"I knew they would ask something that was impossible!" He sank back in his arm-chair.

A profound despair succeeded his frenzy.
He buried his face in his hands, evidently seeking some expedient.
"Why did you not come to me before judgment was pronounced ?" he murmured.

"Then I could have done anything--now, my hands are bound.

The commission has spoken; the judgment must be executed----" He rose, and in the tone of a man who is resigned to anything, he said: "Decidedly.

I should risk more in attempting to save the baron"-- in his anxiety he gave M.d'Escorval his title--"a thousand times more than I have to fear from my enemies.