Pagina 886 de 896

There is a guard of sundry horsemen riding abreast of the

tumbrils, and faces are often turned up to some of them, and they

are asked some question. It would seem to be always the same

question, for, it is always followed by a press of people towards

the third cart. The horsemen abreast of that cart, frequently

point out one man in it with their swords. The leading curiosity

is, to know which is he; he stands at the back of the tumbril

with his head bent down, to converse with a mere girl who sits on

the side of the cart, and holds his hand. He has no curiosity or

care for the scene about him, and always speaks to the girl. Here

and there in the long street of St. Honore, cries are raised

against him. If they move him at all, it is only to a quiet

smile, as he shakes his hair a little more loosely about his

face. He cannot easily touch his face, his arms being bound.