Armandwatchedthelittlesceneinutteramazement。HehadbeeninEnglandoverayear，andyethecouldnotunderstandtheseEnglishmen。Surelytheywerethequeerest，mostinconsequentpeopleintheworld，Herewerethesemen，whowereengagedatthisverymomentinanenterprisewhichforcool-headedcourageandfoolhardydaringhadprobablynoparallelinhistory。Theywereliterallytakingtheirlivesintheirhands，inallprobabilityfacingcertaindeath；andyettheynowsatchaffingandfightinglikeacrowdofthird-formschoolboys，talkingutter，sillynonsense，andmakingfoolishjokesthatwouldhaveshamedaFrenchmaninhisteens。Vaguelyhewonderedwhatfat，pompousdeBatzwouldthinkofthisdiscussionifhecouldoverhearit。Hiscontempt，nodoubt，fortheScarletPimpernelandhisfollowerswouldbeincreasedtenfold。
Thenatlastthequestionofthedisguisewaseffectuallydismissed。SirAndrewFfoulkesandLordAnthonyDewhursthadsettledtheirdifferencesofopinionbysolemnlyagreeingtorepresenttwoover-grimyandoverheatedcoal-heavers。TheychosetwocertificatesofsafetythatweremadeoutinthenamesofJeanLepetitandAchilleGrospierre，labourers。
“Thoughyoudon\'tlookatalllikeanAchille，Tony，“wasBlakeney\'spartingshottohisfriend。
Thenwithoutanytransitionfromthisschoolboynonsensetotheseriousbusinessofthemoment，SirAndrewFfoulkessaidabruptly：
“Tellusexactly，Blakeney，whereyouwillwantthecarttostandonSunday。“
Blakeneyroseandturnedtothemapagainstthewall，FfoulkesandTonyfollowinghim。Theystoodclosetohiselbowwhilsthisslender，nervyhandwanderedalongtheshinysurfaceofthevarnishedpaper。Atlastheplacedhisfingerononespot。
“Hereyousee，“hesaid，“istheVillettegate。Justoutsideitanarrowstreetontherightleadsdowninthedirectionofthecanal。Itisjustatthebottomofthatnarrowstreetatitsjunctionwiththetow-paththerethatIwantyoutwoandthecarttobe。Ithadbetterbeacoal-carbytheway；theywillbeunloadingcoalclosebythereto-morrow，“headdedwithoneofhissuddenirrepressibleoutburstsofmerriment。“YouandTonycanexerciseyourmusclescoal-heaving，andincidentallymakeyourselvesknownintheneighbourhoodasgoodifsomewhatgrimypatriots。“
“Wehadbettertakeupourpartsatoncethen，“saidTony。“I\'lltakeafondfarewellofmycleanshirtto-night。“
“Yes，youwillnotseeoneagainforsometime，mygoodTony。
Afteryourhardday\'sworkto-morrowyouwillhavetosleepeitherinsideyourcart，ifyouhavealreadysecuredone，orunderthearchesofthecanalbridge，ifyouhavenot。“
“IhopeyouhaveanequallypleasantprospectforHastings，“wasmyLordTony\'sgrimcomment。
Itwaseasytoseethathewasashappyasaschoolboyabouttostartforaholiday。LordTonywasatruesportsman。Perhapstherewasinhimlesssentimentfortheheroicworkwhichhedidundertheguidanceofhischiefthananinherentpassionfordangerousadventures。SirAndrewFfoulkes，ontheotherhand，thoughtperhapsalittlelessoftheadventure，butagreatdealofthemartyredchildintheTemple。Hewasjustasbuoyant，justaskeenashisfriend，buttheleavenofsentimentraisedhissportinginstinctstoperhapsahigherplaneofself-devotion。
“Well，now，torecapitulate，“hesaid，inturnfollowingwithhisfingertheindicatedrouteonthemap。“TonyandIandthecoal-cartwillawaityouonthisspot，atthecornerofthetowpathonSundayeveningatnineo\'clock。“
“Andyoursignal，Blakeney？”askedTony。
“Theusualone，“repliedSirPercy，“theseamew\'scrythricerepeatedatbriefintervals。Butnow，“hecontinued，turningtoArmandandHastings，whohadtakennopartinthediscussionhitherto，“Iwantyourhelpalittlefurtherafield。“
“Ithoughtso，“noddedHastings。
“Thecoal-cart，withitsusualmiserablenag，willcarryusadistanceoffifteenorsixteenkilometres，butnomore。Mypurposeistocutalongthenorthofthecity，andtoreachSt。Germain，thenearestpointwherewecansecuregoodmounts。Thereisafarmerjustoutsidethecommune；hisnameisAchard。Hehasexcellenthorses，whichIhaveborrowedbeforenow；weshallwantfive，ofcourse，andhehasonepowerfulbeastthatwilldoforme，asIshallhave，inadditiontomyownweight，whichisconsiderable，totakethechildwithmeonthepillion。Nowyou，HastingsandArmand，willhavetostartearlyto-morrowmorning，leaveParisbytheNeuillygate，andfromtheremakeyourwaytoSt。Germainbyanyconveyanceyoucancontrivetoobtain。AtSt。
GermainyoumustatoncefindAchard\'sfarm；disguisedaslabourersyouwillnotarousesuspicionbysodoing。Youwillfindthefarmerquiteamenabletomoney，andyoumustsecurethebesthorsesyoucangetforourownuse，and，ifpossible，thepowerfulmountIspokeofjustnow。Youarebothexcellenthorse-men，thereforeIselectedyouamongsttheothersforthisspecialerrand，foryoutwo，withthefivehorses，willhavetocomeandmeetourcoal-cartsomeseventeenkilometresoutofSt。
Germain，towherethefirstsign-postindicatestheroadtoCourbevoie。Sometwohundredmetresdownthisroadontherightthereisasmallspinney，whichwillaffordsplendidshelterforyourselvesandyourhorses。Wehopetobethereataboutoneo\'clockaftermidnightofMondaymorning。Now，isallthatquiteclear，andareyoubothsatisfied？”
“Itisquiteclear，“exclaimedHastingsplacidly；“butI，forone，amnotatallsatisfied。“
“Andwhynot？”
“Becauseitisalltooeasy。Wegetnoneofthedanger。“
“Oho！Ithoughtthatyouwouldbringthatargumentforward，youincorrigiblegrumbler，“laughedSirPercygood-humouredly。“Letmetellyouthatifyoustartto-morrowfromParisinthatspirityouwillrunyourheadandArmand\'sintoanooselongbeforeyoureachthegateofNeuilly。Icannotalloweitherofyoutocoveryourfaceswithtoomuchgrime；anhonestfarmlabourershouldnotlookover-dirty，andyourchancesofbeingdiscoveredanddetainedare，attheoutset，fargreaterthanthosewhichFfoulkesandTonywillrun——“
Armandhadsaidnothingduringthistime。WhileBlakeneywasunfoldinghisplanforhimandforLordHastings——aplanwhichpracticallywasacommand——hehadsatwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshischest，hisheadsunkuponhisbreast。WhenBlakeneyhadaskediftheyweresatisfied，hehadtakennopartinHastings\'protestnorrespondedtohisleader\'sgood-humouredbanter。
Thoughhedidnotlookupevennow，yethefeltthatPercy\'seyeswerefixeduponhim，andtheyseemedtoscorchintohissoul。Hemadeagreatefforttoappeareagerliketheothers，andyetfromthefirstachillhadstruckathisheart。HecouldnotleaveParisbeforehehadseenJeanne。
Helookedupsuddenly，tryingtoseemunconcerned；heevenlookedhischieffullyintheface。
“WhenoughtwetoleaveParis？”heaskedcalmly。
“YouMUSTleaveatdaybreak，“repliedBlakeneywithaslight，almostimperceptibleemphasisonthewordofcommand。“Whenthegatesarefirstopened，andthework-peoplegotoandfroattheirwork，thatisthesafesthour。AndyoumustbeatSt。Germainassoonasmaybe，orthefarmermaynothaveasufficiencyofhorsesavailableatamoment\'snotice。IwantyoutobespokesmanwithAchard，sothatHastings\'Britishaccentshouldnotbetrayyouboth。AlsoyoumightnotgetaconveyanceforSt。Germainimmediately。Wemustthinkofeveryeventuality，Armand。Thereissomuchatstake。“
Armandmadenofurthercommentjustthen。Buttheotherslookedastonished。Armandhadbutaskedasimplequestion，andBlakeney\'sreplyseemedalmostlikearebuke——socircumstantialtoo，andsoexplanatory。Hewassousedtobeingobeyedataword，soaccustomedthatthemerestwish，theslightesthintfromhimwasunderstoodbyhisbandofdevotedfollowers，thatthelongexplanationofhisorderswhichhegavetoArmandstruckthemallwithastrangesenseofunpleasantsurprise。
Hastingswasthefirsttobreakthespellthatseemedtohavefallenovertheparty。
“Weleaveatdaybreak，ofcourse，“hesaid，“assoonasthegatesareopen。Wecan，Iknow，getoneofthecarrierstogiveusaliftasfarasSt。Germain。There，howdowefindAchard？”
“Heisawell-knownfarmer，“repliedBlakeney。“Youhavebuttoask。“
“Good。Thenwebespeakfivehorsesforthenextday，findlodgingsinthevillagethatnight，andmakeafreshstartbacktowardsParisintheeveningofSunday。Isthatright？”
“Yes。Oneofyouwillhavetwohorsesonthelead，theotherone。
Packsomefodderontheemptysaddlesandstartataboutteno\'clock。Ridestraightalongthemainroad，asifyouweremakingbackforParis，untilyoucometofourcross-roadswithasign-postpointingtoCourbevoie。Turndownthereandgoalongtheroaduntilyoumeetaclosespinneyoffir-treesonyourright。
Makefortheinteriorofthat。Itgivessplendidshelter，andyoucandismountthereandgivethehorsesafeed。We\'lljoinyouonehouraftermidnight。Thenightwillbedark，Ihope，andthemoonanyhowwillbeonthewane。“
“IthinkIunderstand。Anyhow，it\'snotdifficult，andwe\'llbeascarefulasmaybe。“
“Youwillhavetokeepyourheadsclear，bothofyou，“concludedBlakeney。
HewaslookingatArmandashesaidthis；buttheyoungmanhadnotmadeamovementduringthisbriefcolloquybetweenHastingsandthechief。Hestillsatwitharmsfolded，hisheadfallingonhisbreast。
Silencehadfallenonthemall。Theyallsatroundthefireburiedinthought。Throughtheopenwindowtherecamefromthequaybeyondthehumoflifeintheopen-aircamp；thetrampofthesentinelsaroundit，thewordsofcommandfromthedrill-sergeant，andthroughitallthemoaningofthewindandthebeatingofthesleetagainstthewindow-panes。
Awholeworldofwretchednesswasexpressedbythosesounds！
Blakeneygaveaquick，impatientsigh，andgoingtothewindowhepusheditfurtheropen，andjustthentherecamefromafarthemuffledrollofdrums，andfrombelowthewatchman\'scrythatseemedsuchdiremockery：
“Sleep，citizens！Everythingissafeandpeaceful。“
“Soundadvice，“saidBlakeneylightly。“Shallwealsogotosleep？Whatsayyouall——eh？”
Hehadwiththatsuddenrapiditycharacteristicofhiseveryaction，alreadythrownofftheseriousairwhichhehadwornamomentagowhengivinginstructionstoHastings。Hisusualdebonnairmannerwasonhimonceagain，hislaziness，hiscarelessinsouciance。HewasevenatthismomentdeeplyengagedinflickingoffagrainofdustfromtheimmaculateMechlinruffathiswrist。Theheavylidshadfallenoverthetell-taleeyesasifweightedwithfatigue，themouthappearedreadyforthelaughwhichneverwasabsentfromitverylong。
ItwasonlyFfoulkes\'sdevotedeyesthatweresharpenoughtopiercethemaskoflight-heartedgaietywhichenvelopedthesoulofhisleaderatthepresentmoment。Hesaw——forthefirsttimeinalltheyearsthathehadknownBlakeney——afrownacrossthehabituallysmoothbrow，andthoughthelipswerepartedforalaugh，thelinesroundmouthandchinwerehardandset。
Withthatintuitionbornofwhole-heartedfriendshipSirAndrewguessedwhattroubledPercy。HehadcaughtthelookwhichthelatterhadthrownonArmand，andknewthatsomeexplanationwouldhavetopassbetweenthetwomenbeforetheypartedto-night。
Thereforehegavethesignalforthebreakingupofthemeeting。
“Thereisnothingmoretosay，isthere，Blakeney？”heasked。
“No，mygoodfellow，nothing，“repliedSirPercy。“Idonotknowhowyouallfeel，butIamdemmedfatigued。“
“Whatabouttheragsforto-morrow？”queriedHastings。
“Youknowwheretofindthem。Intheroombelow。Ffoulkeshasthekey。Wigsandallarethere。Butdon\'tusefalsehairifyoucanhelpit——itisapttoshiftinascrimmage。“
Hespokejerkily，morecurtlythanwashiswont。HastingsandTonythoughtthathewastired。Theyrosetosaygoodnight。
Thenthethreemenwentawaytogether，Armandremainingbehind。
CHAPTERXII
WHATLOVEIS
“Well，now，Armand，whatisit？”askedBlakeney，themomentthefootstepsofhisfriendshaddiedawaydownthestonestairs，andtheirvoiceshadceasedtoechointhedistance。
“Youguessed，then，thattherewas……something？”saidtheyoungerman，afteraslighthesitation。
“Ofcourse。“
Armandrose，pushingthechairawayfromhimwithanimpatientnervygesture。Buryinghishandsinthepocketsofhisbreeches，hebeganstridingupanddowntheroom，adark，troubledexpressioninhisface，adeepfrownbetweenhiseyes。
Blakeneyhadoncemoretakenuphisfavouriteposition，sittingonthecornerofthetable，hisbroadshouldersinterposedbetweenthelampandtherestoftheroom。HewasapparentlytakingnonoticeofArmand，butonlyintentonthedelicateoperationofpolishinghisnails。
Suddenlytheyoungmanpausedinhisrestlesswalkandstoodinfrontofhisfriend——anearnest，solemn，determinedfigure。
“Blakeney，“hesaid，“IcannotleaveParisto-morrow。“
SirPercymadenoreply。Hewascontemplatingthepolishwhichhehadjustsucceededinproducingonhisthumbnail。
“Imuststayhereforawhilelonger，“continuedArmandfirmly。
“ImaynotbeabletoreturntoEnglandforsomeweeks。YouhavethethreeothersheretohelpyouinyourenterpriseoutsideParis。Iamentirelyatyourservicewithinthecompassofitswalls。“
StillnocommentfromBlakeney，notalookfrombeneaththefallenlids。Armandcontinued，withaslighttoneofimpatienceapparentinhisvoice：
“YoumustwantsomeonetohelpyouhereonSunday。Iamentirelyatyourservice……hereoranywhereinParis……butIcannotleavethiscity……atanyrate，notjustyet……“
Blakeneywasapparentlysatisfiedatlastwiththeresultofhispolishingoperations。Herose，gaveaslightyawn，andturnedtowardthedoor。
“Goodnight，mydearfellow，“hesaidpleasantly；“itistimewewereallabed。Iamsodemmedfatigued。“
“Percy！”exclaimedtheyoungmanhotly。
“Eh？Whatisit？”queriedtheotherlazily。
“Youarenotgoingtoleavemelikethis——withoutaword？”
“Ihavesaidagreatmanywords，mygoodfellow。Ihavesaid\'goodnight，\'andremarkedthatIwasdemmedfatigued。“
Hewasstandingbesidethedoorwhichledtohisbedroom，andnowhepusheditopenwithhishand。
“Percy，youcannotgoandleavemelikethis！”reiteratedArmandwithrapidlygrowingirritation。
“Likewhat，mydearfellow？”queriedSirPercywithgood-humouredimpatience。
“Withoutaword——withoutasign。WhathaveIdonethatyoushouldtreatmelikeachild，unworthyevenofattention？”
Blakeneyhadturnedbackandwasnowfacinghim，toweringabovetheslightfigureoftheyoungerman。Hisfacehadlostnoneofitsgraciousair，andbeneaththeirheavylidshiseyeslookeddownnotunkindlyonhisfriend。
“Wouldyouhavepreferredit，Armand，“hesaidquietly，“ifIhadsaidthewordthatyourearshaveheardeventhoughmylipshavenotutteredit？”
“Idon\'tunderstand，“murmuredArmanddefiantly。
“Whatsignwouldyouhavehadmemake？”continuedSirPercy，hispleasantvoicefallingcalmandmellowontheyoungerman\'ssupersensitiveconsciousness：“Thatofbrandingyou，Marguerite\'sbrother，asaliarandacheat？”
“Blakeney！”retortedtheother，aswithflamingcheeksandwrathfuleyeshetookamenacingsteptowardhisfriend；“hadanymanbutyoudaredtospeaksuchwordstome——“
“IpraytoGod，Armand，thatnomanbutIhastherighttospeakthem。“
“Youhavenoright。“
“Everyright，myfriend。DoInotholdyouroath？……Areyounotpreparedtobreakit？”
“I\'llnotbreakmyoathtoyou。I\'llserveandhelpyouineverywayyoucancommand……mylifeI\'llgivetothecause……givemethemostdangerous——themostdifficulttasktoperform……I\'lldoit——I\'lldoitgladly。“
“Ihavegivenyouanover-difficultanddangeroustask。“
“Bah！ToleaveParisinordertoengagehorses，whileyouandtheothersdoallthework。Thatisneitherdifficultnordangerous。“
“Itwillbedifficultforyou，Armand，becauseyourheadIsnotsufficientlycooltoforeseeseriouseventualitiesandtoprepareagainstthem。Itisdangerous，becauseyouareamaninlove，andamaninloveisapttorunhishead——andthatofhisfriends——
blindlyintoanoose。“
“WhotoldyouthatIwasinlove？”
“Youyourself，mygoodfellow。Hadyounottoldmesoattheoutset，“hecontinued，stillspeakingveryquietlyanddeliberatelyandneverraisinghisvoice，“Iwouldevennowbestandingoveryou，dog-whipinhand，tothrashyouasadefaultingcowardandaperjurer……Bah！”headdedwithareturntohishabitualbonhomie，“Iwouldnodoubtevenhavelostmytemperwithyou。Whichwouldhavebeenpurposelessandexcessivelybadform。Eh？”
AviolentretorthadsprungtoArmand\'slips。Butfortunatelyatthatverymomenthiseyes，glowingwithanger，caughtthoseofBlakeneyfixedwithlazygood-natureuponhis。SomethingofthatirresistibledignitywhichpervadedthewholepersonalityofthemancheckedArmand\'shotheadedwordsonhislips。
“IcannotleaveParisto-morrow，“hereiteratedmorecalmly。
“Becauseyouhavearrangedtoseeheragain？”
“Becauseshesavedmylifeto-day，andisherselfindanger。“
“Sheisinnodanger，“saidBlakeneysimply，“sinceshesavedthelifeofmyfriend。“
“Percy！”
ThecrywaswrungfromArmandSt。Just\'sverysoul。Despitethetumultofpassionwhichwasraginginhisheart，hewasconsciousagainofthemagneticpowerwhichboundsomanytothisman\'sservice。Thewordshehadsaid——simplethoughtheywere——hadsentathrillthroughArmand\'sveins。Hefelthimselfdisarmed。Hisresistancefellbeforethesubtlestrengthofanunbendablewill；
nothingremainedinhisheartbutanoverwhelmingsenseofshameandofimpotence。
Hesankintoachairandrestedhiselbowsonthetable，buryinghisfaceinhishands。Blakeneywentuptohimandplacedakindlyhanduponhisshoulder。
“Thedifficulttask，Armand，“hesaidgently。
“Percy，cannotyoureleaseme？Shesavedmylife。Ihavenotthankedheryet。“
“Therewillbetimeforthankslater，Armand。Justnowoveryonderthesonofkingsisbeingdonetodeathbysavagebrutes。“
“IwouldnothinderyouifIstayed。“
“Godknowsyouhavehinderedusenoughalready。“
“How？”
“Yousayshesavedyourlife……thenyouwereindanger……Heronandhisspieshavebeenonyourtrackyourtrackleadstomine，andIhavesworntosavetheDauphinfromthehandsofthieves……
Amaninlove，Armand，isadeadlydangeramongus……ThereforeatdaybreakyoumustleavePariswithHastingsonyourdifficultanddangeroustask。“
“AndifIrefuse？”retortedArmand。
“Mygoodfellow，“saidBlakeneyearnestly，“inthatadmirablelexiconwhichtheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelhascompiledforitselfthereisnosuchwordasrefuse。“
“ButifIdorefuse？”persistedtheother。
“Youwouldbeofferingataintednameandtarnishedhonourtothewomanyoupretendtolove。“
“Andyouinsistuponmyobedience？”
“BytheoathwhichIholdfromyou。“
“Butthisiscruel——inhuman！”
“Honour，mygoodArmand，isoftencruelandseldomhuman。Heisagodliketaskmaster，andwewhocallourselvesmenareallofushisslaves。“
“Thetyrannycomesfromyoualone。Youcouldreleasemeanyouwould。“
“Andtogratifytheselfishdesireofimmaturepassion，youwouldwishtoseemejeopardisethelifeofthosewhoplaceinfinitetrustinme。“
“Godknowshowyouhavegainedtheirallegiance，Blakeney。Tomenowyouareselfishandcallous。“
“Thereisthedifficulttaskyoucravedfor，Armand，“wasalltheanswerthatBlakeneymadetothetaunt——“toobeyaleaderwhomyounolongertrust。“
ButthisArmandcouldnotbrook。Hehadspokenhotly，impetuously，smartingunderthedisciplinewhichthwartedhisdesire，buthisheartwasloyaltothechiefwhomhehadreverencedforsolong。
“Forgiveme，Percy，“hesaidhumbly；“Iamdistracted。Idon\'tthinkIquiterealisedwhatIwassaying。Itrustyou，ofcourse……implicitly……andyouneednotevenfear……Ishallnotbreakmyoath，thoughyourordersnowseemtomeneedlesslycallousandselfish……Iwillobey……youneednotbeafraid。“
“Iwasnotafraidofthat，mygoodfellow。“
“Ofcourse，youdonotunderstand……youcannot。Toyou，yourhonour，thetaskwhichyouhavesetyourself，hasbeenyouronlyfetish……Loveinitstruesensedoesnotexistforyou……I
seeitnow……youdonotknowwhatitistolove。“
Blakeneymadenoreplyforthemoment。Hestoodinthecentreoftheroom，withtheyellowlightofthelampfallingfullnowuponhistallpowerfulframe，immaculatelydressedinperfectly-tailoredclothes，uponhislong，slenderhandshalfhiddenbyfilmylace，anduponhisface，acrosswhichatthismomentaheavystrandofcurlyhairthrewacuriousshadow。AtArmand\'swordshislipshadimperceptiblytightened，hiseyeshadnarrowedasiftheytriedtoseesomethingthatwasbeyondtherangeoftheirfocus。
Acrossthesmoothbrowthestrangeshadowmadebythehairseemedtofindareflexfromwithin。Perhapstherecklessadventurer，thecarelessgamblerwithlifeandliberty，sawthroughthewallsofthissqualidroom，acrossthewide，ice-boundriver，andbeyondeventhegloomypileofbuildingsopposite，acool，shadygardenatRichmond，avelvetylawnsweepingdowntotheriver\'sedge，abowerofclematisandroses，withacarvedstoneseathalfcoveredwithmoss。Theresatanexquisitelybeautifulwomanwithgreatsadeyesfixedonthefar-distanthorizon。Thesettingsunwasthrowingahaloofgoldallroundherhair，herwhitehandswereclaspedidlyonherlap。
Shegazedoutbeyondtheriver，beyondthesunset，towardanunseenbourneofpeaceandhappiness，andherlovelyfacehadinitalookofutterhopelessnessandofsublimeself-abnegation。
Theairwasstill。Itwaslateautumn，andallaroundhertherussetleavesofbeechandchestnutfellwithamelancholyhush-sh-shaboutherfeet。
Shewasalone，andfromtimetotimeheavytearsgatheredinhereyesandrolledslowlydownhercheeks。
Suddenlyasighescapedtheman\'stightly-pressedlips。Withastrangegesture，whollyunusualtohim，hepassedhishandrightacrosshiseyes。
“Mayhapyouareright，Armand，“hesaidquietly；“mayhapIdonotknowwhatitistolove。“
Armandturnedtogo。Therewasnothingmoretobesaid。HeknewPercywellenoughbynowtorealisethefinalityofhispronouncements。Hisheartfeltsore，buthewastooproudtoshowhishurtagaintoamanwhodidnotunderstand。Allthoughtsofdisobediencehehadputresolutelyaside；hehadnevermeanttobreakhisoath。AllthathehadhopedtodowastopersuadePercytoreleasehimfromitforawhile。
ThatbyleavingParisheriskedtoloseJeannehewasquiteconvinced，butitisneverthelessatruefactthatinspiteofthishedidnotwithdrawhisloveandtrustfromhischief。Hewasundertheinfluenceofthatsamemagnetismwhichenchainedallhiscomradestothewillofthisman；andthoughhisenthusiasmforthegreatcausehadsomewhatwaned，hisallegiancetoitsleaderwasnolongertottering。
Buthewouldnottrusthimselftospeakagainonthesubject。
“Iwillfindtheothersdownstairs，“wasallhesaid，“andwillarrangewithHastingsforto-morrow。Goodnight，Percy。“
“Goodnight，mydearfellow。Bytheway，youhavenottoldmeyetwhosheis。“
“HernameisJeanneLange，“saidSt。Justhalfreluctantly。Hehadnotmeanttodivulgehissecretquitesofullyasyet。
“TheyoungactressattheTheatreNational？”
“Yes。Doyouknowher？”
“Onlybyname。“
“Sheisbeautiful，Percy，andsheisanangel……ThinkofmysisterMarguerite……she，too，wasanactress……Goodnight，Percy。“
“Goodnight。“
Thetwomengraspedoneanotherbythehand。Armand\'seyesprofferedalastdesperateappeal。ButBlakeney\'seyeswereimpassiveandunrelenting，andArmandwithaquicksighfinallytookhisleave。
ForalongwhileafterhehadgoneBlakeneystoodsilentandmotionlessinthemiddleoftheroom。Armand\'slastwordslingeredinhisear：
“ThinkofMarguerite！”
Thewallshadfallenawayfromaroundhim——thewindow，theriverbelow，theTempleprisonhadallfadedaway，mergedinthechaosofhisthoughts。
NowhewasnolongerinParis；heheardnothingofthehorrorsthatevenatthishourofthenightwereragingaroundhim；hedidnothearthecallofmurderedvictims，ofinnocentwomenandchildrencryingforhelp；hedidnotseethedescendantofSt。
Louis，witharedcaponhisbabyhead，stampingonthefleur-de-lys，andheapinginsultsonthememoryofhismother。
Allthathadfadedintonothingness。
HewasinthegardenatRichmond，andMargueritewassittingonthestoneseat，withbranchesoftheramblerrosestwiningthemselvesinherhair。
Hewassittingonthegroundatherfeet，hisheadpillowedinherlap，lazilydreaming。whilstathisfeettheriverwounditsgracefulcurvesbeneathoverhangingwillowsandtallstatelyelms。
Aswancamesailingmajesticallydownthestream，andMarguerite，withidle，delicatehands，threwsomecrumbsofbreadintothewater。Thenshelaughed，forshewasquitehappy，andanonshestooped，andhefeltthefragranceofherlipsasshebentoverhimandsavouredtheperfectsweetnessofhercaress。Shewashappybecauseherhusbandwasbyherside。Hehaddonewithadventures，withriskinghislifeforothers\'sake。Hewaslivingonlyforher。
Theman，thedreamer，theidealistthatlurkedbehindtheadventuroussoul，livedanexquisitedreamashegazeduponthatvision。Heclosedhiseyessothatitmightlastallthelonger，sothatthroughtheopenwindowoppositeheshouldnotseethegreatgloomywallsofthelabyrinthinebuildingpackedtooverflowingwithinnocentmen，women，andchildrenwaitingpatientlyandwithasmileontheirlipsforacruelandunmeriteddeath；sothatheshouldnotseeeventhroughthevistaofhousesandofstreetsthatgrimTempleprisonfaraway，andthelightinoneofthetowerwindows，whichilluminedthefinalmartyrdomofaboy-king。
Thushestoodforfullyfiveminutes，witheyesdeliberatelyclosedandlipstightlyset。Thentheneighbouringtower-clockofSt。Germainl\'Auxerroisslowlytolledthehourofmidnight。
Blakeneywokefromhisdream。Thewallsofhislodgingwereoncemorearoundhim，andthroughthewindowtheruddylightofsometorchinthestreetbelowfoughtwiththatofthelamp。
Hewentdeliberatelyuptothewindowandlookedoutintothenight。Onthequay，alittletotheleft，theoutdoorcampwasjustbreakingtipforthenight。ThepeopleofFranceinarmsagainsttyrannywereallowedtoputawaytheirworkforthedayandtogototheirmiserablehomestogatherrestinsleepforthemorrow。Abandofsoldiers，roughandbrutalintheirmovements，werehustlingthewomenandchildren。Thelittleones，weary，sleepy，andcold，seemedtoodazedtomove。Onewomanhadtwolittlechildrenclingingtoherskirts；asoldiersuddenlyseizedoneofthembytheshouldersandpusheditalongroughlyinfrontofhimtogetitoutoftheway。Thewomanstruckatthesoldierinastupid，senseless，uselessway，andthengatheredhertremblingchicksunderherwing，tryingtolookdefiant。
Inamomentshewassurrounded。Twosoldiersseizedher，andtwomoredraggedthechildrenawayfromher。Shescreamedandthechildrencried，thesoldierssworeandstruckoutrightandleftwiththeirbayonets。Therewasageneralmelee，callsofagonyrenttheair，roughoathsdrownedtheshoutsofthehelpless。
Somewomen，panic-stricken，startedtorun。
AndBlakeneyfromhiswindowlookeddownuponthescene。HenolongersawthegardenatRichmond，thelazily-flowingriver，thebowersofroses；eventhesweetfaceofMarguerite，sadandlonely，appeareddimandfaraway。
Helookedacrosstheice-boundriver，pastthequaywhereroughsoldierswerebrutalisinganumberofwretcheddefencelesswomen，tothatgrimChateletprison，wheretinylightsshininghereandtherebehindbarredwindowstoldthesadtaleofwearyvigils，ofwatchesthroughthenight，whendawnwouldbringmartyrdomanddeath。
AnditwasnotMarguerite\'sblueeyesthatbeckonedtohimnow，itwasnotherlipsthatcalled，butthewanfaceofachildwithmattedcurlshangingaboveagreasyforehead，andsmallhandscoveredingrimethathadoncebeenfondledbyaQueen。
Theadventurerinhimhadchasedawaythedream。
“WhilethereislifeinmeI\'llcheatthosebrutesofprey，“hemurmured。
CHAPTERXIII
THENEVERYTHINGWASDARK
ThenightthatArmandSt。Justspenttossingaboutonahard，narrowbedwasthemostmiserable，agonisingonehehadeverpassedinhislife。Akindoffeverranthroughhim，causinghisteethtochatterandtheveinsinhistemplestothrobuntilhethoughtthattheymustburst。
Physicallyhecertainlywasill；thementalstraincausedbytwogreatconflictingpassionshadattackedhisbodilystrength，andwhilsthisbrainandheartfoughttheirbattlestogether，hisachinglimbsfoundnorepose。
HisloveforJeanne！Hisloyaltytothemantowhomheowedhislife，andtowhomhehadswornallegianceandimplicitobedience！
Thesesuperacutefeelingsseemedtobetearingathisveryheartstrings，untilhefeltthathecouldnolongerlieonthemiserablepalliassewhichinthesesqualidlodgingsdiddutyforabed。
Heroselongbeforedaybreak，withtiredbackandburningeyes，butunconsciousofanypainsavethatwhichtoreathisheart。
Theweather，fortunately，wasnotquitesocold——asuddenandveryrapidthawhadsetin；andwhenafterahurriedtoiletArmand，carryingabundleunderhisarm，emergedintothestreet，themildsouthwindstruckpleasantlyonhisface。
Itwasthenpitchdark。Thestreetlampshadbeenextinguishedlongago，andthefeebleJanuarysunhadnotyettingedwithpalecolourtheheavycloudsthathungoverthesky。
Thestreetsofthegreatcitywereabsolutelydesertedatthishour。Itlay，peacefulandstill，wrappedinitsmantleofgloom。
Athinrainwasfalling，andArmand\'sfeet，ashebegantodescendtheheightsofMontmartre，sankankledeepinthemudoftheroad。
Therewasbutscantyattemptatpavementsinthisoutlyingquarterofthetown，andArmandhadmuchadotokeephisfootingontheunevenandintermittentstonesthatdiddutyforroadsintheseparts。Butthisdiscomfortdidnottroublehimjustnow。Onethought——andonealone——wasclearinhismind：hemustseeJeannebeforeheleftParis。
Hedidnotpausetothinkhowhecouldaccomplishthatatthishouroftheday。Allheknewwasthathemustobeyhischief，andthathemustseeJeanne。Hewouldseeher，explaintoherthathemustleaveParisimmediately，andbeghertomakeherpreparationsquickly，sothatshemightmeethimassoonasmaybe，andaccompanyhimtoEnglandstraightaway。
HedidnotfeelthathewasbeingdisloyalbytryingtoseeJeanne。Hehadthrownprudencetothewinds，notrealisingthathisimprudencewouldanddidjeopardise，notonlythesuccessofhischief\'splans，butalsohislifeandthatofhisfriends。HehadbeforepartingfromHastingslastnightarrangedtomeethimintheneighbourhoodoftheNeuillyGateatseveno\'clock；itwasonlysixnow。TherewasplentyoftimeforhimtorousetheconciergeatthehouseoftheSquareduRoule，toseeJeanneforafewmoments，toslipintoMadameBelhomme\'skitchen，andthereintothelabourer\'sclotheswhichhewascarryinginthebundleunderhisarm，andtobeatthegateattheappointedhour。
TheSquareduRouleisshutofffromtheRueSt。Honore，onwhichitabuts，bytallirongates，whichafewyearsago，whenthesecludedlittlesquarewasafashionablequarterofthecity，usedtobekeptclosedatnight，withawatchmaninuniformtointerceptmidnightprowlers。Nowthesegateshadbeenrudelytornawayfromtheirsockets，theironhadbeensoldforthebenefitoftheever-emptyTreasury，andnoonecaredifthehomeless，thestarving，ortheevil-doerfoundshelterundertheporticoesofthehouses，fromwhencewealthyoraristocraticownershadlongsincethoughtitwisetoflee。
NoonechallengedArmandwhenheturnedintothesquare，andthoughthedarknesswasintense，hemadehiswayfairlystraightforthehousewherelodgedMademoiselleLange。
Sofarhehadbeenwonderfullylucky。ThefoolhardinesswithwhichhehadexposedhislifeandthatofhisfriendsbywanderingaboutthestreetsofParisatthishourwithoutanyattemptatdisguise，thoughcarryingoneunderhisarm，hadnotmetwiththeuntowardfatewhichitundoubtedlydeserved。Thedarknessofthenightandthethinsheetofrainasitfellhadeffectuallywrappedhisprogressthroughthelonelystreetsintheirbeneficentmantleofgloom；thesoftmudbelowhaddrownedtheechoofhisfootsteps。Ifspieswereonhistrack，asJeannehadfearedandBlakeneyprophesied，hehadcertainlysucceededinevadingthem。
Hepulledtheconcierge\'sbell，andthelatchoftheouterdoor，manipulatedfromwithin，dulysprangopeninresponse。Heentered，andfromthelodgetheconcierge\'svoiceemerging，muffledfromthedepthsofpillowsandblankets，challengedhimwithanoathdirectedattheunseemlinessofthehour。
“MademoiselleLange，“saidArmandboldly，aswithouthesitationhewalkedquicklypastthelodgemakingstraightforthestairs。
Itseemedtohimthatfromtheconcierge\'sroomloudvituperationsfollowedhim，buthetooknonoticeofthese；onlyashortflightofstairsandonemoredoorseparatedhimfromJeanne。
Hedidnotpausetothinkthatshewouldinallprobabilitybestillinbed，thathemighthavesomedifficultyinrousingMadameBelhomme，thatthelattermightnotevencaretoadmithim；nordidhereflectontheglaringimprudenceofhisactions。HewantedtoseeJeanne，andshewastheothersideofthatwall。
“He，citizen！Hola！Here！Curseyou！Whereareyou？”cameinagruffvoicetohimfrombelow。
Hehadmountedthestairs，andwasnowonthelandingjustoutsideJeanne\'sdoor。Hepulledthebell-handle，andheardthepleasingechoofthebellthatwouldpresentlywakeMadameBelhommeandbringhertothedoor。
“Citizen！Hola！Curseyouforanaristo！Whatareyoudoingthere？”
Theconcierge，astout，elderlyman，wrappedinablanket，hisfeetthrustinslippers，andcarryingagutteringtallowcandle，hadappeareduponthelanding。
HeheldthecandleupsothatitsfeebleflickeringraysfellonArmand\'spaleface，andonthedampcloakwhichfellawayfromhisshoulders。
“Whatareyoudoingthere？”reiteratedtheconciergewithanotheroathfromhisprolificvocabulary。
“Asyousee，citizen，“repliedArmandpolitely，“IamringingMademoiselleLange\'sfrontdoorbell。“
“Atthishourofthemorning？”queriedthemanwithasneer。
“Idesiretoseeher。“
“Thenyouhavecometothewronghouse，citizen，“saidtheconciergewitharudelaugh。
“Thewronghouse？Whatdoyoumean？”stammeredArmand，alittlebewildered。
“Sheisnothere——quoi！”retortedtheconcierge，whonowturneddeliberatelyonhisheel。“Goandlookforher，citizen；it\'lltakeyousometimetofindher。“
Heshuffledoffinthedirectionofthestairs。Armandwasvainlytryingtoshakehimselffreefromasudden，anawfulsenseofhorror。
Hegaveanothervigorouspullatthehell，thenwithoneboundheovertooktheconcierge，whowaspreparingtodescendthestairs，andgrippedhimperemptorilybythearm。
“WhereisMademoiselleLange？”heasked。
Hisvoicesoundedquitestrangeinhisownear；histhroatfeltparched，andhehadtomoistenhislipswithhistonguebeforehewasabletospeak。
“Arrested，“repliedtheman。
“Arrested？When？Where？How？”
“When——lateyesterdayevening。Where？——hereinherroom。
How？——bytheagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。Sheandtheoldwoman！Basta！that\'sallIknow。NowIamgoingbacktobed，andyouclearoutofthehouse。Youaremakingadisturbance，andIshallbereprimanded。Iaskyou，isthisadecenttimeforrousinghonestpatriotsoutoftheirmorningsleep？”
HeshookhisarmfreefromArmand\'sgraspandoncemorebegantodescend。
Armandstoodonthelandinglikeamanwhohasbeenstunnedbyablowonthehead。Hislimbswereparalysed。Hecouldnotforthemomenthavemovedorspokenifhislifehaddependedonasignoronaword。Hisbrainwasreeling，andhehadtosteadyhimselfwithhishandagainstthewallorhewouldhavefallenheadlongonthefloor。Hehadlivedinawhirlofexcitementforthepasttwenty-fourhours；hisnervesduringthattimehadbeenkeptatstrainingpoint。Passion，joy，happiness，deadlydanger，andmoralfightshadwornhismentalendurancethreadbare；wantofproperfoodandasleeplessnighthadalmostthrownhisphysicalbalanceoutofgear。Thisblowcameatamomentwhenhewasleastabletobearit。
Jeannehadbeenarrested！Jeannewasinthehandsofthosebrutes，whomhe，Armand，hadregardedyesterdaywithinsurmountableloathing！Jeannewasinprison——shewasarrested——shewouldbetried，condemned，andallbecauseofhim！
Thethoughtwassoawfulthatitbroughthimtothevergeofmania。Hewatchedasinadreamtheformoftheconciergeshufflinghiswaydowntheoakstaircase；hisportlyfigureassumedGargantuanproportions，thecandlewhichhecarriedlookedlikethedancingflamesofhell，throughwhichgrinningfaces，hideousandcontortioned，mockedathimandleered。
Thensuddenlyeverythingwasdark。Thelighthaddisappearedroundthebendofthestairs；grinningfacesandghoulishvisionsvanished；heonlysawJeanne，hisdainty，exquisiteJeanne，inthehandsofthosebrutes。Hesawherashehadseenayearandahalfagothevictimsofthosebloodthirstywretchesbeingdraggedbeforeatribunalthatwasbutamockeryofjustice；heheardthequickinterrogatory，andtheresponsesfromherperfectlips，thatexquisitevoiceofhersveiledbytonesofanguish。Heheardthecondemnation，therattleofthetumbrilontheill-pavedstreets——
sawhertherewithhandsclaspedtogether，hereyes——
GreatGod！hewasreallygoingmad！
Likeawildcreaturedrivenforthhestartedtorundownthestairs，pasttheconcierge，whowasjustenteringhislodge，andwhonowturnedinsurlyangertowatchthismanrunningawaylikealunaticorafool，outbythefrontdoorandintothestreet。
Inamomenthewasoutofthelittlesquare；thenlikeahuntedharehestillrandowntheRueSt。Honore，alongitsnarrow，interminablelength。Hishathadfallenfromhishead，hishairwaswildallroundhisface，therainweightedthecloakuponhisshoulders；butstillheran。
Hisfeetmadenonoiseonthemuddypavement。Heranonandon，hiselbowspressedtohissides，panting，quivering，intentbutupononething——thegoalwhichhehadsethimselftoreach。
Jeannewasarrested。Hedidnotknowwheretolookforher，buthedidknowwhitherhewantedtogonowasswiftlyashislegswouldcarryhim。
Itwasstilldark，butArmandSt。JustwasabornParisian，andhekneweveryinchofthisquarter，whereheandMargueritehadyearsagolived。DowntheRueSt。Honore，hehadreachedthebottomoftheinterminablylongstreetatlast。Hehadkeptjustasufficiencyofreason——orwasitmerelyblindinstinct？——toavoidtheplaceswherethenightpatrolsoftheNationalGuardmightbeonthewatch。HeavoidedthePlaceduCarrousel，alsothequay，andstrucksharplytohisrightuntilhereachedthefacadeofSt。
Germainl\'Auxerrois。
Anothereffort；roundthecorner，andtherewasthehouseatlast。
Hewaslikethehuntedcreaturenowthathasruntoearth。Upthetwoflightsofstonestairs，andthenthepullatthebell；amomentoftenseanxiety，whilstpanting，gasping，almostchokedwiththesustainedeffortandthestrainofthepasthalf-hour，heleanedagainstthewall，strivingnottofall。
Thenthewell-knownfirmstepacrosstheroomsbeyond，theopendoor，thehanduponhisshoulder。
Afterthatherememberednothingmore。
CHAPTERXIV
THECHIEF
Hehadnotactuallyfainted，buttheexertionofthatlongrunhadrenderedhimpartiallyunconsciousHeknewnowthatbewassafe，thathewassittinginBlakeney\'sroom，andthatsomethinghotandvivifyingwasbeingpoureddownhisthroat。
“Percy，theyhavearrestedher！”hesaid，panting，assoonasspeechreturnedtohisparalysedtongue。
“Allright。Don\'ttalknow。Waittillyouarebetter。“
WithinfinitecareandgentlenessBlakeneyarrangedsomecushionsunderArmand\'shead，turnedthesofatowardsthefire，andanonbroughthisfriendacupofhotcoffee，whichthelatterdrankwithavidity。
Hewasreallytooexhaustedtospeak。HehadcontrivedtotellBlakeney，andnowBlakeneyknew，soeverythingwouldbeallright。
Theinevitablereactionwasassertingitself；themuscleshadrelaxed，thenerveswerenumbed，andArmandlaybackonthesofawitheyeshalfclosed，unabletomove，yetfeelinghisstrengthgraduallyreturningtohim，hisvitalityassertingitself，allthefeverishexcitementofthepasttwenty-fourhoursyieldingatlasttoacalmermood。
Throughhishalf-closedeyeshecouldseehisbrother-in-lawmovingabouttheroom。Blakeneywasfullydressed。InasleepykindofwayArmandwonderedifhehadbeentobedataH；certainlyhisclothessetonhimwiththeirusualwell-tailoredperfection，andtherewasnosuggestioninhisbriskstepandalertmovementsthathehadpassedasleeplessnight。
Nowhewasstandingbytheopenwindow。Armand，fromwherehelay，couldseehisbroadshoulderssharplyoutlinedagainstthegreybackgroundofthehazywinterdawn。Awanlightwasjustcreepingupfromtheeastoverthecity；thenoisesofthestreetsbelowcamedistinctlytoArmand\'sear。
Herousedhimselfwithonevigorouseffortfromhislethargy，feelingquiteashamedofhimselfandofthisbreakdownofhisnervoussystem。HelookedwithfrankadmirationonSirPercy，whostoodimmovableandsilentbythewindow——aperfecttowerofstrength，sereneandimpassive，yetkindlyindistress。
“Percy，“saidtheyoungman，“IranallthewayfromthetopoftheRueSt。Honore。Iwasonlybreathless。Iamquiteallright。
MayItellyouallaboutit？”
WithoutawordBlakeneyclosedthewindowandcameacrosstothesofa；hesatdownbesideArmand，andtoalloutwardappearanceshewasnothingnowbutakindandsympatheticlistenertoafriend\'staleofwoe。Notalineinhisfaceoralookinhiseyesbetrayedthethoughtsoftheleaderwhohadbeenthwartedattheoutsetofadangerousenterprise，oroftheman，accustomedtocommand，whohadbeensoflagrantlydisobeyed。
Armand，unconsciousofallsaveofJeanneandofherimmediateneed，putaneagerhandonPercy\'sarm。
“Heronandhishell-houndswentbacktoherlodgingslastnight，“
hesaid，speakingasifhewerestillalittleoutofbreath。
“Theyhopedtogetme，nodoubt；notfindingmethere，theytookher。Oh，myGod！”
Itwasthefirsttimethathehadputthewholeterriblecircumstanceintowords，anditseemedtogaininrealitybytherecounting。Theagonyofmindwhichheenduredwasalmostunbearable；hehidhisfaceinhishandslestPercyshouldseehowterriblyhesuffered。
“Iknewthat，“saidBlakeneyquietly。Armandlookedupinsurprise。
“How？Whendidyouknowit？”hestammered。
“Lastnightwhenyouleftme。IwentdowntotheSquareduRoule。
Iarrivedtherejusttoolate。“
“Percy！”exclaimedArmand，whosepalefacehadsuddenlyflushedscarlet，“youdidthat？——lastnightyou——“
“Ofcourse，“interposedtheothercalmly；“hadInotpromisedyoutokeepwatchoverher？WhenIheardthenewsitwasalreadytoolatetomakefurtherinquiries，butwhenyouarrivedjustnowI
wasonthepointofstartingout，inordertofindoutinwhatprisonMademoiselleLangeisbeingdetained。Ishallhavetogosoon，Armand，beforetheguardischangedattheTempleandtheTuileries。Thisisthesafesttime，andGodknowsweareallofussufficientlycompromisedalready。“
TheflushofshamedeepenedinSt。Just\'scheek。Therehadnotbeenahintofreproachinthevoiceofhischief，andtheeyeswhichregardedhimnowfrombeneaththehalf-closedlidsshowednothingbutlazybonhomie。
InamomentnowArmandrealisedalltheharmwhichhisrecklessnesshaddone，wasstilldoingtotheworkoftheLeague。
EveryoneofhisactionssincehisarrivalinParistwodaysagohadjeopardisedaplanorendangeredalife：hisfriendshipwithdeBatz，hisconnectionwithMademoiselleLange，hisvisittoheryesterdayafternoon，therepetitionofitthismorning，culminatinginthatwildrunthroughthestreetsofParis，whenatanymomentaspylurkingroundacornermighteitherhavebarredhisway，or，worsestill，havefollowedhimtoBlakeney\'sdoor。
Armand，withoutathoughtofanyonesaveofhisbeloved，mighteasilythismorninghavebroughtanagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityfacetofacewithhischief。
“Percy，“hemurmured，“canyoueverforgiveme？”
“Pshaw，man！”retortedBlakeneylightly；“thereisnaughttoforgive，onlyagreatdealthatshouldnolongerbeforgotten；
yourdutytotheothers，forinstance，yourobedience，andyourhonour。“
“Iwasmad，Percy。Oh！ifyouonlycouldunderstandwhatshemeanstome！”
Blakeneylaughed，hisownlight-heartedcarelesslaugh，whichsooftenbeforenowhadhelpedtohidewhathereallyfeltfromtheeyesoftheindifferent，andevenfromthoseofhisfriends。
“No！no！”hesaidlightly，“weagreedlastnight，didwenot？thatinmattersofsentimentIamacold-bloodedfish。ButwillyouatanyrateconcedethatIamamanofmyword？DidInotpledgeitlastnightthatMademoiselleLangewouldbesafe？IforesawherarrestthemomentIheardyourstory。IhopedthatImightreachherbeforethatbruteHeron\'sreturn；unfortunatelyheforestalledmebylessthanhalfanhour。MademoiselleLangehasbeenarrested，Armand；butwhyshouldyounottrustmeonthataccount？
Havewenotsucceeded，Iandtheothers，inworsecasesthanthisone？TheymeannoharmtoJeanneLange，“headdedemphatically；
“Igiveyoumywordonthat。Theyonlywantherasadecoy。Itisyoutheywant。Youthroughher，andmethroughyou。Ipledgeyoumyhonourthatshewillbesafe。Youmusttryandtrustme，Armand。Itismuchtoask，Iknow，foryouwillhavetotrustmewithwhatismostpreciousintheworldtoyou；andyouwillhavetoobeymeblindly，orIshallnotheabletokeepmyword。“
“Whatdoyouwishmetodo？”
“Firstly，youmustbeoutsidePariswithinthehour。Everyminutethatyouspendinsidethecitynowisfullofdanger——oh，no！notforyou，“addedBlakeney，checkingwithagood-humouredgestureArmand\'swordsofprotestation，“dangerfortheothers——andforourschemetomorrow。“
“HowcanIgotoSt。Germain，Percy，knowingthatshe——“
“Isundermycharge？”interposedtheothercalmly。“Thatshouldnotbesoverydifficult。Come，“headded，placingakindlyhandontheother\'sshoulder，“youshallnotfindmesuchaninhumanmonsterafterall。ButImustthinkoftheothers，yousee，andofthechildwhomIhavesworntosave。ButIwon\'tsendyouasfarasSt。Germain。Godowntotheroombelowandfindagoodbundleofroughclothesthatwillserveyouasadisguise，forI
imaginethatyouhavelostthosewhichyouhadonthelandingorthestairsofthehouseintheSquareduRoule。Inatinboxwiththeclothesdownstairsyouwillfindthepacketofmiscellaneouscertificatesofsafety。Takeanappropriateone，andthenstartoutimmediatelyforVillette。Youunderstand？”
“Yes，yes！”saidArmandeagerly。“YouwantmetojoinFfoulkesandTony。“
“Yes！You\'llfindthemprobablyunloadingcoalbythecanal。Tryandgetprivatespeechwiththemasearlyasmaybe，andtellTonytosetoutatonceforSt。Germain，andtojoinHastingsthere，insteadofyou，whilstyoutakehisplacewithFfoulkes。“
“Yes，Iunderstand；buthowwillTonyreachSt。Germain？”
“La，mygoodfellow，“saidBlakeneygaily，“youmaysafelytrustTonytogowhereIsendhim。DoyoubutdoasItellyou，andleavehimtolookafterhimself。Andnow，“headded，speakingmoreearnestly，“thesooneryougetoutofParisthebetteritwillbeforusall。Asyousee，IamonlysendingyoutoLaVillette，becauseitisnotsofar，butthatIcankeepinpersonaltouchwithyou。Remainclosetothegatesforanhourafternightfall。IwillContrivebeforetheyclosetobringyounewsofMademoiselleLange。“
Armandsaidnomore。Thesenseofshameinhimdeepenedwitheverywordspokenbyhischief。Hefelthowuntrustworthyhehadbeen，howundeservingoftheselflessdevotionwhichPercywasshowinghimevennow。Thewordsofgratitudediedonhislips；heknewthattheywouldbeunwelcome。TheseEnglishmenweresodevoidofsentiment，hethought，andhisbrother-in-law，withallhisunselfishandheroicdeeds，was，hefelt，absolutelycallousinmattersoftheheart。
ButArmandwasanoble-mindedman，andwiththetruesportinginstinctinhim，despitethefactthathewasacreatureofnerves，highlystrungandimaginative。Hecouldgiveungrudgingadmirationtohischief，evenwhilstgivinghimselfupentirelytothesentimentforJeanne。
HetriedtoimbuehimselfwiththesamespiritthatactuatedmyLordTonyandtheothermembersoftheLeague。Howgladlywouldhehavechaffedandmadesenselessschoolboyjokeslikethosewhich——infaceoftheirhazardousenterpriseandthedangerswhichtheyallran——hadhorrifiedhimsomuchlastnight。
Butsomehowheknewthatjokesfromhimwouldnotringtrue。HowcouldhesmilewhenhisheartwasbrimmingoverwithhisloveforJeanne，andwithsolicitudeonheraccount？HefeltthatPercywasregardinghimwithakindofindulgentamusement；therewasalookofsuppressedmerrimentinthedepthsofthoselazyblueeyes。
Sohebraceduphisnerves，tryinghisbesttolookcoolandunconcerned，buthecouldnotaltogetherhidefromhisfriendtheburninganxietywhichwasthreateningtobreakhisheart。
“Ihavegivenyoumyword，Armand，“saidBlakeneyinanswertotheunspokenprayer；“cannotyoutryandtrustme——astheothersdo？
Thenwithsuddentransitionhepointedtothemapbehindhim。
“RememberthegateofVillette，andthecornerbythetowpath。
JoinFfoulkesassoonasmaybeandsendTonyonhisway，andwaitfornewsofMademoiselleLangesometimeto-night。“
“Godblessyou，Percy！”saidArmandinvoluntarily。“Good-bye！”
“Good-bye，mydearfellow。Sliponyourdisguiseasquicklyasyoucan，andbeoutofthehouseinaquarterofanhour。“
HeaccompaniedArmandthroughtheante-room，andfinallyclosedthedooronhim。Thenhewentbacktohisroomandwalkeduptothewindow，whichhethrewopentothehumidmorningair。Nowthathewasalonethelookoftroubleonhisfacedeepenedtoadark，anxiousfrown，andashelookedoutacrosstheriverasighofbitterimpatienceanddisappointmentescapedhislips。
CHAPTERXV
THEGATEOFLAVILLETTE
Andnowtheshadesofeveninghadlongsinceyieldedtothoseofnight。ThegateofLaVillette，atthenortheastcornerofthecity，wasabouttoclose。Armand，dressedintheroughclothesofalabouringman，wasleaningagainstalowwallattheangleofthenarrowstreetwhichabutsonthecanalatitsfurtherend；
fromthispointofvantagehecouldcommandaviewofthegateandofthelifeandbustlearoundit。
Hewasdog-tired。Aftertheemotionsofthepasttwenty-fourhours，aday\'shardmanualtoiltowhichhewasunaccustomedhadcausedhimtoacheineverylimb。Assoonashehadarrivedatthecanalwharfintheearlymorninghehadobtainedthekindofcasualworkthatruledabouthere，andsoonwastoldofftounloadacargoofcoalwhichhadarrivedbybargeovernight。Hehadset-towithawill，halfhopingtokillhisanxietybydintofheavybodilyexertion。DuringthecourseofthemorninghehadsuddenlybecomeawareofSirAndrewFfoulkesandofLordAnthonyDewhurstworkingnotfarawayfromhim，andasfineapairofcoalheaversasanyshippercoulddesire。
Itwasnotverydifficultinthemidstofthenoiseandactivitythatreignedallaboutthewharfforthethreementoexchangeafewwordstogether，andArmandsooncommunicatedthechief\'snewinstructionstomyLordTony，whoeffectuallyslippedawayfromhisworksometimeduringtheday。Armanddidnotevenseehimgo，ithadallbeensoneatlydone。
Justbeforefiveo\'clockintheafternoonthelabourerswerepaidoff。Itwasthentoodarktocontinuework。ArmandwouldhavelikedtotalktoSirAndrew，ifonlyforamoment。Hefeltlonelyanddesperatelyanxious。Hehadhopedtotireouthisnervesaswellashisbody，butinthishehadnotsucceeded。Assoonashehadgivenuphistools，hisbrainbegantoworkagainmorebusilythanever。ItfollowedPercyinhisperegrinationsthroughthecity，tryingtodiscoverwherethosebruteswerekeepingJeanne。
ThattaskhadsuddenlyloomedupbeforeArmand\'smindwithallitsterribledifficulties。HowcouldPercy——amarkedmanifevertherewasone——gofromprisontoprisontoinquireaboutJeanne？
Theveryideaseemedpreposterous。Armandoughtnevertohaveconsentedtosuchaninsensateplan。Themorehethoughtofit，themoreimpossiblediditseemthatBlakeneycouldfindanythingout。
SirAndrewFfoulkeswasnowheretobeseen。St。Justwanderedaboutinthedark，lonelystreetsofthisoutlyingquartervainlytryingtofindthefriendinwhomhecouldconfide，who，nodoubt，wouldreassurehimastoBlakeney\'sprobablemovementsinParis。
ThenasthehourapproachedfortheclosingofthecitygatesArmandtookuphisstandatanangleofthestreetfromwhencehecouldseeboththegateononesideofhimandthethinlineofthecanalintersectingthestreetatitsfurtherend。
UnlessPercycamewithinthenextfiveminutesthegateswouldbeclosedandthedifficultiesofcrossingthebarrierwouldbeincreasedahundredfold。Themarketgardenerswiththeircoveredcartsfiledoutofthegateonebyone；thelabourersonfootwerereturningtotheirhomes；therewasagroupofstonemasons，afewroad-makers，alsoanumberofbeggars，raggedandfilthy，whoherdedsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofthecanal。
Ineveryform，undereverydisguise，ArmandhopedtodiscoverPercy。Hecouldnotstandstillforverylong，butstrodeupanddowntheroadthatskirtsthefortificationsatthispoint。
Therewereagoodmanyidlersaboutatthishour；somemenwhohadfinishedtheirwork，andmeanttospendanhourorsoinoneofthedrinkingshopsthataboundedintheneighbourhoodofthewharf；otherswholikedtogatherasmallknotoflistenersaroundthem，whilsttheydiscoursedonthepoliticsoftheday，orratherragedagainsttheConvention，whichwasallmadeupoftraitorstothepeople\'swelfare。
Armand，tryingmanfullytoplayhispart，joinedoneofthegroupsthatstoodgapingroundastreetorator。Heshoutedwiththebestofthem，wavedhiscapintheair，andapplaudedorhissedinunisonwiththemajority。ButhiseyesneverwanderedforlongawayfromthegatewhencePercymustcomenowatanymoment——nowornotatall。
Atwhatprecisemomenttheawfuldoubttookbirthinhismindtheyoungmancouldnotafterwardshavesaid。Perhapsitwaswhenheheardtherollofdrumsproclaimingtheclosingofthegates，andwitnessedthechangingoftheguard。
Percyhadnotcome。Hecouldnotcomenow，andheArmandwouldhavethenighttofacewithoutnewsofJeanne。Something，ofcourse，haddetainedPercy；perhapshehadbeenunabletogetdefiniteinformationaboutJeanne；perhapstheinformationwhichhehadobtainedwastooterribletocommunicate。
IfonlySirAndrewFfoulkeshadbeenthere，andArmandhadhadsomeonetotalkto，perhapsthenhewouldhavefoundsufficientstrengthofmindtowaitwithoutwardpatience，eventhoughhisnerveswereontherack。
Darknessclosedinaroundhim，andwiththedarknesscamethefullreturnofthephantomsthathadassailedhiminthehouseoftheSquareduRoulewhenfirsthehadheardofJeanne\'sarrest。TheopenplacefacingthegatehadtransformeditselfintothePlacedelaRevolution，thetallroughpostthatheldaflickeringoillamphadbecomethegauntarmoftheguillotine，thefeeblelightofthelampwastheknifethatgleamedwiththereflectionofacrimsonlight。
AndArmandsawhimself，asinavision，oneofavastandnoisythrong——theywereallpressingroundhimsothathecouldnotmove；theywerebrandishingcapsandtricolourflags，alsopitchforksandscythes。HehadseensuchacrowdfouryearsagorushingtowardstheBastille。Nowtheywereallassembledherearoundhimandaroundtheguillotine。
Suddenlyadistantrattlecaughthissubconsciousear：therattleofwheelsonroughcobble-stones。Immediatelythecrowdbegantocheerandtoshout；somesangthe“Caira！”andothersscreamed：
“Lesaristos！alalanterne！amort！amort！lesaristos！”
Hesawitallquiteplainly，forthedarknesshadvanished，andthevisionwasmorevividthanevenrealitycouldhavebeen。Therattleofwheelsgrewlouder，andpresentlythecartdebouchedontheopenplace。
Menandwomensathuddledupinthecart；butinthemidstofthemawomanstood，andhereyeswerefixeduponArmand。Sheworeherpale-greysatingown，andawhitekerchiefwasfoldedacrossherbosom。Herbrownhairfellinloosesoftcurlsallroundherhead。ShelookedexactlyliketheexquisitecameowhichMargueriteusedtowear。Herhandsweretiedwithcordsbehindherback，butbetweenherfingerssheheldasmallbunchofviolets。
Armandsawitall。Itwas，ofcourse，avision，andheknewthatitwasone，buthebelievedthatthevisionwasprophetic。Nothoughtofthechiefwhomhehadsworntotrustandtoobeycametochaseawaytheseimaginingsofhisfeveredfancy。HesawJeanne，andonlyJeanne，standingonthetumbrilandbeingledtotheguillotine。SirAndrewwasnotthere，andPercyhadnotcome。