marquise de brinvilliers-第12章

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Then　they　tortured　her　no　further：　she　was　let　down；　untied；　and　placed　before　the　fire　in　the　usual　manner。　　While　there；　close　to　the　fire；　lying　on　the　mattress；　she　was　visited　by　the　good　doctor；　who；　feeling　he　could　not　bear　to　witness　the　spectacle　just　described；　had　asked　her　leave　to　retire；　that　he　might　say　a　mass　for　her；　that　God　might　grant　her　patience　and　courage。　　It　is　plain　that　the　good　priest　had　not　prayed　in　vain。

〃Ah；〃　said　the　marquise；　when　she　perceived　him；　〃I　have　long　been　desiring　to　see　you　again；　that　you　might　comfort　me。　　My　torture　has　been　very　long　and　very　painful；　but　this　is　the　last　time　I　shall　have　to　treat　with　men；　now　all　is　with　God　for　the　future。　　See　my　hands；　sir；　and　my　feet；　are　they　not　torn　and　wounded？　　Have　not　my　executioners　smitten　me　in　the　same　places　where　Christ　was　smitten？〃

〃And　therefore；　madame；〃　replied　the　priest；　〃these　sufferings　now　are　your　happiness；　each　torture　is　one　step　nearer　to　heaven。　　As　you　say；　you　are　now　for　God　alone；　all　your　thoughts　and　hopes　must　be　fastened　upon　Him；　we　must　pray　to　Him；　like　the　penitent　king；　to　give　you　a　place　among　His　elect；　and　since　nought　that　is　impure　can　pass　thither；　we　must　strive；　madame；　to　purify　you　from　all　that　might　bar　the　way　to　heaven。〃

The　marquise　rose　with　the　doctor's　aid；　for　she　could　scarcely　stand；　tottering；　she　stepped　forward　between　him　and　the　executioner；　who　took　charge　of　her　immediately　after　the　sentence　was　read；　and　was　not　allowed　to　leave　her　before　it　was　completely　carried　out。　　They　all　three　entered　the　chapel　and　went　into　the　choir；　where　the　doctor　and　the　marquise　knelt　in　adoration　of　the　Blessed　Sacrament。　　At　that　moment　several　persons　appeared　in　the　nave；　drawn　by　curiosity。　　They　could　not　be　turned　out；　so　the　executioner；　to　save　the　marquise　from　being　annoyed；　shut　the　gate　of　the　choir；　and　let　the　patient　pass　behind　the　altar。　　There　she　sat　down　in　a　chair；　and　the　doctor　on　a　seat　opposite；　then　he　first　saw；　by　the　light　of　the　chapel　window；　how　greatly　changed　she　was。　Her　face；　generally　so　pale；　was　inflamed；　her　eyes　glowing　and　feverish；　all　her　body　involuntarily　trembling。　　The　doctor　would　have　spoken　a　few　words　of　consolation；　but　she　did　not　attend。　〃Sir；〃　she　said；　〃do　you　know　that　my　sentence　is　an　ignominious　one？　Do　you　know　there　is　fire　in　the　sentence？〃

The　doctor　gave　no　answer；　but；　thinking　she　needed　something；　bade　the　gaoler　to　bring　her　wine。　　A　minute　later　he　brought　it　in　a　cup；　and　the　doctor　handed　it　to　the　marquise；　who　moistened　her　lips　and　then　gave　it　back。　　She　then　noticed　that　her　neck　was　uncovered；　and　took　out　her　handkerchief　to　cover　it；　asking　the　gaoler　for　a　pin　to　fasten　it　with。　　When　he　was　slow　in　finding　a　pin；　looking　on　his　person　for　it；　she　fancied　that　he　feared　she　would　choke　herself；　and　shaking　her　head；　said；　with　a　smile；　〃You　have　nothing　to　fear　now；　and　here　is　the　doctor；　who　will　pledge　his　word　that　I　will　do　myself　no　mischief。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　the　gaoler；　handing　her　the　pin　she　wanted；　〃I　beg　your　pardon　for　keeping　you　waiting。　　I　swear　I　did　not　distrust　you；　if　anyone　distrusts　you；　it　is　not　I。〃

Then　kneeling　before　her；　he　begged　to　kiss　her　hand。　　She　gave　it；　and　asked　him　to　pray　to　God　for　her。　　〃Ah　yes；〃　he　cried；　sobbing；　〃with　all　my　heart。〃　　She　then　fastened　her　dress　as　best　she　could　with　her　hands　tied；　and　when　the　gaoler　had　gone　and　she　was　alone　with　the　doctor；　said：

〃Did　you　not　hear　what　I　said；　sir？　　I　told　you　there　was　fire　in　my　sentence。　　And　though　it　is　only　after　death　that　my　body　is　to　be　burnt；　it　will　always　be　a　terrible　disgrace　on　my　memory。　　I　am　saved　the　pain　of　being　burnt　alive；　and　thus；　perhaps；　saved　from　a　death　of　despair；　but　the　shamefulness　is　the　same；　and　it　is　that　I　think　of。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　the　doctor；　〃it　in　no　way　affects　your　soul's　salvation　whether　your　body　is　cast　into　the　fire　and　reduced　to　ashes　or　whether　it　is　buried　in　the　ground　and　eaten　by　worms；　whether　it　is　drawn　on　a　hurdle　and　thrown　upon　a　dung…heap；　or　embalmed　with　Oriental　perfumes　and　laid　in　a　rich　man's　tomb。　Whatever　may　be　your　end；　your　body　will　arise　on　the　appointed　day；　and　if　Heaven　so　will；　it　will　come　forth　from　its　ashes　more　glorious　than　a　royal　corpse　lying　at　this　moment　in　a　gilded　casket。　Obsequies；　madame；　are　for　those　who　survive；　not　for　the　dead。〃

A　sound　was　heard　at　the　door　of　the　choir。　　The　doctor　went　to　see　what　it　was；　and　found　a　man　who　insisted　on　entering；　all　but　fighting　with　the　executioner。　　The　doctor　approached　and　asked　what　was　the　matter。　　The　man　was　a　saddler；　from　whom　the　marquise　had　bought　a　carriage　before　she　left　France；　this　she　had　partly　paid　for；　but　still　owed　him　two　hundred　livres。　　He　produced　the　note　he　had　had　from　her；　on　which　was　a　faithful　record　of　the　sums　she　had　paid　on　account。　　The　marquise　at　this　point　called　out；　not　knowing　what　was　going　on；　and　the　doctor　and　executioner　went　to　her。　　〃Have　they　come　to　fetch　me　already？〃　said　she。　　〃I　am　not　well　prepared　just　at　this　moment；　but　never　mind；　I　am　ready。〃

The　doctor　reassured　her；　and　told　her　what　was　going　on。　　〃The　man　is　quite　right；〃　she　said　to　the　executioner；　〃　tell　him　I　will　give　orders　as　far　as　I　can　about　the　money。〃　　Then；　seeing　the　executioner　retiring；　she　said　to　the　doctor；　〃　Must　I　go　now；　sir？　I　wish　they　would　give　me　a　little　more　time；　for　though　I　am　ready；　as　I　told　you；　I　am　not　really　prepared。　　Forgive　me；　father；　it　is　the　question　and　the　sentence　that　have　upset　me　it　is　this　fire　burning　in　my　eyes　like　hell…flames。

Had　they　left　me　with　you　all　this　time；　there　would　now　be　better　hope　of　my　salvation。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　the　doctor；　〃you　will　probably　have　all　the　time　before　nightfall　to　compose　yourself　and　think　what　remains　for　you　to　do。〃

〃Ah；　sir；〃　she　replied；　with　a　smile；　〃do　not　think　they　will　show　so　much　consideration　for　a　poor　wretch　condemned　to　be　burnt。　　That　does　not　depend　on　ourselves；　but　as　soon　as　everything　is　ready；　they　will　let　us　know；　and　we　must　start。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　the　doctor；　〃I　am　certain　that　they　will　give　you　the　time　you　need。〃

〃No；　no；〃　she　replied　abruptly　and　feverishly；　〃no；　I　will　not　keep　them　waiting。　　As　soon　as　the　tumbril　is　at　this　door；　they　have　only　to　tell　me；　and　I　go　down。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　he；　〃I　would　not　hold　you　back　if　I　found　you　prepared　to　stand　before　the　face　of　God；　for　in　your　situation　it　is　right　to　ask　for　no　time；　and　to　go　when　the　moment　is　come；　but　not　everyone　is　so　ready　as　Christ　was；　who　rose　from　prayer　and　awaked　His　disciples　that　He　might　leave　the　garden　and　go　out　to　meet　His　enemies。　　You　at　this　moment　are　weak；　and　if　they　come　for　you　just　now　I　should　resist　your　departure。〃

〃Be　calm；　the　time　is　not　yet　come；〃　said　the　executioner；　who　had　heard　this　talk。　　He　knew　his　statement　must　be　believed；　and　wished　as　far　as　possible　to　reassure　the　marquise。　　〃There　is　no　hurry；　and　we　cannot　start　for　another　two　of　three　hours。〃

This　assurance　calmed　the　marquise　somewhat；　and　she　thanked　the　man。　Then　turning　to　the　doctor；　she　said；　〃Here　is　a　rosary　that　I　would　rather　should　not　fall　into　this　person's　hands。　　Not　that　he　could　not　make　good　use　of　it；　for；　in　spite　of　their　trade；　I　fancy　that　these　people　are　Christians　like　ourselves。　　But　I　should　prefer　to　leave　this　to　somebody　else。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　the　doctor；　〃if　you　will　tell　me　your　wishes　in　this　matter；　I　will　see　that　they　are　carried　out。〃

〃Alas！〃　she　said；　〃there　is　no　one　but　my　sister；　and　I　fear　lest　she；　remembering　my　crime　towards　her；　may　be　too　horrified　to　touch　anything　that　belonged　to　me。　　If　she　did　not　mind；　it　would　be　a　great　comfort　to　me　to　think　she　would　wear　it　after　my　death；　and　that　the　sight　of　it　would　remind　her　to　pray　for　me；　but　after　what　has　passed；　the　rosary　could　hardly　fail　to　revive　an　odious　recollection。　　My　God；　my　God！　　I　am　desperately　wicked；　can　it　be　that　you　will　pardon　me？〃

〃Madame；〃　replied　the　doctor；　〃I　think　you　are　mistaken　about　Mlle；　d'Aubray。　　You　may　see　by　her　letter　what　are　her　feelings　towards　you；　and　you　must　pray　with　this　rosary　up　to　the　very　end。　　Let　not　your　prayers　be　interrupted　or　distracted；　for　no　guilty　penitent　must　cease　from　prayer；　and　I；　madame；　will　engage　to　deliver　the　rosary　where　it　will　be　gladly　received。〃

And　the　marquise；　who　had　been　constantly　distracted　since　the　morning；　was　now；　thanks　to　the　patient　goodness　of　the　doctor；　able　to　return　with　her　former　fervour　to　her　prayers。　　She　prayed　till　seven　o'clock。　　As　the　clock　struck；　the　executioner　without　a　word　came　and　stood　before　her；　she　saw　that　her　moment　had　come；　and　said　to　the　doctor；　grasping　his　arm；　〃A　little　longer；　just　a　few　moments；　I　entreat。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　the　doctor；　rising；　〃we　will　now　adore　the　divine　blood　of　the　Sacrament；　praying　that　you　may　be　thus　cleansed　from　all　soil　and　sin　that　may　be　still　in　your　heart。　　Thus　shall　you　gain　the　respite　you　desire。〃

The　executioner　then　tied　tight　the　cords　round　her　hands　that　he　had　let　loose　before；　and　she　advanced　pretty　firmly　and　knelt　before　the　altar；　between　the　doctor　and　the　chaplain。　　The　latter　was　in　his　surplice；　and　chanted　a　'Veni　Creator；　Salve　Regina；　and　Tantum　ergo'。　　These　prayers　over；　he　pronounced　the　blessing　of　the　Holy　Sacrament；　while　the　marquise　knelt　with　her　face　upon　the　ground。　The　executioner　then　went　forward　to　get　ready　a　shirt；　and　she　made　her　exit　from　the　chapel；　supported　on　the　left　by　the　doctor's　arm；　on　the　right　by　the　executioner's　assistant。　　Thus　proceeding；　she　first　felt　embarrassment　and　confusion。　　Ten　or　twelve　people　were　waiting　outside；　and　as　she　suddenly　confronted　them；　she　made　a　step　backward；　and　with　her　hands；　bound　though　they　were；　pulled　the　headdress　down　to　cover　half　her　face。　　She　passed　through　a　small　door；　which　was　closed　behind　her；　and　then　found　herself　between　the　two　doors　alone；　with　the　doctor　and　the　executioner's　man。　　Here　the　rosary；　in　consequence　of　her　violent　movement　to　cover　her　face；　came　undone；　and　several　beads　fell　on　the　floor。　　She　went　on；　however；　without　observing　this；　but　the　doctor　stopped　her；　and　he　and　the　man　stooped　down　and　picked　up　all　the　beads；　which　they　put　into　her　hand。　　Thanking　them　humbly　for　this　attention；　she　said　to　the　man；　〃Sir；　I　know　I　have　now　no　worldly　possessions；　that　all　I　have　upon　me　belongs　to　you；　and　I　may　not　give　anything　away　without　your　consent；　but　I　ask　you　kindly　to　allow　me　to　give　this　chaplet　to　the　doctor　before　I　die：　you　will　not　be　much　the　loser；　for　it　is　of　no　value；　and　I　am　giving　it　to　him　for　my　sister。　　Kindly　let　me　do　this。〃

〃Madame；〃　said　the　man；　〃it　is　the　custom　for　us　to　get　all　the　property　of　the　condemned；　but　you　are　mistress　of　all　you　have；　and　if　the　thing　were　of　the　very　greatest　value　you　might　dispose　of　it　as　you　pleased。〃

The　doctor；　whose　arm　she　held；　felt　her　shiver　at　this　gallantry；　which　for　her；　with　her　natural　haughty　disposition；　must　have　been　the　worst　humiliation　imaginable；　but　the　movement　was　restrained；　and　her　face　gave　no　sign。　　She　now　came　to　the　porch　o