"A man should love his wife as himself, and above all the world," cried the voice angrily.
"Oh dear!" wailed Chicot in despairing tones; "then I certainly have sinned terribly."
"And by your example you have caused others to sin."
"That is true, sadly true."
"You very nearly sent that poor Saint-Luc to perdition."
"Bah!" said Chicot, "are you sure I did not send him there quite?"
"No; but such a fate may befall both of you if you do not let him go back to his family at break of day."
"Dear me!" said Chicot to the King, "the voice seems to take a great interest in the house of Cossé."
"If you disobey me, you will suffer the same torments as Sardanapalus, Nabuchodnosor, and the Marshal De Retz."
Henry III. gave a loud groan; at this threat he became more frightened than ever.