But the headsman, who noticed some commotion in the galleries, pretended to be arranging his axe so as to gain time.
"The axe is dull, Monsieur le Baron," he said in a low voice; "and you are surely worthy to die at a single blow. And who knows but that a moment more—It seems to me that something of good omen for you is going on down below there."
Again the people cried,—
"Mercy! mercy!"
Gabriel, losing all self-control at that supreme moment, ventured to cry aloud to Mary Stuart,—
"Mercy, Madame the Queen!"
Mary turned, met Gabriel's heart-rending glance, and understood his despairing cry.
Bending her knee before the king, she said,—
"Sire, this mercy at least; I ask it of you on my knees!"
"Sire," cried the Duc de Nemours, "has not enough blood been shed? And yet, you know, there should be mercy in the king's countenance."