"Then die!" exclaimed Coconnas, lifting his dagger; "die! since you will not accept the life which those lovely lips offer to you."
Mercandon and his wife saw the blade of that deadly weapon gleam like lightning above the head of their son.
"My son Olivier," shrieked his mother, "abjure, abjure!"
"Abjure, my dear boy!" cried Mercandon, going on his knees to Coconnas; "do not leave us alone on the earth!"
"Abjure all together," said Coconnas; "for one Credo, three souls and one life."
"I am willing," said the youth.
"We are willing!" cried Mercandon and his wife.
"On your knees, then," said Coconnas, "and let your son repeat after me, word for word, the prayer I shall say."
The father obeyed first.
"I am ready," said the son, also kneeling.