"Oh Lord, oh Lord!" he never ceased stammering.
And his distress increased when he saw the twelve men waiting, with their rifles at rest. He wore the distraught look of the condemned man who beholds the outline of the guillotine in the pale light of the dawn. They had to carry him to the terrace, in front of a strip of broken wall.
"Sit down, sir," said Bernard.
Even without this invitation, the wretched man would have been incapable of standing on his feet. He sank upon a stone.
The twelve soldiers took up their position facing him. He bent his head so as not to see; and his whole body jerked like that of a dancing doll when you pull its strings.
A moment passed; and Bernard asked, in a kind and friendly tone:
"Would you rather have it front or back?"
The prince, utterly overwhelmed, did not reply; and Bernard exclaimed:
"I'm afraid you're not very well, sir. Come, your royal highness must pull yourself together. You have lots of time. Lieutenant Delroze won't be here for another ten minutes. He was very keen on being present at this—how shall I put it?—at this little ceremony. And really he will be disappointed in your appearance. You're green in the face, sir."
Still displaying the greatest interest and as though seeking to divert the prince's thoughts, he said: