In the east the dawn was growing; soon its grey light would fall on cold hearths, on battered doors and shattered weapons, on hordes of wretches drunk with greed and hate.
When he could be heard, "What are you going to do with us ?" the man asked hoarsely.
"That depends," Count Hannibal replied, after a moment's thought.
"On what ?" "On Mademoiselle de Vrillac." The other's eyes gleamed with passion.

He leaned forward.
"What has she to do with it ?" he cried.

And he stood up and sat down again in a breath.
Tavannes raised his eyebrows with a blandness that seemed at odds with his harsh visage.
"I will answer that question by another question," he replied.

"How many are there in the house, my friend ?" "You can count." Tavannes counted again.

"Seven ?" he said.