"I tell you the woman has bewitched him, and he will deny his letters!" For a moment there was silence.

Then, "But dare he do that, reverend Father ?" Lescot asked slowly and incredulously.

"What?
Suppress the King's letters ?" "There is nothing he will not dare! There is nothing he has not dared!" the priest answered vehemently, the recollection of the scene in the great guard-room of the Louvre, when Tavannes had so skilfully turned the tables on him, instilling venom into his tone.

"She who lives with him is the devil's.

She has bewitched him with her spells and her Sabbaths! She bears the mark of the Beast on her bosom, and for her the fire is even now kindling!" The laymen who were present shuddered.