human
Who are you? said Father Capel, kneeling by the dying man,
gpt
It is Heaven's, gasped Gautran,
human
I heard the sounds of a struggle between two men. Are you one of those who were fighting in the midst of this awful darkness?
gpt
Yes, I am one.
human
And the design, continued Father Capel,
gpt
I am hurt to death. In a few minutes I shall be in eternal fire unless you grant me absolution and forgiveness for my crimes.
human
Speak first the truth. Were you set upon, or were you the attacker in this evil combat?
gpt
I attacked him first.
human
Then he may be dead! exclaimed Father Capel, and rising hastily to his feet, he peered into the darkness, and felt about with his hands, and called aloud to know if the other man was conscious.
gpt
This is horrible, said the priest, in deep perplexity, scarcely knowing what it was best to do;
human
Do not leave me, father, do not leave me!
gpt
Truly, murmured the priest,
human
He knelt again by the side of Gautran.
gpt
Miserable wretch, if the man you attacked be dead, you have murdered him, and you have been smitten for your crime. It may not be the only sin that lies upon your soul.
human
It is not, it is not, groaned Gautran.
gpt
My strength is deserting me; I can hardly speak. Father, is there hope for a murderer? Do not let me die yet. Give me something to revive me. I am fainting.
human
I have nothing with me to restore your strength. To go for wine, and for assistance to remove this heavy timber which imprisons you--my weak arms cannot stir it--cannot be accomplished in less than half an hour. It will be best, perhaps, for me to take this course; in the meantime, pray, miserable man, with all the earnestness of your heart and soul, for Divine forgiveness. What is your name?
gpt
I am Gautran,
human
From the bedside of the woman I have left within the hour, he murmured,
gpt
You are he who was tried for the murder of Madeline, the flower-girl?
human
I am he,
gpt
Hearken to me, said Father Capel.
human
For that crime you were tried and acquitted by an earthly tribunal, which pronounced you innocent. But you are now about to appear before the Divine throne for judgment; and from God nothing can be hidden. He sees into the hearts of men. Who is ready--as you but now admitted to me--to commit one murder, and who, perhaps, has committed it, for, from the silence, I infer that the body of your victim lies at no great distance, will not shrink from committing two. Answer me truly, as you hope for mercy. Were you guilty or innocent of the murder of Madeline?
gpt
I was guilty, groaned Gautran.
human
Wretch that I am, I killed her. I loved her, father--I loved her!
gpt
Ah me--ah me! sighed Father Capel;
human
Father, moaned Gautran, rallying a little,
gpt
Stolen gold will not buy absolution or the soul's repose, he said sadly.
human
Crime upon crime--sin upon sin! Gautran, evil spirits have been luring you to destruction.
gpt
I did not steal the gold, gasped Gautran.
human
It was given to me--freely given.
gpt
Forgiveness you cannot hope for, said Father Capel,
human
May eternal torments be mine if I stole it! Believe me, father--believe me. I speak the truth.
gpt
Who gave it to you, then?
human
The Advocate.
gpt
The Advocate! He who defended you, and so blinded the judgment of men as to cause them to set a murderer loose?
human
Yes; he, and no other man.
gpt
From what motive, Gautran--compassion?
human
No, from fear.
gpt
What reason has he to fear you?
human
I have his secret, as he had mine, and he wished to get rid of me, so that he and I should never meet again. It was for that he gave me the gold.
gpt
What is the nature of this secret which made him fear your presence?
human
He knew me to be guilty.
gpt
What do you say? When he defended you, he knew you to be guilty?
human
Aye, he knew it well.
gpt
Incredible--horrible! exclaimed Father Capel, raising his hands.
human
He shared, then, your crime. Yes; though he committed not the deed, his guilt is as heavy as the guilt of the murderer. How will he atone for it?--how _can_ atone for it? And if what I otherwise fear to be true, what pangs of remorse await him!
gpt
Save me, father--save me! shrieked the wretch.
human
Send her away! Tell her I repent. See, there--there!--she is creeping upon me, along the tree!
gpt
What is it you behold amidst the darkness of this appalling night?
human
It is Madeline--her spirit that will never, never leave me! Will you not be satisfied, you, with my punishment? Is not my death enough for you? You fiend--you fiend! I will strangle you if you come closer. Have mercy--mercy! You are a priest; have you no power over her? Then what is the use of prayer? It is a mockery--a mockery! My eyes are filled with blood! Ah!
gpt
Gautran, whispered Father Capel,
human
I will seek assistance at once; there is another to be searched for. Ah, terrible, terrible night! Heaven have mercy upon us!