Chests and cupboards nearly filled the walls. I took this to be a sort
of council-room of my Lord Mayenne.
Pierre sent one of his men for a cane and to the other suggested that he
should quench the Virgin's candles.
"For I don't see why this rascal should have the comfort of a light in
there," he said. "As for Madonna Mary, she will not mind; she has a
million others to see by."
I was left alone with him and I promised myself the joy of one good blow
at his face, no matter how deep they flayed me for it. But as I gathered
myself for the rush he spoke to me low and cautiously:
"Now howl your loudest, lad; and I'll not lay on too hard."
My clinched fist dropped to my side.
"You never did me any harm," he muttered. "Howl till they think you half
killed, and I'll manage."
I gaped at him, not knowing what to make of it. But this is the way of
the world; if there is much cruelty in it, there is much kindness, too.
"Here's the cane, nom d'un chien!" Pierre exclaimed boisterously. "Give
it here, Jean; there'll not be much of it left when I get through."
"You'll strip his coat off?" said the second lackey, from the oratory.
"My faith! no; I should kill him if I did, and the duke wants him,"
Pierre retorted. So without more ado the two men tied my wrists in front
of me, and Jean held me by the knot while Pierre laid on.
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