第3章

Hepickeduphisshort-stemmedpipeandpulledsavagelyatitforawhile。DeBatzwasmeditating。

“Myfriend，“hesaidafteralittlewhile，“youareagitatingyourselfquiteunnecessarily，andgravelyjeopardisingyourprospectsofgettingacomfortablelittleincomethroughkeepingyourfingersoffmyperson。WhosaidIwantedtomeddlewiththechild？”

“Youhadbestnot，“growledHeron。

“Exactly。Youhavesaidthatbefore。Butdoyounotthinkthatyouwouldbefarwiser，insteadofdirectingyourundividedattentiontomyunworthyself，toturnyourthoughtsalittletoonewhom，believeme，youhavefargreatercausetofear？”

“Whoisthat？”

“TheEnglishman。“

“YoumeanthemantheycalltheScarletPimpernel？”

“Himself。Haveyounotsufferedfromhisactivity，friendHeron？

IfancythatcitizenChauvelinandcitizenCollotwouldhavequiteataletotellabouthim。“

“TheyoughtbothtohavebeenguillotinedforthatblunderlastautumnatBoulogne。“

“Takecarethatthesameaccusationbenotlaidatyourdoorthisyear，myfriend，“commenteddeBatzplacidly。

“Bah！”

“TheScarletPimpernelisinParisevennow。“

“Thedevilheis！”

“Andonwhaterrand，thinkyou？”

Therewasamoment\'ssilence，andthendeBatzcontinuedwithslowanddramaticemphasis：

“ThatofrescuingyourmostpreciousprisonerfromtheTemple。“

“Howdoyouknow？”Heronqueriedsavagely。

“Iguessed。“

“How？”

“IsawamanintheTheatreNationalto-day……“

“Well？”

“WhoisamemberoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel。“

“D——him！WherecanIfindhim？”

“Willyousignareceiptforthethreethousandfivehundredlivres，whichIampiningtohandovertoyou，myfriend，andI

willtellyou？”

“Where\'sthemoney？”

“Inmypocket。“

WithoutfurtherwordsHerondraggedtheinkhornandasheetofpapertowardshim，tookupapen，andwroteafewwordsrapidlyinaloose，scrawlyhand。Hestrewedsandoverthewriting，thenhandeditacrossthetabletodeBatz。

“Willthatdo？”heaskedbriefly。

Theotherwasreadingthenotethroughcarefully。

“Iseeyouonlygrantmeafortnight，“heremarkedcasually。

“Forthatamountofmoneyitissufficient。Ifyouwantanextensionyoumustpaymore。“

“Sobeit，“assenteddeBatzcoolly，ashefoldedthepaperacross。“Onthewholeafortnight\'simmunityinFrancethesedaysisquiteapleasantrespite。AndIprefertokeepintouchwithyou，friendHeron。I\'llcallonyouagainthisdayfortnight。“

Hetookoutaletter-casefromhispocket。Outofthishedrewapacketofbank-notes，whichhelaidonthetableinfrontofHeron，thenheplacedthereceiptcarefullyintotheletter-case，andthisbackintohispocket。

Heroninthemeanwhilewascountingoverthebanknotes。Thelightofferocityhadentirelygonefromhiseyes；momentarilythewholeexpressionofthefacewasoneofsatisfiedgreed。

“Well！”hesaidatlastwhenhehadassuredhimselfthatthenumberofnoteswasquitecorrect，andhehadtransferredthebundleofcrisppapersintoaninnerpocketofhiscoat——“well，whataboutyourfriend？”

“Iknewhimyearsago，“rejoineddeBatzcoolly；“heisakinsmanofcitizenSt。Just。IknowthatheisoneoftheconfederatesoftheScarletPimpernel。“

“Wheredoeshelodge？”

“Thatisforyoutofindout。Isawhimatthetheatre，andafterwardsinthegreen-room；hewasmakinghimselfagreeabletothecitizenessLange。Iheardhimaskforleavetocallonherto-morrowatfouro\'clock。Youknowwhereshelodges，ofcourse！”

HewatchedHeronwhilethelatterscribbledafewwordsonascrapofpaper，thenhequietlyrosetogo。Hetookuphiscloakandonceagainwrappeditroundhisshoulders。Therewasnothingmoretobesaid，andhewasanxioustogo。

Theleave-takingbetweenthetwomenwasneithercordialnormorethanbarelycourteous。DeBatznoddedtoHeron，whoescortedhimtotheoutsidedoorofhislodging，andtherecalledloudlytoasoldierwhowasdoingsentinelatthefurtherendofthecorridor。

“Showthiscitizenthewaytotheguichet，“hesaidcurtly。

“Good-night，citizen，“headdedfinally，noddingtodeBatz。

TenminuteslatertheGascononcemorefoundhimselfintheRueduTemplebetweenthegreatouterwallsoftheprisonandthesilentlittlechurchandconventofSt。Elizabeth。HelookeduptowhereinthecentraltowerasmallgratedwindowlightedfromwithinshowedtheplacewherethelastoftheBourbonswasbeingtaughttodesecratethetraditionsofhisrace，atthebiddingofamenderofshoes——anavalofficercashieredformisconductandfraud。

Suchishumannatureinitsself-satisfiedcomplacencythatdeBatz，calmlyignoringthevilepartwhichhehimselfhadplayedinthelastquarterofanhourofhisinterviewwiththeCommittee\'sagent，founditinhimtothinkofHeronwithloathing，andevenofthecobblerSimonwithdisgust。

Thenwithaself-righteoussenseofdutyperformed，andanindifferentshrugoftheshoulders，hedismissedHeronfromhismind。

“ThatmeddlesomeScarletPimpernelwillfindhishandsover-fullto-morrow，andmayhapwillnotinterfereinmyaffairsforsometimetocome，“hemused；“meseemsthatthatwillbethefirsttimethatamemberofhispreciousLeaguehascomewithintheclutchesofsuchunpleasantpeopleasthesleuth-houndsofmyfriendHeron！”

CHAPTERIX

WHATLOVECANDO

“Yesterdayyouwereunkindandungallant。HowcouldIsmilewhenyouseemedsostern？”

“YesterdayIwasnotalonewithyou。HowcouldIsaywhatlaynextmyheart，whenindifferentearscouldcatchthewordsthatweremeantonlyforyou？”

“Ah，monsieur，dotheyteachyouinEnglandhowtomakeprettyspeeches？”

“No，mademoiselle，thatisaninstinctthatcomesintobirthbythefireofawoman\'seyes。“

MademoiselleLangewassittinguponasmallsofaofantiquedesign，withcushionscoveredinfadedsilksheapedroundherprettyhead。ArmandthoughtthatshelookedlikethatcarvedcameowhichhissisterMargueritepossessed。

Hehimselfsatonalowchairatsomedistancefromher。Hehadbroughtheralargebunchofearlyviolets，forheknewthatshewasfondofflowers，andtheselayuponherlap，againsttheopalescentgreyofhergown。

Sheseemedalittlenervousandagitated，hisobviousadmirationbringingareadyblushtohercheeks。

TheroomitselfappearedtoArmandtobeaperfectframeforthecharmingpicturewhichshepresented。Thefurnitureinitwassmallandold；tinytablesofantiqueVernis-Martin，softlyfadedtapestries，apale-tonedAubussoncarpet。Everythingmellowandinameasurepathetic。MademoiselleLange，whowasanorphan，livedaloneundertheduennashipofamiddle-agedrelative，apennilesshanger-onofthesuccessfulyoungactress，whoactedasherchaperone，housekeeper，andmaid，andkeptunseemlyorover-boldgallantsatbay。

ShetoldArmandallaboutherearlylife，herchildhoodinthebackshopofMaitreMeziere，thejeweller，whowasarelativeofhermother\'s；ofherdesireforanartisticcareer，herstruggleswiththemiddle-classprejudicesofherrelations，herbolddefianceofthem，andfinalindependence。

Shemadenosecretofherhumbleorigin，herwantofeducationinthosedays；onthecontrary，shewasproudofwhatshehadaccomplishedforherself。Shewasonlytwentyyearsofage，andalreadyheldaleadingplaceintheartisticworldofParis。

Armandlistenedtoherchatter，interestedineverythingshesaid，questioningherwithsympathyanddiscretion。Sheaskedhimagooddealabouthimself，andabouthisbeautifulsisterMarguerite，who，ofcourse，hadbeenthemostbrilliantstarinthatmostbrilliantconstellation，theComedieFrancaise。ShehadneverseenMargueriteSt。Justact，but，ofcourse，Parisstillrangwithherpraises，andallart-loversregrettedthatsheshouldhavemarriedandleftthemtomournforher。

ThustheconversationdriftednaturallybacktoEngland。

Mademoiselleprofessedavastinterestinthecitizen\'scountryofadoption。

“Ihadalways，“shesaid，“thoughtitanuglycountry，withthenoiseandbustleofindustriallifegoingoneverywhere，andsmokeandfogtocoverthelandscapeandtostuntthetrees。“

“Then，infuture，mademoiselle，“hereplied，“mustyouthinkofitasonecarpetedwithverdure，whereinthespringtheorchardtreescoveredwithdelicateblossomwouldspeaktoyouoffairyland，wherethedewygrassstretchesitsvelvetysurfaceintheshadowofancientmonumentaloaks，andivy-coveredtowersreartheirstatelycrownstothesky。“

“AndtheScarletPimpernel？Tellmeabouthim，monsieur。“

“Ah，mademoiselle，whatcanItellyouthatyoudonotalreadyknow？TheScarletPimpernelisamanwhohasdevotedhisentireexistencetothebenefitofsufferingmankind。Hehasbutonethought，andthatisforthosewhoneedhim；hehearsbutonesoundthecryoftheoppressed。“

“Buttheydosay，monsieur，thatphilanthropyplaysbutasorrypartinyourhero\'sschemes。Theyaverthathelooksonhisowneffortsandtheadventuresthroughwhichhegoesonlyinthelightofsport。“

“LikeallEnglishmen，mademoiselle，theScarletPimpernelisalittleashamedofsentiment。Hewoulddenyitsveryexistencewithhislips，evenwhilsthisnobleheartbrimmedoverwithit。

Sport？Well！mayhapthesportinginstinctisaskeenasthatofcharity——theraceforlives，thetusslefortherescueofhumancreatures，thethrowingofalifeonthehazardofadie。“

“TheyfearhiminFrance，monsieur。HehassavedsomanywhosedeathhadbeendecreedbytheCommitteeofPublicSafety。“

“PleaseGod，hewillsavemanyyet。“

“Ah，monsieur，thepoorlittleboyintheTempleprison！”

“Hehasyoursympathy，mademoiselle？”

“Ofeveryright-mindedwomaninFrance，monsieur。Oh！”sheaddedwithaprettygestureofenthusiasm，claspingherhandstogether，andlookingatArmandwithlargeeyesfilledwithtears，“ifyournobleScarletPimpernelwilldoaughttosavethatpoorinnocentlamb，Iwouldindeedblesshiminmyheart，andhelphimwithallmyhumblemightifIcould。“

“MayGod\'ssaintsblessyouforthosewords，mademoiselle，“hesaid，whilst，carriedawaybyherbeauty，hercharm，herperfectfemininity，hestoopedtowardsheruntilhiskneetouchedthecarpetatherfeet。“Ihadbeguntolosemybeliefinmypoormisguidedcountry，tothinkallmeninFrancevile，andallwomenbase。Icouldthankyouonmykneesforyoursweetwordsofsympathy，fortheexpressionoftendermotherlinessthatcameintoyoureyeswhenyouspokeofthepoorforsakenDauphinintheTemple。“

Shedidnotrestrainhertears；withhertheycameveryeasily，justaswithachild，andastheygatheredinhereyesandrolleddownherfreshcheekstheyiiinowaymarredthecharmofherface。Onehandlayinherlapfingeringadiminutivebitofcambric，whichfromtimetotimeshepressedtohereyes。TheothershehadalmostunconsciouslyyieldedtoArmand。

Thescentofthevioletsfilledtheroom。Itseemedtoemanatefromher，afittingattributeofheryoung，whollyunsophisticatedgirlhood。Thecitizenwasgoodlytolookat；hewaskneelingatherfeet，andhislipswerepressedagainstherhand。

Armandwasyoungandhewasanidealist。Idonotforamomentimaginethatjustatthismomenthewasdeeplyinlove。Thestrongerfeelinghadnotyetrisenupinhim；itcamelaterwhentragedyencompassedhimandbroughtpassiontosuddenmaturity。

Justnowhewasmerelyyieldinghimselfuptotheintoxicatingmoment，withalltheabandonment，alltheenthusiasmoftheLatinrace。Therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotbendthekneebeforethisexquisitelittlecameo，thatbyitsverypresencewasgivinghimanhourofperfectpleasureandofaestheticjoy。

Outsidetheworldcontinueditshideous，relentlessway；menbutcheredoneanother，foughtandhated。Hereinthissmallold-worldsalon，withitsfadedsatinsandbitsofivory-tintedlace，theouteruniversehadneverreallypenetrated。Itwasatinyworld——quiteapartfromtherestofmankind，perfectlypeacefulandabsolutelybeautiful。

IfArmandhadbeenallowedtodepartfromherenow，withouthavingbeenthecauseaswellasthechiefactorintheeventsthatfollowed，nodoubtthatMademoiselleLangewouldalwayshaveremainedacharmingmemorywithhim，anexquisitebouquetofvioletspressedreverentlybetweentheleavesofafavouritebookofpoems，andthescentofspringflowerswouldinafteryearshaveeverbroughtherdaintypicturetohismind。

Hewasmurmuringprettywordsofendearment；carriedawaybyemotion，hisarmstoleroundherwaist；hefeltthatifanothertearcamelikeadewdroprollingdownhercheekhemustkissitawayatitsverysource。Passionwasnotsweepingthemofftheirfeet——notyet，fortheywereveryyoung，andlifehadnotasyetpresentedtothemitsmostunsolvableproblem。

Buttheyyieldedtooneanother，tothespringtimeoftheirlife，callingforLove，whichwouldcomepresentlyhandinhandwithhisgrimattendant，Sorrow。

EvenasArmand\'sglowingfacewasatlastlifteduptohersaskingwithmutelipsforthatfirstkisswhichshealreadywaspreparedtogive，therecametheloudnoiseofmen\'sheavyfootstepstrampinguptheoldoakstairs，thensomeshouting，awoman\'scry，andthenextmomentMadameBelhomme，trembling，wide-eyed，andinobviousterror，camerushingintotheroom。

“Jeanne！Jeanne！Mychild！Itisawful！Itisawful！MonDieu——monDieu！Whatistobecomeofus？”

Shewasmoaningandlamentingevenassheranin，andnowshethrewherapronoverherfaceandsankintoachair，continuinghermoaningandherlamentations。

NeitherMademoisellenorArmandhadstirred。Theyremainedlikegravenimages，heononeknee，shewithlargeeyesfixeduponhisface。Theyhadneitherofthemlookedontheoldwoman；theyseemedevennowunconsciousofherpresence。Buttheirearshadcaughtthesoundofthatmeasuredtrampoffeetupthestairsoftheoldhouse，andthehaltuponthelanding；theyhadheardthebriefwordsofcommand：

“Open，inthenameofthepeople！”

Theyknewquitewellwhatitallmeant；theyhadnotwanderedsofarintherealmsofromancethatreality——thegrim，horriblerealityofthemoment——hadnotthepowertobringthembacktoearth。

Thatperemptorycalltoopeninthenameofthepeoplewastheprologuethesedaystoadramawhichhadbuttwoconcludingacts：

arrest，whichwasacertainty；theguillotine，whichwasmorethanprobable。JeanneandArmand，thesetwoyoungpeoplewhobutamomentagohadtentativelyliftedtheveiloflife，lookedstraightintoeachother\'seyesandsawthehandofdeathinterposedbetweenthem：theylookedstraightintoeachother\'seyesandknewthatnothingbutthehandofdeathwouldpartthemnow。Lovehadcomewithitsattendant，Sorrow；buthehadcomewithnouncertainfootsteps。Jeannelookedonthemanbeforeher，andhebenthisheadtoimprintaglowingkissuponherhand。

“AuntMarie！”

ItwasJeanneLangewhospoke，buthervoicewasnolongerthatofanirresponsiblechild；itwasfirm，steadyandhard。Thoughshespoketotheoldwoman，shedidnotlookather；herluminousbrowneyesrestedonthebowedheadofArmandSt。Just。

“AuntMarie！”sherepeatedmoreperemptorily，fortheoldwoman，withherapronoverherhead，wasstillmoaning，andunconsciousofallsaveanovermasteringfear。

“Open，inthenameofthepeople！”cameinaloudharshvoiceoncemorefromtheothersideofthefrontdoor。

“AuntMarie，asyouvalueyourlifeandmine，pullyourselftogether，“saidJeannefirmly。

“Whatshallwedo？Oh！whatshallwedo？”moanedMadameBelhomme。

Butshehaddraggedtheapronawayfromherface，andwaslookingwithsomepuzzlementatmeek，gentlelittleJeanne，whohadsuddenlybecomesostrange，sodictatorial，allunlikeherhabitualsomewhatdiffidentself。

“Youneednothavetheslightestfear，AuntMarie，ifyouwillonlydoasItellyou，“resumedJeannequietly；“ifyougivewaytofear，weareallofusundone。Asyouvalueyourlifeandmine，“shenowrepeatedauthoritatively，“pullyourselftogether，anddoasItellyou。“

Thegirl\'sfirmness，herperfectquietudehadthedesiredeffect。

MadameBelhomme，thoughstillshakenupwithsobsofterror，madeagreatefforttomasterherself；shestoodup，smootheddownherapron，passedherhandoverherruffledhair，andsaidinaquakingvoice：

“Whatdoyouthinkwehadbetterdo？”

“Goquietlytothedoorandopenit。“

“But——thesoldiers——“

“Ifyoudonotopenquietlytheywillforcethedooropenwithinthenexttwominutes，“interposedJeannecalmly。“Goquietlyandopenthedoor。Tryandhideyourfears，grumbleinanaudiblevoiceatbeinginterruptedinyourcooking，andtellthesoldiersatoncethattheywillfindmademoiselleintheboudoir。Go，forGod\'ssake！”sheadded，whilstsuppressedemotionsuddenlymadeheryoungvoicevibrate；“go，beforetheybreakopenthatdoor！”

MadameBelhomme，impressedandcowed，obeyedlikeanautomaton。

Sheturnedandmarchedfairlystraightoutoftheroom。Itwasnotaminutetoosoon。Fromoutsidehadalreadycomethethirdandfinalsummons：

“Open，inthenameofthepeople！”

Afterthatacrowbarwouldbreakopenthedoor。

MadameBelhomme\'sheavyfootstepswereheardcrossingtheante-chamber。ArmandstillkneltatJeanne\'sfeet，holdinghertremblinglittlehandinhis。

“Alove-scene，“shewhisperedrapidly，“alove-scene——quick——doyouknowone？”

Andevenashehadtriedtorisesheheldhimhack，downonhisknees。

Hethoughtthatfearwasmakingherdistracted。

“Mademoiselle——“hemurmured，tryingtosootheher。

“Tryandunderstand，“shesaidwithwonderfulcalm，“anddoasI

tellyou。AuntMariehasobeyed。Willyoudolikewise？”

“Tothedeath！”hewhisperedeagerly。

“Thenalove-scene，“sheentreated。“Surelyyouknowone。

RodrigueandChimene！Surely——surely，“sheurged，evenastearsofanguishroseintohereyes，“youmust——youmust，or，ifnotthat，somethingelse。Quick！Theverysecondsareprecious！”

Theywereindeed！MadameBelhomme，obedientasafrighteneddog，hadgonetothedoorandopenedit；evenherwell-feignedgrumblingscouldnowbeheardandtheroughinterrogationsfromthesoldiery。

“CitizenessLange！”saidagruffvoice。

“Inherboudoir，quoi！”

MadameBelhomme，bracedupapparentlybyfear，wasplayingherpartremarkablywell。

“Botheringgoodcitizens！Onbakingday，too！”shewentongrumblingandmuttering。

“Oh，think——think！”murmuredJeannenowinanagonisedwhisper，herhotlittlehandgraspinghissotightlythathernailsweredrivenintohisflesh。“Youmustknowsomething，thatwilldo——anything——fordearlife\'ssake……Armand！”

Hisname——inthetenseexcitementofthisterriblemoment——hadescapedherlips。

Allinaflashofsuddenintuitionheunderstoodwhatshewanted，andevenasthedooroftheboudoirwasthrownviolentlyopenArmand——stillonhisknees，butwithonehandpressedtohisheart，theotherstretchedupwardstotheceilinginthemostapproveddramaticstyle，wasloudlydeclaiming：

“Pourvengersonhonneurilperditsonamour，Pourvengersamaitresseilaquittelejour！”

WhereuponMademoiselleLangefeignedthemostperfectimpatience。

“No，no，mygoodcousin，“shesaidwithaprettymoueofdisdain，“thatwillneverdo！Youmustnotthusemphasisetheendofeveryline；theversesshouldflowmoreevenly，asthus……“

Heronhadpausedatthedoor。Itwashewhohadthrownitopen——hewho，followedbyacoupleofhissleuth-hounds，hadthoughttofindherethemandenouncedbydeBatzasbeingoneofthefollowersofthatirrepressibleScarletPimpernel。TheobviouslyParisianintonationofthemankneelinginfrontofcitizenessLangeinanattitudenowayssuggestiveofpersonaladmiration，andcoollyrecitingversesoutofaplay，hadsomewhattakenhimaback。

“Whatdoesthismean？”heaskedgruffly，stridingforwardintotheroomandglaringfirstatmademoiselle，thenatArmand。

Mademoisellegavealittlecryofsurprise。

“Why，ifitisn\'tcitizenHeron！”shecried，jumpingupwithadaintymovementofcoquetryandembarrassment。“WhydidnotAuntMarieannounceyou？……Itisindeedremissofher，butsheissoill-temperedonbakingdaysIdarenotevenrebukeher。Won\'tyousitdown，citizenHeron？Andyou，cousin，“sheadded，lookingdownairilyonArmand，“Iprayyoumaintainnolongerthatfoolishattitude。“

Thefebrilenessofhermanner，theglowinhercheekswereeasilyattributabletonaturalshynessinfaceofthisunexpectedvisit。

Heron，completelybewilderedbythislittlescene，whichwassounlikewhatheexpected，andsounlikethosetowhichhewasaccustomedintheexerciseofhishorribleduties，waspracticallyspeechlessbeforethelittleladywhocontinuedtoprattlealonginasimple，unaffectedmanner。

“Cousin，“shesaidtoArmand，whointhemeanwhilehadrisentohisknees，“thisiscitizenHeron，ofwhomyouhaveheardmespeak。MycousinBelhomme，“shecontinued，oncemoreturningtoHeron，“isfreshfromthecountry，citizen。HehailsfromOrleans，wherehehasplayedleadingpartsinthetragediesofthelatecitizenCorneille。But，ahme！IfearthathewillfindParisaudiencesvastlymorecriticalthanthegoodOrleanese。Didyouhearhim，citizen，declaimingthosebeautifulversesjustnow？

Hewasmurderingthem，sayI——yes，murderingthem——thegaby！”

Thenonlydiditseemasifsherealisedthattherewassomethingamiss，thatcitizenHeronhadcometovisither，notasanadmirerofhertalentwhowouldwishtopayhisrespectstoasuccessfulactress，butasapersontobelookedonwithdread。

Shegaveaquaint，nervouslittlelaugh，andmurmuredinthetonesofafrightenedchild：

“La，citizen，howglumyoulook！Ithoughtyouhadcometocomplimentmeonmylatestsuccess。Isawyouatthetheatrelastnight，thoughyoudidnotafterwardscometoseemeinthegreen-room。Why！Ihadaregularovation！Lookatmyflowers！”sheaddedmoregaily，pointingtoseveralbouquetsinvasesabouttheroom。“CitizenDantonbroughtmethevioletshimself，andcitizenSanterrethenarcissi，andthatlaurelwreath——isitnotcharming？——thatwasatributefromcitizenRobespierrehimself。“

Shewassoartless，sosimple，andsonaturalthatHeronwascompletelytakenoffhisusualmentalbalance。Hehadexpectedtofindtheusualsettingtothedramaticepisodeswhichhewaswonttoconduct——screamingwomen，amaneitheratbay，swordinhand，orhidinginalinencupboardorupachimney。

Noweverythingpuzzledhim。DeBatz——hewasquitesure——hadspokenofanEnglishman，afolloweroftheScarletPimpernel；everythinkingFrenchpatriotknewthatallthefollowersoftheScarletPimpernelwereEnglishmenwithredhairandprominentteeth，whereasthisman……

Armand——whodeadlydangerhadprimedinhisimprovisedrole——wasstridingupanddowntheroomdeclaimingwithever-varyingintonations：

“JoigneztousvoseffortscontreunespoirsidouxPourenvenirabout，c\'esttroppeuquedevous。“

“No！no！”saidmademoiselleimpatiently；“youmustnotmakethatuglypausemidwayinthelastline：\'pourenvenirabout，c\'esttroppeuquedevous！\'“

ShemimickedArmand\'sdictionsoquaintly，imitatinghisstride，hisawkwardgesture，andhisfaultyphraseologywithsuchfunnyexaggerationthatHeronlaughedinspiteofhimself。

“SothatisacousinfromOrleans，isit？”heasked，throwinghislankybodyintoanarmchair，whichcreakeddismallyunderhisweight。

“Yes！aregulargaby——what？”shesaidarchly。“Now，citizenHeron，youmuststayandtakecoffeewithme。AuntMariewillbebringingitindirectly。Hector，“sheadded，turningtoArmand，“comedownfromthecloudsandaskAuntMarietobequick。“

ThiscertainlywasthefirsttimeinthewholeofhisexperiencethatHeronhadbeenaskedtostayanddrinkcoffeewiththequarryhewashuntingdown。Mademoiselle\'sinnocentlittleways，herdesirefortheprolongationofhisvisit，furtheraddledhisbrain。DeBatzhadundoubtedlyspokenofanEnglishman，andthecousinfromOrleanswascertainlyaFrenchmaneveryinchofhim。

PerhapshadthedenunciationcomefromanyoneelsebutdeBatz，Heronmighthaveactedandthoughtmorecircumspectly；but，ofcourse，thechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritywasmoresuspiciousofthemanfromwhomhetookaheavybribethanofanyoneelseinFrance。ThethoughthadsuddenlycrossedhismindthatmayhapdeBatzhadsenthimonafool\'serrandinordertogethimsafelyoutofthewayoftheTempleprisonatagivenhouroftheday。

Thethoughttookshape，crystallised，causedhimtoseearapidvisionofdeBatzsneakingintohislodgingsandstealinghiskeys，theguardbeingslack，careless，inattentive，allowingtheadventurertopassbarriersthatshouldhavebeenclosedagainstallcomers。

NowHeronwassureofit；itwasallaconspiracyinventedbydeBatz。Hehadforgottenallabouthistheoriesthatamanunderarrestisalwayssaferthanamanthatisfree。Hadhisbrainbeenquitenormal，andnotobsessed，asitalwayswasnowbythoughtsoftheDauphin\'sescapefromprison，nodoubthewouldhavebeenmoresuspiciousofArmand，butallhisworstsuspicionsweredirectedagainstdeBatz。Armandseemedtohimjustafool，anactorquoi？andsoobviouslynotanEnglishman。

Hejumpedtohisfeet，curtlydecliningmademoiselle\'soffersofhospitality。Hewantedtogetawayatonce。Actorsandactresseswerealways，bytacitconsentoftheauthorities，moreimmunethantherestofthecommunity。Theyprovidedtheonlyamusementintheintervalsofthehorriblescenesaroundthescaffolds；theywereirresponsible，harmlesscreatureswhodidnotmeddleinpolitics。

Jeannethewhilewasgailyprattlingon，herluminouseyesfixedupontheall-powerfulenemy，strivingtoreadhisthoughts，tounderstandwhatwentonbehindthosecruel，prominenteyes，thechancesthatArmandhadofsafetyandoflife。

Sheknew，ofcourse，thatthevisitwasdirectedagainstArmand——someonehadbetrayedhim，thatodiousdeBatzmayhap——andshewasfightingforArmand\'ssafety，forhislife。Herarmouryconsistedofherpresenceofmind，hercoolcourage，herself-control；sheusedalltheseweaponsforhissake，thoughattimesshefeltasifthestrainonhernerveswouldsnapthethreadoflifeinher。Theeffortseemedmorethanshecouldbear。

Butshekeptupherpart，rallyingHeronfortheshortnessofhisvisit，begginghimtotarryforanotherfiveminutesatleast，throwingout——withsubtlefeminineintuition——justthoseveryhintsanentlittleCapet\'ssafetythatweremostcalculatedtosendhimflyingbacktowardstheTemple。

“Ifeltsohonouredlastnight，citizen，“shesaidcoquettishly，“thatyouevenforgotlittleCapetinordertocomeandwatchmydebutasCelimene。“

“Forgethim！”retortedHeron，smotheringacurse，“Ineverforgetthevermin。Imustgobacktohim；therearetoomanycatsnosingroundmymouse。Gooddaytoyou，citizeness。Ioughttohavebroughtflowers，Iknow；butIamabusyman——aharassedman。“

“Jetecrois，“shesaidwithagravenodofthehead；“butdocometothetheatreto-night。IamplayingCamille——suchafinepart！

oneofmygreatestsuccesses。“

“Yes，yes，I\'llcome——mayhap，mayhap——butI\'llgonow——gladtohaveseenyou，citizeness。Wheredoesyourcousinlodge？”heaskedabruptly。

“Here，“sherepliedboldly，onthespurofthemoment。

“Good。Lethimreporthimselfto-morrowmorningattheConciergerie，andgethiscertificateofsafety。Itisanewdecree，andyoushouldhaveone，too。“

“Verywell，then。HectorandIwillcometogether，andperhapsAuntMariewillcometoo。Don\'tsendustomamanguillotineyetawhile，citizen，“shesaidlightly；“youwillnevergetsuchanotherCamille，noryetsogoodaCelimene。“

Shewasgay，artlesstothelast。SheaccompaniedHerontothedoorherself，chaffinghimabouthisescort。

“Youareanaristo，citizen，“shesaid，gazingwithwell-feignedadmirationonthetwosleuth-houndswhostoodinwaitintheanteroom；“itmakesmeproudtoseesomanycitizensatmydoor。

ComeandseemeplayCamille——cometo-night，anddon\'tforgetthegreen-roomdoor——itwillalwaysbekeptinvitinglyopenforyou。“

Shebobbedhimacurtsey，andhewalkedout，closelyfollowedbyhistwomen；thenatlastsheclosedthedoorbehindthem。Shestoodthereforawhile，hereargluedagainstthemassivepanels，listeningfortheirmeasuredtreaddowntheoakstaircase。Atlastitrangmoresharplyagainsttheflagstonesofthecourtyardbelow；thenshewassatisfiedthattheyhadgone，andwentslowlybacktotheboudoir。

CHAPTERX

SHADOWS

Thetensiononhernervesrelaxed；therewastheinevitablereaction。Herkneeswereshakingunderher，andsheliterallystaggeredintotheroom。

ButArmandwasalreadynearher，downonbothhiskneesthistime，hisarmsclaspingthedelicateformthatswayedliketheslenderstemsofnarcissiinthebreeze。

“Oh！youmustgooutofParisatonce——atonce，“shesaidthroughsobswhichnolongerwouldbekeptback。

“He\'llreturn——Iknowthathewillreturn——andyouwillnotbesafeuntilyouarebackinEngland。“

Buthecouldnotthinkofhimselforofanythinginthefuture。

HehadforgottenHeron，Paris，theworld；hecouldonlythinkofher。

“Iowemylifetoyou！”hemurmured。“Oh，howbeautifulyouare——howbrave！HowIloveyou！”

Itseemedthathehadalwayslovedher，fromthemomentthatfirstinhisboyishhearthehadsetupanidealtoworship，andthen，lastnight，intheboxofthetheatre——hehadhisbackturnedtowardthestage，andwasreadytogo——hervoicehadcalledhimback；ithadheldhimspellbound；hervoice，andalsohereyes……

HedidnotknowthenthatitwasLovewhichthenandtherehadenchainedhim。Oh，howfoolishhehadbeen！fornowheknewthathehadlovedherwithallhismight，withallhissoul，fromtheveryinstantthathiseyeshadresteduponher。

Hebabbledalong——incoherently——intheintervalsofcoveringherhandsandthehemofhergownwithkisses。Hestoopedrightdowntothegroundandkissedthearchofherinstep；hehadbecomeadevoteeworshippingattheshrineofhissaint，whohadperformedagreatandawonderfulmiracle。

Armandtheidealisthadfoundhisidealinawoman。Thatwasthegreatmiraclewhichthewomanherselfhadperformedforhim。Hefoundinherallthathehadadmiredmost，allthathehadadmiredintheleaderwhohithertohadbeentheonlypersonificationofhisideal。ButJeannepossessedallthosequalitieswhichhadrousedhisenthusiasminthenobleherowhomherevered。Herpluck，heringenuity，hercalmdevotionwhichhadavertedthethreateneddangerfromhim！

Whathadhedonethatsheshouldhaveriskedherownsweetlifeforhissake？

ButJeannedidnotknow。Shecouldnottell。Hernervesnowweresomewhatunstrung，andthetearsthatalwayscamesoreadilytohereyesflowedquiteunchecked。Shecouldnotverywellmove，forheheldherkneesimprisonedinhisarms，butshewasquitecontenttoremainlikethis，andtoyieldherhandstohimsothathemightcoverthemwithkisses。

Indeed，shedidnotknowatwhatprecisemomentloveforhimhadbeenborninherheart。Lastnight，perhaps……shecouldnotsay……butwhentheypartedshefeltthatshemustseehimagain……

andthentoday……perhapsitwasthescentoftheviolets……

theyweresoexquisitelysweet……perhapsitwashisenthusiasmandhistalkaboutEngland……butwhenHeroncamesheknewthatshemustsaveArmand\'slifeatallcost……thatshewoulddieiftheydraggedhimawaytoprison。

Thusthesetwochildrenphilosophised，tryingtounderstandthemysteryofthebirthofLove。Buttheywereonlychildren；theydidnotreallyunderstand。Passionwassweepingthemofftheirfeet，becauseacommondangerhadboundthemirrevocablytooneanother。Thewomanlyinstincttosaveandtoprotecthadgiventheyounggirlstrengthtobearadifficultpart，andnowshelovedhimforthedangersfromwhichshehadrescuedhim，andhelovedherbecauseshehadriskedherlifeforhim。

Thehoursspedon；therewassomuchtosay，somuchthatwasexquisitetolistento。Theshadesofeveningweregatheringfast；theroom，withitspale-tonedhangingsandfadedtapestries，wassinkingintothearmsofgloom。AuntMariewasnodoubttooterrifiedtostiroutofherkitchen；shedidnotbringthelamps，butthedarknesssuitedArmand\'smood，andJeannewasgladthatthegloamingeffectuallyhidtheperpetualblushinhercheeks。

Intheeveningairthedyingflowerssenttheirheadyfragrancearound。ArmandwasintoxicatedwiththeperfumeofvioletsthatclungtoJeanne\'sfingers，withthetouchofhersatingownthatbrushedhischeek，withthemurmurofhervoicethatquiveredthroughhertears。

Nonoisefromtheuglyouterworldreachedthissecludedspot。Inthetinysquareoutsideastreetlamphadbeenlighted，anditsfeeblerayscamepeepinginthroughthelacecurtainsatthewindow。Theycaughtthedaintysilhouetteoftheyounggirl，playingwiththeloosetendrilsofherhairaroundherforehead，andoutliningwithathinbandoflightthecontourofneckandshoulder，makingthesatinofhergownshimmerwithanopalescentglow。

Armandrosefromhisknees。Hereyeswerecallingtohim，herlipswerereadytoyield。

“Tum\'aimes？”hewhispered。

Andlikeatiredchildshesankuponhisbreast。

Hekissedherhair，hereyes，herlips；herskinwasfragrantastheflowersofspring，thetearsonhercheeksglistenedlikemorningdew。

AuntMariecameinatlast，carryingthelamp。Shefoundthemsittingsidebyside，liketwochildren，handinhand，mutewiththeeloquencewhichcomesfromboundlesslove。Theywereunderaspell，forgettingeventhattheylived，knowingnothingexceptthattheyloved。

Thelampbrokethespell，andAuntMarie\'sstilltremblingvoice：

“Oh，mydear！howdidyoumanagetoridyourselfofthosebrutes？

Butsheaskednootherquestion，evenwhenthelampshowedupquiteclearlytheglowingcheeksofJeanneandtheardenteyesofArmand。Inherheart，longsinceatrophied，therewereafewmemories，carefullyputawayinasecretcell，andthosememoriescausedtheoldwomantounderstand。

NeitherJeannenorArmandnoticedwhatshedid；thespellhadbeenbroken，butthedreamlingeredon；theydidnotseeAuntMarieputtingtheroomtidy，andthenquietlytiptoeingoutbythedoor。

Butthroughthedream，realitywasstrugglingforrecognition。

AfterArmandhadaskedforthehundredthtime：“Tum\'aimes？”andJeanneforthehundredthtimehadrepliedmutelywithhereyes，herfearsforhimsuddenlyreturned。

Somethinghadawakenedherfromhertrance——aheavyfootstep，mayhap，inthestreetbelow，thedistantrollofadrum，oronlytheclashofsteelsaucepansinAuntMarie\'skitchen。ButsuddenlyJeannewasalert，andwithheralertnesscameterrorforthebeloved。

“Yourlife，“shesaid——forhehadcalledherhislifejustthen，“yourlife——andIwasforgettingthatitisstillindanger……

yourdear，yourpreciouslife！”

“Doublydearnow，“hereplied，“sinceIoweittoyou。“

“ThenIprayyou，Ientreatyou，guarditwellformysake——makeallhastetoleaveParis……oh，thisIbegofyou！”shecontinuedmoreearnestly，seeingthelookofdemurinhiseyes；“everyhouryouspendinitbringsdangernearertoyourdoor。“

“IcouldnotleavePariswhileyouarehere。“

“ButIamsafehere，“sheurged；“quite，quitesafe，Iassureyou。

Iamonlyapooractress，andtheGovernmenttakesnoheedofusmimes。Menmustbeamused，evenbetweentheintervalsofkillingoneanother。Indeed，indeed，Ishouldbefarsaferherenow，waitingquietlyforawhile，whileyoumakepreparationstogo……

Myhastydepartureatthismomentwouldbringdisasteronusboth。“

Therewaslogicinwhatshesaid。Andyethowcouldheleaveher？

nowthathehadfoundthisperfectwoman——thisrealisationofhishighestideals，howcouldhegoandleaveherinthisawfulParis，withbruteslikeHeronforcingtheirhideouspersonalityintohersacredpresence，threateningthatverylifehewouldgladlygivehisowntokeepinviolate？

“Listen，sweetheart，“hesaidafterawhile，whenpresentlyreasonstruggledbackforfirstplaceinhismind。“Willyouallowmetoconsultwithmychief，withtheScarletPimpernel，whoisinParisatthepresentmoment？Iamunderhisorders；IcouldnotleaveFrancejustnow。Mylife，myentirepersonareathisdisposal。I

andmycomradesarehereunderhisorders，foragreatundertakingwhichhehasnotyetunfoldedtous，butwhichIfirmlybelieveisframedfortherescueoftheDauphinfromtheTemple。“

Shegaveaninvoluntaryexclamationofhorror。

“No，no！”shesaidquicklyandearnestly；“asfarasyouareconcerned，Armand，thathasnowbecomeanimpossibility。Someonehasbetrayedyou，andyouarehenceforthamarkedman。IthinkthatodiousdeBatzhadahandinHeron\'svisitofthisafternoon。

Wesucceededinputtingthesespiesoffthescent，butonlyforamoment……withinafewhours——lessperhaps——Heronwillrepenthimofhiscarelessness；he\'llcomeback——Iknowthathewillcomeback。Hemayleaveme，personally，alone；buthewillbeonyourtrack；he\'lldragyoutotheConciergerietoreportyourself，andthereyourtruenameandhistoryareboundtocometolight。Ifyousucceedinevadinghim，hewillstillbeonyourtrack。IftheScarletPimpernelkeepsyouinParisnow，yourdeathwillbeathisdoor。“

Hervoicehadbecomequitehardandtrenchantasshesaidtheselastwords；womanlike，shewasalreadypreparedtohatethemanwhosemysteriouspersonalityshehadhithertoadmired，nowthatthelifeandsafetyofArmandappearedtodependonthewillofthatelusivehero。

“Youmustnotbeafraidforme，Jeanne，“heurged。“TheScarletPimpernelcaresforallhisfollowers；hewouldneverallowmetorununnecessaryrisks。“

Shewasunconvinced，almostjealousnowofhisenthusiasmforthatunknownman。AlreadyshehadtakenfullpossessionofArmand；shehadpurchasedhislife，andhehadgivenherhislove。ShewouldshareneithertreasurewiththatnamelessleaderwhoheldArmand\'sallegiance。

“Itisonlyforalittlewhile，sweetheart，“hereiteratedagainandagain。“Icouldnot，anyhow，leavePariswhilstIfeelthatyouarehere，maybeindanger。Thethoughtwouldbehorrible。I

shouldgomadifIhadtoleaveyou。“

ThenhetalkedagainofEngland，ofhislifethere，ofthehappinessandpeacethatwereinstoreforthemboth。

“WewillgotoEnglandtogether，“hewhispered，“andtherewewillbehappytogether，youandI。WewillhaveatinyhouseamongtheKentishhills，anditswallswillbecoveredwithhoneysuckleandroses。Atthebackofthehousetherewillbeanorchard，andinMay，whenthefruit-blossomisfadingandsoftspringbreezesblowamongthetrees，showersofsweet-scentedpetalswillenvelopusaswewalkalong，fallingonuslikefragrantsnow。Youwillcome，sweetheart，willyounot？”

“Ifyoustillwishit，Armand，“shemurmured。

Stillwishit！Hewouldgladlygoto-morrowifshewouldcomewithhim。But，ofcourse，thatcouldnotbearranged。Shehadhercontracttofulfilatthetheatre，thentherewouldbeherhouseandfurnituretodisposeof，andtherewasAuntMarie……But，ofcourse，AuntMariewouldcometoo……Shethoughtthatshecouldgetawaysometimebeforethespring；andhesworethathecouldnotleaveParisuntilshecamewithhim。

Itseemedaterribledeadlock，forshecouldnotbeartothinkofhimaloneinthoseawfulParisstreets，wheresheknewthatspieswouldalwaysbetrackinghim。ShehadnoillusionsastotheimpressionwhichshehadmadeonHeron；sheknewthatitcouldonlybeamomentaryone，andthatArmandwouldhenceforthbeindaily，hourlydanger。

Atlastshepromisedhimthatshewouldtaketheadviceofhischief；theywouldbothbeguidedbywhathesaid。Armandwouldconfideinhimto-night，andifitcouldbearrangedshewouldhurryonherpreparationsand，mayhap，bereadytojoinhiminaweek。

“Inthemeanwhile，thatcruelmanmustnotriskyourdearlife，“

shesaid。“Remember，Armand，yourlifebelongstome。Oh，I

couldhatehimfortheloveyoubearhim！”

“Sh——sh——sh！”hesaidearnestly。“Dearheart，youmustnotspeaklikethatofthemanwhom，nexttoyourperfectself，Ilovemostuponearth。“

“Youthinkofhimmorethanofme。IshallscarceliveuntilI

knowthatyouaresafelyoutofParis。“

Thoughitwashorribletopart，yetitwasbest，perhaps，thatheshouldgobacktohislodgingsnow，incaseHeronsenthisspiesbacktoherdoor，andsincehemeanttoconsultwithhischief。

Shehadavaguehopethatifthemysteriousherowasindeedthenoble-heartedmanwhomArmandrepresentedhimtobe，surelyhewouldtakecompassionontheanxietyofasorrowingwoman，andreleasethemanshelovedfrombondage。

Thisthoughtpleasedherandgaveherhope。SheevenurgedArmandnowtogo。

“WhenmayIseeyouto-morrow？”heasked。

“Butitwillbesodangeroustomeet，“sheargued。

“Imustseeyou。Icouldnotlivethroughthedaywithoutseeingyou。“

“Thetheatreisthesafestplace。“

“Icouldnotwaittilltheevening。MayInotcomehere？”

“No，no。Heron\'sspiesmaybeabout。“

“Wherethen？”

Shethoughtitoverforamoment。

“Atthestage-doorofthetheatreatoneo\'clock，“shesaidatlast。“Weshallhavefinishedrehearsal。Slipintotheguichetoftheconcierge。Iwilltellhimtoadmityou，andsendmydressertomeetyouthere；shewillbringyoualongtomyroom，whereweshallbeundisturbedforatleasthalfanhour。“

Hehadperforcetobecontentwiththat，thoughhewouldsomuchratherhaveseenherhereagain，wherethefadedtapestriesandsoft-tonedhangingsmadesuchaperfectbackgroundforherdelicatecharm。HehadeveryintentionofconfidinginBlakeney，andofaskinghishelpforgettingJeanneoutofParisasquicklyasmaybe。

Thusthisperfecthourwaspast；themostpure，thefullestofjoythatthesetwoyoungpeoplewereeverdestinedtoknow。Perhapstheyfeltwithinthemselvestheconsciousnessthattheirgreatlovewouldriseanontoyetgreater，fullerperfectionwhenFatehadcrowneditwithhishaloofsorrow。Perhaps，too，itwasthatconsciousnessthatgavetotheirkissesnowthesolemnityofalastfarewell。

CHAPTERXI

THELEAGUEOFTHESCARLETPIMPERNEL

ArmandnevercouldsaydefinitelyafterwardswhitherhewentwhenhelefttheSquareduRoulethatevening。Nodoubthewanderedaboutthestreetsforsometimeinanabsent，mechanicalway，payingnoheedtothepassers-by，nonetothedirectioninwhichhewasgoing。

HismindwasfullofJeanne，herbeauty，hercourage，herattitudeinfaceofthehideousbloodhoundwhohadcometopollutethatcharmingold-worldboudoirbyhisloathsomepresence。Herecalledeverywordsheuttered，everygestureshemade。

Hewasamaninloveforthefirsttime——wholly，irremediablyinlove。

Isupposethatitwasthepangsofhungerthatfirstrecalledhimtohimself。Itwascloseoneighto\'clocknow，andhehadfedonhisimaginings——firstonanticipation，thenonrealisation，andlastlyonmemory——duringthebestpartoftheday。Nowheawokefromhisday-dreamtofindhimselftiredandhungry，hutfortunatelynotveryfarfromthatquarterofPariswherefoodiseasilyobtainable。

HewassomewhereneartheMadeleine——aquarterheknewwell。Soonhesawinfrontofhimasmalleating-housewhichlookedfairlycleanandorderly。Hepushedopenitsswing-door，andseeinganemptytableinasecludedpartoftheroom，hesatdownandorderedsomesupper。

Theplacemadenoimpressionuponhismemory。Hecouldnothavetoldyouanhourlaterwhereitwassituated，whohadservedhim，whathehadeaten，orwhatotherpersonswerepresentinthedining-roomatthetimethathehimselfenteredit。

Havingeaten，however，hefeltmorelikehisnormalself——moreconsciousofhisactions。Whenhefinallylefttheeating-house，herealised，forinstance，thatitwasverycold——afactofwhichhehadforthepastfewhoursbeentotallyunaware。Thesnowwasfallinginthincloseflakes，andabitingnorth-easterlywindwasblowingthoseflakesintohisfaceanddownhiscollar。Hewrappedhiscloaktightlyaroundhim。ItwasagoodstepyettoBlakeney\'slodgings，whereheknewthathewasexpected。

HestruckquicklyintotheRueSt。Honore，avoidingthegreatopenplaceswherethegrimhorrorsofthismagnificentcityinrevoltagainstcivilisationweredisplayedinalltheirgrimnakedness——onthePlacedelaRevolutiontheguillotine，ontheCarrouseltheopen-aircampsofworkersunderthelashofslave-driversmorecruelthantheuncivilisedbrutesoftheFarWest。

AndArmandhadtothinkofJeanneinthemidstofallthesehorrors。Shewasstillapettedactressto-day，butwhocouldtellifonthemorrowtheterriblelawofthe“suspect“wouldnotreachherinordertodragherbeforeatribunalthatknewnomercy，andwhosesolejusticewasacondemnation？

Theyoungmanhurriedon；hewasanxioustobeamonghisowncomrades，tohearhischief\'spleasantvoice，tofeelassuredthatbyallthesacredlawsoffriendshipJeannehenceforthwouldbecomethespecialcareoftheScarletPimpernelandhisleague。

BlakeneylodgedinasmallhousesituatedontheQuaidel\'Ecole，atthebackofSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，fromwhencehehadaclearanduninterruptedviewacrosstheriver，asfarastheirregularblockofbuildingsoftheChateletprisonandthehouseofJustice。

Thesametower-clockthattwocenturiesagohadtolledthesignalforthemassacreoftheHuguenotswasevennowstrikingnine。

Armandslippedthroughthehalf-openportecochere，crossedthenarrowdarkcourtyard，andranuptwoflightsofwindingstonestairs。Atthetopofthese，adooronhisrightallowedathinstreakoflighttofiltratebetweenitstwofolds。Anironbellhandlehungbesideit；Armandgaveitapull。

Twominuteslaterhewasamongsthisfriends。Heheavedagreatsighofcontentandrelief。Theveryatmospherehereseemedtobedifferent。Asfarasthelodgingitselfwasconcerned，itwasasbare，asdevoidofcomfortasthosesortofplaces——so-calledchambresgarnies——usuallywereinthesedays。Thechairslookedricketyanduninviting，thesofawasofblackhorsehair，thecarpetwasthreadbare，andinplacesinactualholes；buttherewasacertainsomethingintheairwhichrevealed，inthemidstofallthissqualor，thepresenceofamanoffastidioustaste。

Tobeginwith，theplacewasspotlesslyclean；thestove，highlypolished，gaveforthapleasingwarmglow，evenwhilstthewindow，slightlyopen，allowedamodicumoffreshairtoentertheroom。

InaroughearthenwarejugonthetablestoodalargebunchofChristmasroses，andtotheeducatednostriltheslightscentofperfumesthathoveredintheairwasdoublypleasingafterthefetidairofthenarrowstreets。

SirAndrewFfoulkeswasthere，alsomyLordTony，andLordHastings。TheygreetedArmandwithwhole-heartedcheeriness。

“WhereisBlakeney？”askedtheyoungmanassoonashehadshakenhisfriendsbythehand。

“Present！”cameinloud，pleasantaccentsfromthedoorofaninnerroomontheright。

Andtherehestoodunderthelintelofthedoor，themanagainstwhomwasraisedthegianthandofanentirenation——themanforwhoseheadtherevolutionarygovernmentofFrancewouldgladlypayoutallthesavingsofitsTreasury——themanwhomhumanbloodhoundsweretracking，hotonthescent——forwhomthenetsofabitterrevengeandrelentlessreprisalswereconstantlybeingspread。

Washeunconsciousofit，ormerelycareless？Hisclosestfriend，SirAndrewFfoulkes，couldnotsay。Certainitisthat，ashenowappearedbeforeArmand，picturesqueaseverinperfectlytailoredclothes，withpricelesslaceatthroatandwrists，hisslenderfingersholdinganenamelledsnuff-boxandahandkerchiefofdelicatecambric，hiswholepersonalitythatofadandyratherthanamanofaction，itseemedimpossibletoconnecthimwiththefoolhardyescapadeswhichhadsetonenationglowingwithenthusiasmandanotherclamouringforrevenge。

Butitwasthemagnetismthatemanatedfromhimthatcouldnotbedenied；thelightthatnowandthen，swiftassummerlightning，flashedoutfromthedepthsoftheblueeyesusuallyveiledbyheavy，lazylids，thesuddentighteningoffirmlips，thesettingofthesquarejaw，whichinamoment——butonlyforthespaceofasecond——transformedtheentireface，andrevealedthebornleaderofmen。

Justnowtherewasnoneofthatinthedebonnair，easy-goingmanoftheworldwhoadvancedtomeethisfriend。Armandwentquicklyuptohim，gladtograsphishand，slightlytroubledwithremorse，nodoubt，attherecollectionofhisadventureofto-day。Italmostseemedtohimthatfrombeneathhishalf-closedlidsBlakeneyhadshotaquickinquiringglanceuponhim。Thequickflashseemedtolightuptheyoungman\'ssoulfromwithin，andtorevealit，naked，tohisfriend。

Itwasalloverinamoment，andArmandthoughtthatmayhaphisconsciencehadplayedhimatrick：therewasnothingapparentinhim——ofthishewassure——thatcouldpossiblydivulgehissecretjustyet。

“Iamratherlate，Ifear，“hesaid。“Iwanderedaboutthestreetsinthelateafternoonandlostmywayinthedark。IhopeIhavenotkeptyouallwaiting。“

Theyallpulledchairscloselyroundthefire，exceptBlakeney，whopreferredtostand。Hewaitedawhileuntiltheywereallcomfortablysettled，andallreadytolisten，then：

“ItisabouttheDauphin，“hesaidabruptlywithoutfurtherpreamble。

Theyunderstood。Allofthemhadguessedit，almostbeforethesummonscamethathadbroughtthemtoParistwodaysago。SirAndrewFfoulkeshadlefthisyoungwifebecauseofthat，andArmandhaddemandeditasarighttojoinhandsinthisnoblework。BlakeneyhadnotleftFranceforoverthreemonthsnow。

BackwardsandforwardsbetweenParis，orNantes，orOrleanstothecoast，wherehisfriendswouldmeethimtoreceivethoseunfortunateswhomoneman\'swhole-hearteddevotionhadrescuedfromdeath；backwardsandforwardsintotheveryheartsofthosecitieswhereinanarmyofsleuth-houndswereonhistrack，andtheguillotinewasstretchingoutherarmstocatchthefoolhardyadventurer。

NowitwasabouttheDauphin。Theyallwaited，breathlessandeager，thefireofanobleenthusiasmburningintheirhearts。

Theywaitedinsilence，theireyesfixedontheleader，lestonesinglewordfromhimshouldfailtoreachtheirears。

Thefullmagnetismofthemanwasapparentnow。Asheheldthesefourmenatthismoment，hecouldhaveheldacrowd。Themanoftheworld——thefastidiousdandy——hadshedhismask；therestoodtheleader，calm，sereneintheveryfaceofthemostdeadlydangerthathadeverencompassedanyman，lookingthatdangerfullyintheface，notstrivingtobelittleitortoexaggerateit，butweighingitinthebalancewithwhattherewastoaccomplish：therescueofamartyred，innocentchildfromthehandsoffiendswhoweredestroyinghisverysoulevenmorecompletelythanhisbody。

“Everything，Ithink，isprepared，“resumedSirPercyafteraslightpause。“TheSimonshavebeensummarilydismissed；I

learnedthatto-day。TheyremovefromtheTempleonSundaynext，thenineteenth。Obviouslythatistheonedaymostlikelytohelpusinouroperations。AsfarasIamconcerned，Icannotmakeanyhard-and-fastplans。Chanceatthelastmomentwillhavetodictate。ButfromeveryoneofyouImusthaveco-operation，anditcanonlybebyyourfollowingmydirectionsimplicitlythatwecanevenremotelyhopetosucceed。“

Hecrossedandrecrossedtheroomonceortwicebeforehespokeagain，pausingnowandagaininhiswalkinfrontofalargemapofParisanditsenvironsthathunguponthewall，histallfigureerect，hishandsbehindhisback，hiseyesfixedbeforehimasifhesawrightthroughthewallsofthissqualidroom，andacrossthedarknessthatoverhungthecity，throughthegrimbastionsofthemightybuildingfaraway，wherethedescendantofanhundredkingslivedatthemercyofhumanfiendswhoworkedforhisabasement。

Theman\'sfacenowwasthatofaseerandavisionary；thefirmlinesweresetandrigidasthoseofanimagecarvedinstone——thestatueofheart-wholedevotion，withtheself-imposedtaskbeckoningsternlytofollow，therewherelurkeddangeranddeath。

“Theway，Ithink，inwhichwecouldbestsucceedwouldbethis，“

heresumedafterawhile，sittingnowontheedgeofthetableanddirectlyfacinghisfourfriends。Thelightfromthelampwhichstooduponthetablebehindhimfellfulluponthosefourglowingfacesfixedeagerlyuponhim，buthehimselfwasinshadow，amassivesilhouettebroadlycutoutagainstthelight-colouredmaponthewallbeyond。

“Iremainhere，ofcourse，untilSunday，“hesaid，“andwillcloselywatchmyopportunity，whenIcanwiththegreatestamountofsafetyentertheTemplebuildingandtakepossessionofthechild。Ishall，ofcoursechoosethemomentwhentheSimonsareactuallyonthemove，withtheirsuccessorsprobablycominginataboutthesametime。Godaloneknows，“headdedearnestly，“howI

shallcontrivetogetpossessionofthechild；atthemomentIamjustasmuchinthedarkaboutthatasyouare。“

Hepausedamoment，andsuddenlyhisgravefaceseemedfloodedwithsunshine，akindoflazymerrimentdancedinhiseyes，effacingalltraceofsolemnitywithinthem。

“La！”hesaidlightly，“ononepointIamnotatallinthedark，andthatisthatHisMajestyKingLouisXVIIwillcomeoutofthatuglyhouseinmycompanynextSunday，thenineteenthdayofJanuaryinthisyearofgraceseventeenhundredandninety-four；

andthis，too，doIknow——thatthosemurderousblackguardsshallnotlayhandsonmewhilstthatpreciousburdenisinmykeeping。

SoIprayyou，mygoodArmand，donotlooksoglum，“headdedwithhispleasant，merrylaugh；“you\'llneedallyourwitsaboutyoutohelpusinourundertaking。“

“Whatdoyouwishmetodo，Percy？”saidtheyoungmansimply。

“InonemomentIwilltellyou。Iwantyoualltounderstandthesituationfirst。ThechildwillbeoutoftheTempleonSunday，butatwhathourIknownot。Thelateritwillbethebetterwoulditsuitmypurpose，forIcannotgethimoutofParisbeforeeveningwithanychanceofsafety。Herewemustrisknothing；thechildisfarbetteroffasheisnowthanhewouldbeifheweredraggedbackafteranabortiveattemptatrescue。Butatthishourofthenight，betweennineandteno\'clock，IcanarrangetogethimoutofParisbytheVillettegate，andthatiswhereI

wantyou，Ffoulkes，andyou，Tony，tobe，withsomekindofcoveredcart，yourselvesinanydisguiseyouringenuitywillsuggest。Hereareafewcertificatesofsafety；Ihavebeenmakingacollectionofthemforsometime，astheyarealwaysuseful。“

Hedivedintothewidepocketofhiscoatanddrewforthanumberofcards，greasy，much-fingereddocumentsoftheusualpatternwhichtheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritydeliveredtothefreecitizensofthenewrepublic，andwithoutwhichnoonecouldenterorleaveanytownorcountrycommunewithoutbeingdetainedas“suspect。“HeglancedatthemandhandedthemovertoFfoulkes。

“Chooseyourownidentityfortheoccasion，mygoodfriend，“hesaidlightly；“andyoutoo，Tony。Youmaybestonemasonsorcoal-carriers，chimney-sweepsorfarm-labourers，Icarenotwhichsolongasyoulooksufficientlygrimyandwretchedtobeunrecognisable，andsolongasyoucanprocureacartwithoutarousingsuspicions，andcanwaitformepunctuallyattheappointedspot。“

Ffoulkesturnedoverthecards，andwithalaughhandedthemovertoLordTony。Thetwofastidiousgentlemendiscussedforawhiletherespectivemeritsofachimney-sweep\'suniformasagainstthatofacoal-carrier。

“Youcancarrymoregrimeifyouareasweep，“suggestedBlakeney；

“andifthesootgetsintoyoureyesitdoesnotmakethemsmartlikecoaldoes。“

“Butsootadheresmoreclosely，“arguedTonysolemnly，“andIknowthatweshan\'tgetabathforatleastaweekafterwards。“

“Certainlyyouwon\'t，yousybarite！”assertedSirPercywithalaugh。

“Afteraweeksootmightbecomepermanent，“musedSirAndrew，wonderingwhat，underthecircumstance，myladywouldsaytohim。

“Ifyouarebothsofastidious，“retortedBlakeney，shrugginghisbroadshoulders，“I\'llturnoneofyouintoareddleman，andtheotherintoadyer。Thenoneofyouwillbebrightscarlettotheendofhisdays，asthereddlenevercomesofftheskinatall，andtheotherwillhavetosoakinturpentinebeforethedyewillconsenttomove……Ineithercase……oh，mydearTony！……thesmell……“

Helaughedlikeaschoolboyinanticipationofaprank，andheldhisscentedhandkerchieftohisnose。MyLordHastingschuckledaudibly，andTonypunchedhimforthisunseemlydisplayofmirth。