WhenshehadsatisfiedherselfthatMargueritehadnothingfurtherconcealedaboutherperson，sheallowedhertoputherdressononcemore。Sheevenofferedtohelpheronwithit。WhenMargueritewasfullydressedsheopenedthedoorforher。
　　Chauvelinwasstandinginthepassagewaitingpatiently。AtsightofMarguerite，whosepale，setfacebetrayednothingoftheindignationwhichshefelt，heturnedquick，inquiringeyesonthewoman。
　　“Twofiles，adaggerandapursewithtwentylouis，“saidthelattercurtly。
　　Chauvelinmadenocomment。Hereceivedtheinformationquiteplacidly，asifithadnospecialinterestforhim。Thenhesaidquietly：
　　“Thisway，citizeness！”
　　Margueritefollowedhim，andtwominuteslaterhestoodbesideaheavynail-studdeddoorthathadasmallsquaregratingletintooneofthepanels，andsaidsimply：
　　“Thisisit。“
　　TwosoldiersoftheNationalGuardwereonsentryatthedoor，twomorewerepacingupanddownoutsideit，aridhadhaltedwhencitizenChauvelingavehisnameandshowedhistricolourscarfofoffice。Frombehindthesmallgratinginthedoorapairofeyespeeredatthenewcomers。
　　“Quivala？”camethequickchallengefromtheguard-roomwithin。
　　“CitizenChauvelinoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，“wasthepromptreply。
　　Therewasthesoundofgroundingofarms，ofthedrawingofboltsandtheturningofakeyinacomplicatedlock。Theprisonwaskeptlockedfromwithin，andveryheavybarshadtobemovederetheponderousdoorslowlyswungopenonitshinges。
　　Twostepsledupintotheguard-room。Margueritemountedthemwiththesamefeelingofaweandalmostofreverenceasshewouldhavemountedthestepsofasacrificialaltar。
　　Theguard-roomitselfwasmorebrilliantlylightedthanthecorridoroutside。Thesuddenglareoftwoorthreelampsplacedabouttheroomcausedhermomentarilytoclosehereyesthatwereachingwithmanyshedandunshedtears。Theairwasrankandheavywiththefumesoftobacco，ofwineandstalefood。Alargebarredwindowgaveonthecorridorimmediatelyabovethedoor。
　　WhenMargueritefeltstrongenoughtolookaroundher，shesawthattheroomwasfilledwithsoldiers。Someweresitting，othersstanding，otherslayonrugsagainstthewall，apparentlyasleep。
　　Therewasonewhoappearedtobeincommand，forwithawordhecheckedthenoisethatwasgoingonintheroomwhensheentered，andthenhesaidcurtly：
　　“Thisway，citizeness！”
　　Heturnedtoanopeninginthewallontheleft，thestone-lintelofadoor，fromwhichthedooritselfhadbeenremoved；anironbarranacrosstheopening，andthisthesergeantnowlifted，noddingtoMargueritetogowithin。
　　InstinctivelyshelookedroundforChauvelin。
　　Buthewasnowheretobeseen。
　　CHAPTERXXVIII
　　THECAGEDLION
　　WastheresomeinstinctofhumanityleftinthesoldierwhoallowedMargueritethroughthebarrierintotheprisoner'scell？
　　Hadthewanfaceofthisbeautifulwomanstirredwithinhisheartthelastchordofgentlenessthatwasnotwhollyatrophiedbytheconstantcruelties，theexcesses，themercilessnesswhichhisserviceunderthisfraternisingrepublicconstantlydemandedofhim？
　　Perhapssomerecollectionofformeryears，whenfirstheservedhisKingandcountry，recollectionofwifeorsisterormotherpleadedwithinhiminfavourofthissorely-strickenwomanwiththelookofunspeakablesorrowinherlargeblueeyes。
　　CertainitisthatassoonasMargueritepassedthebarrierheputhimselfonguardagainstitwithhisbacktotheinteriorofthecellandtoher。
　　Margueritehadpausedonthethreshold。
　　Aftertheglaringlightoftheguard-roomthecellseemeddark，andatfirstshecouldhardlysee。Thewholelengthofthelong，narrowcubiclelaytoherleft，withaslightrecessatitsfurtherend，sothatfromthethresholdofthedoorwayshecouldnotseeintothedistantcorner。SwiftasalightningflashtheremembrancecamebacktoherofproudMarieAntoinettenarrowingherlifetothatdarkcornerwheretheinsolenteyesoftherabblesoldierycouldnotspyhereverymovement。
　　Margueritesteppedfurtherintotheroom。Graduallybythedimlightofanoillampplaceduponatableintherecessshebegantodistinguishvariousobjects：oneortwochairs，anothertable，andasmallbutverycomfortable-lookingcampbedstead。
　　Justforafewsecondssheonlysawtheseinanimatethings，thenshebecameconsciousofPercy'spresence。
　　Hesatonachair，withhisleftarmhalf-stretchedoutuponthetable，hisbeadhiddeninthebendoftheelbow。
　　Margueritedidnotutteracry；shedidnoteventremble。Justforonebriefinstantsheclosedhereyes，soastogatherupallhercouragebeforeshedaredtolookagain。Thenwithasteadyandnoiselessstepshecamequiteclosetohim。Shekneltontheflagstonesathisfeetandraisedreverentlytoherlipsthehandthathungnervelessandlimpbyhisside。
　　Hegaveastart；ashiverseemedtogorightthroughhim；hehalfraisedhisheadandmurmuredinahoarsewhisper：
　　“ItellyouthatIdonotknow，andifIdid——“
　　Sheputherarmsroundhimandpillowedherheaduponhisbreast。
　　Heturnedhisheadslowlytowardher，andnowhiseyes——hollowedandrimmedwithpurple——lookedstraightintohers。
　　“Mybeloved，“hesaid，“Iknewthatyouwouldcome。“Hisarmsclosedroundher。Therewasnothingoflifelessnessorofwearinessinthepassionofthatembrace；andwhenshelookedupagainitseemedtoherasifthatfirstvisionwhichshehadhadofhimwithwearyheadbent，andwan，haggardfacewasnotreality，onlyadreambornofherownanxietyforhim，fornowthehot，ardentbloodcoursedjustasswiftlyaseverthroughhisveins，asiflife——strong，tenacious，pulsatinglife——throbbedwithunabatedvigourinthosemassivelimbs，andbehindthatsquare，clearbrowasthoughthebody，buthalfsubdued，hadtransferreditsvanishingstrengthtothekindandnobleheartthatwasbeatingwiththefervourofself-sacrifice。
　　“Percy，“shesaidgently，“theywillonlygiveusafewmomentstogether。Theythoughtthatmytearswouldbreakyourspiritwheretheirdevilryhadfailed。“
　　Heheldherglancewithhisown，withthatclose，intentlookwhichbindssoultosoul，andinhisdeepblueeyestheredancedtherestlessflamesofhisownundyingmirth：
　　“La！littlewoman，“hesaidwithenforcedlightness，evenwhilsthisvoicequiveredwiththeintensityofpassionengenderedbyherpresence，hernearness，theperfumeofherhair，“howlittletheyknowyou，eh？Yourbrave，beautiful，exquisitesoul，shiningnowthroughyourgloriouseyes，woulddefythemachinationsofSatanhimselfandhishorde。Closeyourdeareyes，mylove。IshallgomadwithjoyifIdrinktheirbeautyinanylonger。“
　　Heheldherfacebetweenhistwohands，andindeeditseemedasifhecouldnotsatiatehissoulwithlookingintohereyes。Inthemidstofsomuchsorrow，suchmiseryandsuchdeadlyfear，neverhadMargueritefeltquitesohappy，neverhadshefelthimsocompletelyherown。Theinevitablebodilyweakness，whichofnecessityhadinvadedevenhissplendidphysiqueafterawholeweek'sprivations，hadmadeaseverebreachintheinvinciblebarrierofself-controlwithwhichthesouloftheinnermanwaskeptperpetuallyhiddenbehindamaskofindifferenceandofirresponsibility。
　　Andyettheagonyofseeingthelinesofsorrowsoplainlywritonthebeautifulfaceofthewomanheworshippedmusthavebeenthekeenestthattheboldadventurerhadeverexperiencedinthewholecourseofhisrecklesslife。Itwashe——andhealone——whowasmakinghersuffer；herforwhosesakehewouldgladlyhaveshedeverydropofhisblood，enduredeverytorment，everymiseryandeveryhumiliation；herwhomheworshippedonlyonedegreelessthanheworshippedhishonourandthecausewhichhehadmadehisown。
　　Yet，inspiteofthatagony，inspiteoftheheartrendingpathosofherpalewanface，andthroughtheanguishofseeinghertears，therulingpassion——strongindeath——thespiritofadventure，themad，wild，devil-may-careirresponsibilitywasneverwhollyabsent。
　　“Dearheart，“hesaidwithaquaintsigh，whilstheburiedhisfaceinthesoftmassesofherhair，“untilyoucameIwassod——dfatigued。“
　　Hewaslaughing，andtheoldlookofboyishloveofmischiefilluminedhishaggardface。
　　“Isitnotlucky，dearheart，“hesaidamomentortwolater，“thatthosebrutesdonotleavemeunshaved？Icouldnothavefacedyouwithaweek'sgrowthofbeardroundmychin。BydintofpromisesandbriberyIhavepersuadedoneofthatrabbletocomeandshavemeeverymorning。Theywillnotallowmetohandlearazormy-self。TheyareafraidIshouldcutmythroat——oroneoftheirs。ButmostlyIamtood——dsleepytothinkofsuchathing。“
　　“Percy！”sheexclaimedwithtenderandpassionatereproach。
　　“Iknow——Iknow，dear，“hemurmured，“whatabruteIam！Ah，GoddidacruelthingthedaythatHethrewmeinyourpath。Tothinkthatonce——notsoverylongago——weweredriftingapart，youandI。Youwouldhavesufferedless，dearheart，ifwehadcontinuedtodrift。“
　　Thenashesawthathisbanteringtonepainedher，hecoveredherhandswithkisses，entreatingherforgiveness。
　　“Dearheart，“hesaidmerrily，“Ideservethatyoushouldleavemetorotinthisabominablecage。Theyhaven'tgotmeyet，littlewoman，youknow；Iamnotyetdead——onlyd——dsleepyattimes。
　　ButI'llcheatthemevennow，neverfear。“
　　“How，Percy——how？”shemoaned，forherheartwasachingwithintolerablepain；sheknewbetterthanhedidtheprecautionswhichwerebeingtakenagainsthisescape，andshesawmoreclearlythanherealisedithimselftheterriblebarriersetupagainstthatescapebyeverencroachingphysicalweakness。
　　“Well，dear，“hesaidsimply，“totellyouthetruthIhavenotyetthoughtofthatall-important'how。'Ihadtowait，yousee，untilyoucame。Iwassosurethatyouwouldcome！IhavesucceededinputtingonpaperallmyinstructionsforFfoulkesandtheothers。Iwillgivethemtoyouanon。Iknewthatyouwouldcome，andthatIcouldgivethemtoyou；untilthenIhadbuttothinkofonething，andthatwasofkeepingbodyandsoultogether。
　　Mychanceofseeingyouwastoletthemhavetheirwillwithme。
　　Thosebrutesweresure，soonerorlater，tobringyoutome，thatyoumightseethecagedfoxworndowntoimbecility，eh？Thatyoumightaddyourtearstotheirpersuasion，andsucceedwheretheyhavefailed。“
　　Helaughedlightlywithanunstrainednoteofgaiety，onlyMarguerite'ssensitiveearscaughtthefainttoneofbitternesswhichrangthroughthelaugh。
　　“OnceIknowthatthelittleKingofFranceissafe，“hesaid，“I
　　canthinkofhowbesttorobthosed——dmurderersofmyskin。“
　　Thensuddenlyhismannerchanged。Hestillheldherwithonearmcloselyto，him，buttheothernowlayacrossthetable，andtheslender，emaciatedhandwastightlyclutched。Hedidnotlookather，butstraightahead；theeyes，unnaturallylargenow，withtheirdeeppurplerims，lookedfaraheadbeyondthestonewallsofthisgrim，cruelprison。
　　Thepassionatelover，hungeringforhisbeloved，hadvanished；
　　theresatthemanwithapurpose，themanwhosefirmhandhadsnatchedmenandwomenandchildrenfromdeath，therecklessenthusiastwhotossedhislifeagainstanideal。
　　Forawhilehesatthus，whileinhisdrawnandhaggardfaceshecouldtraceeverylineformedbyhisthoughts——thefrownofanxiety，theresolutesettingofthelips，theobstinatelookofwillaroundthefirmjaw。Thenheturnedagaintoher。
　　“Mybeautifulone，“hesaidsoftly，“themomentsareveryprecious。GodknowsIcouldspendeternitythuswithyourdearformnestlingagainstmyheart。Butthosed——dmurdererswillonlygiveushalfanhour，andIwantyourhelp，mybeloved，nowthatIamahelplesscurcaughtintheirtrap。Willyoulistenattentively，dearheart，towhatIamgoingtosay？
　　“Yes，Percy，Iwilllisten，“shereplied。
　　“AndhaveyouthecouragetodojustwhatItellyou，dear？”
　　“Iwouldnothavecouragetodoaughtelse，“shesaidsimply。
　　“Itmeansgoingfromhenceto-day，dearheart，andperhapsnotmeetingagain。Hush-sh-sh，mybeloved，“hesaid，tenderlyplacinghisthinhandoverhermouth，fromwhichasharpcryofpainhadwell-nighescaped；“yourexquisitesoulwillbewithmealways。
　　Try——trynottogivewaytodespair。Why！yourlovealone，whichI
　　seeshiningfromyourdeareyes，isenoughtomakeamanclingtolifewithallhismight。Tellme！willyoudoasIaskyou？”
　　Andsherepliedfirmlyandcourageously：
　　“Iwilldojustwhatyouask，Percy。“
　　“Godblessyouforyourcourage，dear。Youwillhaveneedofit。“
　　CHAPTERXXIX
　　FORTHESAKEOFTHATHELPLESSINNOCENT
　　Thenextinstanthewaskneelingonthefloorandhishandswerewanderingoverthesmall，irregularflagstonesimmediatelyunderneaththetable。Margueritehadrisentoherfeet；shewatchedherhusbandwithintentandpuzzledeyes；shesawhimsuddenlypasshisslenderfingersalongacrevicebetweentwoflagstones，thenraiseoneoftheseslightlyandfrombeneathitextractasmallbundleofpapers，eachcarefullyfoldedandsealed。Thenhereplacedthestoneandoncemorerosetohisknees。
　　Hegaveaquickglancetowardthedoorway。Thatcornerofhiscell，therecesswhereinstoodthetable，wasinvisibletoanyonewhohadnotactuallycrossedthethreshold。Reassuredthathismovementscouldnothavebeenandwerenotwatched，hedrewMargueriteclosertohim。
　　“Dearheart，“hewhispered，“Iwanttoplacethesepapersinyourcare。Lookuponthemasmylastwillandtestament。Isucceededinfoolingthosebrutesonedaybypretendingtobewillingtoaccedetotheirwill。Theygavemepenandinkandpaperandwax，andIwastowriteoutanordertomyfollowerstobringtheDauphinhither。Theyleftmeinpeaceforonequarterofanhour，whichgavemetimetowritethreeletters——oneforArmandandtheothertwoforFfoulkes，andtohidethemundertheflooringofmycell。Yousee，dear，IknewthatyouwouldcomeandthatIcouldgivethemtoyouthen。“
　　Hepaused，andthat，ghostofasmileoncemorehoveredroundhislips。HewasthinkingofthatdaywhenhehadfooledHeronandChauvelinintothebeliefthattheirdevilryhadsucceeded，andthattheyhadbroughttherecklessadventurertohisknees。Hesmiledattherecollectionoftheirwrathwhentheyknewthattheyhadbeentricked，andafteraquarterofanhoursanxiouswaitingfoundafewsheetsofpaperscribbledoverwithincoherentwordsorsatiricalverse，andtheprisonerhavingapparentlysnatchedtenminutes'sleep，whichseeminglyhadrestoredtohimquiteamodicumofhisstrength。
　　ButofthishetoldMargueritenothing，noroftheinsultsandthehumiliationwhichhehadhadtobearinconsequenceofthattrick。
　　Hedidnottellherthatdirectlyafterwardstheorderwentforththattheprisonerwastobekeptonbreadandwaterinthefuture，northatChauvelinhadstoodbylaughingandjeeringwhile……
　　No！hedidnottellherallthat；therecollectionofitallhadstillthepowertomakehimlaugh；wasitnotallapartandparcelofthatgreatgambleforhumanliveswhereinhehadheldthewinningcardshimselfforsolong？
　　“Itisyourturnnow，“hehadsaideventhentohisbitterenemy。
　　“Yes！”Chauvelinhadreplied，“ourturnatlast。AndyouwillnotbendmyfineEnglishgentleman，we'llbreakyouyet，neverfear。“
　　Itwasthethoughtofitall，ofthathandtohand，willtowill，spirittospiritstrugglethatlighteduphishaggardfaceevennow，gavehimafreshzestforlife，adesiretocombatandtoconquerinspiteofall，inspiteoftheoddsthathadmartyredhisbodybutleftthemind，thewill，thepowerstillunconquered。
　　Hewaspressingoneofthepapersintoherhand，holdingherfingerstightlyinhis，andcompellinghergazewiththeardentexcitementofhisown。
　　“ThisfirstletterisforFfoulkes，“hesaid。“ItrelatestothefinalmeasuresforthesafetyoftheDauphin。TheyaremyinstructionstothosemembersoftheLeaguewhoareinornearParisatthepresentmoment。Ffoulkes，Iknow，mustbewithyou——hewasnotlikely，Godblesshisloyalty，toletyoucometoParisalone。Thengivethislettertohim，dearheart，atonce，to-night，andtellhimthatitismyexpresscommandthatheandtheothersshallactinminuteaccordancewithmyinstructions。“
　　“ButtheDauphinsurelyissafenow，“sheurged。“Ffoulkesandtheothersarehereinordertohelpyou。“
　　“Tohelpme，dearheart？”heinterposedearnestly。“Godalonecandothatnow，andsuchofmypoorwitsasthesedevilsdonotsucceedincrushingoutofmewithinthenexttendays。“
　　Tendays！
　　“Ihavewaitedaweek，untilthishourwhenIcouldplacethispacketinyourhands；anothertendaysshouldseetheDauphinoutofFrance——afterthat，weshallsee。“
　　“Percy，“sheexclaimedinanagonyofhorror，“youcannotendurethisanotherday——andlive！”
　　“Nay！”hesaidinatonethatwasalmostinsolentinitsprouddefiance，“thereisbutlittlethatamancannotdoanhesetshismindtoit。Fortherest，'tisinGod'shands！”headdedmoregently。“Dearheart！yousworethatyouwouldbebrave。TheDauphinisstillinFrance，anduntilheisoutofithewillnotreallybesafe；hisfriendswantedtokeephiminsidethecountry。
　　Godonlyknowswhattheystillhope；hadIbeenfreeIshouldnothaveallowedhimtoremainsolong；nowthosegoodpeopleatManteswillyieldtomyletterandtoFfoulkes'earnestappeal——
　　theywillallowoneofourLeaguetoconveythechildsafelyoutofFrance，andI'llwaithereuntilIknowthatheissafe。IfI
　　triedtogetawaynow，andsucceeded——why，Heavenhelpus！thehueandcrymightturnagainstthechild，andhemightbecapturedbeforeIcouldgettohim。Dearheart！dear，dearheart！trytounderstand。Thesafetyofthatchildisboundwithminehonour，butIsweartoyou，mysweetlove，thatthedayonwhichIfeelthatthatsafetyisassuredIwillsavemineownskin——whatthereisleftofit——ifIcan！”
　　“Percy！”shecriedwithasuddenoutburstofpassionaterevolt，“youspeakasifthesafetyofthatchildwereofmoremomentthanyourown。Tendays！——but，GodinHeaven！haveyouthoughthowI
　　shalllivethesetendays，whilstslowly，inchbyinch，yougiveyourdear，yourpreciouslifeforaforlorncause？
　　“Iamverytough，m'dear，“hesaidlightly；“'tisnotaquestionoflife。Ishallonlybespendingafewmoreveryuncomfortabledaysinthisd——dhole；butwhatofthat？”
　　Hereyesspokethereply；hereyesveiledwithtears，thatwanderedwithheart-breakinganxietyfromthehollowcirclesroundhisowntothelinesofwearinessaboutthefirmlipsandjaw。Helaughedathersolicitude。
　　“Icanlastoutlongerthanthesebruteshaveanyideaof，“hesaidgaily。
　　“Youcheatyourself，Percy，“sherejoinedwithquietearnestness。
　　“Everydaythatyouspendimmuredbetweenthesewalls，withthatceaselessnerve-rackingtormentofsleeplessnesswhichthesedevilshavedevisedforthebreakingofyourwill——everydaythusspentdiminishesyourpowerofultimatelysavingyourself。Yousee，Ispeakcalmly——dispassionately——Idonotevenurgemyclaimsuponyourlife。Butwhatyoumustweighinthebalanceistheclaimofallthoseforwhominthepastyouhavealreadystakedyourlife，whoselivesyouhavepurchasedbyriskingyourown。
　　What，incomparisonwithyournoblelife，isthatofthepunydescendantofalineofdecadentkings？Whyshoulditbesacrificed——ruthlessly，hopelesslysacrificedthataboymightlivewhoisasnothingtotheworld，tohiscountry——eventohisownpeople？”
　　Shehadtriedtospeakcalmly，neverraisinghervoicebeyondawhisper。Herhandsstillclutchedthatpaper，whichseemedtosearherfingers，thepaperwhichshefeltheldwrituponitssmoothsurfacethedeath-sentenceofthemansheloved。
　　Buthislookdidnotanswerherfirmappeal；itwasfixedfarawaybeyondtheprisonwalls，onalonelycountryroadoutsideParis，withtherainfallinginathindrizzle，andleadencloudsoverheadchasingoneanother，drivenbythegale。
　　“Poormite，“hemurmuredsoftly；“hewalkedsobravelybymyside，untilthelittlefeetgrewweary；thenhenestledinmyarmsandsleptuntilwemetFfoulkeswaitingwiththecart。HewasnoKingofFrancejustthen，onlyahelplessinnocentwhomHeavenaidedmetosave。“
　　Margueritebowedherheadinsilence。Therewasnothingmorethatshecouldsay，nopleathatshecouldurge。Indeed，shehadunderstood，ashehadbeggedhertounderstand。Sheunderstoodthatlongagohehadmappedoutthecourseofhislife，andnowthatthatcoursehappenedtoleadupaCalvaryofhumiliationandofsufferinghewasnotlikelytoturnback，eventhough，onthesummit，deathalreadywaswaitingandbeckoningwithnouncertainhand；notuntilhecouldmurmur，inthewakeofthegreatanddivinesacrificeitself，thesublimewords：
　　“Itisaccomplished。“
　　“ButtheDauphinissafeenoughnow，“wasallthatshesaid，afterthatonemoment'ssilencewhenherheart，too，hadoffereduptoGodthesupremeabnegationofself，andcalmlyfacedasorrowwhichthreatenedtobreakitatlast。
　　“Yes！”herejoinedquietly，“safeenoughforthemoment。ButhewouldbesaferstillifhewereoutofFrance。IhadhopedtotakehimonedaywithmetoEngland。ButinthisplandamnableFatehasinterfered。HisadherentswantedtogethimtoVienna，andtheirwishhadbestbefulfillednow。InmyinstructionstoFfoulkesIhavemappedoutasimplewayforaccomplishingthejourney。Tonywillbetheonebestsuitedtoleadtheexpedition，andIwanthimtomakestraightforHolland；theNorthernfrontiersarenotsocloselywatchedasaretheAustrianones。
　　ThereisafaithfuladherentoftheBourboncausewholivesatDelft，andwhowillgivetheshelterofhisnameandhometothefugitiveKingofFranceuntilhecanbeconveyedtoVienna。HeisnamedNauudorff。OnceIfeelthatthechildissafeinhishandsIwilllookaftermyself，neverfear。“
　　Hepaused，forhisstrength，whichwasonlyfactitious，bornoftheexcitementthatMarguerite'spresencehadcalledforth，wasthreateningtogiveway。Hisvoice，thoughhehadspokeninawhisperallalong，wasveryhoarse，andhistempleswerethrobbingwiththesustainedefforttospeak。
　　“Ifthosefriendshadonlythoughtofdenyingmefoodinsteadofsleep，“hemurmuredinvoluntarily，“Icouldhaveheldoutuntil——“
　　Thenwithcharacteristicswiftnesshismoodchangedinamoment。
　　HisarmsclosedroundMargueriteoncemorewithapassionofself-reproach。
　　“Heavenforgivemeforaselfishbrute，“hesaid，whilsttheghostofasmileoncemorelitupthewholeofhisface。“Dearsoul，I
　　musthaveforgottenyoursweetpresence，thusbroodingovermyowntroubles，whilstyourlovinghearthasagraverburden——Godhelpme！——thanitcanpossiblybear。Listen，mybeloved，forIdon'tknowhowmanyminuteslongertheyintendtogiveus，andIhavenotyetspokentoyouaboutArmand——“
　　“Armand！”shecried。
　　Atwingeofremorsehadgrippedher。Forfullytenminutesnowshehadrelegatedallthoughtsofherbrothertoadistantcellofhermemory。
　　“WehavenonewsofArmand，“shesaid。“SirAndrewhassearchedalltheprisonregisters。Oh！werenotmyheartatrophiedbyallthatithasenduredthispastsennightitwouldfeelafinalthrobofagonisingpainateverythoughtofArmand。“
　　Acuriouslook，whichevenherlovingeyesfailedtointerpret，passedlikeashadowoverherhusband'sface。Buttheshadowliftedinamoment，anditwaswithareassuringsmilethathesaidtoher：
　　“Dearheart！Armandiscomparativelysafeforthemoment。TellFfoulkesnottosearchtheprisonregistersforhim，rathertoseekoutMademoiselleLange。ShewillknowwheretofindArmand。“
　　“JeanneLange！”sheexclaimedwithaworldofbitternessinthetoneofhervoice，“thegirlwhomArmandloved，itseems，withapassiongreaterthanhisloyalty。Oh！SirAndrewtriedtodisguisemybrother'sfolly，butIguessedwhathedidnotchoosetotellme。Itwashisdisobedience，hiswantoftrust，thatbroughtthisunspeakablemiseryonusall。“
　　“Donotblamehimovermuch，dearheart。Armandwasinlove，andloveexcuseseverysincommittedinitsname。JeanneLangewasarrestedandArmandlosthisreasontemporarily。TheverydayonwhichIrescuedtheDauphinfromtheTempleIhadthegoodfortunetodragthelittleladyoutofprison。IhadgivenmypromisetoArmandthatsheshouldhesafe，andIkeptmyword。ButthisArmanddidnotknow——orelse——“
　　Hecheckedhimselfabruptly，andoncemorethatstrange，enigmaticallookcreptintohiseyes。
　　“ItookJeanneLangetoaplaceofcomparativesafety，“hesaidafteraslightpause，“butsincethenshehasbeensetentirelyfree。“
　　“Free？”
　　“Yes。Chauvelinhimselfbroughtmethenews，“herepliedwithaquick，mirthlesslaugh，whollyunlikehisusuallight-heartedgaiety。“HehadtoaskmewheretofindJeanne，forIaloneknewwhereshewas。AsforArmand，they'llnotworryabouthimwhilstI
　　amhere。AnotherreasonwhyImustbideawhilelonger。Butinthemeanwhile，dear，IprayyoufindMademoiselleLange；shelivesatNo。5SquareduRoule。ThroughherIknowthatyoucangettoseeArmand。Thissecondletter，“headded，pressingasmallerpacketintoherhand，“isforhim。Giveittohim，dearheart；itwill，Ihope，tendtocheerhim。Ifearmethepoorladfrets；
　　yetheonlysinnedbecauseheloved，andtomehewillalwaysbeyourbrother——themanwhoheldyouraffectionforalltheyearsbeforeIcameintoyourlife。Givehimthisletter，dear；theyaremyinstructionstohim，astheothersareforFfoulkes；buttellhimtoreadthemwhenheisallalone。Youwilldothat，dearheart，willyounot？”
　　“Yes，Percy，“shesaidsimply。“Ipromise。“
　　Greatjoy，andtheexpressionofintenserelief，lituphisface，whilsthiseyesspokethegratitudewhichhefelt。
　　“Thenthereisonethingmore，“hesaid。“Thereareothersinthiscruelcity，dearheart，whohavetrustedme，andwhomImustnotfail——MariedeMarmontelandherbrother，faithfulservantsofthelatequeen；theywereontheeveofarrestwhenIsucceededingettingthemtoaplaceofcomparativesafety；andthereareothersthere，tooallofthesepoorvictimshavetrustedmeimplicitly。Theyarewaitingformethere，trustinginmypromisetoconveythemsafelytoEngland。Sweetheart，youmustredeemmypromisetothem。Youwill？——youwill？Promisemethatyouwill——“
　　“Ipromise，Percy，“shesaidoncemore。
　　“Thengo，dear，to-morrow，inthelateafternoon，toNo。98，RuedeCharonne。Itisanarrowhouseattheextremeendofthatlongstreetwhichabutsonthefortifications。Thelowerpartofthehouseisoccupiedbyadealerinragsandoldclothes。Heandhiswifeandfamilyarewretchedlypoor，buttheyarekind，goodsouls，andforaconsiderationandaminimumofrisktothemselvestheywillalwaysrenderservicetotheEnglishmilors，whomtheybelievetobeabandofinveteratesmugglers。Ffoulkesandalltheothersknowthesepeopleandknowthehouse；Armandbythesametokenknowsittoo。MariedeMarmontelandherbrotherarethere，andseveralothers；theoldComtedeLezardiere，theAbbedeFirmont；theirnamesspellsuffering，loyalty，andhopelessness。
　　Iwasluckyenoughtoconveythemsafelytothathiddenshelter。
　　Theytrustmeimplicitly，dearheart。Theyarewaitingformethere，trustinginmypromisetothem。Dearheart，youwillgo，willyounot？”
　　“Yes，Percy，“shereplied。“Iwillgo；Ihavepromised。“
　　“Ffoulkeshassomecertificatesofsafetybyhim，andtheoldclothesdealerwillsupplythenecessarydisguises；hehasacoveredcartwhichheusesforhisbusiness，andwhichyoucanborrowfromhim。FfoulkeswilldrivethelittlepartytoAchard'sfarminSt。Germain，whereothermembersoftheLeagueshouldbeinwaitingforthefinaljourneytoEngland。Ffoulkeswillknowhowtoarrangeforeverything；hewasalwaysmymostablelieutenant。OnceeverythingisorganisedhecanappointHastingstoleadtheparty。Butyou，dearheart，mustdoasyouwish。
　　Achard'sfarmwouldbeasaferetreatforyouandforFfoulkes：
　　if……Iknow——Iknow，dear，“headdedwithinfinitetenderness。
　　“SeeIdonotevensuggestthatyoushouldleaveme。Ffoulkeswillbewithyou，andIknowthatneitherhenoryouwouldgoevenifIcommanded。EitherAchard'sfarm，oreventhehouseintheRuedeCharonne，wouldhequitesafeforyou，dear，underFfoulkes'sprotection，untilthetimewhenImyselfcancarryyouback——you，mypreciousburden——toEnglandinmineownarms，oruntil……Hush-sh-sh，dearheart，“heentreated，smotheringwithapassionatekissthelowmoanofpainwhichhadescapedherlips；
　　“itisallinGod'shandsnow；Iaminatightcorner——tighterthaneverIhavebeenbefore；butIamnotdeadyet，andthosebruteshavenotyetpaidthefullpriceformylife。Tellme，dearheart，thatyouhaveunderstood——thatyouwilldoallthatI
　　asked。Tellmeagain，mydear，dearlove；itistheveryessenceoflifetohearyoursweetlipsmurmurthispromisenow。“
　　Andforthethirdtimeshereiteratedfirmly：
　　“Ihaveunderstoodeverywordthatyousaidtome，Percy，andI
　　promiseonyourpreciouslifetodowhatyouask。“
　　Hesighedadeepsighofsatisfaction，andevenatthatmomenttherecamefromtheguard-roombeyondthesoundofaharshvoice，sayingperemptorily：
　　“Thathalf-hourisnearlyover，sergeant；'tistimeyouinterfered。“
　　“Threeminutesmore，citizen，“wasthecurtreply。
　　“Threeminutes，youdevils，“murmuredBlakeneybetweensetteeth，whilstasuddenlightwhichevenMarguerite'skeengazefailedtointerpretleaptintohiseyes。Thenhepressedthethirdletterintoherhand。
　　Oncemorehisclose，intentgazecompelledhers；theirfaceswerecloseonetotheother，soneartohimdidhedrawher，sotightlydidheholdhertohim。Thepaperwasinherhandandhisfingerswerepressedfirmlyonhers。
　　“Putthisinyourkerchief，mybeloved，“hewhispered。“LetitrestonyourexquisitebosomwhereIsolovetopillowmyhead。
　　Keepitthereuntilthelasthourwhenitseemstoyouthatnothingmorecancomebetweenmeandshame……Hush-sh-sh，dear，“headdedwithpassionatetenderness，checkingthehotprotestthatattheword“shame“hadsprungtoherlips，“Icannotexplainmorefullynow。Idonotknowwhatmayhappen。Iamonlyaman，andwhoknowswhatsubtledevilrythosebrutesmightnotdeviseforbringingtheuntamedadventurertohisknees。ForthenexttendaystheDauphinwillbeonthehighroadsofFrance，onhiswaytosafety。Everystageofhisjourneywillbeknowntome。Icanfrombetweenthesefourwallsfollowhimandhisescortstepbystep。Well，dear，Iambutaman，alreadybroughttoshamefulweaknessbymerephysicaldiscomfort——thewantofsleep——suchatrifleafterall；butincasemyreasontottered——
　　GodknowswhatImightdo——thengivethispackettoFfoulkes——itcontainsmyfinalinstructions——andhewillknowhowtoact。
　　Promiseme，dearheart，thatyouwillnotopenthepacketunless——
　　unlessmineowndishonourseemstoyouimminent——unlessIhaveyieldedtothesebrutesinthisprison，andsentFfoulkesoroneoftheothersorderstoexchangetheDauphin'slifeformine；then，whenmineownhandwritinghathproclaimedmeacoward，thenandthenonly，givethispackettoFfoulkes。Promisemethat，andalsothatwhenyouandhehavemastereditscontentsyouwillactexactlyasIhavecommanded。Promisemethat，dear，inyourownsweetname，whichmayGodbless，andinthatofFfoulkes，ourloyalfriend。“
　　Throughthesobsthatwell-nighchokedhershemurmuredthepromisehedesired。
　　Hisvoicehadgrownhoarserandmorespentwiththeinevitablereactionafterthelongandsustainedeffort，butthevigourofthespiritwasuntouched，thefervour，theenthusiasm。
　　“Dearheart，“hemurmured，“donotlookonmewiththosedear，scaredeyesofyours。IfthereisaughtthatpuzzlesyouinwhatIsaid，tryandtrustmeawhilelonger。Remember，ImustsavetheDauphinatallcosts；minehonourisboundwithhissafety。Whathappenstomeafterthatmattersbutlittle，yetIwishtoliveforyourdearsake。“
　　Hedrewalongbreathwhichhadnaughtofwearinessinit。Thehaggardlookhadcompletelyvanishedfromhisface，theeyeswerelightedupfromwithin，theverysoulofrecklessdaringandimmortalgaietyilluminedhiswholepersonality。
　　“Donotlooksosad，littlewoman，“hesaidwithastrangeandsuddenrecrudescenceofpower；“thosed——dmurderershavenotgotmeyet——evennow。“
　　Thenhewentdownlikealog。
　　Theefforthadbeentooprolonged——weakenednaturereassertedherrightsandhelostconsciousness。Marguerite，helplessandalmostdistraughtwithgrief，hadyetthestrengthofmindnottocallforassistance。Shepillowedthelovedone'sheaduponherbreast，shekissedthedear，tiredeyes，thepoorthrobbingtemples。Theunutterablepathosofseeingthisman，whowasalwaysthepersonificationofextremevitality，energy，andboundlessenduranceandpluck，lyingthushelpless，likeatiredchild，inherarms，wasperhapsthesaddestmomentofthisdayofsorrow。
　　Butinhertrustsheneverwaveredforoneinstant。Muchthathehadsaidhadpuzzledher；buttheword“shame“comingfromhisownlipsasacommentonhimselfnevercausedhertheslightestpangoffear。Shehadquicklyhiddenthetinypacketinherkerchief。
　　Shewouldactpointbypointexactlyashehadorderedhertodo，andsheknewthatFfoulkeswouldneverwavereither。
　　Herheartachedwell-nightobreakingpoint。Thatwhichshecouldnotunderstandhadincreasedheranguishtenfold。Ifshecouldonlyhavegivenwaytotearsshecouldhavebornethisfinalagonymoreeasily。Butthesolaceoftearswasnotforher；whenthoselovedeyesoncemoreopenedtoconsciousnesstheyshouldseehersglowingwithcourageanddetermination。
　　Therehadbeensilenceforafewminutesinthelittlecell。Thesoldieryoutside，inuredtotheirhideousduty，thoughtnodoubtthatthetimehadcomeforthemtointerfere。Theironbarwasraisedandthrownbackwithaloudcrash，thebutt-endsofmusketsweregroundedagainstthefloor，andtwosoldiersmadenoisyirruptionintothecell。
　　“Hola，citizen！Wakeup，“shoutedoneofthemen；“youhavenottoldusyetwhatyouhavedonewithCapet！”
　　Margueriteutteredacryofhorror。Instinctivelyherarmswereinterposedbetweentheunconsciousmanandtheseinhumancreatures，withabeautifulgestureofprotectingmotherhood。
　　“Hehasfainted，“shesaid，hervoicequiveringwithindignation。
　　“MyGod！areyoudevilsthatyouhavenotonesparkofmanhoodinyou？”
　　Themenshruggedtheirshoulders，andbothlaughedbrutally。Theyhadseenworsesightsthanthese，sincetheyservedaRepublicthatruledbybloodshedandbyterror。Theywereownbrothersincallousnessandcrueltytothosemenwhoonthisself-samespotafewmonthsagohadwatchedthedailyagonyofamartyredQueen，ortothosewhohadrushedintotheAbbayeprisononthatawfuldayinSeptember，andatawordfromtheirinfamousleadershadputeightydefencelessprisoners——men，women，andchildren——tothesword。
　　“TellhimtosaywhathehasdonewithCapet，“saidoneofthesoldiersnow，andthisroughcommandwasaccompaniedwithacoarsejestthatsentthebloodflaringupintoMarguerite'spalecheeks。
　　Thebrutallaugh，thecoarsewordswhichaccompaniedit，theinsultflungatMarguerite，hadpenetratedtoBlakeney'sslowlyreturningconsciousness。Withsuddenstrength，thatappearedalmostsupernatural，hejumpedtohisfeet，andbeforeanyoftheotherscouldinterferehehadwithclenchedfiststruckthesoldierafullblowonthemouth。
　　Themanstaggeredbackwithacurse，theothershoutedforhelp；
　　inamomentthenarrowplaceswarmedwithsoldiers；Margueritewasroughlytornawayfromtheprisoner'sside，andthrustintothefarcornerofthecell，fromwheresheonlysawaconfusedmassofbluecoatsandwhitebelts，and——toweringforonebriefmomentabovewhatseemedtoherfeveredfancylikeaveritableseaofheads——thepalefaceofherhusband，withwidedilatedeyessearchingthegloomforhers。
　　“Remember！”heshouted，andhisvoiceforthatbriefmomentrangoutclearandsharpabovethedin。
　　Thenhedisappearedbehindthewallofglisteningbayonets，ofbluecoatsandupliftedarms；mercifullyforhersherememberednothingmoreveryclearly。Shefeltherselfbeingdraggedoutofthecell，theironbarbeingthrustdownbehindherwithaloudclang。Theninavague，dreamystateofsemi-unconsciousnessshesawtheheavyboltsbeingdrawnbackfromtheouterdoor，heardthegratingofthekeyinthemonumentallock，andthenextmomentabreathoffreshairbroughtthesensationofrenewedlifeintoher。
　　CHAPTERXXX
　　AFTERWARDS
　　“Iamsorry，LadyBlakeney，“saidaharsh，dryvoiceclosetoher；“theincidentattheendofyourvisitwasnoneofourmaking，remember。“
　　Sheturnedaway，sickenedwithhorroratthoughtofcontactwiththiswretch。Shehadheardtheheavyoakendoorswingtobehindheronitsponderoushinges，andthekeyonceagainturninthelock。Shefeltasifshehadsuddenlybeenthrustintoacoffin，andthatclodsofearthwerebeingthrownuponherbreast，oppressingherheartsothatshecouldnotbreathe。
　　Hadshelookedforthelasttimeonthemanwhomshelovedbeyondeverythingelseonearth，whomsheworshippedmoreardentlydaybyday？Wassheevennowcarryingwithinthefoldsofherkerchiefamessagefromadyingmantohiscomrades？
　　MechanicallyshefollowedChauvelindownthecorridorandalongthepassageswhichshehadtraversedabriefhalf-hourago。Fromsomedistantchurchtoweraclocktolledthehouroften。Ithadthenreallyonlybeenlittlemorethanthirtybriefminutessincefirstshehadenteredthisgrimbuilding，whichseemedlessstonythanthemonsterswhoheldauthoritywithinit；toheritseemedthatcenturieshadgoneoverherheadduringthattime。Shefeltlikeanoldwoman，unabletostraightenherbackortosteadyherlimbs；shecouldonlydimlyseesomefewpacesaheadthetrimfigureofChauvelinwalkingwithmeasuredsteps，hishandsheldbehindhisback，hisheadthrownupwithwhatlookedliketriumphantdefiance。
　　Atthedoorofthecubiclewhereshehadbeenforcedtosubmittotheindignityofbeingsearchedbyawardress，thelatterwasnowstanding，waitingwithcharacteristicstolidity。Inherhandsheheldthesteelfiles，thedaggerandthepursewhich，asMargueritepassed，sheheldouttoher。
　　“Yourproperty，citizeness，“shesaidplacidly。
　　Sheemptiedthepurseintoherownhand，andsolemnlycountedoutthetwentypiecesofgold。Shewasabouttoreplacethemallintothepurse，whenMargueritepressedoneofthembackintoherwrinkledhand。
　　“Nineteenwillbeenough，citizeness，“shesaid；“keeponeforyourself，notonlyforme，butforallthepoorwomenwhocomeherewiththeirheartfullofhope，andgohencewithitfullofdespair。“
　　Thewomanturnedcalm，lack-lustreeyesonher，andsilentlypocketedthegoldpiecewithagrudginglymutteredwordofthanks。
　　Chauvelinduringthisbriefinterlude，hadwalkedthoughtlesslyonahead。Marguerite，peeringdownthelengthofthenarrowcorridor，spiedhissable-cladfiguresomehundredmetresfurtheronasitcrossedthedimcircleoflightthrownbyoneofthelamps。
　　Shewasabouttofollow，whenitseemedtoherasifsomeonewasmovinginthedarknessclosebesideher。Thewardresswasevennowintheactofclosingthedoorofhercubicle，andtherewereacoupleofsoldierswhoweredisappearingfromviewroundoneendofthepassage，whilstChauvelin'sretreatingformwaslostinthegloomattheother。
　　Therewasnolightclosetowheresheherselfwasstanding，andtheblacknessaroundherwasasimpenetrableasaveil；thesoundofahumancreaturemovingandbreathingclosetoherinthisintensedarknessactedweirdlyonheroverwroughtnerves。
　　“Quivala？”shecalled。
　　Therewasamoredistinctmovementamongtheshadowsthistime，asofaswifttreadontheflagstonesofthecorridor。Allelsewassilentround，andnowshecouldplainlyhearthosefootstepsrunningrapidlydownthepassageawayfromher。Shestrainedhereyestoseemoreclearly，andanoninoneofthedimcirclesoflightonaheadshespiedaman'sfigure——slenderanddarklyclad——walkingquicklyyetfurtivelylikeonepursued。Ashecrossedthelightthemanturnedtolookback。ItwasherbrotherArmand。
　　Herfirstinstinctwastocalltohim；thesecondcheckedthatcalluponherlips。
　　PercyhadsaidthatArmandwasinnodanger；thenwhyshouldhebesneakingalongthedarkcorridorsofthisawfulhouseofJusticeifhewasfreeandsafe？
　　Certainly，evenatadistance，herbrother'smovementssuggestedtoMargueritethathewasindangerofbeingseen。Hecoweredinthedarkness，triedtoavoidthecirclesoflightthrownbythelampsinthepassage。AtallcostsMargueritefeltthatshemustwarnhimthatthewayhewasgoingnowwouldleadhimstraightintoChauvelin'sarms，andshelongedtolethimknowthatshewascloseby。
　　Feelingsurethathewouldrecognisehervoice，shemadepretencetoturnbacktothecubiclethroughthedoorofwhichthewardresshadalreadydisappeared，andcalledoutasloudlyasshedared：
　　“Good-night，citizeness！”
　　ButArmand——whosurelymusthaveheard——didnotpauseatthesound。Ratherwashewalkingonnowmorerapidlythanbefore。InlessthanaminutehewouldbereachingthespotwhereChauvelinstoodwaitingforMarguerite。Thatendofthecorridor，however，receivednolightfromanyofthelamps；strivehowshemight，MargueritecouldseenothingnoweitherofChauvelinorofArmand。
　　Blindly，instinctively，sheranforward，thinkingonlytoreachArmand，andtowarnhimtoturnbackbeforeitwastoolate；
　　beforehefoundhimselffacetofacewiththemostbitterenemyheandhisnearestanddearesthadeverhad。Butassheatlastcametoahaltattheendofthecorridor，pantingwiththeexertionofrunningandthefearforArmand，shealmostfellupagainstChauvelin，whowasstandingtherealoneandimperturbable，seeminglyhavingwaitedpatientlyforher。Shecouldonlydimlydistinguishhisface，thesharpfeaturesandthincruelmouth，butshefelt——morethansheactuallysaw——hiscoldsteelyeyesfixedwithastrangeexpressionofmockeryuponher。
　　ButofArmandtherewasnosign，andshe——poorsoul！——haddifficultyinnotbetrayingtheanxietywhichshefeltforherbrother。Hadtheflagstonesswallowedhimup？Adoorontherightwastheonlyonethatgaveonthecorridoratthispoint；itledtotheconcierge'slodge，andthenceoutintothecourtyard。
　　HadChauvelinbeendreaming，sleepingwithhiseyesopen，whilsthestoodwaitingforher，andhadArmandsucceededinslippingpasthimundercoverofthedarknessandthroughthatdoortosafetythatlaybeyondtheseprisonwalls？
　　Marguerite，miserablyagitated，notknowingwhattothink，lookedsomewhatwild-eyedonChauvelin；hesmiled，thatinscrutable，mirthlesssmileofhis，andsaidblandly：
　　“IsthereaughtelsethatIcandoforyou，citizeness？Thisisyournearestwayout。NodoubtSirAndrewwillbewaitingtoescortyouhome。“
　　Thenasshe——notdaringeithertoreplyortoquestion——walkedstraightuptothedoor，hehurriedforward，preparedtoopenitforher。Butbeforehedidsoheturnedtoheronceagain：
　　“Itrustthatyourvisithaspleasedyou，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidsuavely。“Atwhathourdoyoudesiretorepeatitto-morrow？”
　　“To-morrow？”shereiteratedinavague，absentmanner，forshewasstilldazedwiththestrangeincidentofArmand'sappearanceandhisflight。
　　“Yes。YouwouldliketoseeSirPercyagainto-morrow，wouldyounot？Imyselfwouldgladlypayhimavisitfromtimetotime，buthedoesnotcareformycompany。Mycolleague，citizenHeron，ontheotherhand，callsonhimfourtimesineverytwenty-fourhours；hedoessoafewmomentsbeforethechangingoftheguard，andstayschattingwithSirPercyuntilaftertheguardischanged，whenheinspectsthemenandsatisfieshimselfthatnotraitorhascreptinamongthem。Allthemenarepersonallyknowntohim，yousee。Thesehoursareatfiveinthemorningandagainateleven，andthenagainatfiveandelevenintheevening。MyfriendHeron，asyousee，iszealousandassiduous，and，strangelyenough，SirPercydoesnotseemtoviewhisvisitwithanydispleasure。Nowatanyotherhouroftheday，LadyBlakeney，I
　　prayyoucommandmeandIwillarrangethatcitizenHerongrantyouasecondinterviewwiththeprisoner。“
　　MargueritehadonlylistenedtoChauvelin'slengthyspeechwithhalfanear；herthoughtsstilldweltonthepasthalf-hourwithitsbitterjoyanditsagonisingpain；andfightingthroughherthoughtsofPercytherewastherecollectionofArmandwhichsodisquietedher。ButthoughshehadonlyvaguelylistenedtowhatChauvelinwassaying，shecaughtthedriftofit。
　　Madlyshelongedtoaccepthissuggestion。TheverythoughtofseeingPercyonthemorrowwassolacetoherachingheart；itcouldfeedonhopeto-nightinsteadofonitsownbitterpain。
　　Butevenduringthisbriefmomentofhesitancy，andwhileherwholebeingcriedoutforthisjoythatherenemywasholdingouttoher，eventheninthegloomaheadofhersheseemedtoseeavisionofapalefaceraisedaboveacrowdofswayingheads，andoftheeyesofthedreamersearchingforherown，whilstthelastsublimecryofperfectself-devotiononcemoreechoedinherear：
　　“Remember！”
　　Thepromisewhichshehadgivenhim，thatwouldshefulfil。Theburdenwhichhehadlaidonhershouldersshewouldtrytobearasheroicallyashewasbearinghisown。Aye，evenatthecostofthesupremesorrowofneverrestingagaininthehavenofhisarms。
　　Butinspiteofsorrow，inspiteofanguishsoterriblethatshecouldnotimagineDeathitselftohaveamorecruelsting，shewishedabovealltosafeguardthatfinal，attenuatedthreadofhopewhichwaswoundroundthepacketthatlayhiddenonherbreast。
　　Shewanted，aboveall，nottoarouseChauvelin'ssuspicionsbymarkedlyrefusingtovisittheprisoneragain——suspicionsthatmightleadtoherbeingsearchedoncemoreandthepreciouspacketfilchedfromher。Thereforeshesaidtohimearnestlynow：
　　“Ithankyou，citizen，foryoursolicitudeonmybehalf，butyouwillunderstand，Ithink，thatmyvisittotheprisonerhasbeenalmostmorethanIcouldbear。Icannottellyouatthismomentwhetherto-morrowIshouldbeinafitstatetorepeatit。“
　　“Asyouplease，“herepliedurbanely。“ButIprayyoutorememberonething，andthatis——“
　　Hepausedamomentwhilehisrestlesseyeswanderedrapidlyoverherface，trying，asitwere，togetatthesoulofthiswoman，atherinnermostthoughts，whichhefeltwerehiddenfromhim。
　　“Yes，citizen，“shesaidquietly；“whatisitthatIamtoremember？”
　　“Thatitrestswithyou，LadyBlakeney，toputanendtothepresentsituation。“
　　“How？”
　　“SurelyyoucanpersuadeSirPercy'sfriendsnottoleavetheirchiefindurancevile。Theythemselvescouldputanendtohistroublesto-morrow。“
　　“BygivinguptheDauphintoyou，youmean？”sheretortedcoldly。
　　“Precisely。“
　　“Andyouhoped——youstillhopethatbyplacingbeforemethepictureofyourownfiendishcrueltyagainstmyhusbandyouwillinducemetoactthepartofatraitortowardshimandacowardbeforehisfollowers？”
　　“Oh！”hesaiddeprecatingly，“thecrueltynowisnolongermine。
　　SirPercy'sreleaseisinyourhands，LadyBlakeney——inthatofhisfollowers。Ishouldonlybetoowillingtoendthepresentintolerablesituation。Youandyourfriendsareapplyingthelastturnofthethumbscrew，notI——“
　　Shesmotheredthecryofhorrorthathadrisentoherlips。Theman'scold-bloodedsophistrywasthreateningtomakeabreachinherarmourofself-control。
　　Shewouldnolongertrustherselftospeak，butmadeaquickmovementtowardsthedoor。
　　Heshruggedhisshouldersasifthematterwerenowentirelyoutofhiscontrol。Thenheopenedthedoorforhertopassout，andasherskirtsbrushedagainsthimhebowedwithstudieddeference，murmuringacordial“Good-night！”
　　“Andremember，LadyBlakeney，“headdedpolitely，“thatshouldyouatanytimedesiretocommunicatewithmeatmyrooms，19，RueDupuy，Iholdmyselfentirelyatyourservice。
　　Thenashertall，gracefulfiguredisappearedintheoutsidegloomhepassedhisthinhandoverhismouthasiftowipeawaythelastlingeringsignsoftriumphantirony：
　　“Thesecondvisitwillworkwonders，Ithink，myfinelady，“hemurmuredunderhisbreath。
　　CHAPTERXXXI
　　ANINTERLUDE
　　Itwascloseonmidnightnow，andstilltheysatoppositeoneanother，hethefriendandshethewife，talkingoverthatbriefhalf-hourthathadmeantaneternitytoher，MargueritehadtriedtotellSirAndreweverything；bitterasitwastoputintoactualwordsthepathosandmiserywhichshehadwitnessed，yetshewouldhidenothingfromthedevotedcomradewhomsheknewPercywouldtrustabsolutely。TohimsherepeatedeverywordthatPercyhaduttered，describedeveryinflectionofhisvoice，thoseenigmaticalphraseswhichshehadnotunderstood，andtogethertheycheatedoneanotherintothebeliefthathopelingeredsomewherehiddeninthosewords。
　　“Iamnotgoingtodespair，LadyBlakeney，“saidSirAndrewfirmly；“and，moreover，wearenotgoingtodisobey。IwouldstakemylifethatevennowBlakeneyhassomeschemeinhismindwhichisembodiedinthevariousletterswhichhehasgivenyou，andwhich——Heavenhelpusinthatcase！——wemightthwartbydisobedience。TomorrowinthelateafternoonIwillescortyoutotheRuedeCharonne。Itisahousethatweallknowwell，andwhichArmand，ofcourse，knowstoo。IhadalreadyinquiredtheretwodaysagotoascertainwhetherbychanceSt。Justwasnotinhidingthere，butLucas，thelandlordandold-clothesdealer，knewnothingabouthim。“
　　MargueritetoldhimaboutherswiftvisionofArmandinthedarkcorridorofthehouseofJustice。
　　“Canyouunderstandit，SirAndrew？”sheasked，fixingherdeep，luminouseyesinquiringlyuponhim。
　　“No，Icannot，“hesaid，afteranalmostimperceptiblemomentofhesitancy；“butweshallseehimto-morrow。IhavenodoubtthatMademoiselleLangewillknowwheretofindhim；andnowthatweknowwheresheis，allouranxietyabouthim，atanyrate，shouldsoonbeatanend。“
　　Heroseandmadesomeallusiontothelatenessofthehour。
　　Somehowitseemedtoherthatherdevotedfriendwastryingtohidehisinnermostthoughtsfromher。Shewatchedhimwithananxious，intentgaze。
　　“Canyouunderstanditall，SirAndrew？”shereiteratedwithapatheticnoteofappeal。
　　“No，no！”hesaidfirmly。“Onmysoul，LadyBlakeney，IknownomoreofArmandthanyoudoyourself。ButIamsurethatPercyisright。Theboyfretsbecauseremorsemusthaveassailedhimbynow。Hadhebutobeyedimplicitlythatday，aswealldid——“
　　Buthecouldnotframethewholeterriblepropositioninwords。
　　BitterlyashehimselffeltonthesubjectofArmand，hewouldnotaddyetanotherburdentothisdevotedwoman'sheavyloadofmisery。
　　“ItwasFate，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidafterawhile。“Fate！adamnablefatewhichdiditall。GreatGod！tothinkofBlakeneyinthehandsofthosebrutesseemssohorriblethatattimesI
　　feelasifthewholethingwereanightmare，andthatthenextmomentweshallbothwakehearinghismerryvoiceechoingthroughthisroom。“
　　Hetriedtocheerherwithwordsofhopethatheknewwerebutchimeras。Aheavyweightofdespondencylayonhisheart。Theletterfromhischiefwashiddenagainsthisbreast；hewouldstudyitanonintheprivacyofhisownapartmentsoastocommiteverywordtomemorythatrelatedtothemeasuresfortheultimatesafetyofthechild-King。Afterthatitwouldhavetobedestroyed，lestitfellintoinimicalhands。
　　SoonhebadeMargueritegood-night。Shewastiredout，bodyandsoul，andhe——herfaithfulfriend——vaguelywonderedhowlongshewouldbeabletowithstandthestrainofsomuchsorrow，suchunspeakablemisery。
　　WhenatlastshewasaloneMargueritemadebraveeffortstocomposehernervessoastoobtainacertainmodicumofsleepthisnight。But，strivehowshemight，sleepwouldnotcome。Howcouldit，whenbeforeherweariedbrainthereroseconstantlythatawfulvisionofPercyinthelong，narrowcell，withwearyheadbentoverhisarm，andthosefriendsshoutingpersistentlyinhisear：
　　“Wakeup，citizen！Tellus，whereisCapet？”
　　Thefearobsessedherthathismindmightgiveway；forthementalagonyofsuchintensewearinessmustbewell-nighimpossibletobear。Inthedark，asshesathourafterhourattheopenwindow，lookingoutinthedirectionwherethroughtheveilofsnowthegreywallsoftheChateletprisontoweredsilentandgrim，sheseemedtoseehispale，drawnfacewithalmostappallingreality；
　　shecouldseeeverylineofit，andcouldstudyitwiththeintensitybornofaterriblefear。
　　Howlongwouldtheghostlyglimmerofmerrimentstilllingerintheeyes？Whenwouldthehoarse，mirthlesslaughrisetothelips，thatawfullaughthatproclaimsmadness？Oh！shecouldhavescreamednowwiththeawfulnessofthishauntingterror。Ghoulsseemedtobemockingheroutofthedarkness，everyflakeofsnowthatfellsilentlyonthewindow-sillbecameagrinningfacethattauntedandderided；everycryinthesilenceofthenight，everyfootsteponthequaybelowturnedtohideousjeershurledatherbytormentingfiends。
　　Sheclosedthewindowquickly，forshefearedthatshewouldgomad。Foranhourafterthatshewalkedupanddowntheroommakingviolenteffortstocontrolhernerves，tofindaglimmerofthatcouragewhichshepromisedPercythatshewouldhave。
　　CHAPTERXXXII
　　SISTERS
　　Themorningfoundherfaggedout，butmorecalm。Lateronshemanagedtodrinksomecoffee，andhavingwashedanddressed，shepreparedtogoout。
　　SirAndrewappearedintimetoascertainherwishes。
　　“IpromisedPercytogototheRuedeCharonneinthelateafternoon，“shesaid。“Ihavesomehourstospare，andmeantoemploythemintryingtofindspeechwithMademoiselleLange。“
　　“Blakeneyhastoldyouwhereshelives？”
　　“Yes。IntheSquareduRoule。Iknowitwell。Icanbethereinhalfanhour。“
　　He，ofcourse，beggedtobeallowedtoaccompanyher，andanontheywerewalkingtogetherquicklyuptowardtheFaubourgSt。
　　Honore。Thesnowhadceasedfalling，butitwasstillverycold，butneitherMargueritenorSirAndrewwereconsciousofthetemperatureorofanyoutwardsignsaroundthem。Theywalkedonsilentlyuntiltheyreachedthetorn-downgatesoftheSquareduRoule；thereSirAndrewpartedfromMargueriteafterhavingappointedtomeetheranhourlateratasmalleating-househeknewofwheretheycouldhavesomefoodtogether，beforestartingontheirlongexpeditiontotheRuedeCharonne。
　　FiveminuteslaterMargueriteBlakeneywasshowninbyworthyMadameBelhomme，intothequaintandprettydrawing-roomwithitssoft-tonedhangingsandold-worldairoffadedgrace。
　　MademoiselleLangewassittingthere，inacapaciousarmchair，whichencircledherdelicatefigurewithitsframe-workofdulloldgold。
　　ShewasostensiblyreadingwhenMargueritewasannounced，foranopenbooklayonatablebesideher；butitseemedtothevisitorthatmayhaptheyounggirl'sthoughtshadplayedtruantfromherwork，forherposewaslistlessandapathetic，andtherewasalookofgravetroubleuponthechildlikeface。
　　SherosewhenMargueriteentered，obviouslypuzzledattheunexpectedvisit，andsomewhatawedattheappearanceofthisbeautifulwomanwiththesadlookinhereyes。
　　“Imustcraveyourpardon，mademoiselle，“saidLadyBlakeneyassoonasthedoorhadoncemoreclosedonMadameBelhomme，andshefoundherselfalonewiththeyounggirl。“Thisvisitatsuchanearlyhourmustseemtoyouanintrusion。ButIamMargueriteSt。
　　Just，and——“
　　Hersmileandoutstretchedhandcompletedthesentence。
　　“St。Just！”exclaimedJeanne。
　　“Yes。Armand'ssister！”
　　Aswiftblushrushedtothegirl'spalecheeks；herbrowneyesexpressedunadulteratedjoy。Marguerite，whowasstudyingherclosely，wasconsciousthatherpoorachingheartwentouttothisexquisitechild，thefar-offinnocentcauseofsomuchmisery。
　　Jeanne，alittleshy，alittleconfusedandnervousinhermovements，waspullingachairclosetothefire，beggingMargueritetosit。
　　Herwordscameoutallthewhileinshortjerkysentences，andfromtimetotimeshestoleswiftshyglancesatArmand'ssister。
　　“Youwillforgiveme，mademoiselle，“saidMarguerite，whosesimpleandcalmmannerquicklytendedtosootheJeanneLange'sconfusion；
　　“butIwassoanxiousaboutmybrother——Idonotknowwheretofindhim。“
　　“Andsoyoucametome，madame？”
　　“WasIwrong？”
　　“Oh，no！Butwhatmadeyouthinkthat——thatIwouldknow？”
　　“Iguessed，“saidMargueritewithasmile。“Youhadheardaboutmethen？”
　　“Oh，yes！”
　　“Throughwhom？DidArmandtellyouaboutme？”
　　“No，alas！Ihavenotseenhimthispastfortnight，sinceyou，mademoiselle，cameintohislife；butmanyofArmand'sfriendsareinParisjustnow；oneofthemknew，andhetoldme。“
　　Thesoftblushhadnowoverspreadthewholeofthegirl'sface，evendowntohergracefulneck。ShewaitedtoseeMargueritecomfortablyinstalledinanarmchair，thensheresumedshyly：
　　“AnditwasArmandwhotoldmeallaboutyou。Helovesyousodearly。“
　　“ArmandandIwereveryyoungchildrenwhenwelostourparents，“
　　saidMargueritesoftly，“andwewereallinalltoeachotherthen。
　　AnduntilImarriedhewasthemanIlovedbestinalltheworld。“
　　“Hetoldmeyouweremarried——toanEnglishman。“
　　“Yes？”
　　“HelovesEnglandtoo。Atfirsthealwaystalkedofmygoingtherewithhimashiswife，andofthehappinessweshouldfindtheretogether。“
　　“Whydoyousay'atfirst'？”
　　“HetalkslessaboutEnglandnow。“
　　“Perhapshefeelsthatnowyouknowallaboutit，andthatyouunderstandeachotherwithregardtothefuture。“
　　“Perhaps。“