“What is it?” asked he in a low voice.
“The breath on my face.”
As he spoke, one of the wax lights went out, then the other, and the rest followed. Then the lamp also went out, and the room was lighted only by the rays of the moon. At the same moment they heard a hollow voice, saying, apparently from the end of the room,—
“Hardened sinner, art thou there?”
“Yes,” said Henri, with chattering teeth.
“Oh!” thought Chicot, “that is a very hoarse voice to come from heaven; nevertheless, it is dreadful.”
“Do you hear?” asked the voice.
“Yes, and I am bowed down to the earth.”
“Do you believe you obeyed me by all the exterior mummeries which you performed yesterday, without your heart being touched?”
“Very well said,” thought Chicot. He approached the king softly.