But Savary, then minister of police, had by this time introduced himself into the chamber, and watched the course of procedure from behind the chair of the president.

He now leaned forward, and whispered into Hullin's ear, "this would be inopportune."-- These significant words were obeyed.

The court pronounced the duke guilty of the capital crimes of having fought against the Republic; of having intrigued with England; of having maintained intelligence with Strasburg, with the view of seizing that place; and of having conspired against the life of the Chief Consul.

The prisoner, being remanded to his confinement, the report was instantly forwarded to Buonaparte, with a request that his further pleasure might be made known.
The court remained sitting until their messenger returned: he brought back their own letter with these words inscribed on it, "Condemned to death." The prisoner being called in again, heard his sentence with perfect composure.

He requested the attendance of a confessor, and was answered,--"Would you die like a monk ?" Without noticing this brutality he knelt for a moment, as in prayer, and rising, said, "Let us go." He was immediately led down a winding stair by torch-light; and, conceiving that he was descending into some subterraneous dungeon, said to one of the soldiers of the escort, "Am I to be immured in an _oubliette_ ?" "Monseigneur," the man replied, sobbing, "be tranquil on that point." They emerged from a postern into the ditch of the castle, where a party of gens-d'armes d'elite were drawn up, Savary, their master, standing on the parapet over them.