" Gaston looked surprised that the duke should repeat this question. "Yes," said the regent; "I see you are decided." "Absolutely, and wait your last instructions." "How? _my_ instructions?" "Certainly; I have placed myself body and soul at your disposal." The duke rose. "Well," said he, "you must go out by that door, and cross the garden which surrounds the house. In a carriage which awaits you at the bottom you will find my secretary, who will give you a pass for an audience with the regent; besides that, you will have the warranty of my word." "That is all I have to ask on that point, monseigneur." "Have you anything else to say?" "Yes; before I take leave of you, whom I may never see again in this world, I have a boon to ask." "Speak, monsieur, I listen." "Monsieur," said Gaston, "do not wonder if I hesitate a moment, for this is no personal favor and no ordinary service--Gaston de Chanlay needs but a dagger, and here it is; but in sacrificing his body he would not lose his soul; mine, monseigneur, belongs first to God and then to a young girl whom I love to idolatry--sad love, is it not, which has bloomed so near a tomb? To abandon this pure and tender girl would be to tempt God in a most rash manner, for I see that sometimes he tries us cruelly, and lets even his angels suffer. I love, then, an adorable woman, whom my affection has supported and protected against infamous schemes; when I am dead or banished, what will become of her? _Our_ heads fall, monseigneur; they are those of simple gentlemen; but you are a powerful adversary, and supported by a powerful king; _you_ can conquer evil fortune. I wish to place in your hands the treasure of my soul. You will bestow on her all the protection which, as an accomplice, as an associate, you owe to me." "Monsieur, I promise you," replied the regent, deeply moved.