My race will be worthily continued. The lad performed
prodigies of valor in the attack on--"
At this moment Bertrand entered, holding a letter in his hand.
"What is this?" said the old lord, eagerly.
"A despatch brought by a courier sent to you by the king," replied
Bertrand.
"The king, and not the queen-mother!" exclaimed the duke. "What is
happening? Have the Huguenots taken arms again? Tete-Dieu!" cried the
old man, rising to his feet and casting a flaming glance at his three
companions, "I'll arm my soldiers once more, and, with Maximilien at
my side, Normandy shall--"
"Sit down, my good seigneur," said Beauvouloir, uneasy at seeing the
duke give way to an excitement that was dangerous to a convalescent.
"Read it, Maitre Corbineau," said the old man, holding out the missive
to his confessor.
These four personages formed a tableau full of instruction upon human
life. The man-at-arms, the priest, and the physician, all three
standing before their master, who was seated in his arm-chair, were
casting pallid glances about them, each presenting one of those ideas
which end by possessing the whole man on the verge of the tomb.
Pages:
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102