"Oh, Monseigneur, I hear sad news of that. The Spaniards, reinforced by twelve thousand English, have entered Picardy, they say, and there is fighting going on all along the frontier." "So much the better," said Gabriel. Aloyse attributed this reply to the remains of his delirium. But the next morning, with perfect coolness, Gabriel said to her,-- "I did not ask you yesterday if Monsieur de Guise had returned from Italy." "He is on the way, Monseigneur," said Aloyse, in amazement. "That is well! What day of the month is it, nurse?" "Tuesday, August 4, Monseigneur." "It will be two months on the 7th since I have been lying on this bed of anguish," was Gabriel's comment. "Oh," cried Aloyse, trembling, "how well Monseigneur remembers!" "Yes, I remember, Aloyse,--I remember; but," he added sadly, "though I have not forgotten, it seems that I have been forgotten. Has no one been to inquire for me, Aloyse?" "Yes, indeed!" said Aloyse, in an uncertain voice, and anxiously watching the effect of her words on the young man's face,--"yes, indeed, Monseigneur! a maid named Jacinthe came twice a day to learn how you were. But for the last fortnight, since you have been perceptibly and surely improving, she has come no more." "She comes no more! And do you know why, nurse?" "Yes, Monseigneur. Because her mistress, according to what Jacinthe said the last time she came, has obtained the king's leave to withdraw to a convent till the end of the war at least." "Really!" said Gabriel, with a sweet and melancholy smile. And as a tear, the first he had shed for two months, rolled slowly down his cheek, he added,-- "Dear Diane!" "Oh, Monseigneur," cried Aloyse, beside herself with delight, "Monseigneur has uttered that name! and without a shock, and without swooning. Master Nostredame was mistaken. Monseigneur is saved! Monseigneur will live, and I shall not need to be false to my oath." We can see that the poor nurse's delight had almost made her mad; but Gabriel, luckily, did not notice her last words. He replied simply, with a smile full of bitterness,-- "Yes, I am saved; but still, dear Aloyse, I shall not live." "How so, Monseigneur?" said Aloyse, trembling again in every limb. "My body has held out manfully," Gabriel replied; "but my soul, Aloyse, my soul, do you think that it has not been stricken to death? I am going to recover from this long sickness, it is true; and I am allowing myself to be cured, as you see. But, luckily, there is fighting on the frontier; and I am captain of the Guards, and my place is where they are fighting. As soon as I am strong enough to mount my horse, I shall go where my place is. And at the very first battle in which I have a hand, Aloyse, I shall take good care so to arrange matters that I shall never have to return." "You will kill yourself! Holy Virgin! And why, Monseigneur,--why, I pray you?"