The young men looked at each other; but they both answered, after the hesitation of a moment—
"None!"
"None, upon whose death depends that turn in the wheel of fate that should place you on its summit?"
Both the young men were silent.
"At all events," continued the cunning astrologer, "your destiny depends upon the action of your own hands. This action we must symbol forth in mystery, in order that your destiny be accomplished. Here—take this instrument," he pursued, producing a long gold pin of curious workmanship, which at need might have done the task of a dagger, "and pierce the white cloth that lies before you on the table."
The Duke drew back, and refused the instrument thus offered to him.
"Do I not tell you that the accomplishment of your brilliant destiny depends upon this act?" resumed Ruggieri.
"I know not what this incantation may be," said the timid Duke. "Take it, Philip."
But La Mole, little as he was inclined to the superstitious credulity of the times, seemed not more disposed than his master to lend his hand to an act which had the appearance of being connected with the rites of sorcery, and he also refused. On the reiterated assurances of the astrologer, however, that upon that harmless blow hung the accomplishment of their enterprise, and at the command of the Duke, he took the instrument into his hand, and approached it over the cloth. Again, however, he would have hesitated, and would have withdrawn; but the astrologer seized his hand before he was aware, and, giving it a sharp direction downwards, caused him to plunge the instrument into the object beneath the cloth. La Mole shuddered as he felt it penetrate into a soft substance, that, small as it was, gave him the idea of a human body; and that shudder ran through his whole frame as a presentiment of evil.
"It is done," said the astrologer. "Go! and let the work of fate be accomplished."