It is in my power to save from death him whom you love; to save you; to save this _canaille_, if it so please you.

It is in my power to save him, to save you, to save all; and I will save all--at a price! If, on the other hand, you deny me that price, I will as certainly leave all to perish, as perish they will, before the sun that is now rising sets to-night!" Mademoiselle looked straight before her, the flicker of a dreadful prescience in her eyes.
"And the price ?" she muttered.

"The price ?" "You, Mademoiselle." "I ?" "Yes, you! Nay, why fence with me ?" he continued gently.

"You knew it, you have said it.

You have read it in my eyes these seven days." She did not speak, or move, or seem to breathe.