第7章

PARTII

CHAPTERXXIV

THENEWS

ThegreyJanuarydaywasfalling，drowsy，anddullintothearmsofnight。

Marguerite，sittingintheduskbesidethefireinhersmallboudoir，shiveredalittleasshedrewherscarfcloserroundhershoulders。

Edwards，thebutler，enteredwiththelamp。Theroomlookedpeculiarlycheerynow，withthedelicatewhitepanellingofthewallglowingtinderthesoftkissoftheflickeringfirelightandthesteadierglowoftherose-shadedlamp。

“Hasthecouriernotarrivedyet，Edwards？”askedMarguerite，fixingtheimpassivefaceofthewell-drilledservantwithherlargepurple-rimmedeyes。

“Notyet，m\'lady，“herepliedplacidly。

“Itishisday，isitnot？”

“Yes，m\'lady。Andtheforenoonishistime。Buttherehavebeenheavyrains，andtheroadsmustberaremuddy。Hemusthavebeendelayed，m\'lady。“

“Yes，Isupposeso，“shesaidlistlessly。“Thatwilldo，Edwards。

No，don\'tclosetheshutters。I\'llringpresently。“

Themanwentoutoftheroomasautomaticallyashehadcome。Heclosedthedoorbehindhim，andMargueritewasoncemorealone。

Shepickedupthebookwhichshehadfingeredidlybeforethelightgaveout。ShetriedoncemoretofixherattentiononthistaleofloveandadventurewrittenbyMr。Fielding；butshehadlostthethreadofthestory，andtherewasamistbetweenhereyesandtheprintedpages。

Withanimpatientgestureshethrewdownthebookandpassedherhandacrosshereyes，thenseemedastonishedtofindthatherhandwaswet。

Sheroseandwenttothewindow。Theairoutsidehadbeensingularlymildallday；thethawwaspersisting，andasouthwindcameacrosstheChannel——fromFrance。

Margueritethrewopenthecasementandsatdownonthewidesill，leaningherheadagainstthewindow-frame，andgazingoutintothefastgatheringgloom。Fromfaraway，atthefootofthegentlyslopinglawns，therivermurmuredsoftlyinthenight；intheborderstotherightandleftafewsnowdropsstillshowedliketinywhitespecksthroughthesurroundingdarkness。Winterhadbeguntheprocessofslowlysheddingitsmantle，coquettingwithSpring，whostilllingeredinthelandofInfinity。Graduallytheshadowsdrewcloserandcloser；thereedsandrushesontheriverbankwerethefirsttosinkintotheirembrace，thenthebigcedarsonthelawn，majesticanddefiant，butyieldingstillunconqueredtothepowerofnight。

Thetinystarsofsnowdropblossomsvanishedonebyone，andatlastthecool，greyribbonoftheriversurfacewaswrappedunderthemantleofevening。

Onlythesouthwindlingeredon，soughinggentlyinthedrowsyreeds，whisperingamongthebranchesofthecedars，andgentlystirringthetendercorollasofthesleepingsnowdrops。

Margueriteseemedtoopenoutherlungstoitsbreath。IthadcomeallthewayfromFrance，andonitswingshadbroughtsomethingofPercy——amurmurasifhehadspoken——amemorythatwasasintangibleasadream。

Sheshiveredagain，thoughofatruthitwasnotcold。Thecourier\'sdelayhadcompletelyunsettledhernerves。TwiceaweekhecameespeciallyfromDover，andalwayshebroughtsomemessage，sometokenwhichPercyhadcontrivedtosendfromParis。Theywereliketinyscrapsofdrybreadthrowntoastarvingwoman，buttheydidjusthelptokeepherheartalive——thatpoor，aching，disappointedheartthatsolongedforenduringhappinesswhichitcouldneverget。

Themanwhomshelovedwithallhersoul，hermindandherbody，didnotbelongtoher；hebelongedtosufferinghumanityoverthereinterror-strickenFrance，wherethecriesoftheinnocent，thepersecuted，thewretchedcalledloudertohimthansheinherlovecoulddo。

Hehadbeenawaythreemonthsnow，duringwhichtimeherstarvinghearthadfedonitsmemories，andthehappinessofabriefvisitfromhimsixweeksago，when——quiteunexpectedly——hehadappearedbeforeher……homebetweentwodesperateadventuresthathadgivenlifeandfreedomtoanumberofinnocentpeople，andnearlycosthimhis——andshehadlaininhisarmsinaswoonofperfecthappiness。

Butbehadgoneawayagainassuddenlyashehadcome，andforsixweeksnowshehadlivedpartlyinanticipationofthecourierwithmessagesfromhim，andpartlyonthefitfuljoyengenderedbythesemessages。To-dayshehadnoteventhat，andthedisappointmentseemedjustnowmorethanshecouldbear。

Shefeltunaccountablyrestless，andcouldshebuthaveanalysedherfeelings——hadshedaredsotodo——shewouldhaverealisedthattheweightwhichoppressedherheartsothatshecouldhardlybreathe，wasoneofvagueyetdarkforeboding。

Sheclosedthewindowandreturnedtoherseatbythefire，takingupherhookwiththestrongresolutionnottoallowhernervestogetthebetterofher。Butitwasdifficulttopinone\'sattentiondowntotheadventuresofMasterTomJoneswhenone\'smindwasfullyengrossedwiththoseofSirPercyBlakeney。

Thesoundofcarriagewheelsonthegravelledforecourtinthefrontofthehousesuddenlyawakenedherdrowsysenses。Shethrewdownthebook，andwithtremblinghandsclutchedthearmsofherchair，strainingherearstolisten。Acarriageatthishour——andonthisdampwinter\'sevening！Sherackedhermindwonderingwhoitcouldbe。

LadyFfoulkeswasinLondon，sheknew。SirAndrew，ofcourse，wasinParis。HisRoyalHighness，everafaithfulvisitor，wouldsurelynotventureouttoRichmondinthisinclementweather——andthecourieralwayscameonhorseback。

Therewasamurmurofvoices；thatofEdwards，mechanicalandplacid，couldbeheardquitedistinctlysaying：

“I\'msurethatherladyshipwillbeathomeforyou，m\'lady。ButI\'llgoandascertain。“

Margueriterantothedoorandwithjoyfuleagernesstoreitopen。

“Suzanne！”shecalled“mylittleSuzanne！IthoughtyouwereinLondon。Comeupquickly！Intheboudoir——yes。Oh！whatgoodfortunehathbroughtyou？”

Suzanneflewintoherarms，holdingthefriendwhomshelovedsowellcloseandclosertoherheart，tryingtohideherface，whichwaswetwithtears，inthefoldsofMarguerite\'skerchief。

“Comeinside，mydarling，“saidMarguerite。“Why，howcoldyourlittlehandsare！”

Shewasonthepointofturningbacktoherboudoir，drawingLadyFfoulkesbythehand，whensuddenlyshecaughtsightofSirAndrew，whostoodatalittledistancefromher，atthetopofthestairs。

“SirAndrew！”sheexclaimedwithunstintedgladness。

Thenshepaused。Thecryofwelcomediedonherlips，leavingthemdryandparted。Shesuddenlyfeltasifsomefearfultalonshadgrippedherheartandweretearingatitwithsharp，longnails；thebloodflewfromhercheeksandfromherlimbs，leavingherwithasenseoficynumbness。

Shebackedintotheroom，stillholdingSuzanne\'shand，anddrawingherinwithher。SirAndrewfollowedthem，thenclosedthedoorbehindhim。AtlastthewordescapedMarguerite\'sparchedlips：

“Percy！Somethinghashappenedtohim！Heisdead？”

“No，no！”exclaimedSirAndrewquickly。

Suzanneputherlovingarmsroundherfriendanddrewherdownintothechairbythefire。Shekneltatherfeetonthehearthrug，andpressedherownburninglipsonMarguerite\'sicy-coldhands。SirAndrewstoodsilentlyby，aworldoflovingfriendship，ofheart-brokensorrow，inhiseyes。

Therewassilenceintheprettywhite-panelledroomforawhile。

Margueritesatwithhereyesclosed，bringingthewholearmouryofherwillpowertobearherupoutwardlynow。

“Tellme！”shesaidatlast，andhervoicewastonelessanddull，likeonethatcamefromthedepthsofagrave——“tellme——exactly——

everything。Don\'tbeafraid。Icanbearit。Don\'tbeafraid。“

SirAndrewremainedstanding，withbowedheadandonehandrestingonthetable。Inafirm，clearvoicehetoldhertheeventsofthepastfewdaysastheywereknowntohim。AllthathetriedtohidewasArmand\'sdisobedience，which，inhisheart，hefeltwastheprimarycauseofthecatastrophe。HetoldoftherescueoftheDauphinfromtheTemple，themidnightdriveinthecoal-cart，themeetingwithHastingsandTonyinthespinney。HeonlygavevagueexplanationsofArmand\'sstayinPariswhichcausedPercytogobacktothecity，evenatthemomentwhenhismostdaringplanhadbeensosuccessfullycarriedthrough。

“Armand，Iunderstand，hasfalleninlovewithabeautifulwomaninParis，LadyBlakeney，“hesaid，seeingthatastrange，puzzledlookhadappearedinMarguerite\'spaleface。“ShewasarrestedthedaybeforetherescueoftheDauphinfromtheTemple。Armandcouldnotjoinus。Hefeltthathecouldnotleaveher。Iamsurethatyouwillunderstand。“

Thenasshemadenocomment，heresumedhisnarrative：

“IhadbeenorderedtogobacktoLaVillette，andtheretoresumemydutiesasalabourerintheday-time，andtowaitforPercyduringthenight。ThefactthatIhadreceivednomessagefromhimfortwodayshadmademesomewhatworried，butIhavesuchfaithinhim，suchbeliefinhisgoodluckandhisingenuity，thatIwouldnotallowmyselftobereallyanxious。ThenonthethirddayIheardthenews。“

“Whatnews？”askedMargueritemechanically。

“ThattheEnglishmanwhowasknownastheScarletPimpernelhadbeencapturedinahouseintheRuedeIaCroixBlanche，andhadbeenimprisonedintheConciergerie。“

“TheRuedelaCroixBlanche？Whereisthat？”

“IntheMontmartrequarter。Armandlodgedthere。Percy，I

imagine，wasworkingtogethimaway；andthosebrutescapturedhim。“

“Havingheardthenews，SirAndrew，whatdidyoudo？”

“IwentintoParisandascertaineditstruth。“

“Andthereisnodoubtofit？”

“Alas，none！IwenttothehouseintheRuedelaCroixBlanche。

Armandhaddisappeared。Isucceededininducingtheconciergetotalk。Sheseemstohavebeendevotedtoherlodger。Amidsttearsshetoldmesomeofthedetailsofthecapture。Canyoubeartohearthem，LadyBlakeney？”

“Yes——tellmeeverything——don\'tbeafraid，“shereiteratedwiththesamedullmonotony。

“ItappearsthatearlyontheTuesdaymorningthesonoftheconcierge——aladaboutfifteen——wassentoffbyherlodgerwithamessagetoNo。9RueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。ThatwasthehousewherePercywasstayingalllastweek，wherehekeptdisguisesandsoonforusall，andwheresomeofourmeetingswereheld。PercyevidentlyexpectedthatArmandwouldtryandcommunicatewithhimatthataddress，forwhentheladarrivedinfrontofthehousehewasaccosted——sohesays——byabig，roughworkman，whobrowbeathimintogivingupthelodger\'sletter，andfinallypressedapieceofgoldintohishand。TheworkmanwasBlakeney，ofcourse。

IimaginethatArmand，atthetimethathewrotetheletter，musthavebeenunderthebeliefthatMademoiselleLangewasstillinprison；hecouldnotknowthenthatBlakeneyhadalreadygotherintocomparativesafety。Intheletterhemusthavespokenoftheterribleplightinwhichhestood，andalsoofhisfearsforthewomanwhomheloved。Percywasnotthemantoleaveacomradeinthelurch！Hewouldnotbethemanwhomweallloveandadmire，whosewordweallobey，forwhosesakewewouldgladlyallofusgiveourlife——hewouldnotbethatmanifhedidnotbraveevencertaindangersinordertobeofhelptothosewhocallonhim。

ArmandcalledandPercywenttohim。HemusthaveknownthatArmandwasbeingspiedupon，forArmand，alas！wasalreadyamarkedman，andthewatch-dogsofthoseinfernalcommitteeswerealreadyonhisheels。Whetherthesesleuth-houndshadfollowedthesonoftheconciergeandseenhimgivethelettertotheworkmanintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，orwhethertheconciergeintheRuedeIaCroixBlanchewasnothingbutaspyofHeron\'s，or，againwhethertheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritykeptacompanyofsoldiersinconstantalertinthathouse，weshall，ofcourse，neverknow。AllthatIdoknowisthatPercyenteredthatfatalhouseathalf-pastten，andthataquarterofanhourlatertheconciergesawsomeofthesoldiersdescendingthestairs，carryingaheavyburden。Shepeepedoutofherlodge，andbythelightinthecorridorshesawthattheheavyburdenwasthebodyofamanboundcloselywithropes：hiseyeswereclosed，hisclotheswerestainedwithblood。Hewasseeminglyunconscious。

ThenextdaytheofficialorganoftheGovernmentproclaimedthecaptureoftheScarletPimpernel，andtherewasapublicholidayinhonouroftheevent。“

Margueritehadlistenedtothisterriblenarrativedry-eyedandsilent。Nowshestillsatthere，hardlyconsciousofwhatwentonaroundher——ofSuzanne\'stears，thatfellunceasinglyuponherfingers——ofSirAndrew，whohadsunkintoachair，andburiedhisheadinhishands。Shewashardlyconsciousthatshelived；theuniverseseemedtohavestoodstillbeforethisawful，monstrouscataclysm。

But，nevertheless，shewasthefirsttoreturntotheactiverealitiesofthepresent。

“SirAndrew，“shesaidafterawhile，“tellme，wherearemyLordsTonyandHastings？”

“AtCalais，madam，“hereplied。“Isawthemthereonmywayhither。TheyhaddeliveredtheDauphinsafelyintothehandsofhisadherentsatMantes，andwereawaitingBlakeney\'sfurtherorders，ashehadcommandedthemtodo。“

“Willtheywaitforusthere，thinkyou？”

“Forus，LadyBlakeney？”heexclaimedinpuzzlement。

“Yes，forus，SirAndrew，“shereplied，whilsttheghostofasmileflittedacrossherdrawnface；“youhadthoughtofaccompanyingmetoParis，hadyounot？”

“ButLadyBlakeney——“

“Ah！Iknowwhatyouwouldsay，SirAndrew。Youwillspeakofdangers，ofrisks，ofdeath，mayhap；youwilltellmethatIasawomancandonothingtohelpmyhusband——thatIcouldbebutahindrancetohim，justasIwasinBoulogne。Buteverythingissodifferentnow。Whilstthosebrutesplannedhiscapturehewascleverenoughtooutwitthem，butnowtheyhaveactuallygothim，thinkyouthey\'lllethimescape？They\'llwatchhimnightandday，myfriend，justastheywatchedtheunfortunateQueen；butthey\'llnotkeephimmonths，weeks，orevendaysinprison——evenChauvelinnowwillnolongerattempttoplaywiththeScarletPimpernel。Theyhavehim，andtheywillholdhimuntilsuchtimeastheytakehimtotheguillotine。“

Hervoicebrokeinasob；herself-controlwasthreateningtoleaveher。Shewasbutawoman，youngandpassionatelyinlovewiththemanwhowasabouttodieanignominiousdeath，farawayfromhiscountry，hiskindred，hisfriends。

“Icannotlethimdiealone，SirAndrew；hewillbelongingforme，and——and，afterall，thereisyou，andmyLordTony，andLordHastingsandtheothers；surely——surelywearenotgoingtolethimdie，notlikethat，andnotalone。“

“Youareright，LadyBlakeney，“saidSirAndrewearnestly；“wearenotgoingtolethimdie，ifhumanagencycandoaughttosavehim。AlreadyTony，HastingsandIhaveagreedtoreturntoParis。

ThereareoneortwohiddenplacesinandaroundthecityknownonlytoPercyandtothemembersoftheLeaguewherehemustfindoneormoreofusifhesucceedsingettingaway。AllthewaybetweenParisandCalaiswehaveplacesofrefuge，placeswhereanyofuscanhideatagivenmoment；wherewecanfinddisguiseswhenwewantthem，orhorsesinanemergency。No！no！wearenotgoingtodespair，LadyBlakeney；therearenineteenofuspreparedtolaydownourlivesfortheScarletPimpernel。AlreadyI，ashislieutenant，havebeenselectedastheleaderofasdeterminedagangashaseverenteredonaworkofrescuebefore。WeleaveforParisto-morrow，andifhumanpluckanddevotioncandestroymountainsthenwe\'lldestroythem。Ourwatchwordis：\'GodsavetheScarletPimpernel。\'“

Hekneltbesideherchairandkissedthecoldfingerswhich，withasadlittlesmile，sheheldouttohim。

“AndGodblessyouall！”shemurmured。

Suzannehadrisentoherfeetwhenherhusbandknelt；nowhestoodupbesideher。Thedaintyyoungwomanhardlymorethanachild——

wasdoingherbesttorestrainhertears。

“SeehowselfishIam，“saidMarguerite。“Italkcalmlyoftakingyourhusbandfromyou，whenImyselfknowthebitternessofsuchpartings。“

“Myhusbandwillgowherehisdutycallshim，“saidSuzannewithcharmingandsimpledignity。“Ilovehimwithallmyheart，becauseheisbraveandgood。Hecouldnotleavehiscomrade，whoisalsohischief，inthelurch。Godwillprotecthim，Iknow。I

wouldnotaskhimtoplaythepartofacoward。“

Herbrowneyesglowedwithpride。Shewasthetruewifeofasoldier，andwithallherdaintywaysandchildlikemannersshewasasplendidwomanandastaunchfriend。SirPercyBlakeneybadsavedherentirefamilyfromdeath，theComteandComtessedeTournai，theVicomte，herbrother，andsheherselfallowedtheirlivestotheScarletPimpernel。

Thisshewasnotliketoforget。

“Thereisbutlittledangerforus，Ifearme，“saidSirAndrewlightly；“therevolutionaryGovernmentonlywantstostrikeatahead，itcaresnothingforthelimbs。Perhapsitfeelsthatwithoutourleaderweareenemiesnotworthyofpersecution。Ifthereareanydangers，somuchthebetter，“headded；“butIdon\'tanticipateany，unlesswesucceedinfreeingourchief；andhavingfreedhim，wefearnothingmore。“

“Thesameappliestome，SirAndrew，“rejoinedMargueriteearnestly。

“NowthattheyhavecapturedPercy，thosehumanfiendswillcarenaughtforme。IfyousucceedinfreeingPercyI，likeyou，willhavenothingmoretofear，andifyoufail——“

Shepausedandputhersmall，whitehandonSirAndrew\'sarm。

“Takemewithyou，SirAndrew，“sheentreated；“donotcondemnmetotheawfultortureofwearywaiting，dayafterday，wondering，guessing，neverdaringtohope，lesthopedeferredbemorehardtobearthandrearyhopelessness。“

ThenasSirAndrew，veryundecided，yethalfinclinedtoyield，stoodsilentandirresolute，shepressedherpoint，gentlybutfirmlyinsistent。

“Iwouldnotheintheway，SirAndrew；Iwouldknowhowtoeffacemyselfsoasnottointerferewithyourplans。But，oh！”sheadded，whileaquiveringnoteofpassiontrembledinhervoice，“can\'tyouseethatImustbreathetheairthathebreatheselseI

shallstifleormayhapgomad？”

SirAndrewturnedtohiswife，amutequeryinhiseyes。

“Youwoulddoaninhumanandacruelact，“saidSuzannewithseriousnessthatsatquaintlyonherbabyface，“ifyoudidnotaffordyourprotectiontoMarguerite，forIdobelievethatifyoudidnottakeherwithyouto-morrowshewouldgotoParisalone。“

Margueritethankedherfriendwithhereyes。Suzannewasachildinnature，butshehadawoman\'sheart。Shelovedherhusband，and，therefore，knewandunderstoodwhatMargueritemustbesufferingnow。

SirAndrewnolongercouldresisttheunfortunatewoman\'searnestpleading。Frankly，hethoughtthatifsheremainedinEnglandwhilePercywasinsuchdeadlyperilsheranthegraveriskoflosingherreasonbeforetheterriblestrainofsuspense。Heknewhertobeawomanofcourage，andonecapableofgreatphysicalendurance；andreallyhewasquitehonestwhenhesaidthathedidnotbelievetherewouldbemuchdangerfortheheadlessLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelunlesstheysucceededinfreeingtheirchief。Andiftheydidsucceed，thenindeedtherewouldbenothingtofear，forthebraveandlovingwifewho，likeeverytruewomandoes，andhasdoneinlikecircumstancessincethebeginningoftime，wasonlydemandingwithpassionateinsistencetherighttosharethefate，goodorill，ofthemanwhomsheloved。

CHAPTERXXV

PARISONCEMORE

SirAndrewhadjustcomein。Hewastryingtogetalittlewarmthintohishalf-frozenlimbs，forthecoldhadsetinagain，andthistimewithrenewedvigour，andMargueritewaspouringoutacupofhotcoffeewhichshehadbeenbrewingforhim。Shehadnotaskedfornews。Sheknewthathehadnonetogiveher，elsehehadnotwornthatwearied，despondentlookinhiskindface。

“I\'lljusttryonemoreplacethisevening，“hesaidassoonashehadswallowedsomeofthehotcoffee——“arestaurantintheRuedelaHarpe；themembersoftheCordeliers\'Cluboftengothereforsupper，andtheyareusuallywellinformed。Imightgleansomethingdefinitethere。“

“Itseemsverystrangethattheyaresoslowinbringinghimtotrial，“saidMargueriteinthatdull，tonelessvoicewhichhadbecomehabitualtoher。“Whenyoufirstbroughtmetheawfulnewsthat……Imadesurethattheywouldbringhimtotrialatonce，andwasinterrorlestwearrivedheretoolateto——toseehim。“

Shecheckedherselfquickly，bravelytryingtostillthequiverofhervoice。

“AndofArmand？”sheasked。

Heshookhisheadsadly。

“WithregardtohimIamatastillgreaterloss，“hesaid：“I

cannotfindhisnameonanyoftheprisonregisters，andIknowthatheisnotintheConciergerie。Theyhaveclearedoutalltheprisonersfromthere；thereisonlyPercy——“

“PoorArmandI“shesighed；“itmustbealmostworseforhimthanforanyofus；itwashisfirstactofthoughtlessdisobediencethatbroughtallthismiseryuponourheads。“

Shespokesadlybutquietly。SirAndrewnotedthattherewasnobitternessinhertone。Butherveryquietudewasheart-breaking；

therewassuchaninfinityofdespairinthecalmofhereyes。

“Well！thoughwecannotunderstanditall，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidwithforcedcheerfulness，“wemustrememberonething——thatwhilstthereislifethereishope。“

“Hope！”sheexclaimedwithaworldofpathosinhersigh，herlargeeyesdryandcircled，fixedwithindescribablesorrowonherfriend\'sface。

Ffoulkesturnedhisheadaway，pretendingtobusyhimselfwiththecoffee-makingutensils。Hecouldnotbeartoseethatlookofhopelessnessinherface，forinhishearthecouldnotfindthewherewithaltocheerher。Despairwasbeginningtoseizeonhimtoo，andthishewouldnotlethersee。

TheyhadbeeninParisthreedaysnow，anditwassixdayssinceBlakeneyhadbeenarrested。SirAndrewandMargueritehadfoundtemporarylodgingsinsideParis，TonyandHastingswerejustoutsidethegates，andallalongtheroutebetweenParisandCalais，atSt。Germain，atMantes，inthevillagesbetweenBeauvaisandAmiens，wherevermoneycouldobtainfriendlyhelp，membersofthedevotedLeagueoftheScarletPimpernellayinhiding，waitingtoaidtheirchief。

FfoulkeshadascertainedthatPercywaskeptacloseprisonerintheConciergerie，intheveryroomsoccupiedbyMarieAntoinetteduringthelastmonthsofherlife。HeleftpoorMargueritetoguesshowcloselythatelusiveScarletPimpernelwasbeingguarded，theprecautionssurroundinghimbeingevenmoreminutethanthosewhichbadmadetheunfortunateQueen\'sclosingdaysamartyrdomforher。

ButofArmandhecouldgleannosatisfactorynews，onlythenegativeprobabilitythathewasnotdetainedinanyofthelargerprisonsofParis，asnoregisterwhichhe，Ffoulkes，solaboriouslyconsultedborerecordofthenameofSt。Just。

HauntingtherestaurantsanddrinkingboothswherethemostadvancedJacobinsandTerroristswerewonttomeet，behadlearnedoneortwodetailsofBlakeney\'sincarcerationwhichhecouldnotpossiblyimparttoMarguerite。ThecaptureofthemysteriousEnglishmanknownastheScarletPimpernelhadcreatedagreatdealofpopularsatisfaction；butitwasobviousthatnotonlywasthepublicmindnotallowedtoassociatethatcapturewiththeescapeoflittleCapetfromtheTemple，butitsoonbecamecleartoFfoulkesthatthenewsofthatescapewasstillbeingkeptaprofoundsecret。

OnoneoccasionhehadsucceededinspyingontheChiefAgentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，whomheknewbysight，whilethelatterwassittingatdinnerinthecompanyofastout，floridmanwithpock-markedfaceandpodgyhandscoveredwithrings。

SirAndrewmarvelledwhothismanmightbe。HeronspoketohiminambiguousphrasesthatwouldhavebeenunintelligibletoanyonewhodidnotknowthecircumstancesoftheDauphin\'sescapeandthepartthattheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelhadplayedinit。

ButtoSirAndrewFfoulkes，who——cleverlydisguisedasafarrier，grimyafterhisday\'swork——wasstraininghisearstolistenwhilstapparentlyconsuminghugeslabsofboiledbeef，itsoonbecamedearthatthechiefagentandhisfatfriendweretalkingoftheDauphinandofBlakeney。

“Hewon\'tholdoutmuchlonger，citizen，“thechiefagentwassayinginaconfidentvoice；“ourmenareabsolutelyunremittingintheirtask。Twoofthemwatchhimnightandday；theylookafterhimwell，andpracticallyneverlosesightofhim，butthemomenthetriestogetanysleeponeofthemrushesintothecellwithaloudbangingofbayonetandsabre，andnoisytreadontheflagstones，andshoutsatthetopofhisvoice：\'Nowthen，aristo，where\'sthebrat？Tellusnow，andyoushallhedownandgotosleep。\'Ihavedoneitmyselfallthroughonedayjustforthepleasureofit。It\'salittletiringforyoutohavetoshoutagooddealnow，andsometimesgivethecursedEnglishmanagoodshake-up。Hehashadfivedaysofit，andnotonewinkofsleepduringthattime——notonesingleminuteofrest——andheonlygetsenoughfoodtokeephimalive。Itellyouhecan\'tlast。CitizenChauvelinhadasplendidideathere。Itwillallcomerightinadayortwo。“

“H\'m！”gruntedtheothersulkily；“thoseEnglishmenaretough。“

“Yes！”retortedHeronwithagrimlaughandaleerofsavagerythatmadehisgauntfacelookpositivelyhideous——“youwouldhavegivenoutafterthreedays，frienddeBatz，wouldyounot？AndI

warnedyou，didn\'tI？ItoldyouifyoutamperedwiththebratI

wouldmakeyoucryinmercytomefordeath。“

“AndIwarnedyou，“saidtheotherimperturbably，“nottoworrysomuchaboutme，buttokeepyoureyesopenforthosecursedEnglishmen。“

“Iamkeepingmyeyesopenforyou，nevertheless，myfriend。IfI

thoughtyouknewwherethevermin\'sspawnwasatthismomentI

would——“

“Youwouldputmeonthesamerackthatyouoryourpreciousfriend，Chauvelin，havedevisedfortheEnglishman。ButIdon\'tknowwheretheladis。IfIdidIwouldnotbeinParis。“

“Iknowthat，“assentedHeronwithasneer；“youwouldsoonbeafterthereward——overinAustria，what？——butIhaveyourmovementstrackeddayandnight，myfriend。Idaresayyouareasanxiousasweareastothewhereaboutsofthechild。Hadhebeentakenoverthefrontieryouwouldhavebeenthefirsttohearofit，eh？No，“headdedconfidently，andasifanxioustoreassurehimself，“myfirmbeliefisthattheoriginalideaoftheseconfoundedEnglishmenwastotryandgetthechildovertoEngland，andthattheyaloneknowwhereheis。Itellyouitwon\'tbemanydaysbeforethatverywitheredScarletPimpernelwillorderhisfollowerstogivelittleCapetuptous。Oh！theyarehangingaboutParissomeofthem，Iknowthat；citizenChauvelinisconvincedthatthewifeisn\'tveryfaraway。Giveherasightofherhusbandnow，sayI，andshe\'llmaketheothersgivethechildupsoonenough。“

Themanlaughedlikesomehyenagloatingoveritsprey。SirAndrewnearlybetrayedhimselfthen。HehadtodighisnailsintohisownfleshtopreventhimselffromspringingthenandthereatthethroatofthatwretchwhosemonstrousingenuityhadinventedtortureforthefallenenemyfarworsethananythatthecrueltiesofmedievalInquisitionshaddevised。

Sotheywouldnotlethimsleep！Asimpleideaborninthebrainofafiend。HeronhadspokenofChauvelinastheoriginatorofthedevilry；amanweakeneddeliberatelydaybydaybyinsufficientfood，andthehorribleprocessofdenyinghimrest。Itseemedinconceivablethathuman，sentientbeingsshouldhavethoughtofsuchathing。PerspirationstoodupinbeadsonSirAndrew\'sbrowwhenhethoughtofhisfriend，broughtdownbywantofsleepto——

what？Hisphysiquewassplendidlypowerful，butcoulditstandagainstsuchrackingtormentforlong？Andtheclear，thealertmind，theschemingbrain，therecklessdaring——howsoonwouldthesebecomeenfeebledbytheslow，steadytortureofanutterwantofrest？

Ffoulkeshadtosmotheracryofhorror，whichsurelymusthavedrawntheattentionofthatfiendonhimselfhadhenotbeensoengrossedintheenjoymentofhisowndevilry。Asitis，heranoutofthestuffyeating-house，forhefeltasifitsfetidairmustchokehim。

Foranhourafterthathewanderedaboutthestreets，notdaringtofaceMarguerite，lesthiseyesbetrayedsomeofthehorrorwhichwasshakinghisverysoul。

Thatwastwenty-fourhoursago。To-dayhehadlearntlittleelse。

ItwasgenerallyknownthattheEnglishmanwasintheConciergerieprison，thathewasbeingcloselywatched，andthathistrialwouldcomeonwithinthenextfewdays；butnooneseemedtoknowexactlywhen。Thepublicwasgettingrestive，demandingthattrialandexecutiontowhicheveryoneseemedtolookforwardastoaholiday。InthemeanwhiletheescapeoftheDauphinhadbeenkeptfromtheknowledgeofthepublic；Heronandhisgang，fearingfortheirlives，hadstillhopesofextractingfromtheEnglishmanthesecretofthelad\'shiding-place，andthemeanstheyemployedforarrivingatthisendwasworthyofLuciferandhishostofdevilsinhell。

FromotherfragmentsofconversationwhichSirAndrewFfoulkeshadgleanedthatsameevening，itseemedtohimthatinordertohidetheirdefalcationsHeronandthefourcommissariesinchargeoflittleCapethadsubstitutedadeafanddumbchildfortheescapedlittleprisoner。Thismiserablesmallwreckofhumanitywasreputedtobesickandkeptinadarkenedroom，inbed，andwasinthatconditionexhibitedtoanymemberoftheConventionwhohadtherighttoseehim。ApartitionhadbeenveryhastilyerectedintheinnerroomonceoccupiedbytheSimons，andthechildwaskeptbehindthatpartition，andnoonewasallowedtocometooneartohim。Thusthefraudwassucceedingfairlywell。Heronandhisaccomplicesonlycaredtosavetheirskins，andthewretchedlittlesubstitutebeingreallyill，theyfirmlyhopedthathewouldsoondie，whennodoubttheywouldbruitabroadthenewsofthedeathofCapet，whichwouldrelievethemoffurtherresponsibility。

Thatsuchideas，suchthoughts，suchschemesshouldhaveengenderedinhumanmindsitisalmostimpossibletoconceive，andyetweknowfromnolessimportantawitnessthanMadameSimonherselfthatthechildwhodiedintheTempleafewweekslaterwasapoorlittleimbecile，adeafanddumbchildbroughthitherfromoneoftheasylumsandlefttodieinpeace。TherewasnobodybutkindlyDeathtotakehimoutofhismisery，forthegiantintellectthathadplannedandcarriedouttherescueoftheuncrownedKingofFrance，andwhichalonemighthavehadthepowertosavehimtoo，wasbeingbrokenontherackofenforcedsleeplessness。

CHAPTERXXVI

THEBITTERESTFOE

ThatsameeveningSirAndrewFfoulkes，havingannouncedhisintentionofgleaningfurthernewsofArmand，ifpossible，wentoutshortlyafterseveno\'clock，promisingtobehomeagainaboutnine。

Marguerite，ontheotherhand，hadtomakeherfriendasolemnpromisethatshewouldtryandeatsomesupperwhichthelandladyofthesemiserableapartmentshadagreedtoprepareforher。Sofartheyhadbeenleftinpeacefuloccupationofthesesqualidlodgingsinatumble-downhouseontheQuaidelaFerraille，facingthehouseofJustice，thegrimwallsofwhichMargueritewouldwatchwithwide-opendryeyesforaslongasthegreywintrylightlingeredoverthem。

Evennow，thoughthedarknesshadsetin，andsnow，fallinginclose，smallflakes，threwathickwhiteveiloverthelandscape，shesatattheopenwindowlongafterSirAndrewhadgoneout，watchingthefewsmallflicksoflightthatblinkedacrossfromtheothersideoftheriver，andwhichcamefromthewindowsoftheChatelettowers。ThewindowsoftheConciergerieshecouldnotsee，forthesegaveononeoftheinnercourtyards；buttherewasamelancholyconsolationeveninthegazingonthosewallsthatheldintheircruel，grimembraceallthatshelovedintheworld。

ItseemedsoimpossibletothinkofPercy——thelaughter-loving，irresponsible，light-heartedadventurer——asthepreyofthosefiendswhowouldrevelintheirtriumph，whowouldcrushhim，humiliatehim，insulthim——yegodsalive！eventorturehim，perhaps——thattheymightbreaktheindomitablespiritthatwouldmockthemevenonthethresholdofdeath。

Surely，surelyGodwouldneverallowsuchmonstrousinfamyasthedeliveranceofthenoblesoaringeagleintothehandsofthosepreyingjackals！Marguerite——thoughherheartachedbeyondwhathumannaturecouldendure，thoughheranguishonherhusband\'saccountwasdoubledbythatwhichshefeltforherbrother——couldnotbringherselftogiveupallhope。SirAndrewsaiditrightly；whiletherewaslifetherewashope。Whiletherewaslifeinthosevigorouslimbs，spiritinthatdaringmind，howcouldpuny，rampantbeastsgainthebetteroftheimmortalsoul？

AsforArmand——why，ifPercywerefreeshewouldhavenocausetofearforArmand。

Shesighedasighofdeep，ofpassionateregretandlonging。Ifshecouldonlyseeherhusband；ifshecouldonlylookforonesecondintothoselaughing，lazyeyes，whereinshealoneknewhowtofathomtheinfinityofpassionthatlaywithintheirdepths；ifshecouldbutoncefeelhis——ardentkissonherlips，shecouldmoreeasilyendurethisagonisingsuspense，andwaitconfidentlyandcourageouslyfortheissue。

Sheturnedawayfromthewindow，forthenightwasgettingbitterlycold。FromthetowerofSt。Germainl\'Auxerroistheclockslowlystruckeight。Evenasthelastsoundofthehistoricbelldiedawayinthedistancesheheardatimidknockingatthedoor。

“Enter！”shecalledunthinkingly。

Shethoughtitwasherlandlady，comeupwithmorewood，mayhap，forthefire，soshedidnotturntothedoorwhenshehearditbeingslowlyopened，thenclosedagain，andpresentlyasofttreadonthethreadbarecarpet。

“MayIcraveyourkindattention，LadyBlakeney？”saidaharshvoice，subduedtotonesofordinarycourtesy。

Shequicklyrepressedacryofterror。Howwellsheknewthatvoice！WhenlastsheheardititwasatBoulogne，dictatingthatinfamousletter——theweaponwherewithPercyhadsoeffectuallyfoiledhisenemy。Sheturnedandfacedthemanwhowasherbitterestfoe——hersinthepersonofthemansheloved。

“Chauvelin！”shegasped。

“Himselfatyourservice，dearlady，“hesaidsimply。

Hestoodinthefulllightofthelamp，histrim，smallfigureboldlycutoutagainstthedarkwallbeyond。Heworetheusualsable-colouredclotheswhichheaffected，withtheprimly-foldedjabotandcuffsedgedwithnarrowlace。

Withoutwaitingforpermissionfromherhequietlyanddeliberatelyplacedhishatandcloakonachair。Thenheturnedoncemoretowardher，andmadeamovementasiftoadvanceintotheroom；butinstinctivelysheputupahandasiftowardoffthecalamityofhisapproach。

Heshruggedhisshoulders，andtheshadowofasmile，thathadneithermirthnorkindlinessinit，hoveredroundthecornersofhisthinlips。

“HaveIyourpermissiontosit？”heasked。

“Asyouwill，“sherepliedslowly，keepingherwide-openeyesfixeduponhimasdoesafrightenedbirdupontheserpentwhomitloathesandfears。

“AndmayIcraveafewmomentsofyourundividedattention，LadyBlakeney？”hecontinued，takingachair，andsoplacingitbesidethetablethatthelightofthelampwhenhesatremainedbehindhimandhisfacewasleftinshadow。

“Isitnecessary？”askedMarguerite。

“Itis，“herepliedcurtly，“ifyoudesiretoseeandspeakwithyourhusband——tobeofusetohimbeforeitistoolate。“

“Then，Iprayyou，speak，citizen，andIwilllisten。“

Shesankintoachair，notheedingwhetherthelightofthelampfellonherfaceornot，whetherthelinesinherhaggardcheeks，orhertear-dimmedeyesshowedplainlythesorrowanddespairthathadtracedthem。Shehadnothingtohidefromthisman，thecauseofallthetortureswhichsheendured。Sheknewthatneithercouragenorsorrowwouldmovehim，andthathatredforPercy——

personaldeadlyhatredforthemanwhohadtwicefoiledhim——

hadlongcrushedthelastsparkofhumanityinhisheart。

“Perhaps，LadyBlakeney，“hebeganafteraslightpauseandinhissmooth，evenvoice，“itwouldinterestyoutohearhowIsucceededinprocuringformyselfthispleasureofaninterviewwithyou？”

“Yourspiesdidtheirusualwork，Isuppose，“shesaidcoldly。

“Exactly。Wehavebeenonyourtrackforthreedays，andyesterdayeveninganunguardedmovementonthepartofSirAndrewFfoulkesgaveusthefinalcluetoyourwhereabouts。“

“OfSirAndrewFfoulkes？”sheasked，greatlypuzzled。

Hewasinaneating-house，cleverlydisguised，Iown，tryingtogleaninformation，nodoubtastotheprobablefateofSirPercyBlakeney。Aschancewouldhaveit，myfriendHeron，oftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，chancedtobediscussingwithreprehensibleopenness——er——certain——whatshallIsay？——certainmeasureswhich，atmyadvice，theCommitteeofPublicSafetyhavebeenforcedtoadoptwithaviewto——“

“Atruceonyoursmooth-tonguedspeeches，citizenChauvelin，“sheinterposedfirmly。“SirAndrewFfoulkeshastoldmenaughtofthis——soIprayyouspeakplainlyandtothepoint，ifyoucan。“

Hebowedwithmarkedirony。

“Asyouplease，“hesaid。“SirAndrewFfoulkes，hearingcertainmattersofwhichIwilltellyouanon，madeamovementwhichbetrayedhimtooneofourspies。AtawordfromcitizenHeronthismanfollowedontheheelsoftheyoungfarrierwhohadshownsuchinterestintheconversationoftheChiefAgent。SirAndrew，Iimagine，burningwithindignationatwhathehadheard，wasperhapsnotquitesocautiousasheusuallyis。Anyway，themanonhistrackfollowedhimtothisdoor。Itwasquitesimple，asyousee。Asforme，IhadguessedaweekagothatwewouldseethebeautifulLadyBlakeneyinParisbeforelong。WhenIknewwhereSirAndrewFfoulkeslodged，IhadnodifficultyinguessingthatLadyBlakeneywouldnotbefaroff。“

“AndwhatwasthereincitizenHeron\'sconversationlastnight，“

sheaskedquietly，“thatsoarousedSirAndrew\'sindignation？”

“Hehasnottoldyou？”

“Oh！itisverysimple。Letmetellyou，LadyBlakeney，exactlyhowmattersstand。SirPercyBlakeney——beforeluckychanceatlastdeliveredhimintoourhands——thoughtfit，asnodoubtyouknow，tomeddlewithourmostimportantprisonerofState。“

“Achild。Iknowit，sir——thesonofamurderedfatherwhomyouandyourfriendswereslowlydoingtodeath。“

“Thatisasitmaybe，LadyBlakeney，“rejoinedChauvelincalmly；

“butitwasnoneofSirPercyBlakeney\'sbusiness。This，however，hechosetodisregard。HesucceededincarryinglittleCapetfromtheTemple，andtwodayslaterwehadhimunderlock，andkey。“

“Throughsomeinfamousandtreacheroustrick，sir，“sheretorted。

Chauvelinmadenoimmediatereply；hispale，inscrutableeyeswerefixeduponherface，andthesmileofironyroundhismouthappearedmorestronglymarkedthanbefore。

“That，again，isasitmaybe，“hesaidsuavely；“butanyhowforthemomentwehavetheupperhand。SirPercyisintheConciergerie，guardeddayandnight，morecloselythanMarieAntoinetteevenwasguarded。“

“Andhelaughsatyourboltsandbars，sir，“sherejoinedproudly。

“RememberCalais，rememberBoulogne。Hislaughatyourdiscomfiture，then，mustresoundinyourearevento-day。“

“Yes；butforthemomentlaughterisonourside。Stillwearewillingtoforegoeventhatpleasure，ifSirPercywillbutmoveafingertowardshisownfreedom。“

“Againsomeinfamousletter？”sheaskedwithbittercontempt；

“someattemptagainsthishonour？”

“No，no，LadyBlakeney，“heinterposedwithperfectblandness。

“Mattersaresomuchsimplernow，yousee。WeholdSirPercyatourmercy。Wecouldsendhimtotheguillotineto-morrow，butwemightbewilling——remember，Ionlysaywemight——toexerciseourprerogativeofmercyifSirPercyBlakeneywillonhissideaccedetoarequestfromus。“

“Andthatrequest？”

“Isaverynaturalone。HetookCapetawayfromus，anditisbutcrediblethatheknowsatthepresentmomentexactlywherethechildis。Lethiminstructhisfollowers——andImistakenot，LadyBlakeney，thereareseveralofthemnotveryfarfromParisjustnow——lethim，Isay，instructthesefollowersofhistoreturnthepersonofyoungCapettous，andnotonlywillweundertaketogivethesesamegentlemenasafeconductbacktoEngland，butweevenmightbeinclinedtodealsomewhatlessharshlywiththegallantScarletPimpernelhimself。“

Shelaughedaharsh，mirthless，contemptuouslaugh。

“Idon\'tthinkthatIquiteunderstand，“shesaidafteramomentortwo，whilsthewaitedcalmlyuntilherout-breakofhystericalmirthhadsubsided。“Youwantmyhusband——theScarletPimpernel，citizen——todeliverthelittleKingofFrancetoyouafterhehasriskedhislifetosavethechildoutofyourclutches？Isthatwhatyouaretryingtosay？”

“Itis，“rejoinedChauvelincomplacently，“justwhatwehavebeensayingtoSirPercyBlakeneyforthepastsixdays，madame。“

“Well！thenyouhavehadyouranswer，haveyounot？”

“Yes，“herepliedslowly；“buttheanswerhasbecomeweakerdaybyday。“

“Weaker？Idon\'tunderstand。“

“Letmeexplain，LadyBlakeney，“saidChauvelin，nowwithmeasuredemphasis。Heputbothelbowsonthetableandleanedwellforward，peeringintoherface，lestoneofitsvariedexpressionsescapedhim。“JustnowyoutauntedmewithmyfailureinCalais，andagainatBoulogne，withaproudtossofthehead，whichIownisexcessivebecoming；youthrewthenameoftheScarletPimpernelinmyfacelikeachallengewhichInolongerdaretoaccept。

\'TheScarletPimpernel，\'youwouldsaytome，\'standsforloyalty，forhonour，andforindomitablecourage。Thinkyouhewouldsacrificehishonourtoobtainyourmercy？RememberBoulogneandyourdiscomfiture！\'Allofwhich，dearlady，isperfectlycharmingandwomanlyandenthusiastic，andI，bowingmyhumblehead，mustownthatIwasfooledinCalaisandbaffledinBoulogne。ButinBoulogneImadeagravemistake，andonefromwhichIlearnedalesson，whichIamputtingintopracticenow。“

Hepausedawhileasifwaitingforherreply。Hispale，keeneyeshadalreadynotedthatwitheveryphraseheutteredthelinesinherbeautifulfacebecamemorehardandset。Alookofhorrorwasgraduallyspreadingoverit，asiftheicy-coldhandofdeathhadpassedoverhereyesandcheeks，leavingthemrigidlikestone。

“InBoulogne，“resumedChauvelinquietly，satisfiedthathiswordswerehittingsteadilyatherheart——“inBoulogneSirPercyandI

didnotfightanequalfight。Freshfromapleasantsojourninhisownmagnificenthome，fullofthespiritofadventurewhichputstheessenceoflifeintoaman\'sveins，SirPercyBlakeney\'ssplendidphysiquewaspittedagainstmyfeeblepowers。OfcourseIlostthebattle。Imadethemistakeoftryingtosubdueamanwhowasinthezenithofhisstrength，whereasnow——“

“Yes，citizenChauvelin，“shesaid，“whereasnow——“

“SirPercyBlakeneyhasbeenintheprisonoftheConciergerieforexactlyoneweek，LadyBlakeney，“hereplied，speakingveryslowly，andlettingeveryoneofhiswordssinkindividuallyintohermind。“Evenbeforehehadtimetotakethebearingsofhiscellortoplanonhisownbehalfoneofthoseremarkableescapesforwhichheissojustlyfamous，ourmenbegantoworkonaschemewhichIamproudtosayoriginatedwithmyself。Aweekhasgonebysincethen，LadyBlakeney，andduringthattimeaspecialcompanyofprisonguard，actingundertheordersoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityandofPublicSafety，havequestionedtheprisonerunremittingly——unremittingly，remember——dayandnight。

Twobytwothesementakeitinturnstoentertheprisoner\'scelleveryquarterofanhour——latelyithashadtobemoreoften——andaskhimtheonequestion，\'WhereislittleCapet？\'Uptonowwehavereceivednosatisfactoryreply，althoughwehaveexplainedtoSirPercythatmanyofhisfollowersarehonouringtheneighbourhoodofPariswiththeirvisit，andthatallweaskforfromhimareinstructionstothosegallantgentlementobringyoungCapetbacktous。Itisallverysimple，unfortunatelytheprisonerissomewhatobstinate。Atfirst，even，theideaseemedtoamusehim；heusedtolaughandsaythathealwayshadthefacultyofsleepingwithhiseyesopen。Butoursoldiersareuntiringintheirefforts，andthewantofsleepaswellasofasufficiencyoffoodandoffreshairiscertainlybeginningtotellonSirPercyBlakeney\'smagnificentphysique。Idon\'tthinkthatitwillbeverylongbeforehegiveswaytoourgentlepersuasions；andinanycasenow，Iassureyou，dearlady，thatweneednotfearanyattemptonhisparttoescape。Idoubtifhecouldwalkverysteadilyacrossthisroom——“

MargueritehadsatquitesilentandapparentlyimpassiveallthewhilethatChauvelinhadbeenspeaking；evennowshescarcelystirred。Herfaceexpressedabsolutelynothingbutdeeppuzzlement。Therewasafrownbetweenherbrows，andhereyes，whichwerealwaysofsuchliquidblue，nowlookedalmostblack。

ShewastryingtovisualisethatwhichChauvelinhadputbeforeher：amanharasseddayandnight，unceasingly，unremittingly，withonequestionallowedneitherrespitenorsleep——hisbrain，soul，andbodyfaggedoutateveryhour，everymomentofthedayandnight，untilmindandbodyandsoulmustinevitablygivewayunderanguishtenthousandtimesmoreunendurablethananyphysicaltormentinventedbymonstersinbarbarictimes。

Thatmanthusharassed，thusfaggedout，thusmartyrisedatallhoursofthedayandnight，washerhusband，whomshelovedwitheveryfibreofherbeing，witheverythrobofherheart。

Torture？Oh，no！thesewereadvancedandcivilisedtimesthatcouldaffordtolookwithhorrorontheexcessesofmedievaldays。

Thiswasarevolutionthatmadeforprogress，andchallengedtheopinionoftheworld。ThecellsoftheTempleofLaForceortheConciergerieheldnosecretinquisitionwithironmaidensandracksandthumbscrews；butafewmenhadputtheirtortuousbrainstogether，andhadsaidonetoanother：“WewanttofindoutfromthatmanwherewecanlayourhandsonlittleCapet，sowewon\'tlethimsleepuntilhehastoldus。Itisnottorture——oh，no！

Whowoulddaretosaythatwetortureourprisoners？Itisonlyalittlehorseplay，worryingtotheprisoner，nodoubt；but，afterall，hecanendtheunpleasantnessatanymoment。Heneedbuttoanswerourquestion，andhecangotosleepascomfortablyasalittlechild。Thewantofsleepisverytrying，thewantofproperfoodandoffreshairisveryweakening；theprisonermustgivewaysoonerorlater——“

Sothesefiendshaddecideditbetweenthem，andtheyhadputtheirideaintoexecutionforonewholeweek。MargueritelookedatChauvelinasshewouldonsomemonstrous，inscrutableSphinx，marvelingifGod——eveninHisanger——couldreallyhavecreatedsuchafiendishbrain，or，havingcreatedit，couldallowittowreaksuchdevilryunpunished。

Evennowshefeltthathewasenjoyingthementalanguishwhichhehadputuponher，andshesawhisthin，evillipscurledintoasmile。

“Soyoucameto-nighttotellmeallthis？”sheaskedassoonasshecouldtrustherselftospeak。Herimpulsewastoshriekoutherindignation，herhorrorofhim，intohisface。ShelongedtocalldownGod\'seternalcurseuponthisfiend；butinstinctivelysheheldherselfincheck。Herindignation，herwordsofloathingwouldonlyhaveaddedtohisdelight。

“Youhavehadyourwish，“sheaddedcoldly；“now，Iprayyou，go。“

“Yourpardon，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidwithallhishabitualblandness；“myobjectincomingtoseeyoutonightwastwofold。

MethoughtthatIwasactingasyourfriendingivingyouauthenticnewsofSirPercy，andinsuggestingthepossibilityofyouraddingyourpersuasiontoours。“

“Mypersuasion？YoumeanthatI——“

“Youwouldwishtoseeyourhusband，wouldyounot，LadyBlakeney？”

“Yes。“

“ThenIprayyoucommandme。Iwillgrantyouthepermissionwheneveryouwishtogo。“

“Youareinthehope，citizen，“shesaid，“thatIwilldomybesttobreakmyhusband\'sspiritbymytearsormyprayers——isthatit？”

“Notnecessarily，“herepliedpleasantly。“Iassureyouthatwecanmanagetodothatourselves，intime。“

“Youdevil！”Thecryofpainandofhorrorwasinvoluntarilywrungfromthedepthsofhersoul。“AreyounotafraidthatGod\'shandwillstrikeyouwhereyoustand？”

“No，“hesaidlightly；“Iamnotafraid，LadyBlakeney。Yousee，I

donothappentobelieveinGod。Come！”headdedmoreseriously，“haveInotprovedtoyouthatmyofferisdisinterested？YetI

repeatitevennow。IfyoudesiretoseeSirPercyinprison，commandme，andthedoorsshallbeopentoyou。“

Shewaitedamoment，lookinghimstraightandquitedispassionatelyintheface；thenshesaidcoldly：

“Verywell！Iwillgo。“

“When？”heasked。

“Thisevening。“

“Justasyouwish。IwouldhavetogoandseemyfriendHeronfirst，andarrangewithhimforyourvisit。“

“Thengo。Iwillfollowinhalfanhour。“

“C\'estentendu。WillyoubeatthemainentranceoftheConciergerieathalf-pastnine？Youknowit，perhaps——no？ItisintheRuedelaBarillerie，immediatelyontherightatthefootofthegreatstaircaseofthehouseofJustice。“

“OfthehouseofJustice！”sheexclaimedinvoluntarily，aworldofbittercontemptinhercry。Thensheaddedinherformermatter-of-facttones：

“Verygood，citizen。Athalf-pastnineIwillbeattheentranceyouname。“

“AndIwillbeatthedoorpreparedtoescortyou。“

Hetookuphishatandcoatandbowedceremoniouslytoher。Thenheturnedtogo。Atthedooracryfromher——involuntarilyenough，Godknows！——madehimpause。

“Myinterviewwiththeprisoner，“shesaid，vainlytrymg，poorsoul！torepressthatquiverofanxietyinhervoice，“itwillbeprivate？”

“Oh，yes！Ofcourse，“herepliedwithareassuringsmile。“Aurevoir，LadyBlakeney！Half-pastnine，remember——“

Shecouldnolongertrustherselftolookonhimashefinallytookhisdeparture。Shewasafraid——yes，absolutelyafraidthatherfortitudewouldgiveway——meanly，despicably，uselesslygiveway；thatshewouldsuddenlyflingherselfatthefeetofthatsneering，inhumanwretch，thatshewouldpray，implore——Heavenabove！whatmightshenotdointhefaceofthisawfulreality，ifthelastlingeringshredofvanishingreason，ofpride，andofcouragedidnotholdherincheck？

Thereforesheforcedherselfnottolookonthatdeparting，sable-cladfigure，onthatevilface，andthosehandsthatheldPercy\'sfateintheircruelgrip；butherearscaughtthewelcomesoundofhisdeparture——theopeningandshuttingofthedoor，hislightfootstepechoingdownthestonestairs。

Whenatlastshefeltthatshewasreallyalonesheutteredaloudcrylikeawoundeddoe，andfallingonherkneessheburiedherfaceinherhandsinapassionatefitofweeping。Violentsobsshookherentireframe；itseemedasifanoverwhelminganguishwastearingatherheart——thephysicalpainofitwasalmostunendurable。Andyeteventhroughthisparoxysmoftearshermindclungtoonerootidea：whenshesawPercyshemustbebraveandcalm，beabletohelphimifhewantedher，todohisbiddingiftherewasanythingthatshecoulddo，oranymessagethatshecouldtaketotheothers。Ofhopeshehadnone。Thelastlingeringrayofithadbeenextinguishedbythatfiendwhenhesaid，“Weneednotfearthathewillescape。Idoubtifhecouldwalkverysteadilyacrossthisroomnow。“

CHAPTERXXVII

INTHECONCIERGERIE

Marguerite，accompaniedbySirAndrewFfoulkes，walkedrapidlyalongthequay。Itlackedtenminutestothehalfhour；thenightwasdarkandbitterlycold。Snowwasstillfallinginsparse，thinflakes，andlaylikeacrispandglitteringmantleovertheparapetsofthebridgesandthegrimtowersoftheChateletprison。

Theywalkedonsilentlynow。AllthattheyhadwantedtosaytooneanotherhadbeensaidinsidethesqualidroomoftheirlodgingswhenSirAndrewFfoulkeshadcomehomeandlearnedthatChauvelinhadbeen。

“Theyarekillinghimbyinches，SirAndrew，“hadbeentheheartrendingcrywhichburstfromMarguerite\'soppressedheartassoonasherhandsrestedinthekindlyonesofherbestfriend。

“Isthereaughtthatwecando？”

Therewas，ofcourse，verylittlethatcouldbedone。OneortwofinesteelfileswhichSirAndrewgavehertoconcealbeneaththefoldsofherkerchief；alsoatinydaggerwithsharp，poisonedblade，whichforamomentsheheldinherhandhesitating，hereyesfillingwithtears，herheartthrobbingwithunspeakablesorrow。

Thenslowly——veryslowly——sheraisedthesmall，death-dealinginstrumenttoherlips，andreverentlykissedthenarrowblade。

“Ifitmustbe！”shemurmured，“GodinHismercywillforgive！”

Shesheathedthedagger，andthis，too，shehidinthefoldsofhergown。

“Canyouthinkofanythingelse，SirAndrew，thathemightwant？”

sheasked。“Ihavemoneyinplenty，incasethosesoldiers——“

SirAndrewsighed，andturnedawayfromhersoastohidethehopelessnesswhichhefelt。Sincethreedaysnowbehadbeenexhaustingeveryconceivablemeansofgettingattheprisonguardwithbriberyandcorruption。ButChauvelinandhisfriendshadtakenexcellentprecautions。TheprisonoftheConciergerie，situatedasitwasintheveryheartofthelabyrinthineandcomplicatedstructureoftheChateletandthehouseofJustice，andisolatedfromeveryothergroupofcellsinthebuilding，wasinaccessiblesavefromonenarrowdoorwaywhichgaveontheguard-roomfirst，andthenceontheinnercellbeyond。JustasallattemptstorescuethelateunfortunateQueenfromthatprisonhadfailed，sonoweveryattempttoreachtheimprisonedScarletPimpernelwasequallydoomedtobitterdisappointment。

Theguard-roomwasfilledwithsoldiersdayandnight；thewindowsoftheinnercell，heavilybarred，weretoosmalltoadmitofthepassageofahumanbody，andtheywereraisedtwentyfeetfromthecorridorbelow。SirAndrewhadstoodinthecorridortwodaysago，hebadlookedonthewindowbehindwhichheknewthathisfriendmustbeeatingouthisnobleheartinalongingforliberty，andhehadrealisedthenthateveryeffortathelpfromtheoutsidewasforedoomedtofailure。

“Courage，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidtoMarguerite，whenanontheyhadcrossedthePontauChange，andwerewendingtheirwayslowlyalongtheRuedelaBarillerie；“rememberourprouddictum：theScarletPimpernelneverfails！andalsothis，thatwhatevermessagesBlakeneygivesyouforus，whateverhewishesustodo，wearetoamanreadytodoit，andtogiveourlivesforourchief。Courage！

SomethingtellsmethatamanlikePercyisnotgoingtodieatthehandsofsuchverminasChauvelinandhisfriends。“

TheyhadreachedthegreatirongatesofthehouseofJustice。

Marguerite，tryingtosmile，extendedhertremblingbandtothisfaithful，loyalcomrade。

“I\'llnotbefar，“hesaid。“Whenyoucomeoutdonotlooktotherightorleft，butmakestraightforhome；I\'llnotlosesightofyouforamoment，andassoonaspossiblewillovertakeyou。Godblessyouboth。“

Hepressedhislipsonhercoldlittlehand，andwatchedhertall，elegantfigureasshepassedthroughthegreatgatesuntiltheveiloffallingsnowhidherfromhisgaze。Thenwithadeepsighofbitteranguishandsorrowheturnedawayandwassoonlostinthegloom。

Margueritefoundthegateatthebottomofthemonumentalstairsopenwhenshearrived。Chauvelinwasstandingimmediatelyinsidethebuildingwaitingforher。

“Wearepreparedforyourvisit，LadyBlakeney，“hesaid，“andtheprisonerknowsthatyouarecoming。“

Heledthewaydownoneofthenumerousandinterminablecorridorsofthebuilding，andshefollowedbriskly，pressingherhandagainstherbosomtherewherethefoldsofherkerchiefhidthesteelfilesandthepreciousdagger。

Eveninthegloomoftheseill-lightedpassagessherealisedthatshewassurroundedbyguards。Thereweresoldierseverywhere；twohadstoodbehindthedoorwhenfirstsheentered，andhadimmediatelycloseditwithaloudclangbehindher；andallthewaydownthecorridors，throughthehalf-lightengenderedbyfeeblyflickeringlamps，shecaughtglimpsesofthewhitefacingsontheuniformsofthetownguard，oroccasionallytheglintofsteelofabayonet。PresentlyChauvelinpausedbesideadoor，whichhehadjustreached。Hishandwasonthelatch，foritdidnotappeartobelocked，andheturnedtowardMarguerite。

“Iamverysorry，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidinsimple，deferentialtones，“thattheprisonauthorities，whoatmyrequestaregrantingyouthisinterviewatsuchanunusualhour，havemadeaslightconditiontoyourvisit。“

“Acondition？”sheasked。“Whatisit？”

“Youmustforgiveme，“hesaid，asifpurposelyevadingherquestion，“forIgiveyoumywordthatIhadnothingtodowitharegulationthatyoumightjustlyfeelwasderogatorytoyourdignity。Ifyouwillkindlystepinhereawardressinchargewillexplaintoyouwhatisrequired。“

Hepushedopenthedoor，andstoodasideceremoniouslyinordertoallowhertopassin。Shelookedonhimwithdeeppuzzlementandalookofdarksuspicioninhereyes。ButhermindwastoomuchengrossedwiththethoughtofhermeetingwithPercytoworryoveranytriflethatmight——asherenemyhadinferred——offendherwomanlydignity。

Shewalkedintotheroom，pastChauvelin，whowhisperedasshewentby：

“Iwillwaitforyouhere。And，Iprayyou，ifyouhaveaughttocomplainofsummonmeatonce。“

Thenheclosedthedoorbehindher。TheroominwhichMargueritenowfoundherselfwasasmallunventilatedquadrangle，dimlylightedbyahanginglamp。Awomaninasoiledcottongownandlankgreyhairbrushedawayfromaparchment-likeforeheadrosefromthechairinwhichshehadbeensittingwhenMargueriteentered，andputawaysomeknittingonwhichshehadapparentlybeenengaged。

“Iwastotellyou，citizeness，“shesaidthemomentthedoorhadbeenclosedandshewasalonewithMarguerite，“thattheprisonauthoritieshavegivenordersthatIshouldsearchyoubeforeyouvisittheprisoner。“

Sherepeatedthisphrasemechanicallylikeachildwhohasbeentaughttosayalessonbyheart。Shewasastoutishmiddle-agedwoman，withthatpasty，flabbyskinpeculiartothosewholiveinwantoffreshair；buthersmall，darkeyeswerenotunkindly，althoughtheyshiftedrestlesslyfromoneobjecttoanotherasifsheweretryingtoavoidlookingtheotherwomanstraightintheface。

“Thatyoushouldsearchme！”reiteratedMargueriteslowly，tryingtounderstand。

“Yes，“repliedthewoman。“Iwastotellyoutotakeoffyourclothes，sothatImightlookthemthroughandthrough。Ihaveoftenhadtodothisbeforewhenvisitorshavebeenallowedinsidetheprison，soitisnouseyourtryingtodeceivemeinanyway。

Iamverysharpatfindingoutifanyonehaspapers，orfilesorropesconcealedinanunderpetticoat。Come，“sheaddedmoreroughly，seeingthatMargueritehadremainedmotionlessinthemiddleoftheroom；“thequickeryouareaboutitthesooneryouwillbetakentoseetheprisoner。“

Thesewordshadtheirdesiredeffect。TheproudLadyBlakeney，inwardlyrevoltingattheoutrage，knewthatresistancewouldbeworsethanuseless。Chauvelinwastheothersideofthedoor。A

callfromthewomanwouldbringhimtoherassistance，andMargueritewasonlylongingtohastenthemomentwhenshecouldbewithherhusband。

Shetookoffherkerchiefandhergownandcalmlysubmittedtothewoman\'sroughhandsastheywanderedwithsurenessandaccuracytothevariouspocketsandfoldsthatmightconcealprohibitedarticles。Thewomandidherworkwithpeculiarstolidity；shedidnotutterawordwhenshefoundthetinysteelfilesandplacedthemonatablebesideher。Inequalsilenceshelaidthelittledaggerbesidethem，andthepursewhichcontainedtwentygoldpieces。TheseshecountedinfrontofMargueriteandthenreplacedtheminthepurse。Herfaceexpressedneithersurprise，norgreednorpity。Shewasobviouslybeyondthereachofbribery——

justamachinepaidbytheprisonauthoritiestodothisunpleasantwork，andnodoubtterrorisedintodoingitconscientiously。