第8章

WhenshehadsatisfiedherselfthatMargueritehadnothingfurtherconcealedaboutherperson，sheallowedhertoputherdressononcemore。Sheevenofferedtohelpheronwithit。WhenMargueritewasfullydressedsheopenedthedoorforher。

Chauvelinwasstandinginthepassagewaitingpatiently。AtsightofMarguerite，whosepale，setfacebetrayednothingoftheindignationwhichshefelt，heturnedquick，inquiringeyesonthewoman。

“Twofiles，adaggerandapursewithtwentylouis，“saidthelattercurtly。

Chauvelinmadenocomment。Hereceivedtheinformationquiteplacidly，asifithadnospecialinterestforhim。Thenhesaidquietly：

“Thisway，citizeness！”

Margueritefollowedhim，andtwominuteslaterhestoodbesideaheavynail-studdeddoorthathadasmallsquaregratingletintooneofthepanels，andsaidsimply：

“Thisisit。“

TwosoldiersoftheNationalGuardwereonsentryatthedoor，twomorewerepacingupanddownoutsideit，aridhadhaltedwhencitizenChauvelingavehisnameandshowedhistricolourscarfofoffice。Frombehindthesmallgratinginthedoorapairofeyespeeredatthenewcomers。

“Quivala？”camethequickchallengefromtheguard-roomwithin。

“CitizenChauvelinoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，“wasthepromptreply。

Therewasthesoundofgroundingofarms，ofthedrawingofboltsandtheturningofakeyinacomplicatedlock。Theprisonwaskeptlockedfromwithin，andveryheavybarshadtobemovederetheponderousdoorslowlyswungopenonitshinges。

Twostepsledupintotheguard-room。Margueritemountedthemwiththesamefeelingofaweandalmostofreverenceasshewouldhavemountedthestepsofasacrificialaltar。

Theguard-roomitselfwasmorebrilliantlylightedthanthecorridoroutside。Thesuddenglareoftwoorthreelampsplacedabouttheroomcausedhermomentarilytoclosehereyesthatwereachingwithmanyshedandunshedtears。Theairwasrankandheavywiththefumesoftobacco，ofwineandstalefood。Alargebarredwindowgaveonthecorridorimmediatelyabovethedoor。

WhenMargueritefeltstrongenoughtolookaroundher，shesawthattheroomwasfilledwithsoldiers。Someweresitting，othersstanding，otherslayonrugsagainstthewall，apparentlyasleep。

Therewasonewhoappearedtobeincommand，forwithawordhecheckedthenoisethatwasgoingonintheroomwhensheentered，andthenhesaidcurtly：

“Thisway，citizeness！”

Heturnedtoanopeninginthewallontheleft，thestone-lintelofadoor，fromwhichthedooritselfhadbeenremoved；anironbarranacrosstheopening，andthisthesergeantnowlifted，noddingtoMargueritetogowithin。

InstinctivelyshelookedroundforChauvelin。

Buthewasnowheretobeseen。

CHAPTERXXVIII

THECAGEDLION

WastheresomeinstinctofhumanityleftinthesoldierwhoallowedMargueritethroughthebarrierintotheprisoner\'scell？

Hadthewanfaceofthisbeautifulwomanstirredwithinhisheartthelastchordofgentlenessthatwasnotwhollyatrophiedbytheconstantcruelties，theexcesses，themercilessnesswhichhisserviceunderthisfraternisingrepublicconstantlydemandedofhim？

Perhapssomerecollectionofformeryears，whenfirstheservedhisKingandcountry，recollectionofwifeorsisterormotherpleadedwithinhiminfavourofthissorely-strickenwomanwiththelookofunspeakablesorrowinherlargeblueeyes。

CertainitisthatassoonasMargueritepassedthebarrierheputhimselfonguardagainstitwithhisbacktotheinteriorofthecellandtoher。

Margueritehadpausedonthethreshold。

Aftertheglaringlightoftheguard-roomthecellseemeddark，andatfirstshecouldhardlysee。Thewholelengthofthelong，narrowcubiclelaytoherleft，withaslightrecessatitsfurtherend，sothatfromthethresholdofthedoorwayshecouldnotseeintothedistantcorner。SwiftasalightningflashtheremembrancecamebacktoherofproudMarieAntoinettenarrowingherlifetothatdarkcornerwheretheinsolenteyesoftherabblesoldierycouldnotspyhereverymovement。

Margueritesteppedfurtherintotheroom。Graduallybythedimlightofanoillampplaceduponatableintherecessshebegantodistinguishvariousobjects：oneortwochairs，anothertable，andasmallbutverycomfortable-lookingcampbedstead。

Justforafewsecondssheonlysawtheseinanimatethings，thenshebecameconsciousofPercy\'spresence。

Hesatonachair，withhisleftarmhalf-stretchedoutuponthetable，hisbeadhiddeninthebendoftheelbow。

Margueritedidnotutteracry；shedidnoteventremble。Justforonebriefinstantsheclosedhereyes，soastogatherupallhercouragebeforeshedaredtolookagain。Thenwithasteadyandnoiselessstepshecamequiteclosetohim。Shekneltontheflagstonesathisfeetandraisedreverentlytoherlipsthehandthathungnervelessandlimpbyhisside。

Hegaveastart；ashiverseemedtogorightthroughhim；hehalfraisedhisheadandmurmuredinahoarsewhisper：

“ItellyouthatIdonotknow，andifIdid——“

Sheputherarmsroundhimandpillowedherheaduponhisbreast。

Heturnedhisheadslowlytowardher，andnowhiseyes——hollowedandrimmedwithpurple——lookedstraightintohers。

“Mybeloved，“hesaid，“Iknewthatyouwouldcome。“Hisarmsclosedroundher。Therewasnothingoflifelessnessorofwearinessinthepassionofthatembrace；andwhenshelookedupagainitseemedtoherasifthatfirstvisionwhichshehadhadofhimwithwearyheadbent，andwan，haggardfacewasnotreality，onlyadreambornofherownanxietyforhim，fornowthehot，ardentbloodcoursedjustasswiftlyaseverthroughhisveins，asiflife——strong，tenacious，pulsatinglife——throbbedwithunabatedvigourinthosemassivelimbs，andbehindthatsquare，clearbrowasthoughthebody，buthalfsubdued，hadtransferreditsvanishingstrengthtothekindandnobleheartthatwasbeatingwiththefervourofself-sacrifice。

“Percy，“shesaidgently，“theywillonlygiveusafewmomentstogether。Theythoughtthatmytearswouldbreakyourspiritwheretheirdevilryhadfailed。“

Heheldherglancewithhisown，withthatclose，intentlookwhichbindssoultosoul，andinhisdeepblueeyestheredancedtherestlessflamesofhisownundyingmirth：

“La！littlewoman，“hesaidwithenforcedlightness，evenwhilsthisvoicequiveredwiththeintensityofpassionengenderedbyherpresence，hernearness，theperfumeofherhair，“howlittletheyknowyou，eh？Yourbrave，beautiful，exquisitesoul，shiningnowthroughyourgloriouseyes，woulddefythemachinationsofSatanhimselfandhishorde。Closeyourdeareyes，mylove。IshallgomadwithjoyifIdrinktheirbeautyinanylonger。“

Heheldherfacebetweenhistwohands，andindeeditseemedasifhecouldnotsatiatehissoulwithlookingintohereyes。Inthemidstofsomuchsorrow，suchmiseryandsuchdeadlyfear，neverhadMargueritefeltquitesohappy，neverhadshefelthimsocompletelyherown。Theinevitablebodilyweakness，whichofnecessityhadinvadedevenhissplendidphysiqueafterawholeweek\'sprivations，hadmadeaseverebreachintheinvinciblebarrierofself-controlwithwhichthesouloftheinnermanwaskeptperpetuallyhiddenbehindamaskofindifferenceandofirresponsibility。

Andyettheagonyofseeingthelinesofsorrowsoplainlywritonthebeautifulfaceofthewomanheworshippedmusthavebeenthekeenestthattheboldadventurerhadeverexperiencedinthewholecourseofhisrecklesslife。Itwashe——andhealone——whowasmakinghersuffer；herforwhosesakehewouldgladlyhaveshedeverydropofhisblood，enduredeverytorment，everymiseryandeveryhumiliation；herwhomheworshippedonlyonedegreelessthanheworshippedhishonourandthecausewhichhehadmadehisown。

Yet，inspiteofthatagony，inspiteoftheheartrendingpathosofherpalewanface，andthroughtheanguishofseeinghertears，therulingpassion——strongindeath——thespiritofadventure，themad，wild，devil-may-careirresponsibilitywasneverwhollyabsent。

“Dearheart，“hesaidwithaquaintsigh，whilstheburiedhisfaceinthesoftmassesofherhair，“untilyoucameIwassod——dfatigued。“

Hewaslaughing，andtheoldlookofboyishloveofmischiefilluminedhishaggardface。

“Isitnotlucky，dearheart，“hesaidamomentortwolater，“thatthosebrutesdonotleavemeunshaved？Icouldnothavefacedyouwithaweek\'sgrowthofbeardroundmychin。BydintofpromisesandbriberyIhavepersuadedoneofthatrabbletocomeandshavemeeverymorning。Theywillnotallowmetohandlearazormy-self。TheyareafraidIshouldcutmythroat——oroneoftheirs。ButmostlyIamtood——dsleepytothinkofsuchathing。“

“Percy！”sheexclaimedwithtenderandpassionatereproach。

“Iknow——Iknow，dear，“hemurmured，“whatabruteIam！Ah，GoddidacruelthingthedaythatHethrewmeinyourpath。Tothinkthatonce——notsoverylongago——weweredriftingapart，youandI。Youwouldhavesufferedless，dearheart，ifwehadcontinuedtodrift。“

Thenashesawthathisbanteringtonepainedher，hecoveredherhandswithkisses，entreatingherforgiveness。

“Dearheart，“hesaidmerrily，“Ideservethatyoushouldleavemetorotinthisabominablecage。Theyhaven\'tgotmeyet，littlewoman，youknow；Iamnotyetdead——onlyd——dsleepyattimes。

ButI\'llcheatthemevennow，neverfear。“

“How，Percy——how？”shemoaned，forherheartwasachingwithintolerablepain；sheknewbetterthanhedidtheprecautionswhichwerebeingtakenagainsthisescape，andshesawmoreclearlythanherealisedithimselftheterriblebarriersetupagainstthatescapebyeverencroachingphysicalweakness。

“Well，dear，“hesaidsimply，“totellyouthetruthIhavenotyetthoughtofthatall-important\'how。\'Ihadtowait，yousee，untilyoucame。Iwassosurethatyouwouldcome！IhavesucceededinputtingonpaperallmyinstructionsforFfoulkesandtheothers。Iwillgivethemtoyouanon。Iknewthatyouwouldcome，andthatIcouldgivethemtoyou；untilthenIhadbuttothinkofonething，andthatwasofkeepingbodyandsoultogether。

Mychanceofseeingyouwastoletthemhavetheirwillwithme。

Thosebrutesweresure，soonerorlater，tobringyoutome，thatyoumightseethecagedfoxworndowntoimbecility，eh？Thatyoumightaddyourtearstotheirpersuasion，andsucceedwheretheyhavefailed。“

Helaughedlightlywithanunstrainednoteofgaiety，onlyMarguerite\'ssensitiveearscaughtthefainttoneofbitternesswhichrangthroughthelaugh。

“OnceIknowthatthelittleKingofFranceissafe，“hesaid，“I

canthinkofhowbesttorobthosed——dmurderersofmyskin。“

Thensuddenlyhismannerchanged。Hestillheldherwithonearmcloselyto，him，buttheothernowlayacrossthetable，andtheslender，emaciatedhandwastightlyclutched。Hedidnotlookather，butstraightahead；theeyes，unnaturallylargenow，withtheirdeeppurplerims，lookedfaraheadbeyondthestonewallsofthisgrim，cruelprison。

Thepassionatelover，hungeringforhisbeloved，hadvanished；

theresatthemanwithapurpose，themanwhosefirmhandhadsnatchedmenandwomenandchildrenfromdeath，therecklessenthusiastwhotossedhislifeagainstanideal。

Forawhilehesatthus，whileinhisdrawnandhaggardfaceshecouldtraceeverylineformedbyhisthoughts——thefrownofanxiety，theresolutesettingofthelips，theobstinatelookofwillaroundthefirmjaw。Thenheturnedagaintoher。

“Mybeautifulone，“hesaidsoftly，“themomentsareveryprecious。GodknowsIcouldspendeternitythuswithyourdearformnestlingagainstmyheart。Butthosed——dmurdererswillonlygiveushalfanhour，andIwantyourhelp，mybeloved，nowthatIamahelplesscurcaughtintheirtrap。Willyoulistenattentively，dearheart，towhatIamgoingtosay？

“Yes，Percy，Iwilllisten，“shereplied。

“AndhaveyouthecouragetodojustwhatItellyou，dear？”

“Iwouldnothavecouragetodoaughtelse，“shesaidsimply。

“Itmeansgoingfromhenceto-day，dearheart，andperhapsnotmeetingagain。Hush-sh-sh，mybeloved，“hesaid，tenderlyplacinghisthinhandoverhermouth，fromwhichasharpcryofpainhadwell-nighescaped；“yourexquisitesoulwillbewithmealways。

Try——trynottogivewaytodespair。Why！yourlovealone，whichI

seeshiningfromyourdeareyes，isenoughtomakeamanclingtolifewithallhismight。Tellme！willyoudoasIaskyou？”

Andsherepliedfirmlyandcourageously：

“Iwilldojustwhatyouask，Percy。“

“Godblessyouforyourcourage，dear。Youwillhaveneedofit。“

CHAPTERXXIX

FORTHESAKEOFTHATHELPLESSINNOCENT

Thenextinstanthewaskneelingonthefloorandhishandswerewanderingoverthesmall，irregularflagstonesimmediatelyunderneaththetable。Margueritehadrisentoherfeet；shewatchedherhusbandwithintentandpuzzledeyes；shesawhimsuddenlypasshisslenderfingersalongacrevicebetweentwoflagstones，thenraiseoneoftheseslightlyandfrombeneathitextractasmallbundleofpapers，eachcarefullyfoldedandsealed。Thenhereplacedthestoneandoncemorerosetohisknees。

Hegaveaquickglancetowardthedoorway。Thatcornerofhiscell，therecesswhereinstoodthetable，wasinvisibletoanyonewhohadnotactuallycrossedthethreshold。Reassuredthathismovementscouldnothavebeenandwerenotwatched，hedrewMargueriteclosertohim。

“Dearheart，“hewhispered，“Iwanttoplacethesepapersinyourcare。Lookuponthemasmylastwillandtestament。Isucceededinfoolingthosebrutesonedaybypretendingtobewillingtoaccedetotheirwill。Theygavemepenandinkandpaperandwax，andIwastowriteoutanordertomyfollowerstobringtheDauphinhither。Theyleftmeinpeaceforonequarterofanhour，whichgavemetimetowritethreeletters——oneforArmandandtheothertwoforFfoulkes，andtohidethemundertheflooringofmycell。Yousee，dear，IknewthatyouwouldcomeandthatIcouldgivethemtoyouthen。“

Hepaused，andthat，ghostofasmileoncemorehoveredroundhislips。HewasthinkingofthatdaywhenhehadfooledHeronandChauvelinintothebeliefthattheirdevilryhadsucceeded，andthattheyhadbroughttherecklessadventurertohisknees。Hesmiledattherecollectionoftheirwrathwhentheyknewthattheyhadbeentricked，andafteraquarterofanhoursanxiouswaitingfoundafewsheetsofpaperscribbledoverwithincoherentwordsorsatiricalverse，andtheprisonerhavingapparentlysnatchedtenminutes\'sleep，whichseeminglyhadrestoredtohimquiteamodicumofhisstrength。

ButofthishetoldMargueritenothing，noroftheinsultsandthehumiliationwhichhehadhadtobearinconsequenceofthattrick。

Hedidnottellherthatdirectlyafterwardstheorderwentforththattheprisonerwastobekeptonbreadandwaterinthefuture，northatChauvelinhadstoodbylaughingandjeeringwhile……

No！hedidnottellherallthat；therecollectionofitallhadstillthepowertomakehimlaugh；wasitnotallapartandparcelofthatgreatgambleforhumanliveswhereinhehadheldthewinningcardshimselfforsolong？

“Itisyourturnnow，“hehadsaideventhentohisbitterenemy。

“Yes！”Chauvelinhadreplied，“ourturnatlast。AndyouwillnotbendmyfineEnglishgentleman，we\'llbreakyouyet，neverfear。“

Itwasthethoughtofitall，ofthathandtohand，willtowill，spirittospiritstrugglethatlighteduphishaggardfaceevennow，gavehimafreshzestforlife，adesiretocombatandtoconquerinspiteofall，inspiteoftheoddsthathadmartyredhisbodybutleftthemind，thewill，thepowerstillunconquered。

Hewaspressingoneofthepapersintoherhand，holdingherfingerstightlyinhis，andcompellinghergazewiththeardentexcitementofhisown。

“ThisfirstletterisforFfoulkes，“hesaid。“ItrelatestothefinalmeasuresforthesafetyoftheDauphin。TheyaremyinstructionstothosemembersoftheLeaguewhoareinornearParisatthepresentmoment。Ffoulkes，Iknow，mustbewithyou——hewasnotlikely，Godblesshisloyalty，toletyoucometoParisalone。Thengivethislettertohim，dearheart，atonce，to-night，andtellhimthatitismyexpresscommandthatheandtheothersshallactinminuteaccordancewithmyinstructions。“

“ButtheDauphinsurelyissafenow，“sheurged。“Ffoulkesandtheothersarehereinordertohelpyou。“

“Tohelpme，dearheart？”heinterposedearnestly。“Godalonecandothatnow，andsuchofmypoorwitsasthesedevilsdonotsucceedincrushingoutofmewithinthenexttendays。“

Tendays！

“Ihavewaitedaweek，untilthishourwhenIcouldplacethispacketinyourhands；anothertendaysshouldseetheDauphinoutofFrance——afterthat，weshallsee。“

“Percy，“sheexclaimedinanagonyofhorror，“youcannotendurethisanotherday——andlive！”

“Nay！”hesaidinatonethatwasalmostinsolentinitsprouddefiance，“thereisbutlittlethatamancannotdoanhesetshismindtoit。Fortherest，\'tisinGod\'shands！”headdedmoregently。“Dearheart！yousworethatyouwouldbebrave。TheDauphinisstillinFrance，anduntilheisoutofithewillnotreallybesafe；hisfriendswantedtokeephiminsidethecountry。

Godonlyknowswhattheystillhope；hadIbeenfreeIshouldnothaveallowedhimtoremainsolong；nowthosegoodpeopleatManteswillyieldtomyletterandtoFfoulkes\'earnestappeal——

theywillallowoneofourLeaguetoconveythechildsafelyoutofFrance，andI\'llwaithereuntilIknowthatheissafe。IfI

triedtogetawaynow，andsucceeded——why，Heavenhelpus！thehueandcrymightturnagainstthechild，andhemightbecapturedbeforeIcouldgettohim。Dearheart！dear，dearheart！trytounderstand。Thesafetyofthatchildisboundwithminehonour，butIsweartoyou，mysweetlove，thatthedayonwhichIfeelthatthatsafetyisassuredIwillsavemineownskin——whatthereisleftofit——ifIcan！”

“Percy！”shecriedwithasuddenoutburstofpassionaterevolt，“youspeakasifthesafetyofthatchildwereofmoremomentthanyourown。Tendays！——but，GodinHeaven！haveyouthoughthowI

shalllivethesetendays，whilstslowly，inchbyinch，yougiveyourdear，yourpreciouslifeforaforlorncause？

“Iamverytough，m\'dear，“hesaidlightly；“\'tisnotaquestionoflife。Ishallonlybespendingafewmoreveryuncomfortabledaysinthisd——dhole；butwhatofthat？”

Hereyesspokethereply；hereyesveiledwithtears，thatwanderedwithheart-breakinganxietyfromthehollowcirclesroundhisowntothelinesofwearinessaboutthefirmlipsandjaw。Helaughedathersolicitude。

“Icanlastoutlongerthanthesebruteshaveanyideaof，“hesaidgaily。

“Youcheatyourself，Percy，“sherejoinedwithquietearnestness。

“Everydaythatyouspendimmuredbetweenthesewalls，withthatceaselessnerve-rackingtormentofsleeplessnesswhichthesedevilshavedevisedforthebreakingofyourwill——everydaythusspentdiminishesyourpowerofultimatelysavingyourself。Yousee，Ispeakcalmly——dispassionately——Idonotevenurgemyclaimsuponyourlife。Butwhatyoumustweighinthebalanceistheclaimofallthoseforwhominthepastyouhavealreadystakedyourlife，whoselivesyouhavepurchasedbyriskingyourown。

What，incomparisonwithyournoblelife，isthatofthepunydescendantofalineofdecadentkings？Whyshoulditbesacrificed——ruthlessly，hopelesslysacrificedthataboymightlivewhoisasnothingtotheworld，tohiscountry——eventohisownpeople？”

Shehadtriedtospeakcalmly，neverraisinghervoicebeyondawhisper。Herhandsstillclutchedthatpaper，whichseemedtosearherfingers，thepaperwhichshefeltheldwrituponitssmoothsurfacethedeath-sentenceofthemansheloved。

Buthislookdidnotanswerherfirmappeal；itwasfixedfarawaybeyondtheprisonwalls，onalonelycountryroadoutsideParis，withtherainfallinginathindrizzle，andleadencloudsoverheadchasingoneanother，drivenbythegale。

“Poormite，“hemurmuredsoftly；“hewalkedsobravelybymyside，untilthelittlefeetgrewweary；thenhenestledinmyarmsandsleptuntilwemetFfoulkeswaitingwiththecart。HewasnoKingofFrancejustthen，onlyahelplessinnocentwhomHeavenaidedmetosave。“

Margueritebowedherheadinsilence。Therewasnothingmorethatshecouldsay，nopleathatshecouldurge。Indeed，shehadunderstood，ashehadbeggedhertounderstand。Sheunderstoodthatlongagohehadmappedoutthecourseofhislife，andnowthatthatcoursehappenedtoleadupaCalvaryofhumiliationandofsufferinghewasnotlikelytoturnback，eventhough，onthesummit，deathalreadywaswaitingandbeckoningwithnouncertainhand；notuntilhecouldmurmur，inthewakeofthegreatanddivinesacrificeitself，thesublimewords：

“Itisaccomplished。“

“ButtheDauphinissafeenoughnow，“wasallthatshesaid，afterthatonemoment\'ssilencewhenherheart，too，hadoffereduptoGodthesupremeabnegationofself，andcalmlyfacedasorrowwhichthreatenedtobreakitatlast。

“Yes！”herejoinedquietly，“safeenoughforthemoment。ButhewouldbesaferstillifhewereoutofFrance。IhadhopedtotakehimonedaywithmetoEngland。ButinthisplandamnableFatehasinterfered。HisadherentswantedtogethimtoVienna，andtheirwishhadbestbefulfillednow。InmyinstructionstoFfoulkesIhavemappedoutasimplewayforaccomplishingthejourney。Tonywillbetheonebestsuitedtoleadtheexpedition，andIwanthimtomakestraightforHolland；theNorthernfrontiersarenotsocloselywatchedasaretheAustrianones。

ThereisafaithfuladherentoftheBourboncausewholivesatDelft，andwhowillgivetheshelterofhisnameandhometothefugitiveKingofFranceuntilhecanbeconveyedtoVienna。HeisnamedNauudorff。OnceIfeelthatthechildissafeinhishandsIwilllookaftermyself，neverfear。“

Hepaused，forhisstrength，whichwasonlyfactitious，bornoftheexcitementthatMarguerite\'spresencehadcalledforth，wasthreateningtogiveway。Hisvoice，thoughhehadspokeninawhisperallalong，wasveryhoarse，andhistempleswerethrobbingwiththesustainedefforttospeak。

“Ifthosefriendshadonlythoughtofdenyingmefoodinsteadofsleep，“hemurmuredinvoluntarily，“Icouldhaveheldoutuntil——“

Thenwithcharacteristicswiftnesshismoodchangedinamoment。

HisarmsclosedroundMargueriteoncemorewithapassionofself-reproach。

“Heavenforgivemeforaselfishbrute，“hesaid，whilsttheghostofasmileoncemorelitupthewholeofhisface。“Dearsoul，I

musthaveforgottenyoursweetpresence，thusbroodingovermyowntroubles，whilstyourlovinghearthasagraverburden——Godhelpme！——thanitcanpossiblybear。Listen，mybeloved，forIdon\'tknowhowmanyminuteslongertheyintendtogiveus，andIhavenotyetspokentoyouaboutArmand——“

“Armand！”shecried。

Atwingeofremorsehadgrippedher。Forfullytenminutesnowshehadrelegatedallthoughtsofherbrothertoadistantcellofhermemory。

“WehavenonewsofArmand，“shesaid。“SirAndrewhassearchedalltheprisonregisters。Oh！werenotmyheartatrophiedbyallthatithasenduredthispastsennightitwouldfeelafinalthrobofagonisingpainateverythoughtofArmand。“

Acuriouslook，whichevenherlovingeyesfailedtointerpret，passedlikeashadowoverherhusband\'sface。Buttheshadowliftedinamoment，anditwaswithareassuringsmilethathesaidtoher：

“Dearheart！Armandiscomparativelysafeforthemoment。TellFfoulkesnottosearchtheprisonregistersforhim，rathertoseekoutMademoiselleLange。ShewillknowwheretofindArmand。“

“JeanneLange！”sheexclaimedwithaworldofbitternessinthetoneofhervoice，“thegirlwhomArmandloved，itseems，withapassiongreaterthanhisloyalty。Oh！SirAndrewtriedtodisguisemybrother\'sfolly，butIguessedwhathedidnotchoosetotellme。Itwashisdisobedience，hiswantoftrust，thatbroughtthisunspeakablemiseryonusall。“

“Donotblamehimovermuch，dearheart。Armandwasinlove，andloveexcuseseverysincommittedinitsname。JeanneLangewasarrestedandArmandlosthisreasontemporarily。TheverydayonwhichIrescuedtheDauphinfromtheTempleIhadthegoodfortunetodragthelittleladyoutofprison。IhadgivenmypromisetoArmandthatsheshouldhesafe，andIkeptmyword。ButthisArmanddidnotknow——orelse——“

Hecheckedhimselfabruptly，andoncemorethatstrange，enigmaticallookcreptintohiseyes。

“ItookJeanneLangetoaplaceofcomparativesafety，“hesaidafteraslightpause，“butsincethenshehasbeensetentirelyfree。“

“Free？”

“Yes。Chauvelinhimselfbroughtmethenews，“herepliedwithaquick，mirthlesslaugh，whollyunlikehisusuallight-heartedgaiety。“HehadtoaskmewheretofindJeanne，forIaloneknewwhereshewas。AsforArmand，they\'llnotworryabouthimwhilstI

amhere。AnotherreasonwhyImustbideawhilelonger。Butinthemeanwhile，dear，IprayyoufindMademoiselleLange；shelivesatNo。5SquareduRoule。ThroughherIknowthatyoucangettoseeArmand。Thissecondletter，“headded，pressingasmallerpacketintoherhand，“isforhim。Giveittohim，dearheart；itwill，Ihope，tendtocheerhim。Ifearmethepoorladfrets；

yetheonlysinnedbecauseheloved，andtomehewillalwaysbeyourbrother——themanwhoheldyouraffectionforalltheyearsbeforeIcameintoyourlife。Givehimthisletter，dear；theyaremyinstructionstohim，astheothersareforFfoulkes；buttellhimtoreadthemwhenheisallalone。Youwilldothat，dearheart，willyounot？”

“Yes，Percy，“shesaidsimply。“Ipromise。“

Greatjoy，andtheexpressionofintenserelief，lituphisface，whilsthiseyesspokethegratitudewhichhefelt。

“Thenthereisonethingmore，“hesaid。“Thereareothersinthiscruelcity，dearheart，whohavetrustedme，andwhomImustnotfail——MariedeMarmontelandherbrother，faithfulservantsofthelatequeen；theywereontheeveofarrestwhenIsucceededingettingthemtoaplaceofcomparativesafety；andthereareothersthere，tooallofthesepoorvictimshavetrustedmeimplicitly。Theyarewaitingformethere，trustinginmypromisetoconveythemsafelytoEngland。Sweetheart，youmustredeemmypromisetothem。Youwill？——youwill？Promisemethatyouwill——“

“Ipromise，Percy，“shesaidoncemore。

“Thengo，dear，to-morrow，inthelateafternoon，toNo。98，RuedeCharonne。Itisanarrowhouseattheextremeendofthatlongstreetwhichabutsonthefortifications。Thelowerpartofthehouseisoccupiedbyadealerinragsandoldclothes。Heandhiswifeandfamilyarewretchedlypoor，buttheyarekind，goodsouls，andforaconsiderationandaminimumofrisktothemselvestheywillalwaysrenderservicetotheEnglishmilors，whomtheybelievetobeabandofinveteratesmugglers。Ffoulkesandalltheothersknowthesepeopleandknowthehouse；Armandbythesametokenknowsittoo。MariedeMarmontelandherbrotherarethere，andseveralothers；theoldComtedeLezardiere，theAbbedeFirmont；theirnamesspellsuffering，loyalty，andhopelessness。

Iwasluckyenoughtoconveythemsafelytothathiddenshelter。

Theytrustmeimplicitly，dearheart。Theyarewaitingformethere，trustinginmypromisetothem。Dearheart，youwillgo，willyounot？”

“Yes，Percy，“shereplied。“Iwillgo；Ihavepromised。“

“Ffoulkeshassomecertificatesofsafetybyhim，andtheoldclothesdealerwillsupplythenecessarydisguises；hehasacoveredcartwhichheusesforhisbusiness，andwhichyoucanborrowfromhim。FfoulkeswilldrivethelittlepartytoAchard\'sfarminSt。Germain，whereothermembersoftheLeagueshouldbeinwaitingforthefinaljourneytoEngland。Ffoulkeswillknowhowtoarrangeforeverything；hewasalwaysmymostablelieutenant。OnceeverythingisorganisedhecanappointHastingstoleadtheparty。Butyou，dearheart，mustdoasyouwish。

Achard\'sfarmwouldbeasaferetreatforyouandforFfoulkes：

if……Iknow——Iknow，dear，“headdedwithinfinitetenderness。

“SeeIdonotevensuggestthatyoushouldleaveme。Ffoulkeswillbewithyou，andIknowthatneitherhenoryouwouldgoevenifIcommanded。EitherAchard\'sfarm，oreventhehouseintheRuedeCharonne，wouldhequitesafeforyou，dear，underFfoulkes\'sprotection，untilthetimewhenImyselfcancarryyouback——you，mypreciousburden——toEnglandinmineownarms，oruntil……Hush-sh-sh，dearheart，“heentreated，smotheringwithapassionatekissthelowmoanofpainwhichhadescapedherlips；

“itisallinGod\'shandsnow；Iaminatightcorner——tighterthaneverIhavebeenbefore；butIamnotdeadyet，andthosebruteshavenotyetpaidthefullpriceformylife。Tellme，dearheart，thatyouhaveunderstood——thatyouwilldoallthatI

asked。Tellmeagain，mydear，dearlove；itistheveryessenceoflifetohearyoursweetlipsmurmurthispromisenow。“

Andforthethirdtimeshereiteratedfirmly：

“Ihaveunderstoodeverywordthatyousaidtome，Percy，andI

promiseonyourpreciouslifetodowhatyouask。“

Hesighedadeepsighofsatisfaction，andevenatthatmomenttherecamefromtheguard-roombeyondthesoundofaharshvoice，sayingperemptorily：

“Thathalf-hourisnearlyover，sergeant；\'tistimeyouinterfered。“

“Threeminutesmore，citizen，“wasthecurtreply。

“Threeminutes，youdevils，“murmuredBlakeneybetweensetteeth，whilstasuddenlightwhichevenMarguerite\'skeengazefailedtointerpretleaptintohiseyes。Thenhepressedthethirdletterintoherhand。

Oncemorehisclose，intentgazecompelledhers；theirfaceswerecloseonetotheother，soneartohimdidhedrawher，sotightlydidheholdhertohim。Thepaperwasinherhandandhisfingerswerepressedfirmlyonhers。

“Putthisinyourkerchief，mybeloved，“hewhispered。“LetitrestonyourexquisitebosomwhereIsolovetopillowmyhead。

Keepitthereuntilthelasthourwhenitseemstoyouthatnothingmorecancomebetweenmeandshame……Hush-sh-sh，dear，“headdedwithpassionatetenderness，checkingthehotprotestthatattheword“shame“hadsprungtoherlips，“Icannotexplainmorefullynow。Idonotknowwhatmayhappen。Iamonlyaman，andwhoknowswhatsubtledevilrythosebrutesmightnotdeviseforbringingtheuntamedadventurertohisknees。ForthenexttendaystheDauphinwillbeonthehighroadsofFrance，onhiswaytosafety。Everystageofhisjourneywillbeknowntome。Icanfrombetweenthesefourwallsfollowhimandhisescortstepbystep。Well，dear，Iambutaman，alreadybroughttoshamefulweaknessbymerephysicaldiscomfort——thewantofsleep——suchatrifleafterall；butincasemyreasontottered——

GodknowswhatImightdo——thengivethispackettoFfoulkes——itcontainsmyfinalinstructions——andhewillknowhowtoact。

Promiseme，dearheart，thatyouwillnotopenthepacketunless——

unlessmineowndishonourseemstoyouimminent——unlessIhaveyieldedtothesebrutesinthisprison，andsentFfoulkesoroneoftheothersorderstoexchangetheDauphin\'slifeformine；then，whenmineownhandwritinghathproclaimedmeacoward，thenandthenonly，givethispackettoFfoulkes。Promisemethat，andalsothatwhenyouandhehavemastereditscontentsyouwillactexactlyasIhavecommanded。Promisemethat，dear，inyourownsweetname，whichmayGodbless，andinthatofFfoulkes，ourloyalfriend。“

Throughthesobsthatwell-nighchokedhershemurmuredthepromisehedesired。

Hisvoicehadgrownhoarserandmorespentwiththeinevitablereactionafterthelongandsustainedeffort，butthevigourofthespiritwasuntouched，thefervour，theenthusiasm。

“Dearheart，“hemurmured，“donotlookonmewiththosedear，scaredeyesofyours。IfthereisaughtthatpuzzlesyouinwhatIsaid，tryandtrustmeawhilelonger。Remember，ImustsavetheDauphinatallcosts；minehonourisboundwithhissafety。Whathappenstomeafterthatmattersbutlittle，yetIwishtoliveforyourdearsake。“

Hedrewalongbreathwhichhadnaughtofwearinessinit。Thehaggardlookhadcompletelyvanishedfromhisface，theeyeswerelightedupfromwithin，theverysoulofrecklessdaringandimmortalgaietyilluminedhiswholepersonality。

“Donotlooksosad，littlewoman，“hesaidwithastrangeandsuddenrecrudescenceofpower；“thosed——dmurderershavenotgotmeyet——evennow。“

Thenhewentdownlikealog。

Theefforthadbeentooprolonged——weakenednaturereassertedherrightsandhelostconsciousness。Marguerite，helplessandalmostdistraughtwithgrief，hadyetthestrengthofmindnottocallforassistance。Shepillowedthelovedone\'sheaduponherbreast，shekissedthedear，tiredeyes，thepoorthrobbingtemples。Theunutterablepathosofseeingthisman，whowasalwaysthepersonificationofextremevitality，energy，andboundlessenduranceandpluck，lyingthushelpless，likeatiredchild，inherarms，wasperhapsthesaddestmomentofthisdayofsorrow。

Butinhertrustsheneverwaveredforoneinstant。Muchthathehadsaidhadpuzzledher；buttheword“shame“comingfromhisownlipsasacommentonhimselfnevercausedhertheslightestpangoffear。Shehadquicklyhiddenthetinypacketinherkerchief。

Shewouldactpointbypointexactlyashehadorderedhertodo，andsheknewthatFfoulkeswouldneverwavereither。

Herheartachedwell-nightobreakingpoint。Thatwhichshecouldnotunderstandhadincreasedheranguishtenfold。Ifshecouldonlyhavegivenwaytotearsshecouldhavebornethisfinalagonymoreeasily。Butthesolaceoftearswasnotforher；whenthoselovedeyesoncemoreopenedtoconsciousnesstheyshouldseehersglowingwithcourageanddetermination。

Therehadbeensilenceforafewminutesinthelittlecell。Thesoldieryoutside，inuredtotheirhideousduty，thoughtnodoubtthatthetimehadcomeforthemtointerfere。Theironbarwasraisedandthrownbackwithaloudcrash，thebutt-endsofmusketsweregroundedagainstthefloor，andtwosoldiersmadenoisyirruptionintothecell。

“Hola，citizen！Wakeup，“shoutedoneofthemen；“youhavenottoldusyetwhatyouhavedonewithCapet！”

Margueriteutteredacryofhorror。Instinctivelyherarmswereinterposedbetweentheunconsciousmanandtheseinhumancreatures，withabeautifulgestureofprotectingmotherhood。

“Hehasfainted，“shesaid，hervoicequiveringwithindignation。

“MyGod！areyoudevilsthatyouhavenotonesparkofmanhoodinyou？”

Themenshruggedtheirshoulders，andbothlaughedbrutally。Theyhadseenworsesightsthanthese，sincetheyservedaRepublicthatruledbybloodshedandbyterror。Theywereownbrothersincallousnessandcrueltytothosemenwhoonthisself-samespotafewmonthsagohadwatchedthedailyagonyofamartyredQueen，ortothosewhohadrushedintotheAbbayeprisononthatawfuldayinSeptember，andatawordfromtheirinfamousleadershadputeightydefencelessprisoners——men，women，andchildren——tothesword。

“TellhimtosaywhathehasdonewithCapet，“saidoneofthesoldiersnow，andthisroughcommandwasaccompaniedwithacoarsejestthatsentthebloodflaringupintoMarguerite\'spalecheeks。

Thebrutallaugh，thecoarsewordswhichaccompaniedit，theinsultflungatMarguerite，hadpenetratedtoBlakeney\'sslowlyreturningconsciousness。Withsuddenstrength，thatappearedalmostsupernatural，hejumpedtohisfeet，andbeforeanyoftheotherscouldinterferehehadwithclenchedfiststruckthesoldierafullblowonthemouth。

Themanstaggeredbackwithacurse，theothershoutedforhelp；

inamomentthenarrowplaceswarmedwithsoldiers；Margueritewasroughlytornawayfromtheprisoner\'sside，andthrustintothefarcornerofthecell，fromwheresheonlysawaconfusedmassofbluecoatsandwhitebelts，and——toweringforonebriefmomentabovewhatseemedtoherfeveredfancylikeaveritableseaofheads——thepalefaceofherhusband，withwidedilatedeyessearchingthegloomforhers。

“Remember！”heshouted，andhisvoiceforthatbriefmomentrangoutclearandsharpabovethedin。

Thenhedisappearedbehindthewallofglisteningbayonets，ofbluecoatsandupliftedarms；mercifullyforhersherememberednothingmoreveryclearly。Shefeltherselfbeingdraggedoutofthecell，theironbarbeingthrustdownbehindherwithaloudclang。Theninavague，dreamystateofsemi-unconsciousnessshesawtheheavyboltsbeingdrawnbackfromtheouterdoor，heardthegratingofthekeyinthemonumentallock，andthenextmomentabreathoffreshairbroughtthesensationofrenewedlifeintoher。

CHAPTERXXX

AFTERWARDS

“Iamsorry，LadyBlakeney，“saidaharsh，dryvoiceclosetoher；“theincidentattheendofyourvisitwasnoneofourmaking，remember。“

Sheturnedaway，sickenedwithhorroratthoughtofcontactwiththiswretch。Shehadheardtheheavyoakendoorswingtobehindheronitsponderoushinges，andthekeyonceagainturninthelock。Shefeltasifshehadsuddenlybeenthrustintoacoffin，andthatclodsofearthwerebeingthrownuponherbreast，oppressingherheartsothatshecouldnotbreathe。

Hadshelookedforthelasttimeonthemanwhomshelovedbeyondeverythingelseonearth，whomsheworshippedmoreardentlydaybyday？Wassheevennowcarryingwithinthefoldsofherkerchiefamessagefromadyingmantohiscomrades？

MechanicallyshefollowedChauvelindownthecorridorandalongthepassageswhichshehadtraversedabriefhalf-hourago。Fromsomedistantchurchtoweraclocktolledthehouroften。Ithadthenreallyonlybeenlittlemorethanthirtybriefminutessincefirstshehadenteredthisgrimbuilding，whichseemedlessstonythanthemonsterswhoheldauthoritywithinit；toheritseemedthatcenturieshadgoneoverherheadduringthattime。Shefeltlikeanoldwoman，unabletostraightenherbackortosteadyherlimbs；shecouldonlydimlyseesomefewpacesaheadthetrimfigureofChauvelinwalkingwithmeasuredsteps，hishandsheldbehindhisback，hisheadthrownupwithwhatlookedliketriumphantdefiance。

Atthedoorofthecubiclewhereshehadbeenforcedtosubmittotheindignityofbeingsearchedbyawardress，thelatterwasnowstanding，waitingwithcharacteristicstolidity。Inherhandsheheldthesteelfiles，thedaggerandthepursewhich，asMargueritepassed，sheheldouttoher。

“Yourproperty，citizeness，“shesaidplacidly。

Sheemptiedthepurseintoherownhand，andsolemnlycountedoutthetwentypiecesofgold。Shewasabouttoreplacethemallintothepurse，whenMargueritepressedoneofthembackintoherwrinkledhand。

“Nineteenwillbeenough，citizeness，“shesaid；“keeponeforyourself，notonlyforme，butforallthepoorwomenwhocomeherewiththeirheartfullofhope，andgohencewithitfullofdespair。“

Thewomanturnedcalm，lack-lustreeyesonher，andsilentlypocketedthegoldpiecewithagrudginglymutteredwordofthanks。

Chauvelinduringthisbriefinterlude，hadwalkedthoughtlesslyonahead。Marguerite，peeringdownthelengthofthenarrowcorridor，spiedhissable-cladfiguresomehundredmetresfurtheronasitcrossedthedimcircleoflightthrownbyoneofthelamps。

Shewasabouttofollow，whenitseemedtoherasifsomeonewasmovinginthedarknessclosebesideher。Thewardresswasevennowintheactofclosingthedoorofhercubicle，andtherewereacoupleofsoldierswhoweredisappearingfromviewroundoneendofthepassage，whilstChauvelin\'sretreatingformwaslostinthegloomattheother。

Therewasnolightclosetowheresheherselfwasstanding，andtheblacknessaroundherwasasimpenetrableasaveil；thesoundofahumancreaturemovingandbreathingclosetoherinthisintensedarknessactedweirdlyonheroverwroughtnerves。

“Quivala？”shecalled。

Therewasamoredistinctmovementamongtheshadowsthistime，asofaswifttreadontheflagstonesofthecorridor。Allelsewassilentround，andnowshecouldplainlyhearthosefootstepsrunningrapidlydownthepassageawayfromher。Shestrainedhereyestoseemoreclearly，andanoninoneofthedimcirclesoflightonaheadshespiedaman\'sfigure——slenderanddarklyclad——walkingquicklyyetfurtivelylikeonepursued。Ashecrossedthelightthemanturnedtolookback。ItwasherbrotherArmand。

Herfirstinstinctwastocalltohim；thesecondcheckedthatcalluponherlips。

PercyhadsaidthatArmandwasinnodanger；thenwhyshouldhebesneakingalongthedarkcorridorsofthisawfulhouseofJusticeifhewasfreeandsafe？

Certainly，evenatadistance，herbrother\'smovementssuggestedtoMargueritethathewasindangerofbeingseen。Hecoweredinthedarkness，triedtoavoidthecirclesoflightthrownbythelampsinthepassage。AtallcostsMargueritefeltthatshemustwarnhimthatthewayhewasgoingnowwouldleadhimstraightintoChauvelin\'sarms，andshelongedtolethimknowthatshewascloseby。

Feelingsurethathewouldrecognisehervoice，shemadepretencetoturnbacktothecubiclethroughthedoorofwhichthewardresshadalreadydisappeared，andcalledoutasloudlyasshedared：

“Good-night，citizeness！”

ButArmand——whosurelymusthaveheard——didnotpauseatthesound。Ratherwashewalkingonnowmorerapidlythanbefore。InlessthanaminutehewouldbereachingthespotwhereChauvelinstoodwaitingforMarguerite。Thatendofthecorridor，however，receivednolightfromanyofthelamps；strivehowshemight，MargueritecouldseenothingnoweitherofChauvelinorofArmand。

Blindly，instinctively，sheranforward，thinkingonlytoreachArmand，andtowarnhimtoturnbackbeforeitwastoolate；

beforehefoundhimselffacetofacewiththemostbitterenemyheandhisnearestanddearesthadeverhad。Butassheatlastcametoahaltattheendofthecorridor，pantingwiththeexertionofrunningandthefearforArmand，shealmostfellupagainstChauvelin，whowasstandingtherealoneandimperturbable，seeminglyhavingwaitedpatientlyforher。Shecouldonlydimlydistinguishhisface，thesharpfeaturesandthincruelmouth，butshefelt——morethansheactuallysaw——hiscoldsteelyeyesfixedwithastrangeexpressionofmockeryuponher。

ButofArmandtherewasnosign，andshe——poorsoul！——haddifficultyinnotbetrayingtheanxietywhichshefeltforherbrother。Hadtheflagstonesswallowedhimup？Adoorontherightwastheonlyonethatgaveonthecorridoratthispoint；itledtotheconcierge\'slodge，andthenceoutintothecourtyard。

HadChauvelinbeendreaming，sleepingwithhiseyesopen，whilsthestoodwaitingforher，andhadArmandsucceededinslippingpasthimundercoverofthedarknessandthroughthatdoortosafetythatlaybeyondtheseprisonwalls？

Marguerite，miserablyagitated，notknowingwhattothink，lookedsomewhatwild-eyedonChauvelin；hesmiled，thatinscrutable，mirthlesssmileofhis，andsaidblandly：

“IsthereaughtelsethatIcandoforyou，citizeness？Thisisyournearestwayout。NodoubtSirAndrewwillbewaitingtoescortyouhome。“

Thenasshe——notdaringeithertoreplyortoquestion——walkedstraightuptothedoor，hehurriedforward，preparedtoopenitforher。Butbeforehedidsoheturnedtoheronceagain：

“Itrustthatyourvisithaspleasedyou，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidsuavely。“Atwhathourdoyoudesiretorepeatitto-morrow？”

“To-morrow？”shereiteratedinavague，absentmanner，forshewasstilldazedwiththestrangeincidentofArmand\'sappearanceandhisflight。

“Yes。YouwouldliketoseeSirPercyagainto-morrow，wouldyounot？Imyselfwouldgladlypayhimavisitfromtimetotime，buthedoesnotcareformycompany。Mycolleague，citizenHeron，ontheotherhand，callsonhimfourtimesineverytwenty-fourhours；hedoessoafewmomentsbeforethechangingoftheguard，andstayschattingwithSirPercyuntilaftertheguardischanged，whenheinspectsthemenandsatisfieshimselfthatnotraitorhascreptinamongthem。Allthemenarepersonallyknowntohim，yousee。Thesehoursareatfiveinthemorningandagainateleven，andthenagainatfiveandelevenintheevening。MyfriendHeron，asyousee，iszealousandassiduous，and，strangelyenough，SirPercydoesnotseemtoviewhisvisitwithanydispleasure。Nowatanyotherhouroftheday，LadyBlakeney，I

prayyoucommandmeandIwillarrangethatcitizenHerongrantyouasecondinterviewwiththeprisoner。“

MargueritehadonlylistenedtoChauvelin\'slengthyspeechwithhalfanear；herthoughtsstilldweltonthepasthalf-hourwithitsbitterjoyanditsagonisingpain；andfightingthroughherthoughtsofPercytherewastherecollectionofArmandwhichsodisquietedher。ButthoughshehadonlyvaguelylistenedtowhatChauvelinwassaying，shecaughtthedriftofit。

Madlyshelongedtoaccepthissuggestion。TheverythoughtofseeingPercyonthemorrowwassolacetoherachingheart；itcouldfeedonhopeto-nightinsteadofonitsownbitterpain。

Butevenduringthisbriefmomentofhesitancy，andwhileherwholebeingcriedoutforthisjoythatherenemywasholdingouttoher，eventheninthegloomaheadofhersheseemedtoseeavisionofapalefaceraisedaboveacrowdofswayingheads，andoftheeyesofthedreamersearchingforherown，whilstthelastsublimecryofperfectself-devotiononcemoreechoedinherear：

“Remember！”

Thepromisewhichshehadgivenhim，thatwouldshefulfil。Theburdenwhichhehadlaidonhershouldersshewouldtrytobearasheroicallyashewasbearinghisown。Aye，evenatthecostofthesupremesorrowofneverrestingagaininthehavenofhisarms。

Butinspiteofsorrow，inspiteofanguishsoterriblethatshecouldnotimagineDeathitselftohaveamorecruelsting，shewishedabovealltosafeguardthatfinal，attenuatedthreadofhopewhichwaswoundroundthepacketthatlayhiddenonherbreast。

Shewanted，aboveall，nottoarouseChauvelin\'ssuspicionsbymarkedlyrefusingtovisittheprisoneragain——suspicionsthatmightleadtoherbeingsearchedoncemoreandthepreciouspacketfilchedfromher。Thereforeshesaidtohimearnestlynow：

“Ithankyou，citizen，foryoursolicitudeonmybehalf，butyouwillunderstand，Ithink，thatmyvisittotheprisonerhasbeenalmostmorethanIcouldbear。Icannottellyouatthismomentwhetherto-morrowIshouldbeinafitstatetorepeatit。“

“Asyouplease，“herepliedurbanely。“ButIprayyoutorememberonething，andthatis——“

Hepausedamomentwhilehisrestlesseyeswanderedrapidlyoverherface，trying，asitwere，togetatthesoulofthiswoman，atherinnermostthoughts，whichhefeltwerehiddenfromhim。

“Yes，citizen，“shesaidquietly；“whatisitthatIamtoremember？”

“Thatitrestswithyou，LadyBlakeney，toputanendtothepresentsituation。“

“How？”

“SurelyyoucanpersuadeSirPercy\'sfriendsnottoleavetheirchiefindurancevile。Theythemselvescouldputanendtohistroublesto-morrow。“

“BygivinguptheDauphintoyou，youmean？”sheretortedcoldly。

“Precisely。“

“Andyouhoped——youstillhopethatbyplacingbeforemethepictureofyourownfiendishcrueltyagainstmyhusbandyouwillinducemetoactthepartofatraitortowardshimandacowardbeforehisfollowers？”

“Oh！”hesaiddeprecatingly，“thecrueltynowisnolongermine。

SirPercy\'sreleaseisinyourhands，LadyBlakeney——inthatofhisfollowers。Ishouldonlybetoowillingtoendthepresentintolerablesituation。Youandyourfriendsareapplyingthelastturnofthethumbscrew，notI——“

Shesmotheredthecryofhorrorthathadrisentoherlips。Theman\'scold-bloodedsophistrywasthreateningtomakeabreachinherarmourofself-control。

Shewouldnolongertrustherselftospeak，butmadeaquickmovementtowardsthedoor。

Heshruggedhisshouldersasifthematterwerenowentirelyoutofhiscontrol。Thenheopenedthedoorforhertopassout，andasherskirtsbrushedagainsthimhebowedwithstudieddeference，murmuringacordial“Good-night！”

“Andremember，LadyBlakeney，“headdedpolitely，“thatshouldyouatanytimedesiretocommunicatewithmeatmyrooms，19，RueDupuy，Iholdmyselfentirelyatyourservice。

Thenashertall，gracefulfiguredisappearedintheoutsidegloomhepassedhisthinhandoverhismouthasiftowipeawaythelastlingeringsignsoftriumphantirony：

“Thesecondvisitwillworkwonders，Ithink，myfinelady，“hemurmuredunderhisbreath。

CHAPTERXXXI

ANINTERLUDE

Itwascloseonmidnightnow，andstilltheysatoppositeoneanother，hethefriendandshethewife，talkingoverthatbriefhalf-hourthathadmeantaneternitytoher，MargueritehadtriedtotellSirAndreweverything；bitterasitwastoputintoactualwordsthepathosandmiserywhichshehadwitnessed，yetshewouldhidenothingfromthedevotedcomradewhomsheknewPercywouldtrustabsolutely。TohimsherepeatedeverywordthatPercyhaduttered，describedeveryinflectionofhisvoice，thoseenigmaticalphraseswhichshehadnotunderstood，andtogethertheycheatedoneanotherintothebeliefthathopelingeredsomewherehiddeninthosewords。

“Iamnotgoingtodespair，LadyBlakeney，“saidSirAndrewfirmly；“and，moreover，wearenotgoingtodisobey。IwouldstakemylifethatevennowBlakeneyhassomeschemeinhismindwhichisembodiedinthevariousletterswhichhehasgivenyou，andwhich——Heavenhelpusinthatcase！——wemightthwartbydisobedience。TomorrowinthelateafternoonIwillescortyoutotheRuedeCharonne。Itisahousethatweallknowwell，andwhichArmand，ofcourse，knowstoo。IhadalreadyinquiredtheretwodaysagotoascertainwhetherbychanceSt。Justwasnotinhidingthere，butLucas，thelandlordandold-clothesdealer，knewnothingabouthim。“

MargueritetoldhimaboutherswiftvisionofArmandinthedarkcorridorofthehouseofJustice。

“Canyouunderstandit，SirAndrew？”sheasked，fixingherdeep，luminouseyesinquiringlyuponhim。

“No，Icannot，“hesaid，afteranalmostimperceptiblemomentofhesitancy；“butweshallseehimto-morrow。IhavenodoubtthatMademoiselleLangewillknowwheretofindhim；andnowthatweknowwheresheis，allouranxietyabouthim，atanyrate，shouldsoonbeatanend。“

Heroseandmadesomeallusiontothelatenessofthehour。

Somehowitseemedtoherthatherdevotedfriendwastryingtohidehisinnermostthoughtsfromher。Shewatchedhimwithananxious，intentgaze。

“Canyouunderstanditall，SirAndrew？”shereiteratedwithapatheticnoteofappeal。

“No，no！”hesaidfirmly。“Onmysoul，LadyBlakeney，IknownomoreofArmandthanyoudoyourself。ButIamsurethatPercyisright。Theboyfretsbecauseremorsemusthaveassailedhimbynow。Hadhebutobeyedimplicitlythatday，aswealldid——“

Buthecouldnotframethewholeterriblepropositioninwords。

BitterlyashehimselffeltonthesubjectofArmand，hewouldnotaddyetanotherburdentothisdevotedwoman\'sheavyloadofmisery。

“ItwasFate，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidafterawhile。“Fate！adamnablefatewhichdiditall。GreatGod！tothinkofBlakeneyinthehandsofthosebrutesseemssohorriblethatattimesI

feelasifthewholethingwereanightmare，andthatthenextmomentweshallbothwakehearinghismerryvoiceechoingthroughthisroom。“

Hetriedtocheerherwithwordsofhopethatheknewwerebutchimeras。Aheavyweightofdespondencylayonhisheart。Theletterfromhischiefwashiddenagainsthisbreast；hewouldstudyitanonintheprivacyofhisownapartmentsoastocommiteverywordtomemorythatrelatedtothemeasuresfortheultimatesafetyofthechild-King。Afterthatitwouldhavetobedestroyed，lestitfellintoinimicalhands。

SoonhebadeMargueritegood-night。Shewastiredout，bodyandsoul，andhe——herfaithfulfriend——vaguelywonderedhowlongshewouldbeabletowithstandthestrainofsomuchsorrow，suchunspeakablemisery。

WhenatlastshewasaloneMargueritemadebraveeffortstocomposehernervessoastoobtainacertainmodicumofsleepthisnight。But，strivehowshemight，sleepwouldnotcome。Howcouldit，whenbeforeherweariedbrainthereroseconstantlythatawfulvisionofPercyinthelong，narrowcell，withwearyheadbentoverhisarm，andthosefriendsshoutingpersistentlyinhisear：

“Wakeup，citizen！Tellus，whereisCapet？”

Thefearobsessedherthathismindmightgiveway；forthementalagonyofsuchintensewearinessmustbewell-nighimpossibletobear。Inthedark，asshesathourafterhourattheopenwindow，lookingoutinthedirectionwherethroughtheveilofsnowthegreywallsoftheChateletprisontoweredsilentandgrim，sheseemedtoseehispale，drawnfacewithalmostappallingreality；

shecouldseeeverylineofit，andcouldstudyitwiththeintensitybornofaterriblefear。

Howlongwouldtheghostlyglimmerofmerrimentstilllingerintheeyes？Whenwouldthehoarse，mirthlesslaughrisetothelips，thatawfullaughthatproclaimsmadness？Oh！shecouldhavescreamednowwiththeawfulnessofthishauntingterror。Ghoulsseemedtobemockingheroutofthedarkness，everyflakeofsnowthatfellsilentlyonthewindow-sillbecameagrinningfacethattauntedandderided；everycryinthesilenceofthenight，everyfootsteponthequaybelowturnedtohideousjeershurledatherbytormentingfiends。

Sheclosedthewindowquickly，forshefearedthatshewouldgomad。Foranhourafterthatshewalkedupanddowntheroommakingviolenteffortstocontrolhernerves，tofindaglimmerofthatcouragewhichshepromisedPercythatshewouldhave。

CHAPTERXXXII

SISTERS

Themorningfoundherfaggedout，butmorecalm。Lateronshemanagedtodrinksomecoffee，andhavingwashedanddressed，shepreparedtogoout。

SirAndrewappearedintimetoascertainherwishes。

“IpromisedPercytogototheRuedeCharonneinthelateafternoon，“shesaid。“Ihavesomehourstospare，andmeantoemploythemintryingtofindspeechwithMademoiselleLange。“

“Blakeneyhastoldyouwhereshelives？”

“Yes。IntheSquareduRoule。Iknowitwell。Icanbethereinhalfanhour。“

He，ofcourse，beggedtobeallowedtoaccompanyher，andanontheywerewalkingtogetherquicklyuptowardtheFaubourgSt。

Honore。Thesnowhadceasedfalling，butitwasstillverycold，butneitherMargueritenorSirAndrewwereconsciousofthetemperatureorofanyoutwardsignsaroundthem。Theywalkedonsilentlyuntiltheyreachedthetorn-downgatesoftheSquareduRoule；thereSirAndrewpartedfromMargueriteafterhavingappointedtomeetheranhourlateratasmalleating-househeknewofwheretheycouldhavesomefoodtogether，beforestartingontheirlongexpeditiontotheRuedeCharonne。

FiveminuteslaterMargueriteBlakeneywasshowninbyworthyMadameBelhomme，intothequaintandprettydrawing-roomwithitssoft-tonedhangingsandold-worldairoffadedgrace。

MademoiselleLangewassittingthere，inacapaciousarmchair，whichencircledherdelicatefigurewithitsframe-workofdulloldgold。

ShewasostensiblyreadingwhenMargueritewasannounced，foranopenbooklayonatablebesideher；butitseemedtothevisitorthatmayhaptheyounggirl\'sthoughtshadplayedtruantfromherwork，forherposewaslistlessandapathetic，andtherewasalookofgravetroubleuponthechildlikeface。

SherosewhenMargueriteentered，obviouslypuzzledattheunexpectedvisit，andsomewhatawedattheappearanceofthisbeautifulwomanwiththesadlookinhereyes。

“Imustcraveyourpardon，mademoiselle，“saidLadyBlakeneyassoonasthedoorhadoncemoreclosedonMadameBelhomme，andshefoundherselfalonewiththeyounggirl。“Thisvisitatsuchanearlyhourmustseemtoyouanintrusion。ButIamMargueriteSt。

Just，and——“

Hersmileandoutstretchedhandcompletedthesentence。

“St。Just！”exclaimedJeanne。

“Yes。Armand\'ssister！”

Aswiftblushrushedtothegirl\'spalecheeks；herbrowneyesexpressedunadulteratedjoy。Marguerite，whowasstudyingherclosely，wasconsciousthatherpoorachingheartwentouttothisexquisitechild，thefar-offinnocentcauseofsomuchmisery。

Jeanne，alittleshy，alittleconfusedandnervousinhermovements，waspullingachairclosetothefire，beggingMargueritetosit。

Herwordscameoutallthewhileinshortjerkysentences，andfromtimetotimeshestoleswiftshyglancesatArmand\'ssister。

“Youwillforgiveme，mademoiselle，“saidMarguerite，whosesimpleandcalmmannerquicklytendedtosootheJeanneLange\'sconfusion；

“butIwassoanxiousaboutmybrother——Idonotknowwheretofindhim。“

“Andsoyoucametome，madame？”

“WasIwrong？”

“Oh，no！Butwhatmadeyouthinkthat——thatIwouldknow？”

“Iguessed，“saidMargueritewithasmile。“Youhadheardaboutmethen？”

“Oh，yes！”

“Throughwhom？DidArmandtellyouaboutme？”

“No，alas！Ihavenotseenhimthispastfortnight，sinceyou，mademoiselle，cameintohislife；butmanyofArmand\'sfriendsareinParisjustnow；oneofthemknew，andhetoldme。“

Thesoftblushhadnowoverspreadthewholeofthegirl\'sface，evendowntohergracefulneck。ShewaitedtoseeMargueritecomfortablyinstalledinanarmchair，thensheresumedshyly：

“AnditwasArmandwhotoldmeallaboutyou。Helovesyousodearly。“

“ArmandandIwereveryyoungchildrenwhenwelostourparents，“

saidMargueritesoftly，“andwewereallinalltoeachotherthen。

AnduntilImarriedhewasthemanIlovedbestinalltheworld。“

“Hetoldmeyouweremarried——toanEnglishman。“

“Yes？”

“HelovesEnglandtoo。Atfirsthealwaystalkedofmygoingtherewithhimashiswife，andofthehappinessweshouldfindtheretogether。“

“Whydoyousay\'atfirst\'？”

“HetalkslessaboutEnglandnow。“

“Perhapshefeelsthatnowyouknowallaboutit，andthatyouunderstandeachotherwithregardtothefuture。“

“Perhaps。“