"Does it lie in your mouth to speak of murder, after Cambrai? But your head is turned because you find your cousin has a pretty face; and if it is not to be turned next on the headsman's block, you will cease this folly."
"So it was held to be murder at Cambrai?"
"You try my patience beyond endurance. See to it that you have more reason in the morning; and that you may find it, I will give you something to ponder in the night. I have talked with the Duke to-night, and found him with another plan half-fledged in his thoughts; and if ever it gets full-feathered you may look to yourself."
"He seems a man quick at hatching schemes. I fear neither him nor them."
"Fool! Do you dream to oppose him? He is now half-minded to divorce his Duchess and make Gabrielle his wife. He finds that he stands higher in the favour of the Cardinal Archbishop than he deemed; his Eminence has sent him a hundred fighting men for his army; and he now thinks he can secure a dispensation to put away his wife. He is childless, and she a bed-ridden invalid; and the Church might not willingly see so noble a line as his extinct. If you do not hurry to make Gabrielle your wife, I would not answer for your head. Ponder that to-night, and mouth of sweet madness in the morning, if you have any mind left for such folly."
Waiting for no reply, de Proballe turned on his heel and entered the house; and as Gerard was gazing after him, Pascal approached and touched him on the arm.
"Of all the diabolical villains—What is it, man?" he broke off impatiently.
"What's the use of wasting breath in that way when there are things to be done? This precious maison is like a nest of spies. I've been found out for an impostor by that pretty sharp-eyed girl whose lover lies wounded up-stairs; and I was wondering how to get to you to tell you when I came on some sneaking whelp of a man with
