When Maurice had completed the funereal operation, his hands were so tremulous and his countenance betrayed so much grief that Geneviève exclaimed,—
"Ah! I am courageous, Maurice."
Sanson turned round.
"Is it not so, sir?" said Geneviève; "am I not courageous?"
"Certainly, Citizen," replied the executioner, in a perturbed voice, "for yours is true courage."
In the mean time the first assistant had glanced over the list forwarded by Fouquier Tinville.
"Fourteen," said he.
Sanson counted the condemned.
"Fifteen, including the dead," said he; "why, how is this?"
Lorin and Geneviève counted after him, both struck by the same thought.