y judges, and I only acknowledge you as my
executioners." And in the middle of a deathlike silence, Charles, calm,
lofty, and with his head still covered, sat down again in his arm-chair.

"Why are not my Frenchmen here?" he murmured proudly and turning his
eyes to the benches where they had appeared for a moment; "they would
have seen that their friend was worthy of their defense while alive, and
of their tears when dead."

"Well," said the president, seeing that Charles was determined to remain
silent, "so be it. We will judge you in spite of your silence. You are
accused of treason, of abuse of power, and murder. The evidence will
support it. Go, and another sitting will accomplish what you have
postponed in this."

Charles rose and turned toward Parry, whom he saw pale and with his
temples dewed with moisture.

"Well, my dear Parry," said he, "what is the matter, and what can affect
you in this manner?"

"Oh, my king," said Parry, with tears in his eyes and in a tone of
supplication, "do not look to the left as we leave the hall."

"And why, Parry?"

"Do not look, I implore you, my king."

"But what is the matter? Speak," said Charles, attempting to look across
the hedge of guards which surrounded him.

"It is--but you will not look, will you?--it is because they have had
the axe, with which criminals are executed, brought and placed there on
the table. The sight is hideous."

"Fools," said Charles, "do they take me for a coward, like themselves?
You have done well to warn me. Thank you, Parry."

When the moment arrived the king followed his guards out of the hall. As
he passed the table on which the axe was laid, he stopped, and turning
with a smile, said:

"Ah! the axe, an ingenious device, and well worthy of those who know not
what a gentleman is; you frighten me not, executioner's axe," added he,
touching it with the cane which he held in his hand, "and I strike you
now, waiting patiently and Christianly for you to return the blow."

And shrugging his shoulders with unaffected contempt he passed on. When
he reached the door a stream of people, who had been disappointed in not
being able to get into the house and to make amends had collected to see
him come out, stood on each side, as he passed, many among them glaring
on him with threatening looks.

"How many people," thought he, "and not one true friend."

And as he uttered these words of doubt and depression within his mind, a
voice beside h