There was something inspiring, commanding, in the voice and manner, and Bagot, with a new hope rushing through his veins, knelt and repeated his words.
The priest turned to the door, and called, "Madame Lucette!"
The boy, hearing, waked, and sat up in bed suddenly.
"Mother! mother!" he cried, as the door flew open.
The mother came to her husband's arms, laughing and weeping, and an instant afterwards was pouring out her love and anxiety over her child.
Father Corraine now faced the man, and with a soft exaltation of voice and manner said:
"John Bagot, in the name of Christ, I demand twenty years of your life—of love and obedience of God. I broke my vow; I perjured my soul; I bought your wife with ten kegs of rum."
The tall hunter dropped again to his knees, and caught the priest's hand to kiss it.
"No, no—this!" the priest said, and laid his iron crucifix against the other's lips.
