“You have taken part in this rebellion?” he pursued.
“Yes.”
“You are right in avowing it, for witnesses will be introduced who will prove this fact conclusively.”
Five grenadiers entered; they were the men whom Chanlouineau had held at bay while Maurice, the abbe, and Marie-Anne were entering the carriage.
These soldiers declared upon oath that they recognized the accused; and one of them even went so far as to pronounce a glowing eulogium upon him, declaring him to be a solid fellow, of remarkable courage.
Chanlouineau’s eyes during this deposition betrayed an agony of anxiety. Would the soldiers allude to this circumstance of the carriage? No; they did not allude to it.
“That is sufficient,” interrupted the president.
Then turning to Chanlouineau:
“What were your motives?” he inquired.
“We hoped to free ourselves from a government imposed upon us by foreigners; to free ourselves from the insolence of the nobility, and to retain the lands that were justly ours.”