WhenshehadsatisfiedherselfthatMargueritehadnothingfurtherconcealedaboutherperson，sheallowedhertoputherdressononcemore。Sheevenofferedtohelpheronwithit。WhenMargueritewasfullydressedsheopenedthedoorforher。
Chauvelinwasstandinginthepassagewaitingpatiently。AtsightofMarguerite，whosepale，setfacebetrayednothingoftheindignationwhichshefelt，heturnedquick，inquiringeyesonthewoman。
“Twofiles，adaggerandapursewithtwentylouis，“saidthelattercurtly。
Chauvelinmadenocomment。Hereceivedtheinformationquiteplacidly，asifithadnospecialinterestforhim。Thenhesaidquietly：
“Thisway，citizeness！”
Margueritefollowedhim，andtwominuteslaterhestoodbesideaheavynail-studdeddoorthathadasmallsquaregratingletintooneofthepanels，andsaidsimply：
“Thisisit。“
TwosoldiersoftheNationalGuardwereonsentryatthedoor，twomorewerepacingupanddownoutsideit，aridhadhaltedwhencitizenChauvelingavehisnameandshowedhistricolourscarfofoffice。Frombehindthesmallgratinginthedoorapairofeyespeeredatthenewcomers。
“Quivala？”camethequickchallengefromtheguard-roomwithin。
“CitizenChauvelinoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，“wasthepromptreply。
Therewasthesoundofgroundingofarms，ofthedrawingofboltsandtheturningofakeyinacomplicatedlock。Theprisonwaskeptlockedfromwithin，andveryheavybarshadtobemovederetheponderousdoorslowlyswungopenonitshinges。
Twostepsledupintotheguard-room。Margueritemountedthemwiththesamefeelingofaweandalmostofreverenceasshewouldhavemountedthestepsofasacrificialaltar。
Theguard-roomitselfwasmorebrilliantlylightedthanthecorridoroutside。Thesuddenglareoftwoorthreelampsplacedabouttheroomcausedhermomentarilytoclosehereyesthatwereachingwithmanyshedandunshedtears。Theairwasrankandheavywiththefumesoftobacco，ofwineandstalefood。Alargebarredwindowgaveonthecorridorimmediatelyabovethedoor。
WhenMargueritefeltstrongenoughtolookaroundher，shesawthattheroomwasfilledwithsoldiers。Someweresitting，othersstanding，otherslayonrugsagainstthewall，apparentlyasleep。
Therewasonewhoappearedtobeincommand，forwithawordhecheckedthenoisethatwasgoingonintheroomwhensheentered，andthenhesaidcurtly：
“Thisway，citizeness！”
Heturnedtoanopeninginthewallontheleft，thestone-lintelofadoor，fromwhichthedooritselfhadbeenremoved；anironbarranacrosstheopening，andthisthesergeantnowlifted，noddingtoMargueritetogowithin。
InstinctivelyshelookedroundforChauvelin。
Buthewasnowheretobeseen。
CHAPTERXXVIII
THECAGEDLION
WastheresomeinstinctofhumanityleftinthesoldierwhoallowedMargueritethroughthebarrierintotheprisoner\'scell？
Hadthewanfaceofthisbeautifulwomanstirredwithinhisheartthelastchordofgentlenessthatwasnotwhollyatrophiedbytheconstantcruelties，theexcesses，themercilessnesswhichhisserviceunderthisfraternisingrepublicconstantlydemandedofhim？
Perhapssomerecollectionofformeryears，whenfirstheservedhisKingandcountry，recollectionofwifeorsisterormotherpleadedwithinhiminfavourofthissorely-strickenwomanwiththelookofunspeakablesorrowinherlargeblueeyes。
CertainitisthatassoonasMargueritepassedthebarrierheputhimselfonguardagainstitwithhisbacktotheinteriorofthecellandtoher。
Margueritehadpausedonthethreshold。
Aftertheglaringlightoftheguard-roomthecellseemeddark，andatfirstshecouldhardlysee。Thewholelengthofthelong，narrowcubiclelaytoherleft，withaslightrecessatitsfurtherend，sothatfromthethresholdofthedoorwayshecouldnotseeintothedistantcorner。SwiftasalightningflashtheremembrancecamebacktoherofproudMarieAntoinettenarrowingherlifetothatdarkcornerwheretheinsolenteyesoftherabblesoldierycouldnotspyhereverymovement。
Margueritesteppedfurtherintotheroom。Graduallybythedimlightofanoillampplaceduponatableintherecessshebegantodistinguishvariousobjects：oneortwochairs，anothertable，andasmallbutverycomfortable-lookingcampbedstead。
Justforafewsecondssheonlysawtheseinanimatethings，thenshebecameconsciousofPercy\'spresence。
Hesatonachair，withhisleftarmhalf-stretchedoutuponthetable，hisbeadhiddeninthebendoftheelbow。
Margueritedidnotutteracry；shedidnoteventremble。Justforonebriefinstantsheclosedhereyes，soastogatherupallhercouragebeforeshedaredtolookagain。Thenwithasteadyandnoiselessstepshecamequiteclosetohim。Shekneltontheflagstonesathisfeetandraisedreverentlytoherlipsthehandthathungnervelessandlimpbyhisside。
Hegaveastart；ashiverseemedtogorightthroughhim；hehalfraisedhisheadandmurmuredinahoarsewhisper：
“ItellyouthatIdonotknow，andifIdid——“
Sheputherarmsroundhimandpillowedherheaduponhisbreast。
Heturnedhisheadslowlytowardher，andnowhiseyes——hollowedandrimmedwithpurple——lookedstraightintohers。
“Mybeloved，“hesaid，“Iknewthatyouwouldcome。“Hisarmsclosedroundher。Therewasnothingoflifelessnessorofwearinessinthepassionofthatembrace；andwhenshelookedupagainitseemedtoherasifthatfirstvisionwhichshehadhadofhimwithwearyheadbent，andwan，haggardfacewasnotreality，onlyadreambornofherownanxietyforhim，fornowthehot，ardentbloodcoursedjustasswiftlyaseverthroughhisveins，asiflife——strong，tenacious，pulsatinglife——throbbedwithunabatedvigourinthosemassivelimbs，andbehindthatsquare，clearbrowasthoughthebody，buthalfsubdued，hadtransferreditsvanishingstrengthtothekindandnobleheartthatwasbeatingwiththefervourofself-sacrifice。
“Percy，“shesaidgently，“theywillonlygiveusafewmomentstogether。Theythoughtthatmytearswouldbreakyourspiritwheretheirdevilryhadfailed。“
Heheldherglancewithhisown，withthatclose，intentlookwhichbindssoultosoul，andinhisdeepblueeyestheredancedtherestlessflamesofhisownundyingmirth：
“La！littlewoman，“hesaidwithenforcedlightness，evenwhilsthisvoicequiveredwiththeintensityofpassionengenderedbyherpresence，hernearness，theperfumeofherhair，“howlittletheyknowyou，eh？Yourbrave，beautiful，exquisitesoul，shiningnowthroughyourgloriouseyes，woulddefythemachinationsofSatanhimselfandhishorde。Closeyourdeareyes，mylove。IshallgomadwithjoyifIdrinktheirbeautyinanylonger。“
Heheldherfacebetweenhistwohands，andindeeditseemedasifhecouldnotsatiatehissoulwithlookingintohereyes。Inthemidstofsomuchsorrow，suchmiseryandsuchdeadlyfear，neverhadMargueritefeltquitesohappy，neverhadshefelthimsocompletelyherown。Theinevitablebodilyweakness，whichofnecessityhadinvadedevenhissplendidphysiqueafterawholeweek\'sprivations，hadmadeaseverebreachintheinvinciblebarrierofself-controlwithwhichthesouloftheinnermanwaskeptperpetuallyhiddenbehindamaskofindifferenceandofirresponsibility。
Andyettheagonyofseeingthelinesofsorrowsoplainlywritonthebeautifulfaceofthewomanheworshippedmusthavebeenthekeenestthattheboldadventurerhadeverexperiencedinthewholecourseofhisrecklesslife。Itwashe——andhealone——whowasmakinghersuffer；herforwhosesakehewouldgladlyhaveshedeverydropofhisblood，enduredeverytorment，everymiseryandeveryhumiliation；herwhomheworshippedonlyonedegreelessthanheworshippedhishonourandthecausewhichhehadmadehisown。
Yet，inspiteofthatagony，inspiteoftheheartrendingpathosofherpalewanface，andthroughtheanguishofseeinghertears，therulingpassion——strongindeath——thespiritofadventure，themad，wild，devil-may-careirresponsibilitywasneverwhollyabsent。
“Dearheart，“hesaidwithaquaintsigh，whilstheburiedhisfaceinthesoftmassesofherhair，“untilyoucameIwassod——dfatigued。“
Hewaslaughing，andtheoldlookofboyishloveofmischiefilluminedhishaggardface。
“Isitnotlucky，dearheart，“hesaidamomentortwolater，“thatthosebrutesdonotleavemeunshaved？Icouldnothavefacedyouwithaweek\'sgrowthofbeardroundmychin。BydintofpromisesandbriberyIhavepersuadedoneofthatrabbletocomeandshavemeeverymorning。Theywillnotallowmetohandlearazormy-self。TheyareafraidIshouldcutmythroat——oroneoftheirs。ButmostlyIamtood——dsleepytothinkofsuchathing。“
“Percy！”sheexclaimedwithtenderandpassionatereproach。
“Iknow——Iknow，dear，“hemurmured，“whatabruteIam！Ah，GoddidacruelthingthedaythatHethrewmeinyourpath。Tothinkthatonce——notsoverylongago——weweredriftingapart，youandI。Youwouldhavesufferedless，dearheart，ifwehadcontinuedtodrift。“
Thenashesawthathisbanteringtonepainedher，hecoveredherhandswithkisses，entreatingherforgiveness。
“Dearheart，“hesaidmerrily，“Ideservethatyoushouldleavemetorotinthisabominablecage。Theyhaven\'tgotmeyet，littlewoman，youknow；Iamnotyetdead——onlyd——dsleepyattimes。
ButI\'llcheatthemevennow，neverfear。“
“How，Percy——how？”shemoaned，forherheartwasachingwithintolerablepain；sheknewbetterthanhedidtheprecautionswhichwerebeingtakenagainsthisescape，andshesawmoreclearlythanherealisedithimselftheterriblebarriersetupagainstthatescapebyeverencroachingphysicalweakness。
“Well，dear，“hesaidsimply，“totellyouthetruthIhavenotyetthoughtofthatall-important\'how。\'Ihadtowait，yousee，untilyoucame。Iwassosurethatyouwouldcome！IhavesucceededinputtingonpaperallmyinstructionsforFfoulkesandtheothers。Iwillgivethemtoyouanon。Iknewthatyouwouldcome，andthatIcouldgivethemtoyou；untilthenIhadbuttothinkofonething，andthatwasofkeepingbodyandsoultogether。
Mychanceofseeingyouwastoletthemhavetheirwillwithme。
Thosebrutesweresure，soonerorlater，tobringyoutome，thatyoumightseethecagedfoxworndowntoimbecility，eh？Thatyoumightaddyourtearstotheirpersuasion，andsucceedwheretheyhavefailed。“
Helaughedlightlywithanunstrainednoteofgaiety，onlyMarguerite\'ssensitiveearscaughtthefainttoneofbitternesswhichrangthroughthelaugh。
“OnceIknowthatthelittleKingofFranceissafe，“hesaid，“I
canthinkofhowbesttorobthosed——dmurderersofmyskin。“
Thensuddenlyhismannerchanged。Hestillheldherwithonearmcloselyto，him，buttheothernowlayacrossthetable，andtheslender，emaciatedhandwastightlyclutched。Hedidnotlookather，butstraightahead；theeyes，unnaturallylargenow，withtheirdeeppurplerims，lookedfaraheadbeyondthestonewallsofthisgrim，cruelprison。
Thepassionatelover，hungeringforhisbeloved，hadvanished；
theresatthemanwithapurpose，themanwhosefirmhandhadsnatchedmenandwomenandchildrenfromdeath，therecklessenthusiastwhotossedhislifeagainstanideal。
Forawhilehesatthus，whileinhisdrawnandhaggardfaceshecouldtraceeverylineformedbyhisthoughts——thefrownofanxiety，theresolutesettingofthelips，theobstinatelookofwillaroundthefirmjaw。Thenheturnedagaintoher。
“Mybeautifulone，“hesaidsoftly，“themomentsareveryprecious。GodknowsIcouldspendeternitythuswithyourdearformnestlingagainstmyheart。Butthosed——dmurdererswillonlygiveushalfanhour，andIwantyourhelp，mybeloved，nowthatIamahelplesscurcaughtintheirtrap。Willyoulistenattentively，dearheart，towhatIamgoingtosay？
“Yes，Percy，Iwilllisten，“shereplied。
“AndhaveyouthecouragetodojustwhatItellyou，dear？”
“Iwouldnothavecouragetodoaughtelse，“shesaidsimply。
“Itmeansgoingfromhenceto-day，dearheart，andperhapsnotmeetingagain。Hush-sh-sh，mybeloved，“hesaid，tenderlyplacinghisthinhandoverhermouth，fromwhichasharpcryofpainhadwell-nighescaped；“yourexquisitesoulwillbewithmealways。
Try——trynottogivewaytodespair。Why！yourlovealone，whichI
seeshiningfromyourdeareyes，isenoughtomakeamanclingtolifewithallhismight。Tellme！willyoudoasIaskyou？”
Andsherepliedfirmlyandcourageously：
“Iwilldojustwhatyouask，Percy。“
“Godblessyouforyourcourage，dear。Youwillhaveneedofit。“
CHAPTERXXIX
FORTHESAKEOFTHATHELPLESSINNOCENT
Thenextinstanthewaskneelingonthefloorandhishandswerewanderingoverthesmall，irregularflagstonesimmediatelyunderneaththetable。Margueritehadrisentoherfeet；shewatchedherhusbandwithintentandpuzzledeyes；shesawhimsuddenlypasshisslenderfingersalongacrevicebetweentwoflagstones，thenraiseoneoftheseslightlyandfrombeneathitextractasmallbundleofpapers，eachcarefullyfoldedandsealed。Thenhereplacedthestoneandoncemorerosetohisknees。
Hegaveaquickglancetowardthedoorway。Thatcornerofhiscell，therecesswhereinstoodthetable，wasinvisibletoanyonewhohadnotactuallycrossedthethreshold。Reassuredthathismovementscouldnothavebeenandwerenotwatched，hedrewMargueriteclosertohim。
“Dearheart，“hewhispered，“Iwanttoplacethesepapersinyourcare。Lookuponthemasmylastwillandtestament。Isucceededinfoolingthosebrutesonedaybypretendingtobewillingtoaccedetotheirwill。Theygavemepenandinkandpaperandwax，andIwastowriteoutanordertomyfollowerstobringtheDauphinhither。Theyleftmeinpeaceforonequarterofanhour，whichgavemetimetowritethreeletters——oneforArmandandtheothertwoforFfoulkes，andtohidethemundertheflooringofmycell。Yousee，dear，IknewthatyouwouldcomeandthatIcouldgivethemtoyouthen。“
Hepaused，andthat，ghostofasmileoncemorehoveredroundhislips。HewasthinkingofthatdaywhenhehadfooledHeronandChauvelinintothebeliefthattheirdevilryhadsucceeded，andthattheyhadbroughttherecklessadventurertohisknees。Hesmiledattherecollectionoftheirwrathwhentheyknewthattheyhadbeentricked，andafteraquarterofanhoursanxiouswaitingfoundafewsheetsofpaperscribbledoverwithincoherentwordsorsatiricalverse，andtheprisonerhavingapparentlysnatchedtenminutes\'sleep，whichseeminglyhadrestoredtohimquiteamodicumofhisstrength。
ButofthishetoldMargueritenothing，noroftheinsultsandthehumiliationwhichhehadhadtobearinconsequenceofthattrick。
Hedidnottellherthatdirectlyafterwardstheorderwentforththattheprisonerwastobekeptonbreadandwaterinthefuture，northatChauvelinhadstoodbylaughingandjeeringwhile……
No！hedidnottellherallthat；therecollectionofitallhadstillthepowertomakehimlaugh；wasitnotallapartandparcelofthatgreatgambleforhumanliveswhereinhehadheldthewinningcardshimselfforsolong？
“Itisyourturnnow，“hehadsaideventhentohisbitterenemy。
“Yes！”Chauvelinhadreplied，“ourturnatlast。AndyouwillnotbendmyfineEnglishgentleman，we\'llbreakyouyet，neverfear。“
Itwasthethoughtofitall，ofthathandtohand，willtowill，spirittospiritstrugglethatlighteduphishaggardfaceevennow，gavehimafreshzestforlife，adesiretocombatandtoconquerinspiteofall，inspiteoftheoddsthathadmartyredhisbodybutleftthemind，thewill，thepowerstillunconquered。
Hewaspressingoneofthepapersintoherhand，holdingherfingerstightlyinhis，andcompellinghergazewiththeardentexcitementofhisown。
“ThisfirstletterisforFfoulkes，“hesaid。“ItrelatestothefinalmeasuresforthesafetyoftheDauphin。TheyaremyinstructionstothosemembersoftheLeaguewhoareinornearParisatthepresentmoment。Ffoulkes，Iknow，mustbewithyou——hewasnotlikely，Godblesshisloyalty，toletyoucometoParisalone。Thengivethislettertohim，dearheart，atonce，to-night，andtellhimthatitismyexpresscommandthatheandtheothersshallactinminuteaccordancewithmyinstructions。“
“ButtheDauphinsurelyissafenow，“sheurged。“Ffoulkesandtheothersarehereinordertohelpyou。“
“Tohelpme，dearheart？”heinterposedearnestly。“Godalonecandothatnow，andsuchofmypoorwitsasthesedevilsdonotsucceedincrushingoutofmewithinthenexttendays。“
Tendays！
“Ihavewaitedaweek，untilthishourwhenIcouldplacethispacketinyourhands；anothertendaysshouldseetheDauphinoutofFrance——afterthat，weshallsee。“
“Percy，“sheexclaimedinanagonyofhorror，“youcannotendurethisanotherday——andlive！”
“Nay！”hesaidinatonethatwasalmostinsolentinitsprouddefiance，“thereisbutlittlethatamancannotdoanhesetshismindtoit。Fortherest，\'tisinGod\'shands！”headdedmoregently。“Dearheart！yousworethatyouwouldbebrave。TheDauphinisstillinFrance，anduntilheisoutofithewillnotreallybesafe；hisfriendswantedtokeephiminsidethecountry。
Godonlyknowswhattheystillhope；hadIbeenfreeIshouldnothaveallowedhimtoremainsolong；nowthosegoodpeopleatManteswillyieldtomyletterandtoFfoulkes\'earnestappeal——
theywillallowoneofourLeaguetoconveythechildsafelyoutofFrance，andI\'llwaithereuntilIknowthatheissafe。IfI
triedtogetawaynow，andsucceeded——why，Heavenhelpus！thehueandcrymightturnagainstthechild，andhemightbecapturedbeforeIcouldgettohim。Dearheart！dear，dearheart！trytounderstand。Thesafetyofthatchildisboundwithminehonour，butIsweartoyou，mysweetlove，thatthedayonwhichIfeelthatthatsafetyisassuredIwillsavemineownskin——whatthereisleftofit——ifIcan！”
“Percy！”shecriedwithasuddenoutburstofpassionaterevolt，“youspeakasifthesafetyofthatchildwereofmoremomentthanyourown。Tendays！——but，GodinHeaven！haveyouthoughthowI
shalllivethesetendays，whilstslowly，inchbyinch，yougiveyourdear，yourpreciouslifeforaforlorncause？
“Iamverytough，m\'dear，“hesaidlightly；“\'tisnotaquestionoflife。Ishallonlybespendingafewmoreveryuncomfortabledaysinthisd——dhole；butwhatofthat？”
Hereyesspokethereply；hereyesveiledwithtears，thatwanderedwithheart-breakinganxietyfromthehollowcirclesroundhisowntothelinesofwearinessaboutthefirmlipsandjaw。Helaughedathersolicitude。
“Icanlastoutlongerthanthesebruteshaveanyideaof，“hesaidgaily。
“Youcheatyourself，Percy，“sherejoinedwithquietearnestness。
“Everydaythatyouspendimmuredbetweenthesewalls，withthatceaselessnerve-rackingtormentofsleeplessnesswhichthesedevilshavedevisedforthebreakingofyourwill——everydaythusspentdiminishesyourpowerofultimatelysavingyourself。Yousee，Ispeakcalmly——dispassionately——Idonotevenurgemyclaimsuponyourlife。Butwhatyoumustweighinthebalanceistheclaimofallthoseforwhominthepastyouhavealreadystakedyourlife，whoselivesyouhavepurchasedbyriskingyourown。
What，incomparisonwithyournoblelife，isthatofthepunydescendantofalineofdecadentkings？Whyshoulditbesacrificed——ruthlessly，hopelesslysacrificedthataboymightlivewhoisasnothingtotheworld，tohiscountry——eventohisownpeople？”
Shehadtriedtospeakcalmly，neverraisinghervoicebeyondawhisper。Herhandsstillclutchedthatpaper，whichseemedtosearherfingers，thepaperwhichshefeltheldwrituponitssmoothsurfacethedeath-sentenceofthemansheloved。
Buthislookdidnotanswerherfirmappeal；itwasfixedfarawaybeyondtheprisonwalls，onalonelycountryroadoutsideParis，withtherainfallinginathindrizzle，andleadencloudsoverheadchasingoneanother，drivenbythegale。
“Poormite，“hemurmuredsoftly；“hewalkedsobravelybymyside，untilthelittlefeetgrewweary；thenhenestledinmyarmsandsleptuntilwemetFfoulkeswaitingwiththecart。HewasnoKingofFrancejustthen，onlyahelplessinnocentwhomHeavenaidedmetosave。“
Margueritebowedherheadinsilence。Therewasnothingmorethatshecouldsay，nopleathatshecouldurge。Indeed，shehadunderstood，ashehadbeggedhertounderstand。Sheunderstoodthatlongagohehadmappedoutthecourseofhislife，andnowthatthatcoursehappenedtoleadupaCalvaryofhumiliationandofsufferinghewasnotlikelytoturnback，eventhough，onthesummit，deathalreadywaswaitingandbeckoningwithnouncertainhand；notuntilhecouldmurmur，inthewakeofthegreatanddivinesacrificeitself，thesublimewords：
“Itisaccomplished。“
“ButtheDauphinissafeenoughnow，“wasallthatshesaid，afterthatonemoment\'ssilencewhenherheart，too，hadoffereduptoGodthesupremeabnegationofself，andcalmlyfacedasorrowwhichthreatenedtobreakitatlast。
“Yes！”herejoinedquietly，“safeenoughforthemoment。ButhewouldbesaferstillifhewereoutofFrance。IhadhopedtotakehimonedaywithmetoEngland。ButinthisplandamnableFatehasinterfered。HisadherentswantedtogethimtoVienna，andtheirwishhadbestbefulfillednow。InmyinstructionstoFfoulkesIhavemappedoutasimplewayforaccomplishingthejourney。Tonywillbetheonebestsuitedtoleadtheexpedition，andIwanthimtomakestraightforHolland；theNorthernfrontiersarenotsocloselywatchedasaretheAustrianones。
ThereisafaithfuladherentoftheBourboncausewholivesatDelft，andwhowillgivetheshelterofhisnameandhometothefugitiveKingofFranceuntilhecanbeconveyedtoVienna。HeisnamedNauudorff。OnceIfeelthatthechildissafeinhishandsIwilllookaftermyself，neverfear。“
Hepaused，forhisstrength，whichwasonlyfactitious，bornoftheexcitementthatMarguerite\'spresencehadcalledforth，wasthreateningtogiveway。Hisvoice，thoughhehadspokeninawhisperallalong，wasveryhoarse，andhistempleswerethrobbingwiththesustainedefforttospeak。
“Ifthosefriendshadonlythoughtofdenyingmefoodinsteadofsleep，“hemurmuredinvoluntarily，“Icouldhaveheldoutuntil——“
Thenwithcharacteristicswiftnesshismoodchangedinamoment。
HisarmsclosedroundMargueriteoncemorewithapassionofself-reproach。
“Heavenforgivemeforaselfishbrute，“hesaid，whilsttheghostofasmileoncemorelitupthewholeofhisface。“Dearsoul，I
musthaveforgottenyoursweetpresence，thusbroodingovermyowntroubles，whilstyourlovinghearthasagraverburden——Godhelpme！——thanitcanpossiblybear。Listen，mybeloved，forIdon\'tknowhowmanyminuteslongertheyintendtogiveus，andIhavenotyetspokentoyouaboutArmand——“
“Armand！”shecried。
Atwingeofremorsehadgrippedher。Forfullytenminutesnowshehadrelegatedallthoughtsofherbrothertoadistantcellofhermemory。
“WehavenonewsofArmand，“shesaid。“SirAndrewhassearchedalltheprisonregisters。Oh！werenotmyheartatrophiedbyallthatithasenduredthispastsennightitwouldfeelafinalthrobofagonisingpainateverythoughtofArmand。“
Acuriouslook，whichevenherlovingeyesfailedtointerpret，passedlikeashadowoverherhusband\'sface。Buttheshadowliftedinamoment，anditwaswithareassuringsmilethathesaidtoher：
“Dearheart！Armandiscomparativelysafeforthemoment。TellFfoulkesnottosearchtheprisonregistersforhim，rathertoseekoutMademoiselleLange。ShewillknowwheretofindArmand。“
“JeanneLange！”sheexclaimedwithaworldofbitternessinthetoneofhervoice，“thegirlwhomArmandloved，itseems，withapassiongreaterthanhisloyalty。Oh！SirAndrewtriedtodisguisemybrother\'sfolly，butIguessedwhathedidnotchoosetotellme。Itwashisdisobedience，hiswantoftrust，thatbroughtthisunspeakablemiseryonusall。“
“Donotblamehimovermuch，dearheart。Armandwasinlove，andloveexcuseseverysincommittedinitsname。JeanneLangewasarrestedandArmandlosthisreasontemporarily。TheverydayonwhichIrescuedtheDauphinfromtheTempleIhadthegoodfortunetodragthelittleladyoutofprison。IhadgivenmypromisetoArmandthatsheshouldhesafe，andIkeptmyword。ButthisArmanddidnotknow——orelse——“
Hecheckedhimselfabruptly，andoncemorethatstrange，enigmaticallookcreptintohiseyes。
“ItookJeanneLangetoaplaceofcomparativesafety，“hesaidafteraslightpause，“butsincethenshehasbeensetentirelyfree。“
“Free？”
“Yes。Chauvelinhimselfbroughtmethenews，“herepliedwithaquick，mirthlesslaugh，whollyunlikehisusuallight-heartedgaiety。“HehadtoaskmewheretofindJeanne，forIaloneknewwhereshewas。AsforArmand，they\'llnotworryabouthimwhilstI
amhere。AnotherreasonwhyImustbideawhilelonger。Butinthemeanwhile，dear，IprayyoufindMademoiselleLange；shelivesatNo。5SquareduRoule。ThroughherIknowthatyoucangettoseeArmand。Thissecondletter，“headded，pressingasmallerpacketintoherhand，“isforhim。Giveittohim，dearheart；itwill，Ihope，tendtocheerhim。Ifearmethepoorladfrets；
yetheonlysinnedbecauseheloved，andtomehewillalwaysbeyourbrother——themanwhoheldyouraffectionforalltheyearsbeforeIcameintoyourlife。Givehimthisletter，dear；theyaremyinstructionstohim，astheothersareforFfoulkes；buttellhimtoreadthemwhenheisallalone。Youwilldothat，dearheart，willyounot？”
“Yes，Percy，“shesaidsimply。“Ipromise。“
Greatjoy，andtheexpressionofintenserelief，lituphisface，whilsthiseyesspokethegratitudewhichhefelt。
“Thenthereisonethingmore，“hesaid。“Thereareothersinthiscruelcity，dearheart，whohavetrustedme，andwhomImustnotfail——MariedeMarmontelandherbrother，faithfulservantsofthelatequeen；theywereontheeveofarrestwhenIsucceededingettingthemtoaplaceofcomparativesafety；andthereareothersthere，tooallofthesepoorvictimshavetrustedmeimplicitly。Theyarewaitingformethere，trustinginmypromisetoconveythemsafelytoEngland。Sweetheart，youmustredeemmypromisetothem。Youwill？——youwill？Promisemethatyouwill——“
“Ipromise，Percy，“shesaidoncemore。
“Thengo，dear，to-morrow，inthelateafternoon，toNo。98，RuedeCharonne。Itisanarrowhouseattheextremeendofthatlongstreetwhichabutsonthefortifications。Thelowerpartofthehouseisoccupiedbyadealerinragsandoldclothes。Heandhiswifeandfamilyarewretchedlypoor，buttheyarekind，goodsouls，andforaconsiderationandaminimumofrisktothemselvestheywillalwaysrenderservicetotheEnglishmilors，whomtheybelievetobeabandofinveteratesmugglers。Ffoulkesandalltheothersknowthesepeopleandknowthehouse；Armandbythesametokenknowsittoo。MariedeMarmontelandherbrotherarethere，andseveralothers；theoldComtedeLezardiere，theAbbedeFirmont；theirnamesspellsuffering，loyalty，andhopelessness。
Iwasluckyenoughtoconveythemsafelytothathiddenshelter。
Theytrustmeimplicitly，dearheart。Theyarewaitingformethere，trustinginmypromisetothem。Dearheart，youwillgo，willyounot？”
“Yes，Percy，“shereplied。“Iwillgo；Ihavepromised。“
“Ffoulkeshassomecertificatesofsafetybyhim，andtheoldclothesdealerwillsupplythenecessarydisguises；hehasacoveredcartwhichheusesforhisbusiness，andwhichyoucanborrowfromhim。FfoulkeswilldrivethelittlepartytoAchard\'sfarminSt。Germain，whereothermembersoftheLeagueshouldbeinwaitingforthefinaljourneytoEngland。Ffoulkeswillknowhowtoarrangeforeverything；hewasalwaysmymostablelieutenant。OnceeverythingisorganisedhecanappointHastingstoleadtheparty。Butyou，dearheart，mustdoasyouwish。
Achard\'sfarmwouldbeasaferetreatforyouandforFfoulkes：
if……Iknow——Iknow，dear，“headdedwithinfinitetenderness。
“SeeIdonotevensuggestthatyoushouldleaveme。Ffoulkeswillbewithyou，andIknowthatneitherhenoryouwouldgoevenifIcommanded。EitherAchard\'sfarm，oreventhehouseintheRuedeCharonne，wouldhequitesafeforyou，dear，underFfoulkes\'sprotection，untilthetimewhenImyselfcancarryyouback——you，mypreciousburden——toEnglandinmineownarms，oruntil……Hush-sh-sh，dearheart，“heentreated，smotheringwithapassionatekissthelowmoanofpainwhichhadescapedherlips；
“itisallinGod\'shandsnow；Iaminatightcorner——tighterthaneverIhavebeenbefore；butIamnotdeadyet，andthosebruteshavenotyetpaidthefullpriceformylife。Tellme，dearheart，thatyouhaveunderstood——thatyouwilldoallthatI
asked。Tellmeagain，mydear，dearlove；itistheveryessenceoflifetohearyoursweetlipsmurmurthispromisenow。“
Andforthethirdtimeshereiteratedfirmly：
“Ihaveunderstoodeverywordthatyousaidtome，Percy，andI
promiseonyourpreciouslifetodowhatyouask。“
Hesighedadeepsighofsatisfaction，andevenatthatmomenttherecamefromtheguard-roombeyondthesoundofaharshvoice，sayingperemptorily：
“Thathalf-hourisnearlyover，sergeant；\'tistimeyouinterfered。“
“Threeminutesmore，citizen，“wasthecurtreply。
“Threeminutes，youdevils，“murmuredBlakeneybetweensetteeth，whilstasuddenlightwhichevenMarguerite\'skeengazefailedtointerpretleaptintohiseyes。Thenhepressedthethirdletterintoherhand。
Oncemorehisclose，intentgazecompelledhers；theirfaceswerecloseonetotheother，soneartohimdidhedrawher，sotightlydidheholdhertohim。Thepaperwasinherhandandhisfingerswerepressedfirmlyonhers。
“Putthisinyourkerchief，mybeloved，“hewhispered。“LetitrestonyourexquisitebosomwhereIsolovetopillowmyhead。
Keepitthereuntilthelasthourwhenitseemstoyouthatnothingmorecancomebetweenmeandshame……Hush-sh-sh，dear，“headdedwithpassionatetenderness，checkingthehotprotestthatattheword“shame“hadsprungtoherlips，“Icannotexplainmorefullynow。Idonotknowwhatmayhappen。Iamonlyaman，andwhoknowswhatsubtledevilrythosebrutesmightnotdeviseforbringingtheuntamedadventurertohisknees。ForthenexttendaystheDauphinwillbeonthehighroadsofFrance，onhiswaytosafety。Everystageofhisjourneywillbeknowntome。Icanfrombetweenthesefourwallsfollowhimandhisescortstepbystep。Well，dear，Iambutaman，alreadybroughttoshamefulweaknessbymerephysicaldiscomfort——thewantofsleep——suchatrifleafterall；butincasemyreasontottered——
GodknowswhatImightdo——thengivethispackettoFfoulkes——itcontainsmyfinalinstructions——andhewillknowhowtoact。
Promiseme，dearheart，thatyouwillnotopenthepacketunless——
unlessmineowndishonourseemstoyouimminent——unlessIhaveyieldedtothesebrutesinthisprison，andsentFfoulkesoroneoftheothersorderstoexchangetheDauphin\'slifeformine；then，whenmineownhandwritinghathproclaimedmeacoward，thenandthenonly，givethispackettoFfoulkes。Promisemethat，andalsothatwhenyouandhehavemastereditscontentsyouwillactexactlyasIhavecommanded。Promisemethat，dear，inyourownsweetname，whichmayGodbless，andinthatofFfoulkes，ourloyalfriend。“
Throughthesobsthatwell-nighchokedhershemurmuredthepromisehedesired。
Hisvoicehadgrownhoarserandmorespentwiththeinevitablereactionafterthelongandsustainedeffort，butthevigourofthespiritwasuntouched，thefervour，theenthusiasm。
“Dearheart，“hemurmured，“donotlookonmewiththosedear，scaredeyesofyours。IfthereisaughtthatpuzzlesyouinwhatIsaid，tryandtrustmeawhilelonger。Remember，ImustsavetheDauphinatallcosts；minehonourisboundwithhissafety。Whathappenstomeafterthatmattersbutlittle，yetIwishtoliveforyourdearsake。“
Hedrewalongbreathwhichhadnaughtofwearinessinit。Thehaggardlookhadcompletelyvanishedfromhisface，theeyeswerelightedupfromwithin，theverysoulofrecklessdaringandimmortalgaietyilluminedhiswholepersonality。
“Donotlooksosad，littlewoman，“hesaidwithastrangeandsuddenrecrudescenceofpower；“thosed——dmurderershavenotgotmeyet——evennow。“
Thenhewentdownlikealog。
Theefforthadbeentooprolonged——weakenednaturereassertedherrightsandhelostconsciousness。Marguerite，helplessandalmostdistraughtwithgrief，hadyetthestrengthofmindnottocallforassistance。Shepillowedthelovedone\'sheaduponherbreast，shekissedthedear，tiredeyes，thepoorthrobbingtemples。Theunutterablepathosofseeingthisman，whowasalwaysthepersonificationofextremevitality，energy，andboundlessenduranceandpluck，lyingthushelpless，likeatiredchild，inherarms，wasperhapsthesaddestmomentofthisdayofsorrow。
Butinhertrustsheneverwaveredforoneinstant。Muchthathehadsaidhadpuzzledher；buttheword“shame“comingfromhisownlipsasacommentonhimselfnevercausedhertheslightestpangoffear。Shehadquicklyhiddenthetinypacketinherkerchief。
Shewouldactpointbypointexactlyashehadorderedhertodo，andsheknewthatFfoulkeswouldneverwavereither。
Herheartachedwell-nightobreakingpoint。Thatwhichshecouldnotunderstandhadincreasedheranguishtenfold。Ifshecouldonlyhavegivenwaytotearsshecouldhavebornethisfinalagonymoreeasily。Butthesolaceoftearswasnotforher；whenthoselovedeyesoncemoreopenedtoconsciousnesstheyshouldseehersglowingwithcourageanddetermination。
Therehadbeensilenceforafewminutesinthelittlecell。Thesoldieryoutside，inuredtotheirhideousduty，thoughtnodoubtthatthetimehadcomeforthemtointerfere。Theironbarwasraisedandthrownbackwithaloudcrash，thebutt-endsofmusketsweregroundedagainstthefloor，andtwosoldiersmadenoisyirruptionintothecell。
“Hola，citizen！Wakeup，“shoutedoneofthemen；“youhavenottoldusyetwhatyouhavedonewithCapet！”
Margueriteutteredacryofhorror。Instinctivelyherarmswereinterposedbetweentheunconsciousmanandtheseinhumancreatures，withabeautifulgestureofprotectingmotherhood。
“Hehasfainted，“shesaid，hervoicequiveringwithindignation。
“MyGod！areyoudevilsthatyouhavenotonesparkofmanhoodinyou？”
Themenshruggedtheirshoulders，andbothlaughedbrutally。Theyhadseenworsesightsthanthese，sincetheyservedaRepublicthatruledbybloodshedandbyterror。Theywereownbrothersincallousnessandcrueltytothosemenwhoonthisself-samespotafewmonthsagohadwatchedthedailyagonyofamartyredQueen，ortothosewhohadrushedintotheAbbayeprisononthatawfuldayinSeptember，andatawordfromtheirinfamousleadershadputeightydefencelessprisoners——men，women，andchildren——tothesword。
“TellhimtosaywhathehasdonewithCapet，“saidoneofthesoldiersnow，andthisroughcommandwasaccompaniedwithacoarsejestthatsentthebloodflaringupintoMarguerite\'spalecheeks。
Thebrutallaugh，thecoarsewordswhichaccompaniedit，theinsultflungatMarguerite，hadpenetratedtoBlakeney\'sslowlyreturningconsciousness。Withsuddenstrength，thatappearedalmostsupernatural，hejumpedtohisfeet，andbeforeanyoftheotherscouldinterferehehadwithclenchedfiststruckthesoldierafullblowonthemouth。
Themanstaggeredbackwithacurse，theothershoutedforhelp；
inamomentthenarrowplaceswarmedwithsoldiers；Margueritewasroughlytornawayfromtheprisoner\'sside，andthrustintothefarcornerofthecell，fromwheresheonlysawaconfusedmassofbluecoatsandwhitebelts，and——toweringforonebriefmomentabovewhatseemedtoherfeveredfancylikeaveritableseaofheads——thepalefaceofherhusband，withwidedilatedeyessearchingthegloomforhers。
“Remember！”heshouted，andhisvoiceforthatbriefmomentrangoutclearandsharpabovethedin。
Thenhedisappearedbehindthewallofglisteningbayonets，ofbluecoatsandupliftedarms；mercifullyforhersherememberednothingmoreveryclearly。Shefeltherselfbeingdraggedoutofthecell，theironbarbeingthrustdownbehindherwithaloudclang。Theninavague，dreamystateofsemi-unconsciousnessshesawtheheavyboltsbeingdrawnbackfromtheouterdoor，heardthegratingofthekeyinthemonumentallock，andthenextmomentabreathoffreshairbroughtthesensationofrenewedlifeintoher。
CHAPTERXXX
AFTERWARDS
“Iamsorry，LadyBlakeney，“saidaharsh，dryvoiceclosetoher；“theincidentattheendofyourvisitwasnoneofourmaking，remember。“
Sheturnedaway，sickenedwithhorroratthoughtofcontactwiththiswretch。Shehadheardtheheavyoakendoorswingtobehindheronitsponderoushinges，andthekeyonceagainturninthelock。Shefeltasifshehadsuddenlybeenthrustintoacoffin，andthatclodsofearthwerebeingthrownuponherbreast，oppressingherheartsothatshecouldnotbreathe。
Hadshelookedforthelasttimeonthemanwhomshelovedbeyondeverythingelseonearth，whomsheworshippedmoreardentlydaybyday？Wassheevennowcarryingwithinthefoldsofherkerchiefamessagefromadyingmantohiscomrades？
MechanicallyshefollowedChauvelindownthecorridorandalongthepassageswhichshehadtraversedabriefhalf-hourago。Fromsomedistantchurchtoweraclocktolledthehouroften。Ithadthenreallyonlybeenlittlemorethanthirtybriefminutessincefirstshehadenteredthisgrimbuilding，whichseemedlessstonythanthemonsterswhoheldauthoritywithinit；toheritseemedthatcenturieshadgoneoverherheadduringthattime。Shefeltlikeanoldwoman，unabletostraightenherbackortosteadyherlimbs；shecouldonlydimlyseesomefewpacesaheadthetrimfigureofChauvelinwalkingwithmeasuredsteps，hishandsheldbehindhisback，hisheadthrownupwithwhatlookedliketriumphantdefiance。
Atthedoorofthecubiclewhereshehadbeenforcedtosubmittotheindignityofbeingsearchedbyawardress，thelatterwasnowstanding，waitingwithcharacteristicstolidity。Inherhandsheheldthesteelfiles，thedaggerandthepursewhich，asMargueritepassed，sheheldouttoher。
“Yourproperty，citizeness，“shesaidplacidly。
Sheemptiedthepurseintoherownhand，andsolemnlycountedoutthetwentypiecesofgold。Shewasabouttoreplacethemallintothepurse，whenMargueritepressedoneofthembackintoherwrinkledhand。
“Nineteenwillbeenough，citizeness，“shesaid；“keeponeforyourself，notonlyforme，butforallthepoorwomenwhocomeherewiththeirheartfullofhope，andgohencewithitfullofdespair。“
Thewomanturnedcalm，lack-lustreeyesonher，andsilentlypocketedthegoldpiecewithagrudginglymutteredwordofthanks。
Chauvelinduringthisbriefinterlude，hadwalkedthoughtlesslyonahead。Marguerite，peeringdownthelengthofthenarrowcorridor，spiedhissable-cladfiguresomehundredmetresfurtheronasitcrossedthedimcircleoflightthrownbyoneofthelamps。
Shewasabouttofollow，whenitseemedtoherasifsomeonewasmovinginthedarknessclosebesideher。Thewardresswasevennowintheactofclosingthedoorofhercubicle，andtherewereacoupleofsoldierswhoweredisappearingfromviewroundoneendofthepassage，whilstChauvelin\'sretreatingformwaslostinthegloomattheother。
Therewasnolightclosetowheresheherselfwasstanding，andtheblacknessaroundherwasasimpenetrableasaveil；thesoundofahumancreaturemovingandbreathingclosetoherinthisintensedarknessactedweirdlyonheroverwroughtnerves。
“Quivala？”shecalled。
Therewasamoredistinctmovementamongtheshadowsthistime，asofaswifttreadontheflagstonesofthecorridor。Allelsewassilentround，andnowshecouldplainlyhearthosefootstepsrunningrapidlydownthepassageawayfromher。Shestrainedhereyestoseemoreclearly，andanoninoneofthedimcirclesoflightonaheadshespiedaman\'sfigure——slenderanddarklyclad——walkingquicklyyetfurtivelylikeonepursued。Ashecrossedthelightthemanturnedtolookback。ItwasherbrotherArmand。
Herfirstinstinctwastocalltohim；thesecondcheckedthatcalluponherlips。
PercyhadsaidthatArmandwasinnodanger；thenwhyshouldhebesneakingalongthedarkcorridorsofthisawfulhouseofJusticeifhewasfreeandsafe？
Certainly，evenatadistance，herbrother\'smovementssuggestedtoMargueritethathewasindangerofbeingseen。Hecoweredinthedarkness，triedtoavoidthecirclesoflightthrownbythelampsinthepassage。AtallcostsMargueritefeltthatshemustwarnhimthatthewayhewasgoingnowwouldleadhimstraightintoChauvelin\'sarms，andshelongedtolethimknowthatshewascloseby。
Feelingsurethathewouldrecognisehervoice，shemadepretencetoturnbacktothecubiclethroughthedoorofwhichthewardresshadalreadydisappeared，andcalledoutasloudlyasshedared：
“Good-night，citizeness！”
ButArmand——whosurelymusthaveheard——didnotpauseatthesound。Ratherwashewalkingonnowmorerapidlythanbefore。InlessthanaminutehewouldbereachingthespotwhereChauvelinstoodwaitingforMarguerite。Thatendofthecorridor，however，receivednolightfromanyofthelamps；strivehowshemight，MargueritecouldseenothingnoweitherofChauvelinorofArmand。
Blindly，instinctively，sheranforward，thinkingonlytoreachArmand，andtowarnhimtoturnbackbeforeitwastoolate；
beforehefoundhimselffacetofacewiththemostbitterenemyheandhisnearestanddearesthadeverhad。Butassheatlastcametoahaltattheendofthecorridor，pantingwiththeexertionofrunningandthefearforArmand，shealmostfellupagainstChauvelin，whowasstandingtherealoneandimperturbable，seeminglyhavingwaitedpatientlyforher。Shecouldonlydimlydistinguishhisface，thesharpfeaturesandthincruelmouth，butshefelt——morethansheactuallysaw——hiscoldsteelyeyesfixedwithastrangeexpressionofmockeryuponher。
ButofArmandtherewasnosign，andshe——poorsoul！——haddifficultyinnotbetrayingtheanxietywhichshefeltforherbrother。Hadtheflagstonesswallowedhimup？Adoorontherightwastheonlyonethatgaveonthecorridoratthispoint；itledtotheconcierge\'slodge，andthenceoutintothecourtyard。
HadChauvelinbeendreaming，sleepingwithhiseyesopen，whilsthestoodwaitingforher，andhadArmandsucceededinslippingpasthimundercoverofthedarknessandthroughthatdoortosafetythatlaybeyondtheseprisonwalls？
Marguerite，miserablyagitated，notknowingwhattothink，lookedsomewhatwild-eyedonChauvelin；hesmiled，thatinscrutable，mirthlesssmileofhis，andsaidblandly：
“IsthereaughtelsethatIcandoforyou，citizeness？Thisisyournearestwayout。NodoubtSirAndrewwillbewaitingtoescortyouhome。“
Thenasshe——notdaringeithertoreplyortoquestion——walkedstraightuptothedoor，hehurriedforward，preparedtoopenitforher。Butbeforehedidsoheturnedtoheronceagain：
“Itrustthatyourvisithaspleasedyou，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidsuavely。“Atwhathourdoyoudesiretorepeatitto-morrow？”
“To-morrow？”shereiteratedinavague，absentmanner，forshewasstilldazedwiththestrangeincidentofArmand\'sappearanceandhisflight。
“Yes。YouwouldliketoseeSirPercyagainto-morrow，wouldyounot？Imyselfwouldgladlypayhimavisitfromtimetotime，buthedoesnotcareformycompany。Mycolleague，citizenHeron，ontheotherhand，callsonhimfourtimesineverytwenty-fourhours；hedoessoafewmomentsbeforethechangingoftheguard，andstayschattingwithSirPercyuntilaftertheguardischanged，whenheinspectsthemenandsatisfieshimselfthatnotraitorhascreptinamongthem。Allthemenarepersonallyknowntohim，yousee。Thesehoursareatfiveinthemorningandagainateleven，andthenagainatfiveandelevenintheevening。MyfriendHeron，asyousee，iszealousandassiduous，and，strangelyenough，SirPercydoesnotseemtoviewhisvisitwithanydispleasure。Nowatanyotherhouroftheday，LadyBlakeney，I
prayyoucommandmeandIwillarrangethatcitizenHerongrantyouasecondinterviewwiththeprisoner。“
MargueritehadonlylistenedtoChauvelin\'slengthyspeechwithhalfanear；herthoughtsstilldweltonthepasthalf-hourwithitsbitterjoyanditsagonisingpain；andfightingthroughherthoughtsofPercytherewastherecollectionofArmandwhichsodisquietedher。ButthoughshehadonlyvaguelylistenedtowhatChauvelinwassaying，shecaughtthedriftofit。
Madlyshelongedtoaccepthissuggestion。TheverythoughtofseeingPercyonthemorrowwassolacetoherachingheart；itcouldfeedonhopeto-nightinsteadofonitsownbitterpain。
Butevenduringthisbriefmomentofhesitancy，andwhileherwholebeingcriedoutforthisjoythatherenemywasholdingouttoher，eventheninthegloomaheadofhersheseemedtoseeavisionofapalefaceraisedaboveacrowdofswayingheads，andoftheeyesofthedreamersearchingforherown，whilstthelastsublimecryofperfectself-devotiononcemoreechoedinherear：
“Remember！”
Thepromisewhichshehadgivenhim，thatwouldshefulfil。Theburdenwhichhehadlaidonhershouldersshewouldtrytobearasheroicallyashewasbearinghisown。Aye，evenatthecostofthesupremesorrowofneverrestingagaininthehavenofhisarms。
Butinspiteofsorrow，inspiteofanguishsoterriblethatshecouldnotimagineDeathitselftohaveamorecruelsting，shewishedabovealltosafeguardthatfinal，attenuatedthreadofhopewhichwaswoundroundthepacketthatlayhiddenonherbreast。
Shewanted，aboveall，nottoarouseChauvelin\'ssuspicionsbymarkedlyrefusingtovisittheprisoneragain——suspicionsthatmightleadtoherbeingsearchedoncemoreandthepreciouspacketfilchedfromher。Thereforeshesaidtohimearnestlynow：
“Ithankyou，citizen，foryoursolicitudeonmybehalf，butyouwillunderstand，Ithink，thatmyvisittotheprisonerhasbeenalmostmorethanIcouldbear。Icannottellyouatthismomentwhetherto-morrowIshouldbeinafitstatetorepeatit。“
“Asyouplease，“herepliedurbanely。“ButIprayyoutorememberonething，andthatis——“
Hepausedamomentwhilehisrestlesseyeswanderedrapidlyoverherface，trying，asitwere，togetatthesoulofthiswoman，atherinnermostthoughts，whichhefeltwerehiddenfromhim。
“Yes，citizen，“shesaidquietly；“whatisitthatIamtoremember？”
“Thatitrestswithyou，LadyBlakeney，toputanendtothepresentsituation。“
“How？”
“SurelyyoucanpersuadeSirPercy\'sfriendsnottoleavetheirchiefindurancevile。Theythemselvescouldputanendtohistroublesto-morrow。“
“BygivinguptheDauphintoyou，youmean？”sheretortedcoldly。
“Precisely。“
“Andyouhoped——youstillhopethatbyplacingbeforemethepictureofyourownfiendishcrueltyagainstmyhusbandyouwillinducemetoactthepartofatraitortowardshimandacowardbeforehisfollowers？”
“Oh！”hesaiddeprecatingly，“thecrueltynowisnolongermine。
SirPercy\'sreleaseisinyourhands，LadyBlakeney——inthatofhisfollowers。Ishouldonlybetoowillingtoendthepresentintolerablesituation。Youandyourfriendsareapplyingthelastturnofthethumbscrew，notI——“
Shesmotheredthecryofhorrorthathadrisentoherlips。Theman\'scold-bloodedsophistrywasthreateningtomakeabreachinherarmourofself-control。
Shewouldnolongertrustherselftospeak，butmadeaquickmovementtowardsthedoor。
Heshruggedhisshouldersasifthematterwerenowentirelyoutofhiscontrol。Thenheopenedthedoorforhertopassout，andasherskirtsbrushedagainsthimhebowedwithstudieddeference，murmuringacordial“Good-night！”
“Andremember，LadyBlakeney，“headdedpolitely，“thatshouldyouatanytimedesiretocommunicatewithmeatmyrooms，19，RueDupuy，Iholdmyselfentirelyatyourservice。
Thenashertall，gracefulfiguredisappearedintheoutsidegloomhepassedhisthinhandoverhismouthasiftowipeawaythelastlingeringsignsoftriumphantirony：
“Thesecondvisitwillworkwonders，Ithink，myfinelady，“hemurmuredunderhisbreath。
CHAPTERXXXI
ANINTERLUDE
Itwascloseonmidnightnow，andstilltheysatoppositeoneanother，hethefriendandshethewife，talkingoverthatbriefhalf-hourthathadmeantaneternitytoher，MargueritehadtriedtotellSirAndreweverything；bitterasitwastoputintoactualwordsthepathosandmiserywhichshehadwitnessed，yetshewouldhidenothingfromthedevotedcomradewhomsheknewPercywouldtrustabsolutely。TohimsherepeatedeverywordthatPercyhaduttered，describedeveryinflectionofhisvoice，thoseenigmaticalphraseswhichshehadnotunderstood，andtogethertheycheatedoneanotherintothebeliefthathopelingeredsomewherehiddeninthosewords。
“Iamnotgoingtodespair，LadyBlakeney，“saidSirAndrewfirmly；“and，moreover，wearenotgoingtodisobey。IwouldstakemylifethatevennowBlakeneyhassomeschemeinhismindwhichisembodiedinthevariousletterswhichhehasgivenyou，andwhich——Heavenhelpusinthatcase！——wemightthwartbydisobedience。TomorrowinthelateafternoonIwillescortyoutotheRuedeCharonne。Itisahousethatweallknowwell，andwhichArmand，ofcourse，knowstoo。IhadalreadyinquiredtheretwodaysagotoascertainwhetherbychanceSt。Justwasnotinhidingthere，butLucas，thelandlordandold-clothesdealer，knewnothingabouthim。“
MargueritetoldhimaboutherswiftvisionofArmandinthedarkcorridorofthehouseofJustice。
“Canyouunderstandit，SirAndrew？”sheasked，fixingherdeep，luminouseyesinquiringlyuponhim。
“No，Icannot，“hesaid，afteranalmostimperceptiblemomentofhesitancy；“butweshallseehimto-morrow。IhavenodoubtthatMademoiselleLangewillknowwheretofindhim；andnowthatweknowwheresheis，allouranxietyabouthim，atanyrate，shouldsoonbeatanend。“
Heroseandmadesomeallusiontothelatenessofthehour。
Somehowitseemedtoherthatherdevotedfriendwastryingtohidehisinnermostthoughtsfromher。Shewatchedhimwithananxious，intentgaze。
“Canyouunderstanditall，SirAndrew？”shereiteratedwithapatheticnoteofappeal。
“No，no！”hesaidfirmly。“Onmysoul，LadyBlakeney，IknownomoreofArmandthanyoudoyourself。ButIamsurethatPercyisright。Theboyfretsbecauseremorsemusthaveassailedhimbynow。Hadhebutobeyedimplicitlythatday，aswealldid——“
Buthecouldnotframethewholeterriblepropositioninwords。
BitterlyashehimselffeltonthesubjectofArmand，hewouldnotaddyetanotherburdentothisdevotedwoman\'sheavyloadofmisery。
“ItwasFate，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidafterawhile。“Fate！adamnablefatewhichdiditall。GreatGod！tothinkofBlakeneyinthehandsofthosebrutesseemssohorriblethatattimesI
feelasifthewholethingwereanightmare，andthatthenextmomentweshallbothwakehearinghismerryvoiceechoingthroughthisroom。“
Hetriedtocheerherwithwordsofhopethatheknewwerebutchimeras。Aheavyweightofdespondencylayonhisheart。Theletterfromhischiefwashiddenagainsthisbreast；hewouldstudyitanonintheprivacyofhisownapartmentsoastocommiteverywordtomemorythatrelatedtothemeasuresfortheultimatesafetyofthechild-King。Afterthatitwouldhavetobedestroyed，lestitfellintoinimicalhands。
SoonhebadeMargueritegood-night。Shewastiredout，bodyandsoul，andhe——herfaithfulfriend——vaguelywonderedhowlongshewouldbeabletowithstandthestrainofsomuchsorrow，suchunspeakablemisery。
WhenatlastshewasaloneMargueritemadebraveeffortstocomposehernervessoastoobtainacertainmodicumofsleepthisnight。But，strivehowshemight，sleepwouldnotcome。Howcouldit，whenbeforeherweariedbrainthereroseconstantlythatawfulvisionofPercyinthelong，narrowcell，withwearyheadbentoverhisarm，andthosefriendsshoutingpersistentlyinhisear：
“Wakeup，citizen！Tellus，whereisCapet？”
Thefearobsessedherthathismindmightgiveway；forthementalagonyofsuchintensewearinessmustbewell-nighimpossibletobear。Inthedark，asshesathourafterhourattheopenwindow，lookingoutinthedirectionwherethroughtheveilofsnowthegreywallsoftheChateletprisontoweredsilentandgrim，sheseemedtoseehispale，drawnfacewithalmostappallingreality；
shecouldseeeverylineofit，andcouldstudyitwiththeintensitybornofaterriblefear。
Howlongwouldtheghostlyglimmerofmerrimentstilllingerintheeyes？Whenwouldthehoarse，mirthlesslaughrisetothelips，thatawfullaughthatproclaimsmadness？Oh！shecouldhavescreamednowwiththeawfulnessofthishauntingterror。Ghoulsseemedtobemockingheroutofthedarkness，everyflakeofsnowthatfellsilentlyonthewindow-sillbecameagrinningfacethattauntedandderided；everycryinthesilenceofthenight，everyfootsteponthequaybelowturnedtohideousjeershurledatherbytormentingfiends。
Sheclosedthewindowquickly，forshefearedthatshewouldgomad。Foranhourafterthatshewalkedupanddowntheroommakingviolenteffortstocontrolhernerves，tofindaglimmerofthatcouragewhichshepromisedPercythatshewouldhave。
CHAPTERXXXII
SISTERS
Themorningfoundherfaggedout，butmorecalm。Lateronshemanagedtodrinksomecoffee，andhavingwashedanddressed，shepreparedtogoout。
SirAndrewappearedintimetoascertainherwishes。
“IpromisedPercytogototheRuedeCharonneinthelateafternoon，“shesaid。“Ihavesomehourstospare，andmeantoemploythemintryingtofindspeechwithMademoiselleLange。“
“Blakeneyhastoldyouwhereshelives？”
“Yes。IntheSquareduRoule。Iknowitwell。Icanbethereinhalfanhour。“
He，ofcourse，beggedtobeallowedtoaccompanyher，andanontheywerewalkingtogetherquicklyuptowardtheFaubourgSt。
Honore。Thesnowhadceasedfalling，butitwasstillverycold，butneitherMargueritenorSirAndrewwereconsciousofthetemperatureorofanyoutwardsignsaroundthem。Theywalkedonsilentlyuntiltheyreachedthetorn-downgatesoftheSquareduRoule；thereSirAndrewpartedfromMargueriteafterhavingappointedtomeetheranhourlateratasmalleating-househeknewofwheretheycouldhavesomefoodtogether，beforestartingontheirlongexpeditiontotheRuedeCharonne。
FiveminuteslaterMargueriteBlakeneywasshowninbyworthyMadameBelhomme，intothequaintandprettydrawing-roomwithitssoft-tonedhangingsandold-worldairoffadedgrace。
MademoiselleLangewassittingthere，inacapaciousarmchair，whichencircledherdelicatefigurewithitsframe-workofdulloldgold。
ShewasostensiblyreadingwhenMargueritewasannounced，foranopenbooklayonatablebesideher；butitseemedtothevisitorthatmayhaptheyounggirl\'sthoughtshadplayedtruantfromherwork，forherposewaslistlessandapathetic，andtherewasalookofgravetroubleuponthechildlikeface。
SherosewhenMargueriteentered，obviouslypuzzledattheunexpectedvisit，andsomewhatawedattheappearanceofthisbeautifulwomanwiththesadlookinhereyes。
“Imustcraveyourpardon，mademoiselle，“saidLadyBlakeneyassoonasthedoorhadoncemoreclosedonMadameBelhomme，andshefoundherselfalonewiththeyounggirl。“Thisvisitatsuchanearlyhourmustseemtoyouanintrusion。ButIamMargueriteSt。
Just，and——“
Hersmileandoutstretchedhandcompletedthesentence。
“St。Just！”exclaimedJeanne。
“Yes。Armand\'ssister！”
Aswiftblushrushedtothegirl\'spalecheeks；herbrowneyesexpressedunadulteratedjoy。Marguerite，whowasstudyingherclosely，wasconsciousthatherpoorachingheartwentouttothisexquisitechild，thefar-offinnocentcauseofsomuchmisery。
Jeanne，alittleshy，alittleconfusedandnervousinhermovements，waspullingachairclosetothefire，beggingMargueritetosit。
Herwordscameoutallthewhileinshortjerkysentences，andfromtimetotimeshestoleswiftshyglancesatArmand\'ssister。
“Youwillforgiveme，mademoiselle，“saidMarguerite，whosesimpleandcalmmannerquicklytendedtosootheJeanneLange\'sconfusion；
“butIwassoanxiousaboutmybrother——Idonotknowwheretofindhim。“
“Andsoyoucametome，madame？”
“WasIwrong？”
“Oh，no！Butwhatmadeyouthinkthat——thatIwouldknow？”
“Iguessed，“saidMargueritewithasmile。“Youhadheardaboutmethen？”
“Oh，yes！”
“Throughwhom？DidArmandtellyouaboutme？”
“No，alas！Ihavenotseenhimthispastfortnight，sinceyou，mademoiselle，cameintohislife；butmanyofArmand\'sfriendsareinParisjustnow；oneofthemknew，andhetoldme。“
Thesoftblushhadnowoverspreadthewholeofthegirl\'sface，evendowntohergracefulneck。ShewaitedtoseeMargueritecomfortablyinstalledinanarmchair，thensheresumedshyly：
“AnditwasArmandwhotoldmeallaboutyou。Helovesyousodearly。“
“ArmandandIwereveryyoungchildrenwhenwelostourparents，“
saidMargueritesoftly，“andwewereallinalltoeachotherthen。
AnduntilImarriedhewasthemanIlovedbestinalltheworld。“
“Hetoldmeyouweremarried——toanEnglishman。“
“Yes？”
“HelovesEnglandtoo。Atfirsthealwaystalkedofmygoingtherewithhimashiswife，andofthehappinessweshouldfindtheretogether。“
“Whydoyousay\'atfirst\'？”
“HetalkslessaboutEnglandnow。“
“Perhapshefeelsthatnowyouknowallaboutit，andthatyouunderstandeachotherwithregardtothefuture。“
“Perhaps。“