The last of the ladies, the Marchioness de Crussol d'Amboise, had
received the parting kiss and ascended the steps of the guillotine.
Only Elizabeth and Toulan now remained at the foot. "Fidele,"
whispered Elizabeth in gentle tones, "I shall soon be with my
brother and my sister. Give me your hand, my brother. You shall
conduct me to death, and I will give you my hand above, at the
opening of the new life, and conduct you to Marie Antoinette.
'Sister,' I will say to her, 'this is the one true and good heart
which beat on earth for you, and I bring it to you that you may
rejoice in it in heaven.' Toulan, there is only one title of honor
for all men, and that is Fidele. It is sanctioned even by the word
of God: 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown
of life.'"
Just at that moment the axe rattled, there was a muffled sound, and
the head of the Marchioness Crussol d'Amboise fell into the basket.
"Elizabeth Capet, it is your turn--come up!"
"I come."
She ascended the scaffold. Arrayed, as she was, in this white robe,
her transparent face was like that of an angel. It seemed to Toulan
as if her foot no longer rested on the earth. He followed her to the
scaffold; and as she was about to ascend the steps, he laid his hand
upon her arm.
"Princess, I have a secret to impart to you.
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