"You can pass over this objection, Sir," said the notary. "If it be at all valid, it may be pleaded hereafter in nullification."
"Well, then, pass it over," cried the Count. "Will you sign, Mademoiselle d'Albret?"
"Never!" answered Rose, firmly. "Never! so help me God!"
"Then thus I will make you," muttered Monsieur de Liancourt; and, seizing her suddenly by the wrist, he dragged her forward to the table; and while the man, René, stood behind to prevent her escape, he placed the pen partly in her hand, partly held it in his own, and was actually running it over the paper, before Rose was well aware of what he was doing.
"I protest, in the name of God, and the Holy Catholic Church, against this violent and outrageous act!" exclaimed Walter de la Tremblade, lifting up his hands to Heaven.
"Hold!" cried a voice of thunder at the same moment; and, striding forward through the crowd, a stout short man, with a grey beard and hair, dressed in a plain suit of russet brown, advanced to the table, and struck the pen out of Monsieur de Liancourt's hand, exclaiming, "Hold! Hear a word or two first!--Parbleu! you make quick work of it!"
The Count laid his hand upon his sword, demanding fiercely, "Who are you, insolent villain?"
"Why, this is that man, Chasseron," cried Chazeul. "What have you to do with this affair, Sir?"
"Why, Ventre Saint Gris! I oppose the marriage," cried Chasseron, "as the lady's cousin."
"Her cousin!" exclaimed Chazeul, bursting into a scornful laugh. "Who ever heard of you before?"