第7章

"Thatforyourselfyoumightsee，"heansweredpitilessly，"theroadbywhichyourloveristojourney。"

"MonDieu！"shecried，wringingherhands，"itishorrible。Oh！

Youarenotmen，youRevolutionists。Youarebeastsofprey，tigersinhumansemblance。"

Heshruggedhisshoulders。

"Greatinjusticesbegetgreatreactions。Greatwrongscanonlybebalancedbygreatwrongs。Forcenturiesthepowerhaslainwiththearistocrats，andtheyhavemostfoullyabusedit。ForcenturiesthepeopleofFrancehavewrithedbeneaththearmedheelofthenobility，andtheirblood，unjustlyandwantonlyshed，hassaturatedthesoiluntilfromthatseedhassprungthisoverwhelmingretribution。Now—now，whenitistoolate—youarerepenting；

now，whenatlastsometwenty—fivemillionFrenchmenhaverisenwithweaponsintheirhandstopurgethenationofyou。Wearenoworsethanwereyou；indeed，notsobad。Itisonlythatwedoinalittlewhile—and，therefore，whileitlastsingreaterquantity—whatyouhavebeendoingthroughcountlessgenerations。"

"Sparemethesearguments，Monsieur，"shecried，recoveringherspirit。"The’whys’and’wherefores’ofitarenothingtome。I

seewhatyouaredoing，andthatisenough。But，"andhervoicegrewgentleandpleading，herhandswereheldouttohim，"youaregoodatheart，Monsieur；youaregenerousandyoucanbenoble。YouwillgivemethelifethatIhavecometobegofyou；thelifeyoupromisedme。"

"Yes，butuponterms，Mademoiselle，andthosetermsyouhaveheard。"

Shelookedamomentintothatcalm，setface，intothedarkgreyeyesthatlookedsosolemnandbetrayedsolittleofwhatwaspassingwithin。

"Andyousaythatyouloveme？"shecried。

"Helas！"hesighed。"ItisaweaknessIcannotconquer。

"Lookwelldownintoyourheart，M。LaBoulaye，"sheansweredhim，"

andyouwillfindhowegregiousisyourerror。Youdonotloveme；

youloveyourself，andonlyyourself。IfyoulovedmeyouwouldnotseektohavemewhenIamunwilling。Aboveallthings，youwoulddesiremyhappiness—itiseversowhenwetrulylove—andyouwouldseektopromoteit。If，indeed，youlovedmeyouwouldgrantmyprayer，andnottorturemeasyouaredoing。Butsinceyouonlyloveyourself，youministeronlytoyourself，andseektowinmebyforcesinceyoudesireme。"

Sheceased，andhereyesfellbeforehisglance，whichremainedriveteduponherface。Immovablehestoodamomentortwo，thenheturnedfromherwithalittlesigh，andleaninghiselbowuponthewindow—sill，hegazeddownintothecrowdssurgingaboutthesecondtumbril。Butalthoughhesawmuchtherethatwascalculatedtocompelattention，heheedednothing。Histhoughtswereverybusy，andhewasdoingwhatMademoisellehadbiddenhim。Hewaslookingintohimself。Andfromthatquestioninghegatherednotonlythathelovedher，butthathelovedhersowellandsotrulythat—inspiteevenofallthatwaspassed—hemustdoherwill，anddeliveruptoherthemansheloved。

Hisresolvewasbuthalftakenwhenheheardherstirringintheroombehindhim。Heturnedsharplytofindthatshehadgainedthedoor。

"Mademoiselle！"hecalledafterher。Shestopped，andassheturned，heobservedthatherlasheswerewet。Butinherhearttherearosenowafreshhope，awakenedbythenamebywhichhehadrecalledher。"Whitherareyougoing？"heasked。

"Away，Monsieur，"sheanswered。"Iwasrealisingthatmyjourneyhadindeedbeeninvain。"

Helookedatherasecondinsilence。Thensteppingforward：

"Mademoiselle，"hesaid，veryquietly，"yourargumentshaveprevailed，anditshallbeasyoudesire。Theci—devantVicomted’Ombrevalshallgofree。"

Herfaceseemedtogrowofasuddenpaler，andforaninstantshestoodstillasifrobbedofunderstanding。Thenshecameforwardwithhandsoutheld。

"aidInotthatyouweregoodandgenerous？SaidInotthatyoucouldbenoble，Monsieur？"shecried，asshecaughthisresistinghandandsoughttocarryittoherlips。"Godwillblessyou，Monsieur—"

Hedrewhishandaway，butwithoutroughness。"Letussaynomore，Mademoiselle，"hebegged。

"ButIwill，"sheansweredhim。"Iamnotwithoutheart，Monsieur，andnowthatyouhavegivenmethisproofofthedeepqualityofyourlove，I—"Shepaused，asifatalossforwords。

"Well，Mademoiselle？"heurgedher。

"Ihaveitinmyhearttowishthat—thatitwereotherwise，"shesaid，hercheeksreddeningunderhisgaze。"IfitwerenotthatI

accountmyselfinhonourboundtowedM。leVicomte—"

"Stop！"heinterruptedher。Hehadcaughtatlastthedriftofwhatshewassaying。"Thereisnoneedforanycomedy，Suzanne。

EnoughofthathadweatBoisvert。"

"Itisnotcomedy，"shecriedwithheat。"ItwasnotaltogethercomedyatBoisvert。"

"True，"hesaid，wilfullymisunderstandingherthathemightthemoreeasilydismissthesubject，"itwentnearertobeingtragedy。"

Thenabruptlyheaskedher：

"Whereareyouresiding？"

Shepausedbeforereplying。Shestillwantedtoprotestthatsomeaffectionforhimdweltinherheart，althoughcurbed（toagreaterextenteventhanshewasaware）bythedifferenceintheirstations，andcheckedbyherplightedwordtoOmbreval。Atlast，abandoningapurposewhichhiscountenancetoldherwouldbefutile：

"IamstayingwithmyoldnurseatChoisy，"sheansweredhim。

"HenrietteGodelliereishername。Sheiswellknowninthevillage，andseemsingoodfavourwiththepatriots，sothatIaccountmyselfsafe。Iambelievedtobeherniecefromthecountry。"

"Hum！"hesnorted。"TheCitoyenneGodelliere’sniecefromthecountryinsilks？"

"Thatiswhatsomeonequestioned，andsheansweredthatitwasagownplunderedfromthewardrobeofsomeemigratedaristocrats。"

"Haveacare，Suzanne，"saidhe。"Thetimesaredangerous，anditisamatterofaweekagosinceamanwaslanternefornootherreasonthanbecausehewaswearinggloves，whichwasdeemedanaristocratichabit。Come，Mademoiselle，letusgatherupyourgems。

Youweregoingwithoutthemsomemomentsago。"

Anddownuponhiskneeshewent，and，takingupthelittlebagwhichhadbeenleftwherehehadflungit，hesethimselftorestorethejewelstoit。Shecametohisassistance，inspiteofhisprotestations，andso，withinamomentortwo，thetaskwascompleted，andthelittletreasurewaspackedawayinthebosomofhergown。

"To—morrow，"hesaid，ashetookhisleaveofheratthedoor，"I

shallhopetobringtheci—devantVicomtetoChoisy，andIwillseethatheisequippedwithalaissez—passerthatwillcarrybothofyousafelyoutofFrance。"

Shewasbeginningtothankhimalloveragain，buthecuthershort，andsotheyparted。

Longaftershewasgonedidhesitathiswriting—table，hisheadinhishandsandhiseyesstaringstraightbeforehim。Hisfacelookedgreyandhaggard；thelinesthatseareditwerelinesofpain。

"Theysay，"hemurmuredonce，thinkingaloud，asmensometimeswillinmomentsofgreatstress，"thatagoodactionbringsitsownreward。Perhapsmyactionisnotagoodone，afterall，andthatiswhyIsuffer。"

And，buryinghisheadinhisarms，heremainedthuswithhissorrowuntilhisofficialenteredtoinquireifhedesiredlights。

CHAPTERXVIII

THEINCORRUPTIBLE

ItwastowardsnoonofthefollowingdaywhenCaronLaBoulayepresentedhimselfatthehouseofDuplay，thecabinet—makerintheRueSt。Honore，andaskedoftheelderlyfemalewhoadmittedhimifhemightseetheCitizen—deputyRobespierre。

Aberlinestoodatthedoor，thepostillionatthehorses’heads，andaboutittherewassomebustle，asifinpreparationofadeparture。ButLaBoulayepaidnoheedtoitasheenteredthehouse。

HewasimmediatelyconductedupstairstotheIncorruptible’sapartment—forhewastoowellknowntosomuchasneedannouncing。

Inanswertothewoman’sknockagentle，almostplaintivevoicefromwithinbadethementer，andthuswasCaronusheredintothehumbledwellingofthehumbleandineffective—lookingindividualwhosepoweralreadytranscendedthatofanyothermaninFrance，andwhowasdestinedtobecomestillmorebeforehisephemeralstarwentout。

Intothatunpretentiousandratherclose—smellingroom—foritwasbed—chamberaswellasdining—roomandstudy—steppedLaBoulayeunhesitatingly，withtheairofamanwhoisintimatewithhissurroundingsandassuredofhiswelcomeinthem。Intheright—handcornerstoodthebedonwhichtheclotheswerestilltumbled；inthecentreofthechamberwasatablealllitteredwiththedisorderofamealpartaken；ontheleft，bythewindow，satRobespierreathiswriting—table，andfromtheovermantelatthebackoftheroomamarblecounterpartofRobespierre’sownheadandshoulderslookeddownuponthenewcomer。Therewereafewpicturesonthewhitewashedwalls，andafewobjectsofartaboutthechamber，butinthemainithadacomfortlessair，whichmayinparthaveresultedfromthefactthatnofirehadbeenlighted。

Thegreatmantossedasidehispen，androseasthedoorclosedaftertheenteringvisitor。Pushinghishorn—rimmedspectaclesupontohisforeheadhestretchedouthishandtoLaBoulaye。

"Itisyou，Caron，"hemurmuredinthatplaintivevoiceofhis。

ItwasavoicethatsortedwellwiththehumanemanwhohadresignedajudgeshipatArrassoonerthanpassadeath—sentence，buthardlysowellwithhimwho，asPublicProsecutorinParis，hadbroughtsomehundredsofheadstothesawdust。"Ihavebeendesiringtocongratulateyouuponyourvictoryofyesterday，"hecontinued，"evenasIhavebeencongratulatingmyselfuponthefactthatitwasIwhofoundyouandgaveyoutotheNation。IfearedthatI

mightnotseeyouereIleft。"

"YouareleavingParis？"askedLaBoulaye，withoutheedingthecomplimentsintheearlierpartoftheother’sspeech。

"Forafewdays。BusinessoftheNation，myfriend。Butyou—

letustalkofyou。DoyouknowthatIamproudofyou，cherCaron？

YoureloquenceturnedDantongreenwithjealousy，andasforpoorVergniaud，itextinguishedhimutterly。Mafoi！Ifyoucontinueasyouhavebegun，thedaymaynotbefardistantwhenyouwillbecomethepatronandItheProtege。"Andhisweakeyesbeamedpleasantlyfromoutofthatunhealthypaleface。

OutwardlyhehadchangedlittlesincehisfirstcomingtoParis，torepresenttheThirdEstateofArtoise，saving，hischeeksweregrownmorehollow。Uponhisdresshestillbestowedthesameunpretentiouscarethathadalwayscharacterisedit，which，inoneofthemostprominentpatriotsoftheMountain，amountedalmosttofoppishness。

Bluecoat，whitewaistcoat，silkhoseandshoesbuckledwithsilver，gavehimanelegantexteriorthatmusthaveearnedhimmanyacovertsneerfromhiscolleagues。Hisslopingforeheadwascrownedbyaperiwig，sedulouslycurledandpowdered—forallthatwiththenoblessethiswasalreadyadiscardedfashion。

LaBoulayerepliedtohispatron’scomplimentswiththebestgracehecouldcommandconsideringhowfullofanothermatterwashismind。

"Imaycongratulatemyself，Maximilien，"headded，"uponmygoodfortuneincomingbeforeyoutookyourdeparture。Ihavearequesttoprefer，afavourtoask。"

"Tut！Whotalksoffavours？Notyou，Caron，Ihope。Youhavebuttonamewhatyoudesire，andsothatitlieswithinmypowertoaccordit，thethingisyours。"

"ThereisaprisonerintheLuxembourginwhomIaminterested。I

seekhisenlargement。"

"Butisthatall？"criedthelittleman，and，withoutmoreado，heturnedtohiswriting—tableanddrewaprintedformfromamongthechaosofdocuments。"Hisname？"heaskedindifferently，ashedippedhisquillintheink—hornandscratchedhissignatureatthefootofit。

"Anaristocrat，"saidCaron，withsomeslighthesitancy。

"Eh？"Andthearchedbrowsdrewtogetherforaninstant。"Butnomatter。ThereareenoughandtospareevenforFouquier—Tinvillle’svoraciousappetite。Hisname？"

"Theci—devantVicomteAntoled’Ombreval。"

"Qui—ca？"Thequestionrangsharpasapistol—shot，soundingthemorefearfulbyvirtueofthecontrastwiththegentletonesinwhichRobespierrehadspokenhitherto。Thelittleman’sfacegrewevil。"d’Ombreval？"hecried。"Butwhatisthismantoyou？ItisbyyourfavouralonethatIhavelethimlivesolong，butnow—"

Hestoppedshort。"Whatisyourinterestinthisman？"hedemanded，andthequestionwassofiercelyputastosuggestthatitwouldbewellforLaBoulayethatheshouldprovethatinterestslightindeed。

ButwhateverfeelingsmayhavebeenswayingCaronatthemoment，fearwasnotoneofthem。

"Myinterestinhimissufficientlygreattocausemetoseekhisfreedomatyourhands，"heanswered，withcomposure。

Robespierreeyedhimnarrowlyforamoment，peeringathimoverhisspectacleswhichhehaddrawndownontohistip—tiltednose。Thenthefiercenessdiedoutofhismienandmannerassuddenlyasithadsprungup。Hebecameoncemoretheweak—looking，ineffectualmanthathadfirstgreetedLaBoulaye：urbaneandquiet，butcold—coldasice。

"Iamdesolated，mydearCaron，butyouhaveaskedmefortheonemanintheprisonsofFrancewhoselifeIcannotyieldyou。HeisfromArtois，andthereisanoldscore’twixthimandme，’twixthisfamilyandmine。Theywerethegrandsseigneursofthelandonwhichwewereborn，theseOmbrevals，andIcouldtellyouofwrongscommittedbythemwhichwouldmakeyoushudderinhorror。Thisoneshallatoneinthesmallmeasurewecanenforcefromhim。ItwastothisendthatIorderedyoutoeffecthiscapture。Havepatience，dearCaron，andforgivemethatIcannotgrantyourrequest。AsI

havesaid，Iamdesolatedthatitshouldbeso。Askme，ifyouwill，thelifeofanyother—oranydozenothers—andtheyareyours。ButOmbrevalmustdie。"

Caronstoodamomentinsilentdismay。HerewasanobstacleuponwhichhehadnotcountedwhenhehadpassedhiswordtoSuzannetoeffectthereleaseofherbetrothed。Atallcostshemustgainit，hetoldhimself，andtothatendhenowsethimselftoplead，advancing，ashisonlyargument—butadvancingitwithafervourthataddedtoitsweight—thathestoodpledgedtosavetheci—devantVicomte。Robespierrelookedupathimwithashadeofpoliteregretuponhiscadaverousface，andwithpoliteregrethedeploredthatCaronshouldhavesoboundhimself。

Soabsorbedwerethey，theoneinpleading，theotherinresisting，thatneithernoticedtheopeningofthedoor，noryetthegirlwhostoodobservingthemfromthethreshold。

"Ifthismandies，"criedLaBoulayeatlast，"Iamdishonoured。

"Itisregrettable，"returnedRobespierre，"thatyoushouldhavepledgedyourwordinthematter。Youwillconfess，Caron，thatitwasalittleprecipitate。Enfin，"heended，crumplingthedocumenthehadsignedandtossingitunderthetable，"youmustextricateyourselfasbestyoucan。Iamsorry，butIcannotgivehimtoyou。"

Caron’sfacewasverywhiteandhishandswereclenchedconvulsively。

ItisquestionablewhetherinthatmomenthehadnotflunghimselfupontheIncorruptible，andenforcedthatwhichhithertohehadonlybesought，butthatinthatinstantthegirlsteppedintotheroom。

"Andisitreallyyou，Caron？"camethemelodiousvoiceofCecile。

LaBoulayestartedroundtoconfronther，andstifledacurseattheuntimelyinterruptionwhichRobespierrewasblessingasmosttimely。

"Itis—itis，Citoyenne，"heansweredshortly，toaddmoreshortlystill："IamhereonbusinesswiththeCitizen，youruncle。"

Butbeforethegirlcouldsomuchasappreciatetherebukehelevelledatherintrusion，herunclehadcometotherescue。

"Thebusiness，however，isatanend。TakechargeofthisgoodCaron，Cecile，whilstImakereadyformyjourney。"

Thus，soreatheart，andchagrinedbeyondwords，LaBoulayewasforcedtorealisehisdefeat，andtoleavethepresenceoftheIncorruptible。ButwithCecilehewentnofartherthanthelanding。

"Ifyouwillexcuseme，Citoyenne，"hesaidabstractedly，"Iwilltakemyleaveofyou。"

"ButIshallnotexcuseyou，Caron，"shesaid，refusingtoseehisabstraction。"Youwillstaytodinner—"

"Iamsorrybeyondmeasure，but—"

"Youshallstay，"sheinterrupted。"Come，Caron。Itismonthssinceyouwerewithus。Wewillmakealittlefeteinhonourofyouryesterday’striumph，"shepromisedhim，sidlinguptohimwithabewitchingglanceofblueeyes，andthemostdistractingtossofgoldencurlsuponanivoryneck。

ButtosuchseductionsCaronprovedasimperviousasmightamanofstone。Heexcusedhimselfwithcoldpoliteness。TheNation’sbusinesswasawaitinghim；hemightnotstay。

"TheNation’sbusinessmayawaityoualittlelonger，"shedeclared，takingholdofhisarmwithbothhands，andhadsheleftitatthatitispossiblethatshehadwonherwaywithhim。Butmostindiscreetlysheadded：

"Come，Caron，youshalltellmewhowasyouryesterday’svisitor。

Doyouknowthatthesightofhermademejealous？Wasitnotfoolishinme？"

Andnow，fromcoldpoliteness，LaBoulayepassedtohotimpoliteness。

Roughlyheshookherdetaininghandsfromhim，andwithhardlysomuchasawordoffarewell，hepasseddownthestairs，leavingherwhitewithpassionattheslighthehadtherebyputuponher。

Thebeautyseemedtopassoutofherfacemuchasthemeeknesswaswonttopassoutofheruncle’swhenhewasroused。Herblueeyesgrewsteelyandcruelasshelookedafterhim。

"Wait，Caron，"shemutteredtoherself，"Iwillcryquitswithyou。"

Andthen，withasobofanger，sheturnedandmountedthestairstoherapartments。

CHAPTERXIX

THETHEFT

LaBoulayesatoncemoreintheRueNationaleandwithhisheadinhishands，hiselbowssupportedbythewriting—table，hestaredbeforehim，hisfacedrawnwiththepainandangerofthedefeathehadsustainedwherenodefeathadbeenexpected。

HehadbeensoassuredthathehadbuttoaskforOmbreval’slife，anditwouldbeaccordedhim；hehadpromisedSuzannewithsuchconfidence—boastingalmost—thathecoulddothis，andtodoithehadpledgedhisword。Andnow？Forveryshamehecouldnotgotoherandtellherthatdespitehisfinepromisesdespitehisboldbargaining，hewasaspowerlesstoliberateOmbrevalaswassheherself。

Andwithreflectionhecametoseethatevendidhebearhersuchataleshewouldnotbelieveit。Theinfiniteassuranceofhispower，implicitineverythingthathehadsaidtoher，mustnowariseinhermemory，andgivethelietohispresentconfessionofpowerlessness。Shewouldnotbelievehim，anddisbelievinghim，shewouldseekamotiveforthewordsthatshewoulddeemuntrue。

Andthatmotiveshewouldnotfindfartoseek。Shewouldaccounthispresentattitudetheconsummationofamiserablesubterfugebywhichhesoughttowinherconfidenceandesteem。Shewould—shemust—believethathehadbutmadeasemblanceofbefriendinghersodisinterestedlyonlythathemightenlistherkindnessandregard，andturnthempresentlytohisownpurposes。Shewouldinferthathehadposedasunselfish—asself—sacrificing，almost—onlythathemightwinheresteem，andthatbytellinghernowthatRobespierrewasinflexibleinhisresolvetosendOmbrevaltotheguillotine，hesoughttoretainthatesteemwhilstdoingnothingforit。ThathehadeverintendedtosaveOmbrevalshewouldnotcredit。Shewouldthinkitallacunningschemetowinhisownends。Andnowhebethoughthimofthegriefthatwouldbesetheruponlearningthatherjourneyhadindeedbeenfruitless。Hesmotethetableablowwithhisclenchedhand，andcursedthewholeRepublic，fromRobespierredowntothemeanestsans—culottethatbrayedtheCairainthestreetsofParis。

Hehadpledgedhisword，andforallthathebelongedtotheclasswhoserighttohonourwasdeniedbythearistocrats，hiswordhehadneveryetbroken。Thatcircumstance—aspersonifiedbyMaximilienRobespierre—shouldbreakitforhimnowwasmatterenoughtoenragehim，forthanthisneverhadtherebeenanoccasiononwhichsuchabreachcouldhavebeenlessendurable。

Herosetohisfeet，andsethimselftopacethechamber，driventoactionofbodybytheagonisedactivityofhismind。Fromthestreetrosethecryofthepastry—cookgoinghisdailyrounds，asithadrisenyesterday，heremembered，whenSuzannehadbeenwithhim。Andnowofasuddenhestoodstill。Hislipswerecompressed，hisbrowsdrawntogetherinaforbiddingscowl，andhiseyesnarroweduntiltheyseemedalmostclosed。Thenwithhisclenchedrighthandhesmotetheopenpalmoftheother。Hisresolvewastaken。Byfairmeansorfoul，withRobespierre’ssanctionorwithoutit，hewouldkeephisword。AfternotonlythehopebuttheassurancehehadgivenSuzannethatherbetrothedshouldgofree，hecoulddonolessthanaccomplishtheVicomte’senlargementbywhatevermeansshouldpresentthemselves。

Andnowtoseekaway。HerecalledthefreepardontowhichRobespierrehadgonethelengthofappendinghissignature。Herememberedthatithadnotbeendestroyed；Robespierrehadcrumpleditinhishandandtosseditaside。AndbynowRobespierrewouldhavedeparted，anditshouldnotbedifficultforhim—theprotegeandintimateofRobespierre—togainaccesstotheIncorruptible’sroom。

IfonlyhecouldfindthatdocumentandfillinthenameofOmbrevalthethingwouldbeasgoodasdone。True，hewouldrequirethesignaturesofthreeotherDeputies；butoneofthesehecouldsupplyhimself，andanothertwowereeasilytoberequisitioned，seeingthatalreadyitboreRobespierre’s。

Andthenassuddenlyastheideaofthemeanshadcometohim，camenowthespectreoftheconsequencestoaffrighthim。HowwoulditfarewithhimonRobespierre’sreturn？HowangeredwouldnotRobespierrebeupondiscoveringthathiswisheshadbeensetatnaught，hisverymeasurescontravened—andthisbyfraud？AndthanRobespierre’sangertherewerefewthingsmoreterriblein’93。Itwasanangerthatshoreawayheadsasrecklesslyaswaysideflowersareflickedfromtheirstemsbytheidler’scane。

Foraseconditdauntedhim。Ifhedidthisthinghemustseekrefugeinflight；hemustleaveFrance，abandonthecareerwhichwassofullofpromiseforhim，andwanderabroad，apennilessfortune—hunter。Wellmighttheprospectgivehimpause。Wellmightitcausehimtosurveythatpale，sardoniccountenancethateyedhimgloomilyfromthemirrorabovehismantelshelf，andaskitmockinglyifitthoughtthatSuzannedeBellecour—orindeed，anywomanliving—wereworthyofsogreatasacrifice。

Whathadshedoneforhimthatheshouldcastawayeverythingforhersake？Onceshehadtoldhimthatshelovedhim，onlytobetrayhim。Wasthatawomanforwhomamanshouldwantonhisfortunes？

Andthenhesmiledderisively，mockinghisreflectionsinthemirrorevenashemockedhimself。

"Poorfool，"hemuttered，"itisnotforthesakeofwhatyouaretoher。Wereitforthatalone，youwouldnotstirafingertogratifyherwishes。Itisforthesakeofwhatsheistoyou，Caron。"

Heturnedfromthemirror，hisresolvenowfirm，andgoingtothedoorhecalledhisofficial。BrieflyheinstructedBrutustouchingthepackingofavalise，whichhewouldprobablyneedthatnight。

"Youaregoingajourney，Citizen？"inquiredBrutus，towhichLaBoulayereturnedashortanswerintheaffirmative。"DoIaccompanyyou？"inquiredtheofficial，towhichLaBoulayeshookhishead。

AtthatBrutus，who，forallhisinsolenceofmanner，wasverydevotedlyattachedtohisemployer，brokeintoremonstrances，impertinentofdictionbutaffectionateoftenor。HeprotestedthatLaBoulayehadlefthimbehind，andlonely，duringhismissiontothearmyinBelgium，andhevowedthathewouldnotbeleftbehindagain。

"Well，well；weshallsee，Brutus，"answeredtheDeputy，layinghishanduponthefellow’sshoulder。"ButIamafraidthatthistimeI

amgoingfartherthanyouwouldcaretocome。"

Theman’sferretyeyeswereraisedofasuddentoLaBoulaye’sfaceinaverysearchingglance。Caron’stonehadbeenladenwithinsinuation。

"Youarerunningway，"criedtheofficial。

"Sh！MygoodBrutus，whatfolly！WhyshouldIrunaway—andfromwhom，pray？"

"Iknownotthat。Butyouare。Ihearditinyourvoice。Andyoudonottrustme，CitizenLaBoulaye，"thefellowadded，inastrickenvoice。"Ihaveservedyoufaithfullythesetwoyears，andyetyouhavenotlearnttotrustme。"

"Ido，Ido，myfriend。Yougotoofastwithyourconclusions。Nowseetomyvalise，andonmyreturnperhapsI’lltellyouwhereIamgoing，andputyourfidelitytothetest。"

"Andyouwilltakemewithyou？"

"Why，yes，"LaBoulayepromisedhim，"unlessyoushouldprefertoremaininParis。"

Withthathegotawayandleavingthehouse，hewalkedbrisklyupthestreet，roundthecorner，andonuntilhestoodoncemorebeforeDuplay’s。

"HastheCitizenRobespierredepartedyet？"heinquiredofthewomanwhoansweredhisperemptoryknock。

"Hehasbeengonethishour，CitizenLaBoulaye，"sheanswered。

"Hestartedalmostimmediatelyafteryoulefthim。"

"Diable！"grumbledCaron，withwell—feignedannoyance。"Quelcontretemps！Ihaveleftamostimportantdocumentinhisroom，and，ofcourse，itwillbelocked。"

"ButtheCitoyenneCecilehasthekey，"answeredthewoman，eagertoobligehim。

"Why，yes—naturally！Nowthatisfortunate。WillyoudomethefavourtoprocurethekeyfromheCitoyenneforafewmoments，tellingher，ofcourse，thatitisIwhoneedit？"

"Butcertainly，Montez，Citoyen。"Andwithawaveofthehandtowardsthestairsshewentbeforehim。

Hefollowedleisurely，andbythetimehehadreachedRobespierre’sdoorhervoicefloateddowntohimfromabove，callingtheIncorruptible’sniece。NextheheardCecile’svoicereplying，andthenawhisperedconferenceonthelandingoverhead，totheaccompanimentoftheoccasionaltinkleofabunchofkeys。

Presentlythedomesticreturned，andunlockingthedoor，shehelditopenforLaBoulayetopass。FromherattitudeitseemedtoCaronasifshewereintentioned—probablyshehadbeeninstructed—toremaintherewhileheobtainedwhathesought。Nowhehadnomindthatsheshouldseehimmakinghisquestamongthewastedpapersonthefloor，andso：

"Ishallnotbemorethanafewminutes，"heannouncedquietly。"I

willcallyouwhenIamreadytodepart。"

Thusuncompromisinglydismissed，shedidnotventuretoremain，and，passingin，LaBoulayeclosedthedoor。Asgreatashadbeenhisdeliberationhithertowasnowthefeverishhastewithwhichhecrossedtothespotwherehehadseenthedocumentflung。HecaughtupacrumpledsheetandopeneditoutItwasnotthethinghesought。

Hecastitasideandtookupanotherwithnobetterluck。TocrumplediscardedpapersseemedthehabitoftheIncorruptible，fortherewasaverylitterofthemontheground。OneafteranotherdidCaroninvestigatewithoutsuccess。Hewasonhiskneesnow，andhisexplorationhadcarriedhimasfarasthetable；anothermomentandhewasgrovellingunderit，stillathissearch，whichwitheachfreshdisappointmentgrowmorefeverish。

Yonder—bythelegoftheIncorruptible’schair—heespiedtheballofpaper，andtoreachithestretchedtohisfulllength，lyingpronebeneathatableinanattitudescarcebecomingaDeputyoftheFrenchRepublic。Butitwasworththeeffortandthedisregardofdignity，forwhenpresentlyonhiskneeshesmoothedoutthatdocument，hediscoveredittobetheonehesoughttheorderuponthegaolersoftheLuxembourgtosetatlibertyapersonorpersonswhosenamesweretobefilledin，signedbyMaximilienRobespierre。

Herose，absorbedinhissuccessfulfind，andhepursueduponthetabletheprocessofsmoothingthecreasesasmuchaspossiblefromthatpricelessdocument。ThatdonehetookupapenandattachedhisownsignaturealongsideofRobespierre’s；thenintotheblankspaceabovehefilledthenameofAnatoled’Ombrevalci—devantVicomted’Ombreval。Hedroppedthepenandtookupthesand—box。

Hesprinkledthewriting，creasedthepaper，anddustedthesandbackintothereceptacle。Andthenofasuddenhisbloodseemedtofreeze，andbeadsofcoldsweatstoodoutuponhisbrow。Therehadbeentheveryslighteststirbehindhim，andwithithadcomeawarmbreathuponhisbowedneck。Someonewaslookingoverhisshoulder。Aninstantheremainedinthatbowedattitudewithheadhalf—raised。ThensuddenlystraighteninghimselfheswungroundandcamefacetofacewithCecileDeshaix。

Confrontingeachotherandveryclosetheynowstoodandeachwasbreathingwithmorethannormalquickness。Hercheekswerewhite，hernostrilsdilatedandquivering，herblueeyesbalefulandcruel，whilstherlipsworeneversofaintasmile。ForasecondLaBoulayelookedtheverypictureoffoolishnessandalarm。Thenitseemedasifhedrewacurtain，andhisfaceassumedtheexpressionlessmaskthatwashabitualtoitinmomentsofgreattension。

Instinctivelyheputbehindhimhishandswhichheldthepaper。

Cecile’slipstookonanaddedcurlofscornassheobservedtheact。

"Youthief！"shesaid，verylow，butveryfiercely。"Thatwasthepaperthatyouleftbehindyou，wasit？"

"ThepaperthatIhaveiscertainlythepaperthatIleftbehind，"

heansweredserenely，forhehadhimselfwellinhandbynow。"Andasfordubbingmeathiefsoreadily"—hepaused，andshruggedhisshoulders—"youareawoman，"heconcluded，withanairsuggestingthatthatfactwasaconclusiontoallthings。

"Fool！"sheblazed。"Doyouthinktoovercomemebyquibbles？Doyouthinktodupemewithwordsandshrugs？"

"MydearCecilehebeggedhalf—whimsically，"mayIimploreyoutousesomerestraint？InuredasIamtotheunboundedlicenceofyourtongueandtotheabandonthatseemssoinherentinyou，letmeassureyouthat—"

"Ah！YoucansayCecilenow？"shecried，leavingtheremainderofhisspeechunheeded。"Nowthatyouneedme；nowthatyouwantmetobeapartytoyourtreacherousdesignsagainstmyuncle。Oh，youcansay’Cecile’and’dearCecile’insteadofyoureverlasting’Citoyenne’。

"ItseemsIamdoomedtobealwaysmisunderstoodbyyou，"helaughed，andatthesoundshestartedasifhehadstruckher。

Hadshebutlookedinhiseyesshehadseennolaughterthere；shemighthaverealisedthatmurderratherthanmirthwasinhissoul—

for，atallcosts，hewasdeterminedtoholdthepaperhehadbeenatsuchpainstoget。

"Iunderstandyouwellenough，"shecriedhotly，hercheeksflamingredofasudden。"Iunderstandyou，youthief，youtrickster。DoyouthinkthatIheardnothingofwhatpassedthismorningbetweenmyuncleandyou？DoyouthinkIdonotknowwhosenameyouhavewrittenonthatpaper？Answerme，"shecommandedhim。

"Sinceyouknowsomuch，whatneedforanyquestions？"quothhecoolly，transferringthecovetedpapertohispocketashespoke。

"AndsincewearesofaragreedthatIamnotcontradictinganythingyousay—nor，indeed，intendto—perhapsyouwillseetheconvenienceofendinganinterviewthatpromisestobefruitless。

MydearCecile，Iamverygratefultoyouforthekeyofthisroom。

IbegthatyouwillmakemycomplimentstotheCitizenyouruncleuponhisreturn，andinformhimofhowthoroughlyyouministeredtomywants。"

Withthatandasuperbairofinsouciance，hemadeshifttogo。Butfrontinghimshebarredhisway。

"Givemethatpaper，sclerat，"shedemandedimperiously。"Youshallnotgountilyousurrenderit。GiveittomeorIwillcallDuplay。"

"YoumaycallthedevilforaughtIcare，youlittlefool，"heansweredher，verypleasantly。"DoyouthinkDuplaywillbemadenoughtolayhandsuponaDeputyoftheConventioninthedischargeoftheaffairsoftheNation？"

"Itisalie！"

"Why，ofcourseitis，"headmittedsweetly。"ButDuplaywillnotbeawareofthat。"

"Ishalltellhim。"

"Tut！Hewon’tbelieveyou。I’llthreatenhimwiththeguillotineifhedoes。AndIshouldthinkthatDuplayhassufficientdreadofthenationalbarbernottoriskhavinghistoiletperformedbyhim。

Now，bereasonable，andletmepass。"

Enragedbeyondmeasurebyhispersiflageandverymanifestcontemptofher，shesprangsuddenlyuponhim，andcaughtatthelapelsofhisredingote。

"Givemethatpaper！"shescreamed，exertingherentirestrengthinavainefforttoboldlyshakehim。

Coldlyheeyedthisgolden—hairedviragonow，andlookedinvainforsometraceofherwontedbeautyinthestormydistortionofherface。

"Yougrowtiresomewithyourrepetitions，"heansweredherimpatiently，as，snatchingatherwrists，hemadeherreleaseherhold。"Letmego。"Andwiththatheflungherroughlyfromhim。

Asecondshestaggered，then，recoveringherbalanceandwithoutaninstant’shesitation，shespedtothedoor。ImaginingherintenttobetolockhiminLaBoulayesprangafterher。Butitseemedthathismindhadbeenmoreswifttofastenuponthewisercoursethanhadhers。Instead，shesnatchedthekeyandclosedthedoorontheinside。Shewastedamomentfumblingatthelock，andevenashecaughtherbythewaistthekeyslippedin，andbeforehedraggedherbackshehadcontrivedtoturnit，andnowhelditinherhand。

Helaughedatrifleangrilyasshetwistedoutofhisgrasp，andstoodpantingbeforehim。

"Youshallnotleavethisroomwiththatpaper，"shegasped，herangereverswelling，andnowrenderingherspeechalmostincoherent。

Hesethisarmsakimbo，andsurveyedherwhimsically。

"MydearCecile，"quothhe，"ifyouwilltakenothoughtformyconvenience，Ibegthat，atleast，youwilltakesomeforyourgoodname。Thousanddevilswoman！WillyouhaveitsaidinParisthatyouwerefoundlockedinaroomwithme？Whatwillyouruncle—

yourvirtuous，prudish，incorruptibleuncle—saywhenhelearnsofit？Ifhedoesnotdemandaheavypricefromyouforsodishonouringhim，heisnotthemanIdeemhim。Nowbesensible，child，andopenthatdoorwhilethereisyettime，andbeforeanybodydiscoversusinthismostcompromisingsituation。"

Hestruckthetonemostlikelytowinhimobedience，andthathehadjudgedastutelyherfaceshowedhim。Intheplaceoftheangerthathaddistortedittherecamenowintothatcountenancealookofsurpriseandfear。Shesawherselfbaffledateverypoint。ShehadthreatenedhimwithDuplay—theonlymanavailable—andhehadshownherhowfutileitmustprovetosummonhim。Andnowshehadlockedherselfinwithhim，thinkingtositthereuntilheshoulddoherwill，andheshowedherthedangertoherselftherein，whichhadescapedhernotice。

Therewasasettleclosebehindher，andontothisshesank，andbendingherheadsheopenedthefloodgatesofherpassionatelittlesoul，andlettheragethathadsolongpossessedherdissolveintears。AtsightofthatsuddenchangeoffrontLaBoulayestampedhisfoot。Heappreciatedthefactthatshewasabouttofighthimwithweaponsthatonapreviousoccasion—when，however，itistrue，theywerewieldedbyanother—hadaccomplishedhisundoing。

Andforallthathesteeledhisheart，andevokedthememoryofSuzannetostrengthenhiminhispurpose：heapproachedherwithakindlyexterior。Hesathimdownbesideher；heencompassedherwaistwithhisarm，anddrawinghertohimhesethimselftosootheherasonesoothesawilfulchild。Hadhethenrecalledwhatherattitudehadbeentowardshiminthepasthehadthoughttwicebeforeadoptingsuchacourse。Butinhismindtherewasnosentimentthatwasnotbrotherly，andfarfromhiswisheswasittoinvesthisactionwithanyotherthanafraternalkindness。

Butshe，feelingthatcaressingarmabouther，andfiredbyitinherhaplesspassionforthisman，wasquicktomisinterprethim，andtotranslatehisattitudeintooneofakindnessfarbeyondhisdreams。Shenestledclosertohim；athisbiddingherweepingdieddownandceased。

"There，Cecile，youwillgivemethekeynow？"hebegged。

Sheglancedupathimshylythroughwetlashes—aspeepsthesunthroughAprilclouds。

"ThereisnothingIwillnotdoforyou，Caron，"shemurmured。"See，Iwillevenhelpyoutoplaythetraitoronmyuncle。Foryoulovemealittle，cherCaron，isitnotso？"

Hefelthimselfgrowcoldfromheadtofoot，andhegrewsickatthethoughtthatbytheindiscretionofhisclumsysympathyhehadbroughtthisdownuponhislucklesshead。Mechanicallyhisarmrelaxedtheholdofherwaistandfellaway。Instinctivelysheapprehendedthatallwasnotasshehadthought。Sheturnedontheseattofacehimsquarely，andcaughtsomethingofthedismayinhisglanceoftheloathingalmost（forwhatismoreloathsometoamanthantobewooedbyawomanhedesiresnot？）Gradually，inchbyinch，shedrewawayfromhim，everfacinghim，andhereyeseveronhis，asiffascinatedbythehorrorofwhatshesaw。Thusuntiltheextremityofthesettlepermittedhertogonofarther。Shestarted，thenherglanceflickereddown，andshegaveasuddengaspofpassion。SimultaneouslythekeyrangontheboardsatCaron’sfeetangrilyflungtherebyCecile。

"Go！"sheexclaimed，inasuffocatingvoice，"andneverletmeseeyourfaceagain。"

Forasecondortwohesatquitestill，hiseyesobservingherwithalookofineffablepity，whichmighthaveincreasedherdisorderhadsheperceivedit。Thenslowlyhestooped，andtookupthekey。

Herosefromthesettle，andwithoutaword—forwordsherealised，coulddonomorethanheightenthetragicbanalityofthesituation—hewenttothedoor，unlockedit，andpassedout。

HuddledinhercornersatCecile，listeninguntilhisstepshaddiedawayonthestairs。Thenshecastherselfproneuponthesettle，andinafrenzyofsobsandtearssheventedsomeoftherageandshamethatweredistractingher。

CHAPTERXX

THEGRATITUDEOFOMBREVAL

WhatLaBoulayemayhavelackedinknowledgeofwoman’swayshemadeupforbyhisknowledgeofCecile，andfromthisheapprehendedthattherewasnotimetobelostifhewouldcarryouthispurpose。

Touchingherdismissalofhim，hepermittedhimselfnoillusions。

Herateditatitstruevalue。Hesawinitnosignofrelentingofgenerosity，butonlyadesiretoputanendtotheshamewhichhispresencewasoccasioningher。

Hecouldimaginethelengthstowhichthethirstofvengeancewouldurgeascornedwoman，andofallwomenhefeltthatCecilescornedwasthemosttobefeared。Shewouldnotsitwithfoldedhands。

Oncesheovercamethefirsttempestuousoutburstofherpassionshewouldbeupanddoing，strainingeverysensetooutwitandthwarthiminhisproject，whosescopeshemusthavemorethanguessed。

Reasoningthus，heclearlysawnotonlythateverymomentwasofvalue，butthatflightwastheonlythingremaininghimifhewouldsavehimselfaswellasOmbreval。Andsohehiredhimacabriolet，anddroveinallhastetothehouseofBillaudVarennes，theDeputy，fromwhomhesoughttoobtainoneofthetwosignaturesstillneededbyhisorderofrelease。HewasdisappointedatlearningthatVarenneswasnotathome—though，hadhebeenabletopeepanhourorsointothefuture，hewouldhaveofferedupthankstoHeavenforthatsameDeputy’sabsence。HisinsistentandimpatientquestionselicitedtheinformationthatprobablyVerenneswouldbefoundatFevrier’s。AndsotoFevrier’sfamousrestaurantintheoldPalaisRoyalwentLaBoulaye，andtherehehadthegoodfortunetofindnotonlyBillaudVarennes，butalsotheDeputyCarnot。Nordidfortuneendherfavoursthere。ShewassmilingnowuponCaron，aswasprovedbythefactthatneithertoVarennesnorCarnotdidthenameofOmbrevalmeananything。Robespierre’ssubscriptionofthedocumentwasacceptedbyeachasaffordinghimasufficientwarranttoappendhisownsignature，andalthoughCarnotaskedaquestionortwo，itwasdoneinanidlehumour，andhepaidlittleattentiontosuchrepliesasCaronmadehim。

Withinfiveminutesofenteringtherestaurant，LaBoulayewasinthestreetagain，driving，bywayofthePontNeuf，totheLuxembourg。

Attheprisonheencounterednottheslightestdifficulty。Hewasknownpersonallytotheofficer，ofwhomhedemandedthepersonoftheci—devantVicomte，andhisorderofreleasewastoocorrecttogiverisetoanyhesitationonthepartofthemantowhomitwassubmitted。Hewasleftwaitingafewmomentsinachamberthatdiddutyasaguard—room，andpresentlytheVicomte，lookingpale，andtremblingwithexcitementathissuddenrelease，stoodbeforehim。

"You？"hemuttered，uponbeholdingLaBoulaye。ButtheRepublicanreceivedhimverycoldly，andhurriedhimoutoftheprisonwithscantceremony。

TheofficerattendedtheDeputytothedoorofhiscabriolet，andinhishearingCaronbadethecoachmandrivetothePorteSt。Martin。

This，however，wasnomorethanasubterfugetowhichhewasresortingwithaviewtobafflingthelaterpossibilityoftheirbeingtraced。Ombrevalnaturallyenoughpliedhimwithquestionsastheywent，towhichLaBoulayereturnedsuchcurtanswersthatintheend，discouragedandoffended，thenoblemanbecamesilent。

ArrivedatthePorteSt。Martintheyalighted，andLaBoulayedismissedthecarriage。OnfoothenowledhiscompanionasfarasthechurchofSt。NicholasdesChamps，wherehehiredasecondcabriolet，biddingthemandrivehimtotheQuaidelaGreve。

Havingreachedtheriversidetheyoncemoretookashortwalk，crossingbythePontauChange，andthencemakingtheirwaytowardsNotreDame，intheneighbourhoodofwhichLaBoulayeusheredtheVicomteintoathirdcarriage，andthinkingthatbynowtheyhaddoneallthatwasneededtoeffacetheirtracks，heorderedthemantoproceedasquicklyaspossibletoChoisy。

TheyarrivedatthatlittlevillageontheSeineanhourorsolater，andhavingridthemselvesoftheirconveyance，CaroninquiredanddiscoveredthewaytothehouseofCitoyenneGodelliere。

Mademoisellewaswithin，andatsoundofCaron’svoicequestioningtheerstwhileservantwhohadbefriendedher，shemadehastetoshowherself。Andatawordfromher，Henrietteadmittedthetwomenandusheredthemintoamodestparlour，wheresheleftthemwithMademoiselle。

LaBoulayewasthefirsttospeak。

"ItrustthatIhavenotkeptyouwaitingoverlong，Citoyenne，"hesaid，bywayofsayingsomething。

"Monsieur，"sheansweredhim，withalookthatwasfullofgratitudeandkindliness"youhavebehavednobly，andtomydyingdayIshallrememberit。"

ThisLaBoulayedeprecatedbyagesture，bututterednowordastheVicomtenowsteppedforwardandboreSuzanne’shandtohislips。

"Mademoiselle，"saidhe，"MonsieurLaBoulayeherewasveryreticenttouchingthemannerinwhichmyreleasehasbeengained。ButIneverdoubtedthatIowedittoyourgoodefforts，andthatyouhadadoptedthecoursesuggestedtoyoubymyletter，andboughtmefromtheRepublic。"

LaBoulayeflushedslightlyasmuchatthecontemptuoustoneasatthewordsinwhichOmbrevalreferredtotheRepublic。

"Itisnottomebuttoourgoodfriend，M。LaBoulaye，thatyoushouldaddressyourthanks，Monsieur。"

"Ah？Vraiment？"exclaimedtheVicomte，turningasuperciliouseyeupontheDeputy，forwithhisfreedomheseemedtohaverecoveredhisoldhabits。

"IhavenotsoldyoutotheCitoyenne，"saidLaBoulaye，thewordsbeingdrawnfromhimbytheother’smanner。"Iammakingherapresentofyou—asortofweddinggift。"Andhislipssmiled，forallthathiseyesremainedhard。

Ombrevalmadehimnoanswer，butstoodlookingfromtheDeputytoSuzanneinsomehesitation。Theexpressionswhichhisveryloftydignityprompted，hissenseoffitness—feeblethoughitwas—

forbadehim。Andsotherefollowedapause，which，however，wasbutbrief，forLaBoulayehadyetsomethingtosay。

IthadjustcometohimwithadismayingforcethatinthehasteofhisescapefromPariswiththeVicomtehehadforgottentoreturntohislodgingforapassportthathewasfortunatelypossessedof。

Itwasalaissez—passer，signedandleftinblank，withwhichhehadbeenequipped—againstthepossibilityoftheneedforitarising—whenhehadstartedupontheConvention’serrandtotheArmyofDumouriez。WhilstonhiswaytoRobespierre’shousetosecuretheorderofrelease，hehadbethoughthimoffillinginthatpassportforthreepersons，andthus，sincetoremainmustentailhisruinanddestruction，makehisescapefromFrancewithMademoiselleandtheVicomte。Itwashisonlychance。Theninthehurryofthesucceedingincidents，theexcitementthathadattendedthem，andtheimperativeneedforhasteingettingtheVicomtetoChoisy，hehadputtheintendedreturntohislodgingfromhismind—overlookinguntilnowthefactthatnotonlymusthegobackforthevalisewhichhehadbiddenBrutuspack，butalsoforthatfarmorepreciouspassport。

Itnowbecamenecessarytoexplainthecircumstancestohiscompanions，andinexplainingthemthewholeaffair，fromRobespierre’srefusaltogranthimthelifeoftheVicomtedowntothemeanstowhichhehadhadrecourse，couldnotbekeptfromtranspiring。Asshelistened，Suzanne’sexpressionchangedintooneofineffablewonder。

"Andyouhavedonethisforme？"shecried，whenatlasthepaused。，"youhaveruinedyourcareerandendangeredyourlife？"

LaBoulayeshruggedhisshoulders。

"Ispokeover—confidentlywhenIsaidthatIcouldobtainyoutheVicomte’spardon。ThereprovedtobeafactoronwhichIhadnotcounted。Nevertheless，whatIhadpromisedImustfulfil。IwasbyhonourboundtoleavenothingundonethatmightresultintheVicomte’senlargement。"

Ornbrevallaughedsoftly，butwithconsummateamusement。

"Asans—culottewithasenseofhonourissuchananomaly—"hebegan，whenMademoiselleinterposed，anoteofangersoundinginhervoice。

"M。d’Ombrevalmeanstopayyouacompliment，"sheinformedLaBoulaye，"buthehassuchanoddwayofchoosinghisexpressionsthatIfearedyoumightmisunderstandhim。"

LaBoulayesignifiedhisindifferencebyasmile。

"Iamafraidtheci—devantVicomtehasnotyetlearnthislesson，"

saidhe；"orelseheislikethesinnerwhouponrecoveringhealthforgotthepenitencethathadcometohiminthedaysofsickness。

Butwehaveothermatterstodealwith，Citoyenne，and，inparticular，thematterofthepassport。FoolthatIam！"hecriedbitterly。

"ImustreturntoParisatonce，"heannouncedbriskly。"Thereisnohelpforit。Wewillhopethatasyetthewayisopentome，andthatIshallbepermittedtogoandtoreturnunmolested。Insuchacasetherestiseasy—exceptthatyouwillhavetosuffermycompanyasfarasthefrontier。"

ItwasMademoisellewhoaccompaniedhimtothedoor。