"Oh, yes! that is indeed brotherly advice!" retorted La Renaudie, ironically.
"Yes, Monsieur de la Renaudie," interposed Gabriel, coming forward, "it is the advice of a loyal friend, I bear you witness. Castelnau surrendered to the Duc de Nemours this morning; and if you do not follow his example, you are lost."
"Aha, Monsieur de Montgommery!" exclaimed La Renaudie, "are you with these fellows?"
"I am neither with them nor with yourself," said Gabriel, in a grave and melancholy tone. "I stand between you."
"Oh, forgive me, Monsieur le Comte," added La Renaudie, deeply moved by the noble and dignified bearing of Gabriel. "I had no wish to wound you, and I think I would doubt my own loyalty rather than yours." "Pray believe me, then," said Gabriel, "and do not hazard a useless and disastrous conflict. Surrender."
"Impossible!" replied La Renaudie.
"But reflect, I beg you," said Pardaillan, "that we are no more than a feeble advance-guard."
"For Heaven's sake," retorted the Protestant leader, "do you suppose that my whole force consists of this handful of gallant fellows whom you see?"
"I warn you," said Pardaillan, "that you have traitors in your ranks."
"Well, they are in yours now," returned La Renaudie. "I will undertake to obtain your pardon from Monsieur de Guise," cried Pardaillan, who knew not which way to turn.