Two of the officers approached and were venturing upon a remonstrance, when the Governor, mad with his rage, struck one of them a violent blow on the face and himself called up a file of the soldiers.
“Bring that villain here,” he said to the men who held Gerard. They were too frightened to disobey him.
Gabrielle watched with bated breath, and was springing forward to again interfere when de Proballe put himself in her way.
“My lord, my lord,” she cried in an agony of distress and fear. “I urge you, I beg you not to do this thing.”
But the Governor was deaf to her entreaty, and having drawn up the file of men, stood by them, and himself gave the command in a voice thick with rage.
Gerard faced the men without a tremor.
“There will be a heavy reckoning for all concerned in this,” he said; and his voice was as calm and steady as before.
The Governor’s command rang out stern and sharp, and the guns went up to the men’s shoulders.
Then, with a scream, Gabrielle tore herself from de Proballe, and snatching a sword from an officer as she passed, rushed in front of Gerard and held it to her heart.
“If he dies, I will plunge this to my heart, and my blood, with his, shall cry for vengeance upon you.”