The evident health in which he found it wrung from him a gesture of surprise mingled with fury.

But he repressed his anger, and began to smile.
"I bring good news," he said.

"I have received the governorship of Champagne and the king's promise to be made duke and peer.

Moreover, we have inherited a princely fortune from your cousin; that cursed Huguenot, Georges de Chaverny is killed." The countess turned pale and dropped into a chair.

She saw the secret of the devilish smile on her husband's face.
"Monsieur," she said in a voice of emotion, "you know well that I loved my cousin Chaverny.