Then retiring into the depth of the gloomy hall, Geneviève placed herself near Maurice, and twined her arms round his neck. Thus they remained, rendered by the strength of their love insensible to the surrounding scene, almost to the approach of death itself.
Half an hour passed thus.
WHY LORIN WENT OUT.
Suddenly a loud noise was heard; the gendarmes entered by the lower door, behind them appearing Sanson and his assistants, the latter carrying rolls of cord.
"Oh, my love!" said Geneviève, "the fatal moment has arrived, and I feel that my senses are leaving me!"
"There you are wrong," said the cheering voice of Lorin.
"That you are wrong is plain, you see;
For what is death but to be free?"