human
Monsieur Lucien de Fargas, he said,
gpt
It was of my own free and unrestrained will, without being forced by any one,
human
You took the customary oaths, and were therefore aware of the terrible punishment awaiting those who prove false to them?
gpt
I knew,
human
You knew that when any Companion, even under torture, reveals the names of his brethren, he incurs the death-penalty, and that this penalty is executed without reprieve or delay the moment that proof of his treachery is furnished?
gpt
I knew it.
human
What could have induced you to break your oaths?
gpt
The impossibility of resisting the torture of loss of sleep. I resisted for five nights, on the sixth I asked for death, which was sleep. They would not give it to me. I sought a means to take my own life; but my jailers had taken their precautions so well that I could find none. On the seventh night I yielded. I promised to make disclosures on the morrow if they would let me sleep; but they insisted that I should speak at once. It was then in despair, insane from want of sleep, held up by the two men who prevented me from sleeping, I stammered the four names of M. de Valensolles, M. de Barjols, M. de Jayat, and M. de Ribier.
human
That is it,
gpt
And do you recognize your signature?
human
I recognize it,
gpt
Have you any excuse to offer?
human
None, replied the young man.
gpt
I knew when I wrote my signature at the bottom of that page that I was signing my death-warrant. But I wanted to sleep.
human
Have you any favor to ask before you die?
gpt
One.
human
What is it?
gpt
I have a sister whom I love and who adores me. Being orphans, we were educated together; we grew up side by side, and have never been parted. I should like to write to my sister.
human
You are free to do so. But at the end of your letter you must write the postscript that we shall dictate to you.
gpt
Thanks,
human
Will you untie my hands, he added,