Hauer sprang forward with a cry of rage, and would have hurled himself upon the Deputy, had not Charlotte's quiet voice stopped him.
"Leave him alone," she begged. "Let him be, I pray you. He is not worthy of your anger."
Chabot moved toward the entrance slowly.
"Good-by, mademoiselle," he said, "and thank you"—ironically—"thank you for a very pleasant chat, which I shall always remember, when you are—what shall we say?—forgotten!"
Charlotte faced him with quiet dignity.
"I may be forgotten," she replied, "and that soon. But what I have done shall not readily be forgotten."
With a sarcastic laugh the Deputy crossed the threshold and was gone.
Richard watched his departure with evident relief, and then turned to address his prisoner.
"There is a priest without," he said, "who asks whether you desire his services."
Charlotte shook her head. "Will you thank him on my behalf for his kindness. But I do not need the offices of the Church."