s
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 condemn the poor peasants, of whom no one would think
twice, was a mere 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 spoke the truth. If the tribunal had acted
informally in the case of the obscure conspirators, 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 malicious 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 courageously took their places beside the baron, thus
avenging the honor of their robe which had just been miserably 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, formerly Councillor of State under the Empire."

"So you avow 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 commissioners,
will appreciate that. It was, undoubtedly, in the hope of regaining your
former position that you entered into a conspiracy against a magnanimous
prince wi