A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

174 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY, with intense sarcasm. “Yes, in marrying you the Prince of Béarn fulfilled one of those acts of policy de- manded for the interest of the kingdom, but, my poor child, the indifference he has manifested for one so young, so lovely, and so fascinating as yourself should scarce, methinks, be the spur to rouse you to become his champion.” Marguerite flushed beneath these words and the keen glance which accompanied them, but not for one instant did she lower her eyes. . “T have promised the King of Navarre my alliance,” she said proudly and unflinchingly, “and I will be faith- ful to my promise. My brother, I appeal to you to keep yours.” Charles sat as if stupefied between the imperative look of Catherine and the supplicating regard of Mar- guerite; while the Duchess de Bassompierre watched the trio with haggard eyes and parted lips, her one thought “ Vengeance!” But the struggle was unequal, and no one knew it better than the wily queen-mother. “You do well to recognize that your brother is still King of France,” she said sternly to her daughter. “Your husband is not king yet, and Charles IX. owes no faith to heretics and traitors. No more of this!’’- And she checked with a commanding gesture the pam, sionate retort that rose to Marguerite’s lips. Then, stooping, she whispered a few hurried eros in the king’s ear. A spasm of terror swept across Charles’ face. “No, no, madame,” he gasped, and he caught fever- ishly at his mother’s hand. “No, no! Don’t desert me! Anything but that! I am indeed lost without you,” CEOMMIElOCOKS (elo in