Pascal let his sword-point fall, but there was no hope of mercy in his voice when he spoke. He evidently had a new project in mind, and was determined to carry it out.
“I will not kill you,” he exclaimed, “but he shall die!”
Then he beckoned to one of the men:
“Go tell Doctor Procida to come here at once.”
At the mention of the doctor’s name, Vivienne’s thoughts reverted to Julien:
“Pascal, tell me of Julien! Oh, tell me, is he dead?”
Pascal did not answer. Vivienne appealed to the men: “You will tell me. Is my brother——”
One of the men bowed his head, and she knew the worst.
“Oh Pascal!” she cried, “how can you think of murder, of revenge, when Julien is dead?”
“Your tears are out of place. Why should you weep for one whom you have insulted by unjustly taunting him with cowardice and delay of duty? Have you not reproached him often for not killing the very man whom you now screen from justice?”