Maurice was terribly agitated; he could not see, he felt that he was suffocating, that he was losing his reason.
"Where is the self-control you promised me ?" murmured the priest.
But no one observed the young man's condition.

The attention was rapt, breathless.

So profound was the silence that the measured tread of the sentinels without could be distinctly heard.
Each person present felt that the decisive moment for which the tribunal had reserved all its attention and efforts had come.
To convict and condemn the poor peasants, of whom no one would think twice, was a mere trifle.

But to bring low an illustrious man who had been the counsellor and faithful friend of the Emperor! What glory, and what an opportunity for the ambitious! The instinct of the audience spoke the truth.

If the tribunal had acted informally in the case of the obscure conspirators, it had carefully prepared its suit against the baron.
Thanks to the activity of the Marquis de Courtornieu, the prosecution had found seven charges against the baron, the least grave of which was punishable by death.
"Which of you," demanded M.de Sairmeuse, "will consent to defend this great culprit ?" "I!" exclaimed three advocates, in a breath.
"Take care," said the duke, with a malicious smile; "the task is not light." "Not light!" It would have been better to say dangerous.