You have taught them lessons more difficult to learn than this; and I do not doubt that in this, as in other things, they will obey their priest." And as he spoke de Lescure laid his hand on the Cure's shoulder.
"You won't hang him then ?" whispered the Chevalier.
"You wouldn't have me do so, would you, Arthur ?" "Who--I ?" said the boy.

"No--that is, I don't know.

I wouldn't like to have to say that anybody should be hung; but if anybody ever did deserve it, he does." "And you, Father Jerome ?" said de Lescure, "you agree with me?
You would not have us sully our pure cause with a cold-blooded execution ?" The three were now standing at an open window, looking into the garden.
Their backs were turned to Santerre and Denot, and they were speaking in low whispers; but nevertheless Denot either guessed or overheard that he was the subject of their conversation.

The priest did not immediately answer de Lescure's appeal.

In his heart he thought that the circumstances not only justified, but demanded the traitor's death; but, remembering his profession, and the lessons of mercy it was his chief business to teach, he hesitated to be the first to say that he thought the young man should be doomed.
"Well, Father Jerome," said de Lescure, looking into the priest's face, "surely you have no difficulty in answering me ?" The Cure was saved the necessity of answering the appeal; for while he was still balancing between what he thought to be his duty, and that which was certainly his inclination, Denot himself interrupted the whisperers.
"M.