MARION (_hiding her eyes_). The grewsome thing! DIDIER. I could sign nothing with intenser joy! [_The Guards form themselves into a line to lead them away._ SAVERNY (_to some one in the crowd_). Sir, step aside and let that young child see! DIDIER (_to Saverny_). My brother, 'tis for me you suffer death; Let us embrace each other! [_He embraces Saverny._ MARION (_running to him_). And for me No kisses, Didier! DIDIER (_indicating Saverny_). This is my friend, madame! MARION (_clasping her hands_). How hard you are upon me, a poor thing, Who always on my knees to king or judge Have begged mercy for you from every one! Pardon of them for you; pardon of you for me! DIDIER (_rushes to Marion, trembling, and bursting into tears_). No, I cannot! The torture's horrible! No, I have loved too much to leave her so! It is too hard to keep a cold, impassive face When underneath the heart is breaking down. Come to my arms, oh, woman, come! [_Presses her convulsively to his heart._ I love you! I'm about to die. Before them all, It is my loftiest joy to tell you this: I love you! MARION. Didier! [_Embraces her again with rapture._ To my heart, oh, come! You who behold this direful tragedy, I wonder if there's one of you who would Refuse love unto one who'd given herself Entirely and unceasingly to him? Oh, I was wrong! Say, would you have me face Eternity without a pardon from Her lips? No! Stand by me and listen, love: Among all womankind--and those who hear Will prove me right by their own hearts--the one I love, the one in whom I trust, the one I venerate is you--is always you! For you were kind, devoted, loving, good. My life is almost ended. When death's near A clearer light illuminates all things. If you deceived me, 'twas excess of love; And if you fell, have you not cruelly atoned? Perhaps your mother--life's so hard--forgot You in your cradle, as my mother did; When you were young and helpless, perhaps they sold Your innocence. Ah, lift up your white brow! And listen, all of you. At such an hour The earth is a mere shadow and the heart Speaks true. Well, at this moment, from the height Of the dread scaffold--and there's naught so high When guiltless souls ascend it--here, I say to you, Marie, angel of light, Whose luster earth has dimmed, my love, my wife, In God's name, before whom I soon shall stand, I pardon you. MARION (_suffocated with tears_). Ah, Christ! DIDIER. It is your turn. Speak now, and pardon me! [_He kneels before her._ MARION. Didier! DIDIER. Your pardon, Love! I was the most at fault, the most Unkind. God has chastised you much through me. Weep for me when I'm gone, because to have Hurt you is such a burden to take hence Into eternity. Don't leave it on me; Pardon me!