Page:MaryTudorHugo.djvu/105

 as you curse me! My God! will the man arrive in time? What frightful suspense! I can see nothing. My whole brain is in a tumult. That bell—for whom does it toll?

Jane.The bell has ceased.

The Queen.That means that the procession has reached the place of execution. The man will not arrive in time.

[A distant report of a cannon.

Jane.Heaven be merciful!

The Queen.He ascends the scaffold.

[A second report.

He kneels.

Jane.This is horrible!

[A third report.

Both.Ah!

The Queen.But one is living now. In an instant we shall know which. O God! grant that he who will soon enter this hall may be Fabiano!

Jane.O my God! grant that it be Gilbert!

[The curtain at the back is drawn aside. ' appears, leading ' by the hand.

Gilbert!

[They rush into each other's arms.

The Queen.And Fabiano?

Renard.Dead.

The Queen.Dead! Dead? Who has dared—

Renard.I. I have saved the Queen and England.