"Yes, and failed. What does the venomous plant? What do the bear and bird of prey? They destroy, but certain people use them for the chase. So shall I be in the hands of MM. d'Epernon and Loignac, till the day when they shall say, 'This plant is hurtful, let us tear it up; this beast is furious, let us kill him.'"
Ernanton was calmed; St. Maline was no longer an object of anger but of pity.
"Good fortune should cure you," said he; "when you succeed, you should hate less."
"However high I should rise, others would be higher."
They rode on silently for some time. At last Ernanton held out his hand to St. Maline, and said, "Shall I try to cure you?"
"No, do not try that; you would fail. Hate me, on the contrary, and I shall admire you."
An hour after they entered the Louvre; the king had gone out, and would not return until evening.