"Monsieur le Baron," the ensign replied, "they have gained possession of the drawbridge and the first gate. We only had time to close the second one; but we shall not be able to hold it, and in less than a quarter of an hour they will be in the courtyard. Shall we, nevertheless, try to resist, or send them a flag of truce? We await your orders." "Give me but time to put on my armor, and I will come down," said Castelnau. He hastened into one of the apartments of the château to buckle on his sword and cuirass, and Gabriel followed him. "What do you propose to do?" he asked him, sadly. "I know not; I know not!" replied Castelnau, excitedly; "but I can at least die." "Alas!" sighed Gabriel; "why did you not hearken to me yesterday?" "Yes, you were right, I can see now," returned the baron. "You anticipated what has happened; perhaps you knew of it beforehand." "Perhaps," observed Gabriel; "and therein lies my greatest suffering. But remember, Castelnau, that life is full of strange and awful caprices of fate! Suppose that I was not at liberty to dissuade you by divulging the real reasons, which were struggling for utterance? Suppose that I had given my word of honor as a gentleman not to give you any occasion, directly or indirectly, to suspect the truth?" "In such case you would have done quite right to say nothing," said Castelnau; "and in your place I should have done just as you did. It was I, madman, who should have understood you; I who should have known that a valiant heart like yours would not try to dissuade me from battle except for most potent reasons. But I will expiate my mistake by death." "Then I will die with you," said Gabriel, calmly. "You! and why?" cried Castelnau. "The one thing that you say you are absolutely compelled to do is to refrain from fighting." "True, I shall not fight," said Gabriel; "I cannot. But life has become a grievous burden to me; the apparently two-faced part I am playing is intolerable. I shall go into the fray unarmed. I will slay no one, but will allow myself to be slain. I may be able to intercept the blow aimed at you. If I cannot wear a sword, I may still be a buckler." "No," rejoined Castelnau, "remain here. I ought not to involve you in my destruction, nor will I do it." "Ah, but think!" exclaimed Gabriel, earnestly; "you are about to involve in it, uselessly and hopelessly, all of our brethren who are confined in this château with you. My life is much less useful than theirs." "Can I do otherwise for the glory of our faith than ask them to make this sacrifice?" said Castelnau. "Martyrs often bring more renown to their cause, and are more useful to it, than victors." "Very true," replied Gabriel; "but is it not your first duty as leader to do your utmost to save the forces which have been intrusted to you; to die finally at their head, if their salvation is not to be reconciled with honor?" "So you advise me--" said Castelnau.