But that is the worst wrong he has done me,' he continued, looking up and growing excited again.

'He has cut me off from Mother Church.

There is hardly a priest comes near me now, and presently they will excommunicate me.

And, as I hope for salvation, the Church has no more faithful son than me.' I believe he was on the point, forgetting M.de Rosny's presence there and his errand, of giving way to unmanly tears, when M.de Rambouillet, as if by accident, let the heel of his scabbard fall heavily on the floor.

The king started, and passing his hand once or twice across his brow, seemed to recover himself.