"Homme sans langue et de grand cœur,
Savoir de misere est vainqueur."[18]
"You see," whispered Bois-Doré to D'Alvimar, "the rascal has divined our musician's melancholy plight."
"That was not very difficult," rejoined D'Alvimar contemptuously. "For a quarter of an hour past the mute has been talking to you by signs."
"So you have no faith at all in divination?" replied Bois-Doré, while La Flèche continued his calculations with a preoccupied air, but with his ears open to all that was going on about him.
"Why, do you believe in it yourself, messire, I would ask?" said D'Alvimar, pretending to be surprised at the seriousness with which the marquis asked the question.
"I? Why—yes, more or less, like everybody else!"
"No one believes in this nonsense nowadays!"
"Oh! yes; I believe in it quite seriously," said Lauriane. "I beg you, sorcerer, if my destiny is unfavorable, either to leave me a little hope, or to find in your learning some means of averting it."
"Illustrious queen of hearts," replied La Flèche, "I obey your commands. You are threatened by a great danger; but if, during three days from the present moment,
'Vous ne donnez point votre cœur,
Du diable il sera le vainqueur."[19]