The physician came, examined the victim, and said that he could bear
the eighth wedge.
"Then insert it," said the cardinal. "After all, as the queen says, he
is only a heretic," he added, looking at Christophe with a dreadful
smile.
At this moment Catherine came with slow steps from the adjoining
apartment and stood before Christophe, coldly observing him. Instantly
she was the object of the closest attention on the part of the two
brothers, who watched alternately the queen and her accomplice. On
this solemn test the whole future of that ambitious woman depended;
she felt the keenest admiration for Christophe, yet she gazed sternly
at him; she hated the Guises, and she smiled upon them!
"Young man," said the queen, "confess that you have seen the Prince de
Conde, and you will be richly rewarded."
"Ah! what a business this is for you, madame!" cried Christophe,
pitying her.
The queen quivered.
"He insults me!" she exclaimed. "Why do you not hang him?" she cried,
turning to the two brothers, who stood thoughtful.
"What a woman!" said the duke in a glance at his brother, consulting
him by his eye, and leading him to the window.
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