第6章

InthattimeIletmybeardgrow，andtrainedmyhairintoapatrioticunkemptness。Then，infilthygarments，likeanytrueRepublican，Isetouttocrossthefrontier。AsIapproachedit，IwasfilledwithfearsthatImightnotwinacross，andthen，inthemomentofmydoubtings，Icameuponthatmostopportuneofcouriers。Ihadthenotiontochangeplaceswithhim，andIdid。

HewasthebearerofalettertotheDeputyLaBoulaye，ofwhomyoumayhaveheard，andthisletterIopenedtodiscoverthatitchargedhimtoeffectmyarrest。"

IfLaBoulayewasstartled，hisfaceneverbetrayedit，notbysomuchasthequiverofaneyelid。Hesaton，hisjawinhispalm，hiseyesadmiringlybentuponthespeaker。

"Youmayjudgeofmyhonesty，andofhowfullysensibleIwasofthetrustIhadundertaken，whenItellyouthatwithmyownhandI

deliveredtheletterthismorningtothatanimalLaBoulayeatBoisvert。"Heseemedtoswellwithprideinhisachievement。

"Diable！"hecontinued。"Minewasafinepieceofacting。Iwouldyoucouldhaveseenmeplaythepartofthepatriot。Thinkoftheironyofit！IwonoutofFrancewiththeverypapersorderingmyarrest。Mafoi！Youshouldhaveseenmebefoolthatdirtofadeputy！ItwasaperformanceworthyofTalmahimself。"AndhelookedfromCadouxtoLaBoulayeforapplause。

"Idoubtnot，"saidtheDeputycoldly。"Itmusthavebeenworthwitnessing。Butdoesitnotseemapitytospoileverythingandtoneutralisesowonderfulanachievementforthemeresakeofboastingofittoapoor，ignorantpeasant，MonsieurleVicomteAnatoled’Ombreval？"

Withasuddencry，thepseudocourierleapttohisfeet，whilstDesCadouxturnedonthestoolheoccupiedtostarealarmedlyatthespeaker。

"NameofGod！Whoareyou？"demandedOmbrevaladvancingastep。

WithhissleeveLaBoulayerubbedpartofthedisfiguringsmearfromhisfaceashestoodupandmadeanswercoolly：

"IamthatdirtofaDeputywhomyoubefooledatBoisvert。"Then，raisinghisvoice，"Garin！"heshouted，andimmediatelythedooropenedandthesoldiersfiledin。

Ombrevalstoodlikeastatue，thunderstruckwithamazementatthismostunlooked—forturningofthetables，hisfaceashen，hisweakmouthfallenopenandhiseyesfearful。

DesCadoux，whohadalsorisen，seemedtotakeinthesituationataglance。Likeawell—bredgamesterwhoknowshowtolosewithagoodgracetheoldgentlemanlaugheddrilytohimselfashetappedhissnuff—box。

"Wearedelightfullytaken，cherVicomte，"hemurmured，applyingthetobaccotohisnostrilashespoke。"It’soddsyouwon’tbeabletorepeatthatprettystorytoanymoreofyourfriends。Iwarnedyouthatyouinclinedtorelateittoooften。"

Withasuddenoath，Ombreval—movedtovalourbytheblindragethatpossessedhim—sprangatLaBoulaye。But，assuddenly，Garincaughthisarmsfrombehindandheldhimfast。

"Removethemboth，"LaBoulayecommanded。"Placetheminsafetyforthenight，andseethattheydonotescapeyou，Garin，asyouvalueyourneck。"

DesCoudaxshuthissnuff—boxwithasnap。

"Formypart，Iamready，Monsieur—yourpardon—Citizen，"hesaid，"andIshallgiveyounotrouble。ButsinceIamnot，Itakeit，includedintheordersyouhavereceived，Ihaveaproposaltomakewhichmayprovemutuallyconvenient。"

"Praymakeit，Citizen，"saidLaBoulaye。

"ItoccurstomethatitmayoccasionyousomemeasureofannoyancetocarrymeallthewaytoParis—andcertainly，formypart，I

shouldmuchprefernottoundertakethejourney。Foronething，itwillbefatiguing，foranother，Ihavenodesiretolookuponthenextworldthroughthelittlewindowoftheguillotine。Iwish，then，topropose，Citizen，"pursuedtheoldnobleman，nonchalantlydustingsomefragmentsoftobaccofromhiscravat。"thatyoudealwithmeoutofhand。"

"How，Citizen？"inquiredLaBoulaye。

"Why，yourmen，Itakeitaretolerablemarksmen。Ithinkthatitmightprovemoreconvenienttobothofusifyouweretohavemeshotassoonasthereislightenough。"

LaBoulaye’seyesrestedinalmostimperceptiblekindnessuponDesCadoux。Here，atleast，wasanaristocratwithaspirittobeadmiredandemulated。

"Youarechoosingthelesseroftwoevils，Citizen，"saidtheDeputy。

"Precisely，"answeredDesCadoux。

"Butpossibly，Citizen，itmaybeyourstoavoidboth。Youshallhearfrommeinthemorning。Ibegthatyouwillsleeptranquillyinthemeantime。Garin，removetheprisoners。"

CHAPTERXV

LABOULAYEBAITSHISHOOK

ForfullyanhouraftertheirprisonershadbeenremovedLaBoulayepacedthenarrowlimitsofthekitchenwithfaceinscrutableandbusymind。HerecalledwhatSuzannehadsaidtouchingherbetrothaltoOmbreval，whomshelookedtomeetatTreves。Thismiserableindividual，then，wasthemanforwhosesakeshehaddupedhim。ButOmbrevalatleastwasinCaron’spower，anditcametohimnowthatbyvirtueofthatcircumstancehemightdeviseawaytobringherbackwithouttheneedtogoafterher。Hewouldsendherword—aye，andproof—thathehadtakenhimcaptive，anditshouldbeherstochoosewhethershewouldcometohisrescueandhumbleherselftosavehimorleavehimtohisfate。InthathouritseemedallonetoLaBoulayewhichcourseshefollowed，sincebyeither，hereasoned，shemustbebroughttosuffer。Thathelovedherwaswithhimnowamatterthathadsunkintocomparativeinsignificance。

Thesentimentthatruledhismindwasanger，withitsnaturalconcomitant—thedesiretopunish。

AndwhenmorningcametheDeputy’sviewofthesituationwasstillunchanged。Hewasastiratanearlyhour，andwithoutsomuchaswaitingtobreakhisfast，hebadeGarinbringintheprisoners。

Theirappearancewasineachcasetypical。Ombrevalwassullenandhisdressuntidy，evenwhenallowancehadbeenmadefortheinherentuntidinessoftheRepublicandisguisewhichhehadadoptedtosolittlepurpose。DesCadouxlookedwellandfreshafterhisrest，andgavetheDeputyanairy"Goodmorning"asheentered。Hehadbeenatsomepains，too，withhistoilet，andalthoughhishairwasslightlydisarrangedandmostofthepowderwasgonefromtherightside，suggestingthathehadlainonit，hisappearanceinthemainwascreditablyelegant。

"CitizenOmbreval，"saidLaBoulaye，inthatstern，emotionlessvoicethatwasbecomingcharacteristicofhim，"sinceyouhaveacquaintedyourselfwiththecontentsoftheletteryoustolefromthemanyoumurdered，youcannotbeindoubtastomyintentionsconcerningyou。"

TheVicomtereddenedwithanger。

"ForyourintentionsIcarenothing，"heansweredhotly—renderedverybravebypassion—"butIwillhaveyouconsideryourwords。

DoyousaythatIstoleandmurdered？Youforget，M。leRepublican，thatIamagentlemen。"

"Meaning，ofcourse，thattheclassthatsodescribeditselfcoulddothesethingswithimpunitywithouthavingthemcalledbytheirpropernames，isitnotso？ButyoualsoforgetthattheRepublichasabolishedgentlemen，andwiththem，theirdisgracefulprivileges。"

"Canaille！"growledtheVicomte，hiseyesablazewithwrath。

"Citizen—aristocrat，consideryourwords！"LaBoulayehadsteppedcloseuptohim，andhisvoicethrobbedwithasuddenangernowhitlesscompellingthanOmbreval’s。"Fool！letmehearthatwordagain，appliedeithertomeortoanyofmyfollowers，andI’llhaveyoubeatenlikeadog。"

Andasthelessereverdoesgivewaybeforethegreater，sonowdidtheangerthathadsustainedOmbrevalgodownandvanishbeforetheoverwhelmingpassionofLaBoulaye。HegrewpaletothelipsattheDeputy’sthreat，andhiseyescravenlyavoidedthesteadygazeofhiscaptor。

"Youdeservelittleconsiderationatmyhands，Citizen，"saidLaBoulaye，morequietly，"andyetIhaveamindtogiveyoualessoningenerosity。WestartforParisinhalf—an—hour。Ifanywhereyoushouldhavefriendsexpectingyou，whomyoumightwishtoappriseofyourposition，youmayspendthehalf—hourthatisleftinwritingtothem。Iwillseethatyourletterreachesitsdestination。"

Ombreval’spallorseemedtointensify。HiseyeslookedtroubledastheywereraisedtoLaBoulaye’s。Thentheyfellagain，andtherewasapause。Atlast—

"Ishallbegladtoavailmyselfofyouroffer，"hesaid，inavoicethatformeeknesswasludicrouslyatvariancewithhislateutterances。

"Thenpraydosoatonce。"AndLaBoulayetookdownaninkhornaquill，andasheafofpaperfromthemantel—shelfbehindhim。

Theseheplacedonthetable，andsettingachair，hesignedtothearistocrattobeseated。

"Andnow，CitizenCadoux，"saidLaBoulaye，turningtotheoldnobleman，"IshallbegladifyouwillhonourmebysharingmybreakfastwhileCitizenOmbrevalisathiswriting。"

DesCadouxlookedupinsomesurprise。

"Youaretoogood，Monsieur，"saidhe，inclininghishead。"Butafterwards？"

"Ihavedecided，"saidLaBoulaye，withtheghostofasmile，"todealwithyourcasemyself，Citizen。"

Theolddandytookadeepbreath，buttheglanceofhisblueeyeswassteadfast，andhislipssmiledashemadeanswer：

"Againyouaretoogood。IfearedthatyouwouldcarrymetoParis，andatmyagethejourneyisatiresomeone。Iamgrateful，andmeanwhile，—why，sinceyouaresogoodastoinviteme，letusbreakfast，byallmeans。"

Theysatdownatasmalltableintheembrasureofthewindow，andtheirhostessplacedbeforethemaboiledfowl，adishofeggs，astewofherbs，andaflaskofredwine，allofwhichLaBoulayehadbiddenherprepare。

"Why，itisafeast，"declaredDesCadoux，inexcellenthumour，andforallthathewasundertheimpressionthathewastodieinhalf—an—hourheatewiththeheartiestgood—will，chattingpleasantlythewhilewiththeRepublican—thefirstRepublicanwithwhomithadeverbeenhisaristocraticlottositattable。AndwhattimethemealproceededOmbreval—withtwosoldiersstandingbehindhischair—pennedhislettertoMademoiselledeBellecour。

HadLaBoulaye—inspiredbythedesiretoavengehimselfforthetreacheryofwhichhehadbeenthevictim—dictatedthatepistle，tcouldnothavebeenindictedinamannerbettersuitedtohisends。

Itwasamaudlin，piteousletter，inwhich，ratherthanmakinghisfarewells，theVicomtebesoughttheaidofSuzanne。Hewas，hewrote，inthehandsofmenwhomightbebribed，andsinceshewasrich—forheknewofthetreasurewithwhichshehadescaped—hebasedhishopesuponheremployingaportionofherrichestoobtaininghisenlargement。She，hecontinued，washisonlyhope，andforthesakeoftheirlove，forthesakeoftheircommonnobility，hebesoughthernottofailhimnow。Carriedawaybythepiteousnessofhisentreatiesthetearswelleduptohiseyesandtrickleddownhischeeks，oneortwoofthemfindingtheirwaytothepaperthussmearingitwithanappealmorepiteousstillifpossiblethanthatofhismaudlinwords。

Atlasttheletterwasended。Hesealeditwithawaferandwrotethesuperscription：

"ToMademoiselledeBellecour。Atthe’HoteldesTroisRois，’

Treves。"

Heannouncedthecompletionofhistask，andLaBoulayebadehimgojoinDesCadouxatthenexttableandtakesomefoodbeforesettingout，whilsttheDeputyhimselfnowsatdowntowrite。

"Citoyenne，’hewrote，"themantowhomyouarebetrothed，forwhosesakeyoustoopedtotreacheryandattemptedmurder，isinmyhands。

ThushasHeavensetitinmypowertopunishyou，iftheknowledgethathetravelstotheguillotineislikelytoproveapunishment。

Ifyouwouldrescuehim，cometomeinParis，and，conditionally，Imaygiveyouhislife。"

That，hethoughtshouldhumbleher。HefoldedhisletterroundOmbreval’sandhavingsealedthepackage，headdresseditasOmbrevalhadaddressedhisownmissive。

"Garin，"hecommandedbriefly，"removetheCitizenOmbreval。"

Whenhehadbeenobeyed，andGarinhadconductedtheVicomtefromtheroom，LaBoulayeturnedagaintoDesCadoux。Theywerealone，savingthetwosoldiersguardingthedoor。

Theoldmanrose，andmakingthesignofthecross，hesteppedforward，calmandintrepidofbearing。

"Monsieur，"heannouncedtoLaBoulaye，whowaseyeinghimwiththefaintesttingeofsurprise，"Iamquiteready。"

"Haveyoualwaysbeensodevout，Citizen？"inquiredtheDeputy。

"Alas！noMonsieur。Buttherecomesatimeinthelifeofeverymanwhen，forafewmomentsatleast，heispronetogrowmindfulofthelessonslearntinchildhood。"

ThesurpriseincreasedinLaBoulaye’scountenance。Atlastheshruggedhisshoulders，afterthemannerofonewhoabandonsaproblemthathasgrowntooknotty。

"CitizendesCadoux，"saidhe，"IhavedeliberatedthatsinceI

havereceivednoordersfromParisconcerningyou，andalsosinceIamnotbyprofessionacatch—pollthereisnoreasonwhateverwhyIshouldcarryyoutoParis。Infact，Citizen，IknowofnoreasonwhyIshouldinterferewithyourfreedomatall。OnthecontrarywhenIrecallthekindnessyousoughttodomethatday，yearsago，atBellecour，IfindeveryreasonwhyIshouldfurtheryourescapefromtheRevolutionarytribunal。Ahorse，Citizen，standsreadysaddledforyou，andyouarefreetodepart，withtheonecondition，however，thatyouwillconsenttobecomemycourierforonce，andcarryaletterforme—amatterwhichshouldoccasionyou，Ithink，nodeviationfromyourjourney。"

Theolddandy，inwhoseintrepidspiritthedeathwhichhehadbelievedimminenthadoccasionednotrembling，turnedpaleasLaBoulayeceased。HisblueeyeswereliftedalmosttimidlytotheDeputy’sface，andhislipquivered。

"Youarenotgoingtohavemeshot，then？"hefaltered。

"Shot？"echoedLaBoulaye，andthenherememberedtheprecisewordsoftherequestwhichDesCadouxhadpreferredthenightbefore，butwhich，atthetime，hehadtreatedlightly。"Mafoi，youdonotflatterme！"hecried。"AmIamurderer，then？Come，come，Citizen，hereistheletterthatyouaretocarry。ItisaddressedtoMademoiselledeBellecour，atTreves，andenclosesOmbreval’sfarewellepistletothatlady。"

"But，gladly，Monsieur，"exclaimedDesCadoux。

Andthen，asiftocoverhissuddenaccessofemotion，ofwhichhewasmostheartilyashamed，hefumbledforhissnuff—box，and，havingfoundit，hetookanenormouspinch。

Theypartedontheverybestoftermsdidthesetwo—thearistocratandtheRevolutionary—actuatedbyamutualesteemtemperedineachcasewithgratitude。

WhenatlastDesCadouxhadtakenasympatheticleaveofOmbrevalanddeparted，CaronorderedtheVicomtetobebroughtbeforehimagain，andatthesametimebadehismenmakereadyfortheroad。

"Citizen，"saidLaBoulaye，"westartforParisatonce。Ifyouwillpassmeyourwordofhonourtoattemptnoescapeyoushalltravelwithusincompletefreedomandwithalldignity。"

Ombrevallookedathimwithinsolentsurprise，hisweaksuperciliousmouthgrowingmoresuperciliouseventhanitswont。Hehadrecoveredagooddealofhisspiritbynow。

"Passyoumywordofhonour？"heechoed。"MonDieu！mygoodfellowawordofhonourisabondbetweengentlemen。IthinktoowellofminetopassittothefirstgreasyrascaloftheRepublicthatasksitofme。"

LaBoulayeeyedhimasecondwithaglancebeforewhichthearistocratgrewpale，andalreadyregrettedhimofhiswords。TheveinsintheDeputy’stempleswereswollen。

"Iwarnedyou，"saidhe，inadullvoice。ThentothesoldiersstandingoneithersideofOmbreval—"Takehimout，"hesaid，"mounthimonhorseback。Lethimridewithhishandspinionedbehindhisback，andhisfeetlashedtogetherunderthehorse’sbelly。Attendtoit！"

"Monsieur，"criedtheyoungman，inanappealingvoice，"Iwillgiveyoumywordofhonournottoescape。Iwill—"

"Takehimout，"LaBoulayerepeated，withadullbarkofcontempt。

"Youhadyourchance，Citizen—aristocrat。"

Ombrevalsethisteethandclenchedhishands。

"Canaille！"hesnarled，inhisfury。

"Hold！"Caroncalledafterthedepartingmen。

Theyobeyed，andnowthiswretchedVicomte，ofsuchunstablespiritdroppedallhisangeragain，assuddenlyashehadcaughtitup。

Fearpaledhischeekandpalsiedhislimbsoncemore，forLaBoulaye’sexpressionwasveryterrible。

"YouknowwhatIsaidthatIwouldhavedonetoyouifyouusedthatwordagain？"LaBoulayequestionedhimcoldly。

"I—Iwasbesidemyself，Monsieur，"theothergasped，intheintensityofhisfear。AndatthesightofhispitiableconditiontheangerfellawayfromLaBoulaye，andhesmiledscornfully。

"Myfaith，"hesneered。"Youarehotonemomentandcoldthenext。

Citizen，Iamafraidthatyouarenobetterthanavulgarcoward。

Takehimaway，"heended，wavinghishandtowardsthedoor，andashewatchedthemleadinghimouthereflectedbitterlythatthiswasthemantowhomSuzannewasbetrothed—themanwhom，notadoubtofit，sheloved，sinceforhimshehadstoopedsolow。Thismiserablecravenshepreferredtohim，becausetheman，soignobleofnature，wasnoblebytheaccidentofbirth。

PARTIII

THEEVERLASTINGRULE

Loverulesthecourt，thecamp，thegrove，Andmenbelowandsaintsabove，ForloveisHeavenandHeavenislove。

TheLayoftheLastMinstrel。

CHAPTERXVI

CECILEDESHAIX

InhislodgingsatthecorneroftheRue—St。HonoreandtheRuedelaRepublique—latelychanged，intheall—encompassingmetamorphosis，from"RueRoyale"sattheDeputyCaronLaBoulayeathiswriting—table。

Therewasaflushonhisfaceandasparkleintheeyesthatlookedpensivelybeforehimwhattimehegnawedthefeatheredendofhisquill。InhisearsstillrangtheacclamationsthathadgreetedhisbrilliantspeechintheAssemblythatday。HewasofthepartyoftheMountain—aswasbutnaturalinaprotegeoftheSeagreenRobespierre—apartymorefamedforitsdirectnessofpurposethaneleganceofexpression，andinitsrankstherewasroomandtospareforsuchoratorsashe。TheseasonwasMarchof’93—aseasonmarkedbythedeadlyfeudraging’twixttheGirondinsandtheMountain，andinthatbattleoftonguesLaBoulayewascoveringhimselfwithgloryanddoingcredittohispatron，theIncorruptible。

HewasofarhetoricnotinferiortoVergniaud’s—thatmosteloquentGirondon—andofaquicknessofwitandhonestyofaimunrivalledinthewholebodyoftheConvention，andwiththesegiftsheharassedtonolittlepurposethosesmooth—tonguedlegislatorsoftheGironde，whomDumouriezcalledtheJesuitsoftheRevolution。HispopularitywiththemenoftheMountainandwiththemassesofPariswasgrowingdaily，andthecrushingreplyhehadthatdaydeliveredtothechargespreferredbyVergniaudwaslikelytoincreasehisfame。

Well，therefore，mighthesitwithflushedcheeksandsparklingeyeschewingthebuttofhispenandsmilingtohimselfatthememoryoftheenthusiasmofwhichhehadbeenthecentreahalf—hourago。

Here，indeed，wassomethingthatamanmightlivefor，somethingthatamanmighttakepridein，andsomethingthatmightconsoleamanforawoman’streachery。What，indeed，couldwoman’slovegivehimthatmightcomparewiththis？Wasitnotmoregloriousfartomakehimselftheadmired，therevered，theveryidolofthosesternmen，thanthebelovedofasimperinggirl？Thelatteranycoxcombwithawell—cutcoatmightencompass，buttheformerachievementwasaman’swork。

Andyet，forallthathereasonedthusspeciouslyandphilosophically，therewasamomentwhenhisbrowgrewcloudedandhiseyeslosttheirsparkle。HewasthinkingofthatnightintheinnatBoisvert，whenhehadkneltbesideherandshehadliedtohim。Hewasthinkingofthehappiness，thatforafewbriefhourshadbeenhis，untilhediscoveredhowbaselyshehaddeceivedhim，andforallthefull—flavourofhispresentelationitseemedtohimthatinthatotherhappinesswhichhenowaffectedtodespisebycontrast，therehaddweltagreater，amorecontentingsweetness。

WouldshecometoParis？Hehadaskedhimselfthatquestioneverydayofthetwentythatwerespentsincehisreturn。AndinthemeantimetheVicomted’OmbrevallayintheprisonoftheLuxembourgawaitingtrial。ThathehadnotyetbeenarraignedhehadtothanktheeffortsofLaBoulaye。TheyoungDeputyhadinformedRobespierrethatforreasonsofhisownhewishedtheci—devantVicomte，tobekeptinprisonsomelittletime，andtheIncorruptible，peeringathimoverhishorn—rimmedspectacles，hadshruggedhisshouldersandanswered：

"Butcertainly，cherCaron，sinceitisyourwish。HewillbesafeintheLuxembourg。"

Hehadpressedhisprotegeforareason，butLaBoulayehadevadedthequestion，promisingtoenlightenhimlater。

SincethenCaronhadwaited，andnowitwasmorethantimethatMademoisellemadesomesign。OrwasitthatneitherOmbreval’scravenentreatiesnorhisownshortmessagehadaffectedher？WasshewhollyheartlessandlikelytoproveasfaithlesstotheVicomteinhishourofneedasshehadprovedtohim？

Withatossoftheheadhedismissedherfromhisthoughts，anddippinghisquill，hebegantowrite。

>Fromthestreetcamethedullrollofbeatendrumsandtherhythmicalfallofmarchingfeet。ButthesoundwastoocommoninrevolutionaryParistoarrestattention，andhewroteon，heedingitaslittleashedidthegruffvoiceofapastry—cookcryinghiswares，theshrillercallofamilkman，ortheoccasionalrumblingsofpassingvehicles。Butofasuddenoneofthoserumblingsceasedabruptlyathisdoor。Heheardtherattleofhoofsandthegrindofthewheelagainstthepavement，andlookingup，heglancedacrossattheormolutimepieceonhisovermantel。Itwasnotyetfouro’clock。

Wonderingwhetherthevisitormightbeforhimorforthetenantofthefloorabove，hesatlisteninguntilhisdooropenedandhisofficial—theeuphemismof"servant"intherevolutionarylexicon—cametoannouncethatawomanwasbelow，askingtoseehim。

NowforallthathebelievedhimselftohavebecomeaboveemotionswhereMademoiselledeBellecourwasconcerned，hefelthispulsesquickenattheverythoughtthatthismightbesheatlast。

"Whatmannerofwoman，Brutus？"heasked。

"Aprettywoman，Citizen，"answeredBrutus，withagrin。"ItistheCitoyenneDeshaix。"

LaBoulayemadeanimpatientgesture。

"Fool。whydidyounotsayso，"hecriedsharply。

"Fool，youdidnotaskme，"answeredtheservant，withthattouching，fraternalfranknessadoptedbyalltruepatriots。Hewasathin，under—sizedmanofperhapsthirtyyearsofage，anddressedinblack，withadecency—underLaBoulaye’ssuasion—thatwasratheratvariancewithhisextremedemocracy。HisrealnamewasFerdinand，but，followingafashionprevailingamongtheultra—republicans，hehadrenamedhimselfafterthefamousRomanpatriot。

LaBoulayetoyedamomentwithhispen，afrowndarkeninghisbrow。

Then：

"Admither，"hesighedwearily。

Andpresentlyshecame，aprettywoman，asBrutushaddeclared，veryfair，andwiththeinnocenteyesofababy。Shewassmallofstature，andbytheegregiousheightofherplume—crownedhead—dressitwouldseemasifshesoughtbyarttoaddtotheinchesshehadreceivedfromNature。Fortherestsheworeapinkpetticoat，veryextravagantlybeflounced，andapinkcorsagecutextravagantlylow。

Inonehandshecarriedafan—hardlyasaweaponagainstheat，seeingthatthewinterwasnotyetout—intheotherahugebunchofearlyroses。

"Tevoile！"washergreeting，merrily—roguishly—delivered，andiftheRevolutionhaddonenothingelseforher，ithad，atleast，enabledhertoaddressLaBoulayebythe"Thou"ofintimacywhichthenewvocabularyprescribed。

LaBoulayerose，laidasidehispen，andpolitely，ifcoolly，returnedhergreetingandsetachairforher。

"Youare，"saidhe，"averyharbingerofSpring，Citoyenne，withyourflowersandyourravishingtoilette。"

"Ah！Ipleaseyou，then，foronce，"saidshewithouttheleastembarrassment。"Tellme—howdoyoufindme？"And，laughing，sheturnedaboutthathemightadmireherfromallpointsofview。

Helookedathergravelyforamoment，sogravelythatthelaughterbegantofadefromhereyes。

"Ifindyoucharming，Citoyenne，"heansweredatlast。"YouremindmeofDiana。"

"Compliments？"quothshe，hereyebrowsgoingupandhereyesbeamingwithsurpriseanddelight。"ComplimentsfromLaBoulaye！Butsurelyitistheendoftheworld。Tellme，monami，"shebegged，greedilyanglingformore，"inwhatdoIremindyouofthesylvangoddess？"

"Inthescantinessofyourraiment，Citoyenne，"heansweredacidly。

"ItsortsbetterwithArcadiathanwithParis。"

Hereyebrowscamedown，hercheeksflushedwithresentmentanddiscomfiture。Tocoverthissheflungherrosesamongthepapersofhiswriting—table，anddroppingintoachairshefannedherselfvigorously。

"Citoyenne，yourelievemyanxieties，"saidhe。"Ifearedthatyoustoodindangeroffreezing。"

"Tofreezeisnomorethanonemightexpectinyourcompany，"sheanswered，stiflingheranger。

Hemadenoreply。Hemovedtothewindow，andstooddrummingabsentlyonthepanes。HewasinuredtotheseinvasionsonthepartofCecileDeshaixandtothebold，unwomanlyadvancesthatrepelledhim。To—dayhispatiencewithherwasevenshorterthanitswont，haplybecausewhenhisofficialhadannouncedawomanhehadforamomentpermittedhimselftothinkthatitmightbeSuzanne。Thesilencegrewawkward，andatlasthebrokeit。

"TheCitizenRobespierreiswell？"heasked，withoutturning。

"Yes，"saidshe，andforallthattherewaschagrintospareintheglancewithwhichsheadmiredthebackofhisstraightandshapelyfigure，shecontrivedtorenderhervoiceairilyindifferent。

"Wewereattheplaylastnight。"

"Ah！"hemurmuredpolitely。"AndwasTalmainveine？"

"Morebrilliantthanever，"answeredshe。

"Heisagreatactor，Citoyenne。"

Ashadeofannoyancecrossedherface。

"WhydoyoualwaysaddressmeasCitoyenne？"sheasked，withsometestiness。

Heturnedatlastandlookedatheramoment。

"Weliveinacensoriousworld，Citoyenne，"heansweredgravely。

Shetossedherheadwithanexclamationofimpatience。

"Weliveinafreeworld，Citizen。Freedomisourmotto。IsitfornothingthatweareRepublicans？"

"Freedomofactionbegetsfreedomofwords，"saidhe，"andfreedomofwordsleadstofreedomofcriticism—andthatisathingtowhichnowisewomanwillexposeherself，nomatterunderwhatregimewelive。Youwouldbewell—advised，Citoyenne，inthinkingofthatwhenyoucomehere。"

"Butyounevercometous，Caron，"shereturned，inavoiceofmildcomplaint。"YouhavenotbeenoncetoDuplay’ssinceyourreturnfromBelgium。Andyouseemdifferent，too，sinceyourjourneytothearmy。"Sherosenowandapproachedhim。"Whatisit，cherCaron？"sheasked，hervoiceaverycaressofseductiveness，hereyeslookingupintohis。"Issomethingtroublingyou？"

"Troublingme？"heechoed，musingly。"No。ButthenIamabusyman，Citoyenne。"

Awaveofredseemedtosweepacrossherface，andherheelbeattheparquetfloor。

"IfyoucallmeCitoyenneagainIshallstrikeyou，"shethreatenedhim。

Helookeddownather，andshehadthefeelingthatbehindtheinscrutablemaskofhiscountenancehewaslaughingather。

"Itwouldsortwellwithyouraudacity，"hemadeanswercoolly。

Shefeltinthatmomentthatshehatedhim，anditwasamiraclethatshedidnotdoasshehadthreatened，forwithallhermeeklookssheownedaveryfiercestoftempers。Shedrewbackapaceortwo，andherglancefell。

"Ishallnottroubleyouinfuture，"shevowed。"Ishallnotcomehereagain。"

Hebowedslightly。

"Iapplaudthewisdomofyourresolve—Cit—Cecile。Theworld，asIhavesaid，iscensorious。"

Shelookedathimasecond，thenshelaughed，butitwaslaughterofthelipsonly；theeyeslookedsteelyasdaggersandascapableofmischief。

"Adieu，CitizenLaBoulaye，"shemurmuredmockingly。

"Aurevoir，CitoyenneDeshaix，"herepliedurbanely。

"Ough！"shegasped，andwiththatsuddenexclamationofpent—upwrath，shewhiskedaboutandwentrustlingtothedoor。

"Citoyenne，"hecalledafterher，"youareforgettingyourflowers。"

Shehalted，andseemedforasecondtohesitate，lookingathimoddly。Thenshecamebacktothetableandtookupherroses。

Againshelookedathim，andletthebouquetfallbackamongthepapers。

"Ibroughtthemforyou，Caron，"shesaid，"andI’llleavethemwithyou。Wecanatleastbefriends，canwenot？"

"Friends？Butwereweeveraughtelse？"heasked。

"Alas！no，"shesaidtoherself，whilstaloudshemurmured："I

thoughtthatyouwouldlikethem。Yourroomhassuchagloomy，sombreair，andafewrosesseemtodiffusesomeofthesunshineonwhichtheyhavebeennurtured。"

"Youaretoogood，Cecile’’heanswered，and，forallhiscoldness，hewastouchedalittlebythisthoughtfulness。

Shelookedupatthealteredtone，andtheexpressionofherfaceseemedtosoften。Butbeforeshecouldmakeanswertherewasarapatthedoor。Itopened，andBrutusstoodinthedoorway。

"Citizen，"heannounced，inhissourtones，"thereisanotherwomanbelowaskingtoseeyou。"

LaBoulayestarted，asagainhisthoughtsflewtoSuzanne，andadullflushcreptintohispalecheeksandmountedtohisbrow。

Cecile’seyeswereuponhim，herglancehardeningassheobservedthesesigns。Bitterenoughhaditbeentoendurehiscoldnesswhilstshehadimaginedthatitsprangfromtheausterityofhisnatureandtheabsorptionofhissoulinmatterspolitical。Butnowthatitseemedshemighthavecausetotemperherbitternesswithjealousyhersoulwasturnedtogall。

"Whatmannerofwoman，Brutus？"heaskedafterasecond’spause。

"Tall，pale，straight，blackhair，blackeyes，silkgown—andsavoursthearistocrataleagueoff，"answeredBrutus。

"Yourofficialseemsgiftedwithaverycomprehensiveeye，"saidCeciletartly。

ButLaBoulayepaidnoheedtoher。Theflushdeepenedonhisface，thenfadedagain，andhegrewoddlypale。Hisofficial’sinventoryofhercharacteristicsfittedMademoiselledeBellecourineverydetail。

"Admither，Brutus，"hecommanded，andhisvoicehadahuskysound。

Then，turningtoCecile，"Youwillgivemeleave？"hesaid，cloakingrudedismissalinitspolitestform。

"Assuredly，"sheansweredbitterly，makingshifttogo。"Yourvisitorisnodoubtpolitical？"shehalf—askedhalf—asserted。

Buthemadenoanswerasheheldthedoorforher，andbowedlowasshepassedout。Withawhitefaceandlipstightlycompressedshewent，andhalf—wayonthestairsshemetahandsomewoman，tallandofqueenlybearing，whoascended。HertoilettelackedtheelaboratenessofCecile’s，butshecarrieditwithanairwhichnotallthemodistesofFrancecouldhavesucceededinimpartingtotheCitoyenneDeshaix。

SodeadwasRobespierre’sniecetoeverysenseoffitnessthat，havingdrawnasidetoletthewomanpass，shestoodgazingafterheruntilshedisappearedroundtheangleofthelanding。Then，inafury，shesweptfromthehouseandintoherwaitingcoach，andasshedrovebacktoDuplay’sintheRueSt。Honoreshewasweepingbitterlyinherjealousrage。

CHAPTERXVII

LABOULAYE’SPROMISE

LaBoulayeremainedamomentbythedoorafterCecile’sdeparture；

thenhemovedawaytowardshisdesk，strivingtomasterthetumultuousthrobbingofhispulses。HiseyealightedonCecile’sroses，and，scarceknowingwhyhedidit，hepickedthemupandflungthembehindabookcase。Itwasbutdonewhenagainthedooropened，andhisofficialusheredinMademoiselledeBellecour。

Oddlyenough，atsightofher，LaBoulayegrewmasterofhimself。

Hereceivedherwithapoliteandveryformalbow—atrifleover—gracefulforapatriot。

"So，Citoyenne，"saidhe，andsocoldwashisvoicethatitseemedeventingedwithmockery，"youarecomeatlast。"

"Icouldnotcomebefore，Monsieur，"sheanswered，trembling。"Theywouldnotletme。"Then，afterasecond’spause："AmItoolate，Monsieur？"sheasked。

"No，"heansweredher。"Theci—devantVicomted’Ombrevalstillliesawaitingtrial。Willyounotbeseated？"

"Idonotlooktoremainlong。"

"Asyouplease，Citoyenne。IhavedelayedOmbreval’strialthinkingthatifnotmyletterwhythenhismightbringyou，soonerorlater，tohisrescue。Itmayinterestyoutohear，"hecontinuedwithanunmistakablenoteofirony，"thatthatbravebuthaplessgentlemanismuchfrettedathisincarceration。"

Ashadowcrossedherface，whichremainedotherwisecalmandcomposed—thebeautiful，intrepidfacethathadmorethanoncebeenLaBoulaye’sundoing。

"Iamgladthatyouhavewaited，Monsieur。Insodoingyouneedhavenodoubtsconcerningme。M。d’Ombrevalismybetrothed，andthetrothIplightedhimbindsmeinhonourtosuccourhimnow。"

LaBoulayelookedsteadilyatherforamoment。

"Uponmysoul，"hesaidatlast，anoteofineffablesarcasmvibratinginhisvoice，"Ishallneverceasetoadmiretheeffronteryofyourclass，andthecoolnesswithwhich，indespiteofdishonourableaction，youmakehigh—soundingtalkofhonourandthethingstowhichitbindsyou。Ihaveadimrecollection，Citoyenne，ofsomethinguncommonlylikeyourtrothwhichyouplightedmeonenightatBoisvert。ButsolittledidthatpromisebindyouthatwhenIsoughttoenforceyourfulfilmentofityoubrokemyheadandleftmetodieintheroad。"

Hiswordsshookheroutofhercalm。Herbosomroseandfell，hereyesseemedtogrowhaggardandherhandswereclaspedconvulsively。

"Monsieur，"sheanswered，"whenIgaveyoumypromisethatnightI

hadeveryintentionofkeepingit。Iswearit，asHeavenismywitness。"

"Youractionsmorethanprovedit，"hesaiddryly。

"Begenerous，Monsieur，"shebegged。"Itwasmymotherprevaileduponmetoaltermydetermination。SheurgedthatIshouldbedishonouredifIdidnot。"

"Thatwordagain！"hecried。"Whatpartitplaysinthelifeofthenoblesse。Allthatitsuitsyoutodo，youdobecausehonourbidsyou，alltowhichyouhaveboundyourselves，butwhichisdistasteful，youdiscoverthathonourforbids，andthatyouwouldbedishonoureddidyoupersist。ButIaminterruptingyou，Citoyenne。Didyourmotheradvanceanyarguments？"

"Thestrongestargumentofalllayhere，inmyheart，Monsieur，"

sheansweredhim，rousedandhardenedbyhisscorn。"Youmustseethatithadbecomewithmeamatterofchoosingthelesseroftwoevils。UponreflectionIdiscoveredthatIwasboundtotwomen，anditbehovedmetokeepthemorebindingofmypledges。"

"WhichyoudiscoveredtobeyourwordtoOmbreval，"hesaid，andhisvoicegrewunconsciouslysofter，forhebegantorealisethequandaryinwhichshehadfoundherself。

Sheinclinedherheadassentingly。

"TohimIhadgiventheearlierpromise，andthen，again，hewasofmyownclasswhilstyou—"

"Spareme，Citoyenne，"hecried。"Iknowwhatyouwouldsay。I

amoftherabble，andoflittlemoreaccountinamatterofhonourthana，beastofthefield。Itisthusthatyoureason，andyet，monDieu！Ihadthoughtthaterenowsuchnotionshaddiedoutwithyou，andthat，stupidenoughthoughyourclasshasproveditself，itwouldatleasthavedisplayedtheintelligencetoperceivethatitsdayisended，itssunset。"Heturnedandpacedtheapartmentashespoke。"TheLiliesofFrancehavebeenshornfromtheirstems，theyhavewitheredbytheroadside，andtheyhavebeentrampledintothedustbythemenofthenewregime，andyetitseemsthatyouothersofthenoblessehavenotlearntyourlesson。YouhavenotyetdiscoveredthathereinFrancethemanwhowasbornatillerofthesoilisstillaman，and，byhismanhood，theequalofaking，who，afterall，canbenomorethanaman，andissometimesless。

Enfin！"heendedbrusquely。"ThisisnottheNationalAssembly，andItalktoearsuntutoredinsuchthings。Letusdealratherwiththebusinessuponwhichyouarecome。"

Sheeyedhimoutofapaleface，witheyesthatseemedfascinated。

Thatshortburstofthefieryeloquencethathadmadehimfamousrevealedhimtoherinanewlight：thelightofastrengthandcapacityaboveandbeyondthatwhich，already，shehadperceivedwashis。

"Willyoubelieve，Monsieur，thatitcostmemanytearstouseyouasIdid？Ifyoubutknew—"Andthereshepausedabruptly。ShehadallbuttoldhimofthekissthatshehadleftuponhisunconsciouslipsthateveningontheroadtoLiege。"MonDieuhowIhatedmyself！"Andsheshudderedasshespoke。

Heobservedallthis，andwithabrusquenessthatwaspartlyassumedhehastenedtoherrescue。

"Whatisdoneisdone，Citoyenne。Come，letusleavereminiscences。

Youareheretoatone，Itakeit。"

Atthatshestarted。Hiswordsremindedherofthoseofhisletter。

"MonsieurLaBoulaye—"

"Ifitisallonetoyou，Citoyenne，Ishouldpreferthatyoucallmecitizen。"

"Citizen，then，"sheamended。"IhavebroughtwithmethegemswhichItoldyouwouldconstitutemydowry。InhislettertometheVicomtesuggestedthat—"Shepaused。

"ThatsomeRepublicanblackguardmightbebribed，"heconcluded，verygently。

Hisgentlenessdeceivedher。Sheimaginedthatitmeantthathemightnotbeunwillingtoacceptsuchabribe，andthereuponshesetherselftopleadwithhim。Helisteneddispassionately，hishandsbehindhisback，hiseyesbentuponher，yetbetrayingnothingofhisthoughts。AtlastshebroughtherprayerforOmbreval’slifetoanend，andproducedasmallleatherbagwhichshesetuponthetable，beseechinghimtosatisfyhimselfastothevalueofthecontents。

Nowatlasthestirred。Hisfacegrewcrimsontotherootsofhishair，andhiseyesseemedofasuddentotakefire。Heseizedthatlittlebagandhelditinhishand。

"Andso，MademoiselledeBellecour，"saidhe，inaconcentratedvoice，"youhavelearntsolittleofmethatyoubringmeabribeofgems。AmIahelot，thatyoushouldoffertobuymyverysoul？

Doyouthinkmyhonourissocheapathingthatyoucanhaveitforthematterofsomebitsofglass？Ordoyouimaginethatweofthenewregime，becausewedonotmouththewordateveryturn，havenosuchthingashonour？Forshame！"Hepaused，hiswrathboilingoverashesoughtwordsinwhichtogiveitutterance。Andthen，wordsfailinghimtoexpressthehalfofwhatwasinhim，heliftedthebaghighabovehishead，andhurleditatherfeetwithaforcethatsenthalftheglitteringcontentsrollingabouttheparquetfloor。"Citoyenne，yourjourneyhasbeeninvain。Iwillnottreatwithyouanotherinstant。"

Sherecoiledbeforehiswrath，awhiteandfrightenedthingthatbutaninstantbackhadbeensocalmandself—possessed。Shegavenothoughttotheflashingjewelsscatteredaboutthefloor。Throughallthefearthatnowpossessedherrosetheconsiderationofthisman—thismanwhomshehadalmostconfessedhalf—shamedlytoherselfthatsheloved，thatnightontheLiegeroad；thismanwhoateveryturnamazedherandfilledherwithanewsenseofhisstrengthanddignity。

Then，bethinkingherofOmbrevalandofhermission，shetookhercourageinbothhands，and，advancingastep，shecastherselfuponherkneesbeforeCaron。

"Monsieur，forgiveme，"shebesoughthim。"Imeantyounoinsult。

HowcouldI，whenmyeverywishistopropitiateyou？Bethinkyou，Monsieur，IhavejourneyedallthewayfromPrussiatosavethatman，becausemyhon—becauseheismybetrothed。Remember，Monsieur，youheldouttomethepromiseinyourletterthatifIcameyouwouldtreatwithme，andthatImightbuyhislifefromyou。"

"Why，soIdid，"heanswered，touchedbyherhumiliationandhertears。"Butyouwenttoofastinyourconclusions。"

"Forgivemethat。See！Iamonmykneestoyou。AmInothumbledenough？HaveInotsufferedenoughforthewrongImayhavedoneyou？"

"ItwouldtakethesufferingsofagenerationtoatoneforthewrongsI

haveenduredatthehandsofyourfamily，Citoyenne。"

"Iwilldowhatyouwill，Monsieur。BethinkyouthatIampleadingforthelifeofthemanIamtomarry。"

Helookeddownuponhernowinanemotionthatinitswaywasaspowerfulasherown。Yethisvoicewashardandsternlygovernedashenowaskedher"Isthatanargument，Mademoiselle？Isitanargumentlikelytoprevailwiththemanwho，forhistwice—confessedloveofyou，hassufferedsoretrials？"

Hefeltthatinawayshehadconqueredhim；hiscareer，whichbutthatdayhadseemedall—sufficingtohim，wasnowfallenintothelimboofdisregard。Theonethingwhosepossessionwouldrenderhislifeahappyone，whoseabsencewouldleavehimnowalastingunhappiness，knelthereathisfeet。Forgottenwerethewrongshehadsuffered，forgottenthepurposetohumbleandtopunish。

Everythingwasforgottenandsilencedbythecompellingvoiceofhisblood，whichcriedoutthathelovedher。Hestoopedtoherandcaughtherwristsinagripthatmadeherwince。Hisvoicegrewtense。

"Ifyouwouldbribemetosavehislife，Suzanne，thereisbutonepricethatyoucanpay。"

"Andthat？"shegaspedhereyeslookingupwithascaredexpressionintohismasterfulface。

"Yourself，"hewhispered，withanardourthatalmostamountedtofierceness。

Shegazedasecondathimingrowingalarm，thenshedraggedherhandsfromhisgrasp，andcoveringherfaceshefella—sobbing。

"Donotmisunderstandme，"hecried，ashestooderectoverher。

"IfyouwouldhaveOmbrevalsavedandsentoutofFranceyoumustbecomemywife。"

"Yourwife？"sheechoed，pausinginherweeping，andforamomentanoddhappinessseemedtofillher。Butassuddenlyasithadarisendidshestifleit。WasshenotthenobledaughterofthenobleMarquisdeBellecourandwasnotthisalowlybornmemberofarabblegovernment？Therecouldbenosuchmating。Ashudderranthroughher。"Icannot，Monsieur，Icannot！"shesobbed。

Helookedatheramomentwithaglancethatwasalmostofsurprise，then，withaslightcompressionofthelipsandthefaintestraisingoftheshoulders，heturnedfromherandstrodeovertothewindow。

TherewasaconsiderableconcourseofpeopleontheirwaytothePlacedelaRepublique，forthehourofthetumbrilswasathand。

Ahalf—dozenofthoseunsexedviragosproducedbytheRevolution，infilthygarments，redbonnetsandstreaminghair，weremarchingbytotheraucouschorusofthe"Caira！"

Heturnedfromthesightindisgust，andagainfacedhisvisitor。

"Citoyenne，"hesaid，inacomposedvoice，"Iamafraidthatyourjourneyhasbeeninvain。"

Sherosenowfromherknees，andadvancedtowardshim。

"Monsieur，youwillnotbesocruelastosendmeawayempty—handed？"

shecried，scarceknowingwhatshewassaying。

Buthelookedathergravely，andwithoutanysignofmelting。

"Onwhat，"heasked，"doyoubaseanyclaimuponme？"

"Onwhat？"sheechoed，andherglancevastroubledwithperplexity。

Thenofasuddenitcleared。"Onthelovethatyouhaveconfessedforme，"shecried。

Helaughedashortlaugh—halfamazement，halfscorn。

"MonDieu！"heexclaimed，tossinghisarmstoHeaven，"afineclaimthat，asIlive；afineargumentbywhichtoinducemetoplaceanothermaninyourarms。IamtodoitbecauseIloveyou！"

Theygazedateachothernow，shewithaglanceofstrainedanxiety，hewiththesamelookofhalf—contemptuouswonder。Andthenacreakingrumblefrombelowattractedhisattention，andhelookedround。Hemovedforwardandthrewthewindowwide，lettinginwiththeMarchairanoddmedleyofsoundstowhichtherollingofdrumsaffordedamostcongruousaccompaniment。

"Look，Citoyenne，"hesaid，andhepointedoutthefirsttumbril，whichwascomingroundthecorneroftheRueSt。Honore。

Sheapproachedwithsomeshrinkingbegottenbyasuspicionofwhatshewasdesiredtosee。

Inthestreetbelow，amongavociferatingcrowdofallsortsandconditions，theblackdeath—cartmovedonitswaytotheguillotine。

ItwasprecededbyacompanyofNationalGuards，andfollowedbythedrummersandanothercompanyonfoot。Withinthefatalvehicletravelledthreemenandtwowomen，accompaniedbyaconstitutionalpriest—oneofthoserenegadeswhohadtakentheoathimposedbytheConvention。Thetwowomensatmotionless，morelikestatuesthanlivingbeings，theirfaceslividandhorriblyexpressionless，sonumbedweretheirintelligencesbyfear。Ofthemen，onestoodcalmanddignified，anotherkneltathisprayers，andwassubject，therefore，tothegreaterportionofthegibesthemobwasofferingthesepoorvictims；thethird，averyelegantgentlemaninagreencoatandbuckskinbreeches，leantnonchalantlyupontherailofthetumbrilandexchangedgibeswiththepeople。Allfiveofthemwereintheprimeoflife，and，bytheirtoilettesandtheairthatclungtothem，belongedunmistakablytothenoblesse。

OneglancedidMademoisellebestowuponthattragicspectacle，thenwithashuddershedrewback，herfacegoingdeathlywhite。

"Whydidyoubidmelook？"shemoaned。