And his breath came a little faster.
"Quick, before it be too late! Will you save life, or will you kill ?" She looked at her lover with eyes of agony, dumbly questioning him.

But he made no sign, and only Tavannes marked the look.
"Monsieur has done what he can to save himself," he said, with a sneer.
"He has donned the livery of the King's servants; he has said, 'Whoever perishes, I will live!' But--" "Curse you!" the young man cried, and, stung to madness, he tore the cross from his cap and flung it on the ground.

He seized his white sleeve and ripped it from shoulder to elbow.

Then, when it hung by the string only, he held his hand.
"Curse you!" he cried furiously.

"I will not at your bidding! I may save her yet! I _will_ save her!" "Fool!" Tavannes answered--but his words were barely audible above the deafening uproar.