Gabriel, at the sight of his idolized Diane, and the sound of her omnipotent voice, no longer was sensible of anything except her gentleness and his love for her. In his heart rage at once gave way to clemency.
"Do you wish him to live, Diane?" he asked his beloved.
"I beg it of you, Gabriel," said she; "for ought we not to give him time to repent?"
"So be it!" said the young man; "let the angel save the demon's life,—it is her proper role."
And still keeping Lord Wentworth, boiling with rage, under his knee, he said quietly to the Peuquoys and the archers,—
"Come here and bind this man while I hold him; then you can imprison him in his own dwelling until Monsieur de Guise determines his fate."
"No! kill me, kill me!" cried Lord Wentworth, struggling furiously.
"Do as I say!" said Gabriel, without loosing his hold. "I begin to think that life will be a greater burden to him than death."
Gabriel's orders were obeyed; and Lord Wentworth struggled and fumed and threatened in vain, for he was gagged and bound in an instant. Then two or three of the men took the ex-governor of Calais in their arms and carried him off, without ceremony.
Gabriel then turned to Jean Peuquoy, and said to him in his cousin's hearing,—