“And that condition?� she demanded in a low tone.
“A simple one, mademoiselle,� he said, with an easy air of confidence: “I adore you, Rosaline; and when you are my wife, these two are free.�
“You say this to me after I have declared my love for another man!� she exclaimed aghast, “you say this to me,—a heretic! Your conscience is not very scrupulous.�
He smiled. “You are but a child, Rosaline,� he said; “you will embrace my religion and marry me, or—� he shrugged his shoulders,—“the Tour de Constance for madame and the gallows for your ex-lover. I give you a free choice!�
Rosaline clasped her hands against her heaving bosom, looking up, while the tears fell on her pale cheeks.
“Mon Dieu!� she cried; “forgive me for kneeling to mortal man. I ought to have known that there was no mercy save in Thee. Alas, alas, my dear ones!�
There was a pause; she seemed to be absorbed in her devotions, and M. de Baudri watched her in silence but with relentless eyes. Her beauty and her sorrow only intensified his fierce passion.
“I see that you are willing to kill both rather than sacrifice your whim,� he remarked, striking a skilful blow at her tottering resolution.
“Is it possible that this is your fixed purpose?� she cried. “Can it be that you would have me save them thus? Have you no pride, that you are willing to take a bride on such terms as these? Have you no mercy?�
“I am showing much,� he replied suavely. “How many men would spare a successful rival’s neck?�