Marie started at the harsh tone of that voice, which she endeavored to fly from by removing her chair to the greatest distance possible, but replied no more to this question than to the former ones, paid no more deference to Santerre than she had done to the municipal.
"You are then determined not to reply?" said Santerre, stamping his foot furiously.
The prisoner took up a third volume from the table, Santerre turned himself away. The brutal power of this man who commanded 80,000 men, who had only need of a gesture to drown the voice of the dying Louis XVI., was defeated by the dignity of a poor prisoner, whose head he could cause to fall, but whose will he could not bend.
"And you, Elizabeth," said he, addressing the other lady, who at that instant ceased from her embroidery to join her hands in prayer, not to these men, but to God, "will you reply?"
"I do not know what you ask," said she; "therefore I cannot reply."
"Morbleu! Citizen Capet," said Santerre, impatiently, "I think what I say is sufficiently clear too. I again tell you, that yesterday an attempt was made for your escape; and you certainly must know the culprits."
"Having no communication with those outside, Monsieur, we cannot possibly tell what people do, either for or against us."
"Very well," said the municipal; "we will now hear what your nephew will say."
And he approached the bed of the young dauphin. At this menace, Marie Antoinette suddenly rose.