A little while she stayed with me yet, and I sought to instil some
measure of comfort into her soul. I spoke of the hopes that I
based upon Castelroux's finding friends to recognize me - hopes
that were passing slender. And she, poor child, sought also to
cheer me and give me courage.
"If only the King were here!" she sighed. "I would go to him, and
on my knees I would plead for your enlargement. But they say he is
no nearer than Lyons; and I could not hope to get there and back by
Monday. I will go to the Keeper of the Seals again, monsieur, and
I will beg him to be merciful, and at least to delay the sentence."
I did not discourage her; I did not speak of the futility of such
a step. But I begged her to remain in Toulouse until Monday, that
she might visit me again before the end, if the end were to become
inevitable.
Then Castelroux came to reconduct her, and we parted. But she left
me a great consolation, a great strengthening comfort. If I were
destined, indeed, to walk to the scaffold, it seemed that I could
do it with a better grace and a gladder courage now.
CHAPTER XIII
THE ELEVENTH HOUR
Castelroux visited me upon the following morning, but he brought no
news that might be accounted encouraging. None of his messengers
were yet returned, nor had any sent word that they were upon the
trail of my followers. My heart sank a little, and such hope as I
still fostered was fast perishing. Indeed, so imminent did my doom
appear and so unavoidable, that later in the day I asked for pen
and paper that I might make an attempt at setting my earthly affairs
to rights.
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