"Oh! in Heaven's name, don't do that, little sister. A convent! you have no idea what a fearful bore it will be. I can tell you something of it, having been at the seminary. A convent! Nanon, don't do it; it will kill you." "I hope so," said Nanon. "Sister, I will not have your money at that price, do you hear? _Cordieu!_ it would burn me." "Roland," rejoined Nanon, "my purpose in entering here, is not to make you rich, but to secure happiness for myself." "But it's stark madness," said Cauvignac; "I am your brother, Nanon, and I won't allow it." "My heart is already here, Roland; what would my body do elsewhere? "It's frightful to think of; oh! Nanon, dear sister, in pity's name!" "Not a word more, Roland. You understand me? The money is yours; make good use of it, for your poor Nanon will no longer be at hand to give you more, perforce or willingly." "But what have I ever done for you that you should be so kind to me?" "The only thing I could expect, the only thing I could have asked you to do, in bringing me what you did from Bordeaux the night that he died and I could not die." "Ah! yes, I remember,--the lock of hair." The adventurer hung his head; he felt an unfamiliar sensation in his eye, and put his hand to it. "Another would weep," said he; "I do not know how to weep, but upon my soul, I suffer as much, if not more." "Adieu, brother," said Nanon, offering him her hand. "No, no, no!" said Cauvignac, "I will never say adieu to you of my free will. Is it fear that drives you into the convent? If so, we will leave Guyenne, and travel the world over together. I too have an arrow in my heart, which I shall carry with me wherever I go, and the pain it causes me will help me to sympathize with your pain. You will talk to me of him, and I will talk to you of Richon; you will weep, and perhaps I shall succeed in weeping too, and it will do me good. Would you like to go to some desert island? I will serve you, faithfully and with deep respect, for you are a saint. Would you like me to be a monk? I confess that I can't do that. But do not enter the convent, do not say adieu to me." "Adieu, dear brother." "Would you like to remain in Guyenne, despite the Bordelais, despite the Gascons, despite the whole world? I no longer have my company, but I still have Ferguzon, Barrabas, and Carrotel. We four can do many things. We will be your body-guard, and the queen herself will not be so well guarded. And if they ever get at you, if ever a hair of your head is injured, you can safely say, 'They are all four dead; _requiescant in pace!"_ "Adieu," said Nanon. Cauvignac was about to resort to some fresh appeal, when they heard the rumbling of a carriage upon the road. An outrider in the queen's livery was galloping ahead. "What is all this?" said Cauvignac, turning his face toward the road, but without releasing his sister's hand, which he held through the bars.