“I have provided you with enough pleasure here; you will still have that of deliberating, and then you shall go and examine three men who are confined in the northern tower.”
These were the three judges who had condemned Urbain Grandier.
As he spoke, he laughed heartily, and was the last to leave the room, pushing the astonished master of requests before him.
The sombre tribunal had scarcely disappeared when Grandchamp, relieved from his two guards, hastened toward his master, and, seizing his hand, said:
“In the name of Heaven, come to the terrace, Monseigneur! I have something to show you; in the name of your mother, come!”
But at that moment the chamber door was opened, and the old Abbe Quillet appeared.
“My children! my dear children!” exclaimed the old man, weeping bitterly. “Alas! why was I only permitted to enter to-day? Dear Henri, your mother, your brother, your sister, are concealed here.”
“Be quiet, Monsieur l’Abbe!” said Grandchamp; “do come to the terrace, Monseigneur.”
But the old priest still detained and embraced his pupil.
“We hope,” said he; “we hope for mercy.”