rt was opened, and a third
prisoner was brought in and placed before the judge. Craning forward I
looked. It was De Ganache; but how changed from the once brilliant
cavalier. His figure was stooped and bent, his once dark hair was white,
his face wrinkled as that of an old man, and in his shifty, unsettled
glance glared the fires of madness. He did not seem to realise where he
was, but began to laugh vacantly, but the laugh died away to a frozen
look as his gaze fixed itself on La Valentinois.

"Diane," he cried in a terrible voice as he stretched his arms out
towards her, "it was for your sake!"

But she, his destroyer, scarce glanced at him from her place on the
judgment seat.

"He is quite mad!" And with a musical laugh she leaned back, and picking
out a comfit from a little jewelled box began to nibble at it daintily as
De Ganache's hands fell helplessly to his sides.

And now De Mouchy spoke. "Monsieur De Ganache, do you recognise the
prisoners there?"

De Ganache followed his glance; a shiver went through him, and as he
looked a red flush mounted to his forehead. Never had I seen a man look
so before, and, thank God! never after. Unspeakable shame and hopeless
despair were sealed upon his face. His lips grew livid, and twice the
question was repeated ere he forced himself to answer.

"Yes."

I held my breath and listened. What did this mean? Ferrieres still lay
back in his semi-trance, oblivious of all things; but mademoiselle moved
forward and looked at De Ganache, ineffable pity in her eyes. And now
came the next question.

"They are known to you as Christaudins?"

One glance at mademoiselle and De Ganache shrank back; but her voice rang
out clear and sweet, for she, with all of us, mistook the reason of De
Ganache's terrible emotion.

"Deny it not, De Ganache! Be not afraid."

But with a cry De Ganache put his hands to his face and turned aside. A
woman began to sob amongst the spectators, and someone dropped a sword
with an angry clash on the parquet. Once more the strident voices of the
ushers arose, and after a little silence was restored.

De Mouchy was about to put yet another question when La Valentinois
interposed.

"It is enough," she said; "I but wanted to confront them. Let him have
his reward."

De Mouchy smiled, and bending forward addressed De Ganache.

"Gaston de Ganache, Vicomte de Ganache and Les Barres, you stand
convicted a heretic and traitor, and for crime