Roger Herrick signed the last of the papers upon his table, and leaning back in his chair looked at Lemasle, who had entered the room a few moments before. Jean squatted in his favorite attitude on the floor beside Herrick's chair.
"Yes, yes, Lemasle, all you say is true. While they live, some men will plot and scheme, but to me this seems no reason why I should kill them."
"Sir, once before I said you were too lenient; was I wrong?"
"No; you were right, yet I would be lenient again. Do I disappoint you, Lemasle?"
"Only in this, sir. Justice and expediency demand that traitors should pay the penalty of their treachery."
"There must be something wanting in my nature to make me an ideal Duke."
"Sir, Montvilliers is proud of her Duke, and every day, every hour, the people grow to love you better."
"Surely then we can afford to be lenient," said Herrick.
"Not to traitors," Lemasle answered promptly. "Count Felix despised your leniency. De Bornais, whom you trusted, rebelled, and would have sold his country."
"And Mademoiselle de Liancourt?" asked Herrick quietly.