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."

He nodded, smiling sourly to himself, as if this confirmed a suspicion he
had entertained.

"Or a priest," he said.

"No, a minister."

"If one could be obtained. If not, a priest."

"No, it was to be at my will; and I will a minister! I will a minister!"
she cried passionately. "Show me M. de Tignonville alive, and bring me a
minister of my faith, and I will keep my promise, M. de Tavannes. Have
no fear of that. But otherwise, I will not."

"You will not?" he cried. "You will not?"

"No!"

"You will not marry me?"