"Round two," I think contently. My husband took the stand moments before and I can only see his back. There was an uproar when the name of the third denounced was told! Doctor Alexander had much to say on him being the denouncer of Charles. I almost laughed. If only he knew. There are brief, meaningless, words being said now.
The court asks about Earnest's early life, the doctor being delivered, those sorts of things. Finally we come to the day the Bastille fell.
"You did good service at the taking of the Bastille, citizen?" they ask.
"I believe so." He replies calmly.
"You were one of the best patriots there. Why not say so? You were a cannonier that day there, and you were among the first to enter that accursed fortress when it fell. Patriots, I speak the truth!" I need not look up to know it is The Vengeance who speaks, especially when she shrieks, "I defy that bell!" when the judge tries to quiet the court.
"Inform the Tribunal of what you did that day within the Bastille, citizen."
"I knew," he began, but broke off, glancing at me pleadingly. I simply look up at him steadily, unyielding, until he continues. He tells of finding the paper, of confirming that it is Doctor Manette's, reading it, and giving it to the judge and finally, the paper is read. As my story is told my eyes do not move from the prisoner. He looks only at his wife.
"Yes, take joy in her pretty face while you can, Evremonde." I silently mock him, "Your family always had an eye for beauty." When the paper has been read through, ending with Manette's denouncement of the Evremonde family, such a shout goes up in the courthouse! No man could stand with his head on his shoulders under that evidence! The judge asks a few meaningless questions, the only words I hear are those that he speaks to the doctor. He says that Manette should take pleasure in orphaning his grandchild and widowing his daughter. Bravo sir! I could not have made a more cutting remark myself.
"Much influence around him, has that Doctor?" I murmur, smiling to Vengeance. "Save him now, my doctor, save him!" The sentence is no surprise, death within twenty-four hours!