Execution of Louis Capet 16th of the name on January 21, 1793

Milcourt and Lucile, the novel's two protagonists, have been forced to part ways because Lucile has married the Count d'Alibre, a hideous and cruel character. But he goes away for a long time, leaving her alone. Milcourt and Lucile meet again and again during his long absence, and give in to their desires: Lucile even becomes pregnant and gives birth in the greatest secrecy. When the Count d'Alibre returns, Lucile decides to stop seeing Milcourt and reveal everything. Her husband consequently decides to lock her and her baby in a dungeon to punish her for her infidelity, causing the newborn to wither. Despite all her efforts, and even having tried to feed the child with her own blood, it withers and dies, until the day Milcourt rushes in, slaughters the Count, and saves his lover.

This is the moment depicted in the engraving: Milcourt breaks down the door and discovers Lucile in rags, horrified, supporting their child. Later, he watches helplessly as his wife dies of her traumatic injuries. Grief-stricken, he himself dies some time later before being buried next to Lucile.