第12章

CHAPTERXLVI

OTHERSINTHEPARK

Chauvelinandhispickedescorthadinthemeanwhiledetachedthemselvesfromthemainbodyofthesquad。Soonthedullthudoftheirhorses\'hoofstreadingthesoftgroundcamemoresoftly——

thenmoresoftlystillastheyturnedintothewood，andthepurpleshadowsseemedtoenfoldeverysoundandfinallytoswallowthemcompletely。

ArmandandMargueritefromthedepthofthecarriageheardHeron\'svoiceorderinghisowndrivernowtotakethelead。Theysatquitestillandwatched，andpresentlytheothercoachpassedthemslowlyontheroad，itssilhouettestandingoutghostlyandgrimforamomentagainsttheindigotonesofthedistantcountry。

Heron\'shead，withitsbatteredsugar-loafhat，andthesoiledbandageroundthebrow，wasasusualoutofthecarriagewindow。

HeleeredacrossatMargueritewhenhesawtheoutlineofherfaceframedbythewindowofthecarriage。

“Sayalltheprayersyouhaveeverknown，citizeness，“hesaidwithaloudlaugh，“thatmyfriendChauvelinmayfindCapetatthechateau，orelseyoumaytakealastlookattheopencountry，foryouwillnotseethesunriseonitto-morrow。Itisoneortheother，youknow。“

Shetriednottolookathim；theverysightofhimfilledherwithhorror——thatblotched，gauntfaceofhis，thefleshylips，thathideousbandageacrosshisfacethathidoneofhiseyes！

Shetriednottoseehimandnottohearhimlaugh。

Obviouslyhetoolabouredunderthestressofgreatexcitement。

Sofareverythinghadgonewell；theprisonerhadmadenoattemptatescape，andapparentlydidnotmeantoplayadoublegame。Butthecrucialhourhadcome，andwithitdarknessandthemysteriousdepthsoftheforestwiththeirweirdsoundsandsuddenflashesofghostlylights。TheynaturallywroughtonthenervesofmenlikeHeron，whoseconsciencemighthavebeendormant，butwhoseearswereneverthelessfilledwiththecriesofinnocentvictimssacrificedtotheirownlustfulambitionsandtheirblind，unreasoninghates。

Hegavesharporderstothementoclosetiproundthecarriages，andthengavethecurtwordofcommand：

“Enavant！”

Margueritecouldbutstrainherearstolisten。Allhersenses，allherfacultieshadmergedintothatofhearing，renderingitdoublykeen。Itseemedtoherthatshecoulddistinguishthefaintsound——thatevenasshelistenedgrewfainterandfainteryet——ofChauvelinandhissquadmovingawayrapidlyintothethicknessofthewoodsomedistancealreadyahead。

Closetohertherewasthesnortingofhorses，theclangingandnoiseofmovingmountedmen。Heron\'scoachhadtakenthelead；

shecouldhearthecreakingofitswheels，thecallsofthedriverurginghisbeasts。

Thediminishedpartywasmovingatfoot-paceinthedarknessthatseemedtogrowdenserateverystep，andthroughthatsilencewhichwassofullofmysterioussounds。

Thecarriagerolledandrockedonitssprings；Marguerite，giddyandovertired，laybackwithclosedeyes，herhandrestinginthatofArmand。Time，spaceanddistancehadceasedtobe；onlyDeath，thegreatLordofall，hadremained；hewalkedonahead，scytheonskeletonshoulder，andbeckonedpatiently，butwithasure，grimhand。

Therewasanotherhalt，thecoach-wheelsgroanedandcreakedontheiraxles，oneortwohorsesrearedwiththesuddendrawingupofthecurb。

“Whatisitnow？”cameHeron\'shoarsevoicethroughthedarkness。

“Itispitch-dark，citizen，“wastheresponsefromahead。Thedriverscannotseetheirhorses\'ears。Theywaittoknowiftheymaylighttheirlanthornsandthenleadtheirhorses。“

“Theycanleadtheirhorses，“repliedHeronroughly，“butI\'llhavenolanthornslighted。Wedon\'tknowwhatfoolsmaybelurkingbehindtrees，hopingtoputabulletthroughmyhead——oryours，sergeant——wedon\'twanttomakealightedtargetofourselves——what？Butletthedriversleadtheirhorses，andoneortwoofyouwhoareridinggreysmightdismounttooandleadtheway——thegreyswouldshowupperhapsinthiscursedblackness。“

Whilehisorderswerebeingcarriedout，hecalledoutoncemore：

“Arewefarnowfromthatconfoundedchapel？”

“Wecan\'tbefar，citizen；thewholeforestisnotmorethansixleagueswideatanypoint，andwehavegonetwosinceweturnedintoit。“

“Hush！”Heron\'svoicesuddenlybrokeinhoarsely。Whatwasthat？

Silence，Isay。Damnyou——can\'tyouhear？”

Therewasahush——everyearstrainingtolisten；butthehorseswerenotstill——theycontinuedtochamptheirbits，topawtheground，andtotosstheirheads，impatienttogeton。Onlynowandagaintherewouldcomealulleventhroughthesesounds——asecondortwo，mayhap，ofperfect，unbrokensilence——andthenitseemedasifrightthroughthedarknessamysteriousechosentbackthosesamesounds——thechampingofbits，thepawingofsoftground，thetossingandsnortingofanimals，humanlifethatbreathedfaroutthereamongthetrees。

“ItiscitizenChauvelinandhismen，“saidthesergeantafterawhile，andspeakinginawhisper。

“Silence——Iwanttohear，“camethecurt，hoarsely-whisperedcommand。

Oncemoreeveryonelistened，themenhardlydaringtobreathe，clingingtotheirbridlesandpullingontheirhorses\'mouths，tryingtokeepthemstill，andagainthroughthenighttherecamelikeafaintechowhichseemedtothrowbackthosesoundsthatindicatedthepresenceofmenandofhorsesnotveryfaraway。

“Yes，itmustbecitizenChauvelin，“saidHeronatlast；butthetoneofhisvoicesoundedasifhewereanxiousandonlyhalfconvinced；“butIthoughthewouldbeatthechateaubynow。“

“Hemayhavehadtogoatfoot-pace；itisverydark，citizenHeron，“remarkedthesergeant。

“Enavant，then，“quoththeother；“thesoonerwecometipwithhimthebetter。“

Andthesquadofmountedmen，thetwocoaches，thedriversandtheadvancesectionwhowereleadingtheirhorsesslowlyrestartedontheway。Thehorsessnorted，thebitsandstirrupsclanged，andthespringsandwheelsofthecoachescreakedandgroaneddismallyastheramshacklevehiclesbeganoncemoretoploughthecarpetofpine-needlesthatlaythickupontheroad。

ButinsidethecarriageArmandandMargueriteheldoneanothertightlybythehand。

“ItisdeBatz——withhisfriends，“shewhisperedscarceaboveherbreath。

“DeBatz？”heaskedvaguelyandfearfully，forinthedarkhecouldnotseeherface，andashedidnotunderstandwhysheshouldsuddenlybetalkingofdeBatzhethoughtwithhorrorthatmayhapherprophecyanentherselfhadcometrue，andthathermindweariedandover-wrought——hadbecomesuddenlyunhinged。

“Yes，deBatz，“shereplied。“Percysenthimamessage，throughme，tomeethim——here。Iamnotmad，Armand，“sheaddedmorecalmly。“SirAndrewtookPercy\'slettertodeBatzthedaythatwestartedfromParis。“

“GreatGod！”exclaimedArmand，andinstinctively，withasenseofprotection，heputhisarmsroundhissister。“Then，ifChauvelinorthesquadisattacked——if——“

“Yes，“shesaidcalmly；“ifdeBatzmakesanattackonChauvelin，orifhereachesthechateaufirstandtriestodefendit，theywillshootus……Armand，andPercy。“

“ButistheDauphinattheChateaud\'Ourde？”

“No，no！Ithinknot。“

“ThenwhyshouldPercyhaveinvokedtheaidofdeBatz？Now，when——“

“Idon\'tknow，“shemurmuredhelplessly。“Ofcourse，whenhewrotetheletterhecouldnotguessthattheywouldholdusashostages。Hemayhavethoughtthatundercoverofdarknessandofanunexpectedattackhemighthavesavedhimselfhadhebeenalone；butnow——nowthatyouandIarehere——Oh！itisallsohorrible，andIcannotunderstanditall。“

“Hark！”brokeinArmand，suddenlygrippingherarmmoretightly。

“Halt！”rangthesergeant\'svoicethroughthenight。

Thistimetherewasnomistakingthesound；alreadyitcamefromnofardistance。Itwasthesoundofamanrunningandpanting，andnowandagaincallingoutasheran。

Foramomenttherewasstillnessintheveryair，thewinditselfwashushedbetweentwogusts，eventherainhadceaseditsincessantpattering。Heron\'sharshvoicewasraisedinthestillness。

“Whatisitnow？”hedemanded。

“Arunner，citizen，“repliedthesergeant，“comingthroughthewoodfromtheright。“

“Fromtheright？”andtheexclamationwasaccompaniedbyavolleyofoaths；“thedirectionofthechateau？Chauvelinhasbeenattacked；heissendingamessengerbacktome。Sergeant——sergeant，closeuproundthatcoach；guardyourprisonersasyouvalueyourlife，and——“

Therestofhiswordsweredrownedinayellofsuchviolentfurythatthehorses，alreadyover-nervousandfidgety，rearedinmadterror，andthemenhadthegreatestdifficultyinholdingthemin。Forafewminutesnoisyconfusionprevailed，untilthemencouldquietentheirquiveringanimalswithsoftwordsandgentlepattings。

Thenthetroopersobeyed，closinguproundthecoachwhereinbrotherandsistersathuddledagainstoneanother。

Oneofthemensaidunderhisbreath：

“Ah！butthecitizenagentknowshowtocurse！Onedayhewillbreakhisgulletwiththefuryofhisoaths。“

Inthemeanwhiletherunnerhadcomenearer，alwaysatthesamebreathlessspeed。

Thenextmomenthewaschallenged：

“Quivala？”

“Afriend！”hereplied，pantingandexhausted。“WhereiscitizenHeron？”

“Here！”camethereplyinavoicehoarsewithpassionateexcitement。

“Comeup，damnyou。Bequick！”

“Alanthorn，citizen，“suggestedoneofthedrivers。

“No——no——notnow。Here！Wherethedevilarewe？”

“Weareclosetothechapelonourleft，citizen，“saidthesergeant。

Therunner，whoseeyeswerenodoubtaccustomedtothegloom，haddrawnnearertothecarriage。

“Thegatesofthechateau，“hesaid，stillsomewhatbreathlessly，“arejustoppositehereontheright，citizen。Ihavejustcomethroughthem。“

“Speakup，man！”andHeron\'svoicenowsoundedasifchokedwithpassion。“CitizenChauvelinsentyou？”

“Yes。Hebademetellyouthathehasgainedaccesstothechateau，andthatCapetisnotthere。“

AseriesofcitizenHeron\'schoicestoathsinterruptedtheman\'sspeech。Thenhewascurtlyorderedtoproceed，andheresumedhisreport。

“CitizenChauvelinrangatthedoorofthechateau；afterawhilehewasadmittedbyanoldservant，whoappearedtobeincharge，buttheplaceseemedotherwiseabsolutelydeserted——only——“

“Onlywhat？Goon；whatisit？”

“Aswerodethroughtheparkitseemedtousasifwewerebeingwatched，andfollowed。Wehearddistinctlythesoundofhorsesbehindandaroundus，butwecouldseenothing；andnow，whenI

ranback，againIheard。Thereareothersintheparkto-nightbesidesus，citizen。“

Therewassilenceafterthat。ItseemedasifthefloodofHeron\'sblasphemouseloquencehadspentitselfatlast。

“Othersinthepark！”Andnowhisvoicewasscarcelyaboveawhisper，hoarseandtrembling。“Howmany？Couldyousee？”

“No，citizen，wecouldnotsee；buttherearehorsemenlurkingroundthechateaunow。CitizenChauvelintookfourmenintothehousewithhimandlefttheothersonguardoutside。Hebademetellyouthatitmightbesafertosendhimafewmoremenifyoucouldsparethem。Thereareanumberofdisusedfarmbuildingsquiteclosetothegates，andhesuggestedthatallthehorsesbeputupthereforthenight，andthatthemencomeuptothechateauonfoot；itwouldbequickerandsafer，forthedarknessisintense。“

Evenwhilethemanspoketheforestinthedistanceseemedtowakefromitssolemnsilence，thewindonitswingsbroughtsoundsoflifeandmovementdifferentfromtheprowlingofbeastsorthescreechingofnight-birds。Itwasthefurtiveadvanceofmen，thequickwhispersofcommand，ofencouragement，ofthehumananimalpreparingtoattackhiskind。Butallinthedistancestill，allmuffled，allfurtiveasyet。

“Sergeant！”ItwasHeron\'svoice，butittoowassubdued，andalmostcalmnow；“canyouseethechapel？”

“Moreclearly，citizen，“repliedthesergeant。“Itisonourleft；quiteasmallbuilding，Ithink。“

“Thendismount，andwalkallroundit。Seethattherearenowindowsordoorintherear。“

Therewasaprolongedsilence，duringwhichthosedistantsoundsofmenmoving，offurtivepreparationsforattack，struckdistinctlythroughthenight。

MargueriteandArmand，clingingtooneanother，notknowingwhattothink，noryetwhattofear，heardthesoundsminglingwiththoseimmediatelyroundthem，andMargueritemurmuredunderherbreath：

“ItisdeBatzandsomeofhisfriends；butwhatcantheydo？

WhatcanPercyhopefornow？”

ButofPercyshecouldhearandseenothing。Thedarknessandthesilencehaddrawntheirimpenetrableveilbetweenhisunseenpresenceandherownconsciousness。Shecouldseethecoachinwhichhewas，butHeron\'shideouspersonality，hisheadwithitsbatteredhatandsoiledbandage，hadseemedtoobtrudeitselfalwaysbeforehergaze，blottingoutfromhermindeventheknowledgethatPercywastherenotfiftyyardsawayfromher。

Sostrongdidthisfeelinggrowinherthatpresentlytheawfuldreadseizeduponherthathewasnolongerthere；thathewasdead，wornoutwithfatigueandillnessbroughtonbyterribleprivations，orifnotdeadthathehadswooned，thathewasunconscious——hisspiritabsentfromhisbody。SherememberedthatfrightfulyellofrageandhatewhichHeronhadutteredafewminutesago。Hadthebruteventedhisfuryonhishelpless，weakenedprisoner，andstilledforeverthoselipsthat，mayhap，hadmockedhimtothelast？

Margueritecouldnotguess。Shehardlyknewwhattohope。

Vaguely，whenthethoughtofPercylyingdeadbesidehisenemyfloatedthroughherachingbrain，shewasalmostconsciousofasenseofreliefatthethoughtthatatleasthewouldbesparedthepainofthefinal，inevitablecataclysm。

CHAPTERXLVII

THECHAPELOFTHEHOLYSEPULCHRE

Thesergeant\'svoicebrokeinuponhermisery。

Themanhadapparentlydoneasthecitizenagenthadordered，andhadcloselyexaminedthelittlebuildingthatstoodontheleft——avague，blackmassmoredensethanthesurroundinggloom。

“Itisallsolidstone，citizen，“hesaid；“irongatesinfront，closedbutnotlocked，rustykeyinthelock，whichturnsquiteeasily；nowindowsordoorintherear。“

“Youarequitesure？”

“Quitecertain，citizen；itisplain，solidstoneattheback，andtheonlypossibleaccesstotheinterioristhroughtheirongateinfront。“

“Good。“

MargueritecouldonlyjusthearHeronspeakingtothesergeant。

Darknessenvelopedeveryformanddeadenedeverysound。Eventheharshvoicewhichshehadlearnedtoloatheandtodreadsoundedcuriouslysubduedandunfamiliar。Heronnolongerseemedinclinedtostorm，torage，ortocurse。Themomentarydanger，thethoughtoffailure，thehopeofrevenge，hadapparentlycooledhistemper，strengthenedhisdetermination，andforcedhisvoicedowntoalittleaboveawhisper。Hegavehisordersclearlyandfirmly，andthewordscametoMargueriteonthewingsofthewindwithstrangedistinctness，bornetoherearsbythedarknessitself，andthehushthatlayoverthewood。

“Takehalfadozenmenwithyou，sergeant，“shebeardhimsay，“andjoincitizenChauvelinatthechateau。Youcanstableyourhorsesinthefarmbuildingscloseby，ashesuggestsandruntohimonfoot。Youandyourmenshouldquicklygetthebestofahandfulofmidnightprowlers；youarewellarmedandtheyonlycivilians。TellcitizenChauvelinthatIinthemeanwhilewilltakecareofourprisoners。TheEnglishmanIshallputinironsandlockupinsidethechapel，withfivemenunderthecommandofyourcorporaltoguardhim，theothertwoIwilldrivemyselfstraighttoCrecywithwhatisleftoftheescort。Youunderstand？”

“Yes，citizen。“

“WemaynotreachCrecyuntiltwohoursaftermidnight，butdirectlyIarriveIwillsendcitizenChauvelinfurtherreinforcements，which，however，Ihopemaynotnecessary，butwhichwillreachhimintheearlymorning。Evenifheisseriouslyattacked，hecan，withfourteenmenhewillhavewithhim，holdoutinsidethecastlethroughthenight。Tellhimalsothatatdawntwoprisonerswhowillbewithmewillbeshotinthecourtyardoftheguard-houseatCrecy，butthatwhetherhehasgotholdofCapetornothehadbestpickuptheEnglishmaninthechapelinthemorningandbringhimstraighttoCrecy，whereI

shallbeawaitinghimreadytoreturntoParis。Youunderstand？”

“Yes，citizen。“

“ThenrepeatwhatIsaid。“

“IamtotakesixmenwithmetoreinforcecitizenChauvelinnow。“

“Yes。“

“Andyou，citizen，willdrivestraightbacktoCrecy，andwillsendusfurtherreinforcementsfromthere，whichwillreachusintheearlymorning。“

“Yes。“

“WearetoholdthechateauagainstthoseunknownmaraudersifnecessaryuntilthereinforcementscomefromCrecy。Havingroutedthem，wereturnhere，pickuptheEnglishmanwhomyouwillhavelockedupinthechapelunderastrongguardcommandedbyCorporalCassard，andjoinyouforthwithatCrecy。“

“This，whethercitizenChauvelinhasgotholdofCapetornot。“

“Yes，citizen，Iunderstand，“concludedthesergeantimperturbably；“andIamalsototellcitizenChauvelinthatthetwoprisonerswillbeshotatdawninthecourtyardoftheguard-houseatCrecy。“

“Yes。Thatisall。Trytofindtheleaderoftheattackingparty，andbringhimalongtoCrecywiththeEnglishman；butunlesstheyareinverysmallnumbersdonottroubleabouttheothers。Nowenavant；citizenChauvelinmightbegladofyourhelp。And——stay——orderallthementodismount，andtakethehorsesoutofoneofthecoaches，thenletthemenyouaretakingwithyoueachleadahorse，oreventwo，andstablethemallinthefarmbuildings。Ishallnotneedthem，andcouldnotspareanyofmymenfortheworklateron。Rememberthat，aboveall，silenceistheorder。Whenyouarereadytostart，comebacktomehere。“

Thesergeantmovedaway，andMargueriteheardhimtransmittingthecitizenagent\'sorderstothesoldiers。Thedismountingwascarriedoninwonderfulsilence——forsilencehadbeenoneoftheprincipalcommands——onlyoneortwowordsreachedherears。

“Firstsectionandfirsthalfofsecondsectionfallin，rightwheel。Firstsectioneachtaketwohorsesonthelead。Quietlynowthere；don\'ttugathisbridle——lethimgo。“

Andafterthatasimplereport：

“Allready，citizen！”

“Good！”wastheresponse。“Nowdetailyourcorporalandtwomentocomeheretome，sothatwemayputtheEnglishmaninirons，andtakehimatoncetothechapel，andfourmentostandguardatthedoorsoftheothercoach。“

Thenecessaryordersweregiven，andafterthattherecamethecurtcommand：

“Enavant！”

Thesergeant，withhissquadandallthehorses，wasslowlymovingawayinthenight。Thehorses\'hoofshardlymadeanoiseonthesoftcarpetofpine-needlesandofdeadfallenleaves，butthechampingofthebitswasofcourseaudible，andnowandthenthesnortingofsomepoor，tiredhorselongingforitsstable。

SomehowinMarguerite\'sfeveredmindthisdepartureofasquadofmenseemedlikethefinalflittingofherlasthope；theslowagonyofthefamiliarsounds，theretreatinghorsesandsoldiersmovingawayamongsttheshadows，tookonaweirdsignificance。

Heronhadgivenhislastorders。Percy，helplessandprobablyunconscious，wouldspendthenightinthatdankchapel，whilesheandArmandwouldbetakenbacktoCrecy，driventodeathlikesomeinsentientanimalstotheslaughter。

WhenthegreydawnwouldfirstbegintopeepthroughthebranchesofthepinesPercywouldbeledbacktoParisandtheguillotine，andsheandArmandwillhavebeensacrificedtothehatredandrevengeofbrutes。

Theendhadcome，andtherewasnothingmoretobedone。

Struggling，fighting，scheming，couldbeofnoavailnow；butshewantedtogettoherhusband；shewantedtobenearhimnowthatdeathwassoimminentbothforhimandforher。

Shetriedtoenvisageitall，quitecalmly，justassheknewthatPercywouldwishhertodo。Theinevitableendwasthere，andshewouldnotgivetothesecallouswretchesherethegratuitousspectacleofadespairingwomanfightingblindlyagainstadverseFate。

Butshewantedtogotoherhusband。Shefeltthatshecouldfacedeathmoreeasilyonthemorrowifshecouldbutseehimonce，ifshecouldbutlookoncemoreintotheeyesthathadmirroredsomuchenthusiasm，suchabsolutevitalityandwhole-heartedself-sacrifice，andsuchanintensityofloveandpassion；ifsheCouldbutkissoncemorethoselipsthathadsmiledthroughlife，andwouldsmile，sheknew，eveninthefaceofdeath。

Shetriedtoopenthecarriagedoor，butitwasheldfromwithout，andaharshvoicecursedher，orderinghertositstill。

Butshecouldleanoutofthewindowandstrainhereyestosee。

Theywerebynowaccustomedtothegloom，thedilatedpupilstakinginpicturesofvagueformsmovinglikeghoulsintheshadows。Theothercoachwasnotfar，andshecouldhearHeron\'svoice，stillsubduedandcalm，andthecursesofthemen。ButnotasoundfromPercy。

“Ithinktheprisonerisunconscious，“sheheardoneofthemensay。

“Lifthimoutofthecarriage，then，“wasHeron\'scurtcommand；

“andyougoandthrowopenthechapelgates。“

Margueritesawitall。Themovement，thecrowdofmen，twovague，blackformsliftinganotherone，whichappearedheavyandinert，outofthecoach，andcarryingitstaggeringuptowardsthechapel。

Thentheformsdisappeared，swallowedupbythemoredensemassofthelittlebuilding，mergedinwithit，immovableasthestoneitself。

Onlyafewwordsreachedhernow。

“Heisunconscious。“

“Leavehimthere，then；he\'llnotmove！”

“Nowclosethegates！”

Therewasaloudclang，andMargueritegaveapiercingscream。

Shetoreatthehandleofthecarriagedoor。

“Armand，Armand，gotohim！”shecried；andallherself-control，allherenforcedcalm，vanishedinanoutburstofwild，agonisingpassion。“Letmegettohim，Armand！Thisistheend；getmetohim，inthenameofGod！”

“Stopthatwomanscreaming，“cameHeron\'svoiceclearlythroughthenight。“Putherandtheotherprisonerinirons——quick！”

ButwhileMargueriteexpendedherfeeblestrengthinamad，patheticefforttoreachherhusband，evennowatthislasthour，whenallhopewasdeadandDeathwassonigh，Armandhadalreadywrenchedthecarriagedoorfromthegraspofthesoldierwhowasguardingit。HewasoftheSouth，andknewthetrickofcharginganunsuspectingadversarywithheadthrustforwardlikeabullinsidearing。Thusheknockedoneofthesoldiersdownandmadeaquickrushforthechapelgates。

Themen，attackedsosuddenlyandinsuchcompletedarkness，didnotwaitfororders。TheyclosedinroundArmand；onemandrewhissabreandhackedawaywithitinaimlessrage。

Butforthemomentheevadedthemall，pushinghiswaythroughthem，notheedingtheblowsthatcameonhimfromoutthedarkness。Atlasthereachedthechapel。Withoneboundhewasatthegate，hisnumbfingersfumblingforthelock，whichhecouldnotsee。

ItwasavigorousblowfromHeron\'sfistthatbroughthimatlasttohisknees，andeventhenhishandsdidnotrelaxtheirhold；

theygrippedtheornamentalscrollofthegate，shookthegateitselfinitsrustyhinges，pushedandpulledwiththeunreasoningstrengthofdespair。Hehadasabrecutacrosshisbrow，andthebloodflowedinawarm，tricklingstreamdownhisface。Butofthishewasunconscious；allthathewanted，allthathewasstrivingforwithagonisingheart-beatsandcrackingsinews，wastogettohisfriend，whowaslyinginthereunconscious，abandoned——dead，perhaps。

“Curseyou，“struckHeron\'svoiceclosetohisear。“Cannotsomeofyoustopthisravingmaniac？”

Thenitwasthattheheavyblowonhisheadcausedhimasensationofsickness，andhefellonhisknees，stillgrippingtheironwork。

Strongerhandsthanhiswereforcinghimtoloosenhishold；blowsthathurtterriblyrainedonhisnumbedfingers；hefelthimselfdraggedaway，carriedlikeaninertmassfurtherandfurtherfromthatgatewhichhewouldhavegivenhislifebloodtoforceopen。

AndMargueriteheardallthisfromtheinsideofthecoachwhereshewasimprisonedaseffectuallyaswasPercy\'sunconsciousbodyinsidethatdarkchapel。Shecouldhearthenoiseandscramble，andHeron\'shoarsecommands，theswiftsabrestrokesastheycutthroughtheair。

Alreadyatrooperhadclappedironsonherwrists，twoothersheldthecarriagedoors。NowArmandwasliftedbackintothecoach，andshecouldnotevenhelptomakehimcomfortable，thoughashewasliftedinsheheardhimfeeblymoaning。ThentheCarriagedoorswerebangedtoagain。

“Donotalloweitheroftheprisonersoutagain，onperilofyourlives！”camewithavigorouscursefromHeron。

Afterwhichtherewasamoment\'ssilence；whisperedcommandscamespasmodicallyindeadenedsoundtoherear。

“Willthekeyturn？”

“Yes，citizen。“

“Allsecure？”

“Yes，citizen。Theprisonerisgroaning。“

“Lethimgroan。“

“Theemptycoach，citizen？Thehorseshavebeentakenout。“

“Leaveitstandingwhereitis，then；citizenChauvelinwillneeditinthemorning。“

“Armand，“whisperedMargueriteinsidethecoach，“didyouseePercy？”

“Itwassodark，“murmuredArmandfeebly；“butIsawhim，justinsidethegates，wheretheyhadlaidhimdown。Iheardhimgroaning。Oh，myGod！”

“Hush，dear！”shesaid。“Wecandonothingmore，onlydie，ashelived，bravelyandwithasmileonourlips，inmemoryofhim。“

“Number35iswounded，citizen，“saidoneofthemen。

“Cursethefoolwhodidthemischief，“wastheplacidresponse。

“Leavehimherewiththeguard。“

“Howmanyofyouarethereleft，then？”askedthesamevoiceamomentlater。

“Onlytwo，citizen；ifonewholesectionremainswithmeatthechapeldoor，andalsothewoundedman。“

“Twoareenoughforme，andfivearenottoomanyatthechapeldoor。“AndHeron\'scoarse，cruellaughechoedagainstthestonewallsofthelittlechapel。“Nowthen，oneofyougetintothecoach，andtheothergotothehorses\'heads；andremember，CorporalCassard，thatyouandyourmenwhostayheretoguardthatchapeldoorareanswerabletothewholenationwithyourlivesforthesafetyoftheEnglishman。“

Thecarriagedoorwasthrownopen，andasoldiersteppedinandsatdownoppositeMargueriteandArmand。Heroninthemeanwhilewasapparentlyscramblingupthebox。Margueritecouldhearhimmutteringcursesashegropedforthereins，andfinallygatheredthemintohishand。

Thespringsofthecoachcreakedandgroanedasthevehicleslowlyswunground；thewheelsplougheddeeplythroughthesoftcarpetofdeadleaves。

MargueritefeltArmand\'sinertbodyleaningheavilyagainsthershoulder。

“Areyouinpain，dear？”sheaskedsoftly。

Hemadenoreply，andshethoughtthathehadfainted。Itwasbetterso；atleastthenextdrearyhourswouldflitbyforhimintheblissfulstateofunconsciousness。Nowatlasttheheavycarriagebegantomovemoreevenly。Thesoldieratthehorses\'

headswassteppingalongatarapidpace。

Margueritewouldhavegivenmuchevennowtolookbackoncemoreatthedenseblackmass，blackeranddenserthananyshadowthathadeverdescendedbeforeonGod\'searth，whichheldbetweenitscold，cruelwallsallthatshelovedintheworld。

Butherwristswerefetteredbytheirons，whichcutintoherfleshwhenshemoved。Shecouldnolongerleanoutofthewindow，andshecouldnotevenhear。Thewholeforestwashushed，thewindwaslulledtorest；wildbeastsandnight-birdsweresilentandstill。Andthewheelsofthecoachcreakedintheruts，bearingMargueritewitheveryturnfurtherandfurtherawayfromthemanwholayhelplessinthechapeloftheHolySepulchre。

CHAPTERXLVIII

THEWANINGMOON

Armandhadwakenedfromhisattackoffaintness，andbrotherandsistersatclosetooneanother，shouldertouchingshoulder。Thatsenseofnearnesswastheonetinysparkofcomforttobothofthemonthisdreary，drearyway。

Thecoachhadlumberedonunceasinglysincealleternity——soitseemedtothemboth。Oncetherehadbeenabriefhalt，whenHeron\'sroughvoicehadorderedthesoldieratthehorses\'headstoclimbontheboxbesidehim，andonce——ithadbeenaverylittlewhileago——aterriblecryofpainandterrorhadrungthroughthestillnessofthenight。Immediatelyafterthatthehorseshadbeenputatamorerapidpace，butithadseemedtoMargueriteasifthatonecryofpainhadbeenrepeatedbyseveralotherswhichsoundedmorefeebleandsoonappearedtobedyingawayinthedistancebehind。

Thesoldierwhosatoppositetothemmusthaveheardthecrytoo，forhejumpedup，asifwakenedfromsleep，andputhisheadoutofthewindow。

“Didyouhearthatcry，citizen？”heasked。

Butonlyacurseansweredhim，andaperemptorycommandnottolosesightoftheprisonersbypokinghisheadoutofthewindow。

“Didyouhearthecry？”askedthesoldierofMargueriteashemadehastetoobey。

“Yes！Whatcoulditbe？”shemurmured。

“Itseemsdangeroustodrivesofastinthisdarkness，“mutteredthesoldier。

Afterwhichremarkhe，withthestoliditypeculiartohiskind，figurativelyshruggedhisshoulders，detachinghimself，asitwere，ofthewholeaffair。

“Weshouldbeoutoftheforestbynow，“heremarkedinanundertonealittlewhilelater；“thewayseemedshorterbefore。“

Justthenthecoachgaveanunexpectedlurchtooneside，andaftermuchgroaningandcreakingofaxlesandspringsitcametoastandstill，andthecitizenagentwasheardcursingloudlyandthenscramblingdownfromthebox。

Thenextmomentthecarriage-doorwaspulledopenfromwithout，andtheharshvoicecalledoutperemptorily：

“Citizensoldier，here——quick！——quick！——curseyou！——we\'llhaveoneofthehorsesdownifyoudon\'thurry！”

Thesoldierstruggledtohisfeet；itwasnevergoodtobeslowinobeyingthecitizenagent\'scommands。Hewashalf-asleepandnodoubtnumbwithcoldandlongsittingstill；toacceleratehismovementshewassuddenlygrippedbythearmanddraggedincontinentlyoutofthecoach。

Thenthedoorwasslammedtoagain，eitherbyaroughhandorasuddengustofwind，Margueritecouldnottell；sheheardacryofrageandoneofterror，andHeron\'sraucouscurses。ShecoweredinthecornerofthecarriagewithArmand\'sheadagainsthershoulder，andtriedtocloseherearstoallthosehideoussounds。

Thensuddenlyallthesoundswerehushedandallaroundeverythingbecameperfectlycalmandstill——sostillthatatfirstthesilenceoppressedherwithavague，namelessdread。ItwasasifNatureherselfhadpaused，thatshemightlisten；andthesilencebecamemoreandmoreabsolute，untilMargueritecouldhearArmand\'ssoft，regularbreathingclosetoherear。

Thewindownearesttoherwasopen，andassheleanedforwardwiththatparalysingsenseofoppressionabreathofpureairstruckfulluponhernostrilsandbroughtwithitabrinytasteasiffromthesea。

Itwasnotquitesodark；andtherewasasenseasofopencountrystretchingouttothelimitsofthehorizon。Overheadavaguegreyishlightsuffusedthesky，andthewindsweptthecloudsingreatrollingbanksrightacrossthatlight。

Margueritegazedupwardwithamorecalmfeelingthatwasakintogratitude。Thatpalelight，thoughsowanandfeeble，wasthricewelcomeafterthatinkyblacknesswhereinshadowswerelessdarkthanthelights。Shewatchedeagerlythebankofcloudsdrivenbythedyinggale。

Thelightgrewbrighterandfaintlygolden，nowthebanksofclouds——storm-tossedandfleecy——racedpastoneanother，partedandreunitedlikeveilsofunseengiantdancerswavedbyhandsthatcontrolledinfinitespace——advancedandrushedandslackenedspeedagain——unitedandfinallytoreasundertorevealthewaningmoon，honey-colouredandmysterious，risingasiffromaninvisibleoceanfaraway。

Thewanpalelightspreadoverthewidestretchofcountry，throwingoveritasitspreaddulltonesofindigoandofblue。

Hereandtheresparse，stuntedtreeswithfringedgauntarmsbendingtoprevailingwindsproclaimedtheneighbourhoodofthesea。

Margueritegazedonthepicturewhichthewaningmoonhadsosuddenlyrevealed；butshegazedwitheyesthatknewnotwhattheysaw。Themoonhadrisenonherright——therelaytheeast——andthecoachmusthavebeentravellingduenorth，whereasCrecy……

Intheabsolutesilencethatreignedshecouldperceivefromfar，veryfaraway，thesoundofachurchclockstrikingthemidnighthour；andnowitseemedtohersupersensitivesensesthatafirmfootstepwastreadingthesoftearth，afootstepthatdrewnearer——andthennearerstill。

Naturedidpausetolisten。Thewindwashushed，thenight-birdsintheforesthadgonetorest。Marguerite\'sheartbeatsofastthatitsthrobbingschokedher，andadizzinesscloudedherconsciousness。

Butthroughthisstateoftorporsheheardtheopeningofthecarriagedoor，shefelttheonrushofthatpure，brinyair，andshefeltalong，burningkissuponherhands。

Shethoughtthenthatshewasreallydead，andthatGodinHisinfinitelovehadopenedtohertheoutergatesofParadise。

“Mylove！”shemurmured。

Shewasleaningbackinthecarriageandhereyeswereclosed，butshefeltthatfirmfingersremovedtheironsfromherwrists，andthatapairofwarmlipswerepressedthereintheirstead。

“There，littlewoman，that\'sbetterso——isitnot？NowletmegetholdofpooroldArmand！”

ItwasHeaven，ofcourse，elsehowcouldearthholdsuchheavenlyjoy？

“Percy！”exclaimedArmandinanawedvoice。

“Hush，dear！”murmuredMargueritefeebly；“weareinHeavenyouandI——“

Whereuponaringinglaughwoketheechoesofthesilentnight。

“InHeaven，dearheart！”Andthevoicehadadeliciousearthlyringinitswhole-heartedmerriment。“PleaseGod，you\'llbothbeatPortelwithmebeforedawn。“

Thenshewasindeedforcedtobelieve。Sheputoutherhandsandgropedforhim，foritwasdarkinsidethecarriage；shegroped，andfelthismassiveshouldersleaningacrossthebodyofthecoach，whilehisfingersbusiedthemselveswiththeironsonArmand\'swrist。

“Don\'ttouchthatbrute\'sfilthycoatwithyourdaintyfingers，dearheart，“hesaidgaily。“GreatLord！Ihavewornthatwretch\'sclothesforovertwohours；Ifeelasifthedirthadpenetratedtomybones。“

Thenwiththatgesturesohabitualtohimhetookherheadbetweenhistwohands，anddrawinghertohimuntilthewanlightfromwithoutlitupthefacethatheworshipped，hegazedhisfillintohereyes。

Shecouldonlyseetheoutlineofhisheadsilhouettedagainstthewind-tossedsky；shecouldnotseehiseyes，norhislips，butshefelthisnearness，andthehappinessofthatalmostcausedhertoswoon。

“Comeoutintotheopen，myladyfair，“hemurmured，andthoughshecouldnotsee，shecouldfeelthathesmiled；“letGod\'spureairblowthroughyourhairandroundyourdearhead。Then，ifyoucanwalksofar，there\'sasmallhalf-wayhouseclosebyhere。I

haveknockedupthenonetooamiablehost。YouandArmandcouldhavehalfanhour\'sresttherebeforewegofurtheronourway。“

“Butyou，Percy？——areyousafe？”

“Yes，m\'dear，weareallofussafeuntilmorning-timeenoughtoreachLePortel，andtobeaboardtheDay-DreambeforemineamiablefriendM。ChambertinhasdiscoveredhisworthycolleaguelyinggaggedandboundinsidethechapeloftheHolySepulchre。

ByGad！howoldHeronwillcurse——themomenthecanopenhismouth！”

Hehalfhelped，halfliftedheroutofthecarriage。Thestrongpureairsuddenlyrushingrightthroughtoherlungsmadeherfeelfaint，andshealmostfell。Butitwasgoodtofeelherselffalling，whenonepairofarmsamongstthemillionsontheearthweretheretoreceiveher。

“Canyouwalk，dearheart？”heasked。“Leanwellonme——itisnotfar，andtherestwilldoyougood。“

“Butyou，Percy——“

Helaughed，andthemostcompletejoyoflivingseemedtoresoundthroughthatlaugh。Herarmwasinhis，andforonemomenthestoodstillwhilehiseyessweptthefarreachesofthecountry，themellowdistancestillwrappedinitsmantleofindigo，stilluntouchedbythemysteriouslightofthewaningmoon。

Hepressedherarmagainsthisheart，buthisrighthandwasstretchedouttowardstheblackwalloftheforestbehindhim，towardsthedarkcrestsofthepinesinwhichthedyingwindsentitslastmournfulsighs。

“Dearheart，“hesaid，andhisvoicequiveredwiththeintensityofhisexcitement，“beyondthestretchofthatwood，fromfarawayoverthere，therearecriesandmoansofanguishthatcometomyearevennow。Butforyou，dear，Iwouldcrossthatwoodto-nightandre-enterParisto-morrow。Butforyou，dear——butforyou，“hereiteratedearnestlyashepressedherclosertohim，forabittercryhadrisentoherlips。

Shewentoninsilence。Herhappinesswasgreat——asgreataswasherpain。Shehadfoundhimagain，themanwhomsheworshipped，thehusbandwhomshethoughtnevertoseeagainonearth。Shehadfoundhim，andnotevennow——notafterthoseterribleweeksofmiseryandsufferingunspeakable——couldshefeelthatlovehadtriumphedoverthewild，adventurousspirit，therecklessenthusiasm，theardourofself-sacrifice。

CHAPTERXLIX

THELANDOFELDORADO

ItseemsthatinthepocketofHeron\'scoattherewasaletter-casewithsomefewhundredfrancs。Itwasamusingtothinkthatthebrute\'smoneyhelpedtobribetheill-temperedkeeperofthehalf-wayhousetoreceiveguestsatmidnight，andtoplythemwellwithfood，drink，andtheshelterofastuffycoffee-room。

Margueritesatsilentlybesideherhusband，herhandinhis。

Armand，oppositetothem，hadbothelbowsonthetable。Helookedpaleandwan，withabandageacrosshisforehead，andhisglowingeyeswererestingonhischief。

“Yes！youdemmedyoungidiot，“saidBlakeneymerrily，“younearlyupsetmyplanintheend，withyouryellingandscreamingoutsidethechapelgates。“

“Iwantedtogettoyou，Percy。Ithoughtthosebruteshadgotyouthereinsidethatbuilding。“

“Notthey！”heexclaimed。“ItwasmyfriendHeronwhomtheyhadtrussedandgagged，andwhommyamiablefriendM。Chambertinwillfindinthereto-morrowmorning。ByGad！IwouldgobackifonlyforthepleasureofhearingHeroncursewhenfirstthegagistakenfromhismouth。“

“Buthowwasitalldone，Percy？AndtherewasdeBatz——“

“DeBatzwaspartoftheschemeIhadplannedformineownescapebeforeIknewthatthosebrutesmeanttotakeMargueriteandyouashostagesformygoodbehaviour。WhatIhopedthenwasthatundercoverofatussleorafightIcouldsomehoworothercontrivetoslipthroughtheirfingers。Itwasachance，andyouknowmybeliefinbald-headedFortune，withtheonesolitaryhair。

Well，Imeanttograbthathair；andattheworstIcouldbutdieintheopenandnotcagedinthatawfulholelikesomenoxiousvermin。IknewthatdeBatzwouldrisetothebait。ItoldhiminmyletterthattheDauphinwouldbeattheChateaud\'Ourdethisnight，butthatIfearedtherevolutionaryGovernmenthadgotwindofthisfact，andweresendinganarmedescorttobringtheladaway。ThisletterFfoulkestooktohim；IknewthathewouldmakeavigorousefforttogettheDauphinintohishands，andthatduringthescufflethatonehaironFortune\'sheadwouldforonesecondonly，mayhap，comewithinmyreach。IhadsoplannedtheexpeditionthatwewereboundtoarriveattheforestofBoulognebynightfall，andnightisalwaysausefulally。Butattheguard-houseoftheRueSte。AnneIrealisedforthefirsttimethatthosebruteshadpressedmeintoatightercornerthanIhadpre-conceived。“

Hepaused，andonceagainthatlookofrecklessnesssweptoverhisface，andhiseyes——stillhollowandcircled——shonewiththeexcitementofpastmemories。

“Iwassuchaweak，miserablewretch，then，“hesaid，inanswertoMarguerite\'sappeal。“Ihadtotryandbuildupsomestrength，when——Heavenforgivemeforthesacrilege——Ihadunwittinglyriskedyourpreciouslife，dearheart，inthatblindendeavourtosavemineown。ByGad！itwasnoeasytaskinthatjoltingvehiclewiththatnoisomewretchbesidemeforsolecompany；yetI

ateandIdrankandIsleptforthreedaysandtwonights，untilthehourwheninthedarknessIstruckHeronfrombehind，half-strangledhimfirst，thengaggedhim，andfinallyslippedintohisfilthycoatandputthatloathsomebandageacrossmyhead，andhisbatteredhataboveitall。TheyellhegavewhenfirstIattackedhimmadeeveryhorserear——youmustrememberit——thenoiseeffectuallydrownedourlastscuffleinthecoach。

Chauvelinwastheonlymanwhomighthavesuspectedwhathadoccurred，buthehadgoneonahead，andbald-headedFortunehadpassedbyme，andIhadmanagedtograbitsonehair。Afterthatitwasallquiteeasy。ThesergeantandthesoldiershadseenverylittleofHeronandnothingofme；itdidnottakeagreatefforttodeceivethem，andthedarknessofthenightwasmymostfaithfulfriend。Hisraucousvoicewasnotdifficulttoimitate，anddarknessalwaysmufflesandchangeseverytone。Anyway，itwasnotlikelythatthoseloutishsoldierswouldevenremotelysuspectthetrickthatwasbeingplayedonthem。Thecitizenagent\'sorderswerepromptlyandimplicitlyobeyed。Themennevereventhoughttowonderthatafterinsistingonanescortoftwentyheshoulddriveoffwithtwoprisonersandonlytwomentoguardthem。Iftheydidwonder，itwasnottheirstoquestion。ThosetwotroopersarespendinganuncomfortablenightsomewhereintheforestofBoulogne，eachtiedtoatree，andsometwoleaguesapartonefromtheother。Andnow，“headdedgaily，“envoiture，myfairlady；andyou，too，Armand。\'TissevenleaguestoLePortel，andwemustbetherebeforedawn。“

“SirAndrew\'sintentionwastomakeforCalaisfirst，theretoopencommunicationwiththeDay-DreamandthenforLePortel，“

saidMarguerite；“afterthathemeanttostrikebackfortheChateaud\'Ourdeinsearchofme。“

“Thenwe\'llstillfindhimatLePortel——Ishallknowhowtolayhandsonhim；butyoutwomustgetaboardtheDay-Dreamatonce，forFfoulkesandIcanalwayslookafterourselves。“

Itwasonehouraftermidnightwhen——refreshedwithfoodandrest——Marguerite，ArmandandSirPercyleftthehalf-wayhouse。

Margueritewasstandinginthedoorwayreadytogo。PercyandArmandhadgoneaheadtobringthecoachalong。

“Percy，“whisperedArmand，“Margueritedoesnotknow？”

“Ofcourseshedoesnot，youyoungfool，“retortedPercylightly。

“IfyoutryandtellherIthinkIwouldsmashyourhead。“

“Butyou——“saidtheyoungmanwithsuddenvehemence；“canyoubearthesightofme？MyGod！whenIthink——“

“Don\'tthink，mygoodArmand——notofthatanyway。Onlythinkofthewomanforwhosesakeyoucommittedacrime——ifsheispureandgood，wooherandwinher——notjustnow，foritwerefoolishtogobacktoParisafterher，butanon，whenshecomestoEnglandandallthesepastdaysareforgotten——thenloveherasmuchasyoucan，Armand。LearnyourlessonoflovebetterthanIhavelearntmine；donotcauseJeanneLangethosetearsofanguishwhichmymadspiritbringstoyoursister\'seyes。Youwereright，Armand，whenyousaidthatIdonotknowhowtolove！”

ButonboardtheDay-Dream，whenalldangerwaspast，Margueritefeltthathedid。

End