— 4 — A SACRIFICE TO SATANDesgrez was bitterly disappointed, even offended; he wished to protest, but knew that he dared not do so. Why had he been dismissed when La Reynie was allowed to remain? Bowing stiffly he rose and passed down the room. Where was he to go? What was he to do?
Shaken with regret and shame, he wondered if in some way he had disobeyed or offended. To be thus dismissed at the moment of the greatest interest, and possibly — humiliating thought — greatest danger! Did not M. de La Reynie trust, then, his courage, discretion?
It was Saint-Maurice who escorted him to the kitchen, where the fire burned brightly.
“I can guess your identity, Monseigneur,” he remarked pleasantly. “You were always squeamish. I can’t say I like the ceremony myself, but she insists. I suppose I
