To this effect, in as few or fewer words, the Public Prosecutor.
The President asked, was the Accused openly denounced or
secretly?
“Openly, President.”
“By whom?”
“Three voices. Ernest Defarge, wine vendor of Saint Antoine.”
“Good.”
“Therese Defarge, his wife.”
“Good.”
“Alexandre Manette, physician.”
A great uproar took place in the court, and in the midst of it,
Doctor Manette was seen, pale and trembling, standing where he
had been seated.
“President, I indignantly protest to you that this is a forgery
and a fraud. You know the accused to be the husband of my
daughter. My daughter, and those dear to her, are far dearer to me
than my life. Who and where is the false conspirator who says that
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I denounce the husband of my child?”
“Citizen Manette, be tranquil. To fail in submission of the
authority of the Tribunal would be to put yourself out of Law. As
to what is dearer to you than life. nothing can be so dear to a good
citizen as the Republic.”
Loud acclamations hailed this rebuke. The President rang his
bell, and with warmth resumed.
“If the Republic should demand of you the sacrifice of your
child herself, you would have no duty but to sacrifice her. Listen to
what is to follow. In the meanwhile, be silent!”
Frantic acclamations were again raised. Doctor Manette sat
down, with his eyes looking around, and his lips trembling; his
daughter drew closer to him. The craving man on the jury rubbed
his hands together, and restored the usual hand to his mouth.
Defarge was produced, when the court was quiet enough to
admit of his being heard, and rapidly expounded the story of the
imprisonment, and of his having been a mere boy in the Doctor’s
service, and of the release, and of the state of the prisoner when
released and delivered to him. This short examination followed.
for the court was quick with its work.
“You did good service at the taking of the Bastille, citizen?”
“I believe so.”
Here an excited woman screeched from the crowd: “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
the accursed fortress when it fell. Patriots, I speak the truth!”
It was The Vengeance who, amidst the warm commendations of
the audience, thus assisted the proceedings. The President rang
his bell; but, The Vengeance, warming with encouragement,
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shrieked, “I defy that bell!” wherein she was likewise much
commended.