"Wear this," said the Prince. "It is an Eastern talisman which shall protect you from evil."
Louis slipped it on his signet finger.
"When another than myself brings you this, you will know that I am dead," he smiled.
"God grant that I may never see it save on your hand!" exclaimed the Prince. "And now I give you leave to go—you are due at Hoogstraaten's supper?"
"Yes; will you not come?"
"Not to-night—my duty to all. Until to-morrow, adieu."
They touched hands again, and each looked at the other with a certain wistfulness, as if their hearts were full of a yearning affection they did not dare express.
When Louis had gone William returned to the fire, which was falling into ashes at the edges.
Of all the conversation with his brother one phrase suddenly leapt to his mind unbidden; he seemed to read it in the dying heart of the flame—
"Montigny loves his wife."