"Well, what is it?" asked Gabriel, anxiously. "Is Martin-Guerre worse?"
"No, Monsieur le Vicomte," replied Jean. "Martin-Guerre has been taken to our house by my efforts, and Master Ambroise Paré has already seen him. Although amputation of the leg was deemed necessary, Master Paré thinks that we may be sure that your gallant squire will survive the operation."
"Splendid news!" said Gabriel. "Ambroise Paré is doubtless with him still?"
"Monseigneur," replied the burgher, sadly, "he was obliged to leave him to attend another wounded man, more illustrious and more hopeless."
"Who is it, pray?" asked Gabriel, changing color. "Maréchal Strozzi, Monsieur de Nevers—?"
"Monsieur le Duc de Guise, who lies dying at this moment," said Jean.
Gabriel and Diane simultaneously uttered a cry of grief.
"And I was just saying that we were nearing the end of our agony," said Madame de Castro, after a moment's silence. "Oh, Mon Dieu! mon Dieu!"
"Call not upon God, Madame," said Gabriel, with a sad smile. "God is just, and justly chastises my selfishness. I took Calais only for my father's sake and yours. It is God's will that I should have taken it for the good of France."