| "‘Ains a peri cil que l'on redoutoit, |
| Plus tôt, trop tôt, si prudence n'etoit.’"[14] |
A deep silence reigned for some moments.
"For the one whom you know," asked Catharine, "what are the signs for this month?"
"As favorable as ever, madame; unless Providence interferes with his destiny he will be fortunate. And yet"—
"And yet what?"
"One of the stars in his pleiad was covered with a black cloud while I made my observations."
"Ah!" exclaimed Catharine, "a black cloud—there is some hope, then?"
"Of whom are you speaking, madame?" asked the Duc d'Anjou.
Catharine drew her son away from the light of the brazier and spoke to him in a low tone.
Meanwhile Réné knelt down, and in the glow of the flame poured into his hand the last drop of blood which had remained in the bottom of the flask.