"Come, Citizen Lorin," said he, "speak in your own defence. The Tribunal will lend a willing ear. We are acquainted with your previous conduct, and it has always been that of a stanch Republican."
Simon essayed to speak; but the president made him a signal to remain silent.
"Speak, Citizen Lorin!" said he; "we are all attention;" but Lorin only shook his head.
"This silence is confession," said the president.
"Not so," said Lorin; "silence is silence, that is all."
"Once more," said Fouquier Tinville; "will you speak?"
Lorin turned toward the audience to encounter the eyes of Maurice, and to learn from them what course he would wish him to pursue; but Maurice made no sign to him to speak, and Lorin maintained his former silence. This was self-condemnation.
All that followed was quickly executed. Fouquier summed up his accusation; the president reviewed the evidence; the jury retired, and unanimously returned a verdict of "guilty" against Lorin and Geneviève.
The president condemned them both to suffer the penalty of death.
Two o'clock sounded from the great clock of the Palace.