Corse de Leon; Or, the Brigand a Romance Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 edition. Excerpt: ...return would be expected by the king; and, after pausing for a short time longer, and looking round again and again in vain, he took his way towards the palace, where he was instantly admitted to Henry's cabinet. " What news? what news, priest V demanded Henry, eagerly, turning from a conversation which he was holding with Monsieur de Vieilleville and another gentleman. " Has he confessed the crime V " No, sire," replied Father Willand, " he has not confessed it, and never will, for he is innocent." The king frowned upon him, but replied nothing. Turning, however, to Monsieur de Vieilleville, he said, " On that one point you have conquered, De Vieilleville. We must not disgust and alienate so many of our high nobility. On all other points I am firm, but I yield that; and no more can be demanded of me. Go back to the prisoner, father," he said, addressing Father Willand, " and tell him that, not out of compassion for himself, but out of consideration for the many noble families to which he is allied, and of all the branches of the princely house of Rohan, I have determined to grant him the privilege of the axe, that he may not die the death of a common felon. But let him know that his execution is ordered to take place in the court of the Chatelet at daybreak to-morrow morning, and exhort him to use his short space diligently to make his peace-with God, which can only be done by a confession of his crimes." The priest made no reply, for he saw that the king's mood was unusually stern; but, hastening back to the prison, he demanded once more to see the prisoner. The lieutenant happened to be standing near the gate at the moment, receiving the keys for the night, for it was now near eleven o'clock; and Bertrand Saar, in the presence of his superior...