In the citadel1 of Montaignac, within the second line of fortifications, stands an old building known as the chapel2.
Originally consecrated3 to worship, the structure had, at the time of which we write, fallen into disuse. It was so damp that it would not even serve as an arsenal4 for an artillery5 regiment6, for the guns rusted7 there more quickly than in the open air. A black mould covered the walls to a height of six or seven feet.
This was the place selected by the Duc de Sairmeuse and the Marquis de Courtornieu for the assembling of the military commission.
On first entering it, Maurice and the abbe felt a cold chill strike to their very hearts; and an indefinable anxiety paralyzed all their faculties8.
But the commission had not yet commenced its seance; and they had time to look about them.
The arrangements which had been made in transforming this gloomy hall into a tribunal, attested9 the precipitancy of the judges and their determination to finish their work promptly10 and mercilessly.
The arrangements denoted an absence of all form; and one could divine at once the frightful11 certainty of the result.
Three large tables taken from the mess-room, and covered with horse-blankets instead of tapestry12, stood upon the platform. Some unpainted wooden chairs awaited the judges; but in the centre glittered the president’s chair, a superbly carved and gilded13 fauteuil, sent by the Duc de Sairmeuse.
Several wooden benches had been provided for the prisoners.
Ropes stretched from one wall to the other divided the chapel into two parts. It was a precaution against the public.
A superfluous14 precaution, alas15!
The abbe and Maurice had expected to find the crowd too great for the hall, large as it was, and they found the chapel almost unoccupied.
There were not twenty persons in the building. Standing16 back in the shadow of the wall were perhaps a dozen men, pale and gloomy, a sullen17 fire smouldering in their eyes, their teeth tightly clinched18. They were army officers retired19 on half pay. Three men, attired21 in black, were conversing22 in low tones near the door. In a corner stood several country-women with their aprons23 over their faces. They were weeping bitterly, and their sobs24 alone broke the silence. They were the mothers, wives, or daughters of the accused men.
Nine o’clock sounded. The rolling of the drum made the panes25 of the only window tremble. A loud voice outside shouted, “Present arms!” The military commission entered, followed by the Marquis de Courtornieu and several civil functionaries26.
The duke was in full uniform, his face a little more crimson27, and his air a trifle more haughty28 than usual.
“The session is open!” pronounced the Duc de Sairmeuse, the president.
Then, in a rough voice, he added:
“Bring in the culprits.”
He had not even the grace to say “the accused.”
They came in, one by one, to the number of twenty, and took their places on the benches at the foot of the platform.
Chanlouineau held his head proudly erect29, and looked composedly about him.
Baron30 d’Escorval was calm and grave; but not more so than when, in days gone by, he had been called upon to express his opinion in the councils of the Empire.
Both saw Maurice, who was so overcome that he had to lean upon the abbe for support. But while the baron greeted his son with a simple bend of the head, Chanlouineau made a gesture that clearly signified:
“Have confidence in me — fear nothing.”
The attitude of the other prisoners betrayed surprise rather than fear. Perhaps they were unconscious of the peril31 they had braved, and the extent of the danger that now threatened them.
When the prisoners had taken their places, the chief counsel for the prosecution32 rose.
His presentation of the case was characterized by intense violence, but lasted only five minutes. He briefly33 narrated34 the facts, exalted35 the merits of the government, of the Restoration, and concluded by a demand that sentence of death should be pronounced upon the culprits.
When he ceased speaking, the duke, addressing the first prisoner upon the bench, said, rudely:
“Stand up.”
The prisoner rose.
“Your name and age?”
“Eugene Michel Chanlouineau, aged36 twenty-nine, farmer by occupation.”
“An owner of national lands, probably?”
“The owner of lands which, having been paid for with good money and made fertile by labor37, are rightfully mine.”
The duke did not wish to waste time on discussion.
“You have taken part in this rebellion?” he pursued.
“Yes.”
“You are right in avowing39 it, for witnesses will be introduced who will prove this fact conclusively41.”
Five grenadiers entered; they were the men whom Chanlouineau had held at bay while Maurice, the abbe, and Marie-Anne were entering the carriage.
These soldiers declared upon oath that they recognized the accused; and one of them even went so far as to pronounce a glowing eulogium upon him, declaring him to be a solid fellow, of remarkable42 courage.
Chanlouineau’s eyes during this deposition43 betrayed an agony of anxiety. Would the soldiers allude44 to this circumstance of the carriage? No; they did not allude to it.
“That is sufficient,” interrupted the president.
Then turning to Chanlouineau:
“What were your motives45?” he inquired.
“We hoped to free ourselves from a government imposed upon us by foreigners; to free ourselves from the insolence46 of the nobility, and to retain the lands that were justly ours.”
“Enough! You were one of the leaders of the revolt?”
“One of the leaders — yes.”
“Who were the others?”
A faint smile flitted over the lips of the young farmer, as he replied:
“The others were Monsieur Lacheneur, his son Jean, and the Marquis de Sairmeuse.”
The duke bounded from his gilded arm-chair.
“Wretch!” he exclaimed, “rascal! vile47 scoundrel!”
He caught up a heavy inkstand that stood upon the table before him: and one would have supposed that he was about to hurl48 it at the prisoner’s head.
Chanlouineau stood perfectly49 unmoved in the midst of the assembly, which was excited to the highest pitch by his startling declaration.
“You questioned me,” he resumed, “and I replied. You may gag me if my responses do not please you. If there were witnesses for me as there are against me, I could prove the truth of my words. As it is, all the prisoners here will tell you that I am speaking the truth. Is it not so, you others?”
With the exception of Baron d’Escorval, there was not one prisoner who was capable of understanding the real bearing of these audacious allegations; but all, nevertheless, nodded their assent50.
“The Marquis de Sairmeuse was so truly our leader,” exclaimed the daring peasant, “that he was wounded by a sabre-thrust while fighting by my side.”
The face of the duke was more purple than that of a man struck with apoplexy; and his fury almost deprived him of the power of speech.
“You lie, scoundrel! you lie!” he gasped51.
“Send for the marquis,” said Chanlouineau, tranquilly52, “and see whether or not he is wounded.”
A refusal on the part of the duke could not fail to arouse suspicion. But what could he do? Martial53 had concealed55 his wound the day before; it was now impossible to confess that he had been wounded.
Fortunately for the duke, one of the judges relieved him of his embarrassment56.
“I hope, Monsieur, that you will not give this arrogant57 rebel the satisfaction he desires. The commission opposes his demand.”
Chanlouineau laughed loudly.
“Very naturally,” he exclaimed. “To-morrow my head will be off, and you think nothing will then remain to prove what I say. I have another proof, fortunately — material and indestructible proof — which it is beyond your power to destroy, and which will speak when my body is six feet under ground.”
“What is the proof?” demanded another judge, upon whom the duke looked askance.
The prisoner shook his head.
“I will give it to you when you offer me my life in exchange for it,” he replied. “It is now in the hands of a trusty person, who knows its value. It will go to the King if necessary. We would like to understand the part which the Marquis de Sairmeuse has played in this affair — whether he was truly with us, or whether he was only an instigating58 agent.”
A tribunal regardful of the immutable59 rules of justice, or even of its own honor, would, by virtue60 of its discretionary powers, have instantly demanded the presence of the Marquis de Sairmeuse.
But the military commission considered such a course quite beneath its dignity.
These men arrayed in gorgeous uniforms were not judges charged with the vindication61 of a cruel law, but still a law — they were the instruments, commissioned by the conquerors62, to strike the vanquished63 in the name of that savage64 code which may be summed up in two words: “vae victis.”
The president, the noble Duc de Sairmeuse, would not have consented to summon Martial on any consideration. Nor did his associate judges wish him to do so.
Had Chanlouineau foreseen this? Probably. Yet, why had he ventured so hazardous65 a blow?
The tribunal, after a short deliberation, decided66 that it would not admit this testimony67 which had so excited the audience, and stupefied Maurice and Abbe Midon.
The examination was continued, therefore, with increased bitterness.
“Instead of designating imaginary leaders,” resumed the duke, “you would do well to name the real instigator68 of this revolt — not Lacheneur, but an individual seated upon the other end of the bench, the elder d’Escorval ——”
“Monsieur le Baron d’Escorval was entirely69 ignorant of the conspiracy70, I swear it by all that I hold most sacred ——”
“Hold your tongue!” interrupted the counsel for the prosecution. “Instead of wearying the patience of the commission by such ridiculous stories, try to merit its indulgence.”
Chanlouineau’s glance and gesture expressed such disdain71 that the man who interrupted him was abashed72.
“I wish no indulgence,” he said. “I have played, I have lost; here is my head. But if you were not more cruel than wild beasts you would take pity on the poor wretches73 who surround me. I see at least ten among them who were not our accomplices74, and who certainly did not take up arms. Even the others did not know what they were doing. No, they did not!”
Having spoken, he resumed his seat, proud, indifferent, and apparently77 oblivious78 to the murmur79 which ran through the audience, the soldiers of the guard and even to the platform, at the sound of his vibrant80 voice.
The despair of the poor peasant women had been reawakened, and their sobs and moans filled the immense hall.
The retired officers had grown even more pale and gloomy; and tears streamed down the wrinkled cheeks of several.
“That one is a man!” they were thinking.
The abbe leaned over and whispered in the ear of Maurice:
“Evidently Chanlouineau has some plan. He intends to save your father. How, I cannot understand.”
The judges were conversing in low tones with considerable animation81.
A difficulty had presented itself.
The prisoners, ignorant of the charges which would be brought against them, and not expecting instant trial, had not thought of procuring82 a defender83.
And this circumstance, bitter mockery! frightened this iniquitous84 tribunal, which did not fear to trample85 beneath its feet the most sacred rules of justice.
The judges had decided; their verdict was, as it were, rendered in advance, and yet they wished to hear a voice raised in defence of those who were already doomed86.
It chanced that three lawyers, retained by the friends of several of the prisoners, were in the hall.
They were the three men that Maurice, on his entrance, had noticed conversing near the door of the chapel.
The duke was informed of this fact. He turned to them, and motioned them to approach; then, pointing to Chanlouineau:
“Will you undertake this culprit’s defence?” he demanded.
For a moment the lawyers made no response. This monstrous87 seance had aroused a storm of indignation and disgust within their breasts, and they looked questioningly at each other.
“We are all disposed to undertake the prisoner’s defence,” at last replied the eldest88 of the three; “but we see him for the first time; we are ignorant of his grounds of defence. We must ask a delay; it is indispensable, in order to confer with him.”
“The court can grant you no delay,” interrupted M. de Sairmeuse; “will you accept the defence, yes or no?”
The advocate hesitated, not that he was afraid, for he was a brave man: but he was endeavoring to find some argument strong enough to trouble the conscience of these judges.
“I will speak in his behalf,” said the advocate, at last, “but not without first protesting with all my strength against these unheard-of modes of procedure.”
“Oh! spare us your homilies, and be brief.”
After Chanlouineau’s examination, it was difficult to improvise89 there, on the spur of the moment, a plea in his behalf. Still, his courageous90 advocate, in his indignation, presented a score of arguments which would have made any other tribunal reflect.
But all the while he was speaking the Duc de Sairmeuse fidgeted in his gilded arm-chair with every sign of angry impatience91.
“The plea was very long,” he remarked, when the lawyer had concluded, “terribly long. We shall never get through with this business if each prisoner takes up as much time!”
He turned to his colleagues as if to consult them, but suddenly changing his mind he proposed to the prosecuting92 counsel that he should unite all the cases, try all the culprits in a body, with the exception of the elder d’Escorval.
“This will shorten our task, for, in case we adopt this course, there will be but two judgments93 to be pronounced,” he said. “This will not, of course, prevent each individual from defending himself.”
The lawyers protested against this. A judgment94 in a lump, like that suggested by the duke, would destroy all hope of saving a single one of these unfortunate men from the guillotine.
“How can we defend them,” the lawyers pleaded, “when we know nothing of the situation of each of the prisoners? we do not even know their names. We shall be obliged to designate them by the cut of their coats and by the color of their hair.”
They implored95 the tribunal to grant them a week for preparation, four days, even twenty-four hours. Futile96 efforts! The president’s proposition was adopted.
Consequently, each prisoner was called to the desk according to the place which he occupied upon the benches. Each man gave his name, his age, his abode97, and his profession, and received an order to return to his place.
Six or seven prisoners were actually granted time to say that they were absolutely ignorant of the conspiracy, and that they had been arrested while conversing quietly upon the public highway. They begged to be allowed to furnish proof of the truth of their assertions; they invoked98 the testimony of the soldiers who had arrested them.
M. d’Escorval, whose case had been separated from the others, was not summoned to the desk. He would be interrogated99 last.
“Now the counsel for the defence will be heard,” said the duke; “but make haste; lose no time! It is already twelve o’clock.”
Then began a shameful100, revolting, and unheard-of scene. The duke interrupted the lawyers every other moment, bidding them be silent, questioning them, or jeering101 at them.
“It seems incredible,” said he, “that anyone can think of defending such wretches!”
Or again:
“Silence! You should blush with shame for having constituted yourself the defender of such rascals102!”
But the lawyers persevered103 even while they realized the utter uselessness of their efforts. But what could they do under such circumstances? The defence of these twenty-nine prisoners lasted only one hour and a half.
Before the last word was fairly uttered, the Duc de Sairmeuse gave a sigh of relief, and in a tone which betrayed his delight, said:
“Prisoner Escorval, stand up.”
Thus called upon, the baron rose, calm and dignified104. Terrible as his sufferings must have been, there was no trace of it upon his noble face.
He had even repressed the smile of disdain which the duke’s paltry105 affection in not giving him the title which belonged to him, brought to his lips.
But Chanlouineau sprang up at the same time, trembling with indignation, his face all aglow106 with anger.
“Remain seated,” ordered the duke, “or you shall be removed from the court-room.”
Chanlouineau, nevertheless, declared that he would speak; that he had some remarks to add to the plea made by the defending counsel.
Upon a sign from the duke, two gendarmes107 approached and placed their hands upon his shoulders. He allowed them to force him back into his seat though he could easily have crushed them with one pressure of his brawny108 arm.
An observer would have supposed that he was furious; secretly, he was delighted. The aim he had had in view was now attained109. In the glance he cast upon the abbe, the latter could read:
“Whatever happens, watch over Maurice; restrain him. Do not allow him to defeat my plans by any outbreak.”
This caution was not unnecessary. Maurice was terribly agitated110; he could not see, he felt that he was suffocating111, that he was losing his reason.
“Where is the self-control you promised me?” murmured the priest.
But no one observed the young man’s condition. The attention was rapt, breathless. So profound was the silence that the measured tread of the sentinels without could be distinctly heard.
Each person present felt that the decisive moment for which the tribunal had reserved all its attention and efforts had come.
To convict and condemn112 the poor peasants, of whom no one would think twice, was a mere113 trifle. But to bring low an illustrious man who had been the counsellor and faithful friend of the Emperor! What glory, and what an opportunity for the ambitious!
The instinct of the audience spoke76 the truth. If the tribunal had acted informally in the case of the obscure conspirators114, it had carefully prepared its suit against the baron.
Thanks to the activity of the Marquis de Courtornieu, the prosecution had found seven charges against the baron, the least grave of which was punishable by death.
“Which of you,” demanded M. de Sairmeuse, “will consent to defend this great culprit?”
“I!” exclaimed three advocates, in a breath.
“Take care,” said the duke, with a malicious115 smile; “the task is not light.”
“Not light!” It would have been better to say dangerous. It would have been better to say that the defender risked his career, his peace, and his liberty; very probably, his life.
“Our profession has its exigencies,” nobly replied the oldest of the advocates.
And the three courageously116 took their places beside the baron, thus avenging117 the honor of their robe which had just been miserably118 sullied, in a city where, among more than a hundred thousand souls, two pure and innocent victims of a furious reaction had not — oh, shame!— been able to find a defender.
“Prisoner,” resumed M. de Sairmeuse, “state your name and profession.”
“Louis Guillaume, Baron d’Escorval, Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honor, formerly119 Councillor of State under the Empire.”
“So you avow38 these shameful services? You confess ——”
“Pardon, Monsieur; I am proud of having had the honor of serving my country, and of being useful to her in proportion to my ability ——”
With a furious gesture the duke interrupted him.
“That is excellent!” he exclaimed. “These gentlemen, the commissioners120, will appreciate that. It was, undoubtedly121, in the hope of regaining122 your former position that you entered into a conspiracy against a magnanimous prince with these vile wretches!”
“These peasants are not vile wretches, but misguided men, Monsieur. Moreover, you know — yes, you know as well as I do myself — that I have had no hand in this conspiracy.”
“You were arrested in the ranks of the conspirators with weapons in your hands!”
“I was unarmed, Monsieur, as you are well aware; and if I was among the peasantry, it was only because I hoped to induce them to relinquish123 their senseless enterprise.”
“You lie!”
The baron paled beneath the insult, but he made no reply.
There was, however, one man in the assemblage who could no longer endure this horrible and abominable124 injustice125, and this man was Abbe Midon, who, only a moment before, had advised Maurice to be calm.
He brusquely quitted his place, and advanced to the foot of the platform.
“The Baron d’Escorval speaks the truth,” he cried, in a ringing voice; “the three hundred prisoners in the citadel will swear to it; these prisoners here would say the same if they stood upon the guillotine; and I, who accompanied him, who walked beside him, I, a priest, swear before the God who will judge all men, Monsieur de Sairmeuse, I swear that all which it was in human power to do to arrest this movement we have done!”
The duke listened with an ironical126 smile.
“They did not deceive me, then, when they told me that this army of rebels had a chaplain! Ah! Monsieur, you should sink to the earth with shame. You, a priest, mingle127 with such scoundrels as these — with these enemies of our good King and of our holy religion! Do not deny this! Your haggard features, your swollen128 eyes, your disordered attire20 soiled with dust and mud betray your guilt129. Must I, a soldier, remind you of what is due your sacred calling? Hold your peace, Monsieur, and depart!”
The counsel for the prisoner sprang up.
“We demand,” they cried, “that this witness be heard. He must be heard! Military commissions are not above the laws that regulate ordinary tribunals.”
“If I do not speak the truth,” resumed the abbe, “I am a perjured130 witness, worse yet, an accomplice75. It is your duty, in that case, to have me arrested.”
The duke’s face expressed a hypocritical compassion131.
“No, Monsieur le Cure,” said he, “I shall not arrest you. I would avert132 the scandal which you are trying to cause. We will show your priestly garb133 the respect the wearer does not deserve. Again, and for the last time, retire, or I shall be obliged to employ force.”
What would further resistance avail? Nothing. The abbe, with a face whiter than the plastered walls, and eyes filled with tears, came back to his place beside Maurice.
The lawyers, meanwhile, were uttering their protests with increasing energy. But the duke, by a prolonged hammering upon the table with his fists, at last succeeded in reducing them to silence.
“Ah! you wish testimony!” he exclaimed. “Very well, you shall have it. Soldiers, bring in the first witness.”
A movement among the guards, and almost immediately Chupin appeared. He advanced deliberately134, but his countenance135 betrayed him. A close observer could have read his anxiety and his terror in his eyes, which wandered restlessly about the room.
And there was a very appreciable136 terror in his voice when, with hand uplifted, he swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
“What do you know regarding the prisoner d’Escorval?” demanded the duke.
“I know that he took part in the rebellion on the night of the fourth.”
“Are you sure of this?”
“I can furnish proofs.”
“Submit them to the consideration of the commission.”
The old scoundrel began to gain more confidence.
“First,” he replied, “it was to the house of Monsieur d’Escorval that Lacheneur hastened after he had, much against his will, restored to Monsieur le Duc the chateau137 of Monsieur le Duc’s ancestors. Monsieur Lacheneur met Chanlouineau there, and from that day dates the plot of this insurrection.”
“I was Lacheneur’s friend,” said the baron; “it was perfectly natural that he should come to me for consolation138 after a great misfortune.”
M. de Sairmeuse turned to his colleague.
“You hear that!” said he. “This d’Escorval calls the restitution139 of a deposit a great misfortune! Go on, witness.”
“In the second place,” resumed Chupin, “the accused was always prowling about Lacheneur’s house.”
“That is false,” interrupted the baron. “I never visited the house but once, and on that occasion I implored him to renounce140.”
He paused, comprehending only when it was too late, the terrible significance of his words. But having begun, he would not retract141, and he added:
“I implored him to renounce this project of an insurrection.”
“Ah! then you knew his wicked intentions?”
“I suspected them.”
“Not to reveal a conspiracy makes one an accomplice, and means the guillotine.”
Baron d’Escorval had just signed his death-warrant.
Strange caprice of destiny! He was innocent, and yet he was the only one among the accused whom a regular tribunal could have legally condemned142.
Maurice and the abbe were prostrated143 with grief; but Chanlouineau, who turned toward them, had still upon his lips a smile of confidence.
How could he hope when all hope seemed absolutely lost?
But the commissioners made no attempt to conceal54 their satisfaction. M. de Sairmeuse, especially, evinced an indecent joy.
“Ah, well! Messieurs?” he said to the lawyers, in a sneering144 tone.
The counsel for the defence poorly dissimulated145 their discouragement; but they nevertheless endeavored to question the validity of such a declaration on the part of their client. He had said that he suspected the conspiracy, not that he knew it. It was quite a different thing.
“Say at once that you wish still more overwhelming evidence,” interrupted the duke. “Very well! You shall have it. Continue your deposition, witness.”
“The accused,” continued Chupin, “was present at all the conferences held at Lacheneur’s house. The proof of this is as clear as daylight. Being obliged to cross the Oiselle to reach the Reche, and fearing the ferryman would notice his frequent nocturnal voyages, the baron had an old boat repaired which he had not used for years.”
“Ah! that is a remarkable circumstance, prisoner; do you recollect146 having your boat repaired?”
“Yes; but not for the purpose which this man mentions.”
“For what purpose, then?”
The baron made no response. Was it not in compliance147 with the request of Maurice that the boat had been put in order?
“And finally,” continued Chupin, “when Lacheneur set fire to his house to give the signal for the insurrection, the prisoner was with him.”
“That,” exclaimed the duke, “is conclusive40 evidence.”
“I was, indeed, at the Reche,” interrupted the baron; “but it was, as I have already told you, with the firm determination of preventing this outbreak.”
M. de Sairmeuse gave utterance148 to a little disdainful laugh.
“Ah, gentlemen!” he said, addressing the commissioners, “can you not see that the prisoner’s courage does not equal his depravity? But I will confound him. What did you do, prisoner, when the insurgents149 left the Reche?”
“I returned to my home with all possible haste, took a horse and repaired to the Croix d’Arcy.”
“Then you knew that this was the spot appointed for the general rendezvous150?”
“Lacheneur had just informed me.”
“If I believed your story, I should tell you that it was your duty to have hastened to Montaignac and informed the authorities. But what you say is untrue. You did not leave Lacheneur, you accompanied him.”
“No, Monsieur, no!”
“And what if I could prove this fact beyond all question?”
“Impossible, Monsieur, since such was not the case.”
By the malicious satisfaction that lighted M. de Sairmeuse’s face, the abbe knew that this wicked judge had some terrible weapon in his hands, and that Baron d’Escorval was about to be overwhelmed by one of those fatal coincidences which explain, although they do not justify151, judicial152 errors.
At a sign from the counsel for the prosecution, the Marquis de Courtornieu left his seat and came forward to the platform.
“I must request you, Monsieur le Marquis,” said the duke, “to have the goodness to read to the commission the deposition written and signed by your daughter.”
This scene must have been prepared in advance for the audience. M. de Courtornieu cleaned his glasses, drew from his pocket a paper which he unfolded, and amid a death-like silence, he read:
“I, Blanche de Courtornieu, do declare upon oath that, on the evening of the fourth of February, between ten and eleven o’clock, on the public road leading from Sairmeuse to Montaignac, I was assailed153 by a crowd of armed brigands154. While they were deliberating as to whether they should take possession of my person and pillage156 my carriage, I overheard one of these men say to another, speaking of me: ‘She must get out, must she not, Monsieur d’Escorval?’ I believe that the brigand155 who uttered these words was a peasant named Chanlouineau, but I dare not assert it on oath.”
A terrible cry, followed by inarticulate moans, interrupted the marquis.
The suffering which Maurice endured was too great for his strength and his reason. He was about to spring forward and cry:
“It was I who addressed those words to Chanlouineau. I alone am guilty; my father is innocent!”
But fortunately the abbe had the presence of mind to hold him back, and place his hand over the poor youth’s lips.
But the priest would not have been able to restrain Maurice without the aid of the retired army officers, who were standing beside him.
Divining all, perhaps, they surrounded Maurice, took him up, and carried him from the room by main force, in spite of his violent resistance.
All this occupied scarcely ten seconds.
“What is the cause of this disturbance157?” inquired the duke, looking angrily over the audience.
No one uttered a word.
“At the least noise the hall shall be cleared,” added M. de Sairmeuse. “And you, prisoner, what have you to say in self-justification, after this crushing accusation158 by Mademoiselle de Courtornieu?”
“Nothing,” murmured the baron.
“So you confess your guilt?”
Once outside, the abbe confided159 Maurice to the care of three officers, who promised to go with him, to carry him by main force, if need be, to the hotel, and keep him there.
Relieved on this score, the priest re-entered the hall just in time to see the baron seat himself without making any response, thus indicating that he had relinquished160 all intention of defending his life.
Really, what could he say? How could he defend himself without betraying his son?
Until now there had not been one person who did not believe in the baron’s entire innocence161. Could it be that he was guilty? His silence must be accepted as a confession162 of guilt; at least, some present believed so.
Baron d’Escorval appeared to be guilty. Was that not a sufficiently163 great victory for the Duc de Sairmeuse?
He turned to the lawyers, and with an air of weariness and disdain he said:
“Now speak, since it is absolutely necessary; but no long phrases! We should have finished here an hour ago.”
The oldest lawyer rose, trembling with indignation, ready to dare anything for the sake of giving free utterance to his thought, but the baron checked him.
“Do not try to defend me,” he said, calmly; “it would be labor wasted. I have only a word to say to my judges. Let them remember what the noble and generous Marshal Moncey wrote to the King: ‘The scaffold does not make friends.’”
This recollection was not of a nature to soften164 the hearts of the judges. The marshal, for that saying, had been deprived of his office, and condemned to three months’ imprisonment165.
As the advocates made no further attempt to argue the case, the commission retired to deliberate. This gave M. d’Escorval an opportunity to speak with his defenders166. He shook them warmly by the hand, and thanked them for their devotion and for their courage.
The good man wept.
Then the baron, turning to the oldest among them, quickly and in a low voice said:
“I have a last favor to ask of you. When the sentence of death shall have been pronounced upon me, go at once to my son. You will say to him that his dying father commands him to live; he will understand you. Tell him it is my last wish; that he live — live for his mother!”
He said no more; the judges were returning.
Of the thirty prisoners, nine were declared not guilty, and released.
The remaining twenty-one, and M. d’Escorval and Chanlouineau were among the number, were condemned to death.
But the smile had not once forsaken167 Chanlouineau’s lips.
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citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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4
arsenal
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| n.兵工厂，军械库 | |
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5
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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6
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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7
rusted
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| v.（使）生锈( rust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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9
attested
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| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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10
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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11
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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12
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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13
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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14
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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15
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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16
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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17
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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18
clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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19
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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20
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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21
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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23
aprons
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| 围裙( apron的名词复数 )； 停机坪，台口（舞台幕前的部份） | |
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24
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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25
panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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26
functionaries
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| n.公职人员，官员( functionary的名词复数 ) | |
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27
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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28
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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29
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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30
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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31
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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32
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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33
briefly
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|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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34
narrated
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|
| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
exalted
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|
| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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36
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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37
labor
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|
| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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38
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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39
avowing
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| v.公开声明，承认( avow的现在分词 ) | |
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40
conclusive
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|
| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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41
conclusively
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| adv.令人信服地，确凿地 | |
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42
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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43
deposition
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| n.免职，罢官；作证；沉淀；沉淀物 | |
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44
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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45
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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46
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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47
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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48
hurl
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|
| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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49
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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50
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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51
gasped
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|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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52
tranquilly
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| adv. 宁静地 | |
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53
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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54
conceal
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|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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55
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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56
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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57
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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58
instigating
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| v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的现在分词 ) | |
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59
immutable
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| adj.不可改变的，永恒的 | |
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60
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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61
vindication
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| n.洗冤，证实 | |
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62
conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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63
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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64
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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65
hazardous
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|
| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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66
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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67
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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68
instigator
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| n.煽动者 | |
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69
entirely
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|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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70
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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71
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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72
abashed
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|
| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
wretches
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|
| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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74
accomplices
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| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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75
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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76
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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77
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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78
oblivious
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|
| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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79
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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80
vibrant
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|
| adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的 | |
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81
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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82
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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83
defender
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|
| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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84
iniquitous
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|
| adj.不公正的；邪恶的；高得出奇的 | |
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85
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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86
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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87
monstrous
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|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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88
eldest
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|
| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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89
improvise
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| v.即兴创作；临时准备，临时凑成 | |
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90
courageous
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|
| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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91
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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92
prosecuting
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| 检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师 | |
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93
judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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94
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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95
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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97
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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98
invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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99
interrogated
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| v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
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100
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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101
jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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102
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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103
persevered
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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105
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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106
aglow
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| adj.发亮的；发红的；adv.发亮地 | |
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107
gendarmes
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| n.宪兵，警官( gendarme的名词复数 ) | |
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108
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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109
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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110
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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111
suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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112
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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113
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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114
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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115
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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116
courageously
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| ad.勇敢地，无畏地 | |
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117
avenging
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| adj.报仇的，复仇的v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的现在分词 )；为…报复 | |
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118
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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119
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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120
commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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121
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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122
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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123
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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124
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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125
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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126
ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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127
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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128
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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129
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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130
perjured
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| adj.伪证的，犯伪证罪的v.发假誓，作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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132
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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133
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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134
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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135
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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136
appreciable
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| adj.明显的，可见的，可估量的，可觉察的 | |
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137
chateau
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| n.城堡，别墅 | |
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138
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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139
restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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140
renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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141
retract
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| vt.缩回，撤回收回，取消 | |
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142
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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143
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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144
sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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145
dissimulated
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| v.掩饰（感情），假装（镇静）( dissimulate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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146
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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148
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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149
insurgents
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| n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 ) | |
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150
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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151
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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152
judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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153
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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154
brigands
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| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
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155
brigand
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| n.土匪，强盗 | |
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156
pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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157
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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158
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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159
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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160
relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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161
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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162
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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163
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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164
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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165
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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166
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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167
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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