. . I regret
to leave it." He stared across the lake, but he could see nothing. A
page of his youth came back.
"Monsieur," said Chaumonot, "you have many sins upon your soul. Shall
I give you absolution?"
"Absolution?" The vicomte's lips grimaced; it might have been an
attempt to smile. "Absolution for me? Where is Brother Jacques? That
would be droll. . . . Those eyes! Absolution? That for your heaven,"
snapping his fingers, "and that for your hell. I know. It is all
silence. There is nothing. I wonder. . . ." His knees suddenly
refused to support the weight of his body. He raised himself upon his
hands. The trees were merging together; the lake was red and blurred.
"Gabrielle, Gabrielle, I loved you after my own fashion! . . . The
devil take that grey cloak!" And the vicomte's lawless soul went forth.
The men took the three bodies and placed them in the canoes. They were
somewhat rough with the vicomte's.
"Gently, my brothers," said Nicot. "He was a rascal, but he was a man."
Madame and the Chevalier were alone. To both of them it seemed as
though years had passed. Madame was weary.
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