marie antoinette and her son-第93章

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〃Then　you　have　only　till　to…morrow　to　live；　Citizen　Toulan；〃　replied
the　presiding　officer　of　the　court；　〃for　Elizabeth　Capet　will　be
executed　to…morrow。〃

Early　the　next　morning　three　cars　drove　away　from　the　Conciergerie。
In　each　of　these　cars　sat　eight　persons；　men　and　women　of　the
highest　aristocracy。　They　had　put　on　their　most　brilliant　court
attire　for　that　day；　and　arranged　themselves　as　for　a　holiday。　Over
the　great　crinoline　the　ladies　wore　the　richest　silks；　adorned　with
silver　and　gold　lace；　they　had　had　their　hair　dressed　and　decorated
with　flowers　and　ribbons；　and　carried　elegant　fans　in　their　hands。
The　gentlemen　wore　velvet　coats；　brilliant　with　gold　and　silver；
while　cuffs　of　the　finest　lace　encompassed　their　white　hands。　Their
heads　were　uncovered；　and　they　carried　the　little　three…cornered　hat
under　the　arm；　as　they　had　done　at　court　in　presence　of　the　royal
family。

All　the　aristocrats　imprisoned　in　cells　at　the　Conciergerie　had
begged　for　the　high　honor　of　being　executed　on　that　day；　and　every
one　whose　request　had　been　granted；　had　expressed　his　thanks　for　it
as　for　a　favor。

〃What　we　celebrate　to…day　is　the　last　court　festival；〃　said　the
prisoners；　as　they　ascended　the　cars　to　be　carried　to　the
guillotine。　〃We　have　the　great　good　fortune　of　being　present　at　the
last　great　levee；　and　we　will　show　ourselves　worthy　of　the　honor。〃
All　faces　were　smiling；　all　eyes　beaming；　and　when　the　twenty…four
condemned　persons　dismounted　from　their　cars　at　the　foot　of　the
scaffold；　one　would　believe　that　he　saw　twenty…four　happy　people
preparing　to　go　to　a　wedding。　No　one　would　have　suspected　that　it
was　death　to　whom　they　were　to　be　united。

There　were　only　two　persons　in　this　brilliant　and　select　society　who
were　less　elegantly　adorned　than　the　others。　One　was　the　young　girl；
with　the　pale　angel　face；　who　sat　between　the　sister　of　Malesherbes
and　the　wife　of　the　former　minister；　Montmorin；　in　a　neat　white
robe；　with　a　simple　muslin　veil；　that　surrounded　her　like　a　white
cloud　on　which　she　was　floating　to　heaven。　The　other　was　the　man　who
sat　behind　her；　whose　firm；　defiant　countenance　gave　no　token　that
an　hour　before　he　had　wept　hot；　bitter　tears　as　he　took　leave　of　his
wife　and　only　child。　But　this　was　all　past；　and　on　that　lofty；
thoughtful　brow　not　the　slightest　trace　remained　of　earthly　sorrow。
The　pains　of　each　had　been　surmounted；　and；　even　in　death；　Toulan
would　do　honor　to　the　name　which　that　woman　had　given　himwhom　he
had　loved　most　sacredly　on　earth…and　he　would　die　as　Fidele。

The　ladies　and　gentlemen　of　this　unwontedly　solemn　company；　who　were
collected　here　in　view　of　the　scaffold；　had　dismounted　from　the
cars。　Above　stood　the　glistening　instrument　of　death；　and　near　it
the　executioners。　They　were　all　left　free　to　decide　in　what　order
they　would　ascend　and　place　the　head　beneath　the　axe。　The　Convention
had　made　the　simple　order　that　Madame　Elizabeth　should　be　the　last
but　one；　and　that　Toulan　should　follow　her。

Joyous　and　bright　was　the　countenance　of　the　princess；　joyous　and
bright　was　the　aspect　of　the　improvised　court；　whose　master　of
ceremonies　was　Death。

The　gentlemen　had　begged　the　favor　of　preceding　the　ladies　upon　the
scaffold。　One　after　another　they　ascended　the　staircase；　and　in
passing　by　they　greeted　the　princess　with　the　same　deep　bow　that
would　have　been　given　at　court。　And　Madame　Elizabeth　thanked　them
with　a　smile　that　was　not　of　this　world。

When　the　heads　of　the　twelve　gentlemen　had　fallen；　the　bodies　laid
on　one　side；　and　the　scaffold　cleansed　a　little　from　blood；　the
ladies'　turn　came。　Every　one　of　them　asked　the　favor　of　embracing
Princess　Elizabeth；　and；　with　the　kiss　which　she　pressed　upon　their
lips；　a　heavenly　joy　seemed　to　spring　up　in　their　hearts。　With
smiles　they　ascended　the　scaffold；　with　smiles　they　placed　their
heads　beneath　the　axe。

The　last　of　the　ladies；　the　Marchioness　de　Crussol　d'Amboise；　had
received　the　parting　kiss　and　ascended　the　steps　of　the　guillotine。
Only　Elizabeth　and　Toulan　now　remained　at　the　foot。　〃Fidele；〃
whispered　Elizabeth　in　gentle　tones；　〃I　shall　soon　be　with　my
brother　and　my　sister。　Give　me　your　hand；　my　brother。　You　shall
conduct　me　to　death；　and　I　will　give　you　my　hand　above；　at　the
opening　of　the　new　life；　and　conduct　you　to　Marie　Antoinette。
'Sister；'　I　will　say　to　her；　'this　is　the　one　true　and　good　heart
which　beat　on　earth　for　you；　and　I　bring　it　to　you　that　you　may
rejoice　in　it　in　heaven。'　Toulan；　there　is　only　one　title　of　honor
for　all　men；　and　that　is　Fidele。　It　is　sanctioned　even　by　the　word
of　God：　'Be　thou　faithful　unto　death；　and　I　will　give　thee　a　crown
of　life。'〃

Just　at　that　moment　the　axe　rattled；　there　was　a　muffled　sound；　and
the　head　of　the　Marchioness　Crussol　d'Amboise　fell　into　the　basket。

〃Elizabeth　Capet；　it　is　your　turncome　up！〃

〃I　come。〃

She　ascended　the　scaffold。　Arrayed；　as　she　was；　in　this　white　robe；
her　transparent　face　was　like　that　of　an　angel。　It　seemed　to　Toulan
as　if　her　foot　no　longer　rested　on　the　earth。　He　followed　her　to　the
scaffold；　and　as　she　was　about　to　ascend　the　steps；　he　laid　his　hand
upon　her　arm。

〃Princess；　I　have　a　secret　to　impart　to　you。　I　have　promised　with　a
solemn　oath　that　my　lips　should　disclose　it　to　no　mortal；　but　you；
Elizabeth；　belong　already　to　the　immortals；　the　peace　of　God
illumines　your　brow；　and　I　want　you　to　have　one　last　joy　before　you
ascend　into　heaven。　This　is　my　secret：　The　boy　who　is　confined　in
the　Temple　is　not　the　dauphin。　I　have　fulfilled　the　promise　which　I
gave　the　queen。　I　have　saved　the　dauphin；　and　he　is　now　in　Vendee；
under　the　safe　care　of　Prince　de　Conde。〃

〃Elizabeth　Capet；　come　up；　or　we　must　bring　you　by　force。〃

〃I　am　coming。　Farewell；　Fidele！　you　have　spoken　the　truth；　you　have
given　me　a　last　joy！　I　thank　you；　now　kiss　my　lips；　give　your　sister
a　parting　kiss；　Fidele。　Farewell；　my　brother！〃

He　touched　the　lips　that　were　illumined　with　a　sad　smile〃Farewell；
my　sister！〃

She　ascended　the　steps；　and；　reaching　the　scaffold；　she　calmly　laid
aside　the　veil；　and　prepared　her　toilet　for　death。

At　the　foot　of　the　scaffold　Toulan　remained　upon　his　knees；　his
great　eyes；　which　had　been　directed　to　Elizabeth；　beamed　with
rapture；　and　in　his　heart　there　were　words　written　with　a　finger　of
diamondwords　hallowed　and　comforting；　that　Toulan　read　in
meditation　and　prayer：　〃Love　vanquishes　death；　love　is　victorious
even　over　life；　love；　which　is　the　highest　friendship；　and
friendship；　which　is　the　highest　love；　rise　so　far　above　every　thing
earthly；　that　thou　must　surrender　every　thing　for　them；　every　thing
which　thou　hast　valued　upon　earth；　every　thing　which　has　stood　to
thee　in　the　most　tender　relations。　In　this　love　thou　hast　lived；　and
in　this　love　thou　shalt　die　and　ascend　into　heaven。〃

〃Toulan；　come　up！　Do　you　not　hear　us　calling　you？　Do　you　not　see
that　Elizabeth　Capet　has　made　place　for　you？〃

He　had　not　seen　when　the　noble　head　of　the　princess　fell　into　the
basket；　he　had　not　heard　the　executioner　call　him；　he　had　only　read
in　his　heart　the　revelation　of　love。

He　ascended　the　steps；　and　his　countenance　beamed　with　the　same
light　of　rapture　which　had　surrounded　Elizabeth's　brow。

A　piercing　scream　came　from　the　crowd；　as　a　young　wife　fell
senseless　into　the　arms　of　her　neighbors；　while　the　boy　who　stood
near　her　extended　his　hands　to　the　scaffold；　and　called；　loudly；
〃Father；　dear　father！〃

Toulan　did　not　turn　to　them。　No　earthly　sorrow　had　place　in　this
soul；　which　had　overcome　pain；　and　received　eternal　joy　into　itself。

Calmly　he　laid　his　head　beneath　the　axe。　〃God　is　love；〃　he　said；
aloud。　〃He　that　abideth　in　love；　abideth　in　God；　and　God〃

The　axe　descended；　and　left　Toulan's　last　words　unspoken。




BOOK　VI。


CHAPTER　XXIX。

WITHOUT　NAME　AND　RANK。


The　Prince　de　Conde　was　walking　with　quick　steps　up　and　down　his
apartment。　His　brow　was　cloudy；　his　eyes　wore　a　sad　look；　and　at
times　he　raised　his　hand；　as　if　he　would　remove　a　veil　that　darkened
his　sight。

〃It　must　he；〃　he　said；　decisively；　after　a　while。　〃Yes；　it　must　be；
I　see　no　other　means　of　saving　him　from　the　snares　of　his　enemies
and　friends。　He　must　leave；　and　that　at　once。〃

He　walked　hastily　to　the　table；　pulled　the　bell　violently；　and
ordered　the　servant　who　came　in　to　bring　the　boy　who　came　yesterday
to　him。

A　few　minutes　later；　the　door　opened；　and　a　boy　of　ten。　or　twelve
years；　with　great　blue　eyes；　fair　hair；　graceful　form；　and　delicate
complexion；　came　into　the　room。　At　his　appearance　the　Prince　de
Conde　seemed　deeply　moved。　He　hastened　with　open　arms　to　meet　the
boy；　pressed　him　closely　to　his　heart；　and　kissed　his　fair　hair　and
eyes。

〃Welcome；　a　thousand　times　welcome！〃　he　said；　with　trembling　voice。
〃How　long　have　I　desired　to　see　this　moment；　and　how　happy　I　am　that
it　has　come　at　last！　You　are　saved；　yon　are　restored　to　freedom；　to
life；　and　there　is　in　store　for　you；　I　hope；　a　great　and　brilliant
future！〃

〃Then　I　shall　have　to　thank　you　for　it；　my　cousin；〃　said　the　boy；
with　his　sweet；　resonant　voice。　〃You　have　released　me　from　the
dreadful　prison；　and　I　thank　you　for　life。　I　am　glad；　too；　that　I
see　you　at　last；　for　I　wanted　so　much　to　express　my　thanks；　and
every　evening　I　have　prayed　to　God　to　grant　me　the　happiness　of
greeting　my　dear　cousin；　the　Prince　de　Conde。〃

The　joyous　light　had　long　since　faded　from　the　face　of　the　prince；
and　a　cloud　was　gathering　on　his　brow；　as；　with　a　timid；　searching
look；　he　glanced　around；　as　if　he　feared　that　some　one　besides
himself　might　hear　the　words　of　the　boy。

〃Do　not　call　me　your　cousin；〃　he　said；　softly；　and　even　his　voice
was　changed；　and　became　cold　and　husky。

The　boy　fixed　his　great　blue　eyes　with　an　expression　of　astonishment
on　the　gloomy　countenance　of　the　Prince　de　Conde。

〃You　are　no　longer　glad　to　see　me　here？　Is　it　disagreeable　to　you
for　me　to　call　you　my　cousin？〃

The　prince　made　no　answer　at　once；　but　walked　up　and　down　with　great
strides；　and　then　stood　still　before　the　boy；　who　had　calmly
observed　his　impatient　motions。

〃Let　us　sit　down；〃　said　the　Prince　de　Conde〃　let　us　sit　down　and
talk。〃

He　gave　his　hand　to　the　boy；　led　him　to　the　divan；　and　took　his　own
place　upon　an　easy…chair；　directly　opposite　to　the　child。

〃Let　us　talk；〃　he　repeated。　〃I　should　like　to　know；　in　the　first
place；　whether　you　have　a　good　memory；　for　I　have　been　told　that
your　head　has　suffered；　and　that　you　have　no　recollection　of　the
past。〃

A　gentle；　sad　smile　played　around　the　lips　of　the　boy。

〃I　have　been　silent　about　the　past；　as　I　have　been　commanded　to；〃　he
said；　〃but　I　have　not　forgotten　it。〃

〃Do　you　remember　your　mother？〃　asked　the　prince。

The　boy　trembled　convulsively；　a　glowing　red　passed　over　his　cheeks；
and　a　deep　paleness　followed。

〃Monsieur；〃　he　asked；　with　a　tremulous　voice；　〃would　it　be　possible
for　me　to　forget　my　dear　mamma　queen？my　mamma　queen　who　loved　her
little　Louis　Charles　so　much？　Ah；　sir；　you　would　not　have　asked　that
if　you　had　known　how　much　pain　you　give　me。〃

〃I　beg　your　pardon；〃　said　the　prince；　embarrassed。　〃I　see　you
remember。　But　let　me　try　you　once　more。　Will　you　tell　me　wha