第11章

CHAPTERXLII

THEGUARD-HOUSEOFTHERUESTE。ANNE

ThelittlecortegewasturningoutofthegreatgatesofthehouseofJustice。Itwasintenselycold；abitternorth-easterlygalewasblowingfromacrosstheheightsofMontmartre，drivingsleetandsnowandhalf-frozenrainintothefacesofthemen，andfindingitswayuptheirsleeves，downtheircollarsandroundthekneesoftheirthreadbarebreeches。

Armand，whosefingerswerenumbwiththecold，couldscarcelyfeelthereinsinhishands。Chauvelinwasridingdosebesidehim，butthetwomenhadnotexchangedonewordsincethemomentwhenthesmalltroopofsometwentymountedsoldiershadfiledupinsidethecourtyard，andChauvelin，withacurtwordofcommand，hadorderedoneofthetrooperstotakeArmand\'shorseonthelead。

Ahackneycoachbroughtuptherearofthecortege，withamanridingateitherdoorandtwomorefollowingatadistanceoftwentypaces。Heron\'sgaunt，uglyface，crownedwithabattered，sugar-loafhat，appearedfromtimetotimeatthewindowofthecoach。Hewasnohorseman，and，moreover，preferredtokeeptheprisonercloselyunderhisowneye。ThecorporalhadtoldArmandthattheprisonerwaswithcitizenHeroninsidethecoach——inirons。Beyondthatthesoldierscouldtellhimnothing；theyknewnothingoftheobjectofthisexpedition。VaguelytheymighthavewonderedintheirdullmindswhythisparticularprisonerwasthusbeingescortedoutoftheConciergerieprisonwithsomuchparaphernaliaandsuchanairofmystery，whentherewerethousandsofprisonersinthecityandtheprovincesatthepresentmomentwhoanonwouldbebundledupwholesaleintocartstobedraggedtotheguillotinelikeaflockofsheeptothebutchers。

Buteveniftheywonderedtheymadenoremarksamongthemselves。

Theirfaces，bluewiththecold，weretheperfectmirrorsoftheirownunconquerablestolidity。

ThetowerclockofNotreDamestrucksevenwhenthesmallcavalcadefinallymovedslowlyoutofthemonumentalgates。IntheeastthewanlightofaFebruarymorningslowlystruggledoutofthesurroundinggloom。Nowthetowersofmanychurchesloomedghostlikeagainstthedullgreysky，anddownbelow，ontheright，thefrozenriver，likeasmoothsheetofsteel，wounditsgracefulcurvesroundtheislandsandpastthefacadeoftheLouvrespalace，whosewallslookedgrimandsilent，likethemausoleumofthedeadgiantsofthepast。

Allaroundthegreatcitygavesignsofawakening；thebusinessofthedayreneweditscourseeverytwenty-fourhours，despitethetragediesofdeathandofdishonourthatwalkedwithithandinhand。FromthePlacedeLaRevolutiontheintermittentrollofdrumscamefromtimetotimewithitsmuffledsoundstrikingtheearofthepasser-by。Alongthequayoppositeanopen-aircampwasalreadyastir；men，women，andchildrenengagedinthegreattaskofclothingandfeedingthepeopleofFrance，armedagainsttyranny，werebendingtotheirtask，evenbeforethewintrydawnhadspreaditspalegreytintsoverthenarrowerstreetsofthecity。

Armandshiveredunderhiscloak。Thissilentridebeneaththeladensky，throughtheveilofhalf-frozenrainandsnow，seemedlikeadreamtohim。Andnow，astheoutridersofthelittlecavalcadeturnedtocrossthePontauChange，hesawspreadoutonhisleftwhatappearedlikethelivingpanoramaofthesethreeweeksthathadjustgoneby。HecouldseethehouseoftheRueSt。Germainl\'AuxerroiswherePercyhadlodgedbeforehecarriedthroughtherescueofthelittleDauphin。Armandcouldevenseethewindowatwhichthedreamerhadstood，weavingnobledreamsthathisbrilliantdaringhadturnedintorealities，untilthehandofatraitorhadbroughthimdownto——towhat？Armandwouldnothavedaredatthismomenttolookbackatthathideous，vulgarhackneycoachwhereinthatproud，recklessadventurer，whohaddefiedFateandmockedDeath，sat，inchains，besidealoathsomecreaturewhoseverypropinquitywasanoutrage。

NowtheywerepassingundertheveryhouseontheQuaideLaFerraille，abovethesaddler\'sshop，thehousewhereMargueritehadlodgedtendaysago，whitherArmandhadcome，tryingtofoolhimselfintothebeliefthattheloveof“littlemother“couldbedeceivedintoblindnessagainsthisowncrime。Hehadtriedtodrawaveilbeforethoseeyeswhichhehadscarcelydaredencounter，butheknewthatthatveilmustliftoneday，andthenacursewouldsendhimforth，outlawedandhomeless，awandereronthefaceoftheearth。

SoonasthelittlecortegewendeditswaynorthwardsitfiledoutbeneaththewallsoftheTempleprison；therewasthemaingatewithitssentrystandingatattention，therethearchwaywiththeguichetoftheconcierge，andbeyonditthepavedcourtyard。

Armandclosedhiseyesdeliberately；hecouldnotbeartolook。

Nowonderthatheshiveredandtriedtodrawhiscloakcloseraroundhim。Everystone，everystreetcornerwasfullofmemories。Thechillthatstrucktotheverymarrowofhisbonescamefromnooutwardcause；itwastheveryhandofremorsethat，asitpassedoverhim，frozethebloodinhisveinsandmadetherattleofthosewheelsbehindhimsoundlikeahellishknell。

Atlastthemorecloselypopulatedquartersofthecitywereleftbehind。OnaheadthefirstsectionoftheguardhadturnedintotheRueSt。Anne。Thehousesbecamemoresparse，intersectedbynarrowpiecesofterrainsvagues，orsmallweed-coveredbitsofkitchengarden。

Thenahaltwascalled。

Itwasquitelightnow。Aslightasitwouldeverbebeneaththisleadensky。Rainandsnowstillfellingusts，drivenbytheblast。

SomeoneorderedArmandtodismount。ItwasprobablyChauvelin。

Hedidashewastold，andatrooperledhimtothedoorofanirregularbrickbuildingthatstoodisolatedontheright，extendedoneithersidebyalowwall，andsurroundedbyapatchofuncultivatedland，whichnowlookedlikeaseaofmud。

Onaheadwasthelineoffortificationsdimlyoutlinedagainstthegreyofthesky，andinbetweenbrown，soddenearth，withhereandthereadetachedhouse，acabbagepatch，acoupleofwindmillsdesertedanddesolate。

Thelonelinessofanunpopulatedoutlyingquarterofthegreatmothercity，auselesslimbofheractivebody，anostracisedmemberofhervastfamily。

MechanicallyArmandhadfollowedthesoldiertothedoorofthebuilding。HereChauvelinwasstanding，andbadehimfollow。A

smellofhotcoffeehunginthedarknarrowpassageinfront。

Chauvelinledthewaytoaroomontheleft。

Stillthatsmellofhotcoffee。EverafteritwasassociatedinArmand\'smindwiththisawfulmorningintheguard-houseoftheRueSte。Anne，whentherainandsnowbeatagainstthewindows，andhestoodthereinthelowguard-roomshiveringandhalf-numbedwithcold。

Therewasatableinthemiddleoftheroom，andonitstoodcupsofhotcoffee。Chauvelinbadehimdrink，suggesting，notunkindly，thatthewarmbeveragewoulddohimgood。Armandadvancedfurtherintotheroom，andsawthattherewerewoodenbenchesallroundagainstthewall。OnoneofthesesathissisterMarguerite。

Whenshesawhimshemadeasudden，instinctivemovementtogotohim，butChauvelininterposedinhisusualbland，quietmanner。

“Notjustnow，citizeness，“hesaid。

Shesatdownagain，andArmandnotedhowcoldandstonyseemedhereyes，asiflifewithinherwasatastand-still，andashadowthatwasalmostlikedeathhadatrophiedeveryemotioninher。

“Itrustyouhavenotsufferedtoomuchfromthecold，LadyBlakeney，“resumedChauvelinpolitely；“weoughtnottohavekeptyouwaitinghereforsolong，butdelayatdepartureissometimesinevitable。“

Shemadenoreply，onlyacknowledginghisreiteratedinquiryastohercomfortwithaninclinationofthehead。

Armandhadforcedhimselftoswallowsomecoffee，andforthemomenthefeltlesschilled。Heheldthecupbetweenhistwohands，andgraduallysomewarmthcreptintohisbones。

“Littlemother，“hesaidinEnglish，“tryanddrinksomeofthis，itwilldoyougood。“

“Thankyou，dear，“shereplied。“Ihavehadsome。Iamnotcold。“

Thenadoorattheendoftheroomwaspushedopen，andHeronstalkedin。

“Arewegoingtobealldayinthisconfoundedhole？”hequeriedroughly。

Armand，whowaswatchinghissisterveryclosely，sawthatshestartedatthesightofthewretch，andseemedimmediatelytoshrinkstillfurtherwithinherself，whilsthereyes，suddenlyluminousanddilated，restedonhimlikethoseofacaptivebirduponanapproachingcobra。

ButChauvelinwasnottobeshakenoutofhissuavemanner。

“Onemoment，citizenHeron，“hesaid；“thiscoffeeisverycomforting。Istheprisonerwithyou？”headdedlightly。

Heronnoddedinthedirectionoftheotherroom。

“Inthere，“hesaidcurtly。

“Then，perhaps，ifyouwillbesogood，citizen，toinvitehimthither，Icouldexplaintohimhisfuturepositionandourown。“

Heronmutteredsomethingbetweenhisfleshylips，thenheturnedbacktowardstheopendoor，solemnlyspattwiceonthethreshold，andnoddedhisgauntheadonceortwiceinamannerwhichapparentlywasunderstoodfromwithin。

“No，sergeant，Idon\'twantyou，“hesaidgruffly；“onlytheprisoner。“

AsecondortwolaterSirPercyBlakeneystoodinthedoorway；hishandswerebehindhisback，obviouslyhand-cuffed，butheheldhimselfveryerect，thoughitwasclearthatthiscausedhimamightyeffort。Assoonashehadcrossedthethresholdhisquickglancehadsweptrightroundtheroom。

HesawArmand，andhiseyeslitupalmostimperceptibly。

ThenhecaughtsightofMarguerite，andhispalefacetookonsuddenlyamoreashenhue。

Chauvelinwaswatchinghimwiththosekeen，light-colouredeyesofhis。Blakeney，consciousofthis，madenomovement，onlyhislipstightened，andtheheavylidsfellovertheholloweyes，completelyhidingtheirglance。

Butwhateventhemostastute，mostdeadlyenemycouldnotseewasthatsubtlemessageofunderstandingthatpassedatoncebetweenMargueriteandthemansheloved；itwasamagneticcurrent，intangible，invisibletoallsavetoherandtohim。Shewaspreparedtoseehim，preparedtoseeinhimallthatshehadfeared；theweakness，thementalexhaustion，thesubmissiontotheinevitable。Thereforeshehadalsoschooledherglancetoexpresstohimallthatsheknewshewouldnotbeallowedtosay——thereassurancethatshehadreadhislastletter，thatshehadobeyedittothelastword，savewhereFateandherenemyhadinterferedwithregardtoherself。

Withaslight，imperceptiblemovement——imperceptibletoeveryonesavetohim，shehadseemedtohandleapieceofpaperinherkerchief，thenshehadnoddedslowly，withhereyes——steadfast，reassuring——fixeduponhim，andhisglancegaveanswerthathehadunderstood。

ButChauvelinandHeronhadseennothingofthis。Theyweresatisfiedthattherehadbeennocommunicationbetweentheprisonerandhiswifeandfriend。

“Youarenodoubtsurprised，SirPercy，“saidChauvelinafterawhile，“toseeLadyBlakeneyhere。She，aswellascitizenSt。

Just，willaccompanyourexpeditiontotheplacewhereyouwillleadus。Wenoneofusknowwherethatplaceis——citizenHeronandmyselfareentirelyinyourhands——youmightbeleadingustocertaindeath，oragaintoaspotwhereyourownescapewouldbeaneasymattertoyourself。Youwillnotbesurprised，therefore，thatwehavethoughtfittotakecertainprecautionsbothagainstanylittleambuscadewhichyoumayhavepreparedforus，oragainstyourmakingoneofthosedaringattemptsatescapeforwhichthenotedScarletPimpernelissojustlyfamous。“

Hepaused，andonlyHeron\'slowchuckleofsatisfactionbrokethemomentarysilencethatfollowed。Blakeneymadenoreply。

Obviouslyheknewexactlywhatwascoming。HeknewChauvelinandhisways，knewthekindoftortuousconceptionthatwouldfindorigininhisbrain；themomentthathesawMargueritesittingtherehemusthaveguessedthatChauvelinoncemoredesiredtoputherpreciouslifeinthebalanceofhisintrigues。

“CitizenHeronisimpatient，SirPercy，“resumedChauvelinafterawhile，“soImustbebrief。LadyBlakeney，aswellascitizenSt。

Just，willaccompanyusonthisexpeditiontowhithersoeveryoumayleadus。Theywillbethehostageswhichwewillholdagainstyourowngoodfaith。Attheslightestsuspicion——ameresuspicionperhaps——thatyouhaveplayedusfalse，atahintthatyouhaveledusintoanambush，orthatthewholeofthisexpeditionhasbeenbutatrickonyourparttoeffectyourownescape，orifmerelyourhopeoffindingCapetattheendofourjourneyisfrustrated，thelivesofourtwohostagesbelongtous，andyourfriendandyourwifewillbesummarilyshotbeforeyoureyes。“

Outsidetherainpatteredagainstthewindow-panes，thegalewhistledmournfullyamongthestuntedtrees，butwithinthisroomnotasoundstirredthedeadlystillnessoftheair，andyetatthismomenthatredandlove，savagelustandsublimeself-abnegation——themostpowerfullpassionstheheartofmancanknow——heldthreemenhereenchained；eachaslavetohisdominantpassion，eachreadytostakehisallforthesatisfactionofhismaster。Heronwasthefirsttospeak。

“Well！”hesaidwithafierceoath，“whatarewewaitingfor？Theprisonerknowshowhestands。Nowwecango。“

“Onemoment，citizen，“interposedChauvelin，hisquietmannercontrastingstrangelywithhiscolleague\'ssavagemood。“Youhavequiteunderstood，SirPercy，“hecontinued，directlyaddressingtheprisoner，“theconditionsunderwhichweareallofusabouttoproceedonthisjourney？”

“Allofus？”saidBlakeneyslowly。“AreyoutakingitforgrantedthenthatIacceptyourconditionsandthatIampreparedtoproceedonthejourney？”

“Ifyoudonotproceedonthejourney，“criedHeronwithsavagefury，“I\'llstranglethatwomanwithmyownhands——now！”

Blakeneylookedathimforamomentortwothroughhalf-closedlids，anditseemedthentothosewhoknewhimwell，tothosewholovedhimandtothemanwhohatedhim，thatthemightysinewsalmostcrackedwiththepassionatedesiretokill。ThenthesunkeneyesturnedslowlytoMarguerite，andshealonecaughtthelook——itwasamereflash，ofahumbleappealforpardon。

Itwasalloverinasecond；almostimmediatelythetensiononthepalefacerelaxed，andintotheeyestherecamethatlookofacceptance——nearlyakintofatalism——anacceptanceofwhichthestrongalonearecapable，forwiththemitonlycomesinthefaceoftheinevitable。

Nowheshruggedhisbroadshoulders，andoncemoreturningtoHeronhesaidquietly：

“Youleavemenooptioninthatcase。Asyouhaveremarkedbefore，citizenHeron，whyshouldwewaitanylonger？Surelywecannowgo。“

CHAPTERXLIII

THEDREARYJOURNEY

Rain！Rain！Rain！Incessant，monotonousanddreary！Thewindhadchangedroundtothesouthwest。Itblewnowingreatguststhatsentweird，sighingsoundsthroughthetrees，anddrovetheheavyshowersintothefacesofthemenastheyrodeon，withheadsbentforwardagainstthegale。

Therain-soddenbridlesslippedthroughtheirhands，bringingoutsoresandblistersontheirpalms；thehorseswerefidgety，tossingtheirheadswithwearyingpersistenceasthewettrickledintotheirears，orthesharp，intermittenthailstonesstrucktheirsensitivenoses。

Threedaysofthisawfulmonotony，variedonlybythehaltsatwaysideinns，thechangingoftroopsatoneoftheguard-housesontheway，thereiteratedcommandsgiventothefreshsquadbeforestartingonthenextlapofthisstrange，momentousway；andallthewhile，audibleabovetheclatterofhorses\'hoofs，therumblingofcoach-wheels——twoclosedcarriages，eachdrawnbyapairofsturdyhorses；whichwerechangedateveryhalt。Asoldieroneachboxurgedthemtoagoodpacetokeepupwiththetroopers，whowereallowedtogoataneasycanterorlightjog-trot，whatevermightproveeasiestandleastfatiguing。AndfromtimetotimeHeron\'sshaggy，gauntheadwouldappearatthewindowofoneofthecoaches，askingtheway，thedistancetothenextcityortothenearestwaysideinn；cursingthetroopers，thecoachman，hiscolleagueandeveryoneconcerned，blasphemingagainsttheinterminablelengthoftheroad，againstthecoldandagainstthewet。

Earlyintheeveningontheseconddayofthejourneyhehadmetwithanaccident。Theprisoner，whopresumablywasweakandweary，andnotoversteadyonhisfeet，hadfallenupagainsthimastheywerebothabouttore-enterthecoachafterahaltjustoutsideAmiens，andcitizenHeronhadlosthisfootingintheslipperymudoftheroad。headcameinviolentcontactwiththestep，andhisrighttemplewasseverelycut。Sincethenhehadbeenforcedtowearabandageacrossthetopofhisface，underhissugar-loafhat，whichhadaddednothingtohisbeauty，butagreatdealtotheviolenceofhistemper。Hewantedtopushthemenon，toforcethepace，toshortenthehalts；butChauvelinknewbetterthantoallowslacknessanddiscontenttofollowinthewakeofover-fatigue。

Thesoldierswerealwayswellrestedandwellfed，andthoughthedelaycausedbylongandfrequenthaltsmusthavebeenjustasirksometohimasitwastoHeron，yetheboreitimperturbably，forhewouldhavehadnouseonthismomentousjourneyforahandfulofmenwhoseenthusiasmandspirithadbeenblownawaybytheroughnessofthegale，ordrownedinthefuryoftheconstantdownpourofrain。

OfallthisMargueritehadbeenconsciousinavague，dreamykindofway。Sheseemedtoherselflikethespectatorinamovingpanoramicdrama，unabletoraiseafingerortodoaughttostopthatfinal，inevitableending，thecataclysmofsorrowandmiserythatawaitedher，whenthedrearycurtainwouldfallonthelastact，andsheandalltheotherspectators——Armand，Chauvelin，Heron，theSoldiers——wouldslowlywendtheirwayhome，leavingtheprincipalactorbehindthefallencurtain，whichneverwouldbeliftedagain。

Afterthatfirsthaltintheguard-roomoftheRueSte。Anneshehadbeenbiddentoenterasecondhackneycoach，which，followedtheotheratadistanceoffiftymetresorso，andwas，likethatother，closelysurroundedbyasquadofmountedmen。

ArmandandChauvelinrodeinthiscarriagewithher；alldayshesatlookingoutontheendlessmonotonyoftheroad，onthedropsofrainthatpatteredagainstthewindow-glass，andrandownfromitlikeaperpetualstreamoftears。

Thereweretwohaltscalledduringtheday——onefordinnerandonemidwaythroughtheafternoon——whensheandArmandwouldstepoutofthecoachandbeled——alwayswithsoldiersclosearoundthem——tosomewaysideinn，wheresomesortofamealwasserved，wheretheatmospherewascloseandstuffyandsmeltofonionsoupandofstalecheese。

ArmandandMargueritewouldinmostcaseshavearoomtothemselves，withsentinelspostedoutsidethedoor，andtheywouldtryandeatenoughtokeepbodyandsoultogether，fortheywouldnotallowtheirstrengthtofallawaybeforetheendofthejourneywasreached。

Forthenighthalt——onceatBeauvaisandthesecondnightatAbbeville——theywereescortedtoahouseintheinteriorofthecity，wheretheywereaccommodatedwithmoderatelycleanlodgings。

Sentinels，however，werealwaysattheirdoors；theywereprisonersinallbutname，andhadlittleornoprivacy；foratnighttheywerebothsotiredthattheyweregladtoretireimmediately，andtoliedownonthehardbedsthathadbeenprovidedforthem，evenifsleepfledfromtheireyes，andtheirheartsandsoulswereflyingthroughthecityinsearchofhimwhofilledtheireverythought。

OfPercytheysawlittleornothing。Inthedaytimefoodwasevidentlybroughttohiminthecarriage，fortheydidnotseehimgetdown，andonthosetwonightsatBeauvaisandAbbeville，whentheycaughtsightofhimsteppingoutofthecoachoutsidethegatesofthebarracks，hewassosurroundedbysoldiersthattheyonlysawthetopofhisheadandhisbroadshoulderstoweringabovethoseofthemen。

OnceMargueritehadputallherpride，allherdignityby，andaskedcitizenChauvelinfornewsofherhusband。

“Heiswellandcheerful，LadyBlakeney，“hehadrepliedwithhissarcasticsmile。“Ah！”headdedpleasantly，“thoseEnglishareremarkablepeople。We，ofGallicbreed，willneverreallyunderstandthem。TheirfatalismisquiteOrientalinitsquietresignationtothedecreeofFate。Didyouknow，LadyBlakeney，thatwhenSirPercywasarrestedhedidnotraiseahand。I

thought，andsodidmycolleague，thathewouldhavefoughtlikealion。Andnow，thathehasnodoubtrealisedthatquietsubmissionwillservehimbestintheend，heisascalmonthisjourneyasI

ammyself。Infact，“heconcludedcomplacently，“wheneverIhavesucceededinpeepingintothecoachIhaveinvariablyfoundSirPercyBlakeneyfastasleep。“

He——“shemurmured，foritwassodifficulttospeaktothiscallouswretch，whowasobviouslymockingherinhermisery——

“he——you——youarenotkeepinghiminirons？”

“No！Ohno！”repliedChauvelinwithperfecturbanity。“Yousee，nowthatwehaveyou，LadyBlakeney，andcitizenSt。JustwithuswehavenoreasontofearthatthatelusivePimpernelwillspirithimselfaway。“

AhotretorthadrisentoArmand\'slips。ThewarmLatinbloodinhimrebelledagainstthisintolerablesituation，theman\'ssneersinthefaceofMarguerite\'sanguish。Butherrestraining，gentlehandhadalreadypressedhis。Whatwastheuseofprotesting，ofinsultingthisbrute，whocarednothingforthemiserywhichhehadcausedsolongashegainedhisownends？

AndArmandheldhistongueandtriedtocurbhistemper，triedtocultivatealittleofthatfatalismwhichChauvelinhadsaidwascharacteristicoftheEnglish。Hesatbesidehissister，longingtocomforther，yetfeelingthathisverypresencenearherwasanoutrageandasacrilege。Shespokesoseldomtohim，evenwhentheywerealone，thatattimestheawfulthoughtwhichhadmorethanoncefoundbirthinhiswearybrainbecamecrystallisedandmorereal。DidMargueriteguess？Hadshetheslightestsuspicionthattheawfulcataclysmtowhichtheyweretendingwitheveryrevolutionofthecreakingcoach-wheelshadbeenbroughtaboutbyherbrother\'streacheroushand？

Andwhenthatthoughthadlodgeditselfquitesnuglyinhismindhebegantowonderwhetheritwouldnotbefarmoresimple，farmoreeasy，toendhismiserablelifeinsomemannerthatmightsuggestitselfontheway。Whenthecoachcrossedoneofthosedilapidated，parapetlessbridges，overabyssesfiftymetresdeep，itmightbesoeasytothrowopenthecarriagedoorandtotakeonefinaljumpintoeternity。

Soeasy——butsodamnablycowardly。

Marguerite\'snearpresencequicklybroughthimbacktohimself。

Hislifewasnolongerhisowntodowithashepleased；itbelongedtothechiefwhomhehadbetrayed，tothesisterwhomhemustendeavourtoprotect。

OfJeannenowhethoughtbutlittle。Hehadputeventhememoryofherby——tenderly，likeasprigoflavenderpressedbetweenthefadedleavesofhisownhappiness。Hishandwasnolongerfittoholdthatofanypurewoman——hishandhadonitadeepstain，immutable，likethebrandofCain。

YetMargueritebesidehimheldhishandandtogethertheylookedoutonthatdreary，drearyroadandlistenedtoofthepatteroftherainandtherumblingofthewheelsofthatothercoachonahead——anditwasallsodismalandsohorrible，therain，thesoughingofthewindinthestuntedtrees，thislandscapeofmudanddesolation，thiseternallygreysky。

CHAPTERXLIV

THEHALTATCRECY

“Now，then，citizen，don\'tgotosleep；thisisCrecy，ourlasthalt！”

Armandwokeupfromhislastdream。TheyhadbeenmovingsteadilyonsincetheyleftAbbevillesoonafterdawn；therumbleofthewheels，theswayingandrockingofthecarriage，theinterminablepatteroftherainhadlulledhimintoakindofwakefulsleep。

Chauvelinhadalreadyalightedfromthecoach。HewashelpingMargueritetodescend。Armandshookthestiffnessfromhislimbsandfollowedinthewakeofhissister。Alwaysthosemiserablesoldiersroundthem，withtheirdankcoatsofroughbluecloth，andtheredcapsontheirheads！ArmandpulledMarguerite\'shandthroughhisarm，anddraggedherwithhimintothehouse。

Thesmallcitylaydampandgreybeforethem；theroughpavementofthenarrowstreetglistenedwiththewet，reflectingthedull，leadenskyoverhead；therainbeatintothepuddles；theslate-roofsshoneinthecoldwintrylight。

ThiswasCrecy！Thelasthaltofthejourney，soChauvelinhadsaid。Thepartyhaddrawnreininfrontofasmallone-storiedbuildingthathadawoodenverandahrunningthewholelengthofitsfront。

TheusuallownarrowroomgreetedArmandandMargueriteastheyentered；theusualmildewedwalls，withthecolourwashflowingawayinstreaksfromtheunsympatheticbeamabove；thesamedevice，“Liberte，Egalite，Fraternite！”scribbledincharcoalabovetheblackironstove；theusualmusty，closeatmosphere，theusualsmellofonionandstalecheese，theusualhardstraightbenchesandcentraltablewithitssoiledandtatteredcloth。

Margueriteseemeddazedandgiddy；shehadbeenfivehoursinthatstuffycoachwithnothingtodistractherthoughtsexcepttherain-soddenlandscape，onwhichshehadceaselesslygazedsincetheearlydawn。

Armandledhertothebench，andshesankdownonit，numbandinert，restingherelbowsonthetableandherheadinherhands。

“Ifitwereonlyallover！”shesighedinvoluntarily。Armand，attimesnowIfeelasifIwerenotreallysane——asifmyreasonhadalreadygivenway！Tellme，doIseemmadtoyouattimes？”

Hesatdownbesideherandtriedtochafeherlittlecoldhands。

Therewasaknockatthedoor，andwithoutwaitingforpermissionChauvelinenteredtheroom。

“Myhumbleapologiestoyou，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidinhisusualsuavemanner，“butourworthyhostinformsmethatthisistheonlyroominwhichhecanserveameal。ThereforeIamforcedtointrudemypresenceuponyou。“

Thoughhespokewithoutwardpoliteness，histonehadbecomemoreperemptory，lessbland，andhedidnotawaitMarguerite\'sreplybeforehesatdownoppositetoherandcontinuedtotalkairily。

“Anill-conditionedfellow，ourhost，“hesaid——“quiteremindsmeofourfriendBrogardattheChatGrisinCalais。Yourememberhim，LadyBlakeney？”

“Mysisterisgiddyandover-tired，“interposedArmandfirmly。“I

prayyou，citizen，tohavesomeregardforher。“

“Allregardintheworld，citizenSt。Just，“protestedChauvelinjovially。“Methoughtthatthosepleasantreminiscenceswouldcheerher。Ah！herecomesthesoup，“headded，asamaninblueblouseandbreeches，withsabotsonhisfeet，slouchedintotheroom，carryingatureenwhichheincontinentlyplaceduponthetable。“IfeelsurethatinEnglandLadyBlakeneymissesourexcellentcroutes-au-pot，thegloryofourbourgeoiscookery——LadyBlakeney，alittlesoup？”

“Ithankyou，sir，“shemurmured。

“Dotryandeatsomething，littlemother，“Armandwhisperedinherear；“tryandkeepupyourstrengthforhissake，ifnotformine。“

Sheturnedawan，palefacetohim，andtriedtosmile。

“I\'lltry，dear，“shesaid。

“Youhavetakenbreadandmeattothecitizensinthecoach？”

Chauvelincalledouttotheretreatingfigureofminehost。

“H\'m！”gruntedthelatterinassent。

“Andseethatthecitizensoldiersarewellfed，ortherewillbetrouble。“

“H\'m！”gruntedthemanagain。Afterwhichhebangedthedoortobehindhim。

“CitizenHeronisloathtolettheprisoneroutofhissight，“

explainedChauvelinlightly，“nowthatwehavereachedthelast，mostimportantstageofourjourney，soheissharingSirPercy\'smid-daymealintheinteriorofthecoach。“

Heatehissoupwitharelish，ostentatiouslypayingmanysmallattentionstoMargueriteallthetime。Heorderedmeatforher——bread，butter——askedifanydaintiescouldbegot。Hewasapparentlyinthebestoftempers。

Afterhehadeatenanddrunkheroseandbowedceremoniouslytoher。

“Yourpardon，LadyBlakeney，“hesaid，“butImustconferwiththeprisonernow，andtakefromhimfulldirectionsforthecontinuanceofourjourney。AfterthatIgototheguard-house，whichissomedistancefromhere，rightattheotherendofthecity。Wepickupafreshsquadhere，twentyhardenedtroopersfromacavalryregimentusuallystationedatAbbeville。Theyhavehadworktodointhistown，whichisahot-bedoftreachery。I

mustgoinspectthemenandthesergeantwhowillbeincommand。

CitizenHeronleavesalltheseinspectionstome；helikestostaybyhisprisoner。Inthemeanwhileyouwillbeescortedbacktoyourcoach，whereIprayyoutoawaitmyarrival，whenwechangeguardfirst，thenproceedonourway。“

Margueritewaslongingtoaskhimmanyquestions；onceagainshewouldhavesmotheredherprideandbeggedfornewsofherhusband，butChauvelindidnotwait。Hehurriedoutoftheroom，andArmandandMargueritecouldhearhimorderingthesoldierstotakethemforthwithbacktothecoach。

Astheycameoutoftheinntheysawtheothercoachsomefiftymetresfurtherupthestreet。ThehorsesthathaddonedutysinceleavingAbbevillehadbeentakenout，andtwosoldiersinraggedshirts，andwithcrimsoncapssetjauntilyovertheirleftear，wereleadingthetwofreshhorsesalong。Thetrooperswerestillmountingguardroundboththecoaches；theywouldberelievedpresently。

Margueritewouldhavegiventenyearsofherlifeatthismomentfortheprivilegeofspeakingtoherhusband，orevenofseeinghim——ofseeingthathewaswell。Aquick，wildplansprangupinhermindthatshewouldbribethesergeantincommandtograntherwishwhilecitizenChauvelinwasabsent。Themanhadnotanunkindface，andhemustbeverypoor——peopleinFrancewereverypoorthesedays，thoughtherichhadbeenrobbedandluxurioushomesdevastatedostensiblytohelpthepoor。

ShewasabouttoputthissuddenthoughtintoexecutionwhenHeron\'shideousface，doublyhideousnowwiththatbandageofdoubtfulcleanlinesscuttingacrosshisbrow，appearedatthecarriagewindow。

Hecursedviolentlyandatthetopofhisvoice。

“Whatarethosed——daristosdoingoutthere？”heshouted。

“Justgettingintothecoach，citizen，“repliedthesergeantpromptly。

AndArmandandMargueritewereimmediatelyorderedbackintothecoach。

Heronremainedatthewindowforafewmomentslonger；hebadatoothpickinhishandwhichhewasusingveryfreely。

“Howmuchlongerarewegoingtowaitinthiscursedhole？”hecalledouttothesergeant。

“Onlyafewmomentslonger，citizen。CitizenChauvelinwillbebacksoonwiththeguard。“

Aquarterofanhourlatertheclatterofcavalryhorsesontherough，unevenpavementdrewMarguerite\'sattention。Sheloweredthecarriagewindowandlookedout。Chauvelinhadjustreturnedwiththenewescort。Hewasonhorseback；hishorse\'sbridle，sincehewasbutanindifferenthorseman，washeldbyoneofthetroopers。

Outsidetheinnhedismounted；evidentlyhehadtakenfullcommandoftheexpedition，andscarcelyreferredtoHeron，whospentmostofhistimecursingatthemenortheweatherwhenhewasnotlyinghalf-asleepandpartiallydrunkintheinsideofthecarriage。

Thechangingoftheguardwasnowaccomplishedquietlyandinperfectorder。Thenewescortconsistedoftwentymountedmen，includingasergeantandacorporal，andoftwodrivers，oneforeachcoach。Thecortegenowwasfiledupinmarchingorder；aheadasmallpartyofscouts，thenthecoachwithMargueriteandArmandcloselysurroundedbymountedmen，andatashortdistancethesecondcoachwithcitizenHeronandtheprisonerequallywellguarded。

Chauvelinsuperintendedallthearrangementshimself。Hespokeforsomefewmomentswiththesergeant，alsowiththedriverofhisowncoach。Hewenttothewindowoftheothercarriage，probablyinordertoconsultwithcitizenHeron，ortotakefinaldirectionsfromtheprisoner，forMarguerite，whowaswatchinghim，sawhimstandingonthestepandleaningwellforwardintotheinterior，whilstapparentlyhewastakingnotesonasmalltabletwhichhehadinhishand。

Asmallknotofidlershadcongregatedinthenarrowstreet；meninblousesandboysinraggedbreechesloungedagainsttheverandahoftheinnandgazedwithinexpressive，stolideyesonthesoldiers，thecoaches，thecitizenwhoworethetricolourscarf。Theyhadseenthissortofthingbeforenow——aristosbeingconveyedtoParisunderarrest，prisonersontheirwaytoorfromAmiens。TheysawMarguerite\'spalefaceatthecarriagewindow。

Itwasnotthefirstwoman\'sfacetheyhadseenunderlikecircumstances，andtherewasnospecialinterestaboutthisaristo。Theyweresmokingorspitting，orjustloungingidlyagainstthebalustrade。Margueritewonderedifnoneofthemhadwife，sister，ormother，orchild；ifeverysympathy，everykindoffeelinginthesepoorwretcheshadbeenatrophiedbymiseryorbyfear。

Atlasteverythingwasinorderandthesmallpartyreadytostart。

“DoesanyonehereknowtheChapeloftheHolySepulchre，closebytheparkoftheChateaud\'Ourde？”askedChauvelin，vaguelyaddressingtheknotofgaffersthatstoodclosesttohim。

Themenshooktheirheads。SomehaddimlyheardoftheChateaud\'Ourde；itwassomewayintheinterioroftheforestofBoulogne，butnooneknewaboutachapel；peopledidnottroubleaboutchapelsnowadays。Withtheindifferencesopeculiartolocalpeasantry，thesemenknewnomoreofthesurroundingcountrythanthetwelveorfifteenleaguecirclethatwaswithinawalkoftheirsleepylittletown。

OneofthescoutsonaheadturnedinhissaddleandspoketocitizenChauvelin：

“IthinkIknowthewayprettywell；citizenChauvelin，“hesaid；

“atanyrate，IknowitasfarastheforestofBoulogne。“

Chauvelinreferredtohistablets。

“That\'sgood，“hesaid；“thenwhenyoureachthemile-stonethatstandsonthisroadattheconfineoftheforest，bearsharplytoyourrightandskirtthewooduntilyouseethehamletof——Le——

something。Le——Le——yes——LeCrocq——that\'sitinthevalleybelow。“

“IknowLeCrocq，Ithink，“saidthetrooper。

“Verywell，then；atthatpointitseemsthatawideroadstrikesatrightanglesintotheinterioroftheforest；youfollowthatuntilastonechapelwithacolonnadedporchstandsbeforeyouonyourleft，andthewallsandgatesofaparkonyourright。Thatisso，isitnot，SirPercy？”headded，oncemoreturningtowardstheinteriorofthecoach。

Apparentlytheanswersatisfiedhim，forhegavethequickwordofcommand，“Enavant！”thenturnedbacktowardshisowncoachandfinallyenteredit。

“DoyouknowtheChateaud\'Ourde，citizenSt。Just？”heaskedabruptlyassoonasthecarriagebegantomove。

Armandwoke——aswashabitualwithhimthesedays——fromsomegloomyreverie。

“Yes，citizen，“hereplied。“Iknowit。“

“AndtheChapeloftheHolySepulchre？”

“Yes。Iknowittoo。“

Indeed，heknewthechateauwell，andthelittlechapelintheforest，whitherthefisher-folkfromPortelandBoulognecameonapilgrimageonceayeartolaytheirnetsonthemiracle-workingrelic。Thechapelwasdisusednow。Sincetheownerofthechateauhadflednoonehadtendedit，andthefisher-folkwereafraidtowanderout，lesttheirsuperstitiousfaithbecountedagainstthembytheauthorities，whohadabolishedlebonDieu。

ButArmandhadfoundrefugethereeighteenmonthsago，onhiswaytoCalais，whenPercyhadriskedhislifeinordertosavehi——Armand——fromdeath。Hecouldhavegroanedaloudwiththeanguishofthisrecollection。ButMarguerite\'sachingnerveshadthrilledatthename。

TheChateaud\'Ourde！TheChapeloftheHolySepulchre！ThatwastheplacewhichPercyhadmentionedinhisletter，theplacewherehehadgivenrendezvoustodeBatz。SirAndrewhadsaidthattheDauphincouldnotpossiblybethere，yetPercywasleadinghisenemiesthither，andhadgiventherendezvoustheretodeBatz。

Andthisdespitethatwhateverplans，whateverhopes，hadbeenborninhismindwhenhewasstillimmuredintheConciergerieprisonmusthavebeensetatnaughtbytheclevercounterplotofChauvelinandHeron。

“Atthemerestsuspicionthatyouhaveplayedusfalse，atahintthatyouhaveledusintoanambush，orifmerelyourhopesoffindingCapetattheendofthejourneyarefrustrated，thelivesofyourwifeandofyourfriendareforfeittous，andtheywillbothbeshotbeforeyoureyes。“

Withthesewords，withthisprecaution，thosecunningfiendshadeffectuallynotonlytiedtheschemer\'shands，butforcedhimeithertodeliverthechildtothemortosacrificehiswifeandhisfriend。

Theimpassewassohorriblethatshecouldnotfaceiteveninherthoughts。Astrange，fever-likeheatcoursedthroughherveins，yetleftherhandsicy-cold；shelongedfor，yetdreaded，theendofthejourney——thatawfulgrapplingwiththecertaintyofcomingdeath。Perhaps，afterall，Percy，too，hadgivenupallhope。

Longagohehadconsecratedhislifetotheattainmentofhisownideals；andtherewasaveinoffatalisminhim；perhapshehadresignedhimselftotheinevitable，andhisonlydesirenowwastogiveuphislife，ashehadsaid，intheopen，beneathGod\'ssky，todrawhislastbreathwiththestorm-cloudstossedthroughinfinityabovehim，andthemurmurofthewindinthetreestosinghimtorest。

Crecywasgraduallyfadingintothedistance，wrappedinamantleofdampandmist。ForalongwhileMargueritecouldseetheslopingslateroofsglimmeringlikesteelinthegreyafternoonlight，andthequaintchurchtowerwithitsbeautifullantern，throughthepiercedstoneworkofwhichshonepatchesoftheleadensky。

Thenasuddentwistoftheroadhidthecityfromview；onlytheoutlyingchurchyardremainedinsight，withitswhitemonumentsandgranitecrosses，overwhichthedarkyews，wetwiththerainandshakenbythegale，sentshowersofdiamond-likesprays。

CHAPTERXLV

THEFORESTOFBOULOGNE

Progresswasnoteasy，andveryslowalongthemuddyroad；thetwocoachesmovedalonglaboriously，withwheelscreakingandsinkingdeeplyfromtimetotimeinthequagmire。

Whenthesmallpartyfinallyreachedtheedgeofthewoodthegreyishlightofthisdismaldayhadchangedinthewesttoadullreddishglow——aglowthathadneitherbrilliancenorincandescenceinit；onlyaweirdtintthathungoverthehorizonandturnedthedistanceintolinesofpurple。

Thenearnessoftheseamadeitselfalreadyfelt；therewasabrinytasteinthedampatmosphere，andthetreesallturnedtheirbranchesawayinthesamedirectionagainsttheonslaughtoftheprevailingwinds。

Theroadatthispointformedasharpfork，skirtingthewoodoneitherside，theforestlyinglikeablackclosemassofspruceandfirsontheleft，whiletheopenexpanseofcountrystretchedoutontheright。Thesouth-westerlygalestruckwithfullviolenceagainstthebarrierofforesttrees，bendingthetallcrestsofthepinesandcausingtheirsmalldeadbranchestobreakandfallwithasharp，crispsoundlikeacryofpain。

Thesquadhadbeenfreshatstarting；nowthemenhadbeenfourhoursinthesaddleunderpersistentrainandgustywind；theyweretired，andtheatmosphereoftheclose，blackforestsoneartheroadwasweighingupontheirspirits。

Strangesoundscametothemfromoutthedensenetworkoftrees——thescreechingofnight-birds，theweirdcalloftheowls，theswiftandfurtivetreadofwildbeastsontheprowl。Thecoldwinterandlackoffoodhadluredthewolvesfromtheirfastnesses——hungerhademboldenedthem，andnow，asgraduallythegreylightfledfromthesky，dismalhowlscouldbeheardinthedistance，andnowandthenapairofeyes，brightwiththereflectionoftheluridwesternglow，wouldshinemomentarilyoutofthedarknessliketinyglow-worms，andasquicklyvanishaway。

Themenshivered——morewithvaguesuperstitiousfearthanwithcold。Theywouldhaveurgedtheirhorseson，butthewheelsofthecoachesstuckpersistentlyinthemud，andnowandagainahalthadtobecalledsothatthespokesandaxlesmighthecleared。

Theyrodeoninsilence。Noonehadamindtospeak，andthemournfulsoughingofthewindinthepine-treesseemedtocheckthewordsoneverylip。Thedullthudofhoofsinthesoftroad，theclangofsteelbitsandbuckles，thesnortingofthehorsesaloneansweredthewind，andalsothemonotonouscreakingofthewheelsploughingthroughtheruts。

Soontheruddyglowinthewestfadedintosoft-tonedpurpleandthenintogrey；finallythattoovanished。Darknesswasdrawinginoneverysidelikeawide，blackmantlepulledtogethercloserandcloseroverheadbyinvisiblegianthands。

Therainstillfellinathindrizzlethatsoakedthroughcapsandcoats，madethebridlesslimyandthesaddlesslipperyanddamp。

Aveilofvapourhungoverthehorses\'cruppers，andwasrenderedfullerandthickereverymomentwiththebreaththatcamefromtheirnostrils。Thewindnolongerblewwithgustyfury——itsstrengthseemedtohavebeenspentwiththegreylightofday——

butnowandthenitwouldstillcomesweepingacrosstheopencountry，anddashitselfuponthewallofforesttrees，lashingagainstthehorses\'ears，catchingthecornerofamantlehere，anill-adjustedcapthere，andwreakingitsmischievousfreakforawhile，thenwithasighofsatisfactiondie，murmuringamongthepines。

Suddenlytherewasahalt，muchshouting，avolleyofoathsfromthedrivers，andcitizenChauvelinthrusthisheadoutofthecarriagewindow。

“Whatisit？”heasked。

“Thescouts，citizen，“repliedthesergeant，whohadbeenridingclosetothecoachdoorallthiswhile；“theyhavereturned。“

“Tellonemantocomestraighttomeandreport。“

Margueritesatquitestill。Indeed，shehadalmostceasedtolivemomentarily，forherspiritwasabsentfromherbody，whichfeltneitherfatigue，norcold，norpain。Butsheheardthesnortingofthehorseclosebyasitsriderpulledhimupsharplybesidethecarriagedoor。

“Well？”saidChauvelincurtly。

“Thisisthecross-road，citizen，“repliedtheman；“itstrikesstraightintothewood，andthehamletofLeCrocqliesdowninthevalleyontheright。“

“Didyoufollowtheroadinthewood？”

“Yes，citizen。Abouttwoleaguesfromherethereisaclearingwithasmallstonechapel，morelikealargeshrine，nestlingamongthetrees。Oppositetoittheangleofahighwallwithlargewrought-irongatesatthecorner，andfromtheseawidedriveleadsthroughapark。“

“Didyouturnintothedrive？”

“Onlyalittleway，citizen。Wethoughtwehadbestreportfirstthatallissafe。“

“Yousawnoone？”

“Noone。“

“Thechateau，then，liessomedistancefromthegates？”

“Aleagueormore，citizen。Closetothegatesthereareouthousesandstabling，thedisusedbuildingsofthehomefarm，I

shouldsay。“

“Good！Weareontherightroad，thatisclear。Keepaheadwithyourmennow，butonlysometwohundredmetresorso。Stay！”headded，asifonsecondthoughts。“Ridedowntotheothercoachandasktheprisonerifweareontherighttrack。“

Theriderturnedhishorsesharplyround。Margueriteheard-theclangofmetalandthesoundofretreatinghoofs。

Afewmomentslaterthemanreturned。

“Yes，citizen，“hereported，“theprisonersaysitisquiteright。

TheChateaud\'Ourdeliesafullleaguefromitsgates。Thisisthenearestroadtothechapelandthechateau。Hesaysweshouldreachtheformerinhalfanhour。Itwillbeverydarkinthere，“

headdedwithasignificantnodinthedirectionofthewood。

Chauvelinmadenoreply，butquietlysteppedoutofthecoach。

Margueritewatchedhim，leaningoutofthewindow，followinghissmalltrimfigureashepushedhiswaypastthegroupsofmountedmen，catchingatahorse\'sbitnowandthen，oratabridle，makingawayforhimselfamongsttherestless，champinganimals，withouttheslightesthesitationorfear。

Soonhisretreatingfigurelostitssharpoutlinesilhouettedagainsttheeveningsky。Itwasenfoldedintheveilofvapourwhichwasblownoutofthehorses\'nostrilsorrisingfromtheirdampcruppers；itbecamemorevague，almostghost-like，throughthemistandthefast-gatheringgloom。

Presentlyagroupoftroopershidhimentirelyfromherview，butshecouldhearhisthin，smoothvoicequiteclearlyashecalledtocitizenHeron。

“Weareclosetotheendofourjourneynow，citizen，“sheheardhimsay。“IftheprisonerhasnotplayedusfalselittleCapetshouldbeinourchargewithinthehour。“

Agrowlnotunlikethosethatcamefromoutthemysteriousdepthsoftheforestansweredhim。

“Ifheisnot，“andMargueriterecognisedtheharshtonesofcitizenHeron——“ifheisnot，thentwocorpseswillberottinginthiswoodtomorrowforthewolvestofeedon，andtheprisonerwillbeonhiswaybacktoPariswithme。“

Someonelaughed。Itmighthavebeenoneofthetroopers，morecallousthanhiscomrades，buttoMargueritethelaughhadastrange，familiarringinit，theechoofsomethinglongsincepastandgone。

ThenChauvelin\'svoiceoncemorecameclearlytoherear：

“Mysuggestion，citizen，“hewassaying，“isthattheprisonershallnowgivemeanorder——couchedinwhatevertermshemaythinknecessary——butadistinctordertohisfriendstogiveupCapettomewithoutanyresistance。Icouldthentakesomeofthemenwithme，andrideasquicklyasthelightwillallowuptothechateau，andtakepossessionofit，ofCapet，andofthosewhoarewithhim。Wecouldgetalongfasterthus。Onemancangiveuphishorsetomeandcontinuethejourneyontheboxofyourcoach。

Thetwocarriagescouldthenfollowatfootpace。ButIfearthatifwesticktogethercompletedarknesswillovertakeusandwemightfindourselvesobligedtopassaveryuncomfortablenightinthiswood。“

“Iwon\'tspendanothernightinthissuspense——itwouldkillme，“

growledHerontotheaccompanimentofoneofhischoicestoaths。

“Youmustdoasyouthinkright——youplannedthewholeofthisaffair——seetoitthatitworksoutwellintheend。“

“HowmanymenshallItakewithme？Ouradvanceguardishere，ofcourse。“

“Icouldn\'tspareyoumorethanfourmoremen——Ishallwanttheotherstoguardtheprisoners。“

“Fourmenwillbequitesufficient，withthefouroftheadvanceguard。Thatwillleaveyoutwelvemenforguardingyourprisoners，andyoureallyonlyneedtoguardthewoman——herlifewillanswerfortheothers。“

Hehadraisedhisvoicewhenhesaidthis，obviouslyintendingthatMargueriteandArmandshouldhear。

“ThenI\'llahead，“hecontinued，apparentlyinanswertoanassentfromhiscolleague。“SirPercy，willyoubesokindastoscribblethenecessarywordsonthesetablets？”

Therewasalongpause，duringwhichMargueriteheardplainlythelonganddismalcryofanightbirdthat，mayhap，wasseekingitsmate。ThenChauvelin\'svoicewasraisedagain。

“Ithankyou，“hesaid；“thiscertainlyshouldbequiteeffectual。

Andnow，citizenHeron，Idonotthinkthatunderthecircumstancesweneedfearanambuscadeoranykindoftrickery——youholdthehostages。AndifbyanychanceIandmymenareattacked，orifweencounterarmedresistanceatthechateau，Iwilldespatchariderbackstraightwaytoyou，and——well，youwillknowwhattodo。“

Hisvoicediedaway，mergedinthesoughingofthewind，drownedbytheclangofmetal，ofhorsessnorting，ofmenlivingandbreathing。MargueritefeltthatbesideherArmandhadshuddered，andthatinthedarknesshistremblinghandhadsoughtandfoundhers。

Sheleanedwelloutofthewindow，tryingtosee。Thegloomhadgatheredmorecloselyin，androundhertheveilofvapourfromthehorses\'steamingcruppershungheavilyinthemistyair。Infrontofherthestraightlinesofafewfirtreesstoodoutdenseandblackagainstthegreynessbeyond，andbetweentheselinespurpletintsofvarioustonesandshadesmingledonewiththeother，mergingthehorizonlinewiththesky。HereandthereamoresolidblackpatchindicatedthetinyhousesofthehamletofLeCrocqfardowninthevalleybelow；fromsomeofthesehousessmalllightsbegantoglimmerlikeblinkingyelloweyes。

Marguerite\'sgaze，however，didnotrestonthedistantlandscape——

ittriedtopiercethegloomthathidherimmediatesurroundings；

themountedmenwereallroundthecoach——morecloselyroundherthanthetreesintheforest。Butthehorseswererestless，movingallthetime，andastheymovedshecaughtglimpsesofthatothercoachandofChauvelin\'sghostlikefigure，walkingrapidlythroughthemist。Justforonebriefmomentshesawtheothercoach，andHeron\'sheadandshouldersleaningoutofthewindow。Ifissugar-loafhatwasonhishead，andthebandageacrosshisbrowlookedlikeasharp，palestreakbelowit。

“Donotdoubtit，citizenChauvelin，“hecalledoutloudlyinhisharsh，raucousvoice，“Ishallknowwhattodo；thewolveswillhavetheirmealto-night，andtheguillotinewillnotbecheatedeither。“

Armandputhisarmroundhissister\'sshouldersandgentlydrewherhackintothecarriage。

“Littlemother，“hesaid，“ifyoucanthinkofawaywherebymylifewouldredeemPercy\'sandyours，showmethatwaynow。“

Butsherepliedquietlyandfirmly：

“Thereisnoway，Armand。Ifthereis，itisinthehandsofGod。“