Directly the door had closed on his colleague, Dixmer rushed toward the empty basket placed at the door in exchange for that of the evening. He seized the bread, broke it, and found the case. The queen's answer was enclosed within it; he grew pale on reading it.
Geneviève observed him tear it into a thousand pieces, and throw them into the mouth of the burning stove.
"It is well," said he; "all is arranged."
Then turning toward Geneviève,—
"Come here, Madame," said he; "I must speak with you, and must speak low." Geneviève, motionless and cold as marble, gave a gesture of assent, and approached him.
"The time has arrived, Madame; listen to me!"
"Yes, sir."
"You prefer a death beneficial to your cause,—a death that will insure you the blessings of your party and pity from the whole nation,—to an ignominious and revengeful end of life, do you not?"
"Yes, sir."