"He and all would honour you if you were his wife, Gabrielle."
"Nay, I should dishonour myself. I beg you say no more."
"You would be all-powerful to rule in Morvaix."
"Were the throne of France the guerdon I would not consent."
"Your heart is free, child?" The gentle eyes were full on Gabrielle's face as the question was put, and the light that rushed to it did not escape them. "Gabrielle, my Gabrielle, I did not know;" and at that Gabrielle lowered her head and hid it on her friend's heart. "Pray heaven he is worthy of you. Tell me, child. Or is it a secret?"
"No secret," said Gabrielle, lifting her head proudly. "My cousin, Gerard de Cobalt—-
"Gabrielle, not he, surely not he, I trust," interposed the Duchess, in a tone of dismay. "Oh, how I am punished for not having spoken my fears. Since last we spoke together of him and his coming, I have heard ill tidings indeed concerning him, but put off speaking to warn you until I could be certain. He is not worthy of you, child; far, far from it."
"You have not seen him and spoken with him, or you would not say that."
"When did he come?"
"But yesterday; or rather, two days past;" and Gabrielle told of the meeting in the market place and after at Malincourt.
"It is a tragedy," was the Duchess's comment. "And you love him! Oh, Gabrielle, Gabrielle, what sorrow is there not in store for you!"
"Not through him," was the confident reply.
"Alas! child, what do you know of men who judge them by a comely face and a fair speaking tongue? When could a man not speak a maiden fairly? Have
