A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

BY ROYAL COMMAND. 195 not, and removed his vizard, exhibiting the eagle-like features of the King of Navarre. “Your Majesty! Here!” exclaimed the chevalier in — amazement, sinking upon one knee before his sovereign. “ Rise! rise!” commanded Henri, impatiently, “This is no time for folly of that sort. The times are too perilous. Leave ceremony for the court, where it is only valuable to keep fools at a distance.” Raoul, still bewildered, rose to his feet. ‘“ Well, young sir,’’ continued the king, eyeing him with a glance which combined both pity and scrutiny, “have the last few days destroyed your spirit, or are you still ready to be my messenger to the Governor of La Rochelle?” “T am ever ready to do your Majesty service,” replied Raoul. “Then you will start two hours before daybreak. Your friend here,” indicating Ismael, who with Mirza had withdrawn to the farthest corner, abashed at the presence of royalty, “will bring your horse to this place. Here is a pass, and hard work had I to wring it from my brother-in-law. Had he known to what purpose it was to have been put, he would never have given it, eh, Master Pare?” and he turned to his companion, who had also unmasked, exhibiting the pale, intellectual countenance of the king’s physician. “And now,” con- tinued Henri of Navarre, “here are further instructions for the Governor of La Rochelle. The attack will be made shortly, and he is to resist to the death. To the death! Do you understand?” *“T understand, your Majesty,” replied Raoul, as he received the two documents. “But oh, sire,” and he trembled at his own effrontery, “ what shall I say when they ask me if our leader has indeed recanted?” GComichbooks (E©)