It gives him courage, steadies his nerves.
He cannot exhibit any signs of cowardice before those who appreciate true merit and bravery, according to his way of thinking, and pride comes to his aid.

A man will meet death like a Roman under such circumstances, who would be weak as a woman if he were despatched in private.
The criminal to be executed on that occasion was a thief, already notorious in Paris for his daring and dexterity, though he had only been there a few months.

But, unfortunately for himself--though very much the reverse for the well-to-do citizens of the capital in general--he had not confined himself to his legitimate business.

In his last enterprise--breaking into a private dwelling to gain possession of a large sum of money that was to be kept there for a single night--he had killed the master of the house, who was aroused by his entrance; and, not content to stop there, had also brutally murdered his wife, as she lay quietly sleeping in her bed--like a tiger, that has tasted blood and is wild for more.

So atrocious a crime had roused the indignation of even his own unscrupulous, hardened companions, and it was not long ere his hiding-place was mysteriously revealed, and he was arrested, tried, and condemned to death.