"Enough," said Talhouet, "we are condemned. 'Tis well. Now, have we, or have we not, the right of appeal?"
"No, gentlemen," said the usher.
"Then you can retire," said Couëdic.
The usher bowed and withdrew, followed by his escort, and the prison door, heavy and clanging, closed once more upon the four gentlemen.
"Well!" said Montlouis, when they were again alone.
"Well, we are condemned," said Pontcalec. "I never said there would be no sentence; I only said it would not be carried into execution."
"I am of Pontcalec's opinion," said Talhouet. "What they have done is but to terrify the province and test its patience."
"Besides," said Du Couëdic, "they will not execute us without the regent's ratification of the sentence. Now, without an extraordinary courier, it will take two days to reach Paris, one to examine into the affair, and two to return, altogether five days. We have, then, five days before us; and what may not happen in five days? The province will rise on hearing of our doom—"
Montlouis shook his head.
"Besides, there is Gaston," said Pontcalec, "whom you always forget."