Armandwatchedthelittlesceneinutteramazement。HehadbeeninEnglandoverayear，andyethecouldnotunderstandtheseEnglishmen。Surelytheywerethequeerest，mostinconsequentpeopleintheworld，Herewerethesemen，whowereengagedatthisverymomentinanenterprisewhichforcool-headedcourageandfoolhardydaringhadprobablynoparallelinhistory。Theywereliterallytakingtheirlivesintheirhands，inallprobabilityfacingcertaindeath；andyettheynowsatchaffingandfightinglikeacrowdofthird-formschoolboys，talkingutter，sillynonsense，andmakingfoolishjokesthatwouldhaveshamedaFrenchmaninhisteens。Vaguelyhewonderedwhatfat，pompousdeBatzwouldthinkofthisdiscussionifhecouldoverhearit。Hiscontempt，nodoubt，fortheScarletPimpernelandhisfollowerswouldbeincreasedtenfold。
　　Thenatlastthequestionofthedisguisewaseffectuallydismissed。SirAndrewFfoulkesandLordAnthonyDewhursthadsettledtheirdifferencesofopinionbysolemnlyagreeingtorepresenttwoover-grimyandoverheatedcoal-heavers。TheychosetwocertificatesofsafetythatweremadeoutinthenamesofJeanLepetitandAchilleGrospierre，labourers。
　　“Thoughyoudon'tlookatalllikeanAchille，Tony，“wasBlakeney'spartingshottohisfriend。
　　Thenwithoutanytransitionfromthisschoolboynonsensetotheseriousbusinessofthemoment，SirAndrewFfoulkessaidabruptly：
　　“Tellusexactly，Blakeney，whereyouwillwantthecarttostandonSunday。“
　　Blakeneyroseandturnedtothemapagainstthewall，FfoulkesandTonyfollowinghim。Theystoodclosetohiselbowwhilsthisslender，nervyhandwanderedalongtheshinysurfaceofthevarnishedpaper。Atlastheplacedhisfingerononespot。
　　“Hereyousee，“hesaid，“istheVillettegate。Justoutsideitanarrowstreetontherightleadsdowninthedirectionofthecanal。Itisjustatthebottomofthatnarrowstreetatitsjunctionwiththetow-paththerethatIwantyoutwoandthecarttobe。Ithadbetterbeacoal-carbytheway；theywillbeunloadingcoalclosebythereto-morrow，“headdedwithoneofhissuddenirrepressibleoutburstsofmerriment。“YouandTonycanexerciseyourmusclescoal-heaving，andincidentallymakeyourselvesknownintheneighbourhoodasgoodifsomewhatgrimypatriots。“
　　“Wehadbettertakeupourpartsatoncethen，“saidTony。“I'lltakeafondfarewellofmycleanshirtto-night。“
　　“Yes，youwillnotseeoneagainforsometime，mygoodTony。
　　Afteryourhardday'sworkto-morrowyouwillhavetosleepeitherinsideyourcart，ifyouhavealreadysecuredone，orunderthearchesofthecanalbridge，ifyouhavenot。“
　　“IhopeyouhaveanequallypleasantprospectforHastings，“wasmyLordTony'sgrimcomment。
　　Itwaseasytoseethathewasashappyasaschoolboyabouttostartforaholiday。LordTonywasatruesportsman。Perhapstherewasinhimlesssentimentfortheheroicworkwhichhedidundertheguidanceofhischiefthananinherentpassionfordangerousadventures。SirAndrewFfoulkes，ontheotherhand，thoughtperhapsalittlelessoftheadventure，butagreatdealofthemartyredchildintheTemple。Hewasjustasbuoyant，justaskeenashisfriend，buttheleavenofsentimentraisedhissportinginstinctstoperhapsahigherplaneofself-devotion。
　　“Well，now，torecapitulate，“hesaid，inturnfollowingwithhisfingertheindicatedrouteonthemap。“TonyandIandthecoal-cartwillawaityouonthisspot，atthecornerofthetowpathonSundayeveningatnineo'clock。“
　　“Andyoursignal，Blakeney？”askedTony。
　　“Theusualone，“repliedSirPercy，“theseamew'scrythricerepeatedatbriefintervals。Butnow，“hecontinued，turningtoArmandandHastings，whohadtakennopartinthediscussionhitherto，“Iwantyourhelpalittlefurtherafield。“
　　“Ithoughtso，“noddedHastings。
　　“Thecoal-cart，withitsusualmiserablenag，willcarryusadistanceoffifteenorsixteenkilometres，butnomore。Mypurposeistocutalongthenorthofthecity，andtoreachSt。Germain，thenearestpointwherewecansecuregoodmounts。Thereisafarmerjustoutsidethecommune；hisnameisAchard。Hehasexcellenthorses，whichIhaveborrowedbeforenow；weshallwantfive，ofcourse，andhehasonepowerfulbeastthatwilldoforme，asIshallhave，inadditiontomyownweight，whichisconsiderable，totakethechildwithmeonthepillion。Nowyou，HastingsandArmand，willhavetostartearlyto-morrowmorning，leaveParisbytheNeuillygate，andfromtheremakeyourwaytoSt。Germainbyanyconveyanceyoucancontrivetoobtain。AtSt。
　　GermainyoumustatoncefindAchard'sfarm；disguisedaslabourersyouwillnotarousesuspicionbysodoing。Youwillfindthefarmerquiteamenabletomoney，andyoumustsecurethebesthorsesyoucangetforourownuse，and，ifpossible，thepowerfulmountIspokeofjustnow。Youarebothexcellenthorse-men，thereforeIselectedyouamongsttheothersforthisspecialerrand，foryoutwo，withthefivehorses，willhavetocomeandmeetourcoal-cartsomeseventeenkilometresoutofSt。
　　Germain，towherethefirstsign-postindicatestheroadtoCourbevoie。Sometwohundredmetresdownthisroadontherightthereisasmallspinney，whichwillaffordsplendidshelterforyourselvesandyourhorses。Wehopetobethereataboutoneo'clockaftermidnightofMondaymorning。Now，isallthatquiteclear，andareyoubothsatisfied？”
　　“Itisquiteclear，“exclaimedHastingsplacidly；“butI，forone，amnotatallsatisfied。“
　　“Andwhynot？”
　　“Becauseitisalltooeasy。Wegetnoneofthedanger。“
　　“Oho！Ithoughtthatyouwouldbringthatargumentforward，youincorrigiblegrumbler，“laughedSirPercygood-humouredly。“Letmetellyouthatifyoustartto-morrowfromParisinthatspirityouwillrunyourheadandArmand'sintoanooselongbeforeyoureachthegateofNeuilly。Icannotalloweitherofyoutocoveryourfaceswithtoomuchgrime；anhonestfarmlabourershouldnotlookover-dirty，andyourchancesofbeingdiscoveredanddetainedare，attheoutset，fargreaterthanthosewhichFfoulkesandTonywillrun——“
　　Armandhadsaidnothingduringthistime。WhileBlakeneywasunfoldinghisplanforhimandforLordHastings——aplanwhichpracticallywasacommand——hehadsatwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshischest，hisheadsunkuponhisbreast。WhenBlakeneyhadaskediftheyweresatisfied，hehadtakennopartinHastings'protestnorrespondedtohisleader'sgood-humouredbanter。
　　Thoughhedidnotlookupevennow，yethefeltthatPercy'seyeswerefixeduponhim，andtheyseemedtoscorchintohissoul。Hemadeagreatefforttoappeareagerliketheothers，andyetfromthefirstachillhadstruckathisheart。HecouldnotleaveParisbeforehehadseenJeanne。
　　Helookedupsuddenly，tryingtoseemunconcerned；heevenlookedhischieffullyintheface。
　　“WhenoughtwetoleaveParis？”heaskedcalmly。
　　“YouMUSTleaveatdaybreak，“repliedBlakeneywithaslight，almostimperceptibleemphasisonthewordofcommand。“Whenthegatesarefirstopened，andthework-peoplegotoandfroattheirwork，thatisthesafesthour。AndyoumustbeatSt。Germainassoonasmaybe，orthefarmermaynothaveasufficiencyofhorsesavailableatamoment'snotice。IwantyoutobespokesmanwithAchard，sothatHastings'Britishaccentshouldnotbetrayyouboth。AlsoyoumightnotgetaconveyanceforSt。Germainimmediately。Wemustthinkofeveryeventuality，Armand。Thereissomuchatstake。“
　　Armandmadenofurthercommentjustthen。Buttheotherslookedastonished。Armandhadbutaskedasimplequestion，andBlakeney'sreplyseemedalmostlikearebuke——socircumstantialtoo，andsoexplanatory。Hewassousedtobeingobeyedataword，soaccustomedthatthemerestwish，theslightesthintfromhimwasunderstoodbyhisbandofdevotedfollowers，thatthelongexplanationofhisorderswhichhegavetoArmandstruckthemallwithastrangesenseofunpleasantsurprise。
　　Hastingswasthefirsttobreakthespellthatseemedtohavefallenovertheparty。
　　“Weleaveatdaybreak，ofcourse，“hesaid，“assoonasthegatesareopen。Wecan，Iknow，getoneofthecarrierstogiveusaliftasfarasSt。Germain。There，howdowefindAchard？”
　　“Heisawell-knownfarmer，“repliedBlakeney。“Youhavebuttoask。“
　　“Good。Thenwebespeakfivehorsesforthenextday，findlodgingsinthevillagethatnight，andmakeafreshstartbacktowardsParisintheeveningofSunday。Isthatright？”
　　“Yes。Oneofyouwillhavetwohorsesonthelead，theotherone。
　　Packsomefodderontheemptysaddlesandstartataboutteno'clock。Ridestraightalongthemainroad，asifyouweremakingbackforParis，untilyoucometofourcross-roadswithasign-postpointingtoCourbevoie。Turndownthereandgoalongtheroaduntilyoumeetaclosespinneyoffir-treesonyourright。
　　Makefortheinteriorofthat。Itgivessplendidshelter，andyoucandismountthereandgivethehorsesafeed。We'lljoinyouonehouraftermidnight。Thenightwillbedark，Ihope，andthemoonanyhowwillbeonthewane。“
　　“IthinkIunderstand。Anyhow，it'snotdifficult，andwe'llbeascarefulasmaybe。“
　　“Youwillhavetokeepyourheadsclear，bothofyou，“concludedBlakeney。
　　HewaslookingatArmandashesaidthis；buttheyoungmanhadnotmadeamovementduringthisbriefcolloquybetweenHastingsandthechief。Hestillsatwitharmsfolded，hisheadfallingonhisbreast。
　　Silencehadfallenonthemall。Theyallsatroundthefireburiedinthought。Throughtheopenwindowtherecamefromthequaybeyondthehumoflifeintheopen-aircamp；thetrampofthesentinelsaroundit，thewordsofcommandfromthedrill-sergeant，andthroughitallthemoaningofthewindandthebeatingofthesleetagainstthewindow-panes。
　　Awholeworldofwretchednesswasexpressedbythosesounds！
　　Blakeneygaveaquick，impatientsigh，andgoingtothewindowhepusheditfurtheropen，andjustthentherecamefromafarthemuffledrollofdrums，andfrombelowthewatchman'scrythatseemedsuchdiremockery：
　　“Sleep，citizens！Everythingissafeandpeaceful。“
　　“Soundadvice，“saidBlakeneylightly。“Shallwealsogotosleep？Whatsayyouall——eh？”
　　Hehadwiththatsuddenrapiditycharacteristicofhiseveryaction，alreadythrownofftheseriousairwhichhehadwornamomentagowhengivinginstructionstoHastings。Hisusualdebonnairmannerwasonhimonceagain，hislaziness，hiscarelessinsouciance。HewasevenatthismomentdeeplyengagedinflickingoffagrainofdustfromtheimmaculateMechlinruffathiswrist。Theheavylidshadfallenoverthetell-taleeyesasifweightedwithfatigue，themouthappearedreadyforthelaughwhichneverwasabsentfromitverylong。
　　ItwasonlyFfoulkes'sdevotedeyesthatweresharpenoughtopiercethemaskoflight-heartedgaietywhichenvelopedthesoulofhisleaderatthepresentmoment。Hesaw——forthefirsttimeinalltheyearsthathehadknownBlakeney——afrownacrossthehabituallysmoothbrow，andthoughthelipswerepartedforalaugh，thelinesroundmouthandchinwerehardandset。
　　Withthatintuitionbornofwhole-heartedfriendshipSirAndrewguessedwhattroubledPercy。HehadcaughtthelookwhichthelatterhadthrownonArmand，andknewthatsomeexplanationwouldhavetopassbetweenthetwomenbeforetheypartedto-night。
　　Thereforehegavethesignalforthebreakingupofthemeeting。
　　“Thereisnothingmoretosay，isthere，Blakeney？”heasked。
　　“No，mygoodfellow，nothing，“repliedSirPercy。“Idonotknowhowyouallfeel，butIamdemmedfatigued。“
　　“Whatabouttheragsforto-morrow？”queriedHastings。
　　“Youknowwheretofindthem。Intheroombelow。Ffoulkeshasthekey。Wigsandallarethere。Butdon'tusefalsehairifyoucanhelpit——itisapttoshiftinascrimmage。“
　　Hespokejerkily，morecurtlythanwashiswont。HastingsandTonythoughtthathewastired。Theyrosetosaygoodnight。
　　Thenthethreemenwentawaytogether，Armandremainingbehind。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　WHATLOVEIS
　　“Well，now，Armand，whatisit？”askedBlakeney，themomentthefootstepsofhisfriendshaddiedawaydownthestonestairs，andtheirvoiceshadceasedtoechointhedistance。
　　“Youguessed，then，thattherewas……something？”saidtheyoungerman，afteraslighthesitation。
　　“Ofcourse。“
　　Armandrose，pushingthechairawayfromhimwithanimpatientnervygesture。Buryinghishandsinthepocketsofhisbreeches，hebeganstridingupanddowntheroom，adark，troubledexpressioninhisface，adeepfrownbetweenhiseyes。
　　Blakeneyhadoncemoretakenuphisfavouriteposition，sittingonthecornerofthetable，hisbroadshouldersinterposedbetweenthelampandtherestoftheroom。HewasapparentlytakingnonoticeofArmand，butonlyintentonthedelicateoperationofpolishinghisnails。
　　Suddenlytheyoungmanpausedinhisrestlesswalkandstoodinfrontofhisfriend——anearnest，solemn，determinedfigure。
　　“Blakeney，“hesaid，“IcannotleaveParisto-morrow。“
　　SirPercymadenoreply。Hewascontemplatingthepolishwhichhehadjustsucceededinproducingonhisthumbnail。
　　“Imuststayhereforawhilelonger，“continuedArmandfirmly。
　　“ImaynotbeabletoreturntoEnglandforsomeweeks。YouhavethethreeothersheretohelpyouinyourenterpriseoutsideParis。Iamentirelyatyourservicewithinthecompassofitswalls。“
　　StillnocommentfromBlakeney，notalookfrombeneaththefallenlids。Armandcontinued，withaslighttoneofimpatienceapparentinhisvoice：
　　“YoumustwantsomeonetohelpyouhereonSunday。Iamentirelyatyourservice……hereoranywhereinParis……butIcannotleavethiscity……atanyrate，notjustyet……“
　　Blakeneywasapparentlysatisfiedatlastwiththeresultofhispolishingoperations。Herose，gaveaslightyawn，andturnedtowardthedoor。
　　“Goodnight，mydearfellow，“hesaidpleasantly；“itistimewewereallabed。Iamsodemmedfatigued。“
　　“Percy！”exclaimedtheyoungmanhotly。
　　“Eh？Whatisit？”queriedtheotherlazily。
　　“Youarenotgoingtoleavemelikethis——withoutaword？”
　　“Ihavesaidagreatmanywords，mygoodfellow。Ihavesaid'goodnight，'andremarkedthatIwasdemmedfatigued。“
　　Hewasstandingbesidethedoorwhichledtohisbedroom，andnowhepusheditopenwithhishand。
　　“Percy，youcannotgoandleavemelikethis！”reiteratedArmandwithrapidlygrowingirritation。
　　“Likewhat，mydearfellow？”queriedSirPercywithgood-humouredimpatience。
　　“Withoutaword——withoutasign。WhathaveIdonethatyoushouldtreatmelikeachild，unworthyevenofattention？”
　　Blakeneyhadturnedbackandwasnowfacinghim，toweringabovetheslightfigureoftheyoungerman。Hisfacehadlostnoneofitsgraciousair，andbeneaththeirheavylidshiseyeslookeddownnotunkindlyonhisfriend。
　　“Wouldyouhavepreferredit，Armand，“hesaidquietly，“ifIhadsaidthewordthatyourearshaveheardeventhoughmylipshavenotutteredit？”
　　“Idon'tunderstand，“murmuredArmanddefiantly。
　　“Whatsignwouldyouhavehadmemake？”continuedSirPercy，hispleasantvoicefallingcalmandmellowontheyoungerman'ssupersensitiveconsciousness：“Thatofbrandingyou，Marguerite'sbrother，asaliarandacheat？”
　　“Blakeney！”retortedtheother，aswithflamingcheeksandwrathfuleyeshetookamenacingsteptowardhisfriend；“hadanymanbutyoudaredtospeaksuchwordstome——“
　　“IpraytoGod，Armand，thatnomanbutIhastherighttospeakthem。“
　　“Youhavenoright。“
　　“Everyright，myfriend。DoInotholdyouroath？……Areyounotpreparedtobreakit？”
　　“I'llnotbreakmyoathtoyou。I'llserveandhelpyouineverywayyoucancommand……mylifeI'llgivetothecause……givemethemostdangerous——themostdifficulttasktoperform……I'lldoit——I'lldoitgladly。“
　　“Ihavegivenyouanover-difficultanddangeroustask。“
　　“Bah！ToleaveParisinordertoengagehorses，whileyouandtheothersdoallthework。Thatisneitherdifficultnordangerous。“
　　“Itwillbedifficultforyou，Armand，becauseyourheadIsnotsufficientlycooltoforeseeseriouseventualitiesandtoprepareagainstthem。Itisdangerous，becauseyouareamaninlove，andamaninloveisapttorunhishead——andthatofhisfriends——
　　blindlyintoanoose。“
　　“WhotoldyouthatIwasinlove？”
　　“Youyourself，mygoodfellow。Hadyounottoldmesoattheoutset，“hecontinued，stillspeakingveryquietlyanddeliberatelyandneverraisinghisvoice，“Iwouldevennowbestandingoveryou，dog-whipinhand，tothrashyouasadefaultingcowardandaperjurer……Bah！”headdedwithareturntohishabitualbonhomie，“Iwouldnodoubtevenhavelostmytemperwithyou。Whichwouldhavebeenpurposelessandexcessivelybadform。Eh？”
　　AviolentretorthadsprungtoArmand'slips。Butfortunatelyatthatverymomenthiseyes，glowingwithanger，caughtthoseofBlakeneyfixedwithlazygood-natureuponhis。SomethingofthatirresistibledignitywhichpervadedthewholepersonalityofthemancheckedArmand'shotheadedwordsonhislips。
　　“IcannotleaveParisto-morrow，“hereiteratedmorecalmly。
　　“Becauseyouhavearrangedtoseeheragain？”
　　“Becauseshesavedmylifeto-day，andisherselfindanger。“
　　“Sheisinnodanger，“saidBlakeneysimply，“sinceshesavedthelifeofmyfriend。“
　　“Percy！”
　　ThecrywaswrungfromArmandSt。Just'sverysoul。Despitethetumultofpassionwhichwasraginginhisheart，hewasconsciousagainofthemagneticpowerwhichboundsomanytothisman'sservice。Thewordshehadsaid——simplethoughtheywere——hadsentathrillthroughArmand'sveins。Hefelthimselfdisarmed。Hisresistancefellbeforethesubtlestrengthofanunbendablewill；
　　nothingremainedinhisheartbutanoverwhelmingsenseofshameandofimpotence。
　　Hesankintoachairandrestedhiselbowsonthetable，buryinghisfaceinhishands。Blakeneywentuptohimandplacedakindlyhanduponhisshoulder。
　　“Thedifficulttask，Armand，“hesaidgently。
　　“Percy，cannotyoureleaseme？Shesavedmylife。Ihavenotthankedheryet。“
　　“Therewillbetimeforthankslater，Armand。Justnowoveryonderthesonofkingsisbeingdonetodeathbysavagebrutes。“
　　“IwouldnothinderyouifIstayed。“
　　“Godknowsyouhavehinderedusenoughalready。“
　　“How？”
　　“Yousayshesavedyourlife……thenyouwereindanger……Heronandhisspieshavebeenonyourtrackyourtrackleadstomine，andIhavesworntosavetheDauphinfromthehandsofthieves……
　　Amaninlove，Armand，isadeadlydangeramongus……ThereforeatdaybreakyoumustleavePariswithHastingsonyourdifficultanddangeroustask。“
　　“AndifIrefuse？”retortedArmand。
　　“Mygoodfellow，“saidBlakeneyearnestly，“inthatadmirablelexiconwhichtheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelhascompiledforitselfthereisnosuchwordasrefuse。“
　　“ButifIdorefuse？”persistedtheother。
　　“Youwouldbeofferingataintednameandtarnishedhonourtothewomanyoupretendtolove。“
　　“Andyouinsistuponmyobedience？”
　　“BytheoathwhichIholdfromyou。“
　　“Butthisiscruel——inhuman！”
　　“Honour，mygoodArmand，isoftencruelandseldomhuman。Heisagodliketaskmaster，andwewhocallourselvesmenareallofushisslaves。“
　　“Thetyrannycomesfromyoualone。Youcouldreleasemeanyouwould。“
　　“Andtogratifytheselfishdesireofimmaturepassion，youwouldwishtoseemejeopardisethelifeofthosewhoplaceinfinitetrustinme。“
　　“Godknowshowyouhavegainedtheirallegiance，Blakeney。Tomenowyouareselfishandcallous。“
　　“Thereisthedifficulttaskyoucravedfor，Armand，“wasalltheanswerthatBlakeneymadetothetaunt——“toobeyaleaderwhomyounolongertrust。“
　　ButthisArmandcouldnotbrook。Hehadspokenhotly，impetuously，smartingunderthedisciplinewhichthwartedhisdesire，buthisheartwasloyaltothechiefwhomhehadreverencedforsolong。
　　“Forgiveme，Percy，“hesaidhumbly；“Iamdistracted。Idon'tthinkIquiterealisedwhatIwassaying。Itrustyou，ofcourse……implicitly……andyouneednotevenfear……Ishallnotbreakmyoath，thoughyourordersnowseemtomeneedlesslycallousandselfish……Iwillobey……youneednotbeafraid。“
　　“Iwasnotafraidofthat，mygoodfellow。“
　　“Ofcourse，youdonotunderstand……youcannot。Toyou，yourhonour，thetaskwhichyouhavesetyourself，hasbeenyouronlyfetish……Loveinitstruesensedoesnotexistforyou……I
　　seeitnow……youdonotknowwhatitistolove。“
　　Blakeneymadenoreplyforthemoment。Hestoodinthecentreoftheroom，withtheyellowlightofthelampfallingfullnowuponhistallpowerfulframe，immaculatelydressedinperfectly-tailoredclothes，uponhislong，slenderhandshalfhiddenbyfilmylace，anduponhisface，acrosswhichatthismomentaheavystrandofcurlyhairthrewacuriousshadow。AtArmand'swordshislipshadimperceptiblytightened，hiseyeshadnarrowedasiftheytriedtoseesomethingthatwasbeyondtherangeoftheirfocus。
　　Acrossthesmoothbrowthestrangeshadowmadebythehairseemedtofindareflexfromwithin。Perhapstherecklessadventurer，thecarelessgamblerwithlifeandliberty，sawthroughthewallsofthissqualidroom，acrossthewide，ice-boundriver，andbeyondeventhegloomypileofbuildingsopposite，acool，shadygardenatRichmond，avelvetylawnsweepingdowntotheriver'sedge，abowerofclematisandroses，withacarvedstoneseathalfcoveredwithmoss。Theresatanexquisitelybeautifulwomanwithgreatsadeyesfixedonthefar-distanthorizon。Thesettingsunwasthrowingahaloofgoldallroundherhair，herwhitehandswereclaspedidlyonherlap。
　　Shegazedoutbeyondtheriver，beyondthesunset，towardanunseenbourneofpeaceandhappiness，andherlovelyfacehadinitalookofutterhopelessnessandofsublimeself-abnegation。
　　Theairwasstill。Itwaslateautumn，andallaroundhertherussetleavesofbeechandchestnutfellwithamelancholyhush-sh-shaboutherfeet。
　　Shewasalone，andfromtimetotimeheavytearsgatheredinhereyesandrolledslowlydownhercheeks。
　　Suddenlyasighescapedtheman'stightly-pressedlips。Withastrangegesture，whollyunusualtohim，hepassedhishandrightacrosshiseyes。
　　“Mayhapyouareright，Armand，“hesaidquietly；“mayhapIdonotknowwhatitistolove。“
　　Armandturnedtogo。Therewasnothingmoretobesaid。HeknewPercywellenoughbynowtorealisethefinalityofhispronouncements。Hisheartfeltsore，buthewastooproudtoshowhishurtagaintoamanwhodidnotunderstand。Allthoughtsofdisobediencehehadputresolutelyaside；hehadnevermeanttobreakhisoath。AllthathehadhopedtodowastopersuadePercytoreleasehimfromitforawhile。
　　ThatbyleavingParisheriskedtoloseJeannehewasquiteconvinced，butitisneverthelessatruefactthatinspiteofthishedidnotwithdrawhisloveandtrustfromhischief。Hewasundertheinfluenceofthatsamemagnetismwhichenchainedallhiscomradestothewillofthisman；andthoughhisenthusiasmforthegreatcausehadsomewhatwaned，hisallegiancetoitsleaderwasnolongertottering。
　　Buthewouldnottrusthimselftospeakagainonthesubject。
　　“Iwillfindtheothersdownstairs，“wasallhesaid，“andwillarrangewithHastingsforto-morrow。Goodnight，Percy。“
　　“Goodnight，mydearfellow。Bytheway，youhavenottoldmeyetwhosheis。“
　　“HernameisJeanneLange，“saidSt。Justhalfreluctantly。Hehadnotmeanttodivulgehissecretquitesofullyasyet。
　　“TheyoungactressattheTheatreNational？”
　　“Yes。Doyouknowher？”
　　“Onlybyname。“
　　“Sheisbeautiful，Percy，andsheisanangel……ThinkofmysisterMarguerite……she，too，wasanactress……Goodnight，Percy。“
　　“Goodnight。“
　　Thetwomengraspedoneanotherbythehand。Armand'seyesprofferedalastdesperateappeal。ButBlakeney'seyeswereimpassiveandunrelenting，andArmandwithaquicksighfinallytookhisleave。
　　ForalongwhileafterhehadgoneBlakeneystoodsilentandmotionlessinthemiddleoftheroom。Armand'slastwordslingeredinhisear：
　　“ThinkofMarguerite！”
　　Thewallshadfallenawayfromaroundhim——thewindow，theriverbelow，theTempleprisonhadallfadedaway，mergedinthechaosofhisthoughts。
　　NowhewasnolongerinParis；heheardnothingofthehorrorsthatevenatthishourofthenightwereragingaroundhim；hedidnothearthecallofmurderedvictims，ofinnocentwomenandchildrencryingforhelp；hedidnotseethedescendantofSt。
　　Louis，witharedcaponhisbabyhead，stampingonthefleur-de-lys，andheapinginsultsonthememoryofhismother。
　　Allthathadfadedintonothingness。
　　HewasinthegardenatRichmond，andMargueritewassittingonthestoneseat，withbranchesoftheramblerrosestwiningthemselvesinherhair。
　　Hewassittingonthegroundatherfeet，hisheadpillowedinherlap，lazilydreaming。whilstathisfeettheriverwounditsgracefulcurvesbeneathoverhangingwillowsandtallstatelyelms。
　　Aswancamesailingmajesticallydownthestream，andMarguerite，withidle，delicatehands，threwsomecrumbsofbreadintothewater。Thenshelaughed，forshewasquitehappy，andanonshestooped，andhefeltthefragranceofherlipsasshebentoverhimandsavouredtheperfectsweetnessofhercaress。Shewashappybecauseherhusbandwasbyherside。Hehaddonewithadventures，withriskinghislifeforothers'sake。Hewaslivingonlyforher。
　　Theman，thedreamer，theidealistthatlurkedbehindtheadventuroussoul，livedanexquisitedreamashegazeduponthatvision。Heclosedhiseyessothatitmightlastallthelonger，sothatthroughtheopenwindowoppositeheshouldnotseethegreatgloomywallsofthelabyrinthinebuildingpackedtooverflowingwithinnocentmen，women，andchildrenwaitingpatientlyandwithasmileontheirlipsforacruelandunmeriteddeath；sothatheshouldnotseeeventhroughthevistaofhousesandofstreetsthatgrimTempleprisonfaraway，andthelightinoneofthetowerwindows，whichilluminedthefinalmartyrdomofaboy-king。
　　Thushestoodforfullyfiveminutes，witheyesdeliberatelyclosedandlipstightlyset。Thentheneighbouringtower-clockofSt。Germainl'Auxerroisslowlytolledthehourofmidnight。
　　Blakeneywokefromhisdream。Thewallsofhislodgingwereoncemorearoundhim，andthroughthewindowtheruddylightofsometorchinthestreetbelowfoughtwiththatofthelamp。
　　Hewentdeliberatelyuptothewindowandlookedoutintothenight。Onthequay，alittletotheleft，theoutdoorcampwasjustbreakingtipforthenight。ThepeopleofFranceinarmsagainsttyrannywereallowedtoputawaytheirworkforthedayandtogototheirmiserablehomestogatherrestinsleepforthemorrow。Abandofsoldiers，roughandbrutalintheirmovements，werehustlingthewomenandchildren。Thelittleones，weary，sleepy，andcold，seemedtoodazedtomove。Onewomanhadtwolittlechildrenclingingtoherskirts；asoldiersuddenlyseizedoneofthembytheshouldersandpusheditalongroughlyinfrontofhimtogetitoutoftheway。Thewomanstruckatthesoldierinastupid，senseless，uselessway，andthengatheredhertremblingchicksunderherwing，tryingtolookdefiant。
　　Inamomentshewassurrounded。Twosoldiersseizedher，andtwomoredraggedthechildrenawayfromher。Shescreamedandthechildrencried，thesoldierssworeandstruckoutrightandleftwiththeirbayonets。Therewasageneralmelee，callsofagonyrenttheair，roughoathsdrownedtheshoutsofthehelpless。
　　Somewomen，panic-stricken，startedtorun。
　　AndBlakeneyfromhiswindowlookeddownuponthescene。HenolongersawthegardenatRichmond，thelazily-flowingriver，thebowersofroses；eventhesweetfaceofMarguerite，sadandlonely，appeareddimandfaraway。
　　Helookedacrosstheice-boundriver，pastthequaywhereroughsoldierswerebrutalisinganumberofwretcheddefencelesswomen，tothatgrimChateletprison，wheretinylightsshininghereandtherebehindbarredwindowstoldthesadtaleofwearyvigils，ofwatchesthroughthenight，whendawnwouldbringmartyrdomanddeath。
　　AnditwasnotMarguerite'sblueeyesthatbeckonedtohimnow，itwasnotherlipsthatcalled，butthewanfaceofachildwithmattedcurlshangingaboveagreasyforehead，andsmallhandscoveredingrimethathadoncebeenfondledbyaQueen。
　　Theadventurerinhimhadchasedawaythedream。
　　“WhilethereislifeinmeI'llcheatthosebrutesofprey，“hemurmured。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THENEVERYTHINGWASDARK
　　ThenightthatArmandSt。Justspenttossingaboutonahard，narrowbedwasthemostmiserable，agonisingonehehadeverpassedinhislife。Akindoffeverranthroughhim，causinghisteethtochatterandtheveinsinhistemplestothrobuntilhethoughtthattheymustburst。
　　Physicallyhecertainlywasill；thementalstraincausedbytwogreatconflictingpassionshadattackedhisbodilystrength，andwhilsthisbrainandheartfoughttheirbattlestogether，hisachinglimbsfoundnorepose。
　　HisloveforJeanne！Hisloyaltytothemantowhomheowedhislife，andtowhomhehadswornallegianceandimplicitobedience！
　　Thesesuperacutefeelingsseemedtobetearingathisveryheartstrings，untilhefeltthathecouldnolongerlieonthemiserablepalliassewhichinthesesqualidlodgingsdiddutyforabed。
　　Heroselongbeforedaybreak，withtiredbackandburningeyes，butunconsciousofanypainsavethatwhichtoreathisheart。
　　Theweather，fortunately，wasnotquitesocold——asuddenandveryrapidthawhadsetin；andwhenafterahurriedtoiletArmand，carryingabundleunderhisarm，emergedintothestreet，themildsouthwindstruckpleasantlyonhisface。
　　Itwasthenpitchdark。Thestreetlampshadbeenextinguishedlongago，andthefeebleJanuarysunhadnotyettingedwithpalecolourtheheavycloudsthathungoverthesky。
　　Thestreetsofthegreatcitywereabsolutelydesertedatthishour。Itlay，peacefulandstill，wrappedinitsmantleofgloom。
　　Athinrainwasfalling，andArmand'sfeet，ashebegantodescendtheheightsofMontmartre，sankankledeepinthemudoftheroad。
　　Therewasbutscantyattemptatpavementsinthisoutlyingquarterofthetown，andArmandhadmuchadotokeephisfootingontheunevenandintermittentstonesthatdiddutyforroadsintheseparts。Butthisdiscomfortdidnottroublehimjustnow。Onethought——andonealone——wasclearinhismind：hemustseeJeannebeforeheleftParis。
　　Hedidnotpausetothinkhowhecouldaccomplishthatatthishouroftheday。Allheknewwasthathemustobeyhischief，andthathemustseeJeanne。Hewouldseeher，explaintoherthathemustleaveParisimmediately，andbeghertomakeherpreparationsquickly，sothatshemightmeethimassoonasmaybe，andaccompanyhimtoEnglandstraightaway。
　　HedidnotfeelthathewasbeingdisloyalbytryingtoseeJeanne。Hehadthrownprudencetothewinds，notrealisingthathisimprudencewouldanddidjeopardise，notonlythesuccessofhischief'splans，butalsohislifeandthatofhisfriends。HehadbeforepartingfromHastingslastnightarrangedtomeethimintheneighbourhoodoftheNeuillyGateatseveno'clock；itwasonlysixnow。TherewasplentyoftimeforhimtorousetheconciergeatthehouseoftheSquareduRoule，toseeJeanneforafewmoments，toslipintoMadameBelhomme'skitchen，andthereintothelabourer'sclotheswhichhewascarryinginthebundleunderhisarm，andtobeatthegateattheappointedhour。
　　TheSquareduRouleisshutofffromtheRueSt。Honore，onwhichitabuts，bytallirongates，whichafewyearsago，whenthesecludedlittlesquarewasafashionablequarterofthecity，usedtobekeptclosedatnight，withawatchmaninuniformtointerceptmidnightprowlers。Nowthesegateshadbeenrudelytornawayfromtheirsockets，theironhadbeensoldforthebenefitoftheever-emptyTreasury，andnoonecaredifthehomeless，thestarving，ortheevil-doerfoundshelterundertheporticoesofthehouses，fromwhencewealthyoraristocraticownershadlongsincethoughtitwisetoflee。
　　NoonechallengedArmandwhenheturnedintothesquare，andthoughthedarknesswasintense，hemadehiswayfairlystraightforthehousewherelodgedMademoiselleLange。
　　Sofarhehadbeenwonderfullylucky。ThefoolhardinesswithwhichhehadexposedhislifeandthatofhisfriendsbywanderingaboutthestreetsofParisatthishourwithoutanyattemptatdisguise，thoughcarryingoneunderhisarm，hadnotmetwiththeuntowardfatewhichitundoubtedlydeserved。Thedarknessofthenightandthethinsheetofrainasitfellhadeffectuallywrappedhisprogressthroughthelonelystreetsintheirbeneficentmantleofgloom；thesoftmudbelowhaddrownedtheechoofhisfootsteps。Ifspieswereonhistrack，asJeannehadfearedandBlakeneyprophesied，hehadcertainlysucceededinevadingthem。
　　Hepulledtheconcierge'sbell，andthelatchoftheouterdoor，manipulatedfromwithin，dulysprangopeninresponse。Heentered，andfromthelodgetheconcierge'svoiceemerging，muffledfromthedepthsofpillowsandblankets，challengedhimwithanoathdirectedattheunseemlinessofthehour。
　　“MademoiselleLange，“saidArmandboldly，aswithouthesitationhewalkedquicklypastthelodgemakingstraightforthestairs。
　　Itseemedtohimthatfromtheconcierge'sroomloudvituperationsfollowedhim，buthetooknonoticeofthese；onlyashortflightofstairsandonemoredoorseparatedhimfromJeanne。
　　Hedidnotpausetothinkthatshewouldinallprobabilitybestillinbed，thathemighthavesomedifficultyinrousingMadameBelhomme，thatthelattermightnotevencaretoadmithim；nordidhereflectontheglaringimprudenceofhisactions。HewantedtoseeJeanne，andshewastheothersideofthatwall。
　　“He，citizen！Hola！Here！Curseyou！Whereareyou？”cameinagruffvoicetohimfrombelow。
　　Hehadmountedthestairs，andwasnowonthelandingjustoutsideJeanne'sdoor。Hepulledthebell-handle，andheardthepleasingechoofthebellthatwouldpresentlywakeMadameBelhommeandbringhertothedoor。
　　“Citizen！Hola！Curseyouforanaristo！Whatareyoudoingthere？”
　　Theconcierge，astout，elderlyman，wrappedinablanket，hisfeetthrustinslippers，andcarryingagutteringtallowcandle，hadappeareduponthelanding。
　　HeheldthecandleupsothatitsfeebleflickeringraysfellonArmand'spaleface，andonthedampcloakwhichfellawayfromhisshoulders。
　　“Whatareyoudoingthere？”reiteratedtheconciergewithanotheroathfromhisprolificvocabulary。
　　“Asyousee，citizen，“repliedArmandpolitely，“IamringingMademoiselleLange'sfrontdoorbell。“
　　“Atthishourofthemorning？”queriedthemanwithasneer。
　　“Idesiretoseeher。“
　　“Thenyouhavecometothewronghouse，citizen，“saidtheconciergewitharudelaugh。
　　“Thewronghouse？Whatdoyoumean？”stammeredArmand，alittlebewildered。
　　“Sheisnothere——quoi！”retortedtheconcierge，whonowturneddeliberatelyonhisheel。“Goandlookforher，citizen；it'lltakeyousometimetofindher。“
　　Heshuffledoffinthedirectionofthestairs。Armandwasvainlytryingtoshakehimselffreefromasudden，anawfulsenseofhorror。
　　Hegaveanothervigorouspullatthehell，thenwithoneboundheovertooktheconcierge，whowaspreparingtodescendthestairs，andgrippedhimperemptorilybythearm。
　　“WhereisMademoiselleLange？”heasked。
　　Hisvoicesoundedquitestrangeinhisownear；histhroatfeltparched，andhehadtomoistenhislipswithhistonguebeforehewasabletospeak。
　　“Arrested，“repliedtheman。
　　“Arrested？When？Where？How？”
　　“When——lateyesterdayevening。Where？——hereinherroom。
　　How？——bytheagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。Sheandtheoldwoman！Basta！that'sallIknow。NowIamgoingbacktobed，andyouclearoutofthehouse。Youaremakingadisturbance，andIshallbereprimanded。Iaskyou，isthisadecenttimeforrousinghonestpatriotsoutoftheirmorningsleep？”
　　HeshookhisarmfreefromArmand'sgraspandoncemorebegantodescend。
　　Armandstoodonthelandinglikeamanwhohasbeenstunnedbyablowonthehead。Hislimbswereparalysed。Hecouldnotforthemomenthavemovedorspokenifhislifehaddependedonasignoronaword。Hisbrainwasreeling，andhehadtosteadyhimselfwithhishandagainstthewallorhewouldhavefallenheadlongonthefloor。Hehadlivedinawhirlofexcitementforthepasttwenty-fourhours；hisnervesduringthattimehadbeenkeptatstrainingpoint。Passion，joy，happiness，deadlydanger，andmoralfightshadwornhismentalendurancethreadbare；wantofproperfoodandasleeplessnighthadalmostthrownhisphysicalbalanceoutofgear。Thisblowcameatamomentwhenhewasleastabletobearit。
　　Jeannehadbeenarrested！Jeannewasinthehandsofthosebrutes，whomhe，Armand，hadregardedyesterdaywithinsurmountableloathing！Jeannewasinprison——shewasarrested——shewouldbetried，condemned，andallbecauseofhim！
　　Thethoughtwassoawfulthatitbroughthimtothevergeofmania。Hewatchedasinadreamtheformoftheconciergeshufflinghiswaydowntheoakstaircase；hisportlyfigureassumedGargantuanproportions，thecandlewhichhecarriedlookedlikethedancingflamesofhell，throughwhichgrinningfaces，hideousandcontortioned，mockedathimandleered。
　　Thensuddenlyeverythingwasdark。Thelighthaddisappearedroundthebendofthestairs；grinningfacesandghoulishvisionsvanished；heonlysawJeanne，hisdainty，exquisiteJeanne，inthehandsofthosebrutes。Hesawherashehadseenayearandahalfagothevictimsofthosebloodthirstywretchesbeingdraggedbeforeatribunalthatwasbutamockeryofjustice；heheardthequickinterrogatory，andtheresponsesfromherperfectlips，thatexquisitevoiceofhersveiledbytonesofanguish。Heheardthecondemnation，therattleofthetumbrilontheill-pavedstreets——
　　sawhertherewithhandsclaspedtogether，hereyes——
　　GreatGod！hewasreallygoingmad！
　　Likeawildcreaturedrivenforthhestartedtorundownthestairs，pasttheconcierge，whowasjustenteringhislodge，andwhonowturnedinsurlyangertowatchthismanrunningawaylikealunaticorafool，outbythefrontdoorandintothestreet。
　　Inamomenthewasoutofthelittlesquare；thenlikeahuntedharehestillrandowntheRueSt。Honore，alongitsnarrow，interminablelength。Hishathadfallenfromhishead，hishairwaswildallroundhisface，therainweightedthecloakuponhisshoulders；butstillheran。
　　Hisfeetmadenonoiseonthemuddypavement。Heranonandon，hiselbowspressedtohissides，panting，quivering，intentbutupononething——thegoalwhichhehadsethimselftoreach。
　　Jeannewasarrested。Hedidnotknowwheretolookforher，buthedidknowwhitherhewantedtogonowasswiftlyashislegswouldcarryhim。
　　Itwasstilldark，butArmandSt。JustwasabornParisian，andhekneweveryinchofthisquarter，whereheandMargueritehadyearsagolived。DowntheRueSt。Honore，hehadreachedthebottomoftheinterminablylongstreetatlast。Hehadkeptjustasufficiencyofreason——orwasitmerelyblindinstinct？——toavoidtheplaceswherethenightpatrolsoftheNationalGuardmightbeonthewatch。HeavoidedthePlaceduCarrousel，alsothequay，andstrucksharplytohisrightuntilhereachedthefacadeofSt。
　　Germainl'Auxerrois。
　　Anothereffort；roundthecorner，andtherewasthehouseatlast。
　　Hewaslikethehuntedcreaturenowthathasruntoearth。Upthetwoflightsofstonestairs，andthenthepullatthebell；amomentoftenseanxiety，whilstpanting，gasping，almostchokedwiththesustainedeffortandthestrainofthepasthalf-hour，heleanedagainstthewall，strivingnottofall。
　　Thenthewell-knownfirmstepacrosstheroomsbeyond，theopendoor，thehanduponhisshoulder。
　　Afterthatherememberednothingmore。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　THECHIEF
　　Hehadnotactuallyfainted，buttheexertionofthatlongrunhadrenderedhimpartiallyunconsciousHeknewnowthatbewassafe，thathewassittinginBlakeney'sroom，andthatsomethinghotandvivifyingwasbeingpoureddownhisthroat。
　　“Percy，theyhavearrestedher！”hesaid，panting，assoonasspeechreturnedtohisparalysedtongue。
　　“Allright。Don'ttalknow。Waittillyouarebetter。“
　　WithinfinitecareandgentlenessBlakeneyarrangedsomecushionsunderArmand'shead，turnedthesofatowardsthefire，andanonbroughthisfriendacupofhotcoffee，whichthelatterdrankwithavidity。
　　Hewasreallytooexhaustedtospeak。HehadcontrivedtotellBlakeney，andnowBlakeneyknew，soeverythingwouldbeallright。
　　Theinevitablereactionwasassertingitself；themuscleshadrelaxed，thenerveswerenumbed，andArmandlaybackonthesofawitheyeshalfclosed，unabletomove，yetfeelinghisstrengthgraduallyreturningtohim，hisvitalityassertingitself，allthefeverishexcitementofthepasttwenty-fourhoursyieldingatlasttoacalmermood。
　　Throughhishalf-closedeyeshecouldseehisbrother-in-lawmovingabouttheroom。Blakeneywasfullydressed。InasleepykindofwayArmandwonderedifhehadbeentobedataH；certainlyhisclothessetonhimwiththeirusualwell-tailoredperfection，andtherewasnosuggestioninhisbriskstepandalertmovementsthathehadpassedasleeplessnight。
　　Nowhewasstandingbytheopenwindow。Armand，fromwherehelay，couldseehisbroadshoulderssharplyoutlinedagainstthegreybackgroundofthehazywinterdawn。Awanlightwasjustcreepingupfromtheeastoverthecity；thenoisesofthestreetsbelowcamedistinctlytoArmand'sear。
　　Herousedhimselfwithonevigorouseffortfromhislethargy，feelingquiteashamedofhimselfandofthisbreakdownofhisnervoussystem。HelookedwithfrankadmirationonSirPercy，whostoodimmovableandsilentbythewindow——aperfecttowerofstrength，sereneandimpassive，yetkindlyindistress。
　　“Percy，“saidtheyoungman，“IranallthewayfromthetopoftheRueSt。Honore。Iwasonlybreathless。Iamquiteallright。
　　MayItellyouallaboutit？”
　　WithoutawordBlakeneyclosedthewindowandcameacrosstothesofa；hesatdownbesideArmand，andtoalloutwardappearanceshewasnothingnowbutakindandsympatheticlistenertoafriend'staleofwoe。Notalineinhisfaceoralookinhiseyesbetrayedthethoughtsoftheleaderwhohadbeenthwartedattheoutsetofadangerousenterprise，oroftheman，accustomedtocommand，whohadbeensoflagrantlydisobeyed。
　　Armand，unconsciousofallsaveofJeanneandofherimmediateneed，putaneagerhandonPercy'sarm。
　　“Heronandhishell-houndswentbacktoherlodgingslastnight，“
　　hesaid，speakingasifhewerestillalittleoutofbreath。
　　“Theyhopedtogetme，nodoubt；notfindingmethere，theytookher。Oh，myGod！”
　　Itwasthefirsttimethathehadputthewholeterriblecircumstanceintowords，anditseemedtogaininrealitybytherecounting。Theagonyofmindwhichheenduredwasalmostunbearable；hehidhisfaceinhishandslestPercyshouldseehowterriblyhesuffered。
　　“Iknewthat，“saidBlakeneyquietly。Armandlookedupinsurprise。
　　“How？Whendidyouknowit？”hestammered。
　　“Lastnightwhenyouleftme。IwentdowntotheSquareduRoule。
　　Iarrivedtherejusttoolate。“
　　“Percy！”exclaimedArmand，whosepalefacehadsuddenlyflushedscarlet，“youdidthat？——lastnightyou——“
　　“Ofcourse，“interposedtheothercalmly；“hadInotpromisedyoutokeepwatchoverher？WhenIheardthenewsitwasalreadytoolatetomakefurtherinquiries，butwhenyouarrivedjustnowI
　　wasonthepointofstartingout，inordertofindoutinwhatprisonMademoiselleLangeisbeingdetained。Ishallhavetogosoon，Armand，beforetheguardischangedattheTempleandtheTuileries。Thisisthesafesttime，andGodknowsweareallofussufficientlycompromisedalready。“
　　TheflushofshamedeepenedinSt。Just'scheek。Therehadnotbeenahintofreproachinthevoiceofhischief，andtheeyeswhichregardedhimnowfrombeneaththehalf-closedlidsshowednothingbutlazybonhomie。
　　InamomentnowArmandrealisedalltheharmwhichhisrecklessnesshaddone，wasstilldoingtotheworkoftheLeague。
　　EveryoneofhisactionssincehisarrivalinParistwodaysagohadjeopardisedaplanorendangeredalife：hisfriendshipwithdeBatz，hisconnectionwithMademoiselleLange，hisvisittoheryesterdayafternoon，therepetitionofitthismorning，culminatinginthatwildrunthroughthestreetsofParis，whenatanymomentaspylurkingroundacornermighteitherhavebarredhisway，or，worsestill，havefollowedhimtoBlakeney'sdoor。
　　Armand，withoutathoughtofanyonesaveofhisbeloved，mighteasilythismorninghavebroughtanagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityfacetofacewithhischief。
　　“Percy，“hemurmured，“canyoueverforgiveme？”
　　“Pshaw，man！”retortedBlakeneylightly；“thereisnaughttoforgive，onlyagreatdealthatshouldnolongerbeforgotten；
　　yourdutytotheothers，forinstance，yourobedience，andyourhonour。“
　　“Iwasmad，Percy。Oh！ifyouonlycouldunderstandwhatshemeanstome！”
　　Blakeneylaughed，hisownlight-heartedcarelesslaugh，whichsooftenbeforenowhadhelpedtohidewhathereallyfeltfromtheeyesoftheindifferent，andevenfromthoseofhisfriends。
　　“No！no！”hesaidlightly，“weagreedlastnight，didwenot？thatinmattersofsentimentIamacold-bloodedfish。ButwillyouatanyrateconcedethatIamamanofmyword？DidInotpledgeitlastnightthatMademoiselleLangewouldbesafe？IforesawherarrestthemomentIheardyourstory。IhopedthatImightreachherbeforethatbruteHeron'sreturn；unfortunatelyheforestalledmebylessthanhalfanhour。MademoiselleLangehasbeenarrested，Armand；butwhyshouldyounottrustmeonthataccount？
　　Havewenotsucceeded，Iandtheothers，inworsecasesthanthisone？TheymeannoharmtoJeanneLange，“headdedemphatically；
　　“Igiveyoumywordonthat。Theyonlywantherasadecoy。Itisyoutheywant。Youthroughher，andmethroughyou。Ipledgeyoumyhonourthatshewillbesafe。Youmusttryandtrustme，Armand。Itismuchtoask，Iknow，foryouwillhavetotrustmewithwhatismostpreciousintheworldtoyou；andyouwillhavetoobeymeblindly，orIshallnotheabletokeepmyword。“
　　“Whatdoyouwishmetodo？”
　　“Firstly，youmustbeoutsidePariswithinthehour。Everyminutethatyouspendinsidethecitynowisfullofdanger——oh，no！notforyou，“addedBlakeney，checkingwithagood-humouredgestureArmand'swordsofprotestation，“dangerfortheothers——andforourschemetomorrow。“
　　“HowcanIgotoSt。Germain，Percy，knowingthatshe——“
　　“Isundermycharge？”interposedtheothercalmly。“Thatshouldnotbesoverydifficult。Come，“headded，placingakindlyhandontheother'sshoulder，“youshallnotfindmesuchaninhumanmonsterafterall。ButImustthinkoftheothers，yousee，andofthechildwhomIhavesworntosave。ButIwon'tsendyouasfarasSt。Germain。Godowntotheroombelowandfindagoodbundleofroughclothesthatwillserveyouasadisguise，forI
　　imaginethatyouhavelostthosewhichyouhadonthelandingorthestairsofthehouseintheSquareduRoule。Inatinboxwiththeclothesdownstairsyouwillfindthepacketofmiscellaneouscertificatesofsafety。Takeanappropriateone，andthenstartoutimmediatelyforVillette。Youunderstand？”
　　“Yes，yes！”saidArmandeagerly。“YouwantmetojoinFfoulkesandTony。“
　　“Yes！You'llfindthemprobablyunloadingcoalbythecanal。Tryandgetprivatespeechwiththemasearlyasmaybe，andtellTonytosetoutatonceforSt。Germain，andtojoinHastingsthere，insteadofyou，whilstyoutakehisplacewithFfoulkes。“
　　“Yes，Iunderstand；buthowwillTonyreachSt。Germain？”
　　“La，mygoodfellow，“saidBlakeneygaily，“youmaysafelytrustTonytogowhereIsendhim。DoyoubutdoasItellyou，andleavehimtolookafterhimself。Andnow，“headded，speakingmoreearnestly，“thesooneryougetoutofParisthebetteritwillbeforusall。Asyousee，IamonlysendingyoutoLaVillette，becauseitisnotsofar，butthatIcankeepinpersonaltouchwithyou。Remainclosetothegatesforanhourafternightfall。IwillContrivebeforetheyclosetobringyounewsofMademoiselleLange。“
　　Armandsaidnomore。Thesenseofshameinhimdeepenedwitheverywordspokenbyhischief。Hefelthowuntrustworthyhehadbeen，howundeservingoftheselflessdevotionwhichPercywasshowinghimevennow。Thewordsofgratitudediedonhislips；heknewthattheywouldbeunwelcome。TheseEnglishmenweresodevoidofsentiment，hethought，andhisbrother-in-law，withallhisunselfishandheroicdeeds，was，hefelt，absolutelycallousinmattersoftheheart。
　　ButArmandwasanoble-mindedman，andwiththetruesportinginstinctinhim，despitethefactthathewasacreatureofnerves，highlystrungandimaginative。Hecouldgiveungrudgingadmirationtohischief，evenwhilstgivinghimselfupentirelytothesentimentforJeanne。
　　HetriedtoimbuehimselfwiththesamespiritthatactuatedmyLordTonyandtheothermembersoftheLeague。Howgladlywouldhehavechaffedandmadesenselessschoolboyjokeslikethosewhich——infaceoftheirhazardousenterpriseandthedangerswhichtheyallran——hadhorrifiedhimsomuchlastnight。
　　Butsomehowheknewthatjokesfromhimwouldnotringtrue。HowcouldhesmilewhenhisheartwasbrimmingoverwithhisloveforJeanne，andwithsolicitudeonheraccount？HefeltthatPercywasregardinghimwithakindofindulgentamusement；therewasalookofsuppressedmerrimentinthedepthsofthoselazyblueeyes。
　　Sohebraceduphisnerves，tryinghisbesttolookcoolandunconcerned，buthecouldnotaltogetherhidefromhisfriendtheburninganxietywhichwasthreateningtobreakhisheart。
　　“Ihavegivenyoumyword，Armand，“saidBlakeneyinanswertotheunspokenprayer；“cannotyoutryandtrustme——astheothersdo？
　　Thenwithsuddentransitionhepointedtothemapbehindhim。
　　“RememberthegateofVillette，andthecornerbythetowpath。
　　JoinFfoulkesassoonasmaybeandsendTonyonhisway，andwaitfornewsofMademoiselleLangesometimeto-night。“
　　“Godblessyou，Percy！”saidArmandinvoluntarily。“Good-bye！”
　　“Good-bye，mydearfellow。Sliponyourdisguiseasquicklyasyoucan，andbeoutofthehouseinaquarterofanhour。“
　　HeaccompaniedArmandthroughtheante-room，andfinallyclosedthedooronhim。Thenhewentbacktohisroomandwalkeduptothewindow，whichhethrewopentothehumidmorningair。Nowthathewasalonethelookoftroubleonhisfacedeepenedtoadark，anxiousfrown，andashelookedoutacrosstheriverasighofbitterimpatienceanddisappointmentescapedhislips。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　THEGATEOFLAVILLETTE
　　Andnowtheshadesofeveninghadlongsinceyieldedtothoseofnight。ThegateofLaVillette，atthenortheastcornerofthecity，wasabouttoclose。Armand，dressedintheroughclothesofalabouringman，wasleaningagainstalowwallattheangleofthenarrowstreetwhichabutsonthecanalatitsfurtherend；
　　fromthispointofvantagehecouldcommandaviewofthegateandofthelifeandbustlearoundit。
　　Hewasdog-tired。Aftertheemotionsofthepasttwenty-fourhours，aday'shardmanualtoiltowhichhewasunaccustomedhadcausedhimtoacheineverylimb。Assoonashehadarrivedatthecanalwharfintheearlymorninghehadobtainedthekindofcasualworkthatruledabouthere，andsoonwastoldofftounloadacargoofcoalwhichhadarrivedbybargeovernight。Hehadset-towithawill，halfhopingtokillhisanxietybydintofheavybodilyexertion。DuringthecourseofthemorninghehadsuddenlybecomeawareofSirAndrewFfoulkesandofLordAnthonyDewhurstworkingnotfarawayfromhim，andasfineapairofcoalheaversasanyshippercoulddesire。
　　Itwasnotverydifficultinthemidstofthenoiseandactivitythatreignedallaboutthewharfforthethreementoexchangeafewwordstogether，andArmandsooncommunicatedthechief'snewinstructionstomyLordTony，whoeffectuallyslippedawayfromhisworksometimeduringtheday。Armanddidnotevenseehimgo，ithadallbeensoneatlydone。
　　Justbeforefiveo'clockintheafternoonthelabourerswerepaidoff。Itwasthentoodarktocontinuework。ArmandwouldhavelikedtotalktoSirAndrew，ifonlyforamoment。Hefeltlonelyanddesperatelyanxious。Hehadhopedtotireouthisnervesaswellashisbody，butinthishehadnotsucceeded。Assoonashehadgivenuphistools，hisbrainbegantoworkagainmorebusilythanever。ItfollowedPercyinhisperegrinationsthroughthecity，tryingtodiscoverwherethosebruteswerekeepingJeanne。
　　ThattaskhadsuddenlyloomedupbeforeArmand'smindwithallitsterribledifficulties。HowcouldPercy——amarkedmanifevertherewasone——gofromprisontoprisontoinquireaboutJeanne？
　　Theveryideaseemedpreposterous。Armandoughtnevertohaveconsentedtosuchaninsensateplan。Themorehethoughtofit，themoreimpossiblediditseemthatBlakeneycouldfindanythingout。
　　SirAndrewFfoulkeswasnowheretobeseen。St。Justwanderedaboutinthedark，lonelystreetsofthisoutlyingquartervainlytryingtofindthefriendinwhomhecouldconfide，who，nodoubt，wouldreassurehimastoBlakeney'sprobablemovementsinParis。
　　ThenasthehourapproachedfortheclosingofthecitygatesArmandtookuphisstandatanangleofthestreetfromwhencehecouldseeboththegateononesideofhimandthethinlineofthecanalintersectingthestreetatitsfurtherend。
　　UnlessPercycamewithinthenextfiveminutesthegateswouldbeclosedandthedifficultiesofcrossingthebarrierwouldbeincreasedahundredfold。Themarketgardenerswiththeircoveredcartsfiledoutofthegateonebyone；thelabourersonfootwerereturningtotheirhomes；therewasagroupofstonemasons，afewroad-makers，alsoanumberofbeggars，raggedandfilthy，whoherdedsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofthecanal。
　　Ineveryform，undereverydisguise，ArmandhopedtodiscoverPercy。Hecouldnotstandstillforverylong，butstrodeupanddowntheroadthatskirtsthefortificationsatthispoint。
　　Therewereagoodmanyidlersaboutatthishour；somemenwhohadfinishedtheirwork，andmeanttospendanhourorsoinoneofthedrinkingshopsthataboundedintheneighbourhoodofthewharf；otherswholikedtogatherasmallknotoflistenersaroundthem，whilsttheydiscoursedonthepoliticsoftheday，orratherragedagainsttheConvention，whichwasallmadeupoftraitorstothepeople'swelfare。
　　Armand，tryingmanfullytoplayhispart，joinedoneofthegroupsthatstoodgapingroundastreetorator。Heshoutedwiththebestofthem，wavedhiscapintheair，andapplaudedorhissedinunisonwiththemajority。ButhiseyesneverwanderedforlongawayfromthegatewhencePercymustcomenowatanymoment——nowornotatall。
　　Atwhatprecisemomenttheawfuldoubttookbirthinhismindtheyoungmancouldnotafterwardshavesaid。Perhapsitwaswhenheheardtherollofdrumsproclaimingtheclosingofthegates，andwitnessedthechangingoftheguard。
　　Percyhadnotcome。Hecouldnotcomenow，andheArmandwouldhavethenighttofacewithoutnewsofJeanne。Something，ofcourse，haddetainedPercy；perhapshehadbeenunabletogetdefiniteinformationaboutJeanne；perhapstheinformationwhichhehadobtainedwastooterribletocommunicate。
　　IfonlySirAndrewFfoulkeshadbeenthere，andArmandhadhadsomeonetotalkto，perhapsthenhewouldhavefoundsufficientstrengthofmindtowaitwithoutwardpatience，eventhoughhisnerveswereontherack。
　　Darknessclosedinaroundhim，andwiththedarknesscamethefullreturnofthephantomsthathadassailedhiminthehouseoftheSquareduRoulewhenfirsthehadheardofJeanne'sarrest。TheopenplacefacingthegatehadtransformeditselfintothePlacedelaRevolution，thetallroughpostthatheldaflickeringoillamphadbecomethegauntarmoftheguillotine，thefeeblelightofthelampwastheknifethatgleamedwiththereflectionofacrimsonlight。
　　AndArmandsawhimself，asinavision，oneofavastandnoisythrong——theywereallpressingroundhimsothathecouldnotmove；theywerebrandishingcapsandtricolourflags，alsopitchforksandscythes。HehadseensuchacrowdfouryearsagorushingtowardstheBastille。Nowtheywereallassembledherearoundhimandaroundtheguillotine。
　　Suddenlyadistantrattlecaughthissubconsciousear：therattleofwheelsonroughcobble-stones。Immediatelythecrowdbegantocheerandtoshout；somesangthe“Caira！”andothersscreamed：
　　“Lesaristos！alalanterne！amort！amort！lesaristos！”
　　Hesawitallquiteplainly，forthedarknesshadvanished，andthevisionwasmorevividthanevenrealitycouldhavebeen。Therattleofwheelsgrewlouder，andpresentlythecartdebouchedontheopenplace。
　　Menandwomensathuddledupinthecart；butinthemidstofthemawomanstood，andhereyeswerefixeduponArmand。Sheworeherpale-greysatingown，andawhitekerchiefwasfoldedacrossherbosom。Herbrownhairfellinloosesoftcurlsallroundherhead。ShelookedexactlyliketheexquisitecameowhichMargueriteusedtowear。Herhandsweretiedwithcordsbehindherback，butbetweenherfingerssheheldasmallbunchofviolets。
　　Armandsawitall。Itwas，ofcourse，avision，andheknewthatitwasone，buthebelievedthatthevisionwasprophetic。Nothoughtofthechiefwhomhehadsworntotrustandtoobeycametochaseawaytheseimaginingsofhisfeveredfancy。HesawJeanne，andonlyJeanne，standingonthetumbrilandbeingledtotheguillotine。SirAndrewwasnotthere，andPercyhadnotcome。