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330 "Charge them, charge them, the canaille!" he cried passionately. "Cut them down, the dogs. To threaten me! Give them the steel!"

"My lord, is this keeping your pledge?" asked Gerard indignantly.

"You did well, sir monk, you saved my life, and shall have fitting reward; but this is my business."

"You pledged your honour as a noble of France, my lord Duke," protested Gerard.

At this moment de Proballe broke through the troops and came hurrying to the Governor.

"You are not hurt, my lord, I trust," he cried.

"It is not your fault that I was not torn to pieces by the mob. But for mademoiselle, your niece, and this good monk, who stopped the mob in the moment of frenzy, I should have been."

"My God!" exclaimed de Proballe, recognizing Gerard. "Do you know who that monk is? The villain de Cobalt!"

The Governor, who stood close to Gerard, stepped back hastily, as if in fear of some treachery, and when at a safe distance scowled at him with eyes of hate.

"It is well," he said between his teeth. "I promised you a fitting reward. You shall have it." He smiled, and turning to the soldiers near him, he ordered: "Arrest him."

"You will not do this, my lord. You cannot be so cowardly," cried Gabrielle, putting herself before Gerard. But this act only served to infuriate him.

"Arrest him, I say," he repeated. "It is I rule here, mademoiselle, not you. You shall not protect him and cannot save him from the fate he merits. You have done enough ill for the people already."

"This injustice shall not be done," declared Gabrielle indignantly.

"You will answer for this to me, my lord Duke, as