Alyx of Montmorency—"But, Father, if he is sincere, if the man has really been touched by divine grace?"
Abbot Reynier (aside to Alyx and her husband)—"A reason the more. If he is sincere, the flames of the pyre will, in the eyes of the Lord, be an acceptable expiation of the new convert's abominable past life. If he deceives us, the pyre will be the just punishment for his sacrilegious falsehood. In either case, the pyre is meet for the miscreant. The matter is settled."
Montfort and his wife are struck by the double advantage of the monk's proposition and exchange looks of approval.
Montfort—"Rise, man! God will know whether your conversion is sincere."
Goose-Skin (aside to himself)—"Good! Good! It is now merely an affair between God and myself. We shall arrange matters comfortably between us two."
Montfort (to Mylio)—"You have a brother who is a pastor of these devil-possessed heretics. Does he not enjoy a great influence in the town?"
Mylio (proudly)—"All the inhabitants would give their lives to save his own. My brother is their idol."
Montfort—"I shall allow you to return to Lavaur. You shall tell the inhabitants in my name: 'Abjure your heresy; re-enter the pale of the holy Catholic Church; deliver the Lady of Lavaur unconditionally to Montfort, and also her son, the consuls of the town and a hundred of the most notable citizens; relinquish your property to the soldiers of Christ; if you do your lives will be saved; if you do not, at day-break to-morrow the flames of Karvel's pyre will give to the Crusaders the signal for the assault!' That is the mission that I confer upon you."
Mylio (stupefied)—"My brother! You speak of burning my brother alive! Oh, horrible alternative!"
Montfort—"He is a prisoner in my camp."