第9章

JeannesatoppositetoMargueriteonalowstoolbythefire。Herelbowswererestingonherknees，andherfacejustnowwashalf-hiddenbythewealthofherbrowncurls。Shelookedexquisitelyprettysittinglikethis，withjustthesuggestionofsadnessinthelistlesspose。Margueritehadcomehereto-daypreparedtohatethisyounggirl，whoinafewbriefdayshadstolennotonlyArmand\'sheart，buthisallegiancetohischief，andhistrustinhim。Sincelastnight，whenshehadseenherbrothersneaksilentlypastherlikeathiefinthenight，shehadnurturedthoughtsofill-willandangeragainstJeanne。

Buthatredandangerhadmeltedatthesightofthischild。

Marguerite，withtheperfectunderstandingbornofloveitself，hadsoonrealisedthecharmwhichawomanlikeMademoiselleLangemustofnecessityexerciseoverachivalrous，enthusiasticnaturelikeArmand\'s。Thesenseofprotection——thestrongestperhapsthatexistsinagoodman\'sheart——woulddrawhimirresistiblytothisbeautifulchild，withthegreat，appealingeyes，andthelookofpathosthatpervadedtheentireface。Marguerite，lookinginsilenceonthe——daintypicturebeforeher，founditinherhearttoforgiveArmandfordisobeyinghischiefwhenthoseeyesbeckonedtohiminacontrarydirection。

Howcouldhe，howcouldanychivalrousmanendurethethoughtofthisdelicate，freshflowerlyingcrushedanddroopinginthehandsofmonsterswhorespectedneithercouragenorpurity？AndArmandhadbeenmorethanhuman，ormayhapless，ifhehadindeedconsentedtoleavethefateofthegirlwhomhehadsworntoloveandprotectinotherhandsthanhisown。

ItseemedalmostasifJeannewasconsciousofthefixityofMarguerite\'sgaze，forthoughshedidnotturntolookather，theflushgraduallydeepenedinhercheeks。

“MademoiselleLange，“saidMargueritegently，“doyounotfeelthatyoucantrustme？”

Sheheldouthertwohandstothegirl，andJeanneslowlyturnedtoher。ThenextmomentshewaskneelingatMarguerite\'sfeet，andkissingthebeautifulkindhandsthathadbeenstretchedouttoherwithsuchsisterlylove。

“Indeed，indeed，Idotrustyou，“shesaid，andlookedwithtear-dimmedeyesinthepalefaceaboveher。“IhavelongedforsomeoneinwhomIcouldconfide。Ihavebeensolonelylately，andArmand——“

Withanimpatientlittlegestureshebrushedawaythetearswhichhadgatheredinhereyes。

“WhathasArmandbeendoing？”askedMargueritewithanencouragingsmile。

“Oh，nothingtogrieveme！”repliedtheyounggirleagerly，“forheiskindandgood，andchivalrousandnoble。Oh，Ilovehimwithallmyheart！IlovedhimfromthemomentthatIseteyesonhim，andthenhecametoseeme——perhapsyouknow！AndhetalkedsobeautifulaboutEngland，andsonoblyabouthisleadertheScarletPimpernel——haveyouheardofhim？”

“Yes，“saidMarguerite，smiling。“Ihaveheardofhim。“

“ItwasthatdaythatcitizenHeroncamewithhissoldiers！Oh！

youdonotknowcitizenHeron。HeisthemostcruelmaninFrance。InParisheishatedbyeveryone，andnooneissafefromhisspies。HecametoarrestArmand，butIwasabletofoolhimandtosaveArmand。Andafterthat，“sheaddedwithcharmingnaivete，“Ifeltasif，havingsavedArmand\'slife，hebelongedtome——andhisloveformehadmademehis。“

“ThenIwasarrested，“shecontinuedafteraslightpause，andattherecollectionofwhatshehadenduredthenherfreshvoicestilltrembledwithhorror。

“Theydraggedmetoprison，andIspenttwodaysinadarkcell，where——“

Shehidherfaceinherhands，whilstafewsobsshookherwholeframe；thensheresumedmorecalmly：

“IhadseennothingofArmand。Iwonderedwherehewas，andI

knewthathewouldbeeatingouthisheartwithanxietyforme。

ButGodwaswatchingoverme。AtfirstIwastransferredtotheTempleprison，andthereakindcreature——asortofman-of-allworkintheprisontookcompassiononme。Idonotknowhowhecontrivedit，butonemorningveryearlyhebroughtmesomefilthyoldragswhichhetoldmetoputonquickly，andwhenIhaddonethathebademefollowhim。Oh！hewasaverydirty，wretchedmanhimself，buthemusthavehadakindheart。Hetookmebythehandandmademecarryhisbroomandbrushes。Nobodytookmuchnoticeofus，thedawnwasonlyjustbreaking，andthepassageswereverydarkanddeserted；onlyoncesomesoldiersbegantochaffhimaboutme：\'C\'estmafille——quoi？\'hesaidroughly。I

verynearlylaughedthen，onlyIhadthegoodsensetorestrainmyself，forIknewthatmyfreedom，andperhapsmylife，dependedonmynotbetrayingmyself。Mygrimy，tatteredguidetookmewithhimrightthroughtheinterminablecorridorsofthatawfulbuilding，whilstIprayedferventlytoGodforhimandformyself。Wegotoutbyoneoftheservicestairsandexit，andthenhedraggedmethroughsomenarrowstreetsuntilwecametoacornerwhereacoveredcartstoodwaiting。Mykindfriendtoldmetogetintothecart，andthenhebadethedriverontheboxtakemestraighttoahouseintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。Oh！Iwasinfinitelygratefultothepoorcreaturewhohadhelpedmetogetoutofthatawfulprison，andI

wouldgladlyhavegivenhimsomemoney，forIamsurehewasverypoor；butIhadnonebyme。HetoldmethatIshouldbequitesafeinthehouseintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，andbeggedmetowaittherepatientlyforafewdaysuntilIheardfromonewhohadmywelfareatheart，andwhowouldfurtherarrangeformysafety。“

Margueritehadlistenedsilentlytothisnarrativesonaivelytoldbythischild，whoobviouslyhadnoideatowhomsheowedherfreedomandherlife。Whilethegirltalked，hermindcouldfollowwithunspeakableprideandhappinesseveryphaseofthatsceneintheearlydawn，whenthatmysterious，raggedman-of-all-work，unbeknowneventothewomanwhomhewassaving，riskedhisownnoblelifeforthesakeofherwhomhisfriendandcomradeloved。

“Anddidyouneverseeagainthekindmantowhomyouoweyourlife？”sheasked。

“No！”repliedJeanne。“Ineversawhimsince；butwhenIarrivedattheRueSt。Germainl\'AuxerroisIwastoldbythegoodpeoplewhotookchargeofmethattheraggedman-of-all-workhadbeennoneotherthanthemysteriousEnglishmanwhomArmandreveres，hewhomtheycalltheScarletPimpernel。“

“ButyoudidnotstayverylongintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，didyou？”

“No。Onlythreedays。ThethirddayIreceivedacommuniquefromtheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，togetherwithanunconditionalcertificateofsafety。ItmeantthatIwasfree——quitefree。Oh！

Icouldscarcelybelieveit。IlaughedandIcrieduntilthepeopleinthehousethoughtthatIhadgonemad。Thepastfewdayshadbeensuchahorriblenightmare。“

“AndthenyousawArmandagain？”

“Yes。TheytoldhimthatIwasfree。Andhecameheretoseeme。

Heoftencomes；hewillbehereanon。“

“Butareyounotafraidonhisaccountandyourown？Heis——hemustbestill——\'suspect\'；awell-knownadherentoftheScarletPimpernel，hewouldbesaferoutofParis。“

“No！oh，no！Armandisinnodanger。He，too，hasanunconditionalcertificateofsafety。“

“Anunconditionalcertificateofsafety？”askedMarguerite，whilstadeepfrownofgravepuzzlementappearedbetweenherbrows。

“Whatdoesthatmean？

“Itmeansthatheisfreetocomeandgoashelikes；thatneitherhenorIhaveanythingtofearfromHeronandhisawfulspies。

Oh！butforthatsadandcarewornlookonArmand\'sfacewecouldbesohappy；butheissounlikehimself。HeisArmandandyetanother；hislookattimesquitefrightensme。“

“Yetyouknowwhyheissosad，“saidMargueriteinastrange，tonelessvoicewhichsheseemedquiteunabletocontrol，forthattonelessnesscamefromaterriblesenseofsuffocation，ofafeelingasifherheart-stringswerebeinggrippedbyhuge，hardhands。

“Yes，Iknow，“saidJeannehalfhesitatingly，asifknowing，shewasstillunconvinced。

“Hischief，hiscomrade，thefriendofwhomyouspeak，theScarletPimpernel，whoriskedhislifeinordertosaveyours，mademoiselle，isaprisonerinthehandsofthosethathatehim。“

Margueritehadspokenwithsuddenvehemence。Therewasalmostanappealinhervoicenow，asifsheweretryingnottoconvinceJeanneonly，butalsoherself，ofsomethingthatwasquitesimple，quitestraightforward，andyetwhichappearedtoberecedingfromher，anintangiblesomething，aspiritthatwasgraduallyyieldingtoaforceasyetunborn，toaphantomthathadnotyetemergedfromoutchaos。

ButJeanneseemedunconsciousofallthis。HermindwasabsorbedinArmand，themanwhomshelovedinhersimple，whole-heartedway，andwhohadseemedsodifferentoflate。

“Oh，yes！”shesaidwithadeep，sadsigh，whilsttheever-readytearsoncemoregatheredinhereyes，“Armandisveryunhappybecauseofhim。TheScarletPimpernelwashisfriend；Armandlovedandreveredhim。Didyouknow，“addedthegirl，turninglarge，horror-filledeyesonMarguerite，“thattheywantsomeinformationfromhimabouttheDauphin，andtoforcehimtogiveitthey——they——“

“Yes，Iknow，“saidMarguerite。

“Canyouwonder，then，thatArmandisunhappy。Oh！lastnight，afterhewentfromme，Icriedforhours，justbecausehehadlookedsosad。HenolongertalksofhappyEngland，ofthecottageweweretohave，andoftheKentishorchardsinMay。Hehasnotceasedtoloveme，forattimeshisloveseemssogreatthatItremblewithadelicioussenseoffear。Butoh！hisloveformenolongermakeshimhappy。“

Herheadhadgraduallysunklowerandloweronherbreast，hervoicedieddowninamurmurbrokenbyheartrendingsighs。EverygenerousimpulseinMarguerite\'snoblenaturepromptedhertotakethatsorrowingchildinherarms，tocomfortherifshecould，toreassureherifshehadthepower。Butastrangeicyfeelinghadgraduallyinvadedherheart，evenwhilstshelistenedtothesimpleunsophisticatedtalkofJeanneLange。Herhandsfeltnumbandclammy，andinstinctivelyshewithdrewawayfromthenearvicinityofthegirl。Shefeltasiftheroom，thefurnitureinit，eventhewindowbeforeherweredancingawildandcuriousdance，andthatfromeverywherearoundstrangewhistlingsoundsreachedherears，whichcausedherheadtowhirlandherbraintoreel。

Jeannehadburiedherheadinherhands。Shewascrying——softly，almosthumblyatfirst，asifhalfashamedofhergrief；then，suddenlyitseemed，asifshecouldnotcontainherselfanylonger，aheavysobescapedherthroatandshookherwholedelicateframewithitsviolence。Sorrownolongerwouldbegainsaid，itinsistedonphysicalexpression——thatawfultearingoftheheart-stringswhichleavesthebodynumbandpantingwithpain。

InamomentMargueritehadforgotten；thedarkandshapelessphantomthathadknockedatthegateofhersoulwasrelegatedbackintochaos。Itceasedtobe，itwasmadetoshrivelandtoburninthegreatseethingcauldronofwomanlysympathy。Whatpartthischildhadplayedinthevastcataclysmofmiserywhichhaddraggedanoble-heartedenthusiastintothedarktorture-chamber，whencetheonlyoutletledtotheguillotine，she——MargueriteBlakeney——didnotknow；whatpartArmand，herbrother，hadplayedinit，thatshewouldnotdaretoguess；allthatsheknewwasthatherewasalovingheartthatwasfilledwithpain——ayoung，inexperiencedsoulthatwashavingitsfirsttusslewiththegrimrealitiesoflife——

andeverymotherlyinstinctinMargueritewasaroused。

Sheroseandgentlydrewtheyounggirlupfromherknees，andthenclosertoher；shepillowedthegrief-strickenheadagainsthershoulder，andmurmuredgentle，comfortingwordsintothetinyear。

“IhavenewsforArmand，“shewhispered，“thatwillcomforthim，amessage——aletterfromhisfriend。Youwillsee，dear，thatwhenArmandreadsithewillbecomeachangedman；yousee，Armandactedalittlefoolishlyafewdaysago。Hischiefhadgivenhimorderswhichhedisregarded——hewassoanxiousaboutyou——heshouldhaveobeyed；andnow，mayhap，hefeelsthathisdisobediencemayhavebeenthe——theinnocentcauseofmuchmiserytoothers；thatis，nodoubt，thereasonwhyheissosad。Theletterfromhisfriendwillcheerhim，youwillsee。“

“Doyoureallythinkso，madame？”murmuredJeanne，inwhosetear-stainedeyestheindomitablehopefulnessofyouthwasalreadystrivingtoshine。

“Iamsureofit，“assentedMarguerite。

Andforthemomentshewasabsolutelysincere。Thephantomhadentirelyvanished。Shewouldeven，hadhedaredtore-appear，havemockedandderidedhimforhisfutileattemptatturningthesorrowinherhearttoaveritablehellofbitterness。

CHAPTERXXXIII

LITTLEMOTHER

Thetwowomen，bothsoyoungstill，buteachofthemwithamarkofsorrowalreadyindeliblygraveninherheart，wereclingingtooneanother，boundtogetherbythestrongbondofsympathy。Andbutforthesadnessofitallitweredifficulttoconjureupamorebeautifulpicturethanthatwhichtheypresentedastheystoodsidebyside；Marguerite，tallandstatelyasanexquisitelily，withthecrownofherardenthairandthegloryofherdeepblueeyes，andJeanneLange，daintyanddelicate，withthebrowncurlsandthechild-likedroopofthesoft，moistlips。

ThusArmandsawthemwhen，amomentortwolater，enteredunannounced。Hehadpushedopenthedoorandlookedonthetwowomensilentlyforasecondortwo；onthegirlwhomhelovedsodearly，forwhosesakehehadcommittedthegreat，theunpardonablesinwhichwouldsendhimforeverhenceforth，Cain-like，awandereronthefaceoftheearth；andtheother，hissister，herwhomaJudasactwouldcondemntolonelysorrowandwidowhood。

Hecouldhavecriedoutinanagonyofremorse，anditwasthegroanofacutesoulanguishwhichescapedhislipsthatdrewMarguerite\'sattentiontohispresence。

EventhoughmanythingsthatJeanneLangehadsaidhadpreparedherforachangeinherbrother，shewasimmeasurablyshockedbyhisappearance。Hehadalwaysbeenslimandratherbelowtheaverageinheight，butnowhisusuallyuprightandtrimfigureseemedtohaveshrunkenwithinitself；hisclotheshungbaggyonhisshoulders，hishandsappearedwaxenandemaciated，butthegreatestchangewasinhisface，inthewidecirclesroundtheeyes，thatspokeofwakefulnights，inthehollowcheeks，andthemouththathadwhollyforgottenhowtosmile。

Percyafteraweek\'smiseryimmuredinadarkandmiserableprison，deprivedoffoodandrest，didnotlooksuchaphysicalwreckasdidArmandSt。Just，whowasfree。

Marguerite\'sheartreproachedherforwhatshefelthadbeenneglect，callousnessonherpart。Mutely，withinherself，shecravedhisforgivenessfortheappearanceofthatphantomwhichshouldneverhavecomeforthfromoutthatchaotichellwhichhadengenderedit。

“Armand！”shecried。

Andthelovingarmsthathadguidedhisbabyfootstepslongago，thetenderhandsthathadwipedhisboyishtears，werestretchedoutwithunalterablelovetowardhim。

“Ihaveamessageforyou，dear，“shesaidgently——“aletterfromhim。MademoiselleJeanneallowedmetowaithereforyouuntilyoucame。“

Silently，likealittleshymouse，Jeannehadslippedoutoftheroom。HerpureloveforArmandhadennobledeveryoneofherthoughts，andherinnatekindlinessandrefinementhadalreadysuggestedthatbrotherandsisterwouldwishtobealone。AtthedoorshehadturnedandmetArmand\'slook。Thatlookhadsatisfiedher；shefeltthatinitshehadreadtheexpressionofhislove，andtoitshehadrespondedwithaglancethatspokeofhopeforafuturemeeting。

AssoonasthedoorhadclosedonJeanneLange，Armand，withanimpulsethatrefusedtobechecked，threwhimselfintohissister\'sarms。Thepresent，withallitssorrows，itsremorseanditsshame，hadsunkaway；onlythepastremained——theunforgettablepast，whenMargueritewas“littlemother“——thesoother，thecomforter，thehealer，theever-willingreceptaclewhereinhehadbeenwonttopourtheburdenofhischildishgriefs，ofhisboyishescapades。

Consciousthatshecouldnotknoweverything——notyet，atanyrate——hegavehimselfovertotheraptureofthispureembrace，thelasttime，mayhap，thatthosefondarmswouldcloseroundhiminunmixedtenderness，thelasttimethatthosefondlipswouldmurmurwordsofaffectionandofcomfort。

To-morrowthosesamelipswould，perhaps，cursethetraitor，andthesmallhandberaisedinwrath，pointinganavengingfingerontheJudas。

“Littlemother，“hewhispered，babblinglikeachild，“itisgoodtoseeyouagain。“

“AndIhavebroughtyouamessagefromPercy，“shesaid，“aletterwhichhebeggedmetogiveyouassoonasmaybe。“

“Youhaveseenhim？”heasked。

Shenoddedsilently，unabletospeak。Notnow，notwhenhernerveswerestrungtobreakingpitch，wouldshetrustherselftospeakofthatawfulyesterday。ShegropedinthefoldsofhergownandtookthepacketwhichPercyhadgivenherforArmand。Itfeltquitebulkyinherhand。

“Thereisquiteagooddealthereforyoutoread，dear，“shesaid。“Percybeggedmetogiveyouthis，andthentoletyoureaditwhenyouwerealone。“

Shepressedthepacketintohishand。Armand\'sfacewasashenpale。Heclungtoherwithstrange，nervoustenacity；thepaperwhichheheldinonehandseemedtoSearhisfingersaswithabranding-iron。

“Iwillslipawaynow，“shesaid，forstrangelyenoughsincePercy\'smessagehadbeeninArmand\'shandsshewasonceagainconsciousofthatawfulfeelingoficinessroundherheart，asenseofnumbnessthatparalysedherverythoughts。

“YouwillmakemyexcusestoMademoiselleLange，“shesaid，tryingtosmile。“Whenyouhaveread，youwillwishtoseeheralone。“

GentlyshedisengagedherselffromArmand\'sgraspandmadeforthedoor。Heappeareddazed，staringdownatthatpaperwhichwasscorchinghisfingers。Onlywhenherhandwasonthelatchdidheseemtorealisethatshewasgoing。

“Littlemother，“cameinvoluntarilytohislips。

Shecamestraightbacktohimandtookbothhiswristsinhersmallhands。Shewastallerthanhe，andhisheadwasslightlybentforward。Thusshetoweredoverhim，lovingbutstrong，hergreat，earnesteyessearchinghissoul。

“WhenshallIseeyouagain，littlemother？”heasked。

“Readyourletter，dear，“shereplied，“andwhenyouhavereadit，ifyoucaretoimpartitscontentstome，cometo-nighttomylodgings，QuaidelaFerraille，abovethesaddler\'sshop。Butifthereisaughtinitthatyoudonotwishmetoknow，thendonotcome；Ishallunderstand。Good-bye，dear。“

Shetookhisheadbetweenhertwocoldhands，andasitwasstillbowedsheplacedatenderkiss，asofalongfarewell，uponhishair。

Thenshewentoutoftheroom。

CHAPTERXXXIV

THELETTER

Armandsatinthearmchairinfrontofthefire。Hisheadrestedagainstonehand；intheotherheheldtheletterwrittenbythefriendwhomhehadbetrayed。

Twicehehadreaditnow，andalreadywaseverywordofthatminute，clearwritinggravenupontheinnermostfibresofhisbody，uponthemostsecretcellsofhisbrain。

Armand，Iknow。IknewevenbeforeChauvelincametome，andstoodtherehopingtogloatoverthesoul-agonyamanwhofindsthathehasbeenbetrayedbyhisdearestfriend。Butthatd——dreprobatedidnotgetthatsatisfaction，forIwasprepared。NotonlydoIknow，Armand，butIUNDERSTAND。I，whodonotknowwhatloveis，haverealisedhowsmallathingishonour，loyalty，orfriendshipwhenweighedinthebalanceofalovedone\'sneed。

TosaveJeanneyousoldmetoHeronandhiscrowd。Wearemen，Armand，andthewordforgivenesshasonlybeenspokenoncethesepasttwothousandyears，andthenitwasspokenbyDivinelips。

ButMargueritelovesyou，andmayhapsoonyouwillbeallthatislefthertoloveonthisearth。Becauseofthisshemustneverknow……Asforyou，Armand——well，Godhelpyou！Butmeseemsthatthehellwhichyouareenduringnowistenthousandtimesworsethanmine。Ihaveheardyourfurtivefootstepsinthecorridoroutsidethegratedwindowofthiscell，andwouldnotthenhaveexchangedmyhellforyours。Therefore，Armand，andbecauseMargueritelovesyou，IwouldwishtoturntoyouinthehourthatIneedhelp。Iaminatightcorner，butthehourmaycomewhenacomrade\'shandmightmeanlifetome。Ihavethoughtofyou，Armandpartlybecausehavingtakenmorethanmylife，yourownbelongstome，andpartlybecausetheplanwhichIhaveinmymindwillcarrywithitgraverisksforthemanwhostandsbyme。

IsworeoncethatneverwouldIriskacomrade\'slifetosavemineown；butmattersaresodifferentnow……wearebothinhell，Armand，andIinstrivingtogetoutofminewillbeshowingyouawayoutofyours。

WillyouretakepossessionofyourlodgingsintheRuedelaCroixBlanche？Ishouldalwaysknowthenwheretofindyouonanemergency。Butifatanytimeyoureceiveanotherletterfromme，beitscontentswhattheymay，actinaccordancewiththeletter，andsendacopyofitatoncetoFfoulkesortoMarguerite。Keepinclosetouchwiththemboth。TellherIsofarforgaveyourdisobedience(therewasnothingmore)thatImayyettrustmylifeandminehonourinyourhands。

IshallhavenomeansofascertainingdefinitelywhetheryouwilldoallthatIask；butsomehow，Armand，Iknowthatyouwill。

ForthethirdtimeArmandreadtheletterthrough。

“But，Armand，“herepeated，murmuringthewordssoftlytinderhisbreath，“Iknowthatyouwill。“

Promptedbysomeindefinableinstinct，movedbyaforcethatcompelled，heallowedhimselftoglidefromthechairontothefloor，ontohisknees。

Allthepent-upbitterness，thehumiliation，theshameofthepastfewdays，surgedupfromhishearttohislipsinonegreatcryofpain。

“MyGod！”hewhispered，“givemethechanceofgivingmylifeforhim。“

Aloneandunwatched，hegavehimselfoverforafewmomentstothealmostvoluptuousdelightofgivingfreereintohisgrief。ThehotLatinbloodinhim，tempestuousinallitspassions，wasfiringhisheartandbrainnowwiththeglowofdevotionandofself-sacrifice。

Thecalm，self-centredAnglo-Saxontemperament——thealmostfatalisticacceptanceoffailurewithoutreproachyetwithoutdespair，whichPercy\'slettertohimhadevidencedinsomarkedamanner——was，mayhap，somewhatbeyondthecomprehensionofthisyoungenthusiast，withpureGallicbloodinhisveins，whowaseverwonttoallowhismostelementalpassionstoswayhisactions。

Butthoughhedidnotaltogetherunderstand，ArmandSt。Justcouldfullyappreciate。Allthatwasnobleandloyalinhimrosetriumphantfrombeneaththedevastatingashesofhisownshame。

Soonhismoodcalmeddown，hislookgrewlesswanandhaggard。

HearingJeanne\'sdiscreetandmouselikestepsinthenextroom，herosequicklyandhidtheletterinthepocketofhiscoat。

ShecameinandinquiredanxiouslyaboutMarguerite；ahurriedlyexpressedexcusefromhim，however，satisfiedhereasilyenough。

ShewantedtobealonewithArmand，happytoseethatheheldhisheadmoreerectto-day，andthatthelookasofahuntedcreaturehadentirelygonefromhiseyes。

SheascribedthishappychangetoMarguerite，findingitinherhearttobegratefultothesisterforhavingaccomplishedwhatthefianceehadfailedtodo。

Forawhiletheyremainedtogether，sittingsidebyside，speakingattimes，butmostlysilent，seemingtosavourthereturnoftruanthappiness。Armandfeltlikeasickmanwhohasobtainedasuddensurceasefrompain。Helookedroundhimwithakindofmelancholydelightonthisroomwhichhehadenteredforthefirsttimelessthanafortnightago，andwhichalreadywassofullofmemories。

ThosefirsthoursspentatthefeetofJeanneLange，howexquisitetheyhadbeen，howfleetingintheperfectionoftheirhappiness！

Nowtheyseemedtobelongtoafardistantpast，evanescentliketheperfumeofviolets，swiftintheirflightlikethewingedstepsofyouth。Blakeney\'sletterhadeffectuallytakenthebitterstingfromouthisremorse，butithadincreasedhisalreadyover-heavyloadofinconsolablesorrow。

Laterinthedayheturnedhisfootstepsinthedirectionoftheriver，tothehouseintheQuaidelaFerrailleabovethesaddler\'sshop。MargueritehadreturnedalonefromtheexpeditiontotheRuedeCharonne。WhilstSirAndrewtookchargeofthelittlepartyoffugitivesandescortedthemoutofParis，shecamehacktoherlodgingsinordertocollectherbelongings，preparatorytotakingupherquartersinthehouseofLucas，theold-clothesdealer。ShereturnedalsobecauseshehopedtoseeArmand。

“Ifyoucaretoimpartthecontentsofthelettertome，cometomylodgingsto-night，“shehadsaid。

Alldayaphantomhadhauntedher，thephantomofanagonisingsuspicion。

Butnowthephantomhadvanishednevertoreturn。Armandwassittingclosebesideher，andhetoldherthatthechiefhadselectedhimamongstalltheotherstostandbyhiminsidethewallsofParisuntilthelast。

“Ishallmayhap，“thusclosedthatpreciousdocument，“havenomeansofascertainingdefinitelywhetheryouwillactinaccordancewiththisletter。Butsomehow，Armand，Iknowthatyouwill。“

“Tknowthatyouwill，Armand，“reiteratedMargueritefervently。

Shehadonlybeentooeagertobeconvinced；thedreadariddarksuspicionwhichhadbeenlikeahideouspoisonedstinghadonlyvaguelytouchedhersoul；ithadnotgoneinverydeeply。Howcouldit，wheninitsdeath-dealingpassageitencounteredtherampartoftender，almostmotherlylove？

Armand，tryingtoreadhissister\'sthoughtsinthedepthsofherblueeyes，foundthelookinthemlimpidandclear。Percy\'smessagetoArmandhadreassuredherjustashehadintendedthatitshoulddo。Fatehaddealtoverharshlywithherasitwas，andBlakeney\'sremorseforthesorrowwhichhehadalreadycausedher，wasscarcelylesskeenthanArmand\'s。Hedidnotwishhertobeartheintolerableburdenofhatredagainstherbrother；andbybindingSt。JustclosetohimatthesupremehourofdangerhehopedtoprovetothewomanwhomhelovedsopassionatelythatArmandwasworthyoftrust。

PARTIII

CHAPTERXXXV

THELASTPHASE

“Well？Howisitnow？”

“Thelastphase，Ithink。“

“Hewillyield？”

“Hemust。“

“Bah！youhavesaidityourselfoftenenough；thoseEnglisharetough。“

“Ittakestimetohackthemtopieces，perhaps。Inthiscaseevenyou，citizenChauvelin，saidthatitwouldtaketime。Well，ithastakenjustseventeendays，andnowtheendisinsight。“

Itwascloseonmidnightintheguard-roomwhichgaveontheinnermostcelloftheConciergerie。Heronhadjustvisitedtheprisoneraswashiswontatthishourofthenight。Hehadwatchedthechangingoftheguard，inspectedthenight-watch，questionedthesergeantincharge，andfinallyhehadbeenonthepointofretiringtohisownnewquartersinthehouseofJustice，inthenearvicinityoftheConciergerie，whencitizenChauvelinenteredtheguard-roomunexpectedlyanddetainedhiscolleaguewiththeperemptoryquestion：

“Howisitnow？”

“Ifyouaresoneartheend，citizenHeron，“henowsaid，sinkinghisvoicetoawhisper，“whynotmakeafinaleffortandenditto-night？”

“IwishIcould；theanxietyiswearingmeoutmorenhim，“addedwithajerkymovementoftheheadindirectionoftheinnercell。

“ShallItry？”rejoinedChauvelingrimly。

“Yes，anyouwish。“

CitizenHeron\'slonglimbsweresprawlingonaguard-roomchair。

Inthislownarrowroomhelookedlikesomegiantwhosebodyhadbeencarelesslyandlooselyputtogetherbya\'prenticehandintheartofmanufacture。Hisbroadshoulderswerebent，probablyundertheweightofanxietytowhichhehadreferred，andhishead，withthelank，shaggyhairovershadowingthebrow，wassunkdeepdownonhischest。

Chauvelinlookedonhisfriendandassociatewithnosmallmeasureofcontempt。Hewouldnodoubthavepreferredtoconcludethepresentdifficulttransactionentirelyinhisownwayandalone；

butequallytherewasnodoubtthattheCommitteeofPublicSafetydidnottrusthimquitesofullyasitusedtodobeforethefiascoatCalaisandtheblundersofBoulogne。Heron，ontheotherhand，enjoyedtoitsoutermosttheconfidenceofhiscolleagues；hisferociouscrueltyandhiscallousnesswerewellknown，whilstphysically，owingtohisgreatheightandbulkyiflooselyknitframe，hehadadecidedadvantageoverhistrimandslenderfriend。

Asfarasthebringingofprisonerstotrialwasconcerned，thechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityhadbeengivenaperfectlyfreehandbythedecreeofthe27thNivose。Atfirst，therefore，hehadexperiencednodifficultywhenhedesiredtokeeptheEnglishmanincloseconfinementforatimewithouthurryingonthatsummarytrialandcondemnationwhichthepopulacehadloudlydemanded，andtowhichtheyfeltthattheywereentitledastoapublicholiday。ThedeathoftheScarletPimpernelontheguillotinehadbeenaspectaclepromisedbyeverydemagoguewhodesiredtopurchaseafewvotesbyholdingoutvisionsofpleasantdoingstocome；andduringthefirstfewdaysthemobofPariswascontenttoenjoythedelightsofexpectation。

ButnowseventeendayshadgonebyandstilltheEnglishmanwasnotbeingbroughttotrial。Thepleasure-lovingpublicwaswaxingimpatient，andearlierthisevening，whencitizenHeronhadshownhimselfinthestallsofthenationaltheatre，hewasgreetedbyacrowdedaudiencewithdecidedexpressionsofdisapprovalandopenmutteringsof：

“WhatoftheScarletPimpernel？”

ItalmostlookedasifhewouldhavetobringthataccursedEnglishmantotheguillotinewithouthavingwrestedfromhimthesecretwhichhewouldhavegivenafortunetopossess。Chauvelin，whohadalsobeenpresentatthetheatre，hadheardtheexpressionsofdiscontent；hencehisvisittohiscolleagueatthislatehourofthenight。

“ShallItry？”hehadqueriedwithsomeimpatience，andadeepsighofsatisfactionescapedhisthinlipswhenthechiefagent，weariedanddiscouraged，hadreluctantlyagreed。

“Letthemenmakeasmuchnoiseastheylike，“headdedwithanenigmaticalsmile。“TheEnglishmanandIwillwantanaccompanimenttoourpleasantconversation。“

Herongrowledasurlyassent，andwithoutanotherwordChauvelinturnedtowardstheinnercell。Ashesteppedinheallowedtheironbartofallintoitssocketbehindhim。Thenhewentfartherintotheroomuntilthedistantrecesswasfullyrevealedtohim。

Histreadhadbeenfurtiveandalmostnoiseless。Nowhepaused，forhehadcaughtsighttheprisoner。Foramomenthestoodquitestill，withhandsclaspedbehindhisbackinhiswontedattitude——stillsaveforastrange，involuntarytwitchingofhismouth，andthenervousclaspingandinterlockingofhisfingersbehindhisback。Hewassavouringtoitsutmostfulsomenessthesupremestjoywhichanimalmancaneverknow——thejoyoflookingonafallenenemy。

Blakeneysatatthetablewithonearmrestingonit，theemaciatedhandtightlyclutched，thebodyleaningforward，theeyeslookingintonothingness。

ForthemomenthewasunconsciousofChauvelin\'spresence，andthelattercouldgazeonhimtothefullcontentofhisheart。

Indeed，toalloutwardappearancestheresatamanwhomprivationsofeverysortandkind，thewantoffreshair，ofproperfood，aboveall，ofrest，hadworndownphysicallytoashadow。Therewasnotaparticleofcolourincheeksorlips，theskinwasgreyinhue，theeyeslookedlikedeepcaverns，whereintheglowoffeverwasallthatwasleftoflife。

Chauvelinlookedoninsilence，vaguelystirredbysomethingthathecouldnotdefine，somethingthatrightthroughhistriumphantsatisfaction，hishatredandfinalcertaintyofrevenge，hadrousedinhimasensealmostofadmiration。

Hegazedonthenoiselessfigureofthemanwhohadenduredsomuchforanideal，andashegazeditseemedtohimasifthespiritnolongerdweltinthebody，buthoveredroundinthedank，stuffyairofthenarrowcellabovetheheadofthelonelyprisoner，crowningitwithglorythatwasnolongerofthisearth。

Ofthisthelooker-onwasconsciousdespitehimself，ofthatandofthefactthatstareashemight，andwithperceptionrendereddoublykeenbyhate，hecouldnot，inspiteofall，findtheleasttraceofmentalweaknessinthatfar-seeinggazewhichseemedtopiercetheprisonwalls，norcouldheseethatbodilyweaknesshadtendedtosubduetherulingpassions。

SirPercyBlakeney——aprisonersinceseventeendaysinclose，solitaryconfinement，half-starved，deprivedofrest，andofthatmentalandphysicalactivitywhichhadbeentheveryessenceoflifetohimhitherto——mightbeoutwardlybutashadowofhisformerbrilliantself，butneverthelesshewasstillthatsameelegantEnglishgentleman，thatprinceofdandieswhomChauvelinhadfirstmeteighteenmonthsagoatthemostcourtlyCourtinEurope。Hisclothes，despiteconstantwearandthewantofattentionfromascrupulousvalet，stillbetrayedtheperfectionofLondontailoring；hehadputthemonwithmeticulouscare，theywerefreefromtheslightestparticleofdust，andthefilmyfoldsofpricelessMechlinstillhalf-veiledthedelicatewhitenessofhisshapelyhands。

Andinthepale，haggardface，inthewholeposeofbodyandofarm，therewasstilltheexpressionofthatindomitablestrengthofwill，thatrecklessdaring，thatalmostinsolentchallengetoFate；itwasthereuntamed，uncrushed。Chauvelinhimselfcouldnotdenytohimselfitspresenceoritsforce。Hefeltthatbehindthatsmoothbrow，whichlookedwaxlikenow，themindwasstillalert，scheming，plotting，strivingforfreedom，forconquestandforpower，andrenderedevendoublykeenandvirilebytheardourofsupremeself-sacrifice。

ChauvelinnowmadeaslightmovementandsuddenlyBlakeneybecameconsciousofhispresence，andswiftasaflashasmilelituphiswanface。

“Why！ifitisnotmyengagingfriendMonsieurChambertin，“hesaidgaily。

Heroseandsteppedforwardinthemostapprovedfashionprescribedbytheelaborateetiquetteofthetime。ButChauvelinsmiledgrimlyandalookofalmostanimallustgleamedinhispaleeyes，forhehadnotedthatasheroseSirPercyhadtoseekthesupportofthetable，evenwhilstadullfilmappearedtogatheroverhiseyes。

Thegesturehadbeenquickandcleverlydisguised，butithadbeentherenevertheless——thatandthelividhuethatoverspreadthefaceasifconsciousnesswasthreateningtogo。Allofwhichwassufficientstillfurthertoassurethelooker-onthatthatmightyphysicalstrengthwasgivingwayatlast，thatstrengthwhichhehadhatedinhisenemyalmostasmuchashehadhatedthethinlyveiledinsolenceofhismanner。

“Andwhatprocuresme，sir，thehonourofyourvisit？”continuedBlakeney，whohad——atanyrate，outwardlysoonrecoveredhimself，andwhosevoice，thoughdistinctlyhoarseandspent，rangquitecheerfullyacrossthedanknarrowcell。

“Mydesireforyourwelfare，SirPercy，“repliedChauvelinwithequalpleasantry。

“La，sir；buthaveyounotgratifiedthatdesirealready，toanextentwhichleavesnoroomforfurthersolicitude？ButIprayyou，willyounotsitdown？”hecontinued，turningbacktowardthetable。“Iwasabouttopartakeofthelavishsupperwhichyourfriendshaveprovidedforme。Willyounotshareit，sir？Youaremostroyallywelcome，anditwillmayhapremindyouofthatsupperwesharedtogetherinCalais，eh？whenyou，MonsieurChambertin，weretemporarilyinholyorders。“

Helaughed，offeringhisenemyachair，andpointedwithinvitinggesturetothehunkofbrownbreadandthemugofwaterwhichstoodonthetable。

“Suchasitis，sir，“hesaidwithapleasantsmile，“itisyourstocommand。“

Chauvelinsatdown。Heheldhislowerliptightlybetweenhisteeth，sotightlythatafewdropsofbloodappeareduponitsnarrowsurface。Hewasmakingvigorouseffortstokeephistemperundercontrol，forhewouldnotgivehisenemythesatisfactionofseeinghimresenthisinsolence。Hecouldaffordtokeepcalmnowthatvictorywasatlastinsight，nowthatheknewthathehadbuttoraiseafinger，andthosesmiling，impudentlipswouldbeclosedforeveratlast。

“SirPercy，“heresumedquietly，“nodoubtitaffordsyouacertainamountofpleasuretoaimyoursarcasticshaftsatme。I

willnotbegrudgeyouthatpleasure；inyourpresentposition，sir，yourshaftshavelittleornosting。“

“AndIshallhavebutfewchanceslefttoaimthematyourcharmingself，“interposedBlakeney，whohaddrawnanotherchairclosetothetableandwasnowsittingoppositehisenemy，withthelightofthelampfallingfullonhisownface，asifhewishedhisenemytoknowthathehadnothingtohide，nothought，nohope，nofear。

“Exactly，“saidChauvelindryly。“Thatbeingthecase，SirPercy，whatsayyoutonolongerwastingthefewchanceswhicharelefttoyouforsafety？Thetimeisgettingon。Youarenot，I

imagine，quiteashopefulasyouwereevenaweekago，……youhaveneverbeenover-comfortableinthiscell，whynotendthisunpleasantstateofaffairsnow——onceandforall？You\'llnothavecausetoregretit。Mywordonit。“

SirPercyleanedbackinhischair。Heyawnedloudlyandostentatiously。

“Iprayyou，sir，forgiveme，“hesaid。“NeverhaveIbeensod——dfatigued。Ihavenotsleptformorethanafortnight。“

“Exactly，SirPercy。Anight\'srestwoulddoyouaworldofgood。“

“Anight，sir？”exclaimedBlakeneywithwhatseemedlikeanechoofhisformerinimitablelaugh。“La！Ishouldwantaweek。“

“Iamafraidwecouldnotarrangeforthat，butonenightwouldgreatlyrefreshyou。“

“Youareright，sir，youareright；butthosed——dfellowsinthenextroommakesomuchnoise。“

“Iwouldgivestrictordersthatperfectquietudereignedintheguard-roomthisnight，“saidChauvelin，murmuringsoftly，andtherewasagentlepurrinhisvoice，“andthatyouwereleftundisturbedforseveralhours。Iwouldgiveordersthatacomfortingsupperbeservedtoyouatonce，andthateverythingbedonetoministertoyourwants。“

“Thatsoundsd——dalluring，sir。Whydidyounotsuggestthisbefore？”

“Youwereso——whatshallIsay——soobstinate，SirPercy？”

“Callitpig-headed，mydearMonsieurChambertin，“retortedBlakeneygaily，“trulyyouwouldobligeme。“

“Inanycaseyou，sir，wereactingindirectoppositiontoyourowninterests。“

“Thereforeyoucame，“concludedBlakeneyairily，“likethegoodSamaritantotakecompassiononmeandmytroubles，andtoleadmestraightawaytocomfort，agoodsupperandadownybed。“

“Admirablyput，SirPercy，“saidChauvelinblandly；“thatisexactlymymission。“

“Howwillyousettowork，MonsieurChambertin？”

“Quiteeasily，ifyou，SirPercy，willyieldtothepersuasionofmyfriendcitizenHeron。“

“Ah！”

“Why，yes！HeisanxioustoknowwherelittleCapetis。A

reasonablewhim，youwillown，consideringthatthedisappearanceofthechildiscausinghimgraveanxiety。“

“Andyou，MonsieurChambertin？”queriedSirPercywiththatsuspicionofinsolenceinhismannerwhichhadthepowertoirritatehisenemyevennow。“Andyourself，sir；whatareyourwishesinthematter？”

“Mine，SirPercy？”retortedChauvelin。“Mine？Why，totellyouthetruth，thefateoflittleCapetinterestsmebutlittle。LethimrotinAustriaorinourprisons，Icarenotwhich。He\'llnevertroubleFranceovermuch，Iimagine。TheteachingsofoldSimonwillnottendtomakealeaderorakingoutofthepunybratwhomyouchosetodragoutofourkeeping。Mywishes，sir，aretheannihilationofyouraccursedLeague，andthelastingdisgrace，ifnotthedeath，ofitschief。“

Hehadspokenmorehotlythanhehadintended，butallthepent-uprageofthepasteighteenmonths，therecollectionsofCalaisandofBoulogne，hadallsurgedupagaininhismind，becausedespitetheclosenessoftheseprisonwalls，despitethegrimshadowofstarvationandofdeaththatbeckonedsocloseathand，hestillencounteredapairofmockingeyes，fixedwithrelentlessinsolenceuponhim。

WhilsthespokeBlakeneyhadoncemoreleanedforward，restinghiselbowsuponthetable。Nowhedrewnearertohimthewoodenplatteronwhichreposedthatveryuninvitingpieceofdrybread。

Withsolemnintentnessheproceededtobreakthebreadintopieces；thenheofferedtheplattertoChauvelin。

“Iamsorry，“hesaidpleasantly，“thatIcannotyoumoredaintyfare，sir，butthisisallthatyourfriendshavesuppliedmewithto-day。“

Hecrumbledsomeofthedrybreadinhisslenderfingers，thenstartedmunchingthecrumbswithapparentrelish。Hepouredoutsomewaterintothemuganddrankit。Thenbesaidwithalightlaugh：

“EventhevinegarwhichthatruffianBrogardservedusatCalaiswaspreferabletothis，doyounotimagineso，mygoodMonsieurChambertin？”

Chauvelinmadenoreply。Likeafelinecreatureontheprowl，hewaswatchingthepreythathadsonearlysuccumbedtohistalons。

Blakeney\'sfacenowwaspositivelyghastly。Theefforttospeak，tolaugh，toappearunconcerned，wasapparentlybeyondhisstrength。Hischeeksandlipswerelividinhue，theskinclunglikeathinlayerofwaxtothebonesofcheekandjaw，andtheheavylidsthatfellovertheeyeshadpurplepatchesonthemlikelead。

Toasysteminsuchanadvancedstateofexhaustionthestalewateranddustybreadmusthavebeenterriblynauseating，andChauvelinhimselfcallousandthirstingforvengeancethoughhewas，couldhardlybeartolookcalmlyonthemartyrdomofthismanwhomheandhiscolleaguesweretorturinginordertogaintheirownends。

Anashenhue，whichseemedliketheshadowofthehandofdeath，passedovertheprisoner\'sface。Chauvelinfeltcompelledtoaverthisgaze。Afeelingthatwasalmostakintoremorsehadstirredahiddencordinhisheart。Thefeelingdidnotlast——thehearthadbeentoolongatrophiedbytheconstantlyrecurringspectaclesofcruelties，massacres，andwholesalehecatombsperpetratedinthepasteighteenmonthsinthenameoflibertyandfraternitytobecapableofasustainedeffortinthedirectionofgentlenessorofpity。Anynobleinstinctintheserevolutionarieshadlongagobeendrownedinawhirlpoolofexploitsthatwouldforeversullytherecordsofhumanity；andthiskeepingofafellow-creatureontherackinordertowringfromhimaJudas-likebetrayalwasbutacomplementtoarecordofinfamythathadceasedbyitsverymagnitudetoweighupontheirsouls。

Chauvelinwasinnowaydifferentfromhiscolleagues；thecrimesinwhichhehadhadnohandhehadcondonedbycontinuingtoservetheGovernmentthathadcommittedthem，andhisferocityinthepresentcasewasincreasedathousandfoldbyhispersonalhatredforthemanwhohadsooftenfooledandbaffledhim。

Whenhelookedroundasecondortwolaterthatephemeralfitofremorsediditsfinalvanishing；hehadoncemoreencounteredthepleasantsmile，thelaughingifashen-palefaceofhisunconqueredfoe。

“Onlyapassinggiddiness，mydearsir，“saidSirPercylightly。

“Asyouweresaying——“

Attheairily-spokenwords，atthesmilethataccompaniedthem，Chauvelinhadjumpedtohisfeet。Therewassomethingalmostsupernatural，weird，andimpishaboutthepresentsituation，aboutthisdyingmanwho，likeanimpudentschoolboy，seemedtobemockingDeathwithhistongueinhischeek，abouthislaughthatappearedtofinditsechoinawidelyyawninggrave。

“InthenameofGod，SirPercy，“hesaidroughly，ashebroughthisclenchedfistcrashingdownuponthetable，“thissituationisintolerable。Bringittoanendto-night！”

“Why，sir？”retortedBlakeney，“methoughtyouandyourkinddidnotbelieveinGod。“

“No。ButyouEnglishdo。“

“Wedo。ButwedonotcaretohearHisnameonyourlips。“

“Theninthenameofthewifewhomyoulove——“

Butevenbeforethewordshaddieduponhislips，SirPercy，too，hadrisentohisfeet。

“Havedone，man——havedone，“hebrokeinhoarsely，anddespiteweakness，despiteexhaustionandweariness，therewassuchadangerouslookinhisholloweyesasheleanedacrossthetablethatChauvelindrewbackasteportwo，and——vaguelyfearful——

lookedfurtivelytowardstheopeningintotheguard-room。“Havedone，“hereiteratedforthethirdtime；“donotnameher，orbythelivingGodwhomyoudaredtoinvokeI\'llfindstrengthyettosmiteyouintheface。“

ButChauvelin，afterthatfirstmomentofalmostsuperstitiousfear，hadquicklyrecoveredhissang-froid。

“LittleCapet，SirPercy，“hesaid，meetingtheother\'sthreateningglancewithanimperturbablesmile，“tellmewheretofindhim，andyoumayyetlivetosavourthecaressesofthemostbeautifulwomaninEngland。“

Hehadmeantitasataunt，thefinalturnofthethumb-screwappliedtoadyingman，andhehadinthatwatchful，keenmindofhiswellweighedthefullconsequencesofthetaunt。

Thenextmomenthehadpaidtothefulltheanticipatedprice。

SirPercyhadpickedupthepewtermugfromthetable——itwashalf-filledwithbrackishwater——andwithahandthattrembledbutslightlyhehurleditstraightathisopponent\'sface。

TheheavymugdidnothitcitizenChauvelin；itwentcrashingagainstthestonewallopposite。Butthewaterwastricklingfromthetopofhisheadalldownhiseyesandcheeks。Heshruggedhisshoulderswithalookofbenignindulgencedirectedathisenemy，whohadfallenbackintohischairexhaustedwiththeeffort。

Thenhetookouthishandkerchiefandcalmlywipedthewaterfromhisface。

“Notquitesostraightashotasyouusedtobe，SirPercy，“hesaidmockingly。

“No，sir——apparently——not。“

Thewordscameoutingasps。Hewaslikeamanonlypartlyconscious。Thelipswereparted，theeyesclosed，theheadleaningagainstthehighbackofthechair。ForthespaceofonesecondChauvelinfearedthathiszealhadoutrunhisprudence，thathehaddealtadeath-blowtoamaninthelaststageofexhaustion，wherehehadonlywishedtofantheflickeringflameoflife。Hastily——forthesecondsseemedprecious——herantotheopeningthatledintotheguard-room。

“Brandy——quick！”hecried。

Heronlookedup，rousedfromthesemi-somnolenceinwhichhehadlainforthepasthalf-hour。Hedisentangledhislonglimbsfromouttheguard-roomchair。

“Eh？”hequeried。“Whatisit？”

“Brandy，“reiteratedChauvelinimpatiently；“theprisonerhasfainted。“

“Bah！”retortedtheotherwithacallousshrugoftheshoulders，“youarenotgoingtorevivehimwithbrandy，Iimagine。“

“No。Butyouwill，citizenHeron，“rejoinedtheotherdryly，“forifyoudonothe\'llbedeadinanhour！”

“Devilsinhell！”exclaimedHeron，“youhavenotkilledhim？

You——youd——dfool！”

Hewaswideawakeenoughnow；wideawakeandshakingwithfury。

Almostfoamingatthemouthandutteringvolleysofthechoicestoaths，heelbowedhiswayroughlythroughthegroupsofsoldierswhowerecrowdingroundthecentretableoftheguard-room，smokingandthrowingdiceorplayingcards。Theymadewayforhimashurriedlyastheycould，foritwasnotsafetothwartthecitizenagentwhenhewasinarage。

Heronwalkedacrosstotheopeningandliftedtheironbar。Withscantceremonyhepushedhiscolleagueasidearidstrodeintothecell，whilstChauvelin，seeminglynotresentingtheother\'sruffianlymannersandviolentlanguage，followedcloseuponhisheel。

Inthecentreoftheroombothmenpaused，andHeronturnedwithasurlygrowltohisfriend。

“Youvowedhewouldbedeadinanhour，“hesaidreproachfully。

Theothershruggedhisshoulders。

“Itdoesnotlooklikeitnowcertainly，“hesaiddryly。

Blakeneywassitting——aswashiswont——closetothetable，withonearmleaningonit，theother，tightlyclenched，restinguponhisknee。Aghostofasmilehoveredroundhislips。

“Notinanhour，citizenHeron，“hesaid，andhisvoiceflowwasscarceaboveawhisper，“noryetintwo。“

“Youareafool，man，“saidHeronroughly。“Youhavehadseventeendaysofthis。Areyounotsickofit？”

“Heartily，mydearfriend，“repliedBlakeneyalittlemorefirmly。

“Seventeendays，“reiteratedtheother，noddinghisshaggyhead；

“youcamehereonthe2ndofPluviose，todayisthe19th。“

“The19thPluviose？”interposedSirPercy，andastrangegleamsuddenlyflashedinhiseyes。“Demnit，sir，andinChristianparlancewhatmaythatdaybe？”

“The7thofFebruaryatyourservice，SirPercy，“repliedChauvelinquietly。

“Ithankyou，sir。Inthisd——dholeIhadlostcountoftime。“

Chauvelin，unlikehisroughandblunderingcolleague，hadbeenwatchingtheprisonerverycloselyforthelastmomentortwo，consciousofasubtle，undefinablechangethathadcomeoverthemanduringthosefewsecondswhilehe，Chauvelin，hadthoughthimdying。Theposewascertainlytheoldfamiliarone，theheaderect，thehandclenched，theeyeslookingthroughandbeyondthestonewalls；buttherewasanairoflistlessnessinthestoopoftheshoulders，and——exceptforthatonebriefgleamjustnow——alookofmorecompletewearinessroundtheholloweyes！Tothekeenwatcheritappearedasifthatsenseoflivingpower，ofunconqueredwillanddefiantmindwasnolongerthere，andasifhehimselfneednolongerfearthatalmostsupersensualthrillwhichhadawhileagokindledinhimavaguesenseofadmiration——almostofremorse。

Evenashegazed，Blakeneyslowlyturnedhiseyesfulluponhim。

Chauvelin\'sheartgaveatriumphantbound。

Withamockingsmilehemettheweariedlook，thepitiableappeal。

Histurnhadcomeatlast——histurntomockandtoexult。Heknewthatwhathewaswatchingnowwasnolongerthelastphaseofalongandnoblemartyrdom；itwastheend——theinevitableend——thatforwhichhehadschemedandstriven，forwhichhehadschooledhishearttoferocityandcallousnessthatweredevilishintheirintensity。Itwastheendindeed，theslowdescentofasoulfromthegiddyheightsofattemptedself-sacrifice，whereithadstriventosoarforatime，untilthebodyandthewillbothsuccumbedtogetheranddraggeditdownwiththemintotheabyssofsubmissionandofirreparableshame。

CHAPTERXXXVI

SUBMISSION

Silencereignedinthenarrowcellforafewmoments，whilsttwohumanjackalsstoodmotionlessovertheircapturedprey。

AsavagetriumphgleamedinChauvelin\'seyes，andevenHeron，dullandbrutalthoughhewas，hadbecomevaguelyconsciousofthegreatchangethathadcomeovertheprisoner。

Blakeney，withagestureandasighofhopelessexhaustionhadoncemorerestedbothhiselbowsonthetable；hisheadfellheavyandalmostlifelessdownwardinhisarms。

“Curseyou，man！”criedHeronalmostinvoluntarily。“Whyinthenameofhelldidyouwaitsolong？”

Then，astheprisonermadenoreply，butonlyraisedhisheadslightly，andlookedontheothertwomenwithdulled，weariedeyes，Chauvelininterposedcalmly：

“Morethanafortnighthasbeenwastedinuselessobstinacy，SirPercy。Fortunatelyitisnottoolate。“

“Capet？”saidHeronhoarsely，“tellus，whereisCapet？”

Heleanedacrossthetable，hiseyeswerebloodshotwiththekeennessofhisexcitement，hisvoiceshookwiththepassionatedesireforthecrowningtriumph。

“Ifyou\'llonlynotworryme，“murmuredtheprisoner；andthewhispercamesolaboriouslyandsolowthatbothmenwereforcedtobendtheirearsclosetothescarcelymovinglips；“ifyouwillletmesleepandrest，andleavemeinpeace——“

“Thepeaceofthegrave，man，“retortedChauvelinroughly；“ifyouwillonlyspeak。WhereisCapet？”

“Icannottellyou；thewayislong，theroad——intricate。“

“Bah！”

“I\'llleadyoutohim，ifyouwillgivemerest。“

“Wedon\'twantyoutoleadusanywhere，“growledHeronwithasmotheredcurse；“telluswhereCapetis；we\'llfindhimrightenough。“

“Icannotexplain；thewayisintricate；theplaceoffthebeatentrack，unknownexcepttomeandmyfriends。“

Oncemorethatshadow，whichwassolikethepassingofthehandofDeath，overspreadtheprisoner\'sface；hisheadrolledbackagainstthechair。

“He\'lldiebeforehecanspeak，“mutteredChauvelinunderhisbreath。“Youusuallyarewellprovidedwithbrandy，citizenHeron。“

Thelatternolongerdemurred。Hesawthedangerasclearlyasdidhiscolleague。Ithadbeenhell\'sownluckiftheprisonerweretodienowwhenheseemedreadytogivein。Heproducedaflaskfromthepocketofhiscoat，andthisheheldtoBlakeney\'slips。

“Beastlystuff，“murmuredthelatterfeebly。“IthinkI\'dsoonerfaint——thandrink。“

“Capet？whereisCapet？”reiteratedHeronimpatiently。“One——two——

threehundredleaguesfromhere。Imustletoneofmyfriendsknow；

he\'llcommunicatewiththeothers；theymustbeprepared，“repliedtheprisonerslowly。

Heronutteredablasphemousoath。

WhereisCapet？TelluswhereCapetis，or——“

Hewaslikearagingtigerthatbadthoughttoholditspreyandsuddenlyrealisedthatitwasbeingsnatchedfromhim。Heraisedhisfist，andwithoutdoubtthenextmomenthewouldLavesilencedforeverthelipsthatheldtheprecioussecret，butChauvelinfortunatelywasquickenoughtoseizehiswrist。

“Haveacare，citizen，“hesaidperemptorily；“haveacare！YoucalledmeafooljustnowwhenyouthoughtIhadkilledtheprisoner。Itishissecretwewantfirst；hisdeathcanfollowafterwards。“

“Yes，butnotinthisd——dhole，“murmuredBlakeney。

“Ontheguillotineifyou\'llspeak，“criedHeron，whoseexasperationwasgettingthebetterofhisself-interest，“butifyou\'llnotspeakthenitshallbestarvationinthishole——yes，starvation，“hegrowled，showingarowoflargeanduneventeethlikethoseofsomemongrelcur，“forI\'llhavethatdoorwalledinto-night，andnotanotherlivingsoulshallcrossthisthresholdagainuntilyourfleshhasrottedonyourbonesandtheratshavehadtheirfillofyou。“

Theprisonerraisedhisheadslowly，ashivershookhimasifcausedbyague，andhiseyes，thatappearedalmostsightless，nowlookedwithastrangeglanceofhorroronhisenemy。

“I\'lldieintheopen，“hewhispered，“notinthisd——dhole。“

“ThentelluswhereCapetis。“

“Icannot；IwishtoGodIcould。ButI\'lltakeyoutohim，I

swearIwill。I\'llmakemyfriendsgivehimuptoyou。DoyouthinkthatIwouldnottellyounow，ifIcould。“

Heron，whoseeveryinstinctoftyrannyrevoltedagainstthisthwartingofhiswill，wouldhavecontinuedtoheckletheprisonerevennow，hadnotChauvelinsuddenlyinterposedwithanauthoritativegesture。

“You\'llgainnothingthisway，citizen，“hesaidquietly；“theman\'smindiswandering；heisprobablyquiteunabletogiveyoucleardirectionsatthismoment。“

“WhatamItodo，then？”mutteredtheotherroughly。

“Hecannotliveanothertwenty-fourhoursnow，andwouldonlygrowmoreandmorehelplessastimewenton。“

“Unlessyourelaxyourstrictregimewithhim。“

“AndifIdowe\'llonlyprolongthissituationindefinitely；andinthemeanwhilehowdoweknowthatthebratisnotbeingspiritedawayoutofthecountry？”

Theprisoner，withhisheadoncemoreburiedinhisarms，hadfallenintoakindoftorpor，theonlykindofsleepthattheexhaustedsystemwouldallow。WithabrutalgestureHeronshookhimbytheshoulder。

“He，“heshouted，“noneofthat，youknow。WehavenotsettledthematterofyoungCapetyet。“

Then，astheprisonermadenomovement，andthechiefagentindulgedinoneofhisfavouritevolleysofoaths，Chauvelinplacedaperemptoryhandonhiscolleague\'sshoulder。

“Itellyou，citizen，thatthisisnouse，“hesaidfirmly。

“UnlessyouarepreparedtogiveupallthoughtsoffindingCapet，youmusttryandcurbyourtemper，andtrydiplomacywhereforceissuretofail。“

“Diplomacy？”retortedtheotherwithasneer。“Bah！itservedyouwellatBoulognelastautumn，diditnot，citizenChauvelin？”

“Ithasservedmebetternow，“rejoinedtheotherimperturbably。

“Youwillown，citizen，thatitismydiplomacywhichhasplacedwithinyourreachtheultimatehopeoffindingCapet。“

“H\'m！”mutteredtheother，“youadvisedustostarvetheprisoner。

Areweanynearertoknowinghissecret？”

“Yes。Byafortnightofweariness，ofexhaustionandofstarvation，youarenearertoitbytheweaknessofthemanwhominhisfullstrengthyoucouldneverhopetoconquer。“

“ButifthecursedEnglishmanwon\'tspeak，andinthemeanwhilediesonmyhands——“

“Hewon\'tdothatifyouwillaccedetohiswish。Givehimsomegoodfoodnow，andlethimsleeptilldawn。“

“Andatdawnhe\'lldefymeagain。Ibelievenowthathehassomeschemeinhismind，andmeanstoplayusatrick。“

“That，Iimagine，ismorethanlikely，“retortedChauvelindryly；

“though，“headdedwithacontemptuousnodoftheheaddirectedatthehuddled-upfigureofhisoncebrilliantenemy，“neithermindnorbodyseemtometobeinasufficientlyactivestatejustnowforhatchingplotorintrigue；butevenif——vaguelyfloatingthroughhiscloudedmind——therehassprungsomelittleschemeforevasion，Igiveyoumyword，citizenHeron，thatyoucanthwarthimcompletely，andgainallthatyoudesire，ifyouwillonlyfollowmyadvice。“

TherehadalwaysbeenagreatamountofpersuasivepowerincitizenChauvelin，ex-envoyoftherevolutionaryGovernmentofFranceattheCourtofSt。James，andthatsamepersuasiveeloquencedidnotfailnowinitseffectonthechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。Thelatterwasmadeofcoarserstuffthanhismorebrilliantcolleague。Chauvelinwaslikeawilyandsleekpantherthatisfurtiveinitsmovements，thatwilllureitsprey，watchit，followitwithstealthyfootsteps，andonlypounceonitwhenitisleastwary，whilstHeronwasmorelikearagingbullthattossesitsheadinablind，irresponsiblefashion，rushesatanobstaclewithoutgaugingitsresistingpowers，andallowsitsvictimtoslipfrombeneathitsweightthroughtheveryclumsinessandbrutalityofitsassault。

StillChauvelinhadtwoheavyblackmarksagainsthim——thoseofhisfailuresatCalaisandBoulogne。Heron，renderedcautiousbothbythedeadlydangerinwhichhestoodandthesenseofhisownincompetencetodealwiththepresentsituation，triedtoresisttheother\'sauthorityaswellashispersuasion。

“YouradvicewasnotofgreatusetocitizenCollotlastautumnatBoulogne，“hesaid，andspatonthegroundbywayofexpressingbothhisindependenceandhiscontempt。

“Still，citizenHeron，“retortedChauvelinwithunruffledpatience，“itisthebestadvicethatyouarelikelytogetinthepresentemergency。Youhaveeyestosee，haveyounot？Lookonyourprisoneratthismoment。Unlesssomethingisdone，andatonce，too，hewillbepastnegotiatingwithinthenexttwenty-fourhours；

thenwhatwillfollow？”

Heputhisthinhandoncemoreonhiscolleague\'sgrubbycoat-sleeve，hedrewhimclosertohimselfawayfromthevicinityofthathuddledfigure，thatcaptivelion，wrappedinatorpidsomnolencethatlookedalreadysolikethelastlongsleep。

“Whatwillfollow，citizenHeron？”hereiterated，sinkinghisvoicetoawhisper；“soonerorlatersomemeddlesomebusybodywhositsintheAssemblyoftheConventionwillgetwindthatlittleCapetisnolongerintheTempleprison，thatapauperchildwassubstitutedforhim，andthatyou，citizenHeron，togetherwiththecommissariesincharge，havethusbeenfoolingthenationanditsrepresentativesforoverafortnight。Whatwillfollowthen，thinkyou？”

Andhemadeanexpressivegesturewithhisoutstretchedfingersacrosshisthroat。

Heronfoundnootheranswerbutblasphemy。

“I\'llmakethatcursedEnglishmanspeakyet，“hesaidwithafierceoath。

“Youcannot，“retortedChauvelindecisively。“Inhispresentstateheisincapableofit，evenifhewould，whichalsoisdoubtful。“

“Ah！thenyoudothinkthathestillmeanstocheatus？”

“Yes，Ido。ButIalsoknowthatheisnolongerinaphysicalstatetodoit。Nodoubthethinksthatheis。Amanofthattypeissuretoovervaluehisownstrength；butlookathim，citizenHeron。Surelyyoumustseethatwehavenothingtofearfromhimnow。“

Heronnowwaslikeavoraciouscreaturethathastwovictimslyingreadyforhisgluttonousjaws。Hewasloathtoleteitherofthemgo。HehatedtheverythoughtofseeingtheEnglishmanbeingledoutofthisnarrowcell，wherehehadkeptawatchfuleyeoverhimnightanddayforafortnight，satisfiedthatwitheveryday，everyhour，thechancesofescapebecamemoreimprobableandmorerare；atthesametimetherewasthepossibilityoftherecaptureoflittleCapet，apossibilitywhichmadeHeron\'sbrainreelwiththedelightfulvistaofit，andwhichmightnevercomeaboutiftheprisonerremainedsilenttotheend。