You have defied the power of Holy Church as you have defied the power of our sovereign lady, and justice is upon you.

We are here to present the reckoning, and see its payment made in full." She fancied he alluded to the body in the coffin--the body of her stepson--and she could have laughed at his foolish conclusions that she must account Florimond's death an act of justice upon her for her impiety.

But her rising anger left her no room for laughter.
"I thought, sir priest, you were come to bury the dead.

But it rather seems you are come to talk." He looked at her long and sternly.

Then he shook his head, and the faintest shadow of a smile haunted his ascetic face.
"Not to talk, madame; oh, not to talk," he answered slowly.