He would be interrogated 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 shameful, revolting, and unheard-of scene. The duke
interrupted the lawyers every other moment, bidding them be silent,
questioning them, or jeering 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 rascals!"
But the lawyers persevered 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 dignified. Terrible as his
sufferings must have been, there was no trace of it upon his noble face.
Pages:
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341