midday
At length the archers laboriously turned upon their hinges the heavy gates opening into the street , and the crowd eagerly rushed in . The young Cinq-Mars was carried along with the second enormous wave , and , placed behind a thick column , stood there , so as to be able to see without being seen . He observed with vexation that the group of dark-clad citizens was near him ; but the great gates , closing , left the part of the court where the people stood in such darkness that there was no likelihood of his being recognized . Although it was only midday , the hall was lighted with torches ; but they were nearly all placed at the farther end , where rose the judges ' bench behind a long table . The chairs , tables , and steps were all covered with black cloth , and cast a livid hue over the faces of those near them . A seat reserved for the prisoner was placed upon the left , and on the crape robe which covered him flames were represented in gold embroidery to indicate the nature of the offence . Here sat the accused , surrounded by archers , with his hands still bound in chains , held by two monks , who , with simulated terror , affected to start from him at his slightest motion , as if they held a tiger or enraged wolf , or as if the flames depicted on his robe could communicate themselves to their clothing .