"I will do whatever my mother decides," replied the Duc d'Orléans.
"But," said the Duc de Nemours, imploringly, "if you would but address the king; a single word from you—"
"I tell you again," rejoined the young prince, dryly, "that I await my mother's commands."
"Ah, Prince!" said the Duc de Nemours, reproachfully.
He made a motion to Gabriel expressive of discouragement and despair.
Thereupon the clerk read slowly,—
"Michel Jean Louis, Baron de Castelnau-Chalosses, accused and convicted of the crime of lèse-majesté, of heresy, and an attack upon the king's person."
"I call my judges themselves to witness," cried Castelnau, "that the declaration is false,—unless, indeed, it be lèse-majesté to oppose with all my strength the tyranny of the Guises. If it is to be understood in that way, they should have begun by declaring them kings. Perhaps it will yet come to that; but it will be for those who survive me to deal with that matter."
Addressing the executioner, he said in a firm voice,—
"Now do your office."