CHAPTERXLVI
OTHERSINTHEPARK
Chauvelinandhispickedescorthadinthemeanwhiledetachedthemselvesfromthemainbodyofthesquad。Soonthedullthudoftheirhorses\'hoofstreadingthesoftgroundcamemoresoftly——
thenmoresoftlystillastheyturnedintothewood，andthepurpleshadowsseemedtoenfoldeverysoundandfinallytoswallowthemcompletely。
ArmandandMargueritefromthedepthofthecarriageheardHeron\'svoiceorderinghisowndrivernowtotakethelead。Theysatquitestillandwatched，andpresentlytheothercoachpassedthemslowlyontheroad，itssilhouettestandingoutghostlyandgrimforamomentagainsttheindigotonesofthedistantcountry。
Heron\'shead，withitsbatteredsugar-loafhat，andthesoiledbandageroundthebrow，wasasusualoutofthecarriagewindow。
HeleeredacrossatMargueritewhenhesawtheoutlineofherfaceframedbythewindowofthecarriage。
“Sayalltheprayersyouhaveeverknown，citizeness，“hesaidwithaloudlaugh，“thatmyfriendChauvelinmayfindCapetatthechateau，orelseyoumaytakealastlookattheopencountry，foryouwillnotseethesunriseonitto-morrow。Itisoneortheother，youknow。“
Shetriednottolookathim；theverysightofhimfilledherwithhorror——thatblotched，gauntfaceofhis，thefleshylips，thathideousbandageacrosshisfacethathidoneofhiseyes！
Shetriednottoseehimandnottohearhimlaugh。
Obviouslyhetoolabouredunderthestressofgreatexcitement。
Sofareverythinghadgonewell；theprisonerhadmadenoattemptatescape，andapparentlydidnotmeantoplayadoublegame。Butthecrucialhourhadcome，andwithitdarknessandthemysteriousdepthsoftheforestwiththeirweirdsoundsandsuddenflashesofghostlylights。TheynaturallywroughtonthenervesofmenlikeHeron，whoseconsciencemighthavebeendormant，butwhoseearswereneverthelessfilledwiththecriesofinnocentvictimssacrificedtotheirownlustfulambitionsandtheirblind，unreasoninghates。
Hegavesharporderstothementoclosetiproundthecarriages，andthengavethecurtwordofcommand：
“Enavant！”
Margueritecouldbutstrainherearstolisten。Allhersenses，allherfacultieshadmergedintothatofhearing，renderingitdoublykeen。Itseemedtoherthatshecoulddistinguishthefaintsound——thatevenasshelistenedgrewfainterandfainteryet——ofChauvelinandhissquadmovingawayrapidlyintothethicknessofthewoodsomedistancealreadyahead。
Closetohertherewasthesnortingofhorses，theclangingandnoiseofmovingmountedmen。Heron\'scoachhadtakenthelead；
shecouldhearthecreakingofitswheels，thecallsofthedriverurginghisbeasts。
Thediminishedpartywasmovingatfoot-paceinthedarknessthatseemedtogrowdenserateverystep，andthroughthatsilencewhichwassofullofmysterioussounds。
Thecarriagerolledandrockedonitssprings；Marguerite，giddyandovertired，laybackwithclosedeyes，herhandrestinginthatofArmand。Time，spaceanddistancehadceasedtobe；onlyDeath，thegreatLordofall，hadremained；hewalkedonahead，scytheonskeletonshoulder，andbeckonedpatiently，butwithasure，grimhand。
Therewasanotherhalt，thecoach-wheelsgroanedandcreakedontheiraxles，oneortwohorsesrearedwiththesuddendrawingupofthecurb。
“Whatisitnow？”cameHeron\'shoarsevoicethroughthedarkness。
“Itispitch-dark，citizen，“wastheresponsefromahead。Thedriverscannotseetheirhorses\'ears。Theywaittoknowiftheymaylighttheirlanthornsandthenleadtheirhorses。“
“Theycanleadtheirhorses，“repliedHeronroughly，“butI\'llhavenolanthornslighted。Wedon\'tknowwhatfoolsmaybelurkingbehindtrees，hopingtoputabulletthroughmyhead——oryours，sergeant——wedon\'twanttomakealightedtargetofourselves——what？Butletthedriversleadtheirhorses，andoneortwoofyouwhoareridinggreysmightdismounttooandleadtheway——thegreyswouldshowupperhapsinthiscursedblackness。“
Whilehisorderswerebeingcarriedout，hecalledoutoncemore：
“Arewefarnowfromthatconfoundedchapel？”
“Wecan\'tbefar，citizen；thewholeforestisnotmorethansixleagueswideatanypoint，andwehavegonetwosinceweturnedintoit。“
“Hush！”Heron\'svoicesuddenlybrokeinhoarsely。Whatwasthat？
Silence，Isay。Damnyou——can\'tyouhear？”
Therewasahush——everyearstrainingtolisten；butthehorseswerenotstill——theycontinuedtochamptheirbits，topawtheground，andtotosstheirheads，impatienttogeton。Onlynowandagaintherewouldcomealulleventhroughthesesounds——asecondortwo，mayhap，ofperfect，unbrokensilence——andthenitseemedasifrightthroughthedarknessamysteriousechosentbackthosesamesounds——thechampingofbits，thepawingofsoftground，thetossingandsnortingofanimals，humanlifethatbreathedfaroutthereamongthetrees。
“ItiscitizenChauvelinandhismen，“saidthesergeantafterawhile，andspeakinginawhisper。
“Silence——Iwanttohear，“camethecurt，hoarsely-whisperedcommand。
Oncemoreeveryonelistened，themenhardlydaringtobreathe，clingingtotheirbridlesandpullingontheirhorses\'mouths，tryingtokeepthemstill，andagainthroughthenighttherecamelikeafaintechowhichseemedtothrowbackthosesoundsthatindicatedthepresenceofmenandofhorsesnotveryfaraway。
“Yes，itmustbecitizenChauvelin，“saidHeronatlast；butthetoneofhisvoicesoundedasifhewereanxiousandonlyhalfconvinced；“butIthoughthewouldbeatthechateaubynow。“
“Hemayhavehadtogoatfoot-pace；itisverydark，citizenHeron，“remarkedthesergeant。
“Enavant，then，“quoththeother；“thesoonerwecometipwithhimthebetter。“
Andthesquadofmountedmen，thetwocoaches，thedriversandtheadvancesectionwhowereleadingtheirhorsesslowlyrestartedontheway。Thehorsessnorted，thebitsandstirrupsclanged，andthespringsandwheelsofthecoachescreakedandgroaneddismallyastheramshacklevehiclesbeganoncemoretoploughthecarpetofpine-needlesthatlaythickupontheroad。
ButinsidethecarriageArmandandMargueriteheldoneanothertightlybythehand。
“ItisdeBatz——withhisfriends，“shewhisperedscarceaboveherbreath。
“DeBatz？”heaskedvaguelyandfearfully，forinthedarkhecouldnotseeherface，andashedidnotunderstandwhysheshouldsuddenlybetalkingofdeBatzhethoughtwithhorrorthatmayhapherprophecyanentherselfhadcometrue，andthathermindweariedandover-wrought——hadbecomesuddenlyunhinged。
“Yes，deBatz，“shereplied。“Percysenthimamessage，throughme，tomeethim——here。Iamnotmad，Armand，“sheaddedmorecalmly。“SirAndrewtookPercy\'slettertodeBatzthedaythatwestartedfromParis。“
“GreatGod！”exclaimedArmand，andinstinctively，withasenseofprotection，heputhisarmsroundhissister。“Then，ifChauvelinorthesquadisattacked——if——“
“Yes，“shesaidcalmly；“ifdeBatzmakesanattackonChauvelin，orifhereachesthechateaufirstandtriestodefendit，theywillshootus……Armand，andPercy。“
“ButistheDauphinattheChateaud\'Ourde？”
“No，no！Ithinknot。“
“ThenwhyshouldPercyhaveinvokedtheaidofdeBatz？Now，when——“
“Idon\'tknow，“shemurmuredhelplessly。“Ofcourse，whenhewrotetheletterhecouldnotguessthattheywouldholdusashostages。Hemayhavethoughtthatundercoverofdarknessandofanunexpectedattackhemighthavesavedhimselfhadhebeenalone；butnow——nowthatyouandIarehere——Oh！itisallsohorrible，andIcannotunderstanditall。“
“Hark！”brokeinArmand，suddenlygrippingherarmmoretightly。
“Halt！”rangthesergeant\'svoicethroughthenight。
Thistimetherewasnomistakingthesound；alreadyitcamefromnofardistance。Itwasthesoundofamanrunningandpanting，andnowandagaincallingoutasheran。
Foramomenttherewasstillnessintheveryair，thewinditselfwashushedbetweentwogusts，eventherainhadceaseditsincessantpattering。Heron\'sharshvoicewasraisedinthestillness。
“Whatisitnow？”hedemanded。
“Arunner，citizen，“repliedthesergeant，“comingthroughthewoodfromtheright。“
“Fromtheright？”andtheexclamationwasaccompaniedbyavolleyofoaths；“thedirectionofthechateau？Chauvelinhasbeenattacked；heissendingamessengerbacktome。Sergeant——sergeant，closeuproundthatcoach；guardyourprisonersasyouvalueyourlife，and——“
Therestofhiswordsweredrownedinayellofsuchviolentfurythatthehorses，alreadyover-nervousandfidgety，rearedinmadterror，andthemenhadthegreatestdifficultyinholdingthemin。Forafewminutesnoisyconfusionprevailed，untilthemencouldquietentheirquiveringanimalswithsoftwordsandgentlepattings。
Thenthetroopersobeyed，closinguproundthecoachwhereinbrotherandsistersathuddledagainstoneanother。
Oneofthemensaidunderhisbreath：
“Ah！butthecitizenagentknowshowtocurse！Onedayhewillbreakhisgulletwiththefuryofhisoaths。“
Inthemeanwhiletherunnerhadcomenearer，alwaysatthesamebreathlessspeed。
Thenextmomenthewaschallenged：
“Quivala？”
“Afriend！”hereplied，pantingandexhausted。“WhereiscitizenHeron？”
“Here！”camethereplyinavoicehoarsewithpassionateexcitement。
“Comeup，damnyou。Bequick！”
“Alanthorn，citizen，“suggestedoneofthedrivers。
“No——no——notnow。Here！Wherethedevilarewe？”
“Weareclosetothechapelonourleft，citizen，“saidthesergeant。
Therunner，whoseeyeswerenodoubtaccustomedtothegloom，haddrawnnearertothecarriage。
“Thegatesofthechateau，“hesaid，stillsomewhatbreathlessly，“arejustoppositehereontheright，citizen。Ihavejustcomethroughthem。“
“Speakup，man！”andHeron\'svoicenowsoundedasifchokedwithpassion。“CitizenChauvelinsentyou？”
“Yes。Hebademetellyouthathehasgainedaccesstothechateau，andthatCapetisnotthere。“
AseriesofcitizenHeron\'schoicestoathsinterruptedtheman\'sspeech。Thenhewascurtlyorderedtoproceed，andheresumedhisreport。
“CitizenChauvelinrangatthedoorofthechateau；afterawhilehewasadmittedbyanoldservant，whoappearedtobeincharge，buttheplaceseemedotherwiseabsolutelydeserted——only——“
“Onlywhat？Goon；whatisit？”
“Aswerodethroughtheparkitseemedtousasifwewerebeingwatched，andfollowed。Wehearddistinctlythesoundofhorsesbehindandaroundus，butwecouldseenothing；andnow，whenI
ranback，againIheard。Thereareothersintheparkto-nightbesidesus，citizen。“
Therewassilenceafterthat。ItseemedasifthefloodofHeron\'sblasphemouseloquencehadspentitselfatlast。
“Othersinthepark！”Andnowhisvoicewasscarcelyaboveawhisper，hoarseandtrembling。“Howmany？Couldyousee？”
“No，citizen，wecouldnotsee；buttherearehorsemenlurkingroundthechateaunow。CitizenChauvelintookfourmenintothehousewithhimandlefttheothersonguardoutside。Hebademetellyouthatitmightbesafertosendhimafewmoremenifyoucouldsparethem。Thereareanumberofdisusedfarmbuildingsquiteclosetothegates，andhesuggestedthatallthehorsesbeputupthereforthenight，andthatthemencomeuptothechateauonfoot；itwouldbequickerandsafer，forthedarknessisintense。“
Evenwhilethemanspoketheforestinthedistanceseemedtowakefromitssolemnsilence，thewindonitswingsbroughtsoundsoflifeandmovementdifferentfromtheprowlingofbeastsorthescreechingofnight-birds。Itwasthefurtiveadvanceofmen，thequickwhispersofcommand，ofencouragement，ofthehumananimalpreparingtoattackhiskind。Butallinthedistancestill，allmuffled，allfurtiveasyet。
“Sergeant！”ItwasHeron\'svoice，butittoowassubdued，andalmostcalmnow；“canyouseethechapel？”
“Moreclearly，citizen，“repliedthesergeant。“Itisonourleft；quiteasmallbuilding，Ithink。“
“Thendismount，andwalkallroundit。Seethattherearenowindowsordoorintherear。“
Therewasaprolongedsilence，duringwhichthosedistantsoundsofmenmoving，offurtivepreparationsforattack，struckdistinctlythroughthenight。
MargueriteandArmand，clingingtooneanother，notknowingwhattothink，noryetwhattofear，heardthesoundsminglingwiththoseimmediatelyroundthem，andMargueritemurmuredunderherbreath：
“ItisdeBatzandsomeofhisfriends；butwhatcantheydo？
WhatcanPercyhopefornow？”
ButofPercyshecouldhearandseenothing。Thedarknessandthesilencehaddrawntheirimpenetrableveilbetweenhisunseenpresenceandherownconsciousness。Shecouldseethecoachinwhichhewas，butHeron\'shideouspersonality，hisheadwithitsbatteredhatandsoiledbandage，hadseemedtoobtrudeitselfalwaysbeforehergaze，blottingoutfromhermindeventheknowledgethatPercywastherenotfiftyyardsawayfromher。
Sostrongdidthisfeelinggrowinherthatpresentlytheawfuldreadseizeduponherthathewasnolongerthere；thathewasdead，wornoutwithfatigueandillnessbroughtonbyterribleprivations，orifnotdeadthathehadswooned，thathewasunconscious——hisspiritabsentfromhisbody。SherememberedthatfrightfulyellofrageandhatewhichHeronhadutteredafewminutesago。Hadthebruteventedhisfuryonhishelpless，weakenedprisoner，andstilledforeverthoselipsthat，mayhap，hadmockedhimtothelast？
Margueritecouldnotguess。Shehardlyknewwhattohope。
Vaguely，whenthethoughtofPercylyingdeadbesidehisenemyfloatedthroughherachingbrain，shewasalmostconsciousofasenseofreliefatthethoughtthatatleasthewouldbesparedthepainofthefinal，inevitablecataclysm。
CHAPTERXLVII
THECHAPELOFTHEHOLYSEPULCHRE
Thesergeant\'svoicebrokeinuponhermisery。
Themanhadapparentlydoneasthecitizenagenthadordered，andhadcloselyexaminedthelittlebuildingthatstoodontheleft——avague，blackmassmoredensethanthesurroundinggloom。
“Itisallsolidstone，citizen，“hesaid；“irongatesinfront，closedbutnotlocked，rustykeyinthelock，whichturnsquiteeasily；nowindowsordoorintherear。“
“Youarequitesure？”
“Quitecertain，citizen；itisplain，solidstoneattheback，andtheonlypossibleaccesstotheinterioristhroughtheirongateinfront。“
“Good。“
MargueritecouldonlyjusthearHeronspeakingtothesergeant。
Darknessenvelopedeveryformanddeadenedeverysound。Eventheharshvoicewhichshehadlearnedtoloatheandtodreadsoundedcuriouslysubduedandunfamiliar。Heronnolongerseemedinclinedtostorm，torage，ortocurse。Themomentarydanger，thethoughtoffailure，thehopeofrevenge，hadapparentlycooledhistemper，strengthenedhisdetermination，andforcedhisvoicedowntoalittleaboveawhisper。Hegavehisordersclearlyandfirmly，andthewordscametoMargueriteonthewingsofthewindwithstrangedistinctness，bornetoherearsbythedarknessitself，andthehushthatlayoverthewood。
“Takehalfadozenmenwithyou，sergeant，“shebeardhimsay，“andjoincitizenChauvelinatthechateau。Youcanstableyourhorsesinthefarmbuildingscloseby，ashesuggestsandruntohimonfoot。Youandyourmenshouldquicklygetthebestofahandfulofmidnightprowlers；youarewellarmedandtheyonlycivilians。TellcitizenChauvelinthatIinthemeanwhilewilltakecareofourprisoners。TheEnglishmanIshallputinironsandlockupinsidethechapel，withfivemenunderthecommandofyourcorporaltoguardhim，theothertwoIwilldrivemyselfstraighttoCrecywithwhatisleftoftheescort。Youunderstand？”
“Yes，citizen。“
“WemaynotreachCrecyuntiltwohoursaftermidnight，butdirectlyIarriveIwillsendcitizenChauvelinfurtherreinforcements，which，however，Ihopemaynotnecessary，butwhichwillreachhimintheearlymorning。Evenifheisseriouslyattacked，hecan，withfourteenmenhewillhavewithhim，holdoutinsidethecastlethroughthenight。Tellhimalsothatatdawntwoprisonerswhowillbewithmewillbeshotinthecourtyardoftheguard-houseatCrecy，butthatwhetherhehasgotholdofCapetornothehadbestpickuptheEnglishmaninthechapelinthemorningandbringhimstraighttoCrecy，whereI
shallbeawaitinghimreadytoreturntoParis。Youunderstand？”
“Yes，citizen。“
“ThenrepeatwhatIsaid。“
“IamtotakesixmenwithmetoreinforcecitizenChauvelinnow。“
“Yes。“
“Andyou，citizen，willdrivestraightbacktoCrecy，andwillsendusfurtherreinforcementsfromthere，whichwillreachusintheearlymorning。“
“Yes。“
“WearetoholdthechateauagainstthoseunknownmaraudersifnecessaryuntilthereinforcementscomefromCrecy。Havingroutedthem，wereturnhere，pickuptheEnglishmanwhomyouwillhavelockedupinthechapelunderastrongguardcommandedbyCorporalCassard，andjoinyouforthwithatCrecy。“
“This，whethercitizenChauvelinhasgotholdofCapetornot。“
“Yes，citizen，Iunderstand，“concludedthesergeantimperturbably；“andIamalsototellcitizenChauvelinthatthetwoprisonerswillbeshotatdawninthecourtyardoftheguard-houseatCrecy。“
“Yes。Thatisall。Trytofindtheleaderoftheattackingparty，andbringhimalongtoCrecywiththeEnglishman；butunlesstheyareinverysmallnumbersdonottroubleabouttheothers。Nowenavant；citizenChauvelinmightbegladofyourhelp。And——stay——orderallthementodismount，andtakethehorsesoutofoneofthecoaches，thenletthemenyouaretakingwithyoueachleadahorse，oreventwo，andstablethemallinthefarmbuildings。Ishallnotneedthem，andcouldnotspareanyofmymenfortheworklateron。Rememberthat，aboveall，silenceistheorder。Whenyouarereadytostart，comebacktomehere。“
Thesergeantmovedaway，andMargueriteheardhimtransmittingthecitizenagent\'sorderstothesoldiers。Thedismountingwascarriedoninwonderfulsilence——forsilencehadbeenoneoftheprincipalcommands——onlyoneortwowordsreachedherears。
“Firstsectionandfirsthalfofsecondsectionfallin，rightwheel。Firstsectioneachtaketwohorsesonthelead。Quietlynowthere；don\'ttugathisbridle——lethimgo。“
Andafterthatasimplereport：
“Allready，citizen！”
“Good！”wastheresponse。“Nowdetailyourcorporalandtwomentocomeheretome，sothatwemayputtheEnglishmaninirons，andtakehimatoncetothechapel，andfourmentostandguardatthedoorsoftheothercoach。“
Thenecessaryordersweregiven，andafterthattherecamethecurtcommand：
“Enavant！”
Thesergeant，withhissquadandallthehorses，wasslowlymovingawayinthenight。Thehorses\'hoofshardlymadeanoiseonthesoftcarpetofpine-needlesandofdeadfallenleaves，butthechampingofthebitswasofcourseaudible，andnowandthenthesnortingofsomepoor，tiredhorselongingforitsstable。
SomehowinMarguerite\'sfeveredmindthisdepartureofasquadofmenseemedlikethefinalflittingofherlasthope；theslowagonyofthefamiliarsounds，theretreatinghorsesandsoldiersmovingawayamongsttheshadows，tookonaweirdsignificance。
Heronhadgivenhislastorders。Percy，helplessandprobablyunconscious，wouldspendthenightinthatdankchapel，whilesheandArmandwouldbetakenbacktoCrecy，driventodeathlikesomeinsentientanimalstotheslaughter。
WhenthegreydawnwouldfirstbegintopeepthroughthebranchesofthepinesPercywouldbeledbacktoParisandtheguillotine，andsheandArmandwillhavebeensacrificedtothehatredandrevengeofbrutes。
Theendhadcome，andtherewasnothingmoretobedone。
Struggling，fighting，scheming，couldbeofnoavailnow；butshewantedtogettoherhusband；shewantedtobenearhimnowthatdeathwassoimminentbothforhimandforher。
Shetriedtoenvisageitall，quitecalmly，justassheknewthatPercywouldwishhertodo。Theinevitableendwasthere，andshewouldnotgivetothesecallouswretchesherethegratuitousspectacleofadespairingwomanfightingblindlyagainstadverseFate。
Butshewantedtogotoherhusband。Shefeltthatshecouldfacedeathmoreeasilyonthemorrowifshecouldbutseehimonce，ifshecouldbutlookoncemoreintotheeyesthathadmirroredsomuchenthusiasm，suchabsolutevitalityandwhole-heartedself-sacrifice，andsuchanintensityofloveandpassion；ifsheCouldbutkissoncemorethoselipsthathadsmiledthroughlife，andwouldsmile，sheknew，eveninthefaceofdeath。
Shetriedtoopenthecarriagedoor，butitwasheldfromwithout，andaharshvoicecursedher，orderinghertositstill。
Butshecouldleanoutofthewindowandstrainhereyestosee。
Theywerebynowaccustomedtothegloom，thedilatedpupilstakinginpicturesofvagueformsmovinglikeghoulsintheshadows。Theothercoachwasnotfar，andshecouldhearHeron\'svoice，stillsubduedandcalm，andthecursesofthemen。ButnotasoundfromPercy。
“Ithinktheprisonerisunconscious，“sheheardoneofthemensay。
“Lifthimoutofthecarriage，then，“wasHeron\'scurtcommand；
“andyougoandthrowopenthechapelgates。“
Margueritesawitall。Themovement，thecrowdofmen，twovague，blackformsliftinganotherone，whichappearedheavyandinert，outofthecoach，andcarryingitstaggeringuptowardsthechapel。
Thentheformsdisappeared，swallowedupbythemoredensemassofthelittlebuilding，mergedinwithit，immovableasthestoneitself。
Onlyafewwordsreachedhernow。
“Heisunconscious。“
“Leavehimthere，then；he\'llnotmove！”
“Nowclosethegates！”
Therewasaloudclang，andMargueritegaveapiercingscream。
Shetoreatthehandleofthecarriagedoor。
“Armand，Armand，gotohim！”shecried；andallherself-control，allherenforcedcalm，vanishedinanoutburstofwild，agonisingpassion。“Letmegettohim，Armand！Thisistheend；getmetohim，inthenameofGod！”
“Stopthatwomanscreaming，“cameHeron\'svoiceclearlythroughthenight。“Putherandtheotherprisonerinirons——quick！”
ButwhileMargueriteexpendedherfeeblestrengthinamad，patheticefforttoreachherhusband，evennowatthislasthour，whenallhopewasdeadandDeathwassonigh，Armandhadalreadywrenchedthecarriagedoorfromthegraspofthesoldierwhowasguardingit。HewasoftheSouth，andknewthetrickofcharginganunsuspectingadversarywithheadthrustforwardlikeabullinsidearing。Thusheknockedoneofthesoldiersdownandmadeaquickrushforthechapelgates。
Themen，attackedsosuddenlyandinsuchcompletedarkness，didnotwaitfororders。TheyclosedinroundArmand；onemandrewhissabreandhackedawaywithitinaimlessrage。
Butforthemomentheevadedthemall，pushinghiswaythroughthem，notheedingtheblowsthatcameonhimfromoutthedarkness。Atlasthereachedthechapel。Withoneboundhewasatthegate，hisnumbfingersfumblingforthelock，whichhecouldnotsee。
ItwasavigorousblowfromHeron\'sfistthatbroughthimatlasttohisknees，andeventhenhishandsdidnotrelaxtheirhold；
theygrippedtheornamentalscrollofthegate，shookthegateitselfinitsrustyhinges，pushedandpulledwiththeunreasoningstrengthofdespair。Hehadasabrecutacrosshisbrow，andthebloodflowedinawarm，tricklingstreamdownhisface。Butofthishewasunconscious；allthathewanted，allthathewasstrivingforwithagonisingheart-beatsandcrackingsinews，wastogettohisfriend，whowaslyinginthereunconscious，abandoned——dead，perhaps。
“Curseyou，“struckHeron\'svoiceclosetohisear。“Cannotsomeofyoustopthisravingmaniac？”
Thenitwasthattheheavyblowonhisheadcausedhimasensationofsickness，andhefellonhisknees，stillgrippingtheironwork。
Strongerhandsthanhiswereforcinghimtoloosenhishold；blowsthathurtterriblyrainedonhisnumbedfingers；hefelthimselfdraggedaway，carriedlikeaninertmassfurtherandfurtherfromthatgatewhichhewouldhavegivenhislifebloodtoforceopen。
AndMargueriteheardallthisfromtheinsideofthecoachwhereshewasimprisonedaseffectuallyaswasPercy\'sunconsciousbodyinsidethatdarkchapel。Shecouldhearthenoiseandscramble，andHeron\'shoarsecommands，theswiftsabrestrokesastheycutthroughtheair。
Alreadyatrooperhadclappedironsonherwrists，twoothersheldthecarriagedoors。NowArmandwasliftedbackintothecoach，andshecouldnotevenhelptomakehimcomfortable，thoughashewasliftedinsheheardhimfeeblymoaning。ThentheCarriagedoorswerebangedtoagain。
“Donotalloweitheroftheprisonersoutagain，onperilofyourlives！”camewithavigorouscursefromHeron。
Afterwhichtherewasamoment\'ssilence；whisperedcommandscamespasmodicallyindeadenedsoundtoherear。
“Willthekeyturn？”
“Yes，citizen。“
“Allsecure？”
“Yes，citizen。Theprisonerisgroaning。“
“Lethimgroan。“
“Theemptycoach，citizen？Thehorseshavebeentakenout。“
“Leaveitstandingwhereitis，then；citizenChauvelinwillneeditinthemorning。“
“Armand，“whisperedMargueriteinsidethecoach，“didyouseePercy？”
“Itwassodark，“murmuredArmandfeebly；“butIsawhim，justinsidethegates，wheretheyhadlaidhimdown。Iheardhimgroaning。Oh，myGod！”
“Hush，dear！”shesaid。“Wecandonothingmore，onlydie，ashelived，bravelyandwithasmileonourlips，inmemoryofhim。“
“Number35iswounded，citizen，“saidoneofthemen。
“Cursethefoolwhodidthemischief，“wastheplacidresponse。
“Leavehimherewiththeguard。“
“Howmanyofyouarethereleft，then？”askedthesamevoiceamomentlater。
“Onlytwo，citizen；ifonewholesectionremainswithmeatthechapeldoor，andalsothewoundedman。“
“Twoareenoughforme，andfivearenottoomanyatthechapeldoor。“AndHeron\'scoarse，cruellaughechoedagainstthestonewallsofthelittlechapel。“Nowthen，oneofyougetintothecoach，andtheothergotothehorses\'heads；andremember，CorporalCassard，thatyouandyourmenwhostayheretoguardthatchapeldoorareanswerabletothewholenationwithyourlivesforthesafetyoftheEnglishman。“
Thecarriagedoorwasthrownopen，andasoldiersteppedinandsatdownoppositeMargueriteandArmand。Heroninthemeanwhilewasapparentlyscramblingupthebox。Margueritecouldhearhimmutteringcursesashegropedforthereins，andfinallygatheredthemintohishand。
Thespringsofthecoachcreakedandgroanedasthevehicleslowlyswunground；thewheelsplougheddeeplythroughthesoftcarpetofdeadleaves。
MargueritefeltArmand\'sinertbodyleaningheavilyagainsthershoulder。
“Areyouinpain，dear？”sheaskedsoftly。
Hemadenoreply，andshethoughtthathehadfainted。Itwasbetterso；atleastthenextdrearyhourswouldflitbyforhimintheblissfulstateofunconsciousness。Nowatlasttheheavycarriagebegantomovemoreevenly。Thesoldieratthehorses\'
headswassteppingalongatarapidpace。
Margueritewouldhavegivenmuchevennowtolookbackoncemoreatthedenseblackmass，blackeranddenserthananyshadowthathadeverdescendedbeforeonGod\'searth，whichheldbetweenitscold，cruelwallsallthatshelovedintheworld。
Butherwristswerefetteredbytheirons，whichcutintoherfleshwhenshemoved。Shecouldnolongerleanoutofthewindow，andshecouldnotevenhear。Thewholeforestwashushed，thewindwaslulledtorest；wildbeastsandnight-birdsweresilentandstill。Andthewheelsofthecoachcreakedintheruts，bearingMargueritewitheveryturnfurtherandfurtherawayfromthemanwholayhelplessinthechapeloftheHolySepulchre。
CHAPTERXLVIII
THEWANINGMOON
Armandhadwakenedfromhisattackoffaintness，andbrotherandsistersatclosetooneanother，shouldertouchingshoulder。Thatsenseofnearnesswastheonetinysparkofcomforttobothofthemonthisdreary，drearyway。
Thecoachhadlumberedonunceasinglysincealleternity——soitseemedtothemboth。Oncetherehadbeenabriefhalt，whenHeron\'sroughvoicehadorderedthesoldieratthehorses\'headstoclimbontheboxbesidehim，andonce——ithadbeenaverylittlewhileago——aterriblecryofpainandterrorhadrungthroughthestillnessofthenight。Immediatelyafterthatthehorseshadbeenputatamorerapidpace，butithadseemedtoMargueriteasifthatonecryofpainhadbeenrepeatedbyseveralotherswhichsoundedmorefeebleandsoonappearedtobedyingawayinthedistancebehind。
Thesoldierwhosatoppositetothemmusthaveheardthecrytoo，forhejumpedup，asifwakenedfromsleep，andputhisheadoutofthewindow。
“Didyouhearthatcry，citizen？”heasked。
Butonlyacurseansweredhim，andaperemptorycommandnottolosesightoftheprisonersbypokinghisheadoutofthewindow。
“Didyouhearthecry？”askedthesoldierofMargueriteashemadehastetoobey。
“Yes！Whatcoulditbe？”shemurmured。
“Itseemsdangeroustodrivesofastinthisdarkness，“mutteredthesoldier。
Afterwhichremarkhe，withthestoliditypeculiartohiskind，figurativelyshruggedhisshoulders，detachinghimself，asitwere，ofthewholeaffair。
“Weshouldbeoutoftheforestbynow，“heremarkedinanundertonealittlewhilelater；“thewayseemedshorterbefore。“
Justthenthecoachgaveanunexpectedlurchtooneside，andaftermuchgroaningandcreakingofaxlesandspringsitcametoastandstill，andthecitizenagentwasheardcursingloudlyandthenscramblingdownfromthebox。
Thenextmomentthecarriage-doorwaspulledopenfromwithout，andtheharshvoicecalledoutperemptorily：
“Citizensoldier，here——quick！——quick！——curseyou！——we\'llhaveoneofthehorsesdownifyoudon\'thurry！”
Thesoldierstruggledtohisfeet；itwasnevergoodtobeslowinobeyingthecitizenagent\'scommands。Hewashalf-asleepandnodoubtnumbwithcoldandlongsittingstill；toacceleratehismovementshewassuddenlygrippedbythearmanddraggedincontinentlyoutofthecoach。
Thenthedoorwasslammedtoagain，eitherbyaroughhandorasuddengustofwind，Margueritecouldnottell；sheheardacryofrageandoneofterror，andHeron\'sraucouscurses。ShecoweredinthecornerofthecarriagewithArmand\'sheadagainsthershoulder，andtriedtocloseherearstoallthosehideoussounds。
Thensuddenlyallthesoundswerehushedandallaroundeverythingbecameperfectlycalmandstill——sostillthatatfirstthesilenceoppressedherwithavague，namelessdread。ItwasasifNatureherselfhadpaused，thatshemightlisten；andthesilencebecamemoreandmoreabsolute，untilMargueritecouldhearArmand\'ssoft，regularbreathingclosetoherear。
Thewindownearesttoherwasopen，andassheleanedforwardwiththatparalysingsenseofoppressionabreathofpureairstruckfulluponhernostrilsandbroughtwithitabrinytasteasiffromthesea。
Itwasnotquitesodark；andtherewasasenseasofopencountrystretchingouttothelimitsofthehorizon。Overheadavaguegreyishlightsuffusedthesky，andthewindsweptthecloudsingreatrollingbanksrightacrossthatlight。
Margueritegazedupwardwithamorecalmfeelingthatwasakintogratitude。Thatpalelight，thoughsowanandfeeble，wasthricewelcomeafterthatinkyblacknesswhereinshadowswerelessdarkthanthelights。Shewatchedeagerlythebankofcloudsdrivenbythedyinggale。
Thelightgrewbrighterandfaintlygolden，nowthebanksofclouds——storm-tossedandfleecy——racedpastoneanother，partedandreunitedlikeveilsofunseengiantdancerswavedbyhandsthatcontrolledinfinitespace——advancedandrushedandslackenedspeedagain——unitedandfinallytoreasundertorevealthewaningmoon，honey-colouredandmysterious，risingasiffromaninvisibleoceanfaraway。
Thewanpalelightspreadoverthewidestretchofcountry，throwingoveritasitspreaddulltonesofindigoandofblue。
Hereandtheresparse，stuntedtreeswithfringedgauntarmsbendingtoprevailingwindsproclaimedtheneighbourhoodofthesea。
Margueritegazedonthepicturewhichthewaningmoonhadsosuddenlyrevealed；butshegazedwitheyesthatknewnotwhattheysaw。Themoonhadrisenonherright——therelaytheeast——andthecoachmusthavebeentravellingduenorth，whereasCrecy……
Intheabsolutesilencethatreignedshecouldperceivefromfar，veryfaraway，thesoundofachurchclockstrikingthemidnighthour；andnowitseemedtohersupersensitivesensesthatafirmfootstepwastreadingthesoftearth，afootstepthatdrewnearer——andthennearerstill。
Naturedidpausetolisten。Thewindwashushed，thenight-birdsintheforesthadgonetorest。Marguerite\'sheartbeatsofastthatitsthrobbingschokedher，andadizzinesscloudedherconsciousness。
Butthroughthisstateoftorporsheheardtheopeningofthecarriagedoor，shefelttheonrushofthatpure，brinyair，andshefeltalong，burningkissuponherhands。
Shethoughtthenthatshewasreallydead，andthatGodinHisinfinitelovehadopenedtohertheoutergatesofParadise。
“Mylove！”shemurmured。
Shewasleaningbackinthecarriageandhereyeswereclosed，butshefeltthatfirmfingersremovedtheironsfromherwrists，andthatapairofwarmlipswerepressedthereintheirstead。
“There，littlewoman，that\'sbetterso——isitnot？NowletmegetholdofpooroldArmand！”
ItwasHeaven，ofcourse，elsehowcouldearthholdsuchheavenlyjoy？
“Percy！”exclaimedArmandinanawedvoice。
“Hush，dear！”murmuredMargueritefeebly；“weareinHeavenyouandI——“
Whereuponaringinglaughwoketheechoesofthesilentnight。
“InHeaven，dearheart！”Andthevoicehadadeliciousearthlyringinitswhole-heartedmerriment。“PleaseGod，you\'llbothbeatPortelwithmebeforedawn。“
Thenshewasindeedforcedtobelieve。Sheputoutherhandsandgropedforhim，foritwasdarkinsidethecarriage；shegroped，andfelthismassiveshouldersleaningacrossthebodyofthecoach，whilehisfingersbusiedthemselveswiththeironsonArmand\'swrist。
“Don\'ttouchthatbrute\'sfilthycoatwithyourdaintyfingers，dearheart，“hesaidgaily。“GreatLord！Ihavewornthatwretch\'sclothesforovertwohours；Ifeelasifthedirthadpenetratedtomybones。“
Thenwiththatgesturesohabitualtohimhetookherheadbetweenhistwohands，anddrawinghertohimuntilthewanlightfromwithoutlitupthefacethatheworshipped，hegazedhisfillintohereyes。
Shecouldonlyseetheoutlineofhisheadsilhouettedagainstthewind-tossedsky；shecouldnotseehiseyes，norhislips，butshefelthisnearness，andthehappinessofthatalmostcausedhertoswoon。
“Comeoutintotheopen，myladyfair，“hemurmured，andthoughshecouldnotsee，shecouldfeelthathesmiled；“letGod\'spureairblowthroughyourhairandroundyourdearhead。Then，ifyoucanwalksofar，there\'sasmallhalf-wayhouseclosebyhere。I
haveknockedupthenonetooamiablehost。YouandArmandcouldhavehalfanhour\'sresttherebeforewegofurtheronourway。“
“Butyou，Percy？——areyousafe？”
“Yes，m\'dear，weareallofussafeuntilmorning-timeenoughtoreachLePortel，andtobeaboardtheDay-DreambeforemineamiablefriendM。ChambertinhasdiscoveredhisworthycolleaguelyinggaggedandboundinsidethechapeloftheHolySepulchre。
ByGad！howoldHeronwillcurse——themomenthecanopenhismouth！”
Hehalfhelped，halfliftedheroutofthecarriage。Thestrongpureairsuddenlyrushingrightthroughtoherlungsmadeherfeelfaint，andshealmostfell。Butitwasgoodtofeelherselffalling，whenonepairofarmsamongstthemillionsontheearthweretheretoreceiveher。
“Canyouwalk，dearheart？”heasked。“Leanwellonme——itisnotfar，andtherestwilldoyougood。“
“Butyou，Percy——“
Helaughed，andthemostcompletejoyoflivingseemedtoresoundthroughthatlaugh。Herarmwasinhis，andforonemomenthestoodstillwhilehiseyessweptthefarreachesofthecountry，themellowdistancestillwrappedinitsmantleofindigo，stilluntouchedbythemysteriouslightofthewaningmoon。
Hepressedherarmagainsthisheart，buthisrighthandwasstretchedouttowardstheblackwalloftheforestbehindhim，towardsthedarkcrestsofthepinesinwhichthedyingwindsentitslastmournfulsighs。
“Dearheart，“hesaid，andhisvoicequiveredwiththeintensityofhisexcitement，“beyondthestretchofthatwood，fromfarawayoverthere，therearecriesandmoansofanguishthatcometomyearevennow。Butforyou，dear，Iwouldcrossthatwoodto-nightandre-enterParisto-morrow。Butforyou，dear——butforyou，“hereiteratedearnestlyashepressedherclosertohim，forabittercryhadrisentoherlips。
Shewentoninsilence。Herhappinesswasgreat——asgreataswasherpain。Shehadfoundhimagain，themanwhomsheworshipped，thehusbandwhomshethoughtnevertoseeagainonearth。Shehadfoundhim，andnotevennow——notafterthoseterribleweeksofmiseryandsufferingunspeakable——couldshefeelthatlovehadtriumphedoverthewild，adventurousspirit，therecklessenthusiasm，theardourofself-sacrifice。
CHAPTERXLIX
THELANDOFELDORADO
ItseemsthatinthepocketofHeron\'scoattherewasaletter-casewithsomefewhundredfrancs。Itwasamusingtothinkthatthebrute\'smoneyhelpedtobribetheill-temperedkeeperofthehalf-wayhousetoreceiveguestsatmidnight，andtoplythemwellwithfood，drink，andtheshelterofastuffycoffee-room。
Margueritesatsilentlybesideherhusband，herhandinhis。
Armand，oppositetothem，hadbothelbowsonthetable。Helookedpaleandwan，withabandageacrosshisforehead，andhisglowingeyeswererestingonhischief。
“Yes！youdemmedyoungidiot，“saidBlakeneymerrily，“younearlyupsetmyplanintheend，withyouryellingandscreamingoutsidethechapelgates。“
“Iwantedtogettoyou，Percy。Ithoughtthosebruteshadgotyouthereinsidethatbuilding。“
“Notthey！”heexclaimed。“ItwasmyfriendHeronwhomtheyhadtrussedandgagged，andwhommyamiablefriendM。Chambertinwillfindinthereto-morrowmorning。ByGad！IwouldgobackifonlyforthepleasureofhearingHeroncursewhenfirstthegagistakenfromhismouth。“
“Buthowwasitalldone，Percy？AndtherewasdeBatz——“
“DeBatzwaspartoftheschemeIhadplannedformineownescapebeforeIknewthatthosebrutesmeanttotakeMargueriteandyouashostagesformygoodbehaviour。WhatIhopedthenwasthatundercoverofatussleorafightIcouldsomehoworothercontrivetoslipthroughtheirfingers。Itwasachance，andyouknowmybeliefinbald-headedFortune，withtheonesolitaryhair。
Well，Imeanttograbthathair；andattheworstIcouldbutdieintheopenandnotcagedinthatawfulholelikesomenoxiousvermin。IknewthatdeBatzwouldrisetothebait。ItoldhiminmyletterthattheDauphinwouldbeattheChateaud\'Ourdethisnight，butthatIfearedtherevolutionaryGovernmenthadgotwindofthisfact，andweresendinganarmedescorttobringtheladaway。ThisletterFfoulkestooktohim；IknewthathewouldmakeavigorousefforttogettheDauphinintohishands，andthatduringthescufflethatonehaironFortune\'sheadwouldforonesecondonly，mayhap，comewithinmyreach。IhadsoplannedtheexpeditionthatwewereboundtoarriveattheforestofBoulognebynightfall，andnightisalwaysausefulally。Butattheguard-houseoftheRueSte。AnneIrealisedforthefirsttimethatthosebruteshadpressedmeintoatightercornerthanIhadpre-conceived。“
Hepaused，andonceagainthatlookofrecklessnesssweptoverhisface，andhiseyes——stillhollowandcircled——shonewiththeexcitementofpastmemories。
“Iwassuchaweak，miserablewretch，then，“hesaid，inanswertoMarguerite\'sappeal。“Ihadtotryandbuildupsomestrength，when——Heavenforgivemeforthesacrilege——Ihadunwittinglyriskedyourpreciouslife，dearheart，inthatblindendeavourtosavemineown。ByGad！itwasnoeasytaskinthatjoltingvehiclewiththatnoisomewretchbesidemeforsolecompany；yetI
ateandIdrankandIsleptforthreedaysandtwonights，untilthehourwheninthedarknessIstruckHeronfrombehind，half-strangledhimfirst，thengaggedhim，andfinallyslippedintohisfilthycoatandputthatloathsomebandageacrossmyhead，andhisbatteredhataboveitall。TheyellhegavewhenfirstIattackedhimmadeeveryhorserear——youmustrememberit——thenoiseeffectuallydrownedourlastscuffleinthecoach。
Chauvelinwastheonlymanwhomighthavesuspectedwhathadoccurred，buthehadgoneonahead，andbald-headedFortunehadpassedbyme，andIhadmanagedtograbitsonehair。Afterthatitwasallquiteeasy。ThesergeantandthesoldiershadseenverylittleofHeronandnothingofme；itdidnottakeagreatefforttodeceivethem，andthedarknessofthenightwasmymostfaithfulfriend。Hisraucousvoicewasnotdifficulttoimitate，anddarknessalwaysmufflesandchangeseverytone。Anyway，itwasnotlikelythatthoseloutishsoldierswouldevenremotelysuspectthetrickthatwasbeingplayedonthem。Thecitizenagent\'sorderswerepromptlyandimplicitlyobeyed。Themennevereventhoughttowonderthatafterinsistingonanescortoftwentyheshoulddriveoffwithtwoprisonersandonlytwomentoguardthem。Iftheydidwonder，itwasnottheirstoquestion。ThosetwotroopersarespendinganuncomfortablenightsomewhereintheforestofBoulogne，eachtiedtoatree，andsometwoleaguesapartonefromtheother。Andnow，“headdedgaily，“envoiture，myfairlady；andyou，too，Armand。\'TissevenleaguestoLePortel，andwemustbetherebeforedawn。“
“SirAndrew\'sintentionwastomakeforCalaisfirst，theretoopencommunicationwiththeDay-DreamandthenforLePortel，“
saidMarguerite；“afterthathemeanttostrikebackfortheChateaud\'Ourdeinsearchofme。“
“Thenwe\'llstillfindhimatLePortel——Ishallknowhowtolayhandsonhim；butyoutwomustgetaboardtheDay-Dreamatonce，forFfoulkesandIcanalwayslookafterourselves。“
Itwasonehouraftermidnightwhen——refreshedwithfoodandrest——Marguerite，ArmandandSirPercyleftthehalf-wayhouse。
Margueritewasstandinginthedoorwayreadytogo。PercyandArmandhadgoneaheadtobringthecoachalong。
“Percy，“whisperedArmand，“Margueritedoesnotknow？”
“Ofcourseshedoesnot，youyoungfool，“retortedPercylightly。
“IfyoutryandtellherIthinkIwouldsmashyourhead。“
“Butyou——“saidtheyoungmanwithsuddenvehemence；“canyoubearthesightofme？MyGod！whenIthink——“
“Don\'tthink，mygoodArmand——notofthatanyway。Onlythinkofthewomanforwhosesakeyoucommittedacrime——ifsheispureandgood，wooherandwinher——notjustnow，foritwerefoolishtogobacktoParisafterher，butanon，whenshecomestoEnglandandallthesepastdaysareforgotten——thenloveherasmuchasyoucan，Armand。LearnyourlessonoflovebetterthanIhavelearntmine；donotcauseJeanneLangethosetearsofanguishwhichmymadspiritbringstoyoursister\'seyes。Youwereright，Armand，whenyousaidthatIdonotknowhowtolove！”
ButonboardtheDay-Dream，whenalldangerwaspast，Margueritefeltthathedid。
End