"Thou art mad."
"I tell you what happened."
A silence ensued. Cimourdain stammered:—
"Then thou deservest—"
"Death," said Gauvain.
Cimourdain was as pale as a corpse, and as motionless as a man who has been struck by lightning. He seemed to have lost the power of breathing. A great drop of sweat formed upon his forehead.
He controlled his voice, forcing himself to speak firmly as he said:—
"Gendarmes, seat the accused."
Gauvain took his seat on the stool.
Cimourdain continued:—