第8章

"Monsieur，"shesaid，inavoicethatshookwiththesincereintensityofherfeelings，"thinkmenotungratefulthatIhavesaidsolittle。Butyouracthasoverwhelmedme。Itissotrulynoble，thattoofferyouthanksthatarebutwords，seemstomelittleshortofabanality。"

"Tut！"helaughed。"Ihavenotyetdonehalf。ItwillbetimetothankmewhenweareoutofFrance。"

"AndyouspeaksolightlyofleavingFrance？"shecried。"Butwhatistobecomeofyou？Whatofyourcareer？"

"Othercareersarepossibleinothercountries，"heanswered，withalightnesshedidnotfeel。"WhoknowsperhapstheEnglishorthePrussiansmightbeamenabletoachangeofgovernment。Ishallseektoinduceoneortheotherofthemtobecamearepublic，andthenI

shallbecomeoncemorealegislator。"

Withthat，andvowingthateverymomentheremainedtheirchancesofleavingFrancegrewmoreslender，hetookhisleaveofher，expressingthehopethathemightbebackwithinacoupleofhours。

Mademoisellewatchedhimtothegardengate，thenclosingthedoorshereturnedwithin。

Shediscoveredherbetrothed—hewhomLaBoulayehadcalledherlover—standingwithhisbacktothefire，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，theverypictureofsurliness。Hemadenoneoftheadvancesthatonemightlookforinamanplacedashewasatthatmoment。

Hegreetedher，instead，withacomplaint。

"Willyoupermitme，Mademoiselle，tosaythatinthismatteryouhavehardlychosenthewisercourse？"

"Inwhatmatter？"quothshe，atalosstounderstandhim。

"Inthematterofmyrelease。Iadvisedyouinmylettertopurchasemyfreedom。Hadyoudoneso，weshouldnowbeinapositiontostartforthefrontier—foryouwouldhavemadeapassportapartofyourbargain。Insteadofthis，notonlyareweobligedtoruntheriskofwaiting，butevenifthisfellowshouldreturn，weshallbeaffrontedbyhiscompanyforsomedaystocome。"AndtheVicomtesniffedtheairintokenofdisgust。

Suzannelookedathiminanamazementthatleftherspeechlessforamoment。Atlast：

"Andthisisyourgratitude？"shedemanded。"ThisisallthatyouhavetosayinthanksforthediscomfortanddangerthatIhavesufferedonyourbehalf？Yourtoneisoddlychangedsinceyouwrotemethatpiteous，pitiableletterfromBelgium，M。leVicomte。"

Hereddenedslightly。

"IamafraidthatIhavebeenclumsyinmyexpressions，"heapologised。"Butneverdoubtmygratitude，Mademoiselle。Iammoregratefultoyouthanwordscantell。Youhavedoneyourdutytomeasfewwomencould。"

Theword"duty"offendedher，yetsheletitpass。Inhismonstrousvanityitwasoftenhopelesstomakehimappreciatetheimportanceofanythingoranybodyoutsideofhimself。Ofthisthepresentoccasionwasaninstance。

"Youmustforgivememyseemingthanklessness，Mademoiselle，"hepursued。"Itwasthecompanyofthatsans—culotterascalthatsouredme。Ihadenoughofhimamonthago，whenhebroughtmetoParis。

Itoffendedmetohavehimstandhereagaininthesameroomwithme，andinsolentlyrefertohispledgedwordasthoughhewereagentlemanborn。"

"Towhomdoyourefer？"quothshe。

"Mafoi！Howmanyofthemarethere？Why，tothisfellow，LaBoulaye？"

"Soitseemed，andyetIcouldnotbelieveitofyou。Doyounotrealisethatyouringratitudeapproachesthebase？"

Hevouchsafedheralong，coldstareofamazement。

"Mordieu！"heejaculatedatlast。"Iamafraidthatyourreasonhasbeenaffectedbyyourtroubles。Youseem，Mademoiselle，tobeunmindfulofthestationintowhichyouhavehadthehonourtobeborn。"

"Ifyourbearingistobeacceptedasasignthatyourememberit，IwillprayGodthatImay，indeed，forgetit—completelyandforalltime。"

AndthenthedooropenedtoadmitthegoodHenriette，whocametoannouncethatshehadcontrivedahastymeal，andthatitwasservedandawaitingthem。

"Diable！"helaughed。"ThosearethefirstwordsoftruewitthatIhaveheardthesemanydays。Iswear，"headded，withapleasantnessthatwasoddlyatvariancewithhissullenhumourofamomentback，"thatIhavenottastedhumanfoodthesefourweeks，andasformyappetite—itiscapableofconsumingthewholepatrimonyofSt。Peter。Leadtheway，mygoodHenriette。Come，Mademoiselle。"

CHAPTERXXI

THEARREST

FactsprovedhowcorrecthadbeenLaBoulaye’santicipationsofthecoursethatCecilewouldadopt，Withinahalf—hourofhishavingquittedthehouseofBillaudVarennes，shepresentedherselfthere，anddemandedtoseetheDeputy。Uponbeingtoldthathewasabsentshedeterminedtoawaithisreturn。

Andso，forthematterofanhour，sheremainedintheroomwheretheporterhadofferedheraccommodation，frettingatthedelay，andonlyrestrainedfromrepairingtosomeothermemberoftheConventionbytheexpectationthatthenextmomentwouldseeVarennesarrive。

Arrivehedidatlast，whenherpatiencewasallbutexhausted，andexcitedlyshetoldhertaleofwhathadtakenplace。Varenneslistenedgravely，andcross—questionedherinhisunbelief—foritseemed，indeed，monstrousthatamanofLaBoulaye’spositionshouldruinsopromisingafutureaswashisbyanactforwhichVarennescouldnotsomuchasdivineamotive。Butherstoryhungtogethersofaithfully，andwassofarborneoutbythefactthatVarenneshimselfhadindeedsignedsuchadocumentasshedescribed，thatintheendtheDeputydeterminedtotakesomestepstoneutralisetheharmthatmighthavebeendone。

Dismissingthegirlwiththeassurancethatthemattershouldhavehisattention，hebeganbydespatchingacouriertoRobespierreatChartres—whereheknewtheIncorruptibletobe。Thatdone，heresortedtomeasuresforLaBoulaye’sdetention。Butthisprovedagravematter。Whatif，afterall，thathalf—hystericalgirl’sstoryshouldbeinaccurate？Inwhatcasewouldhefindhimselfif，actinguponitinthemeantime，heshouldorderCaron’sarrest？ThepersonofaDeputywasnotonetobesolightlytreated，andhemightfindhimselfconstrainedtoansweraseriouschargeinconsequence。ThuspartlyactuatedbypatriotismandthefearofRobespierre，andpartlyrestrainedbypatriotismandthefearofLaBoulaye，hedecideduponamiddlecourse：thatofsimplydetainingLaBoulayeathislodginguntilRobespierreshouldeitherreturnorsendananswertohismessage。Thus，whilstleavinghimperfectfreedomofmovementwithinhisownapartments，hewouldyetensureagainsthisescapesothatshouldRobespierredemandhimhecouldwithoutdifficultybeproduced。

Tothisendherepairedwithasous—lieutenantandsixmentoLaBoulaye’shouseintheRueNationale，intendingtostationthesoldierstherewithordersnottoallowtheDeputytogoout，andtodetainandquestionallwhosoughtadmittancetohim。Henourishedthehopethattheci—devantVicomtemightstillbewithLaBoulaye。AttheRueNationale，however，hewastodiscoverthatneitherDeputynoraristocratwastobefound。BrutusinformedhimthathewasexpectingtheCitizenLaBoulaye，butbeyondthathewouldsaynothing，andhewiselydeterminedtoholdhispeacetouchingthevalisethathehadbeenorderedtopackandthefactthatheknewtheDeputymeditatedleavingParis。Brutushadlearntthevalueofsilence，especiallywhenthosewhosoughtinformationweremembersoftheConvention。

AlarmedatthisfurthercorroborationofCecile’sstoryoftreacheryVarennesleftthemilitaryatCaron’shouse，withordersnottoallowtheDeputytoagaindepartifinthemeantimeheshouldhappentoreturn，whilsttoeverybarrierofParishesentinstructionstohaveLaBoulayedetainedifheshouldpresenthimself。BythesemeasureshehopedstilltobeabletoprovideagainstthepossibilityofCaron’sseekingtoleaveParis。

ButCaronhadbeengoneoveranhour，andasamatteroffact，hewasbackagaininPariswithinaverylittletimeoftheseordershavingbeenissued。AttheBarriered’Enfer，althoughrecognised，hewasnotmolested，sincetheordersonly，anddistinctly，concernedhisdepartureandnowisehisarrival。

Thus，notuntilhehadreachedhislodgingsdidherealisethatallwasnotashehadhoped。Andeventhenitwasonlywithindoorsthathemadethediscovery，whenhefoundhimselfsuddenlyconfrontedbythesous—lieutenant，whowasidlinginthepassage。Theofficersalutedhimrespectfully，andnolessrespectfully，thoughfirmly，informedhimthat，byorderoftheCitizen—deputyBillaudVarennes，hemustaskhimtoconfinehimselftohisownapartmentsuntilfurtherorders。

"Butwhy，Citizen—officer？"LaBoulayedemanded，strivingtoexcludefromhisvoiceanyshadeofthechagrinthatwasbesettinghim。

"Whatdotheseordersmean？"

Theofficerwascourtesypersonified，butexplanationshehadnonetogive，fortheexcellentreason，heurgedthathewaspossessedofnone。Hewasasoldier，andhehadreceivedorderswhichhemustobey，withoutquestioningeithertheirwisdomortheirjustice。

Appreciatingthefutilityofbearinghimselfotherwise，sincehisretreatwasalreadyblockedbyacoupleofgendarmes，Caronsubmittedtotheinevitable。

Hemountedleisurelytohisstudy，andtheruinthatstaredhimintheeyeswasenoughtohavedauntedtheboldestofmen。Yet，todohimjustice，hewasmoreconcernedatthemomentwiththeconsequencesthisturnofaffairsmighthaveforMademoisellethanwithhisownimpendingdownfall。ThathehadCeciletothankforhisapprehensionheneverdoubted。Yetitwasareflectionthathereadilydismissedfromhismind。Insuchapassashenowfoundhimselfnonebutaweaklingcouldwastetimeandenergyinbewailingthecircumstancesthathadconspiredtoit。InamanofLaBoulaye’scalibreandmettleitwasmorebefittingtoseekameanstoneutraliseasmuchaspossibletheevildone。

HecalledBrutusandcross—questionedhimregardingtheattitudeandbehaviourofthesoldierysincetheircoming。Helearntthatnothinghadbeentouchedbythem，andthattheywereactingwiththeutmostdiscreetness，takingscrupulouscarenottoexceedtheorderstheyhadreceived，whichamountedtodetainingLaBoulayeandnothingmore。

"Youthink，then，thatyoumightcomeandgounmolested？"heasked。

"IthinkthatImightcertainlygo。ButwhethertheywouldpermitmetoreturnonceIhadleft，Icannotsay。"Sothattheywillletyoupassout，thatisallthatsignifiesatthemoment，"saidCaron。

"Shouldtheyquestionyou，youcantellthemthatyouaregoingtodineandtofetchmemydinnerfromBerthon’s。Asamatteroffact，IshallwantyoutogotoChoisywithaletter，whichyoumustseedoesnotfallintothehandsofanyofthesepeopleoftheConvention。"

"Givemetheletter，Citizen，andtrustmetodotherest，"answeredthefaithfulBrutus。

LaBoulayesearchedadrawerofhiswriting—tablefortheblankpassportherequired。Havingfoundit，hehesitatedforamomenthowtofillitin。Atlasthedecided，andsetdownthreenames—Pierre，Francois，andJulieMichael，players，goingtoStrasbourg—towhichheaddeddescriptionsofhimself，theVicomte，andMademoiselle。Hereasonedthatincaseitshouldultimatelyproveimpossibleforhimtoaccompanythem，thepassport，thusindited，wouldstilldodutyfortheothertwo。Theycouldeasilyadvancesomeexcusewhythethirdpersonmentionedwasnotaccompanyingthem。FromthisitwillbeseenthatLaBoulayewasfarfromhavingabandonedhopeofeffectinghisescape，eitherbyhisownresourcefulnessorbythefavourofRobespierrehimself，whosekindnessforhim，afterall，wasafactorworthreckoningupon。

ToMademoisellehenowwroteasfollows：

Iamsendingyouthelaissez—passerfilledinforthethreeofus。Iamunfortunatelyunabletobringitmyselfasmyabstractionoftheorderofreleasehasalreadybeendiscovered，andIambeingdetainedpendingthearrivalofRobespierre。ButIamatmyownlodging，andIhaveeveryhopethat，eitherbytheuseofmyownwit，orelsebythefavourofmyfriendRobespierre，Ishallshortlybeabletojoinyou。Iwouldthereforeaskyoutowaitafewdays。ButshouldIpresentlysendyouwordnottodosoanylonger，orshouldyouhearofeventswhichwillrenderitimpossibleformetoaccompanyyou，youcanthensetoutwithOmbreval，travellingundertheguisedescribedinthepassport，andinforminganyquestionersthattheotherpersonmentionedhasbeenforcedbyillhealthtointerrupthisjourney。AsIhavesaid，Ihaveeveryhopeofwinningthroughmypresentdifficulties；butshouldIfailtodoso，mymostearnestprayerwillbethatyoumaymakeyourwayoutofFranceinsafety，andthatlastinghappinessmaybeyourlotinwhatevercountryyoumayelecttosettle。Youmaytrustthebearerimplicitly，patrioticthoughhemayappear。

Hesubscribedtheletterwithhisinitials，and，havingenclosedthepassportandsealedthepackage，hegaveittoBrutus，withthemostminuteinstructionstouchingitsdelivery。

TheseinstructionsBrutuscarriedoutwithspeedandfidelity。Hewasallowedtoquitthehousewithoutsomuchasaquestion，whichlefthisplanforreadmittancethegreaterlikelihoodofsucceeding。

Insomethinglessthananhour—forhehiredhimselfahorseatthenearestpost—house—hehaddeliveredhislettertoMademoiselleatChoisy。

Itscontentssowedinherhearttheverydeepestconsternation—

aconsternationveryfullysharedbytheVicomte。

"Tenez！"heexclaimed，whenhehadreadit。"Perhapsnowyouwilladmitthejusticeofmyplaintthatyoudidnotmakeasimplepurchaseofmyliberty，asIcounselledyou，insteadofenteringintothisidioticcompactwiththatsans—culotte。"

Shelookedathimamomentinsilence。ShewassufferingasitwasattheverythoughtthatLaBoulaye’slifemightbeindangerinconsequenceofwhathehaddoneforher。Withreluctancehadsheacceptedthesacrificeofhiscareerwhichhehadmadetoserveher。Nowthatitbecamethequestionofasacrificeoflifeaswellshewasdismayed。Allthewrongsthatsheandhershaddonethatmanseemedtoriseupandreproachhernow。Andso，whenpresentlysheansweredtheVicomte，itwasnomorethannaturalthatsheshouldanswerhimimpatiently。

"Ithought，Monsieur，thatwehadalreadydiscussedandsettledthat？"

"Settledit？"heechoed，withasneer。"Itseemsnonesoeasytosettle。Doyouthinkthatwordswillsettleit。"

"Bynomeans，"sheanswered，hervoicequivering。"Itseemsasifaman’slifewillberequiredforthat。"

Heshruggedhisshoulders，andhisfaceputonalookofannoyance。

"Ihope，Mademoiselle，thatyouarenotproposingtointroducesentimentality。Ithinkyouwouldbebetteradvisedtoleavethatvulgaritytothevulgar。"

"Idonotproposetopursuethediscussionatall，Monsieur，"washerchillyanswer。

"Thewayofwoman，"hereflectedaloud。"Letherfindthatsheisbeingworstedinargument，andshecalmlytellsyouthatshehasnomindtopursueit。But，Mademoiselle，willyoutellmeatleastwhatyouintend？"

"WhatdoIintend？"shequestioned。"Whatchoicehavewe？"

"Wheneverweareaskedtofollowagivencourse，wehavealwaysthechoicebetweentwoalternatives，"hetheorised。"Wecancomply，ornotcomply。"

"InthepresentinstanceIamafraidyourruleisinapplicable。

Thereisnoroomforanyalternative。Wecandonothingbutwait。"

Shelookedathimimpatiently，andwearilyshesankontoachair。

"Monsieur，"shesaid，ascalmlyasmightbe，"Iamalmostdistractedbymythoughtsasitis。Idon’tknowwhetheryouareseekingtocompletetheroutofmysenses。Letmebegofyouatleastnottodealinriddleswithme。Thetimeisill—chosen。Tellmebluntlywhatisinyourmind，if，indeed，anything。"

Heturnedfromherpeevishly，andcrossedtothewindow。Thetwilightwasdescending，andthelittlegardenwaslookinggreyinthenowpallidlight。Herseemingobtusenesswasirritatinghim。

"Surely，Mademoiselle，"heexclaimedatlast，"itisnotnecessarythatIshouldtellyouwhatothercourseisopentous？Itisamatterforourchoicewhetherwedepartatonce。Wehaveapassport，and—and，enfin，everyhourthatweremainhereourdangerisincreased，andourchancesofescapearelessened。"

"Ah！"Shebreathedthesyllablecontemptuously。"AndwhatofLaBoulaye？"

"Pooh！hesayshimselfthatheisinnogreatdanger。Heisamonghisfellows。Leavehimtoextricatehimself。Afterall，itishisfaultthatwearehere。Whyshouldweendangerournecksbywaitinghisconvenience？"

"Butsurelyyouforgetwhathehasdoneforus。Youareforgettingthathehasrescuedyoufromtheguillotine，draggedyououtoftheveryjawsofdeath。Doyouthinkthattoforsakehimnowwouldbeafair，anhonestreturn？"

"Butnameofaname，"raspedtheVicomte，"doeshenotsaythatheisfarfromdespairing？Hispositionisnothalfsodangerousasours。Ifwearetaken，therewillbeanendofus。Withhimmattersarefarfrombeingsobad。Heisoneoftherabblehimself，andtherabblewilllookafteritsown。"

Sheroseimpatiently。

"Monsieur，Iamafraidthesubjectisnotonethatwemayprofitablydiscuss。Ishallobeythevoiceofmyconscienceinthematter，andIshallwaituntilwehearagainfromLaBoulaye。ThatisthemessageIamabouttoreturnhimbyhisservant。

TheVicomtewatchedherflingoutoftheroom，andhisweakfacewasnowwhitewithanger。Herappedoutanoathasheturnedtothewindowagain。

"Mad！"hemuttered，through—setteeth。"Madasasun—struckdog。

Thetroublesshehaslatelyseenhaveturnedherhead—neveradifficultmatterwithawoman。ShetalksasifshehadbeenreadingRousseauonthe’Rightofman’。Toproposetoendangerourlivesforthesakeofthatscum，LaBoulaye！Ciel！Itpassesbelief。"

Butitwasinvainthathewassullenandresentful。Suzanne’smindentertainednodoubtofwhatsheshoulddo，andshehadherwayinthematter，sendingbackBrutuswiththemessagethatshewouldwaituntilLaBoulayecommunicatedwithheragain。

ThatnightCaronslepttranquilly。Hehadmaturedaplanofescapewhichheintendedtocarryoutuponthemorrow，andwithconfidenthopetocradlehimhehadfallenasleep。

Butthemorrow—earlyintheforenoon—broughtafactorwithwhichhehadnotreckoned，inthepersonoftheIncorruptiblehimself。

RobespierrehadreturnedinhothastetoParisuponreceivingVarennes’message，andherepairedstraighttothehouseofLaBoulaye。

Caronwasinhisdressing—gownwhenRobespierrewasusheredintohisstudy，andthesightofthatgreenishcomplexionandthesmalleyes，lookingveryangryandmenacing，causedthesongthattheyoungmanhadbeenhummingtofadeonhislips。

"You，Maximilien！"heexclaimed。

"Yourcordialwelcomeflattersme，"sneeredtheIncorruptible，comingforward。Thenwithasuddenchangeofvoice："Whatisthattheytellmeyouhavedone，miserable？"hegrowled。

ItwouldhavebeenamadnessonCaron’sparttohaveincreasedanangerthatwasalreadymountingtoverypassionateheights。

Contritely，therefore，andhumblyheacknowledgedhisfault，andcasthimselfuponthemercyofRobespierre。

ButtheIncorruptiblewasnotsoeasilytobeshaken。

"Traitorthatyouare！"heinveighed。"DoyouimaginethatbecauseitisyourstomakehighsoundingspeechesintheConventionyouaretoconspirewithimpunityagainsttheNation？Yourloyalty，itseems，isnomorethanamatterofwords，andtheythatwouldkeeptheirheadsontheirshouldersinFranceto—daywillfindtheneedformorethanwordsastheirclaimtobeletlive。Ifyouwouldsaveyourmiserableneck，tellmewhatyouhavedonewiththisdamnedaristocrat。"

"Heisgone，"answeredLaBoulayequietly。

"Don’tprevaricate，Caron！Don’tseektobefoolme，Citizen—deputy。

Youhavehiminhidingsomewhere。Youcanhavesuppliedhimwithnopapers，andamanmaynottraveloutofFrancewithouttheminthesetimes。Tellme—whereishe？"

"Gone，"repeatedLaBoulaye。"Ihavesethimfree，andhehasavailedhimselfofittoplacehimselfbeyondyourreach。MorethanthatIcannottellyou。"

"Canyounot？"snarledRobespierre，showinghisteeth。"Ofwhatareyoudreamingfool？DoyouthinkthatIwillsoeasilyseemyselfcheatedofthisdog？DidInottellyouthatratherwouldIgrantyouthelivesofadozenaristocratsthanthatofthissingleone？Doyouthink，then，thatIamsolightlytobebaulked？NameofGod？Whoareyou，LaBoulaye，whatareyou，thatyoudarethwartmeinthis？"Helookedattheyoungman’simpassivefacetocurbhisanger。"Come，Caron，"headded，inawheedlingtone。"Tellmewhatyouhavedonewithhim？"

"Ihavealreadytoldyou，"answeredtheotherquietly。

AsswiftandsuddenlyasitchangedbeforedidRobespierre’shumourchangeagainuponreceivingthatreply。Withasnortofangerhestrodetothedoorandthrewitopen。

"Citizen—lieutenant！"hecalled，inaraspingvoice。

"Here，Citizen，"cameavoicefrombelow。

"Giveyourselfthetroubleofcomingupwithacoupleofmen。Now，CitizenLaBoulaye，"hesaid，morecomposedly，asheturnedoncemoretotheyoungman，"sinceyouwillnotlearnreasonyoumaymounttheguillotineinhisplace。"

Caronpaledslightlyasheinclinedhisheadinsilentsubmission。

Atthatmomenttheofficerenteredwithhismenathisheels。

"Arrestmethattraitor，"Maximiliencommanded，pointingashakingfingeratCaron。"TotheLuxembourgwithhim。"

"IfyouwillwaitwhileIchangemydressing—gownforacoat，Citizen—officer，"saidLaBoulayecomposedly，"Ishallbegrateful。"

Then，turningtohisofficial，"Brutus，"hecalled，"attendme。"

HehadanopportunitywhileBrutuswashelpinghimintohiscoattowhisperinthefellow’sear：

"Letherknow。"

Morehedarednotsay，buttohisastuteofficialthatwasenough，andwithasorrowfulfacehedeliveredtoSuzanne，afewhourslater，thenewsofLaBoulaye’sdefinitearrestandremovaltotheLuxembourg。

AtBrutus’sdescriptionofthescenetherehadbeen’twixtRobespierreandCaronshesighedheavily，andherlashesgrewwet。

"Poor，faithfulLaBoulaye！"shemurmured。"Godaidhimnow。"

Sheborethenewstod’Ombreval，anduponhearingithetossedasidethebookthathadbeenengrossinghimandlookedup，asuddenlightofreliefspreadingonhisweakface。

"Itistheend，"saidhe，asthoughnohappierconsummationcouldhaveattendedmatters，"andwehavenomoretowaitfor。Shallwesetoutto—day？"heasked，andurgedthewisdomofmakinghaste。

"IhopeandIprayGodthatitmaynotbetheend，asyousofondlydeemit，Monsieur，"sheansweredhim。"Butwhetheritistheendornot，Iamresolvedtowaituntilthereisnoroomforanyhope。"

"Asyouwill，"hesighedwearily，"Theissueofitallwillprobablybethelossofourheads。Buteventhatmightbemoreeasilyaccomplishedthantoimpartreasontoawoman。"

"Orunselfishness，itseems，toaman，"shereturned，asshesweptangrilyfromtheroom。

CHAPTERXXII

THETRIBUNAL

AttheBaroftheRevolutionaryTribunalstoodDeputyCaronLaBoulayeuponhistrialfortreasontotheNationandcontraventionoftheendsofjustice。Fouquier—Tinvillle，thesleuth—houndAttorney—General，advancedhischarges，anddetailedthenatureoftheyoungrevolutionist’scrime。ButtherewasinFouquier—Tinvillle’sprosecutionalackofvirulenceforonce，justasamongLaBoulaye’sfellows，sittinginjudgment，therewasacertainuneasiness，fortheRevolutionwasstillyoung，andithadnotyetdevelopedthatSaturnianhabitofdevouringitsownchildrenwhichwaslatertobecomeoneofitsmainfeatures。

ThematterofLaBoulaye’scrime，however，wasbuttooclear，anddespitethehesitancyonthepartofthejury，despitetheunwontedtamenessofTinvillle’sinvective，theTribunal’scoursewaswell—defined，andadmittedofnottheslightestdoubt。Andso，theproductionofevidencebeingdispensedwithbyCaron’sreadyconcurrenceandacknowledgmentoftheoffence，thePresidentwasonthepointofformallyaskingthejuryfortheirfinding，whensuddenlytherehappenedacommotion，andasmallmaninabluecoatandblack—rimmedspectaclesroseatTinvillle’sside，andbegananimpassionedspeechforthedefence。

ThismanwasRobespierre，andtherevolutionistssittingtherelistenedtohiminmutewonder，fortheyrecalledthatitwasupontheIncorruptible’sownchargetheirbrother—deputyhadbeenarrested。

ArdentlydidMaximilienpourouthiseloquence，enumeratingthemanyvirtuesoftheaccusedanddwellingatlengthuponhisvastservicestotheRepublic，hishithertounfalteringfidelitytothenationandthepeople’scause，andlastly，deploringthatinamomentofweaknessheshouldhavecommittedtheindiscretionwhichhadbroughthimwherehestood。Andagainstthisthingofwhichhewasnowaccused，RobespierrebadetheDeputiesofthejurybalancetheyoungman’spast，andthemuchthathehaddonefortheRevolution，andtoofferhim，inconsiderationofallthat，achanceofmakingatonementandregainingthepositionoftrustandofbrotherlyaffectionwhichforamomenthehadforfeited。

TheCourtwasstirredbytheaddress。Theyknewtheyoungsans—culotte’sworth，andtheywerereluctanttopasssentenceuponhimandtosendhimtothedeathdesignedforaristocratsandtraitors。Andsotheyreadilypronouncedthemselveswillingtoextendhimthemostgenerousmeasureofmercy，toopentheirarmsandoncemoretoclasptotheirheartsthebrotherwhohadstrayedandtoreinstatehimintheirconfidenceandtheircouncils。TheypressedRobespierretonametheactofatonementbywhichheproposedLaBoulayeshouldrecoverhisprestige，andRobespierreinanswercried：

"Lethimrepairtheevilhehasdone。Lethimneutralisethetreacheryintowhichamomentofhumanweaknessbetrayedhim。Lethimreturntousthearistocrathehasattemptedtosave，andwewillforgethisindiscretionandreceivehimbackamongstuswithopenarms，aswastheprodigalsonreceived。"

Therewasasalvoofapplause。Menrosetotheirfeetexcitedly，andwitharmsoutstretchedinCaron’sdirectiontheyvociferouslyimploredhimtolistentoreasonasutteredbytheIncorruptible，torepenthimandtoatonewhiletherewasyettime。Theylovedhim，theysworeinvoicesofthunder，eachseekingtobeheardabovehisneighbour’sdin，anditwouldbreaktheirheartstofindhimguilty，yetfindhimguiltytheymustunlesshechosethecoursewhichthisgoodpatriotMaximilienpointedouttohim。

LaBoulayestoodpalebutcomposed，hislipscompressed，hiskeeneyesalert。Inwardlyhewasmovedbythisdemonstrationofgoodwill，thisverystormoffraternity，buthispurposeremainedadamant，andwhenatlastthePresident’sbellhadtinkledhisnoisyjudgesintosilence，hisvoiceroseclearandsteadyashethankedthemforleaningtoclemencyonhisbehalf。

"Helas，"heended，"wordscannottellyouhowdeeplyIdeplorethatitisaclemencyofwhichImaynotavailmyself。WhatIhavedoneImaynotundo。Andso，Citizens，whilstIwouldstillretainyourloveandyoursympathy，youmustsuffermetoletjusticetakeitscourse。TodelaywouldbebuttowasteyourtimetheNation’stime。"

"Butthisisrankdefiance，"roaredTinvillle，rousedatlastintosomesemblanceofhishabitualbloodthirstiness。"Hewhoseheartcanbesoinsensibletoouraffectionsmeritsnoclemencyatthisbar。"

AndsothePresidentturnedwithashrugtohiscolleagues，andtheverdictwastaken。Thefindingwas"Guilty，"andthePresidentwasonthepointofpassingsentence，whenagainRobespierresprangtohisfeet。TheIncorruptible’scomplexionlookedsicklierthanitswont，formortificationhadturnedhimgreenoutright。Agustofpassionsweptthroughhissoul，suchaswouldhavemadeanothermancallforthedeathofthisdefiantyouthwhohadwithstoodhisentreaties。ButsuchwasRobespierre’swonderfulcommandofself，suchwashispowerofmakinghisinclinationssubservienttotheendshehadinviewthathehadbutrisentovoiceafreshappeal。

Hedemandedthatthesentenceshouldbepassedwiththereservationthattheaccusedshouldhavetwenty—fourhoursforreflection。

Shouldheattheendofthattimebedisposedtotellthemwheretheci—devantVicomted’Ombrevalwastobefound，letthemreconsiderhiscase。Ontheotherhand，shouldhestillcontinueobduratebythenoonofto—morrow，thenletthesentencebeconsummated。

Therewassomedemur，butRobespierresweptitfiercelyasidewithpatrioticarguments。LaBoulayewasastoutservantoftheNation，whomitmustprofitFrancetoletlivethathemightserveher；

Ombrevalwasabasearistocrat，whosedeathalltrueRepublicansshouldaimatencompassing。Andsohewonthedayintheend，andwhenthesentenceofdeathwaspassed，itwaspassedwiththereservationthatshouldtheprisoner，uponreflection，beinclinedtoshowhimselfmoreloyaltoFranceandtheinterestsoftheRepublicbytellingthemhowOrnbrevalmightberecaptured，hewouldfindthemstillinclinedtomercyandforgiveness。AllowinghiseyestostrayroundtheCourtatthatmoment，LaBoulayestartedatsightofanunexpectedface。ItwasMademoiselledeBellecour，deathlypaleandwiththestrained，piteouslookthathauntstheeyesofthemad。Heshiveredatthethoughtoftheperiltoherselfincomingintothatassembly；then，recoveringhimself，heturnedtohisjudges。

"Citizen—President，Citizensall，Ithankyou；butIshouldbeunappreciativeofyourkindnessdidIpermityoutoentertainfalsehopes。Mypurposeisunalterable。"

"Takehimaway，"thePresidentcommandedimpatiently，andastheyremovedhimMademoisellecreptfromtheCourt，weepingsoftlyinherpoignantgrief，andrealisingthatnotsomuchforthePresident’searasforherownhadLaBoulayeutteredthosewords。

TheyweremeanttofortifyherandtogivehercouragewiththeassurancethatOmbrevalwouldnotbebetrayed。Togivehercourage！

Herlipwastwistedintoanoddlybittersmileatthereflection，asshesteppedintohercabriolet，andbadethedriverreturntoChoisy。Caronwasdoingthisforher。Hewascastingawayhisyoung，vigorouslife，withallitswealthofpromise，totheendthatherbetrothed—themanwhomhebelievedsheloved—mightbespared。Thegreatness，thenobilityofthesacrificeoverwhelmedher。Sherememberedthethoughtsthatinthepastshehadentertainedconcerningthisyoungrevolutionist。Neveryethadshebeenabletoregardhimasbelongingtothesameorderofbeingsasherself—notevenwhenshehadkissedhisunconsciouslipsthateveningontheRidgeroad。Animmeasurablegulfhadseemedtoyawnbetweenthem—thegulfbetweenhernobilityandhisbaseorigin。Andnow，ashercarriagetrundledoutofParisandtookthedustyhighroad，sheshuddered，andhercheeksburnedwithshameatthememoryofthewrongthatbysuchthoughtsshehaddonehim。Wasshe，indeed，thenobler？Byaccidentofbirth，perhaps，butbynatureproperhewasassuredlythenoblestmanthateverwomanbore。

InthePlacedelaRevolutionagruesomeenginetheycalledtheguillotinewaslevellingallthings，andfastestablishingthereignofabsoluteequality。Butwithalltheswiftmowingofitsbloodyscythe，nothalfsofastdiditlevelmenasMademoiselledeBellecour’sthoughtsweredoingthatafternoon。

SomarkedwasthedisorderinhercountenancewhenshereachedChoisythatevenunobservantOmbrevalwhomcontinuousyearsofself—complacencyhadrenderedsingularlyobtuse—couldnothelpbutnoticeit，and—fearing，nodoubt，thatthisagitationmightinsomewayconcernhimself—heevenwentthelengthofquestioningher，hisvoicesoundingthenoteofhisalarm。

"Itisnothing，"sheanswered，inadejectedvoice。"Atleast，nothingthatneedcauseyouuneasiness。TheyhavesentencedLaBoulayetodeath，"sheannounced，aspasmcrossingheravertedface。

Hetookadeepbreathofrelief。

"Godknowsthey’vesentencedinnocentmenenough。Itishightimetheybeganupononeanother。Itaugurswell—extremelywell。"

TheywerealoneinHenriette’skitchen；thefaithfulwomanwasatmarket。Mademoisellewaswarmingherselfbeforethefire。Ombrevalstoodbythewindow。Hehadspentthetimeofherabsenceinthecareofhisclothes，andhehadcontrivedtodresshimselfwithsomesemblanceofhisold—timeelegancewhichenhancedhisgoodlooksandhigh—bornair。

"Youseemtoutterlyforget，Monsieur，thenatureofthechargeuponwhichhehasbeenarraigned，"shesaid，inatiredvoice。

"Why，no，"heanswered，andhesmiledairily；"hewassufficientlyafooltobeluredbythebrightesteyesinFranceintoaservicefortheirmistress。Myfaith！He’snotthefirstbymanyathousandwhomawoman’ssoftglanceshaveundone—"

"Thedegreeinwhichyouprofitbytheserviceheisdoingthosebrighteyes，appearssingularlybeneaththedignityofyournotice。"

"Whatajesteryouarebecoming，mamie，"helaughedandatthesoundsheshudderedagainanddrewmechanicallynearertothefireasthoughhershudderingwastheresultofcold。

"Itisyetpossiblethathemaynotdie，"shesaidalmostasifspeakingtoherself。"Theyhaveofferedhimhisliberty，andhisreinstatementeven—uponconditions。"

"Howinteresting！"hemurmurednonchalantly。"Theyhaveanoddwayofdispensingjustice。"

"Theconditionsimposedarethatheshallamendthewronghehasdone，anddeliveruptotheConventionthepersonofoneci—devantVicomted’Ombreval。"

"MyGod！"

Itwasagaspofsuddendismaythatbrokefromtheyoungnobleman。

Thecoloursweptoutofhisface，andhiseyesdilatedwithhorror。

WatchinghimSuzanneobservedthesuddenchange，andtookafiercejoyinhavingproducedit。

"Itinterestsyoumorecloselynow，Monsieur？"sheasked。

"Suzanne，"hecried，comingastepnearer，andspeakingeagerly；

"heknowsmywhereabouts。Hebroughtmeherehimself。Areyoumad，girl，thatyoucansittheresocomposedlyandtellmethis？"

"Whatelsewouldyouhavemedo？"sheinquired。

"Do？Why，leaveChoisyatonce。Come；bestirring。InGod’sname，girl，bethinkyouthatwehavenotamomenttolose。IknowtheseRepublicans，andhowfartheyaretobetrusted。Thisfellowwouldbetraymetosavehisskinwithaslittlecompunctionas—"

"Youfool！"shebrokein，anundercurrentoffierceindignationvibratingthroughherscorn。"Whatareyousaying？Hewouldbetrayyou？He？"ShetossedherarmstoHeaven，andburstintoalaughofinfinitederision。"Havenofearofthat，M。leVicomte，foryouaredealingwithanatureofanobilitythatyoucannotsomuchassurmise。Ifheweremindedtobetrayyou，whydidhenotdosoto—day，whentheyofferedhimhislibertyinexchangeforinformationthatwouldleadtoyourrecapture？"

"Butalthoughhemayhaverefusedto—day，"returnedtheVicomtefrenziedly，"hemaythinkbetterofitto—morrow—perhapseventonight。

Ciel！Thinkoftheriskwerun；alreadyitmaybetoolate。Oh，why，"hedemandedreproachfully，"whydidn’tyoulistentomewhen，daysago，Icounselledflight？"

"Becauseitneitherwas，noris，myintentiontofly。"

"What？"hecried，and，hisjawfallenandhiseyeswide，heregardedher。Thensuddenlyhecaughtherbythearmandshookherroughly。

"Areyoumad？"hecried，inafrenzyofangerandfear。"AmItodielikeadogthatascumofaRepublicanmaysavehismiserableneck？IsthiscanailleofarevolutionisttobetraymetohisrabbleTribunal？"

"AlreadyhaveItoldyouthatyouneedfearnobetrayal。"

"NeedInot？"hesneered。"Mafoi！butIknowtheseruffians。ThereisnotanounceofhonourinthewholeNationalConvention。"

"Fool！"sheblazed，risingandconfrontinghimwithanangerbeforewhichherecoiled，appalled。"Doyoudaretostandthereandprateofhonour—you？Doyouforgetwhyhestoodhistrial？Doyouforgetwhyheisdying，andcanyounotseethevilethingthatyouaredoinginarguingflight，thatyoutalkofhonourthus，anddenyhisclaimtoit？MonDieu！Youreffronterystiflesme！LaBoulayewasrightwhenhesaidthatwithushonourisbutaword—justsomuchwind，andnothingmore。"

Hestaredatherinuncomprehendingwonder。Hedrewawayanotherstep。Heaccountedhermad，and，thathemighthumourher，heputbyhisownfearsforthemoment—awonderfulunselfishnessthisinthemostnobly—bornVicomted’Ombreval。

"MypoorSuzanne，"hemurmured。"Ourtroublehasdemoralisedyourunderstanding。Youtakeafalseviewofthings。Youdonotapprehendthesituation。"

"InGod’sname，besilent！"shegasped。

"Butthetimeisnotoneforsilence，"hereturned。

"SoIhadthought，"quothshe。"Yetsinceyoucanbesilentandfurtiveinothermatters，Ibegthatyouwillbesilentinthisalso。Youtalkinvain，Monsieur，inanycase。ForIamnotmindedtoleaveChoisy。IfyouurgemefurtherIshallburnourpassport。"

Andwiththatshelefthim，toseekthesolitudeofherownroom。

Inapassionoftearssheflungherselfuponthelittlebed，andthereshelay，apreytosuchananguishashadnevertouchedherlifebefore。

Andnow，inthathourofhergrief，itcametoher—asthesunpiercesthemist—thatshelovedLaBoulaye；thatshehadlovedhim，indeed，sincethatnightatBoisvert，althoughshehadstifledtheverythought，andhiddenitevenfromherself，asbeingunworthyinoneofherstationtoloveamansolowly—bornasCaron。Butnow，ontheeveofhisdeath，thetruthwouldnolongerbedenied。

Itcried，perchance，thelouderbyvirtueofthepusillanimityofthecravenbelowstairsinwhoseplaceCaronwastodie；butanyhow，itcriedsoloudlythatitoverborethesternvoiceofthebloodthathadhithertourgedhertoexcludethesentimentfromherheart。

Noaccountnowdidshetakeofanydifferenceinstation。Beshenoblerathousandtimes，behesimplerathousandtimes，thefactremainedthatshewasawoman，heaman，andbeyondthatshedidnotseektogo。

LowindeedweretheLiliesofFrancewhenadaughteroftheraceoftheirupholdersheededthemsolittleandthecastetheysymbolised。

Henriettecametoherthatafternoon，and，allignorantofthesourcesofhergrief，sheessayedtosootheandcomforther，inwhich，atlast，shesucceeded。

IntheeveningOmbrevalsentwordthathewishedtospeaktoher—

andthathisneedwasurgent。Butshereturnedhimtheanswerthatshewouldseehiminthemorning。Shewasindisposedthatevening，sheadded，inapology。

Andinthemorningtheymet，asshehadpromisedhim。Bothpale，althoughfromdifferentcauses，andbothshowingsignsofhavingsleptbutlittle。Theybroketheirfasttogetherandinsilence，whichatlastheendedbyaskingherwhetherthenighthadbroughtherreflection，andwhethersuchreflectionhadmadeherappreciatetheirpositionandtheneedtosetoutatonce。

"ItneedednoreflectiontomakemerealiseourpositionbetterthanIdidyesterday，"sheanswered。"Ihadhopedthatitwouldhavebroughtyoutoadifferentframeofmind。ButIamafraidthatithasnotdoneso。"

"Ifailtoseewhatchangemyframeofmindadmitsof，"heansweredtestily。

"Haveyouthought，"sheaskedatlast，andhervoicewascoldandconcentrated，"thatthismanisgivinghislifeforyou？"

"Ihavefeared，"heanswered，withincrediblecallousness，"thattosavehiscravenskinhemightelecttododifferentlyatthelastmoment。"

Shelookedathiminamightywonder，herdarkeyesopentotheirwidest，andlookingblackbytheextremedilationofthepupils。

Sovastwasheramazementatthisunboundedegotismthatitalmostoverruledherdisgust。

"Youcastepithetsaboutyouandbestowtitleswithamagnificentunconsciousnessofhowwelltheymightfityou。"

"Ah？Forexample？"

"Incallingthismanacraven，youtakenothoughtforthecowardicethatactuatesyouintohidingwhilehediesforyou？"

"Cowardice？"heejaculated。Thenaflushspreadonhisface。"Mafoi，Mademoiselle，"saidhe，inaquiveringvoice，"yourwordsbetraythoughtsthatwouldbescarcelybecomingintheVicomtessed’Ombreval。"

"That，Monsieur，isapointthatneedgiveyoulittlethought。IamnotlikelytobecometheVicomtesse。"

Hebestowedheralookofminglingwonderandanger。Hadhe，indeed，heardheraright？Didherwordsimplythatshedisdainedthehonour？

"Surely，"hegasped，voicingthosedoubtsofhis，"youdonotmeanthatyouwouldviolateyourbetrothalcontract？Youdonot—"

"Imean，Monsieur，"shecutin，"thatIwillgivemyselftonomanIdonotlove。"

"Yourimmodesty，"saidhe，"fallsinnothingshortoftheextraordinaryframeofmindthatyouappeartobedevelopinginconnectionwithothermatters。WeshallhaveyoubeatingadrumandscreechingtheCairainthestreetsofParispresently，likeMademoiselledeMericourt。"

Sherosefromthetable，herfaceverywhite，herhandpressinguponhercorsage。Amomentshelookedathim。Then：

"Donotletustalkofourselves，"sheexclaimedatlast。"ThereisamanintheConciergeriewhodiesatnoonunlessyouareforthcomingbeforethentosavehim。Hehimselfwillnotbetrayyoubecausehe—Nomatterwhy，hewillnot。Tellme，Monsieur，howdoyou，whoaccountyourselfamanofhonouraboveeverything，intendtodealwiththissituation？"

Heshruggedhisshoulders。

"Onceheisdeadanddonewith—providedthathedoesnotfirstbetrayme—Itrustthat，nolongerhavingthissubjecttoharpupon，youwillconsenttoavailyourselfofourpassport，andaccompanymeoutofFrance。"

"Honourdoesnotforinstance，suggesttoyouthatyoushouldrepairtotheConciergerieandtaketheplacethatbelongstoyou，andwhichanotherisfilling？"

Asuddenlightofcomprehensionsweptnowintohisface。

"AtlastIunderstandwhathasbeeninyourmindsinceyesterday，whathasmadeyousooddinyourwordsandmanner。Youhavethoughtthatitwasperhapsmydutyasamanofhonourtogoandeffecttherescueofthisfellow。But，mydearchild，bethinkyouofwhatheis，andofwhatIam。Wereheagentleman—myequal—mycoursewouldstandclearlydefined。Ishouldnothavehesitatedamoment。

Butthiscanaille！Mafoi！letmebegofyoutocometoyoursenses。

Theverythoughtisunworthyinyou。"

"Iunderstandyou，"sheansweredhim，verycoldly。"Youuseacoward’sarguments，andyouhavetheeffronterytoconsideryourselfamanofhonour—anobleman。InolongermarvelthatthereisarevolutioninFrance。"

Shestoodsurveyinghimforamoment，thenshequietlylefttheroom。

Hestaredafterher。

"Woman，woman！"hesighed，ashesetdownhisnapkinandroseinhisturn。

Hishumourwasoneofpityingpatienceforagirlthathadnotthewittoseethattoaskhim—themostnobled’Ombreval—todiethatLaBoulayemightlivewasverymuchlikeaskinghimtosacrificehislifetosaveadog’s。

CHAPTERXXIII

THECONCIERGERIE

ItwantedbutafewminutestonoonasthecondemnedofthedaywerebeingbroughtoutoftheConciergerietotaketheirplacesinthewaitingtumbrils。Fourteentheynumbered，andtherewasawomanamongstthemascomposedasanyofthemen。Shedescendedtheprisonstepsinnonchalantconversationwithawittyyoungmanofsomethirtyyearsofage，whohadbeenoneoftheornamentsoftheprerevolutionarysalons。Hadthepairbeenonthepointofmountingaweddingcoachtheycouldnothaveshownthemselvesinbetterspirits。

Aristocrats，too，weretheremainingtwelve，withoneexception，andiftheyhadnotknownhowtolive，atleasttheycouldsetaverysplendidexampleofhowtodie。Theycamemostlyinpairs，andthemajorityofthememulatingthefirstcoupleandtreatingthewholematterasapleasantrythatratherboredthembytheelementofcoarsenessintroducedbythemob。Oneortwowerepale，andtheireyesworeafurtive，frightenedlook。Buttheyvaliantlyfoughtdowntheirfears，andforallthattheheartswithinthemmayhavebeensickwithhorror，theycontrivedtotwistasmileontotheirpalelips。Theydidnotlackforstoutpatternsofhighbearing，andinadditiontheyhadtheirownarrogantpride—thepridethathadbroughtthematlasttothispass—tosustainthemintheirextremity。Noblesselesobligeait。Therabble，thecanailleofthenewregime，mightdowhattheywouldwiththeirbodies，buttheirspiritstheycouldnotbreak，norovercometheirindomitablepride。Bythebravemanneroftheirdeathitremainedforthemtomakeamendsfortheatrociousmanneroftheirlives，andsuchaglamourdidtheysheduponthemselvesbythesamebravemanner，thatitcompelledsympathyandadmirationofthosethatbeheldthem，andmadeuponhumanityanimpressiondeepenoughtoerasetheformerimpressionleftbytheirmisdeeds。

Likeheroes，likesaintedmartyrs，theydied，thesemenwho，throughgenerationaftergeneration，hadgroundandcrushedthepeople’neaththeironheeloftyrannyandoppression，untilthepeoplehad，ofasudden，risenandreversedtheposition，goingtoexcesses，intheirlately—awakenedwrath，thatwerebegottenoftheexcesseswhichforcenturiestheyhadendured。

Lastofthisgallantandsprucecompany（foreverymanhaddonnedhisbest，anddressedhimselfwiththeutmostcare）cameCaronLaBoulaye。Hewalkedalone，foralthoughtheircomradeindeath，hewastheircomradeinnothingelse。TheirheadsmightlietogetherinthesawdustofSanson’sbasket，butwhiletheylived，nocontactwouldtheypermitthemselves，ofbodyorofsoul，withthissans—culotte。Hadtheyknownwhyhedied，perhaps，theyhadshownhimfellowship。Butintheirnescienceofthefacts，itwouldneedmorethandeathtomeltthemintoakindnesstoamemberoftheConvention，fordeathwastheonlythingtheyhadincommon，anddeath，aswehaveseen，hadnotconqueredthem。

Ashewasabouttopassout，agaolersuddenlythrustforwardahandtodetainhim，andalmostsimultaneouslythedoor，whichhadswungtobehindthelastofhisdeath—fellows，re—openedtoadmitthedapperfigureoftheIncorruptible。

HeeyedCaronnarrowlyasheadvancedintothehall，andatthecomposureevidentintheyoungman’sbearing，hisglanceseemedtokindlewithadmiration，forallthathislipsremainedcruelintheirtightenedcurves。

Carongavehimgood—daywithafriendlysmile，andbeforeRobespierrecouldutterawordtheyoungmanwasexpressinghispoliteregretsathavingbaulkedhimashehaddone。

"Ihadagreatobjecttoserve，Maximilien，"heconcluded，"andmyonlyregretisthatitshouldhaveruncountertoyourwishes。I

oweyousomuch—everythinginfact—thatIamfilledwithshameatthethoughtofhowillareturnIammakingyou。MyonlyhopeisthatbymydeathyouwillconsiderthatIhavesufficientlyatonedformyingratitude。"

"Fool！"croakedRobespierre，"youaresacrificingyourselfforsomechimaeraandthelifeyouaresavingisthatofaveryworthlessandviciousindividual。Ofyouringratitudetomeweewillnotspeak。Butevennow，intheeleventhhour，Iwouldhaveyoubethinkyouofyourself。"

Heheldout]hishandstohim，andentreatywasstampeduponRobespierre’scountenancetoadegreewhichperhapsnomanhadyetseen。"Bethinkyou，cherCaron—"hebeganagain。Buttheyoungmanshookhishead。

"Myfriend，mybestoffriends，"heexclaimed，"Ibegthatyouwillnotmakeitharderforme。Iamresolved，andyourentreatiesdobutheightenmypainofthwartingyour—theonlypainthatinthissupremehourIamexperiencing。Itisnotadifficultthingtodie，Maximilien。WereItolive，Imusthenceforthleadalifeofunsatisfieddesire。Imustevenhankerandsighafterasomethingthatisunattainable。Idie，andallthisisextinguishedwithme。

Attheveryprospectmydesiresfadeimmeasurably。Letmegoinpeace，andwithyourforgiveness。"

Robespierreeyedhimamomentortwoinastonishment。Thenhemadeanabruptgestureofimpatience。

"Foolthatyouare！Itissuicideyouarecommitting。Andforwhat？Foradreamashadow。Isthislikeaman，Caron’？Isthis—

Willyoubestill，youanimal？"hebarkedatagaolerwhohadoncebeforetouchedhimuponthearm。"DoyounotseethatIamoccupied？"

Butthemanleantforward，andsaidsomewordshurriedlyintoRobespierre’sear，whichcastthepetulanceoutofhisfaceandmind，andcausedhimofasuddentobecomeveryattentive。

"Ah？"hesaidatlast。Then，withasuddenbriskness："LettheCitizenLaBoulayenotgoforthuntilIreturn，"hebadethegaoler；

andtoCaronhesaid："Youwillhavethegoodnesstoawaitmyreturn。"

Withthatheturnedandsteppedbrisklyacrossthehallandthroughthedoor，whichthegaoler，allequalitynotwithstanding，hastenedtoopenforhimwithasmuchservilityaseverthehaughtiestaristocrathadcompelled。

Savingthatsinglegaoler，LaBoulayewasaloneinthespacioushalloftheConciergerie。FromwithouttheyheardthewildclamouringandCa—iraingofthemob。Chafingatthisfreshdelay，whichwasasaprolongationofhisdeath—agony，LaBoulayewaspacingtoandfro，theringofhisfootstepsonthestoneflooryieldingahollow，sepulchralecho。

"Isheneverreturning？"hecriedatlast；andasifinanswertohisquestion，thedrumssuddenlybegantoroll，andthevociferationsoftherabbleswelledinvolumeandgrewshriller。"Whatisthat？"

heinquired。

Thegaoler，onwhosedirtyfacesomemeasureofsurprisewasmanifested，approachedthelittlegratingthatoverlookedtheyardandpeeredout。

"Sacrenom！"heswore。"Thetumbrilsaremoving。Theyhaveleftyoubehind，Citizen。"

ButLaBoulayegatherednoencouragement，suchasthegaolerthoughthemight，fromthatcontingency。HebutimaginedthatitwasRobespierre’swishtoputhimbackforanotherdayinthehopethathemightstillloosenhistongue。Anoathofvexationbrokefromhim，andhestampedhisfootimpatientlyuponthefloor。

Thenthedooropenedsuddenly，andRobespierrehelditwhilstintotheroomcameawoman，closelyveiled，whosetallandshapelyfigurecausedtheyoungDeputy’sbreathtoflutter。TheIncorruptiblefollowedher，andturningtothegaoler：

"Leaveus，"hecommandedbriskly。

Andpresently，whenthosethreestoodalone，thewomanraisedherveilanddisclosedthefacehehadexpected—thebeautifulfaceofSuzannedeBellecour，but，alas！woefullypaleandanguishedofexpression。SheadvancedasteptowardsCaron，andthenstoodstill，encounteringhissteadfast，wonder—struckgaze，andseemingtofalter。Withasob，atlastsheturnedtoMaximilien，whohadremainedapaceortwobehind。

"Tellhim，Monsieur，"shebegged。

Robespierrestartedoutofhisapparentabstraction。Hepeeredatherwithhisshort—sightedeyes，andfromhertoCaron。Thenhecameforwardastepandclearedhisthroat，ratherasatrickoforatorythantorelieveanyhuskiness。

"Toputitbriefly，myclearCaron，"saidhe，"theCitoyenneherehasmanifestedagreatersolicitudeforyourlifethanyoudidyourself，andshehasdonemethetwofoldserviceofsettingitinmypowertopunishanenemy，andtopreserveafriendfromadeaththatwasveryimminent。Intheeleventhhourshecametometomaketermsforyourpardon。Sheproposedtodeliveruptomethepersonoftheci—devantVicomted’OmbrevalprovidedthatI

shouldgrantyouanunconditionalpardon。Youcanimagine，mygoodCaron，withwhateagernessIagreedtoherproposal，andwithwhatpleasureInowannouncetoyouthatyouarefree。"

"Free！"gaspedLaBoulaye，hiseyestravellingfearfullyfromRobespierretoMademoiselle，andremainingriveteduponthelatterasthoughhewereattemptingtopenetrateintothesecretsofherverysoul。

"Practicallyfree，"answeredtheIncorruptible。"YoumayleavetheConciergeriewhenyouplease，thoughtIshallaskyoutoremainatyourlodgingintheRueNationaleuntilthisOmbrevalisactuallytaken。OncehehasbeenbroughttoParis，IshallsendyouyourpapersthatyoumayleaveFrance，for，muchthoughIshallregretyourabsence，Ithinkthatitwillbewiserforyoutomakeyourfortuneelsewhereafterwhathaspassed。"

LaBoulayetookastepinSuzanne’sdirection。

"Youhavedonethis？"hecried，inaquiveringvoice。"Youhavebetrayedthemantowhomyouwerebetrothed？"

"Donotusethatword，Monsieur，"shecried，withashudder。"Myactioncannotberankedamongbetrayals。Hewouldhaveletyougototheguillotineinhisstead。Hehadnotthevirtuetocomeforward，forallthatheknewthatyoumustdieifhedidnot。Onthecontrary，suchaconditionofthingsaffordedhimamusement，mattertoscornandinsultyouwith。Hewouldhavecomplacentlyallowedadozenmentohavegonetotheguillotinethathisownworthlesslifemighthavebeenspared。

"Buthewasyourbetrothed！"LaBoulayeprotested。

"True！"shemadeanswer；"butIhadtochoosebetweenthemanithadbeenarrangedIshouldmarryandthemanIlowed。"Aflushcrimsonedhercheek，andhervoicesankalmosttoawhisper。"AndtosavethemanIloveIhavedeliveredupOmbreval。"

"Suzanne"

Thenameburstfromhislipsinashoutofwonderandofjoyineffable。Inastrideheseemedtocoverthedistancebetweenthem，andhecaughthertohimasthedoorslammedonthediscreetlydepartingRobespierre。