JeannesatoppositetoMargueriteonalowstoolbythefire。Herelbowswererestingonherknees，andherfacejustnowwashalf-hiddenbythewealthofherbrowncurls。Shelookedexquisitelyprettysittinglikethis，withjustthesuggestionofsadnessinthelistlesspose。Margueritehadcomehereto-daypreparedtohatethisyounggirl，whoinafewbriefdayshadstolennotonlyArmand\'sheart，buthisallegiancetohischief，andhistrustinhim。Sincelastnight，whenshehadseenherbrothersneaksilentlypastherlikeathiefinthenight，shehadnurturedthoughtsofill-willandangeragainstJeanne。
Buthatredandangerhadmeltedatthesightofthischild。
Marguerite，withtheperfectunderstandingbornofloveitself，hadsoonrealisedthecharmwhichawomanlikeMademoiselleLangemustofnecessityexerciseoverachivalrous，enthusiasticnaturelikeArmand\'s。Thesenseofprotection——thestrongestperhapsthatexistsinagoodman\'sheart——woulddrawhimirresistiblytothisbeautifulchild，withthegreat，appealingeyes，andthelookofpathosthatpervadedtheentireface。Marguerite，lookinginsilenceonthe——daintypicturebeforeher，founditinherhearttoforgiveArmandfordisobeyinghischiefwhenthoseeyesbeckonedtohiminacontrarydirection。
Howcouldhe，howcouldanychivalrousmanendurethethoughtofthisdelicate，freshflowerlyingcrushedanddroopinginthehandsofmonsterswhorespectedneithercouragenorpurity？AndArmandhadbeenmorethanhuman，ormayhapless，ifhehadindeedconsentedtoleavethefateofthegirlwhomhehadsworntoloveandprotectinotherhandsthanhisown。
ItseemedalmostasifJeannewasconsciousofthefixityofMarguerite\'sgaze，forthoughshedidnotturntolookather，theflushgraduallydeepenedinhercheeks。
“MademoiselleLange，“saidMargueritegently，“doyounotfeelthatyoucantrustme？”
Sheheldouthertwohandstothegirl，andJeanneslowlyturnedtoher。ThenextmomentshewaskneelingatMarguerite\'sfeet，andkissingthebeautifulkindhandsthathadbeenstretchedouttoherwithsuchsisterlylove。
“Indeed，indeed，Idotrustyou，“shesaid，andlookedwithtear-dimmedeyesinthepalefaceaboveher。“IhavelongedforsomeoneinwhomIcouldconfide。Ihavebeensolonelylately，andArmand——“
Withanimpatientlittlegestureshebrushedawaythetearswhichhadgatheredinhereyes。
“WhathasArmandbeendoing？”askedMargueritewithanencouragingsmile。
“Oh，nothingtogrieveme！”repliedtheyounggirleagerly，“forheiskindandgood，andchivalrousandnoble。Oh，Ilovehimwithallmyheart！IlovedhimfromthemomentthatIseteyesonhim，andthenhecametoseeme——perhapsyouknow！AndhetalkedsobeautifulaboutEngland，andsonoblyabouthisleadertheScarletPimpernel——haveyouheardofhim？”
“Yes，“saidMarguerite，smiling。“Ihaveheardofhim。“
“ItwasthatdaythatcitizenHeroncamewithhissoldiers！Oh！
youdonotknowcitizenHeron。HeisthemostcruelmaninFrance。InParisheishatedbyeveryone，andnooneissafefromhisspies。HecametoarrestArmand，butIwasabletofoolhimandtosaveArmand。Andafterthat，“sheaddedwithcharmingnaivete，“Ifeltasif，havingsavedArmand\'slife，hebelongedtome——andhisloveformehadmademehis。“
“ThenIwasarrested，“shecontinuedafteraslightpause，andattherecollectionofwhatshehadenduredthenherfreshvoicestilltrembledwithhorror。
“Theydraggedmetoprison，andIspenttwodaysinadarkcell，where——“
Shehidherfaceinherhands，whilstafewsobsshookherwholeframe；thensheresumedmorecalmly：
“IhadseennothingofArmand。Iwonderedwherehewas，andI
knewthathewouldbeeatingouthisheartwithanxietyforme。
ButGodwaswatchingoverme。AtfirstIwastransferredtotheTempleprison，andthereakindcreature——asortofman-of-allworkintheprisontookcompassiononme。Idonotknowhowhecontrivedit，butonemorningveryearlyhebroughtmesomefilthyoldragswhichhetoldmetoputonquickly，andwhenIhaddonethathebademefollowhim。Oh！hewasaverydirty，wretchedmanhimself，buthemusthavehadakindheart。Hetookmebythehandandmademecarryhisbroomandbrushes。Nobodytookmuchnoticeofus，thedawnwasonlyjustbreaking，andthepassageswereverydarkanddeserted；onlyoncesomesoldiersbegantochaffhimaboutme：\'C\'estmafille——quoi？\'hesaidroughly。I
verynearlylaughedthen，onlyIhadthegoodsensetorestrainmyself，forIknewthatmyfreedom，andperhapsmylife，dependedonmynotbetrayingmyself。Mygrimy，tatteredguidetookmewithhimrightthroughtheinterminablecorridorsofthatawfulbuilding，whilstIprayedferventlytoGodforhimandformyself。Wegotoutbyoneoftheservicestairsandexit，andthenhedraggedmethroughsomenarrowstreetsuntilwecametoacornerwhereacoveredcartstoodwaiting。Mykindfriendtoldmetogetintothecart，andthenhebadethedriverontheboxtakemestraighttoahouseintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois。Oh！Iwasinfinitelygratefultothepoorcreaturewhohadhelpedmetogetoutofthatawfulprison，andI
wouldgladlyhavegivenhimsomemoney，forIamsurehewasverypoor；butIhadnonebyme。HetoldmethatIshouldbequitesafeinthehouseintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，andbeggedmetowaittherepatientlyforafewdaysuntilIheardfromonewhohadmywelfareatheart，andwhowouldfurtherarrangeformysafety。“
Margueritehadlistenedsilentlytothisnarrativesonaivelytoldbythischild，whoobviouslyhadnoideatowhomsheowedherfreedomandherlife。Whilethegirltalked，hermindcouldfollowwithunspeakableprideandhappinesseveryphaseofthatsceneintheearlydawn，whenthatmysterious，raggedman-of-all-work，unbeknowneventothewomanwhomhewassaving，riskedhisownnoblelifeforthesakeofherwhomhisfriendandcomradeloved。
“Anddidyouneverseeagainthekindmantowhomyouoweyourlife？”sheasked。
“No！”repliedJeanne。“Ineversawhimsince；butwhenIarrivedattheRueSt。Germainl\'AuxerroisIwastoldbythegoodpeoplewhotookchargeofmethattheraggedman-of-all-workhadbeennoneotherthanthemysteriousEnglishmanwhomArmandreveres，hewhomtheycalltheScarletPimpernel。“
“ButyoudidnotstayverylongintheRueSt。Germainl\'Auxerrois，didyou？”
“No。Onlythreedays。ThethirddayIreceivedacommuniquefromtheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，togetherwithanunconditionalcertificateofsafety。ItmeantthatIwasfree——quitefree。Oh！
Icouldscarcelybelieveit。IlaughedandIcrieduntilthepeopleinthehousethoughtthatIhadgonemad。Thepastfewdayshadbeensuchahorriblenightmare。“
“AndthenyousawArmandagain？”
“Yes。TheytoldhimthatIwasfree。Andhecameheretoseeme。
Heoftencomes；hewillbehereanon。“
“Butareyounotafraidonhisaccountandyourown？Heis——hemustbestill——\'suspect\'；awell-knownadherentoftheScarletPimpernel，hewouldbesaferoutofParis。“
“No！oh，no！Armandisinnodanger。He，too，hasanunconditionalcertificateofsafety。“
“Anunconditionalcertificateofsafety？”askedMarguerite，whilstadeepfrownofgravepuzzlementappearedbetweenherbrows。
“Whatdoesthatmean？
“Itmeansthatheisfreetocomeandgoashelikes；thatneitherhenorIhaveanythingtofearfromHeronandhisawfulspies。
Oh！butforthatsadandcarewornlookonArmand\'sfacewecouldbesohappy；butheissounlikehimself。HeisArmandandyetanother；hislookattimesquitefrightensme。“
“Yetyouknowwhyheissosad，“saidMargueriteinastrange，tonelessvoicewhichsheseemedquiteunabletocontrol，forthattonelessnesscamefromaterriblesenseofsuffocation，ofafeelingasifherheart-stringswerebeinggrippedbyhuge，hardhands。
“Yes，Iknow，“saidJeannehalfhesitatingly，asifknowing，shewasstillunconvinced。
“Hischief，hiscomrade，thefriendofwhomyouspeak，theScarletPimpernel，whoriskedhislifeinordertosaveyours，mademoiselle，isaprisonerinthehandsofthosethathatehim。“
Margueritehadspokenwithsuddenvehemence。Therewasalmostanappealinhervoicenow，asifsheweretryingnottoconvinceJeanneonly，butalsoherself，ofsomethingthatwasquitesimple，quitestraightforward，andyetwhichappearedtoberecedingfromher，anintangiblesomething，aspiritthatwasgraduallyyieldingtoaforceasyetunborn，toaphantomthathadnotyetemergedfromoutchaos。
ButJeanneseemedunconsciousofallthis。HermindwasabsorbedinArmand，themanwhomshelovedinhersimple，whole-heartedway，andwhohadseemedsodifferentoflate。
“Oh，yes！”shesaidwithadeep，sadsigh，whilsttheever-readytearsoncemoregatheredinhereyes，“Armandisveryunhappybecauseofhim。TheScarletPimpernelwashisfriend；Armandlovedandreveredhim。Didyouknow，“addedthegirl，turninglarge，horror-filledeyesonMarguerite，“thattheywantsomeinformationfromhimabouttheDauphin，andtoforcehimtogiveitthey——they——“
“Yes，Iknow，“saidMarguerite。
“Canyouwonder，then，thatArmandisunhappy。Oh！lastnight，afterhewentfromme，Icriedforhours，justbecausehehadlookedsosad。HenolongertalksofhappyEngland，ofthecottageweweretohave，andoftheKentishorchardsinMay。Hehasnotceasedtoloveme，forattimeshisloveseemssogreatthatItremblewithadelicioussenseoffear。Butoh！hisloveformenolongermakeshimhappy。“
Herheadhadgraduallysunklowerandloweronherbreast，hervoicedieddowninamurmurbrokenbyheartrendingsighs。EverygenerousimpulseinMarguerite\'snoblenaturepromptedhertotakethatsorrowingchildinherarms，tocomfortherifshecould，toreassureherifshehadthepower。Butastrangeicyfeelinghadgraduallyinvadedherheart，evenwhilstshelistenedtothesimpleunsophisticatedtalkofJeanneLange。Herhandsfeltnumbandclammy，andinstinctivelyshewithdrewawayfromthenearvicinityofthegirl。Shefeltasiftheroom，thefurnitureinit，eventhewindowbeforeherweredancingawildandcuriousdance，andthatfromeverywherearoundstrangewhistlingsoundsreachedherears，whichcausedherheadtowhirlandherbraintoreel。
Jeannehadburiedherheadinherhands。Shewascrying——softly，almosthumblyatfirst，asifhalfashamedofhergrief；then，suddenlyitseemed，asifshecouldnotcontainherselfanylonger，aheavysobescapedherthroatandshookherwholedelicateframewithitsviolence。Sorrownolongerwouldbegainsaid，itinsistedonphysicalexpression——thatawfultearingoftheheart-stringswhichleavesthebodynumbandpantingwithpain。
InamomentMargueritehadforgotten；thedarkandshapelessphantomthathadknockedatthegateofhersoulwasrelegatedbackintochaos。Itceasedtobe，itwasmadetoshrivelandtoburninthegreatseethingcauldronofwomanlysympathy。Whatpartthischildhadplayedinthevastcataclysmofmiserywhichhaddraggedanoble-heartedenthusiastintothedarktorture-chamber，whencetheonlyoutletledtotheguillotine，she——MargueriteBlakeney——didnotknow；whatpartArmand，herbrother，hadplayedinit，thatshewouldnotdaretoguess；allthatsheknewwasthatherewasalovingheartthatwasfilledwithpain——ayoung，inexperiencedsoulthatwashavingitsfirsttusslewiththegrimrealitiesoflife——
andeverymotherlyinstinctinMargueritewasaroused。
Sheroseandgentlydrewtheyounggirlupfromherknees，andthenclosertoher；shepillowedthegrief-strickenheadagainsthershoulder，andmurmuredgentle，comfortingwordsintothetinyear。
“IhavenewsforArmand，“shewhispered，“thatwillcomforthim，amessage——aletterfromhisfriend。Youwillsee，dear，thatwhenArmandreadsithewillbecomeachangedman；yousee，Armandactedalittlefoolishlyafewdaysago。Hischiefhadgivenhimorderswhichhedisregarded——hewassoanxiousaboutyou——heshouldhaveobeyed；andnow，mayhap，hefeelsthathisdisobediencemayhavebeenthe——theinnocentcauseofmuchmiserytoothers；thatis，nodoubt，thereasonwhyheissosad。Theletterfromhisfriendwillcheerhim，youwillsee。“
“Doyoureallythinkso，madame？”murmuredJeanne，inwhosetear-stainedeyestheindomitablehopefulnessofyouthwasalreadystrivingtoshine。
“Iamsureofit，“assentedMarguerite。
Andforthemomentshewasabsolutelysincere。Thephantomhadentirelyvanished。Shewouldeven，hadhedaredtore-appear，havemockedandderidedhimforhisfutileattemptatturningthesorrowinherhearttoaveritablehellofbitterness。
CHAPTERXXXIII
LITTLEMOTHER
Thetwowomen，bothsoyoungstill，buteachofthemwithamarkofsorrowalreadyindeliblygraveninherheart，wereclingingtooneanother，boundtogetherbythestrongbondofsympathy。Andbutforthesadnessofitallitweredifficulttoconjureupamorebeautifulpicturethanthatwhichtheypresentedastheystoodsidebyside；Marguerite，tallandstatelyasanexquisitelily，withthecrownofherardenthairandthegloryofherdeepblueeyes，andJeanneLange，daintyanddelicate，withthebrowncurlsandthechild-likedroopofthesoft，moistlips。
ThusArmandsawthemwhen，amomentortwolater，enteredunannounced。Hehadpushedopenthedoorandlookedonthetwowomensilentlyforasecondortwo；onthegirlwhomhelovedsodearly，forwhosesakehehadcommittedthegreat，theunpardonablesinwhichwouldsendhimforeverhenceforth，Cain-like，awandereronthefaceoftheearth；andtheother，hissister，herwhomaJudasactwouldcondemntolonelysorrowandwidowhood。
Hecouldhavecriedoutinanagonyofremorse，anditwasthegroanofacutesoulanguishwhichescapedhislipsthatdrewMarguerite\'sattentiontohispresence。
EventhoughmanythingsthatJeanneLangehadsaidhadpreparedherforachangeinherbrother，shewasimmeasurablyshockedbyhisappearance。Hehadalwaysbeenslimandratherbelowtheaverageinheight，butnowhisusuallyuprightandtrimfigureseemedtohaveshrunkenwithinitself；hisclotheshungbaggyonhisshoulders，hishandsappearedwaxenandemaciated，butthegreatestchangewasinhisface，inthewidecirclesroundtheeyes，thatspokeofwakefulnights，inthehollowcheeks，andthemouththathadwhollyforgottenhowtosmile。
Percyafteraweek\'smiseryimmuredinadarkandmiserableprison，deprivedoffoodandrest，didnotlooksuchaphysicalwreckasdidArmandSt。Just，whowasfree。
Marguerite\'sheartreproachedherforwhatshefelthadbeenneglect，callousnessonherpart。Mutely，withinherself，shecravedhisforgivenessfortheappearanceofthatphantomwhichshouldneverhavecomeforthfromoutthatchaotichellwhichhadengenderedit。
“Armand！”shecried。
Andthelovingarmsthathadguidedhisbabyfootstepslongago，thetenderhandsthathadwipedhisboyishtears，werestretchedoutwithunalterablelovetowardhim。
“Ihaveamessageforyou，dear，“shesaidgently——“aletterfromhim。MademoiselleJeanneallowedmetowaithereforyouuntilyoucame。“
Silently，likealittleshymouse，Jeannehadslippedoutoftheroom。HerpureloveforArmandhadennobledeveryoneofherthoughts，andherinnatekindlinessandrefinementhadalreadysuggestedthatbrotherandsisterwouldwishtobealone。AtthedoorshehadturnedandmetArmand\'slook。Thatlookhadsatisfiedher；shefeltthatinitshehadreadtheexpressionofhislove，andtoitshehadrespondedwithaglancethatspokeofhopeforafuturemeeting。
AssoonasthedoorhadclosedonJeanneLange，Armand，withanimpulsethatrefusedtobechecked，threwhimselfintohissister\'sarms。Thepresent，withallitssorrows，itsremorseanditsshame，hadsunkaway；onlythepastremained——theunforgettablepast，whenMargueritewas“littlemother“——thesoother，thecomforter，thehealer，theever-willingreceptaclewhereinhehadbeenwonttopourtheburdenofhischildishgriefs，ofhisboyishescapades。
Consciousthatshecouldnotknoweverything——notyet，atanyrate——hegavehimselfovertotheraptureofthispureembrace，thelasttime，mayhap，thatthosefondarmswouldcloseroundhiminunmixedtenderness，thelasttimethatthosefondlipswouldmurmurwordsofaffectionandofcomfort。
To-morrowthosesamelipswould，perhaps，cursethetraitor，andthesmallhandberaisedinwrath，pointinganavengingfingerontheJudas。
“Littlemother，“hewhispered，babblinglikeachild，“itisgoodtoseeyouagain。“
“AndIhavebroughtyouamessagefromPercy，“shesaid，“aletterwhichhebeggedmetogiveyouassoonasmaybe。“
“Youhaveseenhim？”heasked。
Shenoddedsilently，unabletospeak。Notnow，notwhenhernerveswerestrungtobreakingpitch，wouldshetrustherselftospeakofthatawfulyesterday。ShegropedinthefoldsofhergownandtookthepacketwhichPercyhadgivenherforArmand。Itfeltquitebulkyinherhand。
“Thereisquiteagooddealthereforyoutoread，dear，“shesaid。“Percybeggedmetogiveyouthis，andthentoletyoureaditwhenyouwerealone。“
Shepressedthepacketintohishand。Armand\'sfacewasashenpale。Heclungtoherwithstrange，nervoustenacity；thepaperwhichheheldinonehandseemedtoSearhisfingersaswithabranding-iron。
“Iwillslipawaynow，“shesaid，forstrangelyenoughsincePercy\'smessagehadbeeninArmand\'shandsshewasonceagainconsciousofthatawfulfeelingoficinessroundherheart，asenseofnumbnessthatparalysedherverythoughts。
“YouwillmakemyexcusestoMademoiselleLange，“shesaid，tryingtosmile。“Whenyouhaveread，youwillwishtoseeheralone。“
GentlyshedisengagedherselffromArmand\'sgraspandmadeforthedoor。Heappeareddazed，staringdownatthatpaperwhichwasscorchinghisfingers。Onlywhenherhandwasonthelatchdidheseemtorealisethatshewasgoing。
“Littlemother，“cameinvoluntarilytohislips。
Shecamestraightbacktohimandtookbothhiswristsinhersmallhands。Shewastallerthanhe，andhisheadwasslightlybentforward。Thusshetoweredoverhim，lovingbutstrong，hergreat，earnesteyessearchinghissoul。
“WhenshallIseeyouagain，littlemother？”heasked。
“Readyourletter，dear，“shereplied，“andwhenyouhavereadit，ifyoucaretoimpartitscontentstome，cometo-nighttomylodgings，QuaidelaFerraille，abovethesaddler\'sshop。Butifthereisaughtinitthatyoudonotwishmetoknow，thendonotcome；Ishallunderstand。Good-bye，dear。“
Shetookhisheadbetweenhertwocoldhands，andasitwasstillbowedsheplacedatenderkiss，asofalongfarewell，uponhishair。
Thenshewentoutoftheroom。
CHAPTERXXXIV
THELETTER
Armandsatinthearmchairinfrontofthefire。Hisheadrestedagainstonehand；intheotherheheldtheletterwrittenbythefriendwhomhehadbetrayed。
Twicehehadreaditnow，andalreadywaseverywordofthatminute，clearwritinggravenupontheinnermostfibresofhisbody，uponthemostsecretcellsofhisbrain。
Armand，Iknow。IknewevenbeforeChauvelincametome，andstoodtherehopingtogloatoverthesoul-agonyamanwhofindsthathehasbeenbetrayedbyhisdearestfriend。Butthatd——dreprobatedidnotgetthatsatisfaction，forIwasprepared。NotonlydoIknow，Armand，butIUNDERSTAND。I，whodonotknowwhatloveis，haverealisedhowsmallathingishonour，loyalty，orfriendshipwhenweighedinthebalanceofalovedone\'sneed。
TosaveJeanneyousoldmetoHeronandhiscrowd。Wearemen，Armand，andthewordforgivenesshasonlybeenspokenoncethesepasttwothousandyears，andthenitwasspokenbyDivinelips。
ButMargueritelovesyou，andmayhapsoonyouwillbeallthatislefthertoloveonthisearth。Becauseofthisshemustneverknow……Asforyou，Armand——well，Godhelpyou！Butmeseemsthatthehellwhichyouareenduringnowistenthousandtimesworsethanmine。Ihaveheardyourfurtivefootstepsinthecorridoroutsidethegratedwindowofthiscell，andwouldnotthenhaveexchangedmyhellforyours。Therefore，Armand，andbecauseMargueritelovesyou，IwouldwishtoturntoyouinthehourthatIneedhelp。Iaminatightcorner，butthehourmaycomewhenacomrade\'shandmightmeanlifetome。Ihavethoughtofyou，Armandpartlybecausehavingtakenmorethanmylife，yourownbelongstome，andpartlybecausetheplanwhichIhaveinmymindwillcarrywithitgraverisksforthemanwhostandsbyme。
IsworeoncethatneverwouldIriskacomrade\'slifetosavemineown；butmattersaresodifferentnow……wearebothinhell，Armand，andIinstrivingtogetoutofminewillbeshowingyouawayoutofyours。
WillyouretakepossessionofyourlodgingsintheRuedelaCroixBlanche？Ishouldalwaysknowthenwheretofindyouonanemergency。Butifatanytimeyoureceiveanotherletterfromme，beitscontentswhattheymay，actinaccordancewiththeletter，andsendacopyofitatoncetoFfoulkesortoMarguerite。Keepinclosetouchwiththemboth。TellherIsofarforgaveyourdisobediencetherewasnothingmorethatImayyettrustmylifeandminehonourinyourhands。
IshallhavenomeansofascertainingdefinitelywhetheryouwilldoallthatIask；butsomehow，Armand，Iknowthatyouwill。
ForthethirdtimeArmandreadtheletterthrough。
“But，Armand，“herepeated，murmuringthewordssoftlytinderhisbreath，“Iknowthatyouwill。“
Promptedbysomeindefinableinstinct，movedbyaforcethatcompelled，heallowedhimselftoglidefromthechairontothefloor，ontohisknees。
Allthepent-upbitterness，thehumiliation，theshameofthepastfewdays，surgedupfromhishearttohislipsinonegreatcryofpain。
“MyGod！”hewhispered，“givemethechanceofgivingmylifeforhim。“
Aloneandunwatched，hegavehimselfoverforafewmomentstothealmostvoluptuousdelightofgivingfreereintohisgrief。ThehotLatinbloodinhim，tempestuousinallitspassions，wasfiringhisheartandbrainnowwiththeglowofdevotionandofself-sacrifice。
Thecalm，self-centredAnglo-Saxontemperament——thealmostfatalisticacceptanceoffailurewithoutreproachyetwithoutdespair，whichPercy\'slettertohimhadevidencedinsomarkedamanner——was，mayhap，somewhatbeyondthecomprehensionofthisyoungenthusiast，withpureGallicbloodinhisveins，whowaseverwonttoallowhismostelementalpassionstoswayhisactions。
Butthoughhedidnotaltogetherunderstand，ArmandSt。Justcouldfullyappreciate。Allthatwasnobleandloyalinhimrosetriumphantfrombeneaththedevastatingashesofhisownshame。
Soonhismoodcalmeddown，hislookgrewlesswanandhaggard。
HearingJeanne\'sdiscreetandmouselikestepsinthenextroom，herosequicklyandhidtheletterinthepocketofhiscoat。
ShecameinandinquiredanxiouslyaboutMarguerite；ahurriedlyexpressedexcusefromhim，however，satisfiedhereasilyenough。
ShewantedtobealonewithArmand，happytoseethatheheldhisheadmoreerectto-day，andthatthelookasofahuntedcreaturehadentirelygonefromhiseyes。
SheascribedthishappychangetoMarguerite，findingitinherhearttobegratefultothesisterforhavingaccomplishedwhatthefianceehadfailedtodo。
Forawhiletheyremainedtogether，sittingsidebyside，speakingattimes，butmostlysilent，seemingtosavourthereturnoftruanthappiness。Armandfeltlikeasickmanwhohasobtainedasuddensurceasefrompain。Helookedroundhimwithakindofmelancholydelightonthisroomwhichhehadenteredforthefirsttimelessthanafortnightago，andwhichalreadywassofullofmemories。
ThosefirsthoursspentatthefeetofJeanneLange，howexquisitetheyhadbeen，howfleetingintheperfectionoftheirhappiness！
Nowtheyseemedtobelongtoafardistantpast，evanescentliketheperfumeofviolets，swiftintheirflightlikethewingedstepsofyouth。Blakeney\'sletterhadeffectuallytakenthebitterstingfromouthisremorse，butithadincreasedhisalreadyover-heavyloadofinconsolablesorrow。
Laterinthedayheturnedhisfootstepsinthedirectionoftheriver，tothehouseintheQuaidelaFerrailleabovethesaddler\'sshop。MargueritehadreturnedalonefromtheexpeditiontotheRuedeCharonne。WhilstSirAndrewtookchargeofthelittlepartyoffugitivesandescortedthemoutofParis，shecamehacktoherlodgingsinordertocollectherbelongings，preparatorytotakingupherquartersinthehouseofLucas，theold-clothesdealer。ShereturnedalsobecauseshehopedtoseeArmand。
“Ifyoucaretoimpartthecontentsofthelettertome，cometomylodgingsto-night，“shehadsaid。
Alldayaphantomhadhauntedher，thephantomofanagonisingsuspicion。
Butnowthephantomhadvanishednevertoreturn。Armandwassittingclosebesideher，andhetoldherthatthechiefhadselectedhimamongstalltheotherstostandbyhiminsidethewallsofParisuntilthelast。
“Ishallmayhap，“thusclosedthatpreciousdocument，“havenomeansofascertainingdefinitelywhetheryouwillactinaccordancewiththisletter。Butsomehow，Armand，Iknowthatyouwill。“
“Tknowthatyouwill，Armand，“reiteratedMargueritefervently。
Shehadonlybeentooeagertobeconvinced；thedreadariddarksuspicionwhichhadbeenlikeahideouspoisonedstinghadonlyvaguelytouchedhersoul；ithadnotgoneinverydeeply。Howcouldit，wheninitsdeath-dealingpassageitencounteredtherampartoftender，almostmotherlylove？
Armand，tryingtoreadhissister\'sthoughtsinthedepthsofherblueeyes，foundthelookinthemlimpidandclear。Percy\'smessagetoArmandhadreassuredherjustashehadintendedthatitshoulddo。Fatehaddealtoverharshlywithherasitwas，andBlakeney\'sremorseforthesorrowwhichhehadalreadycausedher，wasscarcelylesskeenthanArmand\'s。Hedidnotwishhertobeartheintolerableburdenofhatredagainstherbrother；andbybindingSt。JustclosetohimatthesupremehourofdangerhehopedtoprovetothewomanwhomhelovedsopassionatelythatArmandwasworthyoftrust。
PARTIII
CHAPTERXXXV
THELASTPHASE
“Well？Howisitnow？”
“Thelastphase，Ithink。“
“Hewillyield？”
“Hemust。“
“Bah！youhavesaidityourselfoftenenough；thoseEnglisharetough。“
“Ittakestimetohackthemtopieces，perhaps。Inthiscaseevenyou，citizenChauvelin，saidthatitwouldtaketime。Well，ithastakenjustseventeendays，andnowtheendisinsight。“
Itwascloseonmidnightintheguard-roomwhichgaveontheinnermostcelloftheConciergerie。Heronhadjustvisitedtheprisoneraswashiswontatthishourofthenight。Hehadwatchedthechangingoftheguard，inspectedthenight-watch，questionedthesergeantincharge，andfinallyhehadbeenonthepointofretiringtohisownnewquartersinthehouseofJustice，inthenearvicinityoftheConciergerie，whencitizenChauvelinenteredtheguard-roomunexpectedlyanddetainedhiscolleaguewiththeperemptoryquestion：
“Howisitnow？”
“Ifyouaresoneartheend，citizenHeron，“henowsaid，sinkinghisvoicetoawhisper，“whynotmakeafinaleffortandenditto-night？”
“IwishIcould；theanxietyiswearingmeoutmorenhim，“addedwithajerkymovementoftheheadindirectionoftheinnercell。
“ShallItry？”rejoinedChauvelingrimly。
“Yes，anyouwish。“
CitizenHeron\'slonglimbsweresprawlingonaguard-roomchair。
Inthislownarrowroomhelookedlikesomegiantwhosebodyhadbeencarelesslyandlooselyputtogetherbya\'prenticehandintheartofmanufacture。Hisbroadshoulderswerebent，probablyundertheweightofanxietytowhichhehadreferred，andhishead，withthelank，shaggyhairovershadowingthebrow，wassunkdeepdownonhischest。
Chauvelinlookedonhisfriendandassociatewithnosmallmeasureofcontempt。Hewouldnodoubthavepreferredtoconcludethepresentdifficulttransactionentirelyinhisownwayandalone；
butequallytherewasnodoubtthattheCommitteeofPublicSafetydidnottrusthimquitesofullyasitusedtodobeforethefiascoatCalaisandtheblundersofBoulogne。Heron，ontheotherhand，enjoyedtoitsoutermosttheconfidenceofhiscolleagues；hisferociouscrueltyandhiscallousnesswerewellknown，whilstphysically，owingtohisgreatheightandbulkyiflooselyknitframe，hehadadecidedadvantageoverhistrimandslenderfriend。
Asfarasthebringingofprisonerstotrialwasconcerned，thechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityhadbeengivenaperfectlyfreehandbythedecreeofthe27thNivose。Atfirst，therefore，hehadexperiencednodifficultywhenhedesiredtokeeptheEnglishmanincloseconfinementforatimewithouthurryingonthatsummarytrialandcondemnationwhichthepopulacehadloudlydemanded，andtowhichtheyfeltthattheywereentitledastoapublicholiday。ThedeathoftheScarletPimpernelontheguillotinehadbeenaspectaclepromisedbyeverydemagoguewhodesiredtopurchaseafewvotesbyholdingoutvisionsofpleasantdoingstocome；andduringthefirstfewdaysthemobofPariswascontenttoenjoythedelightsofexpectation。
ButnowseventeendayshadgonebyandstilltheEnglishmanwasnotbeingbroughttotrial。Thepleasure-lovingpublicwaswaxingimpatient，andearlierthisevening，whencitizenHeronhadshownhimselfinthestallsofthenationaltheatre，hewasgreetedbyacrowdedaudiencewithdecidedexpressionsofdisapprovalandopenmutteringsof：
“WhatoftheScarletPimpernel？”
ItalmostlookedasifhewouldhavetobringthataccursedEnglishmantotheguillotinewithouthavingwrestedfromhimthesecretwhichhewouldhavegivenafortunetopossess。Chauvelin，whohadalsobeenpresentatthetheatre，hadheardtheexpressionsofdiscontent；hencehisvisittohiscolleagueatthislatehourofthenight。
“ShallItry？”hehadqueriedwithsomeimpatience，andadeepsighofsatisfactionescapedhisthinlipswhenthechiefagent，weariedanddiscouraged，hadreluctantlyagreed。
“Letthemenmakeasmuchnoiseastheylike，“headdedwithanenigmaticalsmile。“TheEnglishmanandIwillwantanaccompanimenttoourpleasantconversation。“
Herongrowledasurlyassent，andwithoutanotherwordChauvelinturnedtowardstheinnercell。Ashesteppedinheallowedtheironbartofallintoitssocketbehindhim。Thenhewentfartherintotheroomuntilthedistantrecesswasfullyrevealedtohim。
Histreadhadbeenfurtiveandalmostnoiseless。Nowhepaused，forhehadcaughtsighttheprisoner。Foramomenthestoodquitestill，withhandsclaspedbehindhisbackinhiswontedattitude——stillsaveforastrange，involuntarytwitchingofhismouth，andthenervousclaspingandinterlockingofhisfingersbehindhisback。Hewassavouringtoitsutmostfulsomenessthesupremestjoywhichanimalmancaneverknow——thejoyoflookingonafallenenemy。
Blakeneysatatthetablewithonearmrestingonit，theemaciatedhandtightlyclutched，thebodyleaningforward，theeyeslookingintonothingness。
ForthemomenthewasunconsciousofChauvelin\'spresence，andthelattercouldgazeonhimtothefullcontentofhisheart。
Indeed，toalloutwardappearancestheresatamanwhomprivationsofeverysortandkind，thewantoffreshair，ofproperfood，aboveall，ofrest，hadworndownphysicallytoashadow。Therewasnotaparticleofcolourincheeksorlips，theskinwasgreyinhue，theeyeslookedlikedeepcaverns，whereintheglowoffeverwasallthatwasleftoflife。
Chauvelinlookedoninsilence，vaguelystirredbysomethingthathecouldnotdefine，somethingthatrightthroughhistriumphantsatisfaction，hishatredandfinalcertaintyofrevenge，hadrousedinhimasensealmostofadmiration。
Hegazedonthenoiselessfigureofthemanwhohadenduredsomuchforanideal，andashegazeditseemedtohimasifthespiritnolongerdweltinthebody，buthoveredroundinthedank，stuffyairofthenarrowcellabovetheheadofthelonelyprisoner，crowningitwithglorythatwasnolongerofthisearth。
Ofthisthelooker-onwasconsciousdespitehimself，ofthatandofthefactthatstareashemight，andwithperceptionrendereddoublykeenbyhate，hecouldnot，inspiteofall，findtheleasttraceofmentalweaknessinthatfar-seeinggazewhichseemedtopiercetheprisonwalls，norcouldheseethatbodilyweaknesshadtendedtosubduetherulingpassions。
SirPercyBlakeney——aprisonersinceseventeendaysinclose，solitaryconfinement，half-starved，deprivedofrest，andofthatmentalandphysicalactivitywhichhadbeentheveryessenceoflifetohimhitherto——mightbeoutwardlybutashadowofhisformerbrilliantself，butneverthelesshewasstillthatsameelegantEnglishgentleman，thatprinceofdandieswhomChauvelinhadfirstmeteighteenmonthsagoatthemostcourtlyCourtinEurope。Hisclothes，despiteconstantwearandthewantofattentionfromascrupulousvalet，stillbetrayedtheperfectionofLondontailoring；hehadputthemonwithmeticulouscare，theywerefreefromtheslightestparticleofdust，andthefilmyfoldsofpricelessMechlinstillhalf-veiledthedelicatewhitenessofhisshapelyhands。
Andinthepale，haggardface，inthewholeposeofbodyandofarm，therewasstilltheexpressionofthatindomitablestrengthofwill，thatrecklessdaring，thatalmostinsolentchallengetoFate；itwasthereuntamed，uncrushed。Chauvelinhimselfcouldnotdenytohimselfitspresenceoritsforce。Hefeltthatbehindthatsmoothbrow，whichlookedwaxlikenow，themindwasstillalert，scheming，plotting，strivingforfreedom，forconquestandforpower，andrenderedevendoublykeenandvirilebytheardourofsupremeself-sacrifice。
ChauvelinnowmadeaslightmovementandsuddenlyBlakeneybecameconsciousofhispresence，andswiftasaflashasmilelituphiswanface。
“Why！ifitisnotmyengagingfriendMonsieurChambertin，“hesaidgaily。
Heroseandsteppedforwardinthemostapprovedfashionprescribedbytheelaborateetiquetteofthetime。ButChauvelinsmiledgrimlyandalookofalmostanimallustgleamedinhispaleeyes，forhehadnotedthatasheroseSirPercyhadtoseekthesupportofthetable，evenwhilstadullfilmappearedtogatheroverhiseyes。
Thegesturehadbeenquickandcleverlydisguised，butithadbeentherenevertheless——thatandthelividhuethatoverspreadthefaceasifconsciousnesswasthreateningtogo。Allofwhichwassufficientstillfurthertoassurethelooker-onthatthatmightyphysicalstrengthwasgivingwayatlast，thatstrengthwhichhehadhatedinhisenemyalmostasmuchashehadhatedthethinlyveiledinsolenceofhismanner。
“Andwhatprocuresme，sir，thehonourofyourvisit？”continuedBlakeney，whohad——atanyrate，outwardlysoonrecoveredhimself，andwhosevoice，thoughdistinctlyhoarseandspent，rangquitecheerfullyacrossthedanknarrowcell。
“Mydesireforyourwelfare，SirPercy，“repliedChauvelinwithequalpleasantry。
“La，sir；buthaveyounotgratifiedthatdesirealready，toanextentwhichleavesnoroomforfurthersolicitude？ButIprayyou，willyounotsitdown？”hecontinued，turningbacktowardthetable。“Iwasabouttopartakeofthelavishsupperwhichyourfriendshaveprovidedforme。Willyounotshareit，sir？Youaremostroyallywelcome，anditwillmayhapremindyouofthatsupperwesharedtogetherinCalais，eh？whenyou，MonsieurChambertin，weretemporarilyinholyorders。“
Helaughed，offeringhisenemyachair，andpointedwithinvitinggesturetothehunkofbrownbreadandthemugofwaterwhichstoodonthetable。
“Suchasitis，sir，“hesaidwithapleasantsmile，“itisyourstocommand。“
Chauvelinsatdown。Heheldhislowerliptightlybetweenhisteeth，sotightlythatafewdropsofbloodappeareduponitsnarrowsurface。Hewasmakingvigorouseffortstokeephistemperundercontrol，forhewouldnotgivehisenemythesatisfactionofseeinghimresenthisinsolence。Hecouldaffordtokeepcalmnowthatvictorywasatlastinsight，nowthatheknewthathehadbuttoraiseafinger，andthosesmiling，impudentlipswouldbeclosedforeveratlast。
“SirPercy，“heresumedquietly，“nodoubtitaffordsyouacertainamountofpleasuretoaimyoursarcasticshaftsatme。I
willnotbegrudgeyouthatpleasure；inyourpresentposition，sir，yourshaftshavelittleornosting。“
“AndIshallhavebutfewchanceslefttoaimthematyourcharmingself，“interposedBlakeney，whohaddrawnanotherchairclosetothetableandwasnowsittingoppositehisenemy，withthelightofthelampfallingfullonhisownface，asifhewishedhisenemytoknowthathehadnothingtohide，nothought，nohope，nofear。
“Exactly，“saidChauvelindryly。“Thatbeingthecase，SirPercy，whatsayyoutonolongerwastingthefewchanceswhicharelefttoyouforsafety？Thetimeisgettingon。Youarenot，I
imagine，quiteashopefulasyouwereevenaweekago，……youhaveneverbeenover-comfortableinthiscell，whynotendthisunpleasantstateofaffairsnow——onceandforall？You\'llnothavecausetoregretit。Mywordonit。“
SirPercyleanedbackinhischair。Heyawnedloudlyandostentatiously。
“Iprayyou，sir，forgiveme，“hesaid。“NeverhaveIbeensod——dfatigued。Ihavenotsleptformorethanafortnight。“
“Exactly，SirPercy。Anight\'srestwoulddoyouaworldofgood。“
“Anight，sir？”exclaimedBlakeneywithwhatseemedlikeanechoofhisformerinimitablelaugh。“La！Ishouldwantaweek。“
“Iamafraidwecouldnotarrangeforthat，butonenightwouldgreatlyrefreshyou。“
“Youareright，sir，youareright；butthosed——dfellowsinthenextroommakesomuchnoise。“
“Iwouldgivestrictordersthatperfectquietudereignedintheguard-roomthisnight，“saidChauvelin，murmuringsoftly，andtherewasagentlepurrinhisvoice，“andthatyouwereleftundisturbedforseveralhours。Iwouldgiveordersthatacomfortingsupperbeservedtoyouatonce，andthateverythingbedonetoministertoyourwants。“
“Thatsoundsd——dalluring，sir。Whydidyounotsuggestthisbefore？”
“Youwereso——whatshallIsay——soobstinate，SirPercy？”
“Callitpig-headed，mydearMonsieurChambertin，“retortedBlakeneygaily，“trulyyouwouldobligeme。“
“Inanycaseyou，sir，wereactingindirectoppositiontoyourowninterests。“
“Thereforeyoucame，“concludedBlakeneyairily，“likethegoodSamaritantotakecompassiononmeandmytroubles，andtoleadmestraightawaytocomfort，agoodsupperandadownybed。“
“Admirablyput，SirPercy，“saidChauvelinblandly；“thatisexactlymymission。“
“Howwillyousettowork，MonsieurChambertin？”
“Quiteeasily，ifyou，SirPercy，willyieldtothepersuasionofmyfriendcitizenHeron。“
“Ah！”
“Why，yes！HeisanxioustoknowwherelittleCapetis。A
reasonablewhim，youwillown，consideringthatthedisappearanceofthechildiscausinghimgraveanxiety。“
“Andyou，MonsieurChambertin？”queriedSirPercywiththatsuspicionofinsolenceinhismannerwhichhadthepowertoirritatehisenemyevennow。“Andyourself，sir；whatareyourwishesinthematter？”
“Mine，SirPercy？”retortedChauvelin。“Mine？Why，totellyouthetruth，thefateoflittleCapetinterestsmebutlittle。LethimrotinAustriaorinourprisons，Icarenotwhich。He\'llnevertroubleFranceovermuch，Iimagine。TheteachingsofoldSimonwillnottendtomakealeaderorakingoutofthepunybratwhomyouchosetodragoutofourkeeping。Mywishes，sir，aretheannihilationofyouraccursedLeague，andthelastingdisgrace，ifnotthedeath，ofitschief。“
Hehadspokenmorehotlythanhehadintended，butallthepent-uprageofthepasteighteenmonths，therecollectionsofCalaisandofBoulogne，hadallsurgedupagaininhismind，becausedespitetheclosenessoftheseprisonwalls，despitethegrimshadowofstarvationandofdeaththatbeckonedsocloseathand，hestillencounteredapairofmockingeyes，fixedwithrelentlessinsolenceuponhim。
WhilsthespokeBlakeneyhadoncemoreleanedforward，restinghiselbowsuponthetable。Nowhedrewnearertohimthewoodenplatteronwhichreposedthatveryuninvitingpieceofdrybread。
Withsolemnintentnessheproceededtobreakthebreadintopieces；thenheofferedtheplattertoChauvelin。
“Iamsorry，“hesaidpleasantly，“thatIcannotyoumoredaintyfare，sir，butthisisallthatyourfriendshavesuppliedmewithto-day。“
Hecrumbledsomeofthedrybreadinhisslenderfingers，thenstartedmunchingthecrumbswithapparentrelish。Hepouredoutsomewaterintothemuganddrankit。Thenbesaidwithalightlaugh：
“EventhevinegarwhichthatruffianBrogardservedusatCalaiswaspreferabletothis，doyounotimagineso，mygoodMonsieurChambertin？”
Chauvelinmadenoreply。Likeafelinecreatureontheprowl，hewaswatchingthepreythathadsonearlysuccumbedtohistalons。
Blakeney\'sfacenowwaspositivelyghastly。Theefforttospeak，tolaugh，toappearunconcerned，wasapparentlybeyondhisstrength。Hischeeksandlipswerelividinhue，theskinclunglikeathinlayerofwaxtothebonesofcheekandjaw，andtheheavylidsthatfellovertheeyeshadpurplepatchesonthemlikelead。
Toasysteminsuchanadvancedstateofexhaustionthestalewateranddustybreadmusthavebeenterriblynauseating，andChauvelinhimselfcallousandthirstingforvengeancethoughhewas，couldhardlybeartolookcalmlyonthemartyrdomofthismanwhomheandhiscolleaguesweretorturinginordertogaintheirownends。
Anashenhue，whichseemedliketheshadowofthehandofdeath，passedovertheprisoner\'sface。Chauvelinfeltcompelledtoaverthisgaze。Afeelingthatwasalmostakintoremorsehadstirredahiddencordinhisheart。Thefeelingdidnotlast——thehearthadbeentoolongatrophiedbytheconstantlyrecurringspectaclesofcruelties，massacres，andwholesalehecatombsperpetratedinthepasteighteenmonthsinthenameoflibertyandfraternitytobecapableofasustainedeffortinthedirectionofgentlenessorofpity。Anynobleinstinctintheserevolutionarieshadlongagobeendrownedinawhirlpoolofexploitsthatwouldforeversullytherecordsofhumanity；andthiskeepingofafellow-creatureontherackinordertowringfromhimaJudas-likebetrayalwasbutacomplementtoarecordofinfamythathadceasedbyitsverymagnitudetoweighupontheirsouls。
Chauvelinwasinnowaydifferentfromhiscolleagues；thecrimesinwhichhehadhadnohandhehadcondonedbycontinuingtoservetheGovernmentthathadcommittedthem，andhisferocityinthepresentcasewasincreasedathousandfoldbyhispersonalhatredforthemanwhohadsooftenfooledandbaffledhim。
Whenhelookedroundasecondortwolaterthatephemeralfitofremorsediditsfinalvanishing；hehadoncemoreencounteredthepleasantsmile，thelaughingifashen-palefaceofhisunconqueredfoe。
“Onlyapassinggiddiness，mydearsir，“saidSirPercylightly。
“Asyouweresaying——“
Attheairily-spokenwords，atthesmilethataccompaniedthem，Chauvelinhadjumpedtohisfeet。Therewassomethingalmostsupernatural，weird，andimpishaboutthepresentsituation，aboutthisdyingmanwho，likeanimpudentschoolboy，seemedtobemockingDeathwithhistongueinhischeek，abouthislaughthatappearedtofinditsechoinawidelyyawninggrave。
“InthenameofGod，SirPercy，“hesaidroughly，ashebroughthisclenchedfistcrashingdownuponthetable，“thissituationisintolerable。Bringittoanendto-night！”
“Why，sir？”retortedBlakeney，“methoughtyouandyourkinddidnotbelieveinGod。“
“No。ButyouEnglishdo。“
“Wedo。ButwedonotcaretohearHisnameonyourlips。“
“Theninthenameofthewifewhomyoulove——“
Butevenbeforethewordshaddieduponhislips，SirPercy，too，hadrisentohisfeet。
“Havedone，man——havedone，“hebrokeinhoarsely，anddespiteweakness，despiteexhaustionandweariness，therewassuchadangerouslookinhisholloweyesasheleanedacrossthetablethatChauvelindrewbackasteportwo，and——vaguelyfearful——
lookedfurtivelytowardstheopeningintotheguard-room。“Havedone，“hereiteratedforthethirdtime；“donotnameher，orbythelivingGodwhomyoudaredtoinvokeI\'llfindstrengthyettosmiteyouintheface。“
ButChauvelin，afterthatfirstmomentofalmostsuperstitiousfear，hadquicklyrecoveredhissang-froid。
“LittleCapet，SirPercy，“hesaid，meetingtheother\'sthreateningglancewithanimperturbablesmile，“tellmewheretofindhim，andyoumayyetlivetosavourthecaressesofthemostbeautifulwomaninEngland。“
Hehadmeantitasataunt，thefinalturnofthethumb-screwappliedtoadyingman，andhehadinthatwatchful，keenmindofhiswellweighedthefullconsequencesofthetaunt。
Thenextmomenthehadpaidtothefulltheanticipatedprice。
SirPercyhadpickedupthepewtermugfromthetable——itwashalf-filledwithbrackishwater——andwithahandthattrembledbutslightlyhehurleditstraightathisopponent\'sface。
TheheavymugdidnothitcitizenChauvelin；itwentcrashingagainstthestonewallopposite。Butthewaterwastricklingfromthetopofhisheadalldownhiseyesandcheeks。Heshruggedhisshoulderswithalookofbenignindulgencedirectedathisenemy，whohadfallenbackintohischairexhaustedwiththeeffort。
Thenhetookouthishandkerchiefandcalmlywipedthewaterfromhisface。
“Notquitesostraightashotasyouusedtobe，SirPercy，“hesaidmockingly。
“No，sir——apparently——not。“
Thewordscameoutingasps。Hewaslikeamanonlypartlyconscious。Thelipswereparted，theeyesclosed，theheadleaningagainstthehighbackofthechair。ForthespaceofonesecondChauvelinfearedthathiszealhadoutrunhisprudence，thathehaddealtadeath-blowtoamaninthelaststageofexhaustion，wherehehadonlywishedtofantheflickeringflameoflife。Hastily——forthesecondsseemedprecious——herantotheopeningthatledintotheguard-room。
“Brandy——quick！”hecried。
Heronlookedup，rousedfromthesemi-somnolenceinwhichhehadlainforthepasthalf-hour。Hedisentangledhislonglimbsfromouttheguard-roomchair。
“Eh？”hequeried。“Whatisit？”
“Brandy，“reiteratedChauvelinimpatiently；“theprisonerhasfainted。“
“Bah！”retortedtheotherwithacallousshrugoftheshoulders，“youarenotgoingtorevivehimwithbrandy，Iimagine。“
“No。Butyouwill，citizenHeron，“rejoinedtheotherdryly，“forifyoudonothe\'llbedeadinanhour！”
“Devilsinhell！”exclaimedHeron，“youhavenotkilledhim？
You——youd——dfool！”
Hewaswideawakeenoughnow；wideawakeandshakingwithfury。
Almostfoamingatthemouthandutteringvolleysofthechoicestoaths，heelbowedhiswayroughlythroughthegroupsofsoldierswhowerecrowdingroundthecentretableoftheguard-room，smokingandthrowingdiceorplayingcards。Theymadewayforhimashurriedlyastheycould，foritwasnotsafetothwartthecitizenagentwhenhewasinarage。
Heronwalkedacrosstotheopeningandliftedtheironbar。Withscantceremonyhepushedhiscolleagueasidearidstrodeintothecell，whilstChauvelin，seeminglynotresentingtheother\'sruffianlymannersandviolentlanguage，followedcloseuponhisheel。
Inthecentreoftheroombothmenpaused，andHeronturnedwithasurlygrowltohisfriend。
“Youvowedhewouldbedeadinanhour，“hesaidreproachfully。
Theothershruggedhisshoulders。
“Itdoesnotlooklikeitnowcertainly，“hesaiddryly。
Blakeneywassitting——aswashiswont——closetothetable，withonearmleaningonit，theother，tightlyclenched，restinguponhisknee。Aghostofasmilehoveredroundhislips。
“Notinanhour，citizenHeron，“hesaid，andhisvoiceflowwasscarceaboveawhisper，“noryetintwo。“
“Youareafool，man，“saidHeronroughly。“Youhavehadseventeendaysofthis。Areyounotsickofit？”
“Heartily，mydearfriend，“repliedBlakeneyalittlemorefirmly。
“Seventeendays，“reiteratedtheother，noddinghisshaggyhead；
“youcamehereonthe2ndofPluviose，todayisthe19th。“
“The19thPluviose？”interposedSirPercy，andastrangegleamsuddenlyflashedinhiseyes。“Demnit，sir，andinChristianparlancewhatmaythatdaybe？”
“The7thofFebruaryatyourservice，SirPercy，“repliedChauvelinquietly。
“Ithankyou，sir。Inthisd——dholeIhadlostcountoftime。“
Chauvelin，unlikehisroughandblunderingcolleague，hadbeenwatchingtheprisonerverycloselyforthelastmomentortwo，consciousofasubtle，undefinablechangethathadcomeoverthemanduringthosefewsecondswhilehe，Chauvelin，hadthoughthimdying。Theposewascertainlytheoldfamiliarone，theheaderect，thehandclenched，theeyeslookingthroughandbeyondthestonewalls；buttherewasanairoflistlessnessinthestoopoftheshoulders，and——exceptforthatonebriefgleamjustnow——alookofmorecompletewearinessroundtheholloweyes！Tothekeenwatcheritappearedasifthatsenseoflivingpower，ofunconqueredwillanddefiantmindwasnolongerthere，andasifhehimselfneednolongerfearthatalmostsupersensualthrillwhichhadawhileagokindledinhimavaguesenseofadmiration——almostofremorse。
Evenashegazed，Blakeneyslowlyturnedhiseyesfulluponhim。
Chauvelin\'sheartgaveatriumphantbound。
Withamockingsmilehemettheweariedlook，thepitiableappeal。
Histurnhadcomeatlast——histurntomockandtoexult。Heknewthatwhathewaswatchingnowwasnolongerthelastphaseofalongandnoblemartyrdom；itwastheend——theinevitableend——thatforwhichhehadschemedandstriven，forwhichhehadschooledhishearttoferocityandcallousnessthatweredevilishintheirintensity。Itwastheendindeed，theslowdescentofasoulfromthegiddyheightsofattemptedself-sacrifice，whereithadstriventosoarforatime，untilthebodyandthewillbothsuccumbedtogetheranddraggeditdownwiththemintotheabyssofsubmissionandofirreparableshame。
CHAPTERXXXVI
SUBMISSION
Silencereignedinthenarrowcellforafewmoments，whilsttwohumanjackalsstoodmotionlessovertheircapturedprey。
AsavagetriumphgleamedinChauvelin\'seyes，andevenHeron，dullandbrutalthoughhewas，hadbecomevaguelyconsciousofthegreatchangethathadcomeovertheprisoner。
Blakeney，withagestureandasighofhopelessexhaustionhadoncemorerestedbothhiselbowsonthetable；hisheadfellheavyandalmostlifelessdownwardinhisarms。
“Curseyou，man！”criedHeronalmostinvoluntarily。“Whyinthenameofhelldidyouwaitsolong？”
Then，astheprisonermadenoreply，butonlyraisedhisheadslightly，andlookedontheothertwomenwithdulled，weariedeyes，Chauvelininterposedcalmly：
“Morethanafortnighthasbeenwastedinuselessobstinacy，SirPercy。Fortunatelyitisnottoolate。“
“Capet？”saidHeronhoarsely，“tellus，whereisCapet？”
Heleanedacrossthetable，hiseyeswerebloodshotwiththekeennessofhisexcitement，hisvoiceshookwiththepassionatedesireforthecrowningtriumph。
“Ifyou\'llonlynotworryme，“murmuredtheprisoner；andthewhispercamesolaboriouslyandsolowthatbothmenwereforcedtobendtheirearsclosetothescarcelymovinglips；“ifyouwillletmesleepandrest，andleavemeinpeace——“
“Thepeaceofthegrave，man，“retortedChauvelinroughly；“ifyouwillonlyspeak。WhereisCapet？”
“Icannottellyou；thewayislong，theroad——intricate。“
“Bah！”
“I\'llleadyoutohim，ifyouwillgivemerest。“
“Wedon\'twantyoutoleadusanywhere，“growledHeronwithasmotheredcurse；“telluswhereCapetis；we\'llfindhimrightenough。“
“Icannotexplain；thewayisintricate；theplaceoffthebeatentrack，unknownexcepttomeandmyfriends。“
Oncemorethatshadow，whichwassolikethepassingofthehandofDeath，overspreadtheprisoner\'sface；hisheadrolledbackagainstthechair。
“He\'lldiebeforehecanspeak，“mutteredChauvelinunderhisbreath。“Youusuallyarewellprovidedwithbrandy，citizenHeron。“
Thelatternolongerdemurred。Hesawthedangerasclearlyasdidhiscolleague。Ithadbeenhell\'sownluckiftheprisonerweretodienowwhenheseemedreadytogivein。Heproducedaflaskfromthepocketofhiscoat，andthisheheldtoBlakeney\'slips。
“Beastlystuff，“murmuredthelatterfeebly。“IthinkI\'dsoonerfaint——thandrink。“
“Capet？whereisCapet？”reiteratedHeronimpatiently。“One——two——
threehundredleaguesfromhere。Imustletoneofmyfriendsknow；
he\'llcommunicatewiththeothers；theymustbeprepared，“repliedtheprisonerslowly。
Heronutteredablasphemousoath。
WhereisCapet？TelluswhereCapetis，or——“
Hewaslikearagingtigerthatbadthoughttoholditspreyandsuddenlyrealisedthatitwasbeingsnatchedfromhim。Heraisedhisfist，andwithoutdoubtthenextmomenthewouldLavesilencedforeverthelipsthatheldtheprecioussecret，butChauvelinfortunatelywasquickenoughtoseizehiswrist。
“Haveacare，citizen，“hesaidperemptorily；“haveacare！YoucalledmeafooljustnowwhenyouthoughtIhadkilledtheprisoner。Itishissecretwewantfirst；hisdeathcanfollowafterwards。“
“Yes，butnotinthisd——dhole，“murmuredBlakeney。
“Ontheguillotineifyou\'llspeak，“criedHeron，whoseexasperationwasgettingthebetterofhisself-interest，“butifyou\'llnotspeakthenitshallbestarvationinthishole——yes，starvation，“hegrowled，showingarowoflargeanduneventeethlikethoseofsomemongrelcur，“forI\'llhavethatdoorwalledinto-night，andnotanotherlivingsoulshallcrossthisthresholdagainuntilyourfleshhasrottedonyourbonesandtheratshavehadtheirfillofyou。“
Theprisonerraisedhisheadslowly，ashivershookhimasifcausedbyague，andhiseyes，thatappearedalmostsightless，nowlookedwithastrangeglanceofhorroronhisenemy。
“I\'lldieintheopen，“hewhispered，“notinthisd——dhole。“
“ThentelluswhereCapetis。“
“Icannot；IwishtoGodIcould。ButI\'lltakeyoutohim，I
swearIwill。I\'llmakemyfriendsgivehimuptoyou。DoyouthinkthatIwouldnottellyounow，ifIcould。“
Heron，whoseeveryinstinctoftyrannyrevoltedagainstthisthwartingofhiswill，wouldhavecontinuedtoheckletheprisonerevennow，hadnotChauvelinsuddenlyinterposedwithanauthoritativegesture。
“You\'llgainnothingthisway，citizen，“hesaidquietly；“theman\'smindiswandering；heisprobablyquiteunabletogiveyoucleardirectionsatthismoment。“
“WhatamItodo，then？”mutteredtheotherroughly。
“Hecannotliveanothertwenty-fourhoursnow，andwouldonlygrowmoreandmorehelplessastimewenton。“
“Unlessyourelaxyourstrictregimewithhim。“
“AndifIdowe\'llonlyprolongthissituationindefinitely；andinthemeanwhilehowdoweknowthatthebratisnotbeingspiritedawayoutofthecountry？”
Theprisoner，withhisheadoncemoreburiedinhisarms，hadfallenintoakindoftorpor，theonlykindofsleepthattheexhaustedsystemwouldallow。WithabrutalgestureHeronshookhimbytheshoulder。
“He，“heshouted，“noneofthat，youknow。WehavenotsettledthematterofyoungCapetyet。“
Then，astheprisonermadenomovement，andthechiefagentindulgedinoneofhisfavouritevolleysofoaths，Chauvelinplacedaperemptoryhandonhiscolleague\'sshoulder。
“Itellyou，citizen，thatthisisnouse，“hesaidfirmly。
“UnlessyouarepreparedtogiveupallthoughtsoffindingCapet，youmusttryandcurbyourtemper，andtrydiplomacywhereforceissuretofail。“
“Diplomacy？”retortedtheotherwithasneer。“Bah！itservedyouwellatBoulognelastautumn，diditnot，citizenChauvelin？”
“Ithasservedmebetternow，“rejoinedtheotherimperturbably。
“Youwillown，citizen，thatitismydiplomacywhichhasplacedwithinyourreachtheultimatehopeoffindingCapet。“
“H\'m！”mutteredtheother，“youadvisedustostarvetheprisoner。
Areweanynearertoknowinghissecret？”
“Yes。Byafortnightofweariness，ofexhaustionandofstarvation，youarenearertoitbytheweaknessofthemanwhominhisfullstrengthyoucouldneverhopetoconquer。“
“ButifthecursedEnglishmanwon\'tspeak，andinthemeanwhilediesonmyhands——“
“Hewon\'tdothatifyouwillaccedetohiswish。Givehimsomegoodfoodnow，andlethimsleeptilldawn。“
“Andatdawnhe\'lldefymeagain。Ibelievenowthathehassomeschemeinhismind，andmeanstoplayusatrick。“
“That，Iimagine，ismorethanlikely，“retortedChauvelindryly；
“though，“headdedwithacontemptuousnodoftheheaddirectedatthehuddled-upfigureofhisoncebrilliantenemy，“neithermindnorbodyseemtometobeinasufficientlyactivestatejustnowforhatchingplotorintrigue；butevenif——vaguelyfloatingthroughhiscloudedmind——therehassprungsomelittleschemeforevasion，Igiveyoumyword，citizenHeron，thatyoucanthwarthimcompletely，andgainallthatyoudesire，ifyouwillonlyfollowmyadvice。“
TherehadalwaysbeenagreatamountofpersuasivepowerincitizenChauvelin，ex-envoyoftherevolutionaryGovernmentofFranceattheCourtofSt。James，andthatsamepersuasiveeloquencedidnotfailnowinitseffectonthechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。Thelatterwasmadeofcoarserstuffthanhismorebrilliantcolleague。Chauvelinwaslikeawilyandsleekpantherthatisfurtiveinitsmovements，thatwilllureitsprey，watchit，followitwithstealthyfootsteps，andonlypounceonitwhenitisleastwary，whilstHeronwasmorelikearagingbullthattossesitsheadinablind，irresponsiblefashion，rushesatanobstaclewithoutgaugingitsresistingpowers，andallowsitsvictimtoslipfrombeneathitsweightthroughtheveryclumsinessandbrutalityofitsassault。
StillChauvelinhadtwoheavyblackmarksagainsthim——thoseofhisfailuresatCalaisandBoulogne。Heron，renderedcautiousbothbythedeadlydangerinwhichhestoodandthesenseofhisownincompetencetodealwiththepresentsituation，triedtoresisttheother\'sauthorityaswellashispersuasion。
“YouradvicewasnotofgreatusetocitizenCollotlastautumnatBoulogne，“hesaid，andspatonthegroundbywayofexpressingbothhisindependenceandhiscontempt。
“Still，citizenHeron，“retortedChauvelinwithunruffledpatience，“itisthebestadvicethatyouarelikelytogetinthepresentemergency。Youhaveeyestosee，haveyounot？Lookonyourprisoneratthismoment。Unlesssomethingisdone，andatonce，too，hewillbepastnegotiatingwithinthenexttwenty-fourhours；
thenwhatwillfollow？”
Heputhisthinhandoncemoreonhiscolleague\'sgrubbycoat-sleeve，hedrewhimclosertohimselfawayfromthevicinityofthathuddledfigure，thatcaptivelion，wrappedinatorpidsomnolencethatlookedalreadysolikethelastlongsleep。
“Whatwillfollow，citizenHeron？”hereiterated，sinkinghisvoicetoawhisper；“soonerorlatersomemeddlesomebusybodywhositsintheAssemblyoftheConventionwillgetwindthatlittleCapetisnolongerintheTempleprison，thatapauperchildwassubstitutedforhim，andthatyou，citizenHeron，togetherwiththecommissariesincharge，havethusbeenfoolingthenationanditsrepresentativesforoverafortnight。Whatwillfollowthen，thinkyou？”
Andhemadeanexpressivegesturewithhisoutstretchedfingersacrosshisthroat。
Heronfoundnootheranswerbutblasphemy。
“I\'llmakethatcursedEnglishmanspeakyet，“hesaidwithafierceoath。
“Youcannot，“retortedChauvelindecisively。“Inhispresentstateheisincapableofit，evenifhewould，whichalsoisdoubtful。“
“Ah！thenyoudothinkthathestillmeanstocheatus？”
“Yes，Ido。ButIalsoknowthatheisnolongerinaphysicalstatetodoit。Nodoubthethinksthatheis。Amanofthattypeissuretoovervaluehisownstrength；butlookathim，citizenHeron。Surelyyoumustseethatwehavenothingtofearfromhimnow。“
Heronnowwaslikeavoraciouscreaturethathastwovictimslyingreadyforhisgluttonousjaws。Hewasloathtoleteitherofthemgo。HehatedtheverythoughtofseeingtheEnglishmanbeingledoutofthisnarrowcell，wherehehadkeptawatchfuleyeoverhimnightanddayforafortnight，satisfiedthatwitheveryday，everyhour，thechancesofescapebecamemoreimprobableandmorerare；atthesametimetherewasthepossibilityoftherecaptureoflittleCapet，apossibilitywhichmadeHeron\'sbrainreelwiththedelightfulvistaofit，andwhichmightnevercomeaboutiftheprisonerremainedsilenttotheend。