CHAPTER LII.
NEAR THE BLOCK.
The King, learning that he was to die at once, became a man almost heroic.
With calm curiosity, and as though making inquiries concerning the affairs of another man, and not of his own, he learnt the particulars of the voting; and he made special inquiries concerning the votes of various members of the Convention.
“Pétion and Manuel,” he said,—“I am sure they did not vote my death?”
No answer returned.
“And my cousin, the Duc d’Orleans,—how voted he?”
Malsherbes bowed his head.
The King now exhibited the first signs of pain—of agony.
“That vote affects me more than all the rest.”