TherehasoflateyearscreptsomuchconfusionintothemindofthestudentaswellasofthegeneralreaderastotheidentityoftheScarletPimpernelwiththatoftheGasconRoyalistplotterknowntohistoryastheBarondeBatz，thatthetimeseemsopportuneforsettingalldoubtsonthatsubjectatrest。
TheidentityoftheScarletPimpernelisinnowaywhateverconnectedwiththatoftheBarondeBatz，andevensuperficialreflectionwillsoonbringthemindtotheconclusionthatgreatfundamentaldifferencesexistedinthesetwomen，intheirpersonality，intheircharacter，and，aboveall，intheiraims。
Accordingtooneortwoenthusiastichistorians，theBarondeBatzwasthechiefagentinavastnetworkofconspiracy，entirelysupportedbyforeignmoney——bothEnglishandAustrian——andwhichhadforitsobjecttheoverthrowoftheRepublicanGovernmentandtherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。
Inordertoattainthispoliticalgoal，itisaverredthathesethimselfthetaskofpittingthemembersoftherevolutionaryGovernmentoneagainsttheother，andbringinghatredanddissensionsamongstthem，untilthecryof“Traitor！”resoundedfromoneendoftheAssemblyoftheConventiontotheother，andtheAssemblyitselfbecameasonevastdenofwildbeastswhereinwolvesandhyenasdevouredoneanotherand，stillunsatiated，lickedtheirstreamingjawshungeringformoreprey。
Thosesameenthusiastichistorians，whohaveafirmbeliefintheso-called“ForeignConspiracy，“ascribeeveryimportanteventoftheGreatRevolution——bethateventthedownfalloftheGirondins，theescapeoftheDauphinfromtheTemple，orthedeathofRobespierre——totheintriguesofBarondeBatz。Heitwas，sotheysay，whoeggedtheJacobinsonagainsttheMountain，RobespierreagainstDanton，HebertagainstRobespierre。HeitwaswhoinstigatedthemassacresofSeptember，theatrocitiesofNantes，thehorrorsofThermidor，thesacrileges，thenoyades：
allwiththeviewofcausingeverysectionoftheNationalAssemblytoviewiththeotherinexcessesandincruelty，untilthemakersoftheRevolution，satiatedwiththeirownlust，turnedononeanother，andSardanapalus-likeburiedthemselvesandtheirorgiesinthevasthecatombofaself-consumedanarchy。
WhetherthepowerthusascribedtoBarondeBatzbyhishistoriansisrealorimaginaryitisnotthepurposeofthisprefacetoinvestigate。ItssoleobjectistopointoutthedifferencebetweenthecareerofthisplotterandthatoftheScarletPimpernel。
TheBarondeBatzhimselfwasanadventurerwithoutsubstance，savethatwhichhederivedfromabroad。Hewasoneofthosemenwhohavenothingtoloseandeverythingtogainbythrowingthemselvesheadlongintheseethingcauldronofinternalpolitics。
ThoughhemadeseveralattemptsatrescuingKingLouisfirst，andthentheQueenandRoyalFamilyfromprisonandfromdeath，heneversucceeded，asweknow，inanyoftheseundertakings，andheneveroncesomuchasattemptedtherescueofotherequallyinnocent，ifnotquitesodistinguished，victimsofthemostbloodthirstyrevolutionthathasevershakenthefoundationsofthecivilisedworld。
Naymore；whenonthe29thPrairialthoseunfortunatemenandwomenwerecondemnedandexecutedforallegedcomplicityintheso-called“ForeignConspiracy，“deBatz，whoisuniversallyadmittedtohavebeentheheadandprime-moverofthatconspiracy——if，indeed，conspiracytherewas——nevermadeeithertheslightestattempttorescuehisconfederatesfromtheguillotine，oratleasttheoffertoperishbytheirsideifhecouldnotsucceedinsavingthem。
Andwhenwerememberthatthemartyrsofthe29thPrairialincludedwomenlikeGrandmaison，thedevotedfriendofdeBatz，thebeautifulEmiliedeSt。Amaranthe，littleCecileRenault——amerechildnotsixteenyearsofage——alsomenlikeMichonisandRoussell，faithfulservantsofdeBatz，theBarondeLezardiere，andtheComtedeSt。Maurice，hisfriends，wenolongercanhavetheslightestdoubtthattheGasconplotterandtheEnglishgentlemanareindeedtwoverydifferentpersons。
Thelatter\'saimswereabsolutelynon-political。Heneverintriguedfortherestorationofthemonarchy，orevenfortheoverthrowofthatRepublicwhichlieloathed。
Hisonlyconcernwastherescueoftheinnocent，thestretchingoutofasavinghandtothoseunfortunatecreatureswhohadfallenintothenetsspreadoutforthembytheirfellow-men；bythosewho——godless，lawless，pennilessthemselves——hadsworntoexterminateallthosewhoclungtotheirbelongings，totheirreligion，andtotheirbeliefs。
TheScarletPimperneldidnottakeituponhimselftopunishtheguilty；hiscarewassolelyofthehelplessandoftheinnocent。
ForthisaimheriskedhislifeeverytimethathesetfootonFrenchsoil，forithesacrificedhisfortune，andevenhispersonalhappiness，andtoithedevotedhisentireexistence。
Moreover，whereastheFrenchplotterissaidtohavehadconfederatesevenintheAssemblyoftheConvention，confederateswhoweresufficientlyinfluentialandpowerfultosecurehisownimmunity，theEnglishmanwhenhewasbentonhiserrandsofmercyhadthewholeofFranceagainsthim。
TheBarondeBatzwasamanwhoneverjustifiedeitherhisownambitionsorevenhisexistence；theScarletPimpernelwasapersonalityofwhomanentirenationmightjustlybeproud。
CHAPTERI
INTHETHEATRENATIONAL
Andyetpeoplefoundtheopportunitytoamusethemselves，todanceandtogotothetheatre，toenjoymusicandopen-aircafesandpromenadesinthePalaisRoyal。
Newfashionsindressmadetheirappearance，millinersproducedfresh“creations，“andjewellerswerenotidle。Agrimsenseofhumour，bornoftheveryintensityofever-presentdanger，haddubbedthecutofcertaintunics“tetetranche，“orafavouriteragoutwascalled“alaguillotine。“
Onthreeeveningsonlyduringthepastmemorablefourandahalfyearsdidthetheatresclosetheirdoors，andtheseeveningsweretheonesimmediatelyfollowingthatterrible2ndofSeptemberthedayofthebutcheryoutsidetheAbbayeprison，whenParisherselfwasaghastwithhorror，andthecriesofthemassacredmighthavedrownedthecallsoftheaudiencewhosehandsupraisedforplauditswouldstillbedrippingwithblood。
OnallothereveningsofthesesamefourandahalfyearsthetheatresintheRuedeRichelieu，inthePalaisRoyal，theLuxembourg，andothers，hadraisedtheircurtainsandtakenmoneyattheirdoors。Thesameaudiencethatearlierinthedayhadwhiledawaythetimebywitnessingtheever-recurrentdramasofthePlacedelaRevolutionassembledhereintheeveningsandfilledstalls，boxes，andtiers，laughingoverthesatiresofVoltaireorweepingoverthesentimentaltragediesofpersecutedRomeosandinnocentJuliets。
Deathknockedatsomanydoorsthesedays！Hewassoconstantaguestinthehousesofrelativesandfriendsthatthosewhohadmerelyshakenhimbythehand，thoseonwhomhehadsmiled，andwhomhe，stillsmiling，hadpassedindulgentlyby，lookedonhimwiththatsubtlecontemptbornoffamiliarity，shruggedtheirshouldersathispassage，andenvisagedhisprobablevisitonthemorrowwithlightheartedindifference。
Paris——despitethehorrorsthathadstainedherwallshadremainedacityofpleasure，andtheknifeoftheguillotinedidscarcedescendmoreoftenthandidthedrop-scenesonthestage。
Onthisbitterlycoldeveningofthe27thNivose，inthesecondyearoftheRepublic——or，asweoftheoldstylestillpersistincallingit，the16thofJanuary，1794——theauditoriumoftheTheatreNationalwasfilledwithaverybrilliantcompany。
TheappearanceofafavouriteactressinthepartofoneofMoliere\'svolatileheroineshadbroughtpleasure-lovingParistowitnessthisrevivalof“LeMisanthrope，“withnewscenery，dresses，andtheaforesaidcharmingactresstoaddpiquancytothemaster\'smordantwit。
TheMoniteur，whichsoimpartiallychroniclestheeventsofthosetimes，tellsusunderthatdatethattheAssemblyoftheConventionvotedonthatsamedayanewlawgivingfullerpowertoitsspies，enablingthemtoeffectdomiciliarysearchesattheirdiscretionwithoutpreviousreferencetotheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，authorisingthemtoproceedagainstallenemiesofpublichappiness，tosendthemtoprisonattheirowndiscretion，andassuringthemthesumofthirty-fivelivres“foreverypieceofgamethusbeatenupfortheguillotine。“UnderthatsamedatetheMoniteuralsoputsitonrecordthattheTheatreNationalwasfilledtoitsutmostcapacityfortherevivalofthelatecitoyenMoliere\'scomedy。
TheAssemblyoftheConventionhavingvotedthenewlawwhichplacedthelivesofthousandsatthemercyofafewhumanbloodhounds，adjourneditssittingandproceededtotheRuedeRichelieu。
Alreadythehousewasfullwhenthefathersofthepeoplemadetheirwaytotheseatswhichhadbeenreservedforthem。Anawedhushdescendedonthethrongasonebyonethemenwhoseverynamesinspiredhorroranddreadfiledinthroughthenarrowgangwaysofthestallsortooktheirplacesinthetinyboxesaround。
CitizenRobespierre\'sneatlybewiggedheadsoonappearedinoneofthese；hisbosomfriendSt。Justwaswithhim，andalsohissisterCharlotte。Danton，likeabig，shaggy-coatedlion，elbowedhiswayintothestalls，whilstSauterre，thehandsomebutcherandidolofthepeopleofParis，wasloudlyacclaimedashishugeframe，gorgeouslycladintheuniformoftheNationalGuard，wassightedononeofthetiersabove。
Thepublicintheparterreandinthegallerieswhisperedexcitedly；theawe-inspiringnamesflewabouthitherandthitheronthewingsoftheoverheatedair。Womencranedtheirneckstocatchsightofheadswhichmayhaponthemorrowwouldrollintothegruesomebasketatthefootoftheguillotine。
Inoneofthetinyavant-sceneboxestwomenhadtakentheirseatslongbeforethebulkoftheaudiencehadbeguntoassembleinthehouse。Theinsideoftheboxwasincompletedarkness，andthenarrowopeningwhichallowedbutasorryviewofonesideofthestagehelpedtoconcealratherthandisplaytheoccupants。
TheyoungeroneofthesetwomenappearedtobesomethingofastrangerinParis，forasthepublicmenandthewell-knownmembersoftheGovernmentbegantoarriveheoftenturnedtohiscompanionforinformationregardingthesenotoriouspersonalities。
“Tellme，deBatz，“hesaid，callingtheother\'sattentiontoagroupofmenwhohadjustenteredthehouse，“thatcreaturethereinthegreencoat——withhishanduptohisfacenow——whoishe？”
“Where？Whichdoyoumean？”
“There！Helooksthiswaynow，andhehasaplaybillinhishand。
Themanwiththeprotrudingchinandtheconvexforehead，afacelikeamarmoset，andeyeslikeajackal。What？”
Theotherleanedovertheedgeofthebox，andhissmall，restlesseyeswanderedoverthenowclosely-packedauditorium。
“Oh！”hesaidassoonasherecognisedthefacewhichhisfriendhadpointedouttohim，“thatiscitizenFoucquier-Tinville。“
“ThePublicProsecutor？”
“Himself。AndHeronisthemannexttohim。“
“Heron？”saidtheyoungermaninterrogatively。
“Yes。HeischiefagenttotheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritynow。“
“Whatdoesthatmean？”
Bothleanedbackintheirchairs，andtheirsombrely-cladfigureswereoncemoremergedinthegloomofthenarrowbox。Instinctively，sincethenameofthePublicProsecutorhadbeenmentionedbetweenthem，theyhadallowedtheirvoicestosinktoawhisper。
Theolderman——astoutish，florid-lookingindividual，withsmall，keeneyes，andskinpittedwithsmall-pox——shruggedhisshouldersathisfriend\'squestion，andthensaidwithanairofcontemptuousindifference：
“Itmeans，mygoodSt。Just，thatthesetwomenwhomyouseedownthere，calmlyconningtheprogrammeofthisevening\'sentertainment，andpreparingtoenjoythemselvesto-nightinthecompanyofthelateM。deMoliere，aretwohell-houndsaspowerfulastheyarecunning。“
“Yes，yes，“saidSt。Just，andmuchagainsthiswillaslightshudderranthroughhisslimfigureashespoke。“Foucquier-TinvilleIknow；Iknowhiscunning，andIknowhispower——buttheother？”
“Theother？”retorteddeBatzlightly。“Heron？Letmetellyou，myfriend，thateventhemightandlustofthatdamnedPublicProsecutorpalebeforethepowerofHeron！”
“Buthow？Idonotunderstand。“
“Ah！youhavebeeninEnglandsolong，youluckydog，andthoughnodoubtthemainplotofourhideoustragedyhasreachedyourken，youhavenocognisanceoftheactorswhoplaytheprincipalpartsonthisarenafloodedwithbloodandcarpetedwithhate。
Theycomeandgo，theseactors，mygoodSt。Just——theycomeandgo。Maratisalreadythemanofyesterday，Robespierreisthemanofto-morrow。To-daywestillhaveDantonandFoucquier-Tinville；
westillhavePereDuchesne，andyourowngoodcousinAntoineSt。
Just，butHeronandhislikearewithusalways。“
“Spies，ofcourse？”
“Spies，“assentedtheother。“Andwhatspies！WereyoupresentatthesittingoftheAssemblyto-day？”
“Iwas。Iheardthenewdecreewhichalreadyhaspassedintolaw。
Ah！Itellyou，friend，thatwedonotletthegrassgrowunderourfeetthesedays。Robespierrewakesuponemorningwithawhim；bytheafternoonthatwhimhasbecomelaw，passedbyaservilebodyofmentooterrifiedtoruncountertohiswill，fearfullesttheybeaccusedofmoderationorofhumanity——thegreatestcrimesthatcanbecommittednowadays。“
“ButDanton？”
“Ah！Danton？Hewouldwishtostemthetidethathisownpassionshaveletloose；tomuzzletheragingbeastswhosefangshehimselfhassharpened。ItoldyouthatDantonisstillthemanofto-day；
to-morrowhewillbeaccusedofmoderation。Dantonandmoderation！——
yegods！Eh？Danton，whothoughttheguillotinetooslowinitswork，andarmedthirtysoldierswithswords，sothatthirtyheadsmightfallatoneandthesametime。Danton，friend，willperishto-morrowaccusedoftreacheryagainsttheRevolution，ofmoderationtowardsherenemies；andcurslikeHeronwillfeastonthebloodoflionslikeDantonandhiscrowd。“
Hepausedamoment，forhedarednotraisehisvoice，andhiswhisperswerebeingdrownedbythenoiseintheauditorium。Thecurtain，timedtoberaisedateighto\'clock，wasstilldown，thoughitwascloseonhalf-past，andthepublicwasgrowingimpatient。Therewasloudstampingoffeet，andafewshrillwhistlesofdisapprovalproceededfromthegallery。
“IfHerongetsimpatient，“saiddeBatzlightly，whenthenoisehadmomentarilysubsided，themanagerofthistheatreandmayhaphisleadingactorandactresswillspendanunpleasantdayto-morrow。“
“AlwaysHeron！”saidSt。Just，withacontemptuoussmile。
“Yes，myfriend，“rejoinedtheotherimperturbably，“alwaysHeron。
Andhehasevenobtainedalongerleaseofexistencethisafternoon。“
“Bythenewdecree？”
“Yes。Thenewdecree。TheagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，ofwhomHeronisthechief，havefromto-daypowersofdomiciliarysearch；theyhavefullpowerstoproceedagainstallenemiesofpublicwelfare。Isn\'tthatbeautifullyvague？Andtheyhaveabsolutediscretion；everyonemaybecomeanenemyofpublicwelfare，eitherbyspendingtoomuchmoneyorbyspendingtoolittle，bylaughingto-dayorcryingto-morrow，bymourningforonedeadrelativeorrejoicingovertheexecutionofanother。
Hemaybeabadexampletothepublicbythecleanlinessofhispersonorbythefilthuponhisclothes，hemayoffendbywalkingto-dayandbyridinginacarriagenextweek；theagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityshallalonedecidewhatconstitutesenmityagainstpublicwelfare。Allprisonsaretobeopenedattheirbiddingtoreceivethosewhomtheychoosetodenounce；theyhavehenceforththerighttoexamineprisonersprivatelyandwithoutwitnesses，andtosendthemtotrialwithoutfurtherwarrants；theirdutyisclear——theymust\'beatupgamefortheguillotine。\'Thusisthedecreeworded；theymustfurnishthePublicProsecutorwithworktodo，thetribunalswithvictimstocondemn，thePlacedelaRevolutionwithdeath-scenestoamusethepeople，andfortheirworktheywillberewardedthirty-fivelivresforeveryheadthatfallsundertheguillotineAh！ifHeronandhislikeandhismyrmidonsworkhardandwelltheycanmakeacomfortableincomeoffourorfivethousandlivresaweek。
Wearegettingon，friendSt。Just——wearegettingon。“
Hehadnotraisedhisvoicewhilehespoke，norintherecountingofsuchinhumanmonstrosity，suchvileandbloodthirstyconspiracyagainsttheliberty，thedignity，theverylifeofanentirenation，didheappeartofeeltheslightestindignation；ratherdidatoneofamusementandevenoftriumphstrikethroughhisspeech；andnowhelaughedgood-humouredlylikeanindulgentparentwhoiswatchingthenaturallycruelanticsofaspoiltboy。
“Thenfromthishellletlooseuponearth，“exclaimedSt。Justhotly，“mustwerescuethosewhorefusetorideuponthistideofblood。“
Hischeekswereglowing，hiseyessparkledwithenthusiasm。Helookedveryyoungandveryeager。ArmandSt。Just，thebrotherofLadyBlakeney，hadsomethingoftherefinedbeautyofhislovelysister，butthefeaturesthoughmanly——hadnotthelatentstrengthexpressedinthemwhichcharacterisedeverylineofMarguerite\'sexquisiteface。Theforeheadsuggestedadreamerratherthanathinker，theblue-greyeyeswerethoseofanidealistratherthanofamanofaction。
DeBatz\'skeenpiercingeyeshadnodoubtnotedthis，evenwhilsthegazedathisyoungfriendwiththatsamelookofgood-humouredindulgencewhichseemedhabitualtohim。
“Wehavetothinkofthefuture，mygoodSt。Just，“hesaidafteraslightpause，andspeakingslowlyanddecisively，likeafatherrebukingahot-headedchild，“notofthepresent。Whatareafewlivesworthbesidethegreatprincipleswhichwehaveatstake？”
“Therestorationofthemonarchy——Iknow，“retortedSt。Just，stillunsobered，“but，inthemeanwhile——“
“Inthemeanwhile，“rejoineddeBatzearnestly，“everyvictimtothelustofthesemenisasteptowardstherestorationoflawandorder——thatistosay，ofthemonarchy。Itisonlythroughtheseviolentexcessesperpetratedinitsnamethatthenationwillrealisehowitisbeingfooledbyasetofmenwhohaveonlytheirownpowerandtheirownadvancementinview，andwhoimaginethattheonlywaytothatpowerisoverthedeadbodiesofthosewhostandintheirway。Oncethenationissickenedbytheseorgiesofambitionandofhate，itwillturnagainstthesesavagebrutes，andgladlyacclaimtherestorationofallthattheyarestrivingtodestroy。Thisisouronlyhopeforthefuture，and，believeme，friend，thateveryheadsnatchedfromtheguillotinebyyourromantichero，theScarletPimpernel，isastonelaidfortheconsolidationofthisinfamousRepublic。“
“I\'llnotbelieveit，“protestedSt。Justemphatically。
DeBatz，withagestureofcontemptindicativealsoofcompleteself-satisfactionandunalterableself-belief，shruggedhisbroadshoulders。Hisshortfatfingers，coveredwithrings，beatatattooupontheledgeofthebox。
Obviously，hewasreadywitharetort。Hisyoungfriend\'sattitudeirritatedevenmorethanitamusedhim。Buthesaidnothingforthemoment，waitingwhilethetraditionalthreeknocksonthefloorofthestageproclaimedtheriseofthecurtain。Thegrowingimpatienceoftheaudiencesubsidedasifbymagicatthewelcomecall；everybodysettleddownagaincomfortablyintheirseats，theygaveupthecontemplationofthefathersofthepeople，andturnedtheirfullattentiontotheactorsontheboards。
CHAPTERII
WIDELYDIVERGENTAIMS
ThiswasArmandS。Just\'sfirstvisittoParissincethatmemorabledaywhenfirsthedecidedtoseverhisconnectionfromtheRepublicanparty，ofwhichheandhisbeautifulsisterMargueritehadatonetimebeenamongstthemostnoble，mostenthusiasticfollowers。Alreadyayearandahalfagotheexcessesofthepartyhadhorrifiedhim，andthatwaslongbeforetheyhaddegeneratedintothesickeningorgieswhichwereculminatingto-dayinwholesalemassacresandbloodyhecatombsofinnocentvictims。
WiththedeathofMirabeauthemoderateRepublicans，whosesoleandentirelypureaimhadbeentofreethepeopleofFrancefromtheautocratictyrannyoftheBourbons，sawthepowergofromtheircleanhandstothegrimyonesoflustfuldemagogues，whoknewnolawsavetheirownpassionsofbitterhatredagainstallclassesthatwerenotasself-seeking，asferociousasthemselves。
Itwasnolongeraquestionofafightforpoliticalandreligiouslibertyonly，butoneofclassagainstclass，managainstman，andlettheweakerlooktohimself。Theweakerhadprovedhimselftobe，firstly，themanofpropertyandsubstance，thenthelaw-abidingcitizen，lastlythemanofactionwhohadobtainedforthepeoplethatverysamelibertyofthoughtandofbeliefwhichsoonbecamesoterriblymisused。
ArmandSt。Just，oneoftheapostlesofliberty，fraternity，andequality，soonfoundthatthemostsavageexcessesoftyrannywerebeingperpetratedinthenameofthosesameidealswhichhehadworshipped。
HissisterMarguerite，happilymarriedinEngland，wasthefinaltemptationwhichcausedhimtoquitthecountrythedestiniesofwhichhenolongercouldhelptocontrol。ThesparkofenthusiasmwhichheandthefollowersofMirabeauhadtriedtokindleintheheartsofanoppressedpeoplehadturnedtoragingtonguesofunquenchableflames。ThetakingoftheBastillehadbeenthepreludetothemassacresofSeptember，andeventhehorrorofthesehadsincepaledbesidetheholocaustsofto-day。
Armand，savedfromtheswiftvengeanceoftherevolutionariesbythedevotionoftheScarletPimpernel，crossedovertoEnglandandenrolledhimselftinderthebanneroftheheroicchief。ButhehadbeenunablehithertotobeanactivememberoftheLeague。
Thechiefwasloathtoallowhimtorunfoolhardyrisks。TheSt。
Justs——bothMargueriteandArmand——werestillverywell-knowninParis。Margueritewasnotawomaneasilyforgotten，andhermarriagewithanEnglish“aristo“didnotpleasethoserepublicancircleswhohadlookeduponherastheirqueen。Armand\'ssecessionfromhispartyintotheranksoftheemigreshadsingledhimoutforspecialreprisals，ifandwheneverhecouldbegotholdof，andbothbrotherandsisterhadanunusuallybitterenemyintheircousinAntoineSt。Just——onceanaspiranttoMarguerite\'shand，andnowaservileadherentandimitatorofRobespierre，whoseferociouscrueltyhetriedtoemulatewithaviewtoingratiatinghimselfwiththemostpowerfulmanoftheday。
NothingwouldhavepleasedAntoineSt。JustmorethantheopportunityofshowinghiszealandhispatriotismbydenouncinghisownkithandkintotheTribunaloftheTerror，andtheScarletPimpernel，whoseownslenderfingerswereheldonthepulseofthatrecklessrevolution，hadnowishtosacrificeArmand\'slifedeliberately，oreventoexposeittounnecessarydangers。
ThusitwasthatmorethanayearhadgonebybeforeArmandSt。
Just——anenthusiasticmemberoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel——wasabletodoaughtforitsservice。Hehadchafedundertheenforcedrestraintplaceduponhimbytheprudenceofhischief，when，indeed，hewaslongingtoriskhislifewiththecomradeswhomhelovedandbesidetheleaderwhomherevered。
Atlast，inthebeginningof\'94hepersuadedBlakeneytoallowhimtojointhenextexpeditiontoFrance。WhattheprincipalaimofthatexpeditionwasthemembersoftheLeaguedidnotknowasyet，butwhattheydidknowwasthatperils——gravereventhanhitherto——wouldattendthemontheirway。
ThecircumstanceshadbecomeverydifferentoflateAtfirsttheimpenetrablemysterywhichhadsurroundedthepersonalityofthechiefhadbeenafullmeasureofsafety，butnowonetinycornerofthatveilofmysteryhadbeenliftedbytworoughpairsofhandsatleast；Chauvelin，ex-ambassadorattheEnglishCourt，wasnolongerinanydoubtastotheidentityoftheScarletPimpernel，whilstCollotd\'HerboishadseenhimatBoulogne，andhadtherebeeneffectuallyfoiledbyhim。
Fourmonthshadgonebysincethatday，andtheScarletPimpernelwashardlyeveroutofFrancenow；themassacresinParisandintheprovinceshadmultipliedwithappallingrapidity，thenecessityfortheselflessdevotionofthatsmallbandofheroeshadbecomedaily，hourlymorepressing。Theyralliedroundtheirchiefwithunboundedenthusiasm，andletitbeadmittedatoncethatthesportinginstinct——inherentintheseEnglishgentlemen——
madethemallthemorekeen，allthemoreeagernowthatthedangerswhichbesettheirexpeditionswereincreasedtenfold。
Atawordfromthebelovedleader，theseyoungmen——thespoiltdarlingsofsociety——wouldleavethegaieties，thepleasures，theluxuriesofLondonorofBath，and，takingtheirlivestntheirhands，theyplacedthem，togetherwiththeirfortunes，andeventheirgoodnames，attheserviceoftheinnocentandhelplessvictimsofmercilesstyranny。Themarriedmen——Ffoulkes，myLordHastings，SirJeremiahWallescourt——leftwifeandchildrenatacallfromthechief，atthecryofthewretched。Armand——
unattachedandenthusiastic——hadtherighttodemandthatheshouldnolongerbeleftbehind。
Hehadonlybeenawayalittleoverfifteenmonths，andyethefoundParisadifferentcityfromtheonehehadleftimmediatelyaftertheterriblemassacresofSeptember。Anairofgrimlonelinessseemedtohangoverherdespitethecrowdsthatthrongedherstreets；themenwhomhewaswonttomeetinpublicplacesfifteenmonthsago——friendsandpoliticalallies——werenolongertobeseen；strangefacessurroundedhimoneveryside——
sullen，gloweringfaces，allwearingacertainairofhorrifiedsurpriseandofvague，terrifiedwonder，asiflifehadbecomeoneawfulpuzzle，theanswertowhichmustbefoundinthebriefintervalbetweentheswiftpassagesofdeath。
ArmandSt。Just，havingsettledhisfewsimplebelongingsinthesqualidlodgingswhichhadbeenassignedtohim，hadstartedoutafterdarktowandersomewhataimlesslythroughthestreets。
Instinctivelyheseemedtobesearchingforafamiliarface，someonewhowouldcometohimoutofthatmerrypastwhichhehadspentwithMargueriteintheirprettyapartmentintheRueSt。
Honore。
Foranhourhewanderedthusandmetnoonewhomheknew。Attimesitappearedtohimasifhedidrecogniseafaceorfigurethatpassedhimswiftlybyinthegloom，butevenbeforehecouldfullymakeuphismindtothat，thefaceorfigurehadalreadydisappeared，glidingfurtivelydownsomenarrowunlightedby-street，withoutturningtolooktorightorleft，asifdreadingfullerrecognition。
Armandfeltatotalstrangerinhisownnativecity。
TheterriblehoursoftheexecutiononthePlacedelaRevolutionwerefortunatelyover，thetumbrilsnolongerrattledalongtheunevenpavements，nordidthedeath-cryoftheunfortunatevictimsresoundthroughthedesertedstreets。Armandwas，onthisfirstdayofhisarrival，sparedthesightofthisdegradationoftheoncelovelycity；butherdesolation，hergeneralappearanceofshamefacedindigenceandofcruelaloofnessstruckachillintheyoungman\'sheart。
Itwasnowonder，therefore，whenanonhewaswendinghiswayslowlybacktohislodginghewasaccostedbyapleasant，cheerfulvoice，thatherespondedtoitwithalacrity。Thevoice，ofasmooth，oilytimbre，asiftheownerkeptitwellgreasedforpurposesofamiablespeech，waslikeanechoofthepast，whenjolly，irresponsibleBarondeBatz，erst-whileofficeroftheGuardintheserviceofthelateKing，andsincethenknowntobethemostinveterateconspiratorfortherestorationofthemonarchy，usedtoamuseMargueritebyhisvapid，senselessplansfortheoverthrowofthenewly-risenpowerofthepeople。
Armandwasquitegladtomeethim，andwhendeBatzsuggestedthatagoodtalkoveroldtimeswouldbevastlyagreeable，theyoungermangladlyacceded，Thetwomen，thoughcertainlynotmistrustfulofoneanother，didnotseemtocaretorevealtoeachothertheplacewheretheylodged。DeBatzatonceproposedtheavant-sceneboxofoneofthetheatresasbeingthesafestplacewhereoldfriendscouldtalkwithoutfearofspyingeyesorears。
“Thereisnoplacesosafeorsoprivatenowadays，believeme，myyoungfriend，“hesaid“Ihavetriedeverysortofnookandcrannyinthisaccursedtown，nowriddledwithspies，andIhavecometotheconclusionthatasmallavant-sceneboxisthemostperfectdenofprivacythereisintheentirecity。Thevoicesoftheactorsonthestageandthehumamongtheaudienceinthehousewilleffectuallydrownallindividualconversationtoeveryearsavetheoneforwhomitisintended。“
Itisnotdifficulttopersuadeayoungmanwhofeelslonelyandsomewhatforlorninalargecitytowhileawayaneveninginthecompanionshipofacheerfultalker，anddeBatzwasessentiallygoodcompany。Hisvapouringshadalwaysbeenamusing，butArmandnowgavehimcreditformoreseriousnessofpurpose；andthoughthechiefhadwarnedhimagainstpickingupacquaintancesinParis，theyoungmanfeltthatthatrestrictionwouldcertainlynotapplytoamanlikedeBatz，whosehotpartisanshipoftheRoyalistcauseandhare-brainedschemesforitsrestorationmustmakehimatonewiththeLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel。
Armandacceptedtheother\'scordialinvitation。He，too，feltthathewouldindeedbesaferfromobservationinacrowdedtheatrethaninthestreets。Amongacloselypackedthrongbentonamusementthesombrely-cladfigureofayoungman，withtheappearanceofastudentorofajournalist，wouldeasilypassunperceived。
Butsomehow，afterthefirsttenminutesspentindeBatz\'companywithinthegloomyshelterofthesmallavant-scenebox，Armandalreadyrepentedoftheimpulsewhichhadpromptedhimtocometothetheatreto-night，andtorenewacquaintanceshipwiththeex-officerofthelateKing\'sGuard。ThoughheknewdeBatztobeanardentRoyalist，andevenanactiveadherentofthemonarchy，hewassoonconsciousofavaguesenseofmistrustofthispompous，self-complacentindividual，whoseeveryutterancebreathedselfishaimsratherthandevotiontoaforlorncause。
Therefore，whenthecurtainroseatlastonthefirstactofMoliere\'swittycomedy，St。JustturneddeliberatelytowardsthestageandtriedtointeresthimselfinthewordyquarrelbetweenPhilinteandAlceste。
Butthisattitudeonthepartoftheyoungermandidnotseemtosuithisnewly-foundfriend。ItwasclearthatdeBatzdidnotconsiderthetopicofconversationbyanymeansexhausted，andthatithadbeenmorewithaviewtoadiscussionlikethepresentinterruptedonethathehadinvitedSt。Justtocometothetheatrewithhimto-night，ratherthanforthepurposeofwitnessingMile。Lange\'sdebutinthepartofCelimene。
ThepresenceofSt。JustinParishadasamatteroffactastonisheddeBatznotalittle，andhadsethisintriguingbrainbusyonconjectures。Itwasinordertoturntheseconjecturesintocertaintiesthathehaddesiredprivatetalkwiththeyoungman。
Hewaitedsilentlynowforamomentortwo，hiskeen，smalleyesrestingwithevidentanxietyonArmand\'savertedhead，hisfingersstillbeatingtheimpatienttattoouponthevelvet-coveredcushionofthebox。ThenatthefirstmovementofSt。Justtowardshimhewasreadyinaninstanttore-openthesubjectunderdiscussion。
Withaquicknodofhisheadhecalledhisyoungfriend\'sattentionbacktothemenintheauditorium。
“YourgoodcousinAntoineSt。JustishandandglovewithRobespierrenow，“hesaid。“WhenyouleftParismorethanayearagoyoucouldaffordtodespisehimasanempty-headedwindbag；
now，ifyoudesiretoremaininFrance，youwillhavetofearhimasapowerandamenace。“
“Yes，Iknewthathehadtakentoherdingwiththewolves，“
rejoinedArmandlightly。“Atonetimehewasinlovewithmysister。IthankGodthatshenevercaredforhim。“
“Theysaythatheherdswiththewolvesbecauseofthisdisappointment，“saiddeBatz。“Thewholepackismadeupofmenwhohavebeendisappointed，andwhohavenothingmoretolose。
Whenallthesewolveswillhavedevouredoneanother，thenandthenonlycanwehopefortherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。Andtheywillnotturnononeanotherwhilstpreyfortheirgreedliesreadytotheirjaws。YourfriendtheScarletPimpernelshouldfeedthisbloodyrevolutionofoursratherthanstarveit，ifindeedhehatesitasheseemstodo。“
Hisrestlesseyespeeredwitheagerinterrogationintothoseoftheyoungerman。Hepausedasifwaitingforareply；then，asSt。Justremainedsilent，hereiteratedslowly，almostinthetonesofachallenge：
“Ifindeedhehatesthisbloodthirstyrevolutionofoursasheseemstodo。“
Thereiterationimpliedadoubt。InamomentSt。Just\'sloyaltywasupinarms。
TheScarletPimpernel，“hesaid，“caresnaughtforyourpoliticalaims。Theworkofmercythathedoes，hedoesforjusticeandforhumanity。“
“Andforsport，“saiddeBatzwithasneer，“soI\'vebeentold。“
“HeisEnglish，“assentedSt。Just，“andassuchwillneverowntosentiment。Whateverbethemotive，lookattheresult！
“Yes！afewlivesstolenfromtheguillotine。“
“Womenandchildren——innocentvictims——wouldhaveperishedbutforhisdevotion。“
“Themoreinnocenttheywere，themorehelpless，themorepitiable，thelouderwouldtheirbloodhavecriedforreprisalsagainstthewildbeastswhosentthemtotheirdeath。“
St。Justmadenoreply。Itwasobviouslyuselesstoattempttoarguewiththisman，whosepoliticalaimswereasfarapartfromthoseoftheScarletPimpernelaswastheNorthPolefromtheSouth。
“Ifanyofyouhaveinfluenceoverthathot-headedleaderofyours，“continueddeBatz，unabashedbythesilenceofhisfriend，“IwishtoGodyouwouldexertitnow。“
“Inwhatway？”queriedSt。Just，smilinginspiteofhimselfatthethoughtofhisoranyoneelse\'scontroloverBlakeneyandhisplans。
ItwasdeBatz\'turntobesilent。Hepausedforamomentortwo，thenheaskedabruptly：
“YourScarletPimpernelisinParisnow，ishenot？”
“Icannottellyou，“repliedArmand。
“Bah！thereisnonecessitytofencewithme，myfriend。ThemomentIseteyesonyouthisafternoonIknewthatyouhadnotcometoParisalone。“
“Youaremistaken，mygooddeBatz，“rejoinedtheyoungmanearnestly；“IcametoParisalone。“
“Cleverparrying，onmyword——butwhollywastedonmyunbelievingears。DidInotnoteatoncethatyoudidnotseemoverpleasedto-daywhenIaccostedyou？”
“Againyouaremistaken。Iwasverypleasedtomeetyou，forI
hadfeltsingularlylonelyallday，andwasgladtoshakeafriendbythehand。Whatyoutookfordispleasurewasonlysurprise。“
“Surprise？Ah，yes！Idon\'twonderthatyouweresurprisedtoseemewalkingunmolestedandopenlyinthestreetsofParis——whereasyouhadheardofmeasadangerousconspirator，eh？——andasamanwhohastheentirepoliceofhiscountryathisheels——onwhoseheadthereisaprice——what？”
“IknewthatyouhadmadeseveralnobleeffortstorescuetheunfortunateKingandQueenfromthehandsofthesebrutes。“
“Allofwhicheffortswereunsuccessful，“assenteddeBatzimperturbably，“everyoneofthemhavingbeeneitherbetrayedbysomed——dconfederateorferretedoutbysomeastutespyeagerforgain。Yes，myfriend，ImadeseveraleffortstorescueKingLouisandQueenMarieAntoinettefromthescaffold，andeverytimeIwasfoiled，andyethereIam，yousee，unscathedandfree。Iwalkaboutthestreetsboldly，andtalktomyfriendsasImeetthem。“
“Youarelucky，“saidSt。Just，notwithoutatingeofsarcasm。
“Ihavebeenprudent，“retorteddeBatz。“IhavetakenthetroubletomakefriendstherewhereIthoughtIneededthemmost——themammonofunrighteousness，youknow-what？”
Andhelaughedabroad，thicklaughofperfectself-satisfaction。
“Yes，Iknow，“rejoinedSt。Just，withthetoneofsarcasmstillmoreapparentinhisvoicenow。“YouhaveAustrianmoneyatyourdisposal。“
“Anyamount，“saidtheothercomplacently，“andagreatdealofitstickstothegrimyfingersofthesepatrioticmakersofrevolutions。ThusdoIensuremyownsafety。IbuyitwiththeEmperor\'smoney，andthusamIabletoworkfortherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。“
AgainSt。Justwassilent。Whatcouldhesay？Instinctivelynow，asthefleshypersonalityoftheGasconRoyalistseemedtospreaditselfoutandtofillthetinyboxwithhisambitiousschemesandhisfar-reachingplans，Armand\'sthoughtsflewbacktothatotherplotter，themanwiththepureandsimpleaims，themanwhoseslenderfingershadneverhandledaliengold，butwereevertherereadystretchedouttothehelplessandtheweak，whilsthisthoughtswereonlyofthehelpthathemightgivethem，butneverofhisownsafety。
DeBatz，however，seemedblandlyunconsciousofanysuchdisparagingthoughtsinthemindofhisyoungfriend，forhecontinuedquiteamiably，eventhoughanoteofanxietyseemedtomakeitselffeltnowinhissmoothvoice：
“Weadvanceslowly，butstepbystep，mygoodSt。Just，“hesaid。
“IhavenotbeenabletosavethemonarchyinthepersonoftheKingortheQueen，butImayyetdoitinthepersonoftheDauphin。“
“TheDauphin，“murmuredSt。Justinvoluntarily。
Thatinvoluntarymurmur，scarcelyaudible，sosoftwasit，seemedinsomewaytosatisfydeBatz，forthekeennessofhisgazerelaxed，andhisfatfingersceasedtheirnervous，intermittenttattooontheledgeofthebox。
“Yes！theDauphin，“hesaid，noddinghisheadasifinanswertohisownthoughts，“orrather，letmesay，thereigningKingofFrance——LouisXVII，bythegraceofGod——themostpreciouslifeatpresentuponthewholeofthisearth。“
“Youarerightthere，frienddeBatz，“assentedArmandfervently，“themostpreciouslife，asyousay，andonethatmustbesavedatallcosts。“
“Yes，“saiddeBatzcalmly，“butnotbyyourfriendtheScarletPimpernel。“
“Whynot？”
ScarcewerethosetwolittlewordsoutofSt。Just\'smouththanherepentedofthem。Hebithislip，andwithadarkfrownuponhisfaceheturnedalmostdefiantlytowardshisfriend。
ButdeBatzsmiledwitheasybonhomie。
“Ah，friendArmand，“hesaid，“youwerenotcutoutfordiplomacy，noryetforintrigue。Sothen，“headdedmoreseriously，“thatgallanthero，theScarletPimpernel，hashopesofrescuingouryoungKingfromtheclutchesofSimonthecobblerandoftheherdofhyenasonthewatchforhisattenuatedlittlecorpse，eh？”
“Ididnotsaythat，“retortedSt。Justsullenly。
“No。ButIsayit。Nay！nay！donotblameyourself，myover-loyalyoungfriend。CouldI，oranyoneelse，doubtforamomentthatsoonerorlateryourromanticherowouldturnhisattentiontothemostpatheticsightinthewholeofEurope——thechild-martyrintheTempleprison？ThewonderweretomeiftheScarletPimpernelignoredourlittleKingaltogetherforthesakeofhissubjects。No，no；donotthinkforamomentthatyouhavebetrayedyourfriend\'ssecrettome。WhenImetyousoluckilytodayIguessedatoncethatyouwerehereunderthebanneroftheenigmaticallittleredflower，and，thusguessing，Ievenwentastepfurtherinmyconjecture。TheScarletPimpernelisinParisnowinthehopeofrescuingLouisXVIIfromtheTempleprison。“
“Ifthatisso，youmustnotonlyrejoicebutshouldbeabletohelp。“
“Andyet，myfriend，Idoneithertheonenownormeantodotheotherinthefuture，“saiddeBatzplacidly。“IhappentobeaFrenchman，yousee。“
“Whathasthattodowithsuchaquestion？”
“Everything；thoughyou，Armand，despitethatyouareaFrenchmantoo，donotlookthroughmyspectacles。LouisXVIIisKingofFrance，mygoodSt。Just；hemustowehisfreedomandhislifetousFrenchmen，andtonooneelse。“
“Thatissheermadness，man，“retortedArmand。“Wouldyouhavethechildperishforthesakeofyourownselfishideas？”
“Youmaycallthemselfishifyouwill；allpatriotismisinameasureselfish。Whatdoestherestoftheworldcareifwearearepublicoramonarchy，anoligarchyorhopelessanarchy？Weworkforourselvesandtopleaseourselves，andIforonewillnotbrookforeigninterference。“
“Yetyouworkwithforeignmoney！”
“Thatisanothermatter。IcannotgetmoneyinFrance，soIgetitwhereIcan；butIcanarrangefortheescapeofLouisXVIIisKingofFrance，mygoodSt。Just；hemustofFranceshouldbelongthehonourandgloryofhavingsavedourKing。“
ForthethirdtimenowSt。Justallowedtheconversationtodrop；
hewasgazingwide-eyed，almostappalledatthisimpudentdisplayofwell-nighferociousselfishnessandvanity。DeBatz，smilingandcomplacent，wasleaningbackinhischair，lookingathisyoungfriendwithperfectcontentmentexpressedineverylineofhispock-markedfaceandintheveryattitudeofhiswell-fedbody。Itwaseasyenoughnowtounderstandtheremarkableimmunitywhichthismanwasenjoying，despitethemanyfoolhardyplotswhichhehatched，andwhichhaduptonowinvariablycometonaught。
Aregularbraggartandemptywindbag，hehadtakenbutonegoodcare，andthatwasofhisownskin。UnlikeotherlessfortunateRoyalistsofFrance，heneitherfoughtinthecountrynorbraveddangersintown。Heplayedasafergame——crossedthefrontierandconstitutedhimselfagentofAustria；hesucceededingainingtheEmperor\'smoneyforthegoodoftheRoyalistcause，andforhisownmostespecialbenefit。
EvenalessastutemanoftheworldthanwasArmandSt。JustwouldeasilyhaveguessedthatdeBatz\'desiretobetheonlyinstrumentintherescueofthepoorlittleDauphinfromtheTemplewasnotactuatedbypatriotism，butsolelybygreed。ObviouslytherewasarichrewardwaitingforhiminViennathedaythathebroughtLouisXVIIsafelyintoAustrianterritory；thatrewardhewouldmissifameddlesomeEnglishmaninterferedinthisaffair。Whetherinthiswrangleheriskedthelifeofthechild-Kingornotmatteredtohimnotatall。ItwasdeBatzwhowastogetthereward，andwhosewelfareandprosperitymatteredmorethanthemostpreciouslifeinEurope。
CHAPTERIII
THEDEMONCHANCE
St。Justwouldhavegivenmuchtobebackinhislonelysqualidlodgingsnow。ToolatedidherealisehowwisehadbeenthedictumwhichhadwarnedhimagainstmakingorrenewingfriendshipsinFrance。
Menhadchangedwiththetimes。Howterriblytheyhadchanged！
Personalsafetyhadbecomeafetishwithmost——agoalsodifficulttoattainthatithadtobefoughtforandstrivenfor，evenattheexpenseofhumanityandofself-respect。
Selfishness——themere，cold-bloodedinsistenceforself-advancement——ruledsupreme。DeBatz，surfeitedwithforeignmoney，useditfirstlytoensurehisownimmunity，scatteringittorightandlefttostilltheambitionofthePublicProsecutorortosatisfythegreedofinnumerablespies。
Whatwasleftoverheusedforthepurposeofpittingthebloodthirstydemagoguesoneagainsttheother，makingoftheNationalAssemblyagiganticbear-den，whereinwildbeastscouldrendoneanotherlimbfromlimb。
Inthemeanwhile，whatcaredhe——hesaidithimself——whetherhundredsofinnocentmartyrsperishedmiserablyanduselessly？
TheywerethenecessaryfoodwherebytheRevolutionwastobesatiatedanddeBatz\'schemesenabledtomature。ThemostpreciouslifeinEuropeevenwasonlytobesavedifitspricewenttoswellthepocketsofdeBatz，ortofurtherhisfutureambitions。
Timeshadindeedchangedanentirenation。St。Justfeltassickenedwiththisself-seekingRoyalistashedidwiththesavagebruteswhostrucktorightorleftfortheirowndelectation。Hewasmeditatingimmediateflightbacktohislodgings，withahopeoffindingthereawordforhimfromthechief——awordtoremindhimthatmendidlivenowadayswhohadotheraimsbesidestheirownadvancement——otheridealsbesidesthedeificationofself。
Thecurtainhaddescendedonthefirstact，andtraditionally，astheworksofM。deMolieredemandedit，thethreeknockswereheardagainwithoutanyinterval。St。Justrosereadywithapretextforpartingwithhisfriend。Thecurtainwasbeingslowlydrawnuponthesecondact，anddisclosedAlcesteinwrathfulconversationwithCelimene。
Alceste\'sopeningspeechisshort。WhilsttheactorspokeitArmandhadhisbacktothestage；withhandoutstretched，hewasmurmuringwhathehopedwouldproveapoliteexcuseforthusleavinghisamiablehostwhiletheentertainmenthadonlyjustbegun。
DeBatz——vexedandimpatient——hadnotbyanymeansfinishedwithhisfriendyet。Hethoughtthathisspeciousarguments——deliveredwithboundlessconviction——hadmadesomeimpressiononthemindoftheyoungman。Thatimpression，however，hedesiredtodeepen，andwhilstArmandwasworryinghisbraintofindaplausibleexcuseforgoingaway，deBatzwasrackinghistofindoneforkeepinghimhere。
ThenitwasthatthewaywarddemonChanceintervened。HadSt。Justrisenbuttwominutesearlier，hadhisactivemindsuggestedthedesiredexcusemorereadily，whoknowswhatunspeakablesorrow，whatheartrendingmisery，whatterribleshamemighthavebeensparedbothhimandthoseforwhomhecared？Thosetwominutes——
didhebutknowit——decidedthewholecourseofhisfuturelife。
Theexcusehoveredonhislips，deBatzreluctantlywaspreparingtobidhimgood-bye，whenCelimene，speakingcommon-placewordsenoughinanswertoherquarrelsomelover，causedhimtodropthehandwhichhewasholdingouttohisfriendandtoturnbacktowardsthestage。
Itwasanexquisitevoicethathadspoken——avoicemellowandtender，withdeeptonesinitthatbetrayedlatentpower。ThevoicehadcausedArmandtolook，thelipsthatspokeforgedthefirsttinylinkofthatchainwhichrivetedhimforeveraftertothespeaker。
Itisdifficulttosayifsuchathingreallyexistsasloveatfirstsight。Poetsandromancistswillhaveusbelievethatitdoes；idealistsswearbyitasbeingtheonlytrueloveworthyofthename。
IdonotknowifIampreparedtoadmittheirtheorywithregardtoArmandSt。Just。Mlle。Lange\'sexquisitevoicecertainlyhadcharmedhimtotheextentofmakinghimforgethismistrustofdeBatzandhisdesiretogetaway。Mechanicallyalmosthesatdownagain，andleaningbothelbowsontheedgeofthebox，herestedhischininhishand，andlistened。ThewordswhichthelateM。
deMoliereputsintothemouthofCelimenearetriteandflippantenough，yeteverytimethatMlle。Lange\'slipsmovedArmandwatchedher，entranced。
There，nodoubt，thematterwouldhaveended：ayoungmanfascinatedbyaprettywomanonthestage——\'tisasmallmatter，andonefromwhichtheredothnotoftenspringawearytrailoftragiccircumstances。Armand，whohadapassionformusic，wouldhaveworshippedattheshrineofMlle。Lange\'sperfectvoiceuntilthecurtaincamedownonthelastact，hadnothisfrienddeBatzseenthekeenenchantmentwhichtheactresshadproducedontheyoungenthusiast。
NowdeBatzwasamanwhoneverallowedanopportunitytoslipby，ifthatopportunityledtowardsthefurtheranceofhisowndesires。
HedidnotwanttolosesightofArmandjustyet，andherethegooddemonChancehadgivenhimanopportunityforobtainingwhathewanted。
HewaitedquietlyuntilthefallofthecurtainattheendofActII。；then，asArmand，withasighofdelight，leanedbackinhischair，andclosinghiseyesappearedtobelivingthelasthalf-houralloveragain，deBatzremarkedwithwell-assumedindifference：
“Mlle。Langeisapromisingyoungactress。Doyounotthinkso，myfriend？”
“Shehasaperfectvoice——itwasexquisitemelodytotheear，“
repliedArmand。“Iwasconsciousoflittleelse。“
“Sheisabeautifulwoman，nevertheless，“continueddeBatzwithasmile。“Duringthenextact，mygoodSt。Just，Iwouldsuggestthatyouopenedyoureyesaswellasyourears。
Armanddidashewasbidden。ThewholeappearanceofMlle。Langeseemedinharmonywithhervoice。Shewasnotverytall，buteminentlygraceful，withasmall，ovalfaceandslender，almostchildlikefigure，whichappearedstillmoresoabovethewidehoopsanddrapedpanniersofthefashionsofMoliere\'stime。
Whethershewasbeautifulornottheyoungmanhardlyknew。
Measuredbycertainstandards，shecertainlywasnotso，forhermouthwasnotsmall，andhernoseanythingbutclassicalinoutline。Buttheeyeswerebrown，andtheyhadthathalf-veiledlookinthem——shadedwithlonglashesthatseemedtomakeaperpetualtenderappealtothemasculineheart：thelips，too，werefullandmoist，andtheteethdazzlingwhite。Yes！——onthewholewemighteasilysaythatshewasexquisite，eventhoughwedidnotadmitthatshewasbeautiful。
PainterDavidhasmadeasketchofher；wehaveallseenitattheMuseeCarnavalet，andallwonderedwhythatcharming，ifirregular，littlefacemadesuchanimpressionofsadness。
Therearefiveactsin“LeMisanthrope，“duringwhichCelimeneisalmostconstantlyonthestage。AttheendofthefourthactdeBatzsaidcasuallytohisfriend：
“IhavethehonourofpersonalacquaintanceshipwithMlle。Lange。
Anyoucareforanintroductiontoher，wecangoroundtothegreenroomaftertheplay。“
Didprudencethenwhisper，“Desist“？Didloyaltytotheleadermurmur，“Obey“？Itwereindeeddifficulttosay。ArmandSt。Justwasnotfive-and-twenty，andMlle。Lange\'smelodiousvoicespokelouderthanthewhisperingsofprudenceoreventhanthecallofduty。
HethankeddeBatzwarmly，andduringthelasthalf-hour，whilethemisanthropicalloverspurnedrepentantCelimene，hewasconsciousofacurioussensationofimpatience，atinglingofhisnerves，awild，madlongingtohearthosefullmoistlipspronouncehisname，andhavethoselargebrowneyesthrowtheirhalf-veiledlookintohisown。
CHAPTERIV
MADEMOISELLELANGE
Thegreen-roomwascrowdedwhendeBatzandSt。Justarrivedthereaftertheperformance。Theoldermancastahastyglancethroughtheopendoor。Thecrowddidnotsuithispurpose，andhedraggedhiscompanionhurriedlyawayfromthecontemplationofMlle。
Lange，sittinginafarcorneroftheroom，surroundedbyanadmiringthrong，andbyinnumerablefloraltributesofferedtoherbeautyandtohersuccess。
DeBatzwithoutawordledthewaybacktowardsthestage。Here，bythedimlightoftallowcandlesfixedinsconcesagainstthesurroundingwalls，thescene-shifterswerebusymovingdrop-scenes，backclothsandwings，andpaidnoheedtothetwomenwhostrolledslowlyupanddownsilently，eachwrappedinhisownthoughts。
Armandwalkedwithhishandsburiedinhisbreechespockets，hisheadbentforwardonhischest；buteverynowandagainhethrewquick，apprehensiveglancesroundhimwheneverafirmstepechoedalongtheemptystageoravoicerangclearlythroughthenowdesertedtheatre。
“Arewewisetowaithere？”heasked，speakingtohimselfratherthantohiscompanion。
Hewasnotanxiousabouthisownsafety；butthewordsofdeBatzhadimpressedthemselvesuponhismind：“Heronandhisspieswehavealwayswithus。“
Fromthegreen-roomaseparatefoyerandexitleddirectlyoutintothestreet。Graduallythesoundofmanyvoices，theloudlaughterandoccasionalsnatchesofsongwhichforthepasthalf-hourhadproceededfromthatpartofthehouse，becamemoresubduedandmorerare。Onebyonethefriendsoftheartistswereleavingthetheatre，afterhavingpaidtheusualbanalcomplimentstothosewhomtheyfavoured，orpresentedtheaccustomedofferingofflowerstothebrighteststarofthenight。
Theactorswerethefirsttoretire，thentheolderactresses，theoneswhocouldnolongercommandacourtofadmirersroundthem。
Theyallfiledoutofthegreenroomandcrossedthestagetowhere，attheback，anarrow，ricketywoodenstairsledtotheirso-calleddressing-rooms——tiny，darkcubicles，ill-lighted，unventilated，wheresomehalf-dozenofthelesserstarstumbledoveroneanotherwhileremovingwigsandgrease-paint。
ArmandanddeBatzwatchedthisexodus，bothwithequalimpatience。Mlle。Langewasthelasttoleavethegreen-room。
Forsometime，sincethecrowdhadbecomethinnerroundher，Armandhadcontrivedtocatchglimpsesofherslight，elegantfigure。Ashortpassageledfromthestagetothegreen-roomdoor，whichwaswideopen，andatthecornerofthispassagetheyoungmanhadpausedfromtimetotimeinhiswalk，gazingwithearnestadmirationatthedaintyoutlineoftheyounggirl\'shead，withitswigofpowderedcurlsthatseemedscarcelywhiterthanthecreamybrillianceofherskin。
DeBatzdidnotwatchMlle。Langebeyondcastingimpatientlooksinthedirectionofthecrowdthatpreventedherleavingthegreen-room。HedidwatchArmand，however——notedhiseagerlook，hisbriskandalertmovements，theobviousglancesofadmirationwhichhecastinthedirectionoftheyoungactress，andthisseemedtoaffordhimaconsiderableamountofcontentment。
ThebestpartofanhourhadgonebysincethefallofthecurtainbeforeMlle。Langefinallydismissedhermanyadmirers，anddeBatzhadthesatisfactionofseeingherrunningdownthepassage，turningbackoccasionallyinordertobidgay“good-nights“totheloitererswhowereloathtopartfromher。Shewasachildinallhermovements，quiteunconsciousofselforofherowncharms，butfranklydelightedwithhersuccess。Shewasstilldressedintheridiculoushoopsandpannierspertainingtoherpart，andthepowderedperukehidthecharmofherownhair；thecostumegaveacertainstiltedairtoherunaffectedpersonality，which，bythisverysenseofcontrast，wasessentiallyfascinating。
Inherarmssheheldahugesheafofsweet-scentednarcissi，thespoilsofsomefavouredspotfarawayintheSouth。Armandthoughtthatneverinhislifehadheseenanythingsowinsomeorsocharming。
Havingatlastsaidthepositivelyfinaladieu，Mlle。Langewithahappylittlesighturnedtorundownthepassage。
ShecamefacetofacewithArmand，andgaveasuddenlittlegaspofterror。Itwasnotgoodthesedaystocomeonanyloitererunawares。
ButalreadydeBatzhadquicklyjoinedhisfriend，andhissmooth，pleasantvoice，andpodgy，beringedhandextendedtowardsMlle。
Lange，weresufficienttoreassureher。
“Youweresosurroundedinthegreen-room，mademoiselle，“hesaidcourteously，“Ididnotventuretopressinamongthecrowdofyouradmirers。YetIhadthegreatwishtopresentmyrespectfulcongratulationsinperson。“
“Ah！c\'estcecherdeBatz！”exclaimedmademoisellegaily，inthatexquisitelyripplingvoiceofhers。“Andwhereintheworlddoyouspringfrom，myfriend？
“Hush-sh-sh！”hewhispered，holdinghersmallbemittenedhandinhis，andputtingonefingertohislipswithanurgententreatyfordiscretion；“notmyname，Ibegofyou，fairone。“
“Bah！”sheretortedlightly，eventhoughherfulllipstremblednowasshespokeandbeliedherverywords。Youneedhavenofearwhilstyouareinthispartofthehouse。ItisanunderstoodthingthattheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritydoesnotsenditsspiesbehindthecurtainofatheatre。Why，ifallofusactorsandactressesweresenttotheguillotinetherewouldbenoplayonthemorrow。Artistesarenotreplaceableinafewhours；thosethatareinexistencemustperforcebespared，orthecitizenswhogovernusnowwouldnotknowwheretospendtheirevenings。“
Butthoughshespokesoairilyandwithheraccustomedgaiety，itwaseasilyperceivedthatevenonthischildishmindthedangerswhichbeseteveryonethesedayshadalreadyimprintedtheirmarkofsuspicionandofcaution。
“Comeintomydressing-room，“shesaid。“Imustnottarryhereanylonger，fortheywillbeputtingoutthelights。ButIhavearoomtomyself，andwecantalktherequiteagreeably。“
Sheledthewayacrossthestagetowardsthewoodenstairs。
Armand，whoduringthisbriefcolloquybetweenhisfriendandtheyounggirlhadkeptdiscreetlyinthebackground，feltundecidedwhattodo。ButataperemptorysignfromdeBatzhe，too，turnedinthewakeofthegaylittlelady，whoranswiftlyupthericketysteps，hummingsnatchesofpopularsongsthewhile，andnotturningtoseeifindeedthetwomenwerefollowingher。
Shehadthesheafofnarcissistillinherarms，andthedoorofhertinydressing-roombeingopen，sheranstraightinandthrewtheflowersdowninaconfused，sweet-scentedmassuponthesmalltablethatstoodatoneendoftheroom，litteredwithpotsandbottles，letters，mirrors，powder-puffs，silkstockings，andcambrichandkerchiefs。
Thensheturnedandfacedthetwomen，amerrylookofunalterablegaietydancinginhereyes。
“Shutthedoor，monami，“shesaidtodeBatz，“andafterthatsitdownwhereyoucan，solongasitisnotonmymostpreciouspotofunguentoraboxofcostliestpowder。“
WhiledeBatzdidashewastold，sheturnedtoArmandandsaidwithaprettytoneofinterrogationinhermelodiousvoice：
“Monsieur？”
“St。Just，atyourservice，mademoiselle，“saidArmand，bowingverylowinthemostapprovedstyleobtainingattheEnglishCourt。
“St。Just？”sherepeated，alookofpuzzlementinherbrowneyes。
“Surely——“
“AkinsmanofcitizenSt。Just，whomnodoubtyouknow，mademoiselle，“
heexclaimed。
“MyfriendArmandSt。Just，“interposeddeBatz，“ispracticallyanew-comerinParis。HelivesinEnglandhabitually。“
“InEngland？”sheexclaimed。“Oh！dotellmeallaboutEngland。
Iwouldlovetogothere。PerhapsImayhavetogosomeday。Oh！
dositdown，deBatz，“shecontinued，talkingrathervolubly，evenasadelicateblushheightenedthecolourinhercheeksunderthelookofobviousadmirationfromArmandSt。Just\'sexpressiveeyes。