new it to
be: 'Narcisse de Ribaumont,' he said gravely, 'my word has never been
broken, and you know the keeping of it has not been without cost. On
that word believe that Madame de Selinville is as spotless a matron as
when she periled herself to save my life. I never even knew her sex till
I had drawn her half drowned from the sea, and after that I only saw her
in the presence of Dom Colombeau of Nissard, in whose care I left her.'

Narcisse's features contorted themselves into a frightful sneer as he
muttered, 'The intolerable fool; and that he should have got the better
of me, that is if it be true--and I believe not a word of it.'

'At least,' said Berenger, 'waste not these last hours on hating and
reviling me, but let this fellow of mine, who is a very fair surgeon,
bind your wound again.'

'Eh!' said Narcisse, spitefully, turning his head, 'your own rogue? Let
me see what work he made of _le baiser d'Eustacie_. Pray, how does it
please her?'

'She thanks Heaven that your chief care was to spoil my face.'

'I hear she is a prime doctress; but of course you brought her not
hither lest she should hear HOW you got out of our keeping.'

'She knows it.'

'Ah! she has been long enough at court to know one must overlook, that
one's own little matters may be overlooked.'

Berenger burst out at last, 'Her I will not hear blasphemed: the next
word against her I leave you to yourself.'

'That is all I want,' said Narcisse. 'These cares of yours are only
_douceurs_ to your conceited heretical conscience, and a lengthening out
of this miserable affair. You would scoff at the only real service you
could render me.'

'And that is---'

'To fetch a priest. Ha! ha! one of your sort would sooner hang me. You
had rather see me perish body and soul in this Huguenot dog-hole! What!
do you stammer? Bring a psalm-singing heretic here, and I'll teach him
and you what you MAY call blasphemy.'

'A priest you shall have, cousin,' said Berenger, gravely; 'I will do
my utmost to bring you one. Meanwhile, strive to bring yourself into a
state in which he may benefit you.'

Berenger was resolved that the promise should be kept. He saw that
despair was hardening the wretched man's heart, and that the possibility
of fulfilling his Church's rites might lead him to address himself to
repentance; but the difficulties were great. Osbert, the only Catholic
at hand, was disposed to continue his vengeance beyond the grave, and
only at h