He had been found guilty--indeed, there was no other verdict possible, since he calmly admitted everything--of treason, disobedience of orders, a whole catalogue of crimes.

The Marquis acted on the old feudal idea that he possessed all the rights of the ancient nobility, the high and low, the middle justice.

And, indeed, he represented the King with full powers.
The court, completely under his influence, had condemned the young soldier to death.

Marteau might have appealed, he might have protested, but he did neither.

He accepted the inevitable.