Chapter Twenty Summary

Cincinnatus leaves the prison in a procession with Pierre, Rodrig, and Roman. The whole prison is crumbling. The upwards stairs lead downwards, and down leads up. Cincinnatus is overcome with his fear. Cincinnatus understands that everything around him is an illusion, but he cannot defeat his own terror. They ride in a carriage to the square, and the townspeople gather, seeing them passing. Women throw flowers into the carriage. They drive past Cincinnatus's house, and he can't help but look. Marthe is sitting in an apple tree, waving. Pierre calls Cincinnatus heartless.

The party arrives in Thriller Square, the site of the execution. A scaffold has been raised not quite in the center of the square. Cincinnatus insists on exiting the carriage and walking up to the platform without assistance. There is a large block atop the platform. Cincinnatus does not...