"Ah!" said Lorin, "Maurice has reason to love you; you are an angel, and heaven is the angels' home. Poor dear Maurice!"
In the mean time Simon, who could not overhear the conversation between the accused, devoured their looks instead of their words.
"Citizen Gendarme," said he, "prevent those conspirators from continuing their plots against the Republic, even in the Revolutionary Tribunal."
"You know, Citizen Simon," replied the gendarme, "that here they conspire no more, and if they do so it will not be for long. These citizens are only conversing together; and since the law does not forbid them to do so in the car, why should it be forbidden at the Tribunal?"
This gendarme was Gilbert, who, having recognized the prisoner taken in the queen's chamber, avowed with his ordinary honesty the interest which he could not help according to her courage and devotion.
The president having consulted the court, at the request of Fouquier Tinville commenced his questions.
"Accused Lorin," demanded he, "of what nature was your acquaintance with the citizen Madame Dixmer?"
"Of what nature, Citizen President?"
"The pure flame of friendship bound us one to another;
As a sister she loved me, and I her as a brother."
"Citizen Lorin," said Fouquier Tinville, "your poetry is out of season here, and the rhythm is bad."