"He must have heard of it from the stranger with whom we travelled," I
declared. "Jacques distrusted him from the first, and believed he was
one of those who attacked Devine. Did he recover?"

"Yes; he is in Rochelle, fretting and fuming at having been prevented
from fulfilling his mission. But to return to our own affairs. Have you
considered what this proclamation means?"

"That your life is in danger."

"A bagatelle, Edmond. It has been in danger these many years. There is
something far more serious. As a traitor to the king, my estates are
forfeit, and you will grow up to see another man master of the land
which by right is yours. It is a heavy price for you to pay, my boy."

Now I hold it folly to pretend that this caused me no grief, but I was
young and enthusiastic, and sensible enough to know that any sign of
sorrow would add to my father's unhappiness. So I looked straight into
his eyes and said brightly, "Others have paid a heavy price for their
faith without murmuring; I am strong enough to do the same."

He held me in his arms and kissed my cheeks, saying: "Now God bless and
reward you for those brave words, my son," and never before in all my
life had I seen him so deeply moved.




CHAPTER VI