"Say rather," retorted Ambroise, "that I am his only surgeon, since his regular attendants all abandon him. Besides, the Duc de Guise, a few days since, after an operation which I performed successfully under his eyes, chose to say to me, and very seriously if not officially, that hereafter he should avail himself of my services in case of need. Monsieur le Vicomte d'Exmès, who was present, can bear me out in what I say." "I declare that what he says is true," said Gabriel. Ambroise Paré had already turned his attention once more to the seemingly lifeless body of the duke, and was carefully examining the wound. "Well," asked the surgeon-in-chief, with an ironical smile, "after your examination do you still persist in your desire to extract the iron from the wound?" "Most certainly I do," said Ambroise Paré, resolutely. "What wonderful instrument do you propose to use?" "My hands, to be sure," replied Ambroise. "I protest with all my force," cried the infuriated surgeon, "against any such profanation of Monseigneur's last hours." "And we join in your protest," shouted all his associates. "Have you any means of saving the prince's life to propose?" asked Ambroise Paré. "No, it is impossible," was the unanimous chorus. "He is mine, then," said Ambroise, extending his hands over the body as if to take formal possession of it. "We withdraw, then," said the surgeon-in-chief, and he and his associates made a movement toward the door. "What do you propose to do?" was the question put to Ambroise on all sides. "The Duc de Guise is dead to all that transpires," he replied, "and I propose to act as if he were really dead." With these words, he removed his doublet, and rolled up his sleeves. "The idea of performing such experiments on Monseigneur, _tanquam in anima vili_," said an old physician, shocked at these preparations, and clasping his hands in horror. "Yes," replied Ambroise, without raising his eyes from the sufferer. "I am going to treat him, not as a man, not even as a beast of the field, but as an inanimate thing. See!" He placed his foot boldly upon the duke's chest. A subdued sound of commingled terror, doubt, and menace ran through the assemblage. "Take care, Master!" said Monsieur de Nevers, touching Ambroise Paré on the shoulder; "take care! If you fail I will not answer for the anger of the duke's friends and servants." "Ah!" said Ambroise, with a sad smile, as he turned toward the speaker. "Your head is in danger," said another. Ambroise Paré looked up to Heaven as if for strength; then he rejoined with melancholy gravity,-- "So be it! I will endanger my own head in an attempt to save this one. But you can at least," he added, looking proudly around, "leave me to work in peace." All stepped aside with a sort of respectful deference to the power of genius. In the solemn silence no further sound was heard except the stertorous breathing of the wounded man.