"Art thou ill?" said De l'Antilhac. "What is it?"
"Yes," said François. "Excuse me. He—he—" And, as it were fascinated, he rose and went after the keeper.
Vaubertrand paused behind a gentleman who was playing piquet.
"Citizen Ste. Michel," he said, and passed on, as he laid the summons before the player.
"At last!" said the man thus interrupted. "Quatre to the king—four aces. Let it wait."
Vaubertrand moved on. François followed him.
The calls to trial and death were distributed. A man rolled up the fatal paper without a word, and lighted his pipe with it. One of those who sat apart took his summons, and fell fainting on the floor.
"Nothing for me?" said the marquis.
"Not yet, citizen."
"I was never before so neglected."