“What childishness! But be it as you will. Here is your sword; insert the point. Let us see.”
“Let me read myself,” said Cinq-Mars, taking one side of the book. Old Grandchamp gravely advanced his tawny face and his gray hair to the foot of the bed to listen. His master read, stopped at the first phrase, but with a smile, perhaps slightly forced, he went on to the end.
“I. Now it was in the city of Milan that they appeared.
“II. The high-priest said to them, ‘Bow down and adore the gods.’
“III. And the people were silent, looking at their faces, which appeared as the faces of angels.
“IV. But Gervais, taking the hand of Protais, cried, looking to heaven, and filled with the Holy Ghost:
“V. Oh, my brother! I see the Son of man smiling upon us; let me die first.
“VI. For if I see thy blood, I fear I shall shed tears unworthy of the Lord our God.
“VII. Then Protais answered him in these words:
“VIII. My brother, it is just that I should perish after thee, for I am older, and have more strength to see thee suffer.