‘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 his master’s express command would even exercise his skill to endeavour to preserve life till the confessor could be brought.  Ordinary Huguenots would regard the desire of Narcisse as a wicked superstition, and Berenger could only hurry back to consult some of the gentlemen who might be supposed more unprejudiced.

As he was crossing the quadrangle at full speed, he almost ran against the King of Navarre, who was pacing up and down reading letters, and who replied to his hasty apologies by saying he looked as if the fair Eurydice had slipped through his hands again into the Inferno.

’Not so, Sire, but there is one too near those gates.  Nid de Merle is lying at the point of death, calling for a priest.’

‘Ventre Saint-Gris!’ exclaimed the King, ’he is the very demon of the piece, who carved your face, stole your wife, and had nearly shot your daughter.’

’The more need of his repentance, Sire, and without a priest he will not try to repent.  I have promised him one.’

‘A bold promise!’ said Henry.  ’Have you thought how our good friends here are likely to receive a priest of Baal into the camp?’

‘No, Sire, but my best must be done.  I pray you counsel me.’

Henry laughed at the simple confidence of the request, but replied, ’The readiest way to obtain a priest will be to ride with a flag of truce to the enemy’s camp—­they are at St. Esme—­and say that M. de Nid de Merle is a prisoner and dying, and that I offer safe-conduct to any priest that will come to him—­though whether a red-hot Calvinist will respect my safe-conduct or your escort is another matter.’

‘At least, Sire, you sanction my making this request?’

‘Have you men enough to take with you to guard you from marauders?’

’I have but two servants, Sire, and I have left them with the wounded man.’

’Then I will send with you half a dozen Gascons, who have been long enough at Paris with me to have no scruples.’