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These four aliases hid, as the reader will remember, the real names of the Baron de Sainte-Hermine, the Comte de Jayat, the Vicomte de Valensolle, and the Marquis de Ribier. While the evidence was being taken against the four prisoners before the military commission at Besancon, the time expired when under the law such cases were tried by courts-martial.
Jayat, who was reading "La Nouvelle Heloise," resumed his book, saying: "Then, I shall not have time to finish M. Jean-Jacques Rousseau's masterpiece, and upon my word I don't regret it, for it is the most utterly false and wearisome book I ever read in my life!" Sainte-Hermine passed his hand over his forehead, murmuring: "Poor Amelie!"
The leader of these unfortunate young men, the Baron Charles de Sainte-Hermine, asked me as a favor to put them in cage No. 1. You know that's the name we give our cells. I did not think I ought to refuse him that consolation, knowing how the poor fellow loved you. Oh, don't be uneasy, Mademoiselle Amelie, I will never breathe your secret.
First one gendarme appeared, then another, then Sainte-Hermine, walking first, as though he were still Morgan, the captain of the Companions of Jehu. As he passed Amelie murmured: "Charles!" The prisoner recognized the beloved voice, gave a faint cry, and felt a paper slip into his hand. He pressed that precious hand, murmured her name, and passed on.
"And yet," said Amelie, trembling, "you recognized him, did you not?" "Perfectly," replied Madame de Montrevel. "He is the fair man with the black eyebrows who calls himself the Baron de Sainte-Hermine." Amelie gave a stifled cry. Then, making an effort to control herself, she said: "Is that the end of it for Sir John and you? Will you be called to testify again?"
Charlotte had told him that her young mistress was to start that night for Paris to endeavor to hasten the pardon, and that she desired before leaving to see the Baron de Sainte-Hermine and obtain his last instructions. There were five doors to break through to reach the street, a squad of guards in the courtyard, and sentinels within and without the prison.
Consequently Pere Courtois felt no anxiety lest his prisoners escape. He therefore consented that Amelie should see Morgan. We trust our readers will excuse us if we use the names Morgan, Charles, and the Baron de Sainte-Hermine, interchangeably, since they are aware that by that triple appellation we intend to designate the same man. Courtois took a light and walked before Amelie.
He looked at her in astonishment as she pressed his hand convulsively. Then he entered. "That is he," said Madame de Montrevel, as soon as she saw Morgan or, if the reader prefers it, Baron Charles de Sainte-Hermine who was now proved one and the same man by means of Madame de Montrevel's identification. A long cry of distress burst from the audience. Montbar burst into a laugh.
Roland looked at his sister; she was still motionless. He continued to read: I loved Charles de Sainte-Hermine; I did more than love him, he was my lover. "Oh!" muttered the young man between his teeth, "he shall die." "He is dead," said Amelie. The young man gave a cry of astonishment. He had uttered the words to which Amelie had replied too low even to hear them himself.
To me you are the loyal Baron de Sainte-Hermine, or, if you like it better, you are to me the noble, courageous, invincible Morgan." "Ah! that is what I longed to hear, my darling. If you feel thus, you will not hesitate, in spite of the cloud of infamy that hangs over our honor, you will not hesitate I will not say to give yourself to me, for that you have already done but to become my wife."
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