He felt that he was pitied; and though his pride revolted against the commiseration of those whom he had injured, his heart was touched, and his voice faltered, as he again declared that he desired no mercy, and that he was ready to die.
"Ready to die!" said the Cure, "and with such a weight of sin upon your conscience; ready to be hurried before the eternal judgment seat, without having acknowledged, even in your own heart, the iniquity of your transgressions!" "That, Sir, is my concern," said Denot.

"I knew the dangers of the task before I undertook it, and I can bear the penalties of failure without flinching.

I fear them not, either in this world or in any other world to come." De Lescure, overcome with distress, paced up and down the room till Chapeau entered it, and whispered to him, that the peasants outside were anxious to know what next they were to do, and that they were clamorous for Denot's execution.

"They are determined to hang him," continued Chapeau, who had induced de Lescure to leave the room, and was now speaking to him in the hall.

"They say that you and M.Henri may do what you please about Santerre and the soldiers, but that Adolphe Denot has betrayed the cause, insulted Mademoiselle, and proved himself unfit to live; and that they will not leave the chateau as long as a breath of life remains in his body." "And you, Chapeau, what did you say to them in reply ?" "Oh, M.de Lescure, of course I said that that must be as you and M.
Henri pleased." "Well, Chapeau, now go and tell them this," said de Lescure: "tell them that we will not consent that this poor wretch shall be killed, and that his miserable life has already been granted to him.