"Yes. Messieurs de Pontcalec, de Talhouet, du Couëdic, and de Montlouis."
"I do not understand," said Gaston, with a vague feeling of terror—not for himself, but for his friends.
"What! do you not understand that Messieurs de Pontcalec, de Talhouet, du Couëdic, and de Montlouis are now being tried at Nantes?"
"Arrested!" cried Gaston, "impossible!"
"Yes," said D'Argenson, "you thought that the province would revolt rather than allow its defenders—as you rebels call yourselves—to be arrested. Well, the province has said nothing. The province has gone on singing, laughing, and dancing, and is already asking where they will be beheaded, in order to hire windows."
"I do not believe you, monsieur," said Gaston, coldly.
"Give me that portfolio," said D'Argenson to a man standing behind him. "Here, monsieur," continued he, "are the writs of arrest. Do you doubt their authenticity?"
"That does not say that they have accused me."
"They told all we wanted to know, and your culpability is the result."
"In that case, if they have told all you want to know, you have no need of my confession."