“Oh, come,” I whispered to d’Argenson, “hasten. Monsieur. This is more than I can bear.”
“It will be but a moment longer,” and he pressed my hand.
“Is there any one here present,” asked the priest, “who knows of any reason why these two should not be man and wife?”
D’Argenson put the tapestry back and advanced slowly to the altar-rail. Ribaut and Briquet saw him, and the eyes of the latter dilated with terror, for he had seen d’Argenson as you know, and knew him now. Nanette did not raise her head, but continued sobbing softly. Plainly she had abandoned hope.
“I forbid the marriage, M. le Curé,” said d’Argenson.
As she heard these words, Nanette raised her head with a start. She saw d’Argenson standing there. She fixed her eyes on his and what she read there seemed to reassure her, for she smiled and her weeping ceased.
Ribaut was on his feet in an instant, but Briquet remained kneeling, seemingly paralyzed by d’Argenson’s words. His mouth was working convulsively and his face was livid.
“Who is this fellow?” asked Ribaut, looking from d’Argenson to the priest, purple with rage.
“I forbid the marriage,” continued d’Argenson, before the priest could answer, “because it is a conspiracy between these two men to defraud Anne Ribaut of her property.”
“It is a lie!” screamed Ribaut, and he shook his fist in his accuser’s face. D’Argenson merely looked at him and smiled. He read guilt in his eyes.