She is yet praying when her executioners approach and roughly raise her
up, when they tear off her light robe, and devour with their brutal eyes
her noble naked form. Her soul is with God, to whom she yet prays. But
when they would rend from her bosom the chain to which Paulo's papers
are attached, she shudders, her eyes flash, and she holds the papers in
her convulsively clinched hands.
"I have sworn to defend them with my life!" she exclaims aloud. "Paulo,
Paulo, I will keep my word!"
And with the boldness of a lioness she defends herself against her
executioners.
"Leave her those papers!" commanded Joseph Ribas who was present by
order of the empress. "She may keep them now--they will directly be
ours!"
"Oh, Paulo, I have kept the promise I made thee!" murmured Natalie. She
then implores to be allowed to read them, and Joseph Ribas grants her
the desired permission.
With trembling hands she breaks the seal and reads by the light of a
torch held up for her. A melancholy smile flits over her features, and
her arms fall powerless.
"Ah, they are the proofs of my imperial descent, nothing further. How
little is that, Paulo!"
And now lifting her up, they raise her high upon the backs of the
executioners.
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