"Strange contradiction," said he, "which proves how little to be depended on is the evidence of simple science practised by ordinary men! To any one but myself, a physician, a scholar, even for Maître Ambroise Paré, this blood would seem so pure, so healthy, so full of life and animal spirits, that it would promise long years of life; and yet all this vigor will soon disappear, all this life will be extinct within a year!"
Catharine and Henry of Anjou had turned round and were listening.
The eyes of the prince glowed through his mask.
"Ah!" continued Réné, "the present alone is known to ordinary mortals; while to us the past and the future are known."
"So," continued Catharine, "you still think he will die within the year?"
"As surely as we are three living persons who some day will rest in our coffins."
"Yet you said that the blood was pure and healthy, and that it indicated a long life."
"Yes, if things followed their natural course. But might not an accident"—
"Ah, yes, do you hear?" said Catharine to Henry, "an accident"—
"Alas!" said the latter, "all the more reason for my staying."