For some instants I had no longer listened to him; for while his eyes were fixed on the paper the Governor was occupied talking to the Priest; and I looked at the door which they had left half open!... Ah, hapless me! Four sentinels in the corridor. Again I was asked when I would be ready to go.
“When you please,” I said; “at your own time.”
“I shall have the honour of coming for you, then, in half an hour,” said he, bowing; and all the party withdrew.
Oh, for some means of escaping! Good heavens! any means whatever! I must make my escape! I must! Immediately! By the doors, by the windows, by the roof! Even though in the struggle I should destroy myself!
Oh, rage! demons! malediction! It would take months to pierce this wall with efficient tools. And I have not one nail, nor one hour!
TWENTY-FIRST PAPER.
Conciergerie Prison.
Here I am transferred, then. Let me record the details.
At half-past seven the messenger again presented himself at the threshold of my dungeon. “Sir,” said he, “I wait for you.”
Alas! and I saw that four others did the same! I rose, and advanced one step. It appeared to me I could not make a second. My head was so heavy, and my limbs so feeble; but I made an effort to conquer my weakness, and assumed an appearance of firmness.