By your crown! by your mother! by the angels! Gilbert! Gilbert! it drives me mad! Save Gilbert! That man is my life; that man is my husband; that man—I told you that he had done everything for me, that he brought me up, that he adopted me, that he took my father's place at my cradle—my father who died for your mother. Your Majesty, you see that I am only a poor unhappy creature, and that you must not be cruel to me. What you just told me dealt me such a fearful blow that I know not how I have the strength to speak to you. I say what I can. But you must order the execution suspended, at once. Delay it until to-morrow. Time to look about—that is all. This multitude will surely wait until to-morrow. Then we will see what we will do. Nay, do not shake your head. There's no danger for your Fabiano. I am the one you will put in his place, under the black veil. At night. Who will know? But save Gilbert! What does it matter to you whether 'tis he or I? And since I wish to die!—O my God! that bell! that ghastly bell! Each of its strokes is a step toward the scaffold. Each stroke strikes my heart.—Do this, your Majesty. Have pity. No danger for your Fabiano. Let me kiss your hands. I love you. I have not told you so, but I love you dearly. You are a great queen. See how I kiss your beautiful hands!—Oh! an order to suspend the execution! There is still time. I give you my word that it is possible. They march slowly. 'Tis a long way from the Tower to the Old Market. The man on the balcony said that they would go by Charing Cross. There is a shorter way. A mounted man would arrive. In Heaven's name, have pity! Put yourself in my place; suppose that I am the queen and you the poor girl; you would
