What were they coming for now, since there were no other
prisoners to drag to judgment? It could only be to carry out the
sentence upon my darling.
I stood between her and the door, with the strength of a lion in
my limbs. I would tear the house down before they should touch
her.
"Go back! Go back!" she cried. "They will murder you, Etienne.
My life, at least, is safe. For the love you bear me, Etienne,
go back. It is nothing. I will make no sound. You will not
hear that it is done."
She wrestled with me, this delicate creature, and by main force
she dragged me to the opening between the cells. But a sudden
thought had crossed my mind.
"We may yet be saved," I whispered. "Do what I tell you at once
and without argument. Go into my cell.
Quick!"
I pushed her through the gap and helped her to replace the
planks. I had retained her cloak in my hands, and with this
wrapped round me I crept into the darkest corner of her cell.
There I lay when the door was opened and several men came in.
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