第27章

"I confess that, wickedly and for revenge, I poisoned my father and my brothers, and attempted to poison my sister, to obtain possession of their goods, and I ask pardon of God, of the king, and of my country's laws."The 'amende honorable' over, the executioner again carried her to the tumbril, not giving her the torch any more: the doctor sat beside her: all was just as before, and the tumbril went on towards La Greve.From that moment, until she arrived at the scaffold, she never took her eyes off the crucifix, which the doctor held before her the whole time, exhorting her with religious words, trying to divert her attention from the terrible noise which the people made around the car, a murmur mingled with curses.

When they reached the Place de Greve, the tumbril stopped at a little distance from the scaffold.Then the registrar M.Drouet, came up on horseback, and, addressing the marquise, said, "Madame, have you nothing more to say? If you wish to make any declaration, the twelve commissaries are here at hand, ready to receive it.""You see, madame," said the doctor, "we are now at the end of our journey, and, thank God, you have not lost your power of endurance on the road; do not destroy the effect of all you have suffered and all you have yet to suffer by concealing what you know, if perchance you do know more than you have hitherto said.""I have told all I know," said the marquise, "and there is no more Ican say."

"Repeat these words in a loud voice," said the doctor, "so that everybody may hear."Then in her loudest voice the marquise repeated--"I have told all I know, and there is no more I can say."After this declaration, they were going to drive the tumbril nearer to the scaffold, but the crowd was so dense that the assistant could not force a way through, though he struck out on every side with his whip.So they had to stop a few paces short.The executioner had already got down, and was adjusting the ladder.In this terrible moment of waiting, the marquise looked calmly and gratefully at the doctor, and when she felt that the tumbril had stopped, said, "Sir, it is not here we part: you promised not to leave me till my head is cut off.I trust you will keep your word.""To be sure I will," the doctor replied; "we shall not be separated before the moment of your death: be not troubled about that, for Iwill never forsake you."

"I looked for this kindness," she said, "and your promise was too solemn for you to think for one moment of failing me.Please be on the scaffold and be near me.And now, sir, I would anticipate the final farewell,--for all the things I shall have to do on the scaffold may distract me,--so let me thank you here.If I am prepared to suffer the sentence of my earthly judge, and to hear that of my heavenly judge, I owe it to your care for me, and I am deeply grateful.I can only ask your forgiveness for the trouble I have given you." Tears choked the doctor's speech, and he could not reply."Do you not forgive me?" she repeated.At her words, the doctor tried to reassure her; but feeling that if he opened his mouth he must needs break into sobs, he still kept silent.The marquise appealed to him a third time."I entreat you, sir, forgive me; and do not regret the time you have passed with me.You will say a De Profundus at the moment of my death, and a mass far me to-morrow:

will you not promise?"