Again, Monsieur Bonacieux’s terror is reasonable, but it is over the top. Although the chapter ends on a cliffhanger, there is no reason to assume Monsieur Bonacieux will be killed for his actions. He hasn’t done anything, nor has he had a formal trial. Although the cardinal and his men don’t always act strictly within the bounds of the law, it is unlikely that they would kill someone like Monsieur Bonacieux, who has barely done anything wrong.