"
"I love you so well that I would kill D'Herouville and De Saumaise and
Du Cevennes, all of them, rather than that one of them should possess
the right to call you his."
"But can you not see how impossible life with you would be after this
night? I should hold you in perpetual fear."
"I will find a way to overcome that fear."
"But each time I look at you would recall this humiliating moment. I
am a proud woman, Monsieur, and I suffer now from humiliation as I
never suffered before;" all of which was true. "I am a Montbazon; it
is very close to royal blood. If I were forced to marry you, you would
certainly live to regret it."
"As I said, I am willing to risk it." Then his voice softened. "Ah,
but I love you! 'Gabrielle, Gabrielle'! That name is the ebb and flow
of my heart's blood. Promise, Madame, promise; for I shall do as I
say. Will you enjoy the dungeon? I think not. Do not doubt that
there is an element of greatness in this heart of mine. With you as my
wife I shall become great; D'Halluys will be a name to live among those
of the great captains."
Madame locked her hands, her fingers twisting and untwisting .
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