"Sir," replied La Mole, with the same serious politeness, "I made a vow to become a Catholic if I escaped the massacre."
"It was a very prudent vow," returned the Piedmontese, "and I congratulate you on it; is it the only one you made?"
"No, sir, I made one other," replied La Mole, patting his horse with his usual deliberate grace.
"And it was——" enquired Coconnas.
"To hang you up yonder, to that little hook which seems to be waiting for you, just below Monsieur de Coligny."
"What!" cried Coconnas, "all alive, just as I am?"
"No, sir; after passing my sword through your body."
Coconnas became purple, and his grey eye flashed fire.
"Really," said he, with a sneer; "to yonder rail? You are not quite tall enough for that, my little gentleman."
"Then I will get upon your horse," replied La Mole. "Ah! you think, my dear M. Hannibal de Coconnas, that you may assassinate people with impunity under the loyal and honourable pretext of being a hundred to one. Not so. A day comes when every man finds his man, and for you that day is come now. I am almost tempted to break your ugly head with a pistol shot; but pshaw! I should perhaps miss you, for my hand still shakes with the wounds you so treacherously gave me.