“What do you mean by his crimes?”
“His crimes against France and humanity.”
“Why did you kill him?”
“In order to give back peace to my country.”
“Do you believe you have killed all the Marats of France?”
“His death may frighten the others.”
“Do you regret and repent your deed?”
“I rejoice that it was successful.”
Only once during this trial her heart failed her. It was when Catherine Evrard, Marat’s mistress, took the stand to testify against her, and in a voice choked with tears told the story of her visit to Marat’s house. Looking at the woman who through her deed had lost him whom she loved, the tears burst from her own eyes, and she exclaimed: “No more! No more! I implore you. It is I who killed him; I do not deny it!”
Again she was deeply moved when the dagger with which she killed Marat was presented to her. “Do you recognize this instrument?” She turned away her face and exclaimed: “I do! I do!” The public prosecutor called attention to the fact that she had plunged the dagger into the breast of her victim from above, that it was a difficult thrust, and that she must have practised it before she acquired so much skill.