Fongereues uttered an exclamation of surprise.
"And they, too, will enable you to re-conquer the rank to which you belong."
"On condition that I will be their slave!" said the Marquis, with a constrained smile.
It was certain that in this terrible crisis the Marquis was ready to snatch at anything that would save him. But in spite of himself, he felt an invincible repugnance to giving himself up entirely to the control of these people and to have no will of his own. He hesitated. Fernando seemed to read his every thought.
"I think, sir," he said, "that you exaggerate the consequences of the step I suggest."
"And if I refuse?"
"You will not refuse," said the Italian, quietly.
Fongereues bit his lips.
"What does the Society of Jesus require of me?"
"Two things—a great service and a guarantee."