After a heroic defense the city and Castle of Lavaur surrender to the Crusaders. The consuls have stipulated for the safety of the inhabitants. But obedient to the dictum of Pope Innocent III—"None need to keep faith with those who have failed in their faith to God"—despite the terms of the capitulation, almost all the prisoners are massacred, the rest are reserved for separate execution.
One night has passed since the surrender of Lavaur.
Suddenly the chimes of a neighboring church ring the passing-bell. Soon thereupon a little door that connects with a stone balcony, upon which rows of seats are arranged, is thrown open. The Archbishops of Lyons and of Rennes, the Bishops of Poitiers, of Bourges, of Nantes and other prelates, all dressed in their sacerdotal robes, issue through the little door in solemn procession and take their seats. Montfort and Alyx of Montmorency follow, accompanied by the papal legate and Abbot Reynier. The quartet seat themselves in the front row of the balcony. Below the balcony and in plain view of the audience is a stone esplanade. Soldiers are ranked at the foot of the walls; they are followed by priests and monks of several orders carrying aloft silver crucifixes and black banners, and singing funeral canticles at the top of their voices.
The Executioner (on his knees before a little furnace, to a sergeant-at-arms)—"My irons are ready. Bring forward the sons of Satan."
The sergeant goes to the door of the vault and knocks. The door opens and twenty-eight men and fifteen women step out. They are of all ages and all conditions. The prisoners move slowly; they cannot take long steps; their feet are chained. Their arms are pinioned behind their backs. They step upon the stone esplanade.
Abbot Reynier (in a menacing voice)—"Heretics of Lavaur! Will you abjure? Will you acknowledge the infallible authority of the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church?"
An Old Man (to Abbot Reynier)—"My son died defending the town. The ruins of my house that was burned down after the pillage are still smoldering. I am near my grave. I now own nothing. But even if I had as many days before as I have behind me, even if I still had more wealth than I ever had, even if there still stood by my side the cherished child of my old age—even then, both he and I would answer you: 'Death, a thousand times death, rather than embrace your infamous religion.'"
The Prisoners (among whom is Florette, fall on their knees and cry)—"Mercy for our Lady of Lavaur and her son!"
Only Florette remains standing. Mylio's young wife is pale, livid; she sees nothing of all that is happening around her. Her thoughts are with her husband, whom she believes killed long before. Noticing that the dear child does not kneel with the rest, Abbot Reynier's attention is attracted towards her. He recognizes her, his eyes bulge and he says to himself: "Ha! I shall now be doubly revenged upon that vagabond Mylio!"
The Old Man (to Alyx of Montmorency, who, herself pale and with eyes cast down, is devoutly counting her beads)—"Madam, in the name of your mother, mercy for our Lady of Lavaur!"