"Is that all?" he asked.
"Faith, yes," answered the count, "and it is time. My feet are growing cold, and there is nothing in the world I dislike so much as cold feet. Come, captain; for you are coming with us, I presume."
"It is my duty."
The count bowed, smilingly pressed little Charles's hand, and looked inquiringly at the captain to know what direction to take.
"This way," said the captain, placing himself at the head of the squad.
They followed him, passing through a postern gate into a second court, upon the ramparts of which sentinels were pacing back and forth. At the end was a tall wall riddled with balls at about the height of a man's head.
"Ah! there it is," said the prisoner; and he went toward the wall of his own accord. Four steps from it he stopped.
"Here we are," said the captain. "Clerk, read the sentence to the condemned man."
After the reading the count bowed his head, as if to acknowledge its justice. Then he said: "I beg your pardon, captain; I have a few words to say by myself."
The captain and the soldiers drew aside. The count put the elbow of his right arm in his left hand, leaned his forehead upon his right hand, shut his eyes, and remained motionless, his lips moving silently. He was praying.