JeannesatoppositetoMargueriteonalowstoolbythefire。Herelbowswererestingonherknees，andherfacejustnowwashalf-hiddenbythewealthofherbrowncurls。Shelookedexquisitelyprettysittinglikethis，withjustthesuggestionofsadnessinthelistlesspose。Margueritehadcomehereto-daypreparedtohatethisyounggirl，whoinafewbriefdayshadstolennotonlyArmand'sheart，buthisallegiancetohischief，andhistrustinhim。Sincelastnight，whenshehadseenherbrothersneaksilentlypastherlikeathiefinthenight，shehadnurturedthoughtsofill-willandangeragainstJeanne。
　　Buthatredandangerhadmeltedatthesightofthischild。
　　Marguerite，withtheperfectunderstandingbornofloveitself，hadsoonrealisedthecharmwhichawomanlikeMademoiselleLangemustofnecessityexerciseoverachivalrous，enthusiasticnaturelikeArmand's。Thesenseofprotection——thestrongestperhapsthatexistsinagoodman'sheart——woulddrawhimirresistiblytothisbeautifulchild，withthegreat，appealingeyes，andthelookofpathosthatpervadedtheentireface。Marguerite，lookinginsilenceonthe——daintypicturebeforeher，founditinherhearttoforgiveArmandfordisobeyinghischiefwhenthoseeyesbeckonedtohiminacontrarydirection。
　　Howcouldhe，howcouldanychivalrousmanendurethethoughtofthisdelicate，freshflowerlyingcrushedanddroopinginthehandsofmonsterswhorespectedneithercouragenorpurity？AndArmandhadbeenmorethanhuman，ormayhapless，ifhehadindeedconsentedtoleavethefateofthegirlwhomhehadsworntoloveandprotectinotherhandsthanhisown。
　　ItseemedalmostasifJeannewasconsciousofthefixityofMarguerite'sgaze，forthoughshedidnotturntolookather，theflushgraduallydeepenedinhercheeks。
　　“MademoiselleLange，“saidMargueritegently，“doyounotfeelthatyoucantrustme？”
　　Sheheldouthertwohandstothegirl，andJeanneslowlyturnedtoher。ThenextmomentshewaskneelingatMarguerite'sfeet，andkissingthebeautifulkindhandsthathadbeenstretchedouttoherwithsuchsisterlylove。
　　“Indeed，indeed，Idotrustyou，“shesaid，andlookedwithtear-dimmedeyesinthepalefaceaboveher。“IhavelongedforsomeoneinwhomIcouldconfide。Ihavebeensolonelylately，andArmand——“
　　Withanimpatientlittlegestureshebrushedawaythetearswhichhadgatheredinhereyes。
　　“WhathasArmandbeendoing？”askedMargueritewithanencouragingsmile。
　　“Oh，nothingtogrieveme！”repliedtheyounggirleagerly，“forheiskindandgood，andchivalrousandnoble。Oh，Ilovehimwithallmyheart！IlovedhimfromthemomentthatIseteyesonhim，andthenhecametoseeme——perhapsyouknow！AndhetalkedsobeautifulaboutEngland，andsonoblyabouthisleadertheScarletPimpernel——haveyouheardofhim？”
　　“Yes，“saidMarguerite，smiling。“Ihaveheardofhim。“
　　“ItwasthatdaythatcitizenHeroncamewithhissoldiers！Oh！
　　youdonotknowcitizenHeron。HeisthemostcruelmaninFrance。InParisheishatedbyeveryone，andnooneissafefromhisspies。HecametoarrestArmand，butIwasabletofoolhimandtosaveArmand。Andafterthat，“sheaddedwithcharmingnaivete，“Ifeltasif，havingsavedArmand'slife，hebelongedtome——andhisloveformehadmademehis。“
　　“ThenIwasarrested，“shecontinuedafteraslightpause，andattherecollectionofwhatshehadenduredthenherfreshvoicestilltrembledwithhorror。
　　“Theydraggedmetoprison，andIspenttwodaysinadarkcell，where——“
　　Shehidherfaceinherhands，whilstafewsobsshookherwholeframe；thensheresumedmorecalmly：
　　“IhadseennothingofArmand。Iwonderedwherehewas，andI
　　knewthathewouldbeeatingouthisheartwithanxietyforme。
　　ButGodwaswatchingoverme。AtfirstIwastransferredtotheTempleprison，andthereakindcreature——asortofman-of-allworkintheprisontookcompassiononme。Idonotknowhowhecontrivedit，butonemorningveryearlyhebroughtmesomefilthyoldragswhichhetoldmetoputonquickly，andwhenIhaddonethathebademefollowhim。Oh！hewasaverydirty，wretchedmanhimself，buthemusthavehadakindheart。Hetookmebythehandandmademecarryhisbroomandbrushes。Nobodytookmuchnoticeofus，thedawnwasonlyjustbreaking，andthepassageswereverydarkanddeserted；onlyoncesomesoldiersbegantochaffhimaboutme：'C'estmafille——quoi？'hesaidroughly。I
　　verynearlylaughedthen，onlyIhadthegoodsensetorestrainmyself，forIknewthatmyfreedom，andperhapsmylife，dependedonmynotbetrayingmyself。Mygrimy，tatteredguidetookmewithhimrightthroughtheinterminablecorridorsofthatawfulbuilding，whilstIprayedferventlytoGodforhimandformyself。Wegotoutbyoneoftheservicestairsandexit，andthenhedraggedmethroughsomenarrowstreetsuntilwecametoacornerwhereacoveredcartstoodwaiting。Mykindfriendtoldmetogetintothecart，andthenhebadethedriverontheboxtakemestraighttoahouseintheRueSt。Germainl'Auxerrois。Oh！Iwasinfinitelygratefultothepoorcreaturewhohadhelpedmetogetoutofthatawfulprison，andI
　　wouldgladlyhavegivenhimsomemoney，forIamsurehewasverypoor；butIhadnonebyme。HetoldmethatIshouldbequitesafeinthehouseintheRueSt。Germainl'Auxerrois，andbeggedmetowaittherepatientlyforafewdaysuntilIheardfromonewhohadmywelfareatheart，andwhowouldfurtherarrangeformysafety。“
　　Margueritehadlistenedsilentlytothisnarrativesonaivelytoldbythischild，whoobviouslyhadnoideatowhomsheowedherfreedomandherlife。Whilethegirltalked，hermindcouldfollowwithunspeakableprideandhappinesseveryphaseofthatsceneintheearlydawn，whenthatmysterious，raggedman-of-all-work，unbeknowneventothewomanwhomhewassaving，riskedhisownnoblelifeforthesakeofherwhomhisfriendandcomradeloved。
　　“Anddidyouneverseeagainthekindmantowhomyouoweyourlife？”sheasked。
　　“No！”repliedJeanne。“Ineversawhimsince；butwhenIarrivedattheRueSt。Germainl'AuxerroisIwastoldbythegoodpeoplewhotookchargeofmethattheraggedman-of-all-workhadbeennoneotherthanthemysteriousEnglishmanwhomArmandreveres，hewhomtheycalltheScarletPimpernel。“
　　“ButyoudidnotstayverylongintheRueSt。Germainl'Auxerrois，didyou？”
　　“No。Onlythreedays。ThethirddayIreceivedacommuniquefromtheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，togetherwithanunconditionalcertificateofsafety。ItmeantthatIwasfree——quitefree。Oh！
　　Icouldscarcelybelieveit。IlaughedandIcrieduntilthepeopleinthehousethoughtthatIhadgonemad。Thepastfewdayshadbeensuchahorriblenightmare。“
　　“AndthenyousawArmandagain？”
　　“Yes。TheytoldhimthatIwasfree。Andhecameheretoseeme。
　　Heoftencomes；hewillbehereanon。“
　　“Butareyounotafraidonhisaccountandyourown？Heis——hemustbestill——'suspect'；awell-knownadherentoftheScarletPimpernel，hewouldbesaferoutofParis。“
　　“No！oh，no！Armandisinnodanger。He，too，hasanunconditionalcertificateofsafety。“
　　“Anunconditionalcertificateofsafety？”askedMarguerite，whilstadeepfrownofgravepuzzlementappearedbetweenherbrows。
　　“Whatdoesthatmean？
　　“Itmeansthatheisfreetocomeandgoashelikes；thatneitherhenorIhaveanythingtofearfromHeronandhisawfulspies。
　　Oh！butforthatsadandcarewornlookonArmand'sfacewecouldbesohappy；butheissounlikehimself。HeisArmandandyetanother；hislookattimesquitefrightensme。“
　　“Yetyouknowwhyheissosad，“saidMargueriteinastrange，tonelessvoicewhichsheseemedquiteunabletocontrol，forthattonelessnesscamefromaterriblesenseofsuffocation，ofafeelingasifherheart-stringswerebeinggrippedbyhuge，hardhands。
　　“Yes，Iknow，“saidJeannehalfhesitatingly，asifknowing，shewasstillunconvinced。
　　“Hischief，hiscomrade，thefriendofwhomyouspeak，theScarletPimpernel，whoriskedhislifeinordertosaveyours，mademoiselle，isaprisonerinthehandsofthosethathatehim。“
　　Margueritehadspokenwithsuddenvehemence。Therewasalmostanappealinhervoicenow，asifsheweretryingnottoconvinceJeanneonly，butalsoherself，ofsomethingthatwasquitesimple，quitestraightforward，andyetwhichappearedtoberecedingfromher，anintangiblesomething，aspiritthatwasgraduallyyieldingtoaforceasyetunborn，toaphantomthathadnotyetemergedfromoutchaos。
　　ButJeanneseemedunconsciousofallthis。HermindwasabsorbedinArmand，themanwhomshelovedinhersimple，whole-heartedway，andwhohadseemedsodifferentoflate。
　　“Oh，yes！”shesaidwithadeep，sadsigh，whilsttheever-readytearsoncemoregatheredinhereyes，“Armandisveryunhappybecauseofhim。TheScarletPimpernelwashisfriend；Armandlovedandreveredhim。Didyouknow，“addedthegirl，turninglarge，horror-filledeyesonMarguerite，“thattheywantsomeinformationfromhimabouttheDauphin，andtoforcehimtogiveitthey——they——“
　　“Yes，Iknow，“saidMarguerite。
　　“Canyouwonder，then，thatArmandisunhappy。Oh！lastnight，afterhewentfromme，Icriedforhours，justbecausehehadlookedsosad。HenolongertalksofhappyEngland，ofthecottageweweretohave，andoftheKentishorchardsinMay。Hehasnotceasedtoloveme，forattimeshisloveseemssogreatthatItremblewithadelicioussenseoffear。Butoh！hisloveformenolongermakeshimhappy。“
　　Herheadhadgraduallysunklowerandloweronherbreast，hervoicedieddowninamurmurbrokenbyheartrendingsighs。EverygenerousimpulseinMarguerite'snoblenaturepromptedhertotakethatsorrowingchildinherarms，tocomfortherifshecould，toreassureherifshehadthepower。Butastrangeicyfeelinghadgraduallyinvadedherheart，evenwhilstshelistenedtothesimpleunsophisticatedtalkofJeanneLange。Herhandsfeltnumbandclammy，andinstinctivelyshewithdrewawayfromthenearvicinityofthegirl。Shefeltasiftheroom，thefurnitureinit，eventhewindowbeforeherweredancingawildandcuriousdance，andthatfromeverywherearoundstrangewhistlingsoundsreachedherears，whichcausedherheadtowhirlandherbraintoreel。
　　Jeannehadburiedherheadinherhands。Shewascrying——softly，almosthumblyatfirst，asifhalfashamedofhergrief；then，suddenlyitseemed，asifshecouldnotcontainherselfanylonger，aheavysobescapedherthroatandshookherwholedelicateframewithitsviolence。Sorrownolongerwouldbegainsaid，itinsistedonphysicalexpression——thatawfultearingoftheheart-stringswhichleavesthebodynumbandpantingwithpain。
　　InamomentMargueritehadforgotten；thedarkandshapelessphantomthathadknockedatthegateofhersoulwasrelegatedbackintochaos。Itceasedtobe，itwasmadetoshrivelandtoburninthegreatseethingcauldronofwomanlysympathy。Whatpartthischildhadplayedinthevastcataclysmofmiserywhichhaddraggedanoble-heartedenthusiastintothedarktorture-chamber，whencetheonlyoutletledtotheguillotine，she——MargueriteBlakeney——didnotknow；whatpartArmand，herbrother，hadplayedinit，thatshewouldnotdaretoguess；allthatsheknewwasthatherewasalovingheartthatwasfilledwithpain——ayoung，inexperiencedsoulthatwashavingitsfirsttusslewiththegrimrealitiesoflife——
　　andeverymotherlyinstinctinMargueritewasaroused。
　　Sheroseandgentlydrewtheyounggirlupfromherknees，andthenclosertoher；shepillowedthegrief-strickenheadagainsthershoulder，andmurmuredgentle，comfortingwordsintothetinyear。
　　“IhavenewsforArmand，“shewhispered，“thatwillcomforthim，amessage——aletterfromhisfriend。Youwillsee，dear，thatwhenArmandreadsithewillbecomeachangedman；yousee，Armandactedalittlefoolishlyafewdaysago。Hischiefhadgivenhimorderswhichhedisregarded——hewassoanxiousaboutyou——heshouldhaveobeyed；andnow，mayhap，hefeelsthathisdisobediencemayhavebeenthe——theinnocentcauseofmuchmiserytoothers；thatis，nodoubt，thereasonwhyheissosad。Theletterfromhisfriendwillcheerhim，youwillsee。“
　　“Doyoureallythinkso，madame？”murmuredJeanne，inwhosetear-stainedeyestheindomitablehopefulnessofyouthwasalreadystrivingtoshine。
　　“Iamsureofit，“assentedMarguerite。
　　Andforthemomentshewasabsolutelysincere。Thephantomhadentirelyvanished。Shewouldeven，hadhedaredtore-appear，havemockedandderidedhimforhisfutileattemptatturningthesorrowinherhearttoaveritablehellofbitterness。
　　CHAPTERXXXIII
　　LITTLEMOTHER
　　Thetwowomen，bothsoyoungstill，buteachofthemwithamarkofsorrowalreadyindeliblygraveninherheart，wereclingingtooneanother，boundtogetherbythestrongbondofsympathy。Andbutforthesadnessofitallitweredifficulttoconjureupamorebeautifulpicturethanthatwhichtheypresentedastheystoodsidebyside；Marguerite，tallandstatelyasanexquisitelily，withthecrownofherardenthairandthegloryofherdeepblueeyes，andJeanneLange，daintyanddelicate，withthebrowncurlsandthechild-likedroopofthesoft，moistlips。
　　ThusArmandsawthemwhen，amomentortwolater，enteredunannounced。Hehadpushedopenthedoorandlookedonthetwowomensilentlyforasecondortwo；onthegirlwhomhelovedsodearly，forwhosesakehehadcommittedthegreat，theunpardonablesinwhichwouldsendhimforeverhenceforth，Cain-like，awandereronthefaceoftheearth；andtheother，hissister，herwhomaJudasactwouldcondemntolonelysorrowandwidowhood。
　　Hecouldhavecriedoutinanagonyofremorse，anditwasthegroanofacutesoulanguishwhichescapedhislipsthatdrewMarguerite'sattentiontohispresence。
　　EventhoughmanythingsthatJeanneLangehadsaidhadpreparedherforachangeinherbrother，shewasimmeasurablyshockedbyhisappearance。Hehadalwaysbeenslimandratherbelowtheaverageinheight，butnowhisusuallyuprightandtrimfigureseemedtohaveshrunkenwithinitself；hisclotheshungbaggyonhisshoulders，hishandsappearedwaxenandemaciated，butthegreatestchangewasinhisface，inthewidecirclesroundtheeyes，thatspokeofwakefulnights，inthehollowcheeks，andthemouththathadwhollyforgottenhowtosmile。
　　Percyafteraweek'smiseryimmuredinadarkandmiserableprison，deprivedoffoodandrest，didnotlooksuchaphysicalwreckasdidArmandSt。Just，whowasfree。
　　Marguerite'sheartreproachedherforwhatshefelthadbeenneglect，callousnessonherpart。Mutely，withinherself，shecravedhisforgivenessfortheappearanceofthatphantomwhichshouldneverhavecomeforthfromoutthatchaotichellwhichhadengenderedit。
　　“Armand！”shecried。
　　Andthelovingarmsthathadguidedhisbabyfootstepslongago，thetenderhandsthathadwipedhisboyishtears，werestretchedoutwithunalterablelovetowardhim。
　　“Ihaveamessageforyou，dear，“shesaidgently——“aletterfromhim。MademoiselleJeanneallowedmetowaithereforyouuntilyoucame。“
　　Silently，likealittleshymouse，Jeannehadslippedoutoftheroom。HerpureloveforArmandhadennobledeveryoneofherthoughts，andherinnatekindlinessandrefinementhadalreadysuggestedthatbrotherandsisterwouldwishtobealone。AtthedoorshehadturnedandmetArmand'slook。Thatlookhadsatisfiedher；shefeltthatinitshehadreadtheexpressionofhislove，andtoitshehadrespondedwithaglancethatspokeofhopeforafuturemeeting。
　　AssoonasthedoorhadclosedonJeanneLange，Armand，withanimpulsethatrefusedtobechecked，threwhimselfintohissister'sarms。Thepresent，withallitssorrows，itsremorseanditsshame，hadsunkaway；onlythepastremained——theunforgettablepast，whenMargueritewas“littlemother“——thesoother，thecomforter，thehealer，theever-willingreceptaclewhereinhehadbeenwonttopourtheburdenofhischildishgriefs，ofhisboyishescapades。
　　Consciousthatshecouldnotknoweverything——notyet，atanyrate——hegavehimselfovertotheraptureofthispureembrace，thelasttime，mayhap，thatthosefondarmswouldcloseroundhiminunmixedtenderness，thelasttimethatthosefondlipswouldmurmurwordsofaffectionandofcomfort。
　　To-morrowthosesamelipswould，perhaps，cursethetraitor，andthesmallhandberaisedinwrath，pointinganavengingfingerontheJudas。
　　“Littlemother，“hewhispered，babblinglikeachild，“itisgoodtoseeyouagain。“
　　“AndIhavebroughtyouamessagefromPercy，“shesaid，“aletterwhichhebeggedmetogiveyouassoonasmaybe。“
　　“Youhaveseenhim？”heasked。
　　Shenoddedsilently，unabletospeak。Notnow，notwhenhernerveswerestrungtobreakingpitch，wouldshetrustherselftospeakofthatawfulyesterday。ShegropedinthefoldsofhergownandtookthepacketwhichPercyhadgivenherforArmand。Itfeltquitebulkyinherhand。
　　“Thereisquiteagooddealthereforyoutoread，dear，“shesaid。“Percybeggedmetogiveyouthis，andthentoletyoureaditwhenyouwerealone。“
　　Shepressedthepacketintohishand。Armand'sfacewasashenpale。Heclungtoherwithstrange，nervoustenacity；thepaperwhichheheldinonehandseemedtoSearhisfingersaswithabranding-iron。
　　“Iwillslipawaynow，“shesaid，forstrangelyenoughsincePercy'smessagehadbeeninArmand'shandsshewasonceagainconsciousofthatawfulfeelingoficinessroundherheart，asenseofnumbnessthatparalysedherverythoughts。
　　“YouwillmakemyexcusestoMademoiselleLange，“shesaid，tryingtosmile。“Whenyouhaveread，youwillwishtoseeheralone。“
　　GentlyshedisengagedherselffromArmand'sgraspandmadeforthedoor。Heappeareddazed，staringdownatthatpaperwhichwasscorchinghisfingers。Onlywhenherhandwasonthelatchdidheseemtorealisethatshewasgoing。
　　“Littlemother，“cameinvoluntarilytohislips。
　　Shecamestraightbacktohimandtookbothhiswristsinhersmallhands。Shewastallerthanhe，andhisheadwasslightlybentforward。Thusshetoweredoverhim，lovingbutstrong，hergreat，earnesteyessearchinghissoul。
　　“WhenshallIseeyouagain，littlemother？”heasked。
　　“Readyourletter，dear，“shereplied，“andwhenyouhavereadit，ifyoucaretoimpartitscontentstome，cometo-nighttomylodgings，QuaidelaFerraille，abovethesaddler'sshop。Butifthereisaughtinitthatyoudonotwishmetoknow，thendonotcome；Ishallunderstand。Good-bye，dear。“
　　Shetookhisheadbetweenhertwocoldhands，andasitwasstillbowedsheplacedatenderkiss，asofalongfarewell，uponhishair。
　　Thenshewentoutoftheroom。
　　CHAPTERXXXIV
　　THELETTER
　　Armandsatinthearmchairinfrontofthefire。Hisheadrestedagainstonehand；intheotherheheldtheletterwrittenbythefriendwhomhehadbetrayed。
　　Twicehehadreaditnow，andalreadywaseverywordofthatminute，clearwritinggravenupontheinnermostfibresofhisbody，uponthemostsecretcellsofhisbrain。
　　Armand，Iknow。IknewevenbeforeChauvelincametome，andstoodtherehopingtogloatoverthesoul-agonyamanwhofindsthathehasbeenbetrayedbyhisdearestfriend。Butthatd——dreprobatedidnotgetthatsatisfaction，forIwasprepared。NotonlydoIknow，Armand，butIUNDERSTAND。I，whodonotknowwhatloveis，haverealisedhowsmallathingishonour，loyalty，orfriendshipwhenweighedinthebalanceofalovedone'sneed。
　　TosaveJeanneyousoldmetoHeronandhiscrowd。Wearemen，Armand，andthewordforgivenesshasonlybeenspokenoncethesepasttwothousandyears，andthenitwasspokenbyDivinelips。
　　ButMargueritelovesyou，andmayhapsoonyouwillbeallthatislefthertoloveonthisearth。Becauseofthisshemustneverknow……Asforyou，Armand——well，Godhelpyou！Butmeseemsthatthehellwhichyouareenduringnowistenthousandtimesworsethanmine。Ihaveheardyourfurtivefootstepsinthecorridoroutsidethegratedwindowofthiscell，andwouldnotthenhaveexchangedmyhellforyours。Therefore，Armand，andbecauseMargueritelovesyou，IwouldwishtoturntoyouinthehourthatIneedhelp。Iaminatightcorner，butthehourmaycomewhenacomrade'shandmightmeanlifetome。Ihavethoughtofyou，Armandpartlybecausehavingtakenmorethanmylife，yourownbelongstome，andpartlybecausetheplanwhichIhaveinmymindwillcarrywithitgraverisksforthemanwhostandsbyme。
　　IsworeoncethatneverwouldIriskacomrade'slifetosavemineown；butmattersaresodifferentnow……wearebothinhell，Armand，andIinstrivingtogetoutofminewillbeshowingyouawayoutofyours。
　　WillyouretakepossessionofyourlodgingsintheRuedelaCroixBlanche？Ishouldalwaysknowthenwheretofindyouonanemergency。Butifatanytimeyoureceiveanotherletterfromme，beitscontentswhattheymay，actinaccordancewiththeletter，andsendacopyofitatoncetoFfoulkesortoMarguerite。Keepinclosetouchwiththemboth。TellherIsofarforgaveyourdisobediencetherewasnothingmorethatImayyettrustmylifeandminehonourinyourhands。
　　IshallhavenomeansofascertainingdefinitelywhetheryouwilldoallthatIask；butsomehow，Armand，Iknowthatyouwill。
　　ForthethirdtimeArmandreadtheletterthrough。
　　“But，Armand，“herepeated，murmuringthewordssoftlytinderhisbreath，“Iknowthatyouwill。“
　　Promptedbysomeindefinableinstinct，movedbyaforcethatcompelled，heallowedhimselftoglidefromthechairontothefloor，ontohisknees。
　　Allthepent-upbitterness，thehumiliation，theshameofthepastfewdays，surgedupfromhishearttohislipsinonegreatcryofpain。
　　“MyGod！”hewhispered，“givemethechanceofgivingmylifeforhim。“
　　Aloneandunwatched，hegavehimselfoverforafewmomentstothealmostvoluptuousdelightofgivingfreereintohisgrief。ThehotLatinbloodinhim，tempestuousinallitspassions，wasfiringhisheartandbrainnowwiththeglowofdevotionandofself-sacrifice。
　　Thecalm，self-centredAnglo-Saxontemperament——thealmostfatalisticacceptanceoffailurewithoutreproachyetwithoutdespair，whichPercy'slettertohimhadevidencedinsomarkedamanner——was，mayhap，somewhatbeyondthecomprehensionofthisyoungenthusiast，withpureGallicbloodinhisveins，whowaseverwonttoallowhismostelementalpassionstoswayhisactions。
　　Butthoughhedidnotaltogetherunderstand，ArmandSt。Justcouldfullyappreciate。Allthatwasnobleandloyalinhimrosetriumphantfrombeneaththedevastatingashesofhisownshame。
　　Soonhismoodcalmeddown，hislookgrewlesswanandhaggard。
　　HearingJeanne'sdiscreetandmouselikestepsinthenextroom，herosequicklyandhidtheletterinthepocketofhiscoat。
　　ShecameinandinquiredanxiouslyaboutMarguerite；ahurriedlyexpressedexcusefromhim，however，satisfiedhereasilyenough。
　　ShewantedtobealonewithArmand，happytoseethatheheldhisheadmoreerectto-day，andthatthelookasofahuntedcreaturehadentirelygonefromhiseyes。
　　SheascribedthishappychangetoMarguerite，findingitinherhearttobegratefultothesisterforhavingaccomplishedwhatthefianceehadfailedtodo。
　　Forawhiletheyremainedtogether，sittingsidebyside，speakingattimes，butmostlysilent，seemingtosavourthereturnoftruanthappiness。Armandfeltlikeasickmanwhohasobtainedasuddensurceasefrompain。Helookedroundhimwithakindofmelancholydelightonthisroomwhichhehadenteredforthefirsttimelessthanafortnightago，andwhichalreadywassofullofmemories。
　　ThosefirsthoursspentatthefeetofJeanneLange，howexquisitetheyhadbeen，howfleetingintheperfectionoftheirhappiness！
　　Nowtheyseemedtobelongtoafardistantpast，evanescentliketheperfumeofviolets，swiftintheirflightlikethewingedstepsofyouth。Blakeney'sletterhadeffectuallytakenthebitterstingfromouthisremorse，butithadincreasedhisalreadyover-heavyloadofinconsolablesorrow。
　　Laterinthedayheturnedhisfootstepsinthedirectionoftheriver，tothehouseintheQuaidelaFerrailleabovethesaddler'sshop。MargueritehadreturnedalonefromtheexpeditiontotheRuedeCharonne。WhilstSirAndrewtookchargeofthelittlepartyoffugitivesandescortedthemoutofParis，shecamehacktoherlodgingsinordertocollectherbelongings，preparatorytotakingupherquartersinthehouseofLucas，theold-clothesdealer。ShereturnedalsobecauseshehopedtoseeArmand。
　　“Ifyoucaretoimpartthecontentsofthelettertome，cometomylodgingsto-night，“shehadsaid。
　　Alldayaphantomhadhauntedher，thephantomofanagonisingsuspicion。
　　Butnowthephantomhadvanishednevertoreturn。Armandwassittingclosebesideher，andhetoldherthatthechiefhadselectedhimamongstalltheotherstostandbyhiminsidethewallsofParisuntilthelast。
　　“Ishallmayhap，“thusclosedthatpreciousdocument，“havenomeansofascertainingdefinitelywhetheryouwillactinaccordancewiththisletter。Butsomehow，Armand，Iknowthatyouwill。“
　　“Tknowthatyouwill，Armand，“reiteratedMargueritefervently。
　　Shehadonlybeentooeagertobeconvinced；thedreadariddarksuspicionwhichhadbeenlikeahideouspoisonedstinghadonlyvaguelytouchedhersoul；ithadnotgoneinverydeeply。Howcouldit，wheninitsdeath-dealingpassageitencounteredtherampartoftender，almostmotherlylove？
　　Armand，tryingtoreadhissister'sthoughtsinthedepthsofherblueeyes，foundthelookinthemlimpidandclear。Percy'smessagetoArmandhadreassuredherjustashehadintendedthatitshoulddo。Fatehaddealtoverharshlywithherasitwas，andBlakeney'sremorseforthesorrowwhichhehadalreadycausedher，wasscarcelylesskeenthanArmand's。Hedidnotwishhertobeartheintolerableburdenofhatredagainstherbrother；andbybindingSt。JustclosetohimatthesupremehourofdangerhehopedtoprovetothewomanwhomhelovedsopassionatelythatArmandwasworthyoftrust。
　　PARTIII
　　CHAPTERXXXV
　　THELASTPHASE
　　“Well？Howisitnow？”
　　“Thelastphase，Ithink。“
　　“Hewillyield？”
　　“Hemust。“
　　“Bah！youhavesaidityourselfoftenenough；thoseEnglisharetough。“
　　“Ittakestimetohackthemtopieces，perhaps。Inthiscaseevenyou，citizenChauvelin，saidthatitwouldtaketime。Well，ithastakenjustseventeendays，andnowtheendisinsight。“
　　Itwascloseonmidnightintheguard-roomwhichgaveontheinnermostcelloftheConciergerie。Heronhadjustvisitedtheprisoneraswashiswontatthishourofthenight。Hehadwatchedthechangingoftheguard，inspectedthenight-watch，questionedthesergeantincharge，andfinallyhehadbeenonthepointofretiringtohisownnewquartersinthehouseofJustice，inthenearvicinityoftheConciergerie，whencitizenChauvelinenteredtheguard-roomunexpectedlyanddetainedhiscolleaguewiththeperemptoryquestion：
　　“Howisitnow？”
　　“Ifyouaresoneartheend，citizenHeron，“henowsaid，sinkinghisvoicetoawhisper，“whynotmakeafinaleffortandenditto-night？”
　　“IwishIcould；theanxietyiswearingmeoutmorenhim，“addedwithajerkymovementoftheheadindirectionoftheinnercell。
　　“ShallItry？”rejoinedChauvelingrimly。
　　“Yes，anyouwish。“
　　CitizenHeron'slonglimbsweresprawlingonaguard-roomchair。
　　Inthislownarrowroomhelookedlikesomegiantwhosebodyhadbeencarelesslyandlooselyputtogetherbya'prenticehandintheartofmanufacture。Hisbroadshoulderswerebent，probablyundertheweightofanxietytowhichhehadreferred，andhishead，withthelank，shaggyhairovershadowingthebrow，wassunkdeepdownonhischest。
　　Chauvelinlookedonhisfriendandassociatewithnosmallmeasureofcontempt。Hewouldnodoubthavepreferredtoconcludethepresentdifficulttransactionentirelyinhisownwayandalone；
　　butequallytherewasnodoubtthattheCommitteeofPublicSafetydidnottrusthimquitesofullyasitusedtodobeforethefiascoatCalaisandtheblundersofBoulogne。Heron，ontheotherhand，enjoyedtoitsoutermosttheconfidenceofhiscolleagues；hisferociouscrueltyandhiscallousnesswerewellknown，whilstphysically，owingtohisgreatheightandbulkyiflooselyknitframe，hehadadecidedadvantageoverhistrimandslenderfriend。
　　Asfarasthebringingofprisonerstotrialwasconcerned，thechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityhadbeengivenaperfectlyfreehandbythedecreeofthe27thNivose。Atfirst，therefore，hehadexperiencednodifficultywhenhedesiredtokeeptheEnglishmanincloseconfinementforatimewithouthurryingonthatsummarytrialandcondemnationwhichthepopulacehadloudlydemanded，andtowhichtheyfeltthattheywereentitledastoapublicholiday。ThedeathoftheScarletPimpernelontheguillotinehadbeenaspectaclepromisedbyeverydemagoguewhodesiredtopurchaseafewvotesbyholdingoutvisionsofpleasantdoingstocome；andduringthefirstfewdaysthemobofPariswascontenttoenjoythedelightsofexpectation。
　　ButnowseventeendayshadgonebyandstilltheEnglishmanwasnotbeingbroughttotrial。Thepleasure-lovingpublicwaswaxingimpatient，andearlierthisevening，whencitizenHeronhadshownhimselfinthestallsofthenationaltheatre，hewasgreetedbyacrowdedaudiencewithdecidedexpressionsofdisapprovalandopenmutteringsof：
　　“WhatoftheScarletPimpernel？”
　　ItalmostlookedasifhewouldhavetobringthataccursedEnglishmantotheguillotinewithouthavingwrestedfromhimthesecretwhichhewouldhavegivenafortunetopossess。Chauvelin，whohadalsobeenpresentatthetheatre，hadheardtheexpressionsofdiscontent；hencehisvisittohiscolleagueatthislatehourofthenight。
　　“ShallItry？”hehadqueriedwithsomeimpatience，andadeepsighofsatisfactionescapedhisthinlipswhenthechiefagent，weariedanddiscouraged，hadreluctantlyagreed。
　　“Letthemenmakeasmuchnoiseastheylike，“headdedwithanenigmaticalsmile。“TheEnglishmanandIwillwantanaccompanimenttoourpleasantconversation。“
　　Herongrowledasurlyassent，andwithoutanotherwordChauvelinturnedtowardstheinnercell。Ashesteppedinheallowedtheironbartofallintoitssocketbehindhim。Thenhewentfartherintotheroomuntilthedistantrecesswasfullyrevealedtohim。
　　Histreadhadbeenfurtiveandalmostnoiseless。Nowhepaused，forhehadcaughtsighttheprisoner。Foramomenthestoodquitestill，withhandsclaspedbehindhisbackinhiswontedattitude——stillsaveforastrange，involuntarytwitchingofhismouth，andthenervousclaspingandinterlockingofhisfingersbehindhisback。Hewassavouringtoitsutmostfulsomenessthesupremestjoywhichanimalmancaneverknow——thejoyoflookingonafallenenemy。
　　Blakeneysatatthetablewithonearmrestingonit，theemaciatedhandtightlyclutched，thebodyleaningforward，theeyeslookingintonothingness。
　　ForthemomenthewasunconsciousofChauvelin'spresence，andthelattercouldgazeonhimtothefullcontentofhisheart。
　　Indeed，toalloutwardappearancestheresatamanwhomprivationsofeverysortandkind，thewantoffreshair，ofproperfood，aboveall，ofrest，hadworndownphysicallytoashadow。Therewasnotaparticleofcolourincheeksorlips，theskinwasgreyinhue，theeyeslookedlikedeepcaverns，whereintheglowoffeverwasallthatwasleftoflife。
　　Chauvelinlookedoninsilence，vaguelystirredbysomethingthathecouldnotdefine，somethingthatrightthroughhistriumphantsatisfaction，hishatredandfinalcertaintyofrevenge，hadrousedinhimasensealmostofadmiration。
　　Hegazedonthenoiselessfigureofthemanwhohadenduredsomuchforanideal，andashegazeditseemedtohimasifthespiritnolongerdweltinthebody，buthoveredroundinthedank，stuffyairofthenarrowcellabovetheheadofthelonelyprisoner，crowningitwithglorythatwasnolongerofthisearth。
　　Ofthisthelooker-onwasconsciousdespitehimself，ofthatandofthefactthatstareashemight，andwithperceptionrendereddoublykeenbyhate，hecouldnot，inspiteofall，findtheleasttraceofmentalweaknessinthatfar-seeinggazewhichseemedtopiercetheprisonwalls，norcouldheseethatbodilyweaknesshadtendedtosubduetherulingpassions。
　　SirPercyBlakeney——aprisonersinceseventeendaysinclose，solitaryconfinement，half-starved，deprivedofrest，andofthatmentalandphysicalactivitywhichhadbeentheveryessenceoflifetohimhitherto——mightbeoutwardlybutashadowofhisformerbrilliantself，butneverthelesshewasstillthatsameelegantEnglishgentleman，thatprinceofdandieswhomChauvelinhadfirstmeteighteenmonthsagoatthemostcourtlyCourtinEurope。Hisclothes，despiteconstantwearandthewantofattentionfromascrupulousvalet，stillbetrayedtheperfectionofLondontailoring；hehadputthemonwithmeticulouscare，theywerefreefromtheslightestparticleofdust，andthefilmyfoldsofpricelessMechlinstillhalf-veiledthedelicatewhitenessofhisshapelyhands。
　　Andinthepale，haggardface，inthewholeposeofbodyandofarm，therewasstilltheexpressionofthatindomitablestrengthofwill，thatrecklessdaring，thatalmostinsolentchallengetoFate；itwasthereuntamed，uncrushed。Chauvelinhimselfcouldnotdenytohimselfitspresenceoritsforce。Hefeltthatbehindthatsmoothbrow，whichlookedwaxlikenow，themindwasstillalert，scheming，plotting，strivingforfreedom，forconquestandforpower，andrenderedevendoublykeenandvirilebytheardourofsupremeself-sacrifice。
　　ChauvelinnowmadeaslightmovementandsuddenlyBlakeneybecameconsciousofhispresence，andswiftasaflashasmilelituphiswanface。
　　“Why！ifitisnotmyengagingfriendMonsieurChambertin，“hesaidgaily。
　　Heroseandsteppedforwardinthemostapprovedfashionprescribedbytheelaborateetiquetteofthetime。ButChauvelinsmiledgrimlyandalookofalmostanimallustgleamedinhispaleeyes，forhehadnotedthatasheroseSirPercyhadtoseekthesupportofthetable，evenwhilstadullfilmappearedtogatheroverhiseyes。
　　Thegesturehadbeenquickandcleverlydisguised，butithadbeentherenevertheless——thatandthelividhuethatoverspreadthefaceasifconsciousnesswasthreateningtogo。Allofwhichwassufficientstillfurthertoassurethelooker-onthatthatmightyphysicalstrengthwasgivingwayatlast，thatstrengthwhichhehadhatedinhisenemyalmostasmuchashehadhatedthethinlyveiledinsolenceofhismanner。
　　“Andwhatprocuresme，sir，thehonourofyourvisit？”continuedBlakeney，whohad——atanyrate，outwardlysoonrecoveredhimself，andwhosevoice，thoughdistinctlyhoarseandspent，rangquitecheerfullyacrossthedanknarrowcell。
　　“Mydesireforyourwelfare，SirPercy，“repliedChauvelinwithequalpleasantry。
　　“La，sir；buthaveyounotgratifiedthatdesirealready，toanextentwhichleavesnoroomforfurthersolicitude？ButIprayyou，willyounotsitdown？”hecontinued，turningbacktowardthetable。“Iwasabouttopartakeofthelavishsupperwhichyourfriendshaveprovidedforme。Willyounotshareit，sir？Youaremostroyallywelcome，anditwillmayhapremindyouofthatsupperwesharedtogetherinCalais，eh？whenyou，MonsieurChambertin，weretemporarilyinholyorders。“
　　Helaughed，offeringhisenemyachair，andpointedwithinvitinggesturetothehunkofbrownbreadandthemugofwaterwhichstoodonthetable。
　　“Suchasitis，sir，“hesaidwithapleasantsmile，“itisyourstocommand。“
　　Chauvelinsatdown。Heheldhislowerliptightlybetweenhisteeth，sotightlythatafewdropsofbloodappeareduponitsnarrowsurface。Hewasmakingvigorouseffortstokeephistemperundercontrol，forhewouldnotgivehisenemythesatisfactionofseeinghimresenthisinsolence。Hecouldaffordtokeepcalmnowthatvictorywasatlastinsight，nowthatheknewthathehadbuttoraiseafinger，andthosesmiling，impudentlipswouldbeclosedforeveratlast。
　　“SirPercy，“heresumedquietly，“nodoubtitaffordsyouacertainamountofpleasuretoaimyoursarcasticshaftsatme。I
　　willnotbegrudgeyouthatpleasure；inyourpresentposition，sir，yourshaftshavelittleornosting。“
　　“AndIshallhavebutfewchanceslefttoaimthematyourcharmingself，“interposedBlakeney，whohaddrawnanotherchairclosetothetableandwasnowsittingoppositehisenemy，withthelightofthelampfallingfullonhisownface，asifhewishedhisenemytoknowthathehadnothingtohide，nothought，nohope，nofear。
　　“Exactly，“saidChauvelindryly。“Thatbeingthecase，SirPercy，whatsayyoutonolongerwastingthefewchanceswhicharelefttoyouforsafety？Thetimeisgettingon。Youarenot，I
　　imagine，quiteashopefulasyouwereevenaweekago，……youhaveneverbeenover-comfortableinthiscell，whynotendthisunpleasantstateofaffairsnow——onceandforall？You'llnothavecausetoregretit。Mywordonit。“
　　SirPercyleanedbackinhischair。Heyawnedloudlyandostentatiously。
　　“Iprayyou，sir，forgiveme，“hesaid。“NeverhaveIbeensod——dfatigued。Ihavenotsleptformorethanafortnight。“
　　“Exactly，SirPercy。Anight'srestwoulddoyouaworldofgood。“
　　“Anight，sir？”exclaimedBlakeneywithwhatseemedlikeanechoofhisformerinimitablelaugh。“La！Ishouldwantaweek。“
　　“Iamafraidwecouldnotarrangeforthat，butonenightwouldgreatlyrefreshyou。“
　　“Youareright，sir，youareright；butthosed——dfellowsinthenextroommakesomuchnoise。“
　　“Iwouldgivestrictordersthatperfectquietudereignedintheguard-roomthisnight，“saidChauvelin，murmuringsoftly，andtherewasagentlepurrinhisvoice，“andthatyouwereleftundisturbedforseveralhours。Iwouldgiveordersthatacomfortingsupperbeservedtoyouatonce，andthateverythingbedonetoministertoyourwants。“
　　“Thatsoundsd——dalluring，sir。Whydidyounotsuggestthisbefore？”
　　“Youwereso——whatshallIsay——soobstinate，SirPercy？”
　　“Callitpig-headed，mydearMonsieurChambertin，“retortedBlakeneygaily，“trulyyouwouldobligeme。“
　　“Inanycaseyou，sir，wereactingindirectoppositiontoyourowninterests。“
　　“Thereforeyoucame，“concludedBlakeneyairily，“likethegoodSamaritantotakecompassiononmeandmytroubles，andtoleadmestraightawaytocomfort，agoodsupperandadownybed。“
　　“Admirablyput，SirPercy，“saidChauvelinblandly；“thatisexactlymymission。“
　　“Howwillyousettowork，MonsieurChambertin？”
　　“Quiteeasily，ifyou，SirPercy，willyieldtothepersuasionofmyfriendcitizenHeron。“
　　“Ah！”
　　“Why，yes！HeisanxioustoknowwherelittleCapetis。A
　　reasonablewhim，youwillown，consideringthatthedisappearanceofthechildiscausinghimgraveanxiety。“
　　“Andyou，MonsieurChambertin？”queriedSirPercywiththatsuspicionofinsolenceinhismannerwhichhadthepowertoirritatehisenemyevennow。“Andyourself，sir；whatareyourwishesinthematter？”
　　“Mine，SirPercy？”retortedChauvelin。“Mine？Why，totellyouthetruth，thefateoflittleCapetinterestsmebutlittle。LethimrotinAustriaorinourprisons，Icarenotwhich。He'llnevertroubleFranceovermuch，Iimagine。TheteachingsofoldSimonwillnottendtomakealeaderorakingoutofthepunybratwhomyouchosetodragoutofourkeeping。Mywishes，sir，aretheannihilationofyouraccursedLeague，andthelastingdisgrace，ifnotthedeath，ofitschief。“
　　Hehadspokenmorehotlythanhehadintended，butallthepent-uprageofthepasteighteenmonths，therecollectionsofCalaisandofBoulogne，hadallsurgedupagaininhismind，becausedespitetheclosenessoftheseprisonwalls，despitethegrimshadowofstarvationandofdeaththatbeckonedsocloseathand，hestillencounteredapairofmockingeyes，fixedwithrelentlessinsolenceuponhim。
　　WhilsthespokeBlakeneyhadoncemoreleanedforward，restinghiselbowsuponthetable。Nowhedrewnearertohimthewoodenplatteronwhichreposedthatveryuninvitingpieceofdrybread。
　　Withsolemnintentnessheproceededtobreakthebreadintopieces；thenheofferedtheplattertoChauvelin。
　　“Iamsorry，“hesaidpleasantly，“thatIcannotyoumoredaintyfare，sir，butthisisallthatyourfriendshavesuppliedmewithto-day。“
　　Hecrumbledsomeofthedrybreadinhisslenderfingers，thenstartedmunchingthecrumbswithapparentrelish。Hepouredoutsomewaterintothemuganddrankit。Thenbesaidwithalightlaugh：
　　“EventhevinegarwhichthatruffianBrogardservedusatCalaiswaspreferabletothis，doyounotimagineso，mygoodMonsieurChambertin？”
　　Chauvelinmadenoreply。Likeafelinecreatureontheprowl，hewaswatchingthepreythathadsonearlysuccumbedtohistalons。
　　Blakeney'sfacenowwaspositivelyghastly。Theefforttospeak，tolaugh，toappearunconcerned，wasapparentlybeyondhisstrength。Hischeeksandlipswerelividinhue，theskinclunglikeathinlayerofwaxtothebonesofcheekandjaw，andtheheavylidsthatfellovertheeyeshadpurplepatchesonthemlikelead。
　　Toasysteminsuchanadvancedstateofexhaustionthestalewateranddustybreadmusthavebeenterriblynauseating，andChauvelinhimselfcallousandthirstingforvengeancethoughhewas，couldhardlybeartolookcalmlyonthemartyrdomofthismanwhomheandhiscolleaguesweretorturinginordertogaintheirownends。
　　Anashenhue，whichseemedliketheshadowofthehandofdeath，passedovertheprisoner'sface。Chauvelinfeltcompelledtoaverthisgaze。Afeelingthatwasalmostakintoremorsehadstirredahiddencordinhisheart。Thefeelingdidnotlast——thehearthadbeentoolongatrophiedbytheconstantlyrecurringspectaclesofcruelties，massacres，andwholesalehecatombsperpetratedinthepasteighteenmonthsinthenameoflibertyandfraternitytobecapableofasustainedeffortinthedirectionofgentlenessorofpity。Anynobleinstinctintheserevolutionarieshadlongagobeendrownedinawhirlpoolofexploitsthatwouldforeversullytherecordsofhumanity；andthiskeepingofafellow-creatureontherackinordertowringfromhimaJudas-likebetrayalwasbutacomplementtoarecordofinfamythathadceasedbyitsverymagnitudetoweighupontheirsouls。
　　Chauvelinwasinnowaydifferentfromhiscolleagues；thecrimesinwhichhehadhadnohandhehadcondonedbycontinuingtoservetheGovernmentthathadcommittedthem，andhisferocityinthepresentcasewasincreasedathousandfoldbyhispersonalhatredforthemanwhohadsooftenfooledandbaffledhim。
　　Whenhelookedroundasecondortwolaterthatephemeralfitofremorsediditsfinalvanishing；hehadoncemoreencounteredthepleasantsmile，thelaughingifashen-palefaceofhisunconqueredfoe。
　　“Onlyapassinggiddiness，mydearsir，“saidSirPercylightly。
　　“Asyouweresaying——“
　　Attheairily-spokenwords，atthesmilethataccompaniedthem，Chauvelinhadjumpedtohisfeet。Therewassomethingalmostsupernatural，weird，andimpishaboutthepresentsituation，aboutthisdyingmanwho，likeanimpudentschoolboy，seemedtobemockingDeathwithhistongueinhischeek，abouthislaughthatappearedtofinditsechoinawidelyyawninggrave。
　　“InthenameofGod，SirPercy，“hesaidroughly，ashebroughthisclenchedfistcrashingdownuponthetable，“thissituationisintolerable。Bringittoanendto-night！”
　　“Why，sir？”retortedBlakeney，“methoughtyouandyourkinddidnotbelieveinGod。“
　　“No。ButyouEnglishdo。“
　　“Wedo。ButwedonotcaretohearHisnameonyourlips。“
　　“Theninthenameofthewifewhomyoulove——“
　　Butevenbeforethewordshaddieduponhislips，SirPercy，too，hadrisentohisfeet。
　　“Havedone，man——havedone，“hebrokeinhoarsely，anddespiteweakness，despiteexhaustionandweariness，therewassuchadangerouslookinhisholloweyesasheleanedacrossthetablethatChauvelindrewbackasteportwo，and——vaguelyfearful——
　　lookedfurtivelytowardstheopeningintotheguard-room。“Havedone，“hereiteratedforthethirdtime；“donotnameher，orbythelivingGodwhomyoudaredtoinvokeI'llfindstrengthyettosmiteyouintheface。“
　　ButChauvelin，afterthatfirstmomentofalmostsuperstitiousfear，hadquicklyrecoveredhissang-froid。
　　“LittleCapet，SirPercy，“hesaid，meetingtheother'sthreateningglancewithanimperturbablesmile，“tellmewheretofindhim，andyoumayyetlivetosavourthecaressesofthemostbeautifulwomaninEngland。“
　　Hehadmeantitasataunt，thefinalturnofthethumb-screwappliedtoadyingman，andhehadinthatwatchful，keenmindofhiswellweighedthefullconsequencesofthetaunt。
　　Thenextmomenthehadpaidtothefulltheanticipatedprice。
　　SirPercyhadpickedupthepewtermugfromthetable——itwashalf-filledwithbrackishwater——andwithahandthattrembledbutslightlyhehurleditstraightathisopponent'sface。
　　TheheavymugdidnothitcitizenChauvelin；itwentcrashingagainstthestonewallopposite。Butthewaterwastricklingfromthetopofhisheadalldownhiseyesandcheeks。Heshruggedhisshoulderswithalookofbenignindulgencedirectedathisenemy，whohadfallenbackintohischairexhaustedwiththeeffort。
　　Thenhetookouthishandkerchiefandcalmlywipedthewaterfromhisface。
　　“Notquitesostraightashotasyouusedtobe，SirPercy，“hesaidmockingly。
　　“No，sir——apparently——not。“
　　Thewordscameoutingasps。Hewaslikeamanonlypartlyconscious。Thelipswereparted，theeyesclosed，theheadleaningagainstthehighbackofthechair。ForthespaceofonesecondChauvelinfearedthathiszealhadoutrunhisprudence，thathehaddealtadeath-blowtoamaninthelaststageofexhaustion，wherehehadonlywishedtofantheflickeringflameoflife。Hastily——forthesecondsseemedprecious——herantotheopeningthatledintotheguard-room。
　　“Brandy——quick！”hecried。
　　Heronlookedup，rousedfromthesemi-somnolenceinwhichhehadlainforthepasthalf-hour。Hedisentangledhislonglimbsfromouttheguard-roomchair。
　　“Eh？”hequeried。“Whatisit？”
　　“Brandy，“reiteratedChauvelinimpatiently；“theprisonerhasfainted。“
　　“Bah！”retortedtheotherwithacallousshrugoftheshoulders，“youarenotgoingtorevivehimwithbrandy，Iimagine。“
　　“No。Butyouwill，citizenHeron，“rejoinedtheotherdryly，“forifyoudonothe'llbedeadinanhour！”
　　“Devilsinhell！”exclaimedHeron，“youhavenotkilledhim？
　　You——youd——dfool！”
　　Hewaswideawakeenoughnow；wideawakeandshakingwithfury。
　　Almostfoamingatthemouthandutteringvolleysofthechoicestoaths，heelbowedhiswayroughlythroughthegroupsofsoldierswhowerecrowdingroundthecentretableoftheguard-room，smokingandthrowingdiceorplayingcards。Theymadewayforhimashurriedlyastheycould，foritwasnotsafetothwartthecitizenagentwhenhewasinarage。
　　Heronwalkedacrosstotheopeningandliftedtheironbar。Withscantceremonyhepushedhiscolleagueasidearidstrodeintothecell，whilstChauvelin，seeminglynotresentingtheother'sruffianlymannersandviolentlanguage，followedcloseuponhisheel。
　　Inthecentreoftheroombothmenpaused，andHeronturnedwithasurlygrowltohisfriend。
　　“Youvowedhewouldbedeadinanhour，“hesaidreproachfully。
　　Theothershruggedhisshoulders。
　　“Itdoesnotlooklikeitnowcertainly，“hesaiddryly。
　　Blakeneywassitting——aswashiswont——closetothetable，withonearmleaningonit，theother，tightlyclenched，restinguponhisknee。Aghostofasmilehoveredroundhislips。
　　“Notinanhour，citizenHeron，“hesaid，andhisvoiceflowwasscarceaboveawhisper，“noryetintwo。“
　　“Youareafool，man，“saidHeronroughly。“Youhavehadseventeendaysofthis。Areyounotsickofit？”
　　“Heartily，mydearfriend，“repliedBlakeneyalittlemorefirmly。
　　“Seventeendays，“reiteratedtheother，noddinghisshaggyhead；
　　“youcamehereonthe2ndofPluviose，todayisthe19th。“
　　“The19thPluviose？”interposedSirPercy，andastrangegleamsuddenlyflashedinhiseyes。“Demnit，sir，andinChristianparlancewhatmaythatdaybe？”
　　“The7thofFebruaryatyourservice，SirPercy，“repliedChauvelinquietly。
　　“Ithankyou，sir。Inthisd——dholeIhadlostcountoftime。“
　　Chauvelin，unlikehisroughandblunderingcolleague，hadbeenwatchingtheprisonerverycloselyforthelastmomentortwo，consciousofasubtle，undefinablechangethathadcomeoverthemanduringthosefewsecondswhilehe，Chauvelin，hadthoughthimdying。Theposewascertainlytheoldfamiliarone，theheaderect，thehandclenched，theeyeslookingthroughandbeyondthestonewalls；buttherewasanairoflistlessnessinthestoopoftheshoulders，and——exceptforthatonebriefgleamjustnow——alookofmorecompletewearinessroundtheholloweyes！Tothekeenwatcheritappearedasifthatsenseoflivingpower，ofunconqueredwillanddefiantmindwasnolongerthere，andasifhehimselfneednolongerfearthatalmostsupersensualthrillwhichhadawhileagokindledinhimavaguesenseofadmiration——almostofremorse。
　　Evenashegazed，Blakeneyslowlyturnedhiseyesfulluponhim。
　　Chauvelin'sheartgaveatriumphantbound。
　　Withamockingsmilehemettheweariedlook，thepitiableappeal。
　　Histurnhadcomeatlast——histurntomockandtoexult。Heknewthatwhathewaswatchingnowwasnolongerthelastphaseofalongandnoblemartyrdom；itwastheend——theinevitableend——thatforwhichhehadschemedandstriven，forwhichhehadschooledhishearttoferocityandcallousnessthatweredevilishintheirintensity。Itwastheendindeed，theslowdescentofasoulfromthegiddyheightsofattemptedself-sacrifice，whereithadstriventosoarforatime，untilthebodyandthewillbothsuccumbedtogetheranddraggeditdownwiththemintotheabyssofsubmissionandofirreparableshame。
　　CHAPTERXXXVI
　　SUBMISSION
　　Silencereignedinthenarrowcellforafewmoments，whilsttwohumanjackalsstoodmotionlessovertheircapturedprey。
　　AsavagetriumphgleamedinChauvelin'seyes，andevenHeron，dullandbrutalthoughhewas，hadbecomevaguelyconsciousofthegreatchangethathadcomeovertheprisoner。
　　Blakeney，withagestureandasighofhopelessexhaustionhadoncemorerestedbothhiselbowsonthetable；hisheadfellheavyandalmostlifelessdownwardinhisarms。
　　“Curseyou，man！”criedHeronalmostinvoluntarily。“Whyinthenameofhelldidyouwaitsolong？”
　　Then，astheprisonermadenoreply，butonlyraisedhisheadslightly，andlookedontheothertwomenwithdulled，weariedeyes，Chauvelininterposedcalmly：
　　“Morethanafortnighthasbeenwastedinuselessobstinacy，SirPercy。Fortunatelyitisnottoolate。“
　　“Capet？”saidHeronhoarsely，“tellus，whereisCapet？”
　　Heleanedacrossthetable，hiseyeswerebloodshotwiththekeennessofhisexcitement，hisvoiceshookwiththepassionatedesireforthecrowningtriumph。
　　“Ifyou'llonlynotworryme，“murmuredtheprisoner；andthewhispercamesolaboriouslyandsolowthatbothmenwereforcedtobendtheirearsclosetothescarcelymovinglips；“ifyouwillletmesleepandrest，andleavemeinpeace——“
　　“Thepeaceofthegrave，man，“retortedChauvelinroughly；“ifyouwillonlyspeak。WhereisCapet？”
　　“Icannottellyou；thewayislong，theroad——intricate。“
　　“Bah！”
　　“I'llleadyoutohim，ifyouwillgivemerest。“
　　“Wedon'twantyoutoleadusanywhere，“growledHeronwithasmotheredcurse；“telluswhereCapetis；we'llfindhimrightenough。“
　　“Icannotexplain；thewayisintricate；theplaceoffthebeatentrack，unknownexcepttomeandmyfriends。“
　　Oncemorethatshadow，whichwassolikethepassingofthehandofDeath，overspreadtheprisoner'sface；hisheadrolledbackagainstthechair。
　　“He'lldiebeforehecanspeak，“mutteredChauvelinunderhisbreath。“Youusuallyarewellprovidedwithbrandy，citizenHeron。“
　　Thelatternolongerdemurred。Hesawthedangerasclearlyasdidhiscolleague。Ithadbeenhell'sownluckiftheprisonerweretodienowwhenheseemedreadytogivein。Heproducedaflaskfromthepocketofhiscoat，andthisheheldtoBlakeney'slips。
　　“Beastlystuff，“murmuredthelatterfeebly。“IthinkI'dsoonerfaint——thandrink。“
　　“Capet？whereisCapet？”reiteratedHeronimpatiently。“One——two——
　　threehundredleaguesfromhere。Imustletoneofmyfriendsknow；
　　he'llcommunicatewiththeothers；theymustbeprepared，“repliedtheprisonerslowly。
　　Heronutteredablasphemousoath。
　　WhereisCapet？TelluswhereCapetis，or——“
　　Hewaslikearagingtigerthatbadthoughttoholditspreyandsuddenlyrealisedthatitwasbeingsnatchedfromhim。Heraisedhisfist，andwithoutdoubtthenextmomenthewouldLavesilencedforeverthelipsthatheldtheprecioussecret，butChauvelinfortunatelywasquickenoughtoseizehiswrist。
　　“Haveacare，citizen，“hesaidperemptorily；“haveacare！YoucalledmeafooljustnowwhenyouthoughtIhadkilledtheprisoner。Itishissecretwewantfirst；hisdeathcanfollowafterwards。“
　　“Yes，butnotinthisd——dhole，“murmuredBlakeney。
　　“Ontheguillotineifyou'llspeak，“criedHeron，whoseexasperationwasgettingthebetterofhisself-interest，“butifyou'llnotspeakthenitshallbestarvationinthishole——yes，starvation，“hegrowled，showingarowoflargeanduneventeethlikethoseofsomemongrelcur，“forI'llhavethatdoorwalledinto-night，andnotanotherlivingsoulshallcrossthisthresholdagainuntilyourfleshhasrottedonyourbonesandtheratshavehadtheirfillofyou。“
　　Theprisonerraisedhisheadslowly，ashivershookhimasifcausedbyague，andhiseyes，thatappearedalmostsightless，nowlookedwithastrangeglanceofhorroronhisenemy。
　　“I'lldieintheopen，“hewhispered，“notinthisd——dhole。“
　　“ThentelluswhereCapetis。“
　　“Icannot；IwishtoGodIcould。ButI'lltakeyoutohim，I
　　swearIwill。I'llmakemyfriendsgivehimuptoyou。DoyouthinkthatIwouldnottellyounow，ifIcould。“
　　Heron，whoseeveryinstinctoftyrannyrevoltedagainstthisthwartingofhiswill，wouldhavecontinuedtoheckletheprisonerevennow，hadnotChauvelinsuddenlyinterposedwithanauthoritativegesture。
　　“You'llgainnothingthisway，citizen，“hesaidquietly；“theman'smindiswandering；heisprobablyquiteunabletogiveyoucleardirectionsatthismoment。“
　　“WhatamItodo，then？”mutteredtheotherroughly。
　　“Hecannotliveanothertwenty-fourhoursnow，andwouldonlygrowmoreandmorehelplessastimewenton。“
　　“Unlessyourelaxyourstrictregimewithhim。“
　　“AndifIdowe'llonlyprolongthissituationindefinitely；andinthemeanwhilehowdoweknowthatthebratisnotbeingspiritedawayoutofthecountry？”
　　Theprisoner，withhisheadoncemoreburiedinhisarms，hadfallenintoakindoftorpor，theonlykindofsleepthattheexhaustedsystemwouldallow。WithabrutalgestureHeronshookhimbytheshoulder。
　　“He，“heshouted，“noneofthat，youknow。WehavenotsettledthematterofyoungCapetyet。“
　　Then，astheprisonermadenomovement，andthechiefagentindulgedinoneofhisfavouritevolleysofoaths，Chauvelinplacedaperemptoryhandonhiscolleague'sshoulder。
　　“Itellyou，citizen，thatthisisnouse，“hesaidfirmly。
　　“UnlessyouarepreparedtogiveupallthoughtsoffindingCapet，youmusttryandcurbyourtemper，andtrydiplomacywhereforceissuretofail。“
　　“Diplomacy？”retortedtheotherwithasneer。“Bah！itservedyouwellatBoulognelastautumn，diditnot，citizenChauvelin？”
　　“Ithasservedmebetternow，“rejoinedtheotherimperturbably。
　　“Youwillown，citizen，thatitismydiplomacywhichhasplacedwithinyourreachtheultimatehopeoffindingCapet。“
　　“H'm！”mutteredtheother，“youadvisedustostarvetheprisoner。
　　Areweanynearertoknowinghissecret？”
　　“Yes。Byafortnightofweariness，ofexhaustionandofstarvation，youarenearertoitbytheweaknessofthemanwhominhisfullstrengthyoucouldneverhopetoconquer。“
　　“ButifthecursedEnglishmanwon'tspeak，andinthemeanwhilediesonmyhands——“
　　“Hewon'tdothatifyouwillaccedetohiswish。Givehimsomegoodfoodnow，andlethimsleeptilldawn。“
　　“Andatdawnhe'lldefymeagain。Ibelievenowthathehassomeschemeinhismind，andmeanstoplayusatrick。“
　　“That，Iimagine，ismorethanlikely，“retortedChauvelindryly；
　　“though，“headdedwithacontemptuousnodoftheheaddirectedatthehuddled-upfigureofhisoncebrilliantenemy，“neithermindnorbodyseemtometobeinasufficientlyactivestatejustnowforhatchingplotorintrigue；butevenif——vaguelyfloatingthroughhiscloudedmind——therehassprungsomelittleschemeforevasion，Igiveyoumyword，citizenHeron，thatyoucanthwarthimcompletely，andgainallthatyoudesire，ifyouwillonlyfollowmyadvice。“
　　TherehadalwaysbeenagreatamountofpersuasivepowerincitizenChauvelin，ex-envoyoftherevolutionaryGovernmentofFranceattheCourtofSt。James，andthatsamepersuasiveeloquencedidnotfailnowinitseffectonthechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity。Thelatterwasmadeofcoarserstuffthanhismorebrilliantcolleague。Chauvelinwaslikeawilyandsleekpantherthatisfurtiveinitsmovements，thatwilllureitsprey，watchit，followitwithstealthyfootsteps，andonlypounceonitwhenitisleastwary，whilstHeronwasmorelikearagingbullthattossesitsheadinablind，irresponsiblefashion，rushesatanobstaclewithoutgaugingitsresistingpowers，andallowsitsvictimtoslipfrombeneathitsweightthroughtheveryclumsinessandbrutalityofitsassault。
　　StillChauvelinhadtwoheavyblackmarksagainsthim——thoseofhisfailuresatCalaisandBoulogne。Heron，renderedcautiousbothbythedeadlydangerinwhichhestoodandthesenseofhisownincompetencetodealwiththepresentsituation，triedtoresisttheother'sauthorityaswellashispersuasion。
　　“YouradvicewasnotofgreatusetocitizenCollotlastautumnatBoulogne，“hesaid，andspatonthegroundbywayofexpressingbothhisindependenceandhiscontempt。
　　“Still，citizenHeron，“retortedChauvelinwithunruffledpatience，“itisthebestadvicethatyouarelikelytogetinthepresentemergency。Youhaveeyestosee，haveyounot？Lookonyourprisoneratthismoment。Unlesssomethingisdone，andatonce，too，hewillbepastnegotiatingwithinthenexttwenty-fourhours；
　　thenwhatwillfollow？”
　　Heputhisthinhandoncemoreonhiscolleague'sgrubbycoat-sleeve，hedrewhimclosertohimselfawayfromthevicinityofthathuddledfigure，thatcaptivelion，wrappedinatorpidsomnolencethatlookedalreadysolikethelastlongsleep。
　　“Whatwillfollow，citizenHeron？”hereiterated，sinkinghisvoicetoawhisper；“soonerorlatersomemeddlesomebusybodywhositsintheAssemblyoftheConventionwillgetwindthatlittleCapetisnolongerintheTempleprison，thatapauperchildwassubstitutedforhim，andthatyou，citizenHeron，togetherwiththecommissariesincharge，havethusbeenfoolingthenationanditsrepresentativesforoverafortnight。Whatwillfollowthen，thinkyou？”
　　Andhemadeanexpressivegesturewithhisoutstretchedfingersacrosshisthroat。
　　Heronfoundnootheranswerbutblasphemy。
　　“I'llmakethatcursedEnglishmanspeakyet，“hesaidwithafierceoath。
　　“Youcannot，“retortedChauvelindecisively。“Inhispresentstateheisincapableofit，evenifhewould，whichalsoisdoubtful。“
　　“Ah！thenyoudothinkthathestillmeanstocheatus？”
　　“Yes，Ido。ButIalsoknowthatheisnolongerinaphysicalstatetodoit。Nodoubthethinksthatheis。Amanofthattypeissuretoovervaluehisownstrength；butlookathim，citizenHeron。Surelyyoumustseethatwehavenothingtofearfromhimnow。“
　　Heronnowwaslikeavoraciouscreaturethathastwovictimslyingreadyforhisgluttonousjaws。Hewasloathtoleteitherofthemgo。HehatedtheverythoughtofseeingtheEnglishmanbeingledoutofthisnarrowcell，wherehehadkeptawatchfuleyeoverhimnightanddayforafortnight，satisfiedthatwitheveryday，everyhour，thechancesofescapebecamemoreimprobableandmorerare；atthesametimetherewasthepossibilityoftherecaptureoflittleCapet，apossibilitywhichmadeHeron'sbrainreelwiththedelightfulvistaofit，andwhichmightnevercomeaboutiftheprisonerremainedsilenttotheend。