He moved toward the wicket.
"Time passes," said he, at last. "Madame, every moment is of consequence. Are you ready?"
"I have told you, sir," replied Geneviève, with the calmness and courage of a martyr, "I await you."
Dixmer collected his papers, saw that the gates were fast closed, so that no one could enter the wicket, and then wished to reiterate his instructions.
"It is unnecessary, sir," said Geneviève. "I know perfectly all I have to do."
"Then, adieu!" and Dixmer extended his hand, as if at this supreme moment all recrimination was effaced before the grandeur of the situation and the sublimity of the sacrifice.
Geneviève, shuddering, touched with the tips of her fingers the proffered hand of her husband.
"Place yourself near me, Madame, and the moment I have struck Gilbert, pass on."
"I am ready."
Then Dixmer grasped in his right hand his poniard; with his left he knocked at the gate.