A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

THE WHITE BADGE. 45 “You are a great physician, Master Pare,” she said, earnestly, “the greatest France has known, and your skill has ere this saved the life of kings. I do entreat you then, out of the love you bore my honored husband, to spare no pains to recall toa higher, better, and nobler life my son.” She rose and stretched forth her hands in appeal to the physician. “Do that, good Ambrose, and I will esteem no reward too much, even were it. half the estates of Bassompierre.” Master Pare took the jewelled hands and pressed them consolingly in his. “Madame,” he replied gently, “I am a physician of the body and not of the mind, yet in this case I have studied both and I willessay the cure. My reward will be my success.” | And, raising one of the duchess’ hands, with the utmost respect, he touched it with his lips. “Madame la Duchesse! Madame la Duchesse!” called a fresh and musical voice from the balcony. “It is Gabrielle,” said the duchess, quickly withdraw- ing her hand. “At another time, Master Pare, we will speak further of this.” Taking these words as a dismissal, as indeed they were meant to be, the old physician bowed low, and took his departure, as Gabrielle, pushing aside the curtains, appeared from the balcony. She lightly descended the few steps that led to the window and crossed the room to the duchess’ side. Dressed in a simple robe of white, in her youth and gay abandon she formed a striking contrast to the sombre- robed duchess; the one with her life all before her, the other, her existence past, save for what joy and sorrow the future might have in store for her in the life of her son. Conmmleloooks (©) im