"No, Monseigneur, you shall not leave it," said Aloyse, gloomy and cast down, and in a spiritless voice. "You shall not leave it, because you have much to do, and a terrible task, I promise you. But I shall not speak to you of it until the day when you are entirely well again; and Master Nostredame tells me that you may hear what I have to say, and that you have sufficient strength to bear it."
That day arrived on the Tuesday of the week following. Gabriel had been out for the three days preceding, getting ready his equipments, and preparing for his departure; and Nostradamus had said he would come once more during the day to see his convalescent, but that it would be for the last time.
When Aloyse was alone with Gabriel, she said to him,—
"Monseigneur, have you considered well the extreme resolution you have taken, and do you persist in it?"
"I do indeed," said Gabriel.
"And you mean to kill yourself?"
"I mean to kill myself."
"And is it because you have no means of ascertaining whether Madame de Castro is or is not your sister that you mean to die?"
"For that very reason."
"What did I say to you, Monseigneur, to put you on the track of this fearful secret? Do you remember what I said!"