Count Hannibal

"Do you mean--if I will postpone our marriage?"

"Yes, Monsieur."

"It is impossible!"

"Do not say that," she cried, raising her voice impulsively. "I appeal

to your generosity. And for a short, a very short, time only."

"It is impossible," he answered quietly. "And for reasons, Mademoiselle.

In the first place, I can more easily protect my wife. In the second, I

am even now summoned to the Louvre, and should be on my way thither. By

to-morrow evening, unless I am mistaken in the business on which I am

required, I shall be on my way to a distant province with royal letters.

It is essential that our marriage take place before I go."

"Why?" she asked stubbornly.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Why?" he repeated. "Can you ask,

Mademoiselle, after the events of last night? Because, if you please, I

do not wish to share the fate of M. de Tignonville. Because in these

days life is uncertain, and death too certain. Because it was our turn

last night, and it may be the turn of your friends--to-morrow night!"

"Then some have escaped?" she cried.

He smiled. "I am glad to find you so shrewd," he replied. "In an honest

wife it is an excellent quality. Yes, Mademoiselle; one or two."

"Who? Who? I pray you tell me."

"M. de Montgomery, who slept beyond the river, for one; and the Vidame,

and some with him. M. de Biron, whom I count a Huguenot, and who holds

the Arsenal in the King's teeth, for another. And a few more. Enough,

in a word, Mademoiselle, to keep us wakeful. It is impossible,

therefore, for me to postpone the fulfilment of your promise."

"A promise on conditions!" she retorted, in rage that she could win no

more. And every line of her splendid figure, every tone of her voice

flamed sudden, hot rebellion. "I do not go for nothing! You gave me the

lives of all in the house, Monsieur! Of all!" she repeated with passion.

"And all are not here! Before I marry you, you must show me M. de

Tignonville alive and safe!"

He shrugged his shoulders. "He has taken himself off," he said. "It is

naught to me what happens to him now."

"It is all to me!" she retorted.

At that he glared at her, the veins of his forehead swelling suddenly.

But after a seeming struggle with himself he put the insult by, perhaps

for future reckoning and account.

"I did what I could," he said sullenly. "Had I willed it he had died

there and then in the room below. I gave him his life. If he has risked

it anew and lost it, it is naught to me."

"It was his life you gave me," she repeated stubbornly. "His life--and

the others. But that is not all," she continued; "you promised me a

minister."