"Let us see, then," said he: "our decision is—"
"To decide nothing at all," interposed Castelnau.
"To postpone until a more favorable moment any extreme measures," Des Avenelles concluded, casting an angry glance at the interrupter.
The minister David suggested singing another psalm to beseech God to deliver the poor prisoners.
"Come, let us be going," said La Renaudie to Gabriel; "all this annoys and angers me. These people only know how to sing. They have nothing seditious but their psalms."
When they were on the street they walked along in silence, both deeply absorbed in their reflections.
At the Pont Notre Dame they parted, La Renaudie returning to the Faubourg St. Germain, and Gabriel going toward the Arsenal.
"Adieu, Monsieur d'Exmès," said the former. "I am sorry to have caused you to waste your time thus. But believe me, I pray, when I assure you that this is not our last word. The prince, Coligny, and some of our most reliable heads were absent this evening."
"My time with you has not been wasted," replied Gabriel. "You will be convinced of that very shortly."
"So much the better, so much the better," rejoined La Renaudie. "Nevertheless, doubt—"