as you curse me! My God! will the man arrive in time? What frightful suspense! I can see nothing. My whole brain is in a tumult. That bell—for whom does it toll?
Jane.The bell has ceased.
The Queen.That means that the procession has reached the place of execution. The man will not arrive in time.
[A distant report of a cannon.
Jane.Heaven be merciful!
The Queen.He ascends the scaffold.
[A second report.
He kneels.
Jane.This is horrible!
[A third report.
Both.Ah!
The Queen.But one is living now. In an instant we shall know which. O God! grant that he who will soon enter this hall may be Fabiano!
Jane.O my God! grant that it be Gilbert!
[The curtain at the back is drawn aside. Simon Renard appears, leading Gilbert by the hand.
Gilbert!
[They rush into each other's arms.
The Queen.And Fabiano?
Renard.Dead.
The Queen.Dead! Dead? Who has dared—
Renard.I. I have saved the Queen and England.
