Page:Adventures of Susan Hopley (Volume 1).pdf/305

290 elderly man in the costume of a juge de paix; and beside him, one younger, apparently his clerk, before whom were materials for writing. Two women, and the men who had pursued and brought him back from the fields, were also present.

"The chair in which Valentine had been conveyed up stairs was set down at the foot of the bed, amidst a general silence that bespoke the awe and wonder of the assistants. Every eye was turned towards him, and amongst them the glazed and lustreless orb of the apparently dying man. As he gazed on the features of the amazed and agitated youth, a faint and transitory flush passed over the blood-forsaken cheek, and for a moment the dead eye shone with an unnatural light; slowly and with difficulty he raised his feeble arm, and pointing his fore finger to Valentine he exclaimed, 'That is the man!'

"'Bring him forward!' said the Juge de paix; and they lifted the chair and placed it nearer to the table. 'Now, Sir,' continued he to the sick man, 'are you prepared to swear that that man is your assassin?'

"'I am,' replied the other.

"'Good heavens! Sir,'eagerly interrupted Valentine.