"Oh, _mon Dieu_, _mon Dieu_!" It was all Gabriel in his utter despair could find strength to say. "You see," Diane resumed with the same _sang-froid_, "that my memory is even better and more at my command than yours. Yet I venture to hope that now you remember." "Yes, it is true, I do remember now!" cried Gabriel, in bitterness of spirit. "But when I said that, I meant simply to say that in case of need I would accomplish the impossible; for is it possible at this time to take any town from the hands of the Spaniards or the English? Is it, Sire? Your Majesty, by allowing me to go, tacitly accepted the first of my offers, without giving me to understand that after such an heroic effort and a long term of captivity I should be called upon to carry out the second. Sire, it is to you--to you--that I appeal; one town for the freedom of one man,--is not that enough? Will you not be content with such a ransom; and must it be that on account of a mere foolish word which escaped me in the exaltation of my spirit, you will impose upon me, a weak human Hercules, another task a hundred times harder than the first,--yes, Sire, even impossible, and understood to be so?" The king made a motion of his lips, as if to speak, but the grande sénéchale made haste to forestall him. "Is it, pray, any easier and more practicable, is there any less of danger or of madness, despite your promises, in setting free a dangerous prisoner, who was guilty of the crime of _lèse-majesté_? You offered to do the impossible in order to obtain the impossible, Monsieur d'Exmès; and it is not fair that you should demand the fulfilment of the king's word when you have not kept your own promise in full. The duties of a sovereign are no less weighty than those of a son; enormous, nay, superhuman services rendered the State can alone produce such a condition of things as would justify his Majesty in nullifying the laws of the State. You have a father to save,--very well; but the king has France to protect." And with a look which was a fit commentary to her words, Diane reminded Henri of the great danger of allowing the old Comte de Montgommery and his secret to rise from the tomb. But Gabriel, making a last effort, stretched out his hands to the king, and cried,-- "Sire, it is to you--to your sense of right, to your kind heart--that I appeal. Sire, hereafter, aided by time and circumstance, I bind myself to win back a town for my country, or to die in the attempt. But meanwhile, Sire, for very pity's sake, let me see my father!" Henri, taking counsel from the penetrating gaze of Diane and her whole demeanor, responded, steadying his voice,-- "Keep your promise to the end, Monsieur; and I swear before God that then, and then only, will I fulfil mine. My word is worth as much as yours." "That is your last word, Sire?" asked Gabriel. "That is my last word." Gabriel bent his head for a moment, overwhelmed and vanquished, and altogether beside himself from his fearful repulse.