And it was evident that he had not noted his absence until then.

"My lord's Vicar of all people should be here!" he continued, leaning forward and looking round the table.

His brow was stormy.
Lescot squirmed under his eye; Thuriot turned pale and trembled.

It was one of the canons of St.-Maurice, who at length took on himself to answer.
"His lordship requested, M.le Comte," he ventured, "that you would excuse him.

His duties--" "Is he ill ?" "He--" "Is he ill, sirrah ?" Tavannes roared.