D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 190: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Grip of Porthos. 17 moved in the king’s name, remove my doubts in that of the Pope, whose officer I am.” - “Oh, the wind blows from the Seven Hills, eh?” mut- tered the duke, hesitating. “I thought all was allayed in that cardinal point.” “My lord is the Mother’s devout son,” interpolated the lady, regretting her hasty threat. ‘This is a political matter, and only the sword and the sceptre are involved. Do not try to puzzle the bull,’ continued she, trying to blot out her misstep with verbiage, “by flourishing the surplice before his eyes, or you may be trampled un- awares. We go to pull down nothing—only to replace— to revive rights. Let the people, if they like, rectify their wrongs.” This was still half a menace; perhaps as far as the woman cared to go again; it was sufficient to infuriate the priest. He drew himself up to his full height, be- coming quite another and more redoubtable figure than the typical cringing friar. “My lord, I have the papal plenary absolution for what I do. I am the direct representative and the envoy of Bishop Remoro, Grand Inquisitor, and, as such, I must stay your departure until you pledge, by something too solemn to be broken, not to interfere with the work of the Church!” He held up an ornament of his rosary, probably a frag- ment of the True Cross. “Orders to me?” “Your repugnance to answer is a fault, your promises of treasure to your followers 2 crime, when you well know that all the powers have closed their coffers to you, as when a thief creeps up!’’ “Thief? You shall pay for that!’ “Aspirer in vain to an earthly crown, you shall pay for your presumption! Die!” Instead of the rosary, it was a dagger that he held as he darted at the duke. The latter was contemptuously and yet indignantly turning away to call some one to deal with the insolent monk. The blade shone over his head, so that the duchess, usually strong, was petrified and turned pale. Her eyes shut in spite of her will. Her arms were extended, but CORNICE LOOKS (EO)