At last, after long waiting, and when the sun had set, the door
opened a little, and a man came out. The people who, at his
appearance, had broken into a loud cry of delight, were silent when
it was seen that it was not the officer who would announce the
verdict with his stentorian voice, but that it was only one of the
ordinary servants of the court, who had been keeping watch at the
outer gate.

This man ascended with an indifferent air the steps of the
staircase, and to the loud questions which were hurled at him by the
crowd, whether the cardinal were declared innocent, he answered
quietly, "I do not know. But I think the officer will soon make his
appearance. My time is up, and I am going home, for I am half dead
with hunger and thirst."

"Let the poor hungry man go through," cried the young man, pressing
up to him. "Only see how exhausted he is. Come, old fellow, give me
your hand; support yourself on me."

And he took the man by the arm, and with his powerful elbows forced
a way through the crowd. The people let them pass, and directed
their attention again to the door of the prison.

"The verdict is pronounced?" asked the young man, softly.

"Yes, Mr. Toulan," he whispered, "the councillor gave me just now,
as I was handing him a glass of water, the paper on which he had
written it."

"Give it to me, John, but so that nobody can see; otherwise they