第1章

TherehasoflateyearscreptsomuchconfusionintothemindofthestudentaswellasofthegeneralreaderastotheidentityoftheScarletPimpernelwiththatoftheGasconRoyalistplotterknowntohistoryastheBarondeBatz，thatthetimeseemsopportuneforsettingalldoubtsonthatsubjectatrest。

TheidentityoftheScarletPimpernelisinnowaywhateverconnectedwiththatoftheBarondeBatz，andevensuperficialreflectionwillsoonbringthemindtotheconclusionthatgreatfundamentaldifferencesexistedinthesetwomen，intheirpersonality，intheircharacter，and，aboveall，intheiraims。

Accordingtooneortwoenthusiastichistorians，theBarondeBatzwasthechiefagentinavastnetworkofconspiracy，entirelysupportedbyforeignmoney——bothEnglishandAustrian——andwhichhadforitsobjecttheoverthrowoftheRepublicanGovernmentandtherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。

Inordertoattainthispoliticalgoal，itisaverredthathesethimselfthetaskofpittingthemembersoftherevolutionaryGovernmentoneagainsttheother，andbringinghatredanddissensionsamongstthem，untilthecryof“Traitor！”resoundedfromoneendoftheAssemblyoftheConventiontotheother，andtheAssemblyitselfbecameasonevastdenofwildbeastswhereinwolvesandhyenasdevouredoneanotherand，stillunsatiated，lickedtheirstreamingjawshungeringformoreprey。

Thosesameenthusiastichistorians，whohaveafirmbeliefintheso-called“ForeignConspiracy，“ascribeeveryimportanteventoftheGreatRevolution——bethateventthedownfalloftheGirondins，theescapeoftheDauphinfromtheTemple，orthedeathofRobespierre——totheintriguesofBarondeBatz。Heitwas，sotheysay，whoeggedtheJacobinsonagainsttheMountain，RobespierreagainstDanton，HebertagainstRobespierre。HeitwaswhoinstigatedthemassacresofSeptember，theatrocitiesofNantes，thehorrorsofThermidor，thesacrileges，thenoyades：

allwiththeviewofcausingeverysectionoftheNationalAssemblytoviewiththeotherinexcessesandincruelty，untilthemakersoftheRevolution，satiatedwiththeirownlust，turnedononeanother，andSardanapalus-likeburiedthemselvesandtheirorgiesinthevasthecatombofaself-consumedanarchy。

WhetherthepowerthusascribedtoBarondeBatzbyhishistoriansisrealorimaginaryitisnotthepurposeofthisprefacetoinvestigate。ItssoleobjectistopointoutthedifferencebetweenthecareerofthisplotterandthatoftheScarletPimpernel。

TheBarondeBatzhimselfwasanadventurerwithoutsubstance，savethatwhichhederivedfromabroad。Hewasoneofthosemenwhohavenothingtoloseandeverythingtogainbythrowingthemselvesheadlongintheseethingcauldronofinternalpolitics。

ThoughhemadeseveralattemptsatrescuingKingLouisfirst，andthentheQueenandRoyalFamilyfromprisonandfromdeath，heneversucceeded，asweknow，inanyoftheseundertakings，andheneveroncesomuchasattemptedtherescueofotherequallyinnocent，ifnotquitesodistinguished，victimsofthemostbloodthirstyrevolutionthathasevershakenthefoundationsofthecivilisedworld。

Naymore；whenonthe29thPrairialthoseunfortunatemenandwomenwerecondemnedandexecutedforallegedcomplicityintheso-called“ForeignConspiracy，“deBatz，whoisuniversallyadmittedtohavebeentheheadandprime-moverofthatconspiracy——if，indeed，conspiracytherewas——nevermadeeithertheslightestattempttorescuehisconfederatesfromtheguillotine，oratleasttheoffertoperishbytheirsideifhecouldnotsucceedinsavingthem。

Andwhenwerememberthatthemartyrsofthe29thPrairialincludedwomenlikeGrandmaison，thedevotedfriendofdeBatz，thebeautifulEmiliedeSt。Amaranthe，littleCecileRenault——amerechildnotsixteenyearsofage——alsomenlikeMichonisandRoussell，faithfulservantsofdeBatz，theBarondeLezardiere，andtheComtedeSt。Maurice，hisfriends，wenolongercanhavetheslightestdoubtthattheGasconplotterandtheEnglishgentlemanareindeedtwoverydifferentpersons。

Thelatter\'saimswereabsolutelynon-political。Heneverintriguedfortherestorationofthemonarchy，orevenfortheoverthrowofthatRepublicwhichlieloathed。

Hisonlyconcernwastherescueoftheinnocent，thestretchingoutofasavinghandtothoseunfortunatecreatureswhohadfallenintothenetsspreadoutforthembytheirfellow-men；bythosewho——godless，lawless，pennilessthemselves——hadsworntoexterminateallthosewhoclungtotheirbelongings，totheirreligion，andtotheirbeliefs。

TheScarletPimperneldidnottakeituponhimselftopunishtheguilty；hiscarewassolelyofthehelplessandoftheinnocent。

ForthisaimheriskedhislifeeverytimethathesetfootonFrenchsoil，forithesacrificedhisfortune，andevenhispersonalhappiness，andtoithedevotedhisentireexistence。

Moreover，whereastheFrenchplotterissaidtohavehadconfederatesevenintheAssemblyoftheConvention，confederateswhoweresufficientlyinfluentialandpowerfultosecurehisownimmunity，theEnglishmanwhenhewasbentonhiserrandsofmercyhadthewholeofFranceagainsthim。

TheBarondeBatzwasamanwhoneverjustifiedeitherhisownambitionsorevenhisexistence；theScarletPimpernelwasapersonalityofwhomanentirenationmightjustlybeproud。

CHAPTERI

INTHETHEATRENATIONAL

Andyetpeoplefoundtheopportunitytoamusethemselves，todanceandtogotothetheatre，toenjoymusicandopen-aircafesandpromenadesinthePalaisRoyal。

Newfashionsindressmadetheirappearance，millinersproducedfresh“creations，“andjewellerswerenotidle。Agrimsenseofhumour，bornoftheveryintensityofever-presentdanger，haddubbedthecutofcertaintunics“tetetranche，“orafavouriteragoutwascalled“alaguillotine。“

Onthreeeveningsonlyduringthepastmemorablefourandahalfyearsdidthetheatresclosetheirdoors，andtheseeveningsweretheonesimmediatelyfollowingthatterrible2ndofSeptemberthedayofthebutcheryoutsidetheAbbayeprison，whenParisherselfwasaghastwithhorror，andthecriesofthemassacredmighthavedrownedthecallsoftheaudiencewhosehandsupraisedforplauditswouldstillbedrippingwithblood。

OnallothereveningsofthesesamefourandahalfyearsthetheatresintheRuedeRichelieu，inthePalaisRoyal，theLuxembourg，andothers，hadraisedtheircurtainsandtakenmoneyattheirdoors。Thesameaudiencethatearlierinthedayhadwhiledawaythetimebywitnessingtheever-recurrentdramasofthePlacedelaRevolutionassembledhereintheeveningsandfilledstalls，boxes，andtiers，laughingoverthesatiresofVoltaireorweepingoverthesentimentaltragediesofpersecutedRomeosandinnocentJuliets。

Deathknockedatsomanydoorsthesedays！Hewassoconstantaguestinthehousesofrelativesandfriendsthatthosewhohadmerelyshakenhimbythehand，thoseonwhomhehadsmiled，andwhomhe，stillsmiling，hadpassedindulgentlyby，lookedonhimwiththatsubtlecontemptbornoffamiliarity，shruggedtheirshouldersathispassage，andenvisagedhisprobablevisitonthemorrowwithlightheartedindifference。

Paris——despitethehorrorsthathadstainedherwallshadremainedacityofpleasure，andtheknifeoftheguillotinedidscarcedescendmoreoftenthandidthedrop-scenesonthestage。

Onthisbitterlycoldeveningofthe27thNivose，inthesecondyearoftheRepublic——or，asweoftheoldstylestillpersistincallingit，the16thofJanuary，1794——theauditoriumoftheTheatreNationalwasfilledwithaverybrilliantcompany。

TheappearanceofafavouriteactressinthepartofoneofMoliere\'svolatileheroineshadbroughtpleasure-lovingParistowitnessthisrevivalof“LeMisanthrope，“withnewscenery，dresses，andtheaforesaidcharmingactresstoaddpiquancytothemaster\'smordantwit。

TheMoniteur，whichsoimpartiallychroniclestheeventsofthosetimes，tellsusunderthatdatethattheAssemblyoftheConventionvotedonthatsamedayanewlawgivingfullerpowertoitsspies，enablingthemtoeffectdomiciliarysearchesattheirdiscretionwithoutpreviousreferencetotheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，authorisingthemtoproceedagainstallenemiesofpublichappiness，tosendthemtoprisonattheirowndiscretion，andassuringthemthesumofthirty-fivelivres“foreverypieceofgamethusbeatenupfortheguillotine。“UnderthatsamedatetheMoniteuralsoputsitonrecordthattheTheatreNationalwasfilledtoitsutmostcapacityfortherevivalofthelatecitoyenMoliere\'scomedy。

TheAssemblyoftheConventionhavingvotedthenewlawwhichplacedthelivesofthousandsatthemercyofafewhumanbloodhounds，adjourneditssittingandproceededtotheRuedeRichelieu。

Alreadythehousewasfullwhenthefathersofthepeoplemadetheirwaytotheseatswhichhadbeenreservedforthem。Anawedhushdescendedonthethrongasonebyonethemenwhoseverynamesinspiredhorroranddreadfiledinthroughthenarrowgangwaysofthestallsortooktheirplacesinthetinyboxesaround。

CitizenRobespierre\'sneatlybewiggedheadsoonappearedinoneofthese；hisbosomfriendSt。Justwaswithhim，andalsohissisterCharlotte。Danton，likeabig，shaggy-coatedlion，elbowedhiswayintothestalls，whilstSauterre，thehandsomebutcherandidolofthepeopleofParis，wasloudlyacclaimedashishugeframe，gorgeouslycladintheuniformoftheNationalGuard，wassightedononeofthetiersabove。

Thepublicintheparterreandinthegallerieswhisperedexcitedly；theawe-inspiringnamesflewabouthitherandthitheronthewingsoftheoverheatedair。Womencranedtheirneckstocatchsightofheadswhichmayhaponthemorrowwouldrollintothegruesomebasketatthefootoftheguillotine。

Inoneofthetinyavant-sceneboxestwomenhadtakentheirseatslongbeforethebulkoftheaudiencehadbeguntoassembleinthehouse。Theinsideoftheboxwasincompletedarkness，andthenarrowopeningwhichallowedbutasorryviewofonesideofthestagehelpedtoconcealratherthandisplaytheoccupants。

TheyoungeroneofthesetwomenappearedtobesomethingofastrangerinParis，forasthepublicmenandthewell-knownmembersoftheGovernmentbegantoarriveheoftenturnedtohiscompanionforinformationregardingthesenotoriouspersonalities。

“Tellme，deBatz，“hesaid，callingtheother\'sattentiontoagroupofmenwhohadjustenteredthehouse，“thatcreaturethereinthegreencoat——withhishanduptohisfacenow——whoishe？”

“Where？Whichdoyoumean？”

“There！Helooksthiswaynow，andhehasaplaybillinhishand。

Themanwiththeprotrudingchinandtheconvexforehead，afacelikeamarmoset，andeyeslikeajackal。What？”

Theotherleanedovertheedgeofthebox，andhissmall，restlesseyeswanderedoverthenowclosely-packedauditorium。

“Oh！”hesaidassoonasherecognisedthefacewhichhisfriendhadpointedouttohim，“thatiscitizenFoucquier-Tinville。“

“ThePublicProsecutor？”

“Himself。AndHeronisthemannexttohim。“

“Heron？”saidtheyoungermaninterrogatively。

“Yes。HeischiefagenttotheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritynow。“

“Whatdoesthatmean？”

Bothleanedbackintheirchairs，andtheirsombrely-cladfigureswereoncemoremergedinthegloomofthenarrowbox。Instinctively，sincethenameofthePublicProsecutorhadbeenmentionedbetweenthem，theyhadallowedtheirvoicestosinktoawhisper。

Theolderman——astoutish，florid-lookingindividual，withsmall，keeneyes，andskinpittedwithsmall-pox——shruggedhisshouldersathisfriend\'squestion，andthensaidwithanairofcontemptuousindifference：

“Itmeans，mygoodSt。Just，thatthesetwomenwhomyouseedownthere，calmlyconningtheprogrammeofthisevening\'sentertainment，andpreparingtoenjoythemselvesto-nightinthecompanyofthelateM。deMoliere，aretwohell-houndsaspowerfulastheyarecunning。“

“Yes，yes，“saidSt。Just，andmuchagainsthiswillaslightshudderranthroughhisslimfigureashespoke。“Foucquier-TinvilleIknow；Iknowhiscunning，andIknowhispower——buttheother？”

“Theother？”retorteddeBatzlightly。“Heron？Letmetellyou，myfriend，thateventhemightandlustofthatdamnedPublicProsecutorpalebeforethepowerofHeron！”

“Buthow？Idonotunderstand。“

“Ah！youhavebeeninEnglandsolong，youluckydog，andthoughnodoubtthemainplotofourhideoustragedyhasreachedyourken，youhavenocognisanceoftheactorswhoplaytheprincipalpartsonthisarenafloodedwithbloodandcarpetedwithhate。

Theycomeandgo，theseactors，mygoodSt。Just——theycomeandgo。Maratisalreadythemanofyesterday，Robespierreisthemanofto-morrow。To-daywestillhaveDantonandFoucquier-Tinville；

westillhavePereDuchesne，andyourowngoodcousinAntoineSt。

Just，butHeronandhislikearewithusalways。“

“Spies，ofcourse？”

“Spies，“assentedtheother。“Andwhatspies！WereyoupresentatthesittingoftheAssemblyto-day？”

“Iwas。Iheardthenewdecreewhichalreadyhaspassedintolaw。

Ah！Itellyou，friend，thatwedonotletthegrassgrowunderourfeetthesedays。Robespierrewakesuponemorningwithawhim；bytheafternoonthatwhimhasbecomelaw，passedbyaservilebodyofmentooterrifiedtoruncountertohiswill，fearfullesttheybeaccusedofmoderationorofhumanity——thegreatestcrimesthatcanbecommittednowadays。“

“ButDanton？”

“Ah！Danton？Hewouldwishtostemthetidethathisownpassionshaveletloose；tomuzzletheragingbeastswhosefangshehimselfhassharpened。ItoldyouthatDantonisstillthemanofto-day；

to-morrowhewillbeaccusedofmoderation。Dantonandmoderation！——

yegods！Eh？Danton，whothoughttheguillotinetooslowinitswork，andarmedthirtysoldierswithswords，sothatthirtyheadsmightfallatoneandthesametime。Danton，friend，willperishto-morrowaccusedoftreacheryagainsttheRevolution，ofmoderationtowardsherenemies；andcurslikeHeronwillfeastonthebloodoflionslikeDantonandhiscrowd。“

Hepausedamoment，forhedarednotraisehisvoice，andhiswhisperswerebeingdrownedbythenoiseintheauditorium。Thecurtain，timedtoberaisedateighto\'clock，wasstilldown，thoughitwascloseonhalf-past，andthepublicwasgrowingimpatient。Therewasloudstampingoffeet，andafewshrillwhistlesofdisapprovalproceededfromthegallery。

“IfHerongetsimpatient，“saiddeBatzlightly，whenthenoisehadmomentarilysubsided，themanagerofthistheatreandmayhaphisleadingactorandactresswillspendanunpleasantdayto-morrow。“

“AlwaysHeron！”saidSt。Just，withacontemptuoussmile。

“Yes，myfriend，“rejoinedtheotherimperturbably，“alwaysHeron。

Andhehasevenobtainedalongerleaseofexistencethisafternoon。“

“Bythenewdecree？”

“Yes。Thenewdecree。TheagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，ofwhomHeronisthechief，havefromto-daypowersofdomiciliarysearch；theyhavefullpowerstoproceedagainstallenemiesofpublicwelfare。Isn\'tthatbeautifullyvague？Andtheyhaveabsolutediscretion；everyonemaybecomeanenemyofpublicwelfare，eitherbyspendingtoomuchmoneyorbyspendingtoolittle，bylaughingto-dayorcryingto-morrow，bymourningforonedeadrelativeorrejoicingovertheexecutionofanother。

Hemaybeabadexampletothepublicbythecleanlinessofhispersonorbythefilthuponhisclothes，hemayoffendbywalkingto-dayandbyridinginacarriagenextweek；theagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityshallalonedecidewhatconstitutesenmityagainstpublicwelfare。Allprisonsaretobeopenedattheirbiddingtoreceivethosewhomtheychoosetodenounce；theyhavehenceforththerighttoexamineprisonersprivatelyandwithoutwitnesses，andtosendthemtotrialwithoutfurtherwarrants；theirdutyisclear——theymust\'beatupgamefortheguillotine。\'Thusisthedecreeworded；theymustfurnishthePublicProsecutorwithworktodo，thetribunalswithvictimstocondemn，thePlacedelaRevolutionwithdeath-scenestoamusethepeople，andfortheirworktheywillberewardedthirty-fivelivresforeveryheadthatfallsundertheguillotineAh！ifHeronandhislikeandhismyrmidonsworkhardandwelltheycanmakeacomfortableincomeoffourorfivethousandlivresaweek。

Wearegettingon，friendSt。Just——wearegettingon。“

Hehadnotraisedhisvoicewhilehespoke，norintherecountingofsuchinhumanmonstrosity，suchvileandbloodthirstyconspiracyagainsttheliberty，thedignity，theverylifeofanentirenation，didheappeartofeeltheslightestindignation；ratherdidatoneofamusementandevenoftriumphstrikethroughhisspeech；andnowhelaughedgood-humouredlylikeanindulgentparentwhoiswatchingthenaturallycruelanticsofaspoiltboy。

“Thenfromthishellletlooseuponearth，“exclaimedSt。Justhotly，“mustwerescuethosewhorefusetorideuponthistideofblood。“

Hischeekswereglowing，hiseyessparkledwithenthusiasm。Helookedveryyoungandveryeager。ArmandSt。Just，thebrotherofLadyBlakeney，hadsomethingoftherefinedbeautyofhislovelysister，butthefeaturesthoughmanly——hadnotthelatentstrengthexpressedinthemwhichcharacterisedeverylineofMarguerite\'sexquisiteface。Theforeheadsuggestedadreamerratherthanathinker，theblue-greyeyeswerethoseofanidealistratherthanofamanofaction。

DeBatz\'skeenpiercingeyeshadnodoubtnotedthis，evenwhilsthegazedathisyoungfriendwiththatsamelookofgood-humouredindulgencewhichseemedhabitualtohim。

“Wehavetothinkofthefuture，mygoodSt。Just，“hesaidafteraslightpause，andspeakingslowlyanddecisively，likeafatherrebukingahot-headedchild，“notofthepresent。Whatareafewlivesworthbesidethegreatprincipleswhichwehaveatstake？”

“Therestorationofthemonarchy——Iknow，“retortedSt。Just，stillunsobered，“but，inthemeanwhile——“

“Inthemeanwhile，“rejoineddeBatzearnestly，“everyvictimtothelustofthesemenisasteptowardstherestorationoflawandorder——thatistosay，ofthemonarchy。Itisonlythroughtheseviolentexcessesperpetratedinitsnamethatthenationwillrealisehowitisbeingfooledbyasetofmenwhohaveonlytheirownpowerandtheirownadvancementinview，andwhoimaginethattheonlywaytothatpowerisoverthedeadbodiesofthosewhostandintheirway。Oncethenationissickenedbytheseorgiesofambitionandofhate，itwillturnagainstthesesavagebrutes，andgladlyacclaimtherestorationofallthattheyarestrivingtodestroy。Thisisouronlyhopeforthefuture，and，believeme，friend，thateveryheadsnatchedfromtheguillotinebyyourromantichero，theScarletPimpernel，isastonelaidfortheconsolidationofthisinfamousRepublic。“

“I\'llnotbelieveit，“protestedSt。Justemphatically。

DeBatz，withagestureofcontemptindicativealsoofcompleteself-satisfactionandunalterableself-belief，shruggedhisbroadshoulders。Hisshortfatfingers，coveredwithrings，beatatattooupontheledgeofthebox。

Obviously，hewasreadywitharetort。Hisyoungfriend\'sattitudeirritatedevenmorethanitamusedhim。Buthesaidnothingforthemoment，waitingwhilethetraditionalthreeknocksonthefloorofthestageproclaimedtheriseofthecurtain。Thegrowingimpatienceoftheaudiencesubsidedasifbymagicatthewelcomecall；everybodysettleddownagaincomfortablyintheirseats，theygaveupthecontemplationofthefathersofthepeople，andturnedtheirfullattentiontotheactorsontheboards。

CHAPTERII

WIDELYDIVERGENTAIMS

ThiswasArmandS。Just\'sfirstvisittoParissincethatmemorabledaywhenfirsthedecidedtoseverhisconnectionfromtheRepublicanparty，ofwhichheandhisbeautifulsisterMargueritehadatonetimebeenamongstthemostnoble，mostenthusiasticfollowers。Alreadyayearandahalfagotheexcessesofthepartyhadhorrifiedhim，andthatwaslongbeforetheyhaddegeneratedintothesickeningorgieswhichwereculminatingto-dayinwholesalemassacresandbloodyhecatombsofinnocentvictims。

WiththedeathofMirabeauthemoderateRepublicans，whosesoleandentirelypureaimhadbeentofreethepeopleofFrancefromtheautocratictyrannyoftheBourbons，sawthepowergofromtheircleanhandstothegrimyonesoflustfuldemagogues，whoknewnolawsavetheirownpassionsofbitterhatredagainstallclassesthatwerenotasself-seeking，asferociousasthemselves。

Itwasnolongeraquestionofafightforpoliticalandreligiouslibertyonly，butoneofclassagainstclass，managainstman，andlettheweakerlooktohimself。Theweakerhadprovedhimselftobe，firstly，themanofpropertyandsubstance，thenthelaw-abidingcitizen，lastlythemanofactionwhohadobtainedforthepeoplethatverysamelibertyofthoughtandofbeliefwhichsoonbecamesoterriblymisused。

ArmandSt。Just，oneoftheapostlesofliberty，fraternity，andequality，soonfoundthatthemostsavageexcessesoftyrannywerebeingperpetratedinthenameofthosesameidealswhichhehadworshipped。

HissisterMarguerite，happilymarriedinEngland，wasthefinaltemptationwhichcausedhimtoquitthecountrythedestiniesofwhichhenolongercouldhelptocontrol。ThesparkofenthusiasmwhichheandthefollowersofMirabeauhadtriedtokindleintheheartsofanoppressedpeoplehadturnedtoragingtonguesofunquenchableflames。ThetakingoftheBastillehadbeenthepreludetothemassacresofSeptember，andeventhehorrorofthesehadsincepaledbesidetheholocaustsofto-day。

Armand，savedfromtheswiftvengeanceoftherevolutionariesbythedevotionoftheScarletPimpernel，crossedovertoEnglandandenrolledhimselftinderthebanneroftheheroicchief。ButhehadbeenunablehithertotobeanactivememberoftheLeague。

Thechiefwasloathtoallowhimtorunfoolhardyrisks。TheSt。

Justs——bothMargueriteandArmand——werestillverywell-knowninParis。Margueritewasnotawomaneasilyforgotten，andhermarriagewithanEnglish“aristo“didnotpleasethoserepublicancircleswhohadlookeduponherastheirqueen。Armand\'ssecessionfromhispartyintotheranksoftheemigreshadsingledhimoutforspecialreprisals，ifandwheneverhecouldbegotholdof，andbothbrotherandsisterhadanunusuallybitterenemyintheircousinAntoineSt。Just——onceanaspiranttoMarguerite\'shand，andnowaservileadherentandimitatorofRobespierre，whoseferociouscrueltyhetriedtoemulatewithaviewtoingratiatinghimselfwiththemostpowerfulmanoftheday。

NothingwouldhavepleasedAntoineSt。JustmorethantheopportunityofshowinghiszealandhispatriotismbydenouncinghisownkithandkintotheTribunaloftheTerror，andtheScarletPimpernel，whoseownslenderfingerswereheldonthepulseofthatrecklessrevolution，hadnowishtosacrificeArmand\'slifedeliberately，oreventoexposeittounnecessarydangers。

ThusitwasthatmorethanayearhadgonebybeforeArmandSt。

Just——anenthusiasticmemberoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel——wasabletodoaughtforitsservice。Hehadchafedundertheenforcedrestraintplaceduponhimbytheprudenceofhischief，when，indeed，hewaslongingtoriskhislifewiththecomradeswhomhelovedandbesidetheleaderwhomherevered。

Atlast，inthebeginningof\'94hepersuadedBlakeneytoallowhimtojointhenextexpeditiontoFrance。WhattheprincipalaimofthatexpeditionwasthemembersoftheLeaguedidnotknowasyet，butwhattheydidknowwasthatperils——gravereventhanhitherto——wouldattendthemontheirway。

ThecircumstanceshadbecomeverydifferentoflateAtfirsttheimpenetrablemysterywhichhadsurroundedthepersonalityofthechiefhadbeenafullmeasureofsafety，butnowonetinycornerofthatveilofmysteryhadbeenliftedbytworoughpairsofhandsatleast；Chauvelin，ex-ambassadorattheEnglishCourt，wasnolongerinanydoubtastotheidentityoftheScarletPimpernel，whilstCollotd\'HerboishadseenhimatBoulogne，andhadtherebeeneffectuallyfoiledbyhim。

Fourmonthshadgonebysincethatday，andtheScarletPimpernelwashardlyeveroutofFrancenow；themassacresinParisandintheprovinceshadmultipliedwithappallingrapidity，thenecessityfortheselflessdevotionofthatsmallbandofheroeshadbecomedaily，hourlymorepressing。Theyralliedroundtheirchiefwithunboundedenthusiasm，andletitbeadmittedatoncethatthesportinginstinct——inherentintheseEnglishgentlemen——

madethemallthemorekeen，allthemoreeagernowthatthedangerswhichbesettheirexpeditionswereincreasedtenfold。

Atawordfromthebelovedleader，theseyoungmen——thespoiltdarlingsofsociety——wouldleavethegaieties，thepleasures，theluxuriesofLondonorofBath，and，takingtheirlivestntheirhands，theyplacedthem，togetherwiththeirfortunes，andeventheirgoodnames，attheserviceoftheinnocentandhelplessvictimsofmercilesstyranny。Themarriedmen——Ffoulkes，myLordHastings，SirJeremiahWallescourt——leftwifeandchildrenatacallfromthechief，atthecryofthewretched。Armand——

unattachedandenthusiastic——hadtherighttodemandthatheshouldnolongerbeleftbehind。

Hehadonlybeenawayalittleoverfifteenmonths，andyethefoundParisadifferentcityfromtheonehehadleftimmediatelyaftertheterriblemassacresofSeptember。Anairofgrimlonelinessseemedtohangoverherdespitethecrowdsthatthrongedherstreets；themenwhomhewaswonttomeetinpublicplacesfifteenmonthsago——friendsandpoliticalallies——werenolongertobeseen；strangefacessurroundedhimoneveryside——

sullen，gloweringfaces，allwearingacertainairofhorrifiedsurpriseandofvague，terrifiedwonder，asiflifehadbecomeoneawfulpuzzle，theanswertowhichmustbefoundinthebriefintervalbetweentheswiftpassagesofdeath。

ArmandSt。Just，havingsettledhisfewsimplebelongingsinthesqualidlodgingswhichhadbeenassignedtohim，hadstartedoutafterdarktowandersomewhataimlesslythroughthestreets。

Instinctivelyheseemedtobesearchingforafamiliarface，someonewhowouldcometohimoutofthatmerrypastwhichhehadspentwithMargueriteintheirprettyapartmentintheRueSt。

Honore。

Foranhourhewanderedthusandmetnoonewhomheknew。Attimesitappearedtohimasifhedidrecogniseafaceorfigurethatpassedhimswiftlybyinthegloom，butevenbeforehecouldfullymakeuphismindtothat，thefaceorfigurehadalreadydisappeared，glidingfurtivelydownsomenarrowunlightedby-street，withoutturningtolooktorightorleft，asifdreadingfullerrecognition。

Armandfeltatotalstrangerinhisownnativecity。

TheterriblehoursoftheexecutiononthePlacedelaRevolutionwerefortunatelyover，thetumbrilsnolongerrattledalongtheunevenpavements，nordidthedeath-cryoftheunfortunatevictimsresoundthroughthedesertedstreets。Armandwas，onthisfirstdayofhisarrival，sparedthesightofthisdegradationoftheoncelovelycity；butherdesolation，hergeneralappearanceofshamefacedindigenceandofcruelaloofnessstruckachillintheyoungman\'sheart。

Itwasnowonder，therefore，whenanonhewaswendinghiswayslowlybacktohislodginghewasaccostedbyapleasant，cheerfulvoice，thatherespondedtoitwithalacrity。Thevoice，ofasmooth，oilytimbre，asiftheownerkeptitwellgreasedforpurposesofamiablespeech，waslikeanechoofthepast，whenjolly，irresponsibleBarondeBatz，erst-whileofficeroftheGuardintheserviceofthelateKing，andsincethenknowntobethemostinveterateconspiratorfortherestorationofthemonarchy，usedtoamuseMargueritebyhisvapid，senselessplansfortheoverthrowofthenewly-risenpowerofthepeople。

Armandwasquitegladtomeethim，andwhendeBatzsuggestedthatagoodtalkoveroldtimeswouldbevastlyagreeable，theyoungermangladlyacceded，Thetwomen，thoughcertainlynotmistrustfulofoneanother，didnotseemtocaretorevealtoeachothertheplacewheretheylodged。DeBatzatonceproposedtheavant-sceneboxofoneofthetheatresasbeingthesafestplacewhereoldfriendscouldtalkwithoutfearofspyingeyesorears。

“Thereisnoplacesosafeorsoprivatenowadays，believeme，myyoungfriend，“hesaid“Ihavetriedeverysortofnookandcrannyinthisaccursedtown，nowriddledwithspies，andIhavecometotheconclusionthatasmallavant-sceneboxisthemostperfectdenofprivacythereisintheentirecity。Thevoicesoftheactorsonthestageandthehumamongtheaudienceinthehousewilleffectuallydrownallindividualconversationtoeveryearsavetheoneforwhomitisintended。“

Itisnotdifficulttopersuadeayoungmanwhofeelslonelyandsomewhatforlorninalargecitytowhileawayaneveninginthecompanionshipofacheerfultalker，anddeBatzwasessentiallygoodcompany。Hisvapouringshadalwaysbeenamusing，butArmandnowgavehimcreditformoreseriousnessofpurpose；andthoughthechiefhadwarnedhimagainstpickingupacquaintancesinParis，theyoungmanfeltthatthatrestrictionwouldcertainlynotapplytoamanlikedeBatz，whosehotpartisanshipoftheRoyalistcauseandhare-brainedschemesforitsrestorationmustmakehimatonewiththeLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel。

Armandacceptedtheother\'scordialinvitation。He，too，feltthathewouldindeedbesaferfromobservationinacrowdedtheatrethaninthestreets。Amongacloselypackedthrongbentonamusementthesombrely-cladfigureofayoungman，withtheappearanceofastudentorofajournalist，wouldeasilypassunperceived。

Butsomehow，afterthefirsttenminutesspentindeBatz\'companywithinthegloomyshelterofthesmallavant-scenebox，Armandalreadyrepentedoftheimpulsewhichhadpromptedhimtocometothetheatreto-night，andtorenewacquaintanceshipwiththeex-officerofthelateKing\'sGuard。ThoughheknewdeBatztobeanardentRoyalist，andevenanactiveadherentofthemonarchy，hewassoonconsciousofavaguesenseofmistrustofthispompous，self-complacentindividual，whoseeveryutterancebreathedselfishaimsratherthandevotiontoaforlorncause。

Therefore，whenthecurtainroseatlastonthefirstactofMoliere\'swittycomedy，St。JustturneddeliberatelytowardsthestageandtriedtointeresthimselfinthewordyquarrelbetweenPhilinteandAlceste。

Butthisattitudeonthepartoftheyoungermandidnotseemtosuithisnewly-foundfriend。ItwasclearthatdeBatzdidnotconsiderthetopicofconversationbyanymeansexhausted，andthatithadbeenmorewithaviewtoadiscussionlikethepresentinterruptedonethathehadinvitedSt。Justtocometothetheatrewithhimto-night，ratherthanforthepurposeofwitnessingMile。Lange\'sdebutinthepartofCelimene。

ThepresenceofSt。JustinParishadasamatteroffactastonisheddeBatznotalittle，andhadsethisintriguingbrainbusyonconjectures。Itwasinordertoturntheseconjecturesintocertaintiesthathehaddesiredprivatetalkwiththeyoungman。

Hewaitedsilentlynowforamomentortwo，hiskeen，smalleyesrestingwithevidentanxietyonArmand\'savertedhead，hisfingersstillbeatingtheimpatienttattoouponthevelvet-coveredcushionofthebox。ThenatthefirstmovementofSt。Justtowardshimhewasreadyinaninstanttore-openthesubjectunderdiscussion。

Withaquicknodofhisheadhecalledhisyoungfriend\'sattentionbacktothemenintheauditorium。

“YourgoodcousinAntoineSt。JustishandandglovewithRobespierrenow，“hesaid。“WhenyouleftParismorethanayearagoyoucouldaffordtodespisehimasanempty-headedwindbag；

now，ifyoudesiretoremaininFrance，youwillhavetofearhimasapowerandamenace。“

“Yes，Iknewthathehadtakentoherdingwiththewolves，“

rejoinedArmandlightly。“Atonetimehewasinlovewithmysister。IthankGodthatshenevercaredforhim。“

“Theysaythatheherdswiththewolvesbecauseofthisdisappointment，“saiddeBatz。“Thewholepackismadeupofmenwhohavebeendisappointed，andwhohavenothingmoretolose。

Whenallthesewolveswillhavedevouredoneanother，thenandthenonlycanwehopefortherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。Andtheywillnotturnononeanotherwhilstpreyfortheirgreedliesreadytotheirjaws。YourfriendtheScarletPimpernelshouldfeedthisbloodyrevolutionofoursratherthanstarveit，ifindeedhehatesitasheseemstodo。“

Hisrestlesseyespeeredwitheagerinterrogationintothoseoftheyoungerman。Hepausedasifwaitingforareply；then，asSt。Justremainedsilent，hereiteratedslowly，almostinthetonesofachallenge：

“Ifindeedhehatesthisbloodthirstyrevolutionofoursasheseemstodo。“

Thereiterationimpliedadoubt。InamomentSt。Just\'sloyaltywasupinarms。

TheScarletPimpernel，“hesaid，“caresnaughtforyourpoliticalaims。Theworkofmercythathedoes，hedoesforjusticeandforhumanity。“

“Andforsport，“saiddeBatzwithasneer，“soI\'vebeentold。“

“HeisEnglish，“assentedSt。Just，“andassuchwillneverowntosentiment。Whateverbethemotive，lookattheresult！

“Yes！afewlivesstolenfromtheguillotine。“

“Womenandchildren——innocentvictims——wouldhaveperishedbutforhisdevotion。“

“Themoreinnocenttheywere，themorehelpless，themorepitiable，thelouderwouldtheirbloodhavecriedforreprisalsagainstthewildbeastswhosentthemtotheirdeath。“

St。Justmadenoreply。Itwasobviouslyuselesstoattempttoarguewiththisman，whosepoliticalaimswereasfarapartfromthoseoftheScarletPimpernelaswastheNorthPolefromtheSouth。

“Ifanyofyouhaveinfluenceoverthathot-headedleaderofyours，“continueddeBatz，unabashedbythesilenceofhisfriend，“IwishtoGodyouwouldexertitnow。“

“Inwhatway？”queriedSt。Just，smilinginspiteofhimselfatthethoughtofhisoranyoneelse\'scontroloverBlakeneyandhisplans。

ItwasdeBatz\'turntobesilent。Hepausedforamomentortwo，thenheaskedabruptly：

“YourScarletPimpernelisinParisnow，ishenot？”

“Icannottellyou，“repliedArmand。

“Bah！thereisnonecessitytofencewithme，myfriend。ThemomentIseteyesonyouthisafternoonIknewthatyouhadnotcometoParisalone。“

“Youaremistaken，mygooddeBatz，“rejoinedtheyoungmanearnestly；“IcametoParisalone。“

“Cleverparrying，onmyword——butwhollywastedonmyunbelievingears。DidInotnoteatoncethatyoudidnotseemoverpleasedto-daywhenIaccostedyou？”

“Againyouaremistaken。Iwasverypleasedtomeetyou，forI

hadfeltsingularlylonelyallday，andwasgladtoshakeafriendbythehand。Whatyoutookfordispleasurewasonlysurprise。“

“Surprise？Ah，yes！Idon\'twonderthatyouweresurprisedtoseemewalkingunmolestedandopenlyinthestreetsofParis——whereasyouhadheardofmeasadangerousconspirator，eh？——andasamanwhohastheentirepoliceofhiscountryathisheels——onwhoseheadthereisaprice——what？”

“IknewthatyouhadmadeseveralnobleeffortstorescuetheunfortunateKingandQueenfromthehandsofthesebrutes。“

“Allofwhicheffortswereunsuccessful，“assenteddeBatzimperturbably，“everyoneofthemhavingbeeneitherbetrayedbysomed——dconfederateorferretedoutbysomeastutespyeagerforgain。Yes，myfriend，ImadeseveraleffortstorescueKingLouisandQueenMarieAntoinettefromthescaffold，andeverytimeIwasfoiled，andyethereIam，yousee，unscathedandfree。Iwalkaboutthestreetsboldly，andtalktomyfriendsasImeetthem。“

“Youarelucky，“saidSt。Just，notwithoutatingeofsarcasm。

“Ihavebeenprudent，“retorteddeBatz。“IhavetakenthetroubletomakefriendstherewhereIthoughtIneededthemmost——themammonofunrighteousness，youknow-what？”

Andhelaughedabroad，thicklaughofperfectself-satisfaction。

“Yes，Iknow，“rejoinedSt。Just，withthetoneofsarcasmstillmoreapparentinhisvoicenow。“YouhaveAustrianmoneyatyourdisposal。“

“Anyamount，“saidtheothercomplacently，“andagreatdealofitstickstothegrimyfingersofthesepatrioticmakersofrevolutions。ThusdoIensuremyownsafety。IbuyitwiththeEmperor\'smoney，andthusamIabletoworkfortherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。“

AgainSt。Justwassilent。Whatcouldhesay？Instinctivelynow，asthefleshypersonalityoftheGasconRoyalistseemedtospreaditselfoutandtofillthetinyboxwithhisambitiousschemesandhisfar-reachingplans，Armand\'sthoughtsflewbacktothatotherplotter，themanwiththepureandsimpleaims，themanwhoseslenderfingershadneverhandledaliengold，butwereevertherereadystretchedouttothehelplessandtheweak，whilsthisthoughtswereonlyofthehelpthathemightgivethem，butneverofhisownsafety。

DeBatz，however，seemedblandlyunconsciousofanysuchdisparagingthoughtsinthemindofhisyoungfriend，forhecontinuedquiteamiably，eventhoughanoteofanxietyseemedtomakeitselffeltnowinhissmoothvoice：

“Weadvanceslowly，butstepbystep，mygoodSt。Just，“hesaid。

“IhavenotbeenabletosavethemonarchyinthepersonoftheKingortheQueen，butImayyetdoitinthepersonoftheDauphin。“

“TheDauphin，“murmuredSt。Justinvoluntarily。

Thatinvoluntarymurmur，scarcelyaudible，sosoftwasit，seemedinsomewaytosatisfydeBatz，forthekeennessofhisgazerelaxed，andhisfatfingersceasedtheirnervous，intermittenttattooontheledgeofthebox。

“Yes！theDauphin，“hesaid，noddinghisheadasifinanswertohisownthoughts，“orrather，letmesay，thereigningKingofFrance——LouisXVII，bythegraceofGod——themostpreciouslifeatpresentuponthewholeofthisearth。“

“Youarerightthere，frienddeBatz，“assentedArmandfervently，“themostpreciouslife，asyousay，andonethatmustbesavedatallcosts。“

“Yes，“saiddeBatzcalmly，“butnotbyyourfriendtheScarletPimpernel。“

“Whynot？”

ScarcewerethosetwolittlewordsoutofSt。Just\'smouththanherepentedofthem。Hebithislip，andwithadarkfrownuponhisfaceheturnedalmostdefiantlytowardshisfriend。

ButdeBatzsmiledwitheasybonhomie。

“Ah，friendArmand，“hesaid，“youwerenotcutoutfordiplomacy，noryetforintrigue。Sothen，“headdedmoreseriously，“thatgallanthero，theScarletPimpernel，hashopesofrescuingouryoungKingfromtheclutchesofSimonthecobblerandoftheherdofhyenasonthewatchforhisattenuatedlittlecorpse，eh？”

“Ididnotsaythat，“retortedSt。Justsullenly。

“No。ButIsayit。Nay！nay！donotblameyourself，myover-loyalyoungfriend。CouldI，oranyoneelse，doubtforamomentthatsoonerorlateryourromanticherowouldturnhisattentiontothemostpatheticsightinthewholeofEurope——thechild-martyrintheTempleprison？ThewonderweretomeiftheScarletPimpernelignoredourlittleKingaltogetherforthesakeofhissubjects。No，no；donotthinkforamomentthatyouhavebetrayedyourfriend\'ssecrettome。WhenImetyousoluckilytodayIguessedatoncethatyouwerehereunderthebanneroftheenigmaticallittleredflower，and，thusguessing，Ievenwentastepfurtherinmyconjecture。TheScarletPimpernelisinParisnowinthehopeofrescuingLouisXVIIfromtheTempleprison。“

“Ifthatisso，youmustnotonlyrejoicebutshouldbeabletohelp。“

“Andyet，myfriend，Idoneithertheonenownormeantodotheotherinthefuture，“saiddeBatzplacidly。“IhappentobeaFrenchman，yousee。“

“Whathasthattodowithsuchaquestion？”

“Everything；thoughyou，Armand，despitethatyouareaFrenchmantoo，donotlookthroughmyspectacles。LouisXVIIisKingofFrance，mygoodSt。Just；hemustowehisfreedomandhislifetousFrenchmen，andtonooneelse。“

“Thatissheermadness，man，“retortedArmand。“Wouldyouhavethechildperishforthesakeofyourownselfishideas？”

“Youmaycallthemselfishifyouwill；allpatriotismisinameasureselfish。Whatdoestherestoftheworldcareifwearearepublicoramonarchy，anoligarchyorhopelessanarchy？Weworkforourselvesandtopleaseourselves，andIforonewillnotbrookforeigninterference。“

“Yetyouworkwithforeignmoney！”

“Thatisanothermatter。IcannotgetmoneyinFrance，soIgetitwhereIcan；butIcanarrangefortheescapeofLouisXVIIisKingofFrance，mygoodSt。Just；hemustofFranceshouldbelongthehonourandgloryofhavingsavedourKing。“

ForthethirdtimenowSt。Justallowedtheconversationtodrop；

hewasgazingwide-eyed，almostappalledatthisimpudentdisplayofwell-nighferociousselfishnessandvanity。DeBatz，smilingandcomplacent，wasleaningbackinhischair，lookingathisyoungfriendwithperfectcontentmentexpressedineverylineofhispock-markedfaceandintheveryattitudeofhiswell-fedbody。Itwaseasyenoughnowtounderstandtheremarkableimmunitywhichthismanwasenjoying，despitethemanyfoolhardyplotswhichhehatched，andwhichhaduptonowinvariablycometonaught。

Aregularbraggartandemptywindbag，hehadtakenbutonegoodcare，andthatwasofhisownskin。UnlikeotherlessfortunateRoyalistsofFrance，heneitherfoughtinthecountrynorbraveddangersintown。Heplayedasafergame——crossedthefrontierandconstitutedhimselfagentofAustria；hesucceededingainingtheEmperor\'smoneyforthegoodoftheRoyalistcause，andforhisownmostespecialbenefit。

EvenalessastutemanoftheworldthanwasArmandSt。JustwouldeasilyhaveguessedthatdeBatz\'desiretobetheonlyinstrumentintherescueofthepoorlittleDauphinfromtheTemplewasnotactuatedbypatriotism，butsolelybygreed。ObviouslytherewasarichrewardwaitingforhiminViennathedaythathebroughtLouisXVIIsafelyintoAustrianterritory；thatrewardhewouldmissifameddlesomeEnglishmaninterferedinthisaffair。Whetherinthiswrangleheriskedthelifeofthechild-Kingornotmatteredtohimnotatall。ItwasdeBatzwhowastogetthereward，andwhosewelfareandprosperitymatteredmorethanthemostpreciouslifeinEurope。

CHAPTERIII

THEDEMONCHANCE

St。Justwouldhavegivenmuchtobebackinhislonelysqualidlodgingsnow。ToolatedidherealisehowwisehadbeenthedictumwhichhadwarnedhimagainstmakingorrenewingfriendshipsinFrance。

Menhadchangedwiththetimes。Howterriblytheyhadchanged！

Personalsafetyhadbecomeafetishwithmost——agoalsodifficulttoattainthatithadtobefoughtforandstrivenfor，evenattheexpenseofhumanityandofself-respect。

Selfishness——themere，cold-bloodedinsistenceforself-advancement——ruledsupreme。DeBatz，surfeitedwithforeignmoney，useditfirstlytoensurehisownimmunity，scatteringittorightandlefttostilltheambitionofthePublicProsecutorortosatisfythegreedofinnumerablespies。

Whatwasleftoverheusedforthepurposeofpittingthebloodthirstydemagoguesoneagainsttheother，makingoftheNationalAssemblyagiganticbear-den，whereinwildbeastscouldrendoneanotherlimbfromlimb。

Inthemeanwhile，whatcaredhe——hesaidithimself——whetherhundredsofinnocentmartyrsperishedmiserablyanduselessly？

TheywerethenecessaryfoodwherebytheRevolutionwastobesatiatedanddeBatz\'schemesenabledtomature。ThemostpreciouslifeinEuropeevenwasonlytobesavedifitspricewenttoswellthepocketsofdeBatz，ortofurtherhisfutureambitions。

Timeshadindeedchangedanentirenation。St。Justfeltassickenedwiththisself-seekingRoyalistashedidwiththesavagebruteswhostrucktorightorleftfortheirowndelectation。Hewasmeditatingimmediateflightbacktohislodgings，withahopeoffindingthereawordforhimfromthechief——awordtoremindhimthatmendidlivenowadayswhohadotheraimsbesidestheirownadvancement——otheridealsbesidesthedeificationofself。

Thecurtainhaddescendedonthefirstact，andtraditionally，astheworksofM。deMolieredemandedit，thethreeknockswereheardagainwithoutanyinterval。St。Justrosereadywithapretextforpartingwithhisfriend。Thecurtainwasbeingslowlydrawnuponthesecondact，anddisclosedAlcesteinwrathfulconversationwithCelimene。

Alceste\'sopeningspeechisshort。WhilsttheactorspokeitArmandhadhisbacktothestage；withhandoutstretched，hewasmurmuringwhathehopedwouldproveapoliteexcuseforthusleavinghisamiablehostwhiletheentertainmenthadonlyjustbegun。

DeBatz——vexedandimpatient——hadnotbyanymeansfinishedwithhisfriendyet。Hethoughtthathisspeciousarguments——deliveredwithboundlessconviction——hadmadesomeimpressiononthemindoftheyoungman。Thatimpression，however，hedesiredtodeepen，andwhilstArmandwasworryinghisbraintofindaplausibleexcuseforgoingaway，deBatzwasrackinghistofindoneforkeepinghimhere。

ThenitwasthatthewaywarddemonChanceintervened。HadSt。Justrisenbuttwominutesearlier，hadhisactivemindsuggestedthedesiredexcusemorereadily，whoknowswhatunspeakablesorrow，whatheartrendingmisery，whatterribleshamemighthavebeensparedbothhimandthoseforwhomhecared？Thosetwominutes——

didhebutknowit——decidedthewholecourseofhisfuturelife。

Theexcusehoveredonhislips，deBatzreluctantlywaspreparingtobidhimgood-bye，whenCelimene，speakingcommon-placewordsenoughinanswertoherquarrelsomelover，causedhimtodropthehandwhichhewasholdingouttohisfriendandtoturnbacktowardsthestage。

Itwasanexquisitevoicethathadspoken——avoicemellowandtender，withdeeptonesinitthatbetrayedlatentpower。ThevoicehadcausedArmandtolook，thelipsthatspokeforgedthefirsttinylinkofthatchainwhichrivetedhimforeveraftertothespeaker。

Itisdifficulttosayifsuchathingreallyexistsasloveatfirstsight。Poetsandromancistswillhaveusbelievethatitdoes；idealistsswearbyitasbeingtheonlytrueloveworthyofthename。

IdonotknowifIampreparedtoadmittheirtheorywithregardtoArmandSt。Just。Mlle。Lange\'sexquisitevoicecertainlyhadcharmedhimtotheextentofmakinghimforgethismistrustofdeBatzandhisdesiretogetaway。Mechanicallyalmosthesatdownagain，andleaningbothelbowsontheedgeofthebox，herestedhischininhishand，andlistened。ThewordswhichthelateM。

deMoliereputsintothemouthofCelimenearetriteandflippantenough，yeteverytimethatMlle。Lange\'slipsmovedArmandwatchedher，entranced。

There，nodoubt，thematterwouldhaveended：ayoungmanfascinatedbyaprettywomanonthestage——\'tisasmallmatter，andonefromwhichtheredothnotoftenspringawearytrailoftragiccircumstances。Armand，whohadapassionformusic，wouldhaveworshippedattheshrineofMlle。Lange\'sperfectvoiceuntilthecurtaincamedownonthelastact，hadnothisfrienddeBatzseenthekeenenchantmentwhichtheactresshadproducedontheyoungenthusiast。

NowdeBatzwasamanwhoneverallowedanopportunitytoslipby，ifthatopportunityledtowardsthefurtheranceofhisowndesires。

HedidnotwanttolosesightofArmandjustyet，andherethegooddemonChancehadgivenhimanopportunityforobtainingwhathewanted。

HewaitedquietlyuntilthefallofthecurtainattheendofActII。；then，asArmand，withasighofdelight，leanedbackinhischair，andclosinghiseyesappearedtobelivingthelasthalf-houralloveragain，deBatzremarkedwithwell-assumedindifference：

“Mlle。Langeisapromisingyoungactress。Doyounotthinkso，myfriend？”

“Shehasaperfectvoice——itwasexquisitemelodytotheear，“

repliedArmand。“Iwasconsciousoflittleelse。“

“Sheisabeautifulwoman，nevertheless，“continueddeBatzwithasmile。“Duringthenextact，mygoodSt。Just，Iwouldsuggestthatyouopenedyoureyesaswellasyourears。

Armanddidashewasbidden。ThewholeappearanceofMlle。Langeseemedinharmonywithhervoice。Shewasnotverytall，buteminentlygraceful，withasmall，ovalfaceandslender，almostchildlikefigure，whichappearedstillmoresoabovethewidehoopsanddrapedpanniersofthefashionsofMoliere\'stime。

Whethershewasbeautifulornottheyoungmanhardlyknew。

Measuredbycertainstandards，shecertainlywasnotso，forhermouthwasnotsmall，andhernoseanythingbutclassicalinoutline。Buttheeyeswerebrown，andtheyhadthathalf-veiledlookinthem——shadedwithlonglashesthatseemedtomakeaperpetualtenderappealtothemasculineheart：thelips，too，werefullandmoist，andtheteethdazzlingwhite。Yes！——onthewholewemighteasilysaythatshewasexquisite，eventhoughwedidnotadmitthatshewasbeautiful。

PainterDavidhasmadeasketchofher；wehaveallseenitattheMuseeCarnavalet，andallwonderedwhythatcharming，ifirregular，littlefacemadesuchanimpressionofsadness。

Therearefiveactsin“LeMisanthrope，“duringwhichCelimeneisalmostconstantlyonthestage。AttheendofthefourthactdeBatzsaidcasuallytohisfriend：

“IhavethehonourofpersonalacquaintanceshipwithMlle。Lange。

Anyoucareforanintroductiontoher，wecangoroundtothegreenroomaftertheplay。“

Didprudencethenwhisper，“Desist“？Didloyaltytotheleadermurmur，“Obey“？Itwereindeeddifficulttosay。ArmandSt。Justwasnotfive-and-twenty，andMlle。Lange\'smelodiousvoicespokelouderthanthewhisperingsofprudenceoreventhanthecallofduty。

HethankeddeBatzwarmly，andduringthelasthalf-hour，whilethemisanthropicalloverspurnedrepentantCelimene，hewasconsciousofacurioussensationofimpatience，atinglingofhisnerves，awild，madlongingtohearthosefullmoistlipspronouncehisname，andhavethoselargebrowneyesthrowtheirhalf-veiledlookintohisown。

CHAPTERIV

MADEMOISELLELANGE

Thegreen-roomwascrowdedwhendeBatzandSt。Justarrivedthereaftertheperformance。Theoldermancastahastyglancethroughtheopendoor。Thecrowddidnotsuithispurpose，andhedraggedhiscompanionhurriedlyawayfromthecontemplationofMlle。

Lange，sittinginafarcorneroftheroom，surroundedbyanadmiringthrong，andbyinnumerablefloraltributesofferedtoherbeautyandtohersuccess。

DeBatzwithoutawordledthewaybacktowardsthestage。Here，bythedimlightoftallowcandlesfixedinsconcesagainstthesurroundingwalls，thescene-shifterswerebusymovingdrop-scenes，backclothsandwings，andpaidnoheedtothetwomenwhostrolledslowlyupanddownsilently，eachwrappedinhisownthoughts。

Armandwalkedwithhishandsburiedinhisbreechespockets，hisheadbentforwardonhischest；buteverynowandagainhethrewquick，apprehensiveglancesroundhimwheneverafirmstepechoedalongtheemptystageoravoicerangclearlythroughthenowdesertedtheatre。

“Arewewisetowaithere？”heasked，speakingtohimselfratherthantohiscompanion。

Hewasnotanxiousabouthisownsafety；butthewordsofdeBatzhadimpressedthemselvesuponhismind：“Heronandhisspieswehavealwayswithus。“

Fromthegreen-roomaseparatefoyerandexitleddirectlyoutintothestreet。Graduallythesoundofmanyvoices，theloudlaughterandoccasionalsnatchesofsongwhichforthepasthalf-hourhadproceededfromthatpartofthehouse，becamemoresubduedandmorerare。Onebyonethefriendsoftheartistswereleavingthetheatre，afterhavingpaidtheusualbanalcomplimentstothosewhomtheyfavoured，orpresentedtheaccustomedofferingofflowerstothebrighteststarofthenight。

Theactorswerethefirsttoretire，thentheolderactresses，theoneswhocouldnolongercommandacourtofadmirersroundthem。

Theyallfiledoutofthegreenroomandcrossedthestagetowhere，attheback，anarrow，ricketywoodenstairsledtotheirso-calleddressing-rooms——tiny，darkcubicles，ill-lighted，unventilated，wheresomehalf-dozenofthelesserstarstumbledoveroneanotherwhileremovingwigsandgrease-paint。

ArmandanddeBatzwatchedthisexodus，bothwithequalimpatience。Mlle。Langewasthelasttoleavethegreen-room。

Forsometime，sincethecrowdhadbecomethinnerroundher，Armandhadcontrivedtocatchglimpsesofherslight，elegantfigure。Ashortpassageledfromthestagetothegreen-roomdoor，whichwaswideopen，andatthecornerofthispassagetheyoungmanhadpausedfromtimetotimeinhiswalk，gazingwithearnestadmirationatthedaintyoutlineoftheyounggirl\'shead，withitswigofpowderedcurlsthatseemedscarcelywhiterthanthecreamybrillianceofherskin。

DeBatzdidnotwatchMlle。Langebeyondcastingimpatientlooksinthedirectionofthecrowdthatpreventedherleavingthegreen-room。HedidwatchArmand，however——notedhiseagerlook，hisbriskandalertmovements，theobviousglancesofadmirationwhichhecastinthedirectionoftheyoungactress，andthisseemedtoaffordhimaconsiderableamountofcontentment。

ThebestpartofanhourhadgonebysincethefallofthecurtainbeforeMlle。Langefinallydismissedhermanyadmirers，anddeBatzhadthesatisfactionofseeingherrunningdownthepassage，turningbackoccasionallyinordertobidgay“good-nights“totheloitererswhowereloathtopartfromher。Shewasachildinallhermovements，quiteunconsciousofselforofherowncharms，butfranklydelightedwithhersuccess。Shewasstilldressedintheridiculoushoopsandpannierspertainingtoherpart，andthepowderedperukehidthecharmofherownhair；thecostumegaveacertainstiltedairtoherunaffectedpersonality，which，bythisverysenseofcontrast，wasessentiallyfascinating。

Inherarmssheheldahugesheafofsweet-scentednarcissi，thespoilsofsomefavouredspotfarawayintheSouth。Armandthoughtthatneverinhislifehadheseenanythingsowinsomeorsocharming。

Havingatlastsaidthepositivelyfinaladieu，Mlle。Langewithahappylittlesighturnedtorundownthepassage。

ShecamefacetofacewithArmand，andgaveasuddenlittlegaspofterror。Itwasnotgoodthesedaystocomeonanyloitererunawares。

ButalreadydeBatzhadquicklyjoinedhisfriend，andhissmooth，pleasantvoice，andpodgy，beringedhandextendedtowardsMlle。

Lange，weresufficienttoreassureher。

“Youweresosurroundedinthegreen-room，mademoiselle，“hesaidcourteously，“Ididnotventuretopressinamongthecrowdofyouradmirers。YetIhadthegreatwishtopresentmyrespectfulcongratulationsinperson。“

“Ah！c\'estcecherdeBatz！”exclaimedmademoisellegaily，inthatexquisitelyripplingvoiceofhers。“Andwhereintheworlddoyouspringfrom，myfriend？

“Hush-sh-sh！”hewhispered，holdinghersmallbemittenedhandinhis，andputtingonefingertohislipswithanurgententreatyfordiscretion；“notmyname，Ibegofyou，fairone。“

“Bah！”sheretortedlightly，eventhoughherfulllipstremblednowasshespokeandbeliedherverywords。Youneedhavenofearwhilstyouareinthispartofthehouse。ItisanunderstoodthingthattheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritydoesnotsenditsspiesbehindthecurtainofatheatre。Why，ifallofusactorsandactressesweresenttotheguillotinetherewouldbenoplayonthemorrow。Artistesarenotreplaceableinafewhours；thosethatareinexistencemustperforcebespared，orthecitizenswhogovernusnowwouldnotknowwheretospendtheirevenings。“

Butthoughshespokesoairilyandwithheraccustomedgaiety，itwaseasilyperceivedthatevenonthischildishmindthedangerswhichbeseteveryonethesedayshadalreadyimprintedtheirmarkofsuspicionandofcaution。

“Comeintomydressing-room，“shesaid。“Imustnottarryhereanylonger，fortheywillbeputtingoutthelights。ButIhavearoomtomyself，andwecantalktherequiteagreeably。“

Sheledthewayacrossthestagetowardsthewoodenstairs。

Armand，whoduringthisbriefcolloquybetweenhisfriendandtheyounggirlhadkeptdiscreetlyinthebackground，feltundecidedwhattodo。ButataperemptorysignfromdeBatzhe，too，turnedinthewakeofthegaylittlelady，whoranswiftlyupthericketysteps，hummingsnatchesofpopularsongsthewhile，andnotturningtoseeifindeedthetwomenwerefollowingher。

Shehadthesheafofnarcissistillinherarms，andthedoorofhertinydressing-roombeingopen，sheranstraightinandthrewtheflowersdowninaconfused，sweet-scentedmassuponthesmalltablethatstoodatoneendoftheroom，litteredwithpotsandbottles，letters，mirrors，powder-puffs，silkstockings，andcambrichandkerchiefs。

Thensheturnedandfacedthetwomen，amerrylookofunalterablegaietydancinginhereyes。

“Shutthedoor，monami，“shesaidtodeBatz，“andafterthatsitdownwhereyoucan，solongasitisnotonmymostpreciouspotofunguentoraboxofcostliestpowder。“

WhiledeBatzdidashewastold，sheturnedtoArmandandsaidwithaprettytoneofinterrogationinhermelodiousvoice：

“Monsieur？”

“St。Just，atyourservice，mademoiselle，“saidArmand，bowingverylowinthemostapprovedstyleobtainingattheEnglishCourt。

“St。Just？”sherepeated，alookofpuzzlementinherbrowneyes。

“Surely——“

“AkinsmanofcitizenSt。Just，whomnodoubtyouknow，mademoiselle，“

heexclaimed。

“MyfriendArmandSt。Just，“interposeddeBatz，“ispracticallyanew-comerinParis。HelivesinEnglandhabitually。“

“InEngland？”sheexclaimed。“Oh！dotellmeallaboutEngland。

Iwouldlovetogothere。PerhapsImayhavetogosomeday。Oh！

dositdown，deBatz，“shecontinued，talkingrathervolubly，evenasadelicateblushheightenedthecolourinhercheeksunderthelookofobviousadmirationfromArmandSt。Just\'sexpressiveeyes。