Death awarded by a council of war would not have satisfied him;
he had determined that these men should die the death of malefactors, a
death of infamy.

The trial had now lasted three days without proceeding in the direction
of the minister's wishes. Charlotte, who could reach the courtroom
through the prison, was there each day, and returned each night to
Amelie with some fresh word of hope. On the fourth day, Amelie could
bear the suspense no longer. She dressed herself in a costume similar
to the one that Charlotte wore, except that the black lace of the
head-dress was longer and thicker than is usual with the Bressan peasant
woman. It formed a veil and completely hid her features.

Charlotte presented Amelie to her father as one of her friends who was
anxious to see the trial. The good man did not recognize Mademoiselle de
Montrevel, and in order to enable the young girls to see the prisoners
well he placed them in the doorway of the porter's room, which opened
upon the passage leading to the courtroom. This passage was so narrow
at this particular point that the four gendarmes who accompanied the
prisoners changed the line of march. First came two officers, then the
prisoners one by one, then the other two officers. The girls stood in
the doorway.

When Amelie heard the doors open she was obliged to lean upon
Charlotte's shoulder for support, the earth seemed to give way under
her feet and the wall at her back. She heard the sound of feet and the
rattle of the gendarmes' sabres, then the door of the prison opened.

First one gendarme appeared, then another, then Sainte-Hermine, walking
first, as though he were still Morgan, the captain of the Companions of
Jehu.

As he passed Amelie murmured: "Charles!"

The prisoner recognized the beloved voice, gave a faint cry, and felt
a paper slip into his hand. He pressed that precious hand, murmured her
name, and passed on.

The others who followed did not, or pretended not to, notice the two
girls. As for the gendarmes, they had seen and heard nothing.

As soon as the party stepped into the light, Morgan unfolded the note
and read as follows:

Do not be anxious, my beloved Charles; I am and ever will be
your faithful Amelie, in life or death. I have told all to Lord
Tanlay. He is the most generous man on earth; he has promised me
to break off the marriage and to take the whole responsibility
on himself. I love you.

Morgan kissed the note and put it