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"Silence!" Charles cried, darting forth his long arms in a fury of

impatience "God, have I killed every one

mad? Silence! Do you hear? Silence! And let me hear what he has to

say," with a movement towards Count Hannibal "And look you, sirrah," he

continued with a curse, "see that it be to the purpose!"

"If it be a question of your Majesty's service," Tavannes answered, "and

obedience to your Majesty's orders, I an towards the priest "I give my word for that And I

will prove it"

"How, sir?" Charles cried "Ho? Hoill you prove it?"

"By doing for you, sire, what he will not do!" Tavannes answered

scornfully "Let him stand out, and if he will serve his Church as I

will serve --"

"Blaspheme not!" cried the priest

"Chatter not!" Tavannes retorted hardily, "but do! Better is he," he

continued, "who takes a city than he who slays wo start, "be not angry, but hear me! You

would send to Biron, to the Arsenal? You seek a ood father be the man Let him take your Majesty's will to

Biron, and let hi him to

reason Or, if he will not, I will! Let that be the test!"

"Ay, ay!" cried Marshal de Tavannes, "you say well, brother! Let him!"

"And if he will not, I will!" Tavannes repeated "Let that be the test,