Part 132 (1/2)
”No.”
”Are you mad?”
”To refuse is to betray.”
”Let them think as they like; at all events I will choose my own danger.”
”Monseigneur, you choose badly.”
”I will risk it,” cried Francois, endeavoring to keep firm.
”For your own interest I advise you not to do so.”
”But I shall compromise myself by signing.”
”In refusing, you a.s.sa.s.sinate yourself.”
Francois shuddered.
”They would dare?” said he.
”They would dare anything, monseigneur. The conspirators have gone so far, that they must succeed at any cost.”
The duke, with his usual indecision, felt terribly perplexed.
”I will sign,” said he, at last.
”When?”
”To-morrow.”
”No, monseigneur; if you sign, it must be at once.”
”But M. de Guise must draw up the agreement.”
”It is already drawn-here it is;” and Monsoreau drew a paper from his pocket: it was a full adhesion to the scheme. The duke read it though, growing more and more pale as he did so.
”Here is the pen, monseigneur.”
”Then I must sign?”
”If you wish to do so; no one forces you.”
”Yes, they do, since they menace me with a.s.sa.s.sination.”
”I do not menace you, monseigneur--I only warn you.”
”Give me the pen.”
And, s.n.a.t.c.hing it eagerly, he signed the paper. Monsoreau watched him with an eye full of hatred and hope, and no sooner had the duke finished than, exclaiming ”Ah!” he seized the paper, b.u.t.toned it into his doublet, and wrapped his cloak over it.