“IwishIwerequitesure，“hesaidsullenly，“thatyouwerebodyandsoulinaccordwithme。“
　　“Iaminaccordwithyou，citizenHeron，“rejoinedtheotherearnestly——“bodyandsoulinaccordwithyou。DoyounotbelievethatIhatethisman——aye！hatehimwithahatredtenthousandtimesmorestrongthanyours？Iwanthisdeath——HeavenorhellaloneknowhowIlongforthat——butwhatIlongformostishislastingdisgrace。ForthatIhaveworked，citizenHeron——forthatIadvisedandhelpedyou。Whenfirstyoucapturedthismanyouwantedsummarilytotryhim，tosendhimtotheguillotineamidstthejoyofthepopulaceofParis，andcrownedwithasplendidhaloofmartyrdom。Thatman，citizenHeron，wouldhavebaffledyou，mockedyou，andfooledyouevenonthestepsofthescaffold。InthezenithofhisstrengthandofinsurmountablegoodluckyouandallyourmyrmidonsandalltheassembledguardofPariswouldhavehadnopoweroverhim。Thedaythatyouledhimoutofthiscellinordertotakehimtotrialortotheguillotinewouldhavebeenthatofyourhopelessdiscomfiture。Havingoncewalkedoutofthiscellhale，heartyandalert，betheescortroundhimeversostrong，heneverwouldhavere-entereditagain。OfthatIamasconvincedasthatIamalive。Iknowtheman；youdon't。Minearenottheonlyfingersthroughwhichhehasslipped。AskcitizenCollotd'Herbois，askSergeantBibotatthebarrierofMenilmontant，askGeneralSanterreandhisguards。Theyallhaveataletotell。DidIbelieveinGodorthedevil，Ishouldalsobelievethatthismanhassupernaturalpowersandahostofdemonsathisbeckandcall。“
　　“Yetyoutalknowoflettinghimwalkoutofthiscellto-morrow？”
　　“Heisadifferentmannow，citizenHeron。Onmyadviceyouplacedhimonaregimethathascounteractedthesupernaturalpowerbysimplephysicalexhaustion，anddriventothefourwindsthehostofdemonswhonodoubtfledinthefaceofstarvation。“
　　“IfonlyIthoughtthattherecaptureofCapetwasasvitaltoyouasitistome，“saidHeron，stillunconvinced。
　　“ThecaptureofCapetisjustasvitaltomeasitistoyou，“
　　rejoinedChauvelinearnestly，“ifitisbroughtaboutthroughtheinstrumentalityoftheEnglishman。“
　　Hepaused，lookingintentlyonhiscolleague，whoseshiftyeyesencounteredhisown。Thuseyetoeyethetwomenatlastunderstoodoneanother。
　　“Ah！”saidHeronwithasnort，“IthinkIunderstand。“
　　“Iamsurethatyoudo，“respondedChauvelindryly。“ThedisgraceofthiscursedScarletPimpernelandhisLeagueisasvitaltome，andmore，asthecaptureofCapetistoyou。ThatiswhyIshowedyouthewayhowtobringthatmeddlesomeadventurertohisknees；
　　thatiswhyIwillhelpyounowbothtofindCapetandwithhisaidandtowreakwhatreprisalsyoulikeonhimintheend。“
　　Heronbeforehespokeagaincastonemorelookontheprisoner。
　　Thelatterhadnotstirred；hisfacewashidden，butthehands，emaciated，nervelessandwaxen，likethoseofthedead，toldamoreeloquenttale，mayhap，thenthantheeyescoulddo。ThechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritywalkeddeliberatelyroundthetableuntilhestoodoncemoreclosebesidethemanfromwhomhelongedwithpassionateardourtowrestanall-importantsecret。Withbrutal，grimyhandheraisedtheheadthatlay，sunkenandinert，againstthetable；withcallouseyeshegazedattentivelyonthefacethatwasthenrevealedtohim，helookedonthewaxenflesh，theholloweyes，thebloodlesslips；
　　thenheshruggedhiswideshoulders，andwithalaughthatsurelymusthavecausedjoyinhell，heallowedtheweariedheadtofallbackagainsttheoutstretchedarms，andturnedonceagaintohiscolleague。
　　“Ithinkyouareright，citizenChauvelin，“hesaid；“thereisnotmuchsupernaturalpowerhere。Letmehearyouradvice。“
　　CHAPTERXXXVII
　　CHAUVELIN'SADVICE
　　CitizenChauvelinhaddrawnhiscolleaguewithhimtotheendofthecellthatwasfarthestawayfromtherecess，andthetableatwhichtheprisonerwassitting。
　　Herethenoiseandhubbubthatwentonconstantlyintheguardroomwouldeffectuallydrownawhisperedconversation。Chauvelincalledtothesergeanttohandhimacoupleofchairsoverthebarrier。Theseheplacedagainstthewalloppositetheopening，andbeckoningHerontositdown，hedidlikewise，placinghimselfclosetohiscolleague。
　　Fromwherethetwomennowsattheycouldseebothintotheguard-roomoppositethemandintotherecessatdiefurthermostendofthecell。
　　“Firstofall，“beganChauvelinafterawhile，andsinkinghisvoicetoawhisper，“letmeunderstandyouthoroughly，citizenHeron。DoyouwantthedeathoftheEnglishman，eitherto-dayorto-morrow，eitherinthisprisonorontheguillotine？Forthatnowiseasyofaccomplishment；ordoyouwant，aboveall，togetholdoflittleCapet？”
　　“ItisCapetIwant，“growledHeronsavagelyunderhisbreath。
　　“Capet！Capet！MyownneckisdependentonmyfindingCapet。
　　Curseyou，haveInottoldyouthatclearlyenough？”
　　“Youhavetolditmeveryclearly，citizenHeron；butIwishedtomakeassurancedoublysure，andalsomakeyouUnderstandthatI，too，wanttheEnglishmantobetraylittleCapetintoyourhands。
　　IwantthatmoreeventhanIdohisdeath。“
　　“Theninthenameofhell，citizen，givemeyouradvice。“
　　“Myadvicetoyou，citizenHeron，isthis：Giveyourprisonernowjustasufficiencyoffoodtorevivehim——hewillhavehadafewmoments'sleep——andwhenhehaseaten，and，mayhap，drunkaglassofwine，hewill，nodoubt，feelarecrudescenceofstrength，thengivehimpenandinkandpaper。Hemust，ashesays，writetooneofhisfollowers，who，inhisturn，Isuppose，willcommunicatewiththeothers，biddingthemtobepreparedtodeliveruplittleCapettous；thelettermustmakeitcleartothatcrowdofEnglishgentlementhattheirbelovedchiefisgivinguptheuncrownedKingofFrancetousinexchangeforhisownsafety。ButIthinkyouwillagreewithme，citizenHeron，thatitwouldnotbeover-prudentonourparttoallowthatsamegallantcrowdtobeforewarnedtoosoonofthepro-poseddoingsoftheirchief。
　　Therefore，Ithink，we'llexplaintotheprisonerthathisfollower，whomhewillfirstappriseofhisintentions，shallstartwithusto-morrowonourexpedition，andaccompanyusuntilitslaststage，when，ifitisfoundnecessary，hemaybesentonahead，stronglyescortedofcourse，andwithpersonalmessagesfromthegallantScarletPimperneltothemembersofhisLeague。“
　　“Whatwillbethegoodofthat？”brokeinHeronviciously。“Doyouwantoneofhisaccursedfollowerstobereadytogivehimahelpinghandonthewayifhetriestoslipthroughourfingers？
　　“Patience，patience，mygoodHeron！”rejoinedChauvelinwithaplacidsmile。“Hearmeouttotheend。Timeisprecious。YoushallofferwhatcriticismyouwillwhenIhavefinished，butnotbefore。“
　　“Goon，then。Ilisten。“
　　“IamnotonlyproposingthatonememberoftheScarletPimpernelLeagueshallaccompanyusto-morrow，“continuedChauvelin，“butI
　　wouldalsoforcetheprisoner'swife——MargueriteBlakeney——tofollowinourtrain。“
　　“Awoman？Bah！Whatfor？”
　　“Iwilltellyouthereasonofthispresently。InhercaseI
　　shouldnotlettheprisonerknowbeforehandthatshetoowillformapartofourexpedition。Letthiscomeasapleasingsurpriseforhim。ShecouldjoinusonourwayoutofParis。“
　　“Howwillyougetholdofher？”
　　“Easilyenough。Iknowwheretofindher。ItracedhermyselfafewdaysagotoahouseintheRuedeCharonne，andsheisnotlikelytohavegoneawayfromPariswhileherhusbandwasattheConciergerie。Butthisisadigression，letmeproceedmoreconsecutively。Theletter，asIhavesaid，beingwrittento-nightbytheprisonertooneofhisfollowers，Iwillmyselfseethatitisdeliveredintotherighthands。You，citizenHeron，willinthemeanwhilemakeallarrangementsforthejourney。Weoughttostartatdawn，andweoughttobeprepared，especiallyduringthefirstfiftyleaguesoftheway，againstorganisedattackincasetheEnglishmanleadsusintoanambush。“
　　“Yes。Hemightevendothat，cursehim！”mutteredHeron。
　　“Hemight，butitisunlikely。Stillitisbesttobeprepared。
　　Takeastrongescort，citizen，saytwentyorthirtymen，pickedandtrainedsoldierswhowouldmakeshortworkofcivilians，howeverwell-armedtheymightbe。Therearetwentymembers——includingthechief——inthatScarletPimpernelLeague，andIdonotquiteseehowfromthiscelltheprisonercouldorganiseanambuscadeagainstusatagiventime。Anyhow，thatisamatterforyoutodecide。Ihavestilltoplacebeforeyouaschemewhichisameasureofsafetyforourselvesandourmenagainstambushaswellasagainsttrickery，andwhichIfeelsureyouwillpronouncequiteadequate。“
　　“Letmehearit，then！”
　　“Theprisonerwillhavetotravelbycoach，ofcourse。Youcantravelwithhim，ifyoulike，andputhiminirons，andthusavertallchancesofhisescapingontheroad。But“——andhereChauvelinmadealongpause，whichhadtheeffectofholdinghiscolleague'sattentionstillmoreclosely——“rememberthatweshallhavehiswifeandoneofhisfriendswithus。BeforewefinallyleaveParistomorrowwewillexplaintotheprisonerthatatthefirstattempttoescapeonhispart，attheslightestsuspicionthathehastrickedusforhisownendsorisleadingusintoanambush——
　　attheslightestsuspicion，Isay——you，citizenHeron，willorderhisfriendfirst，andthenMargueriteBlakeneyherself，tobesummarilyshotbeforehiseyes。“
　　Herongavealong，lowwhistle。Instinctivelyhethrewafurtive，backwardglanceattheprisoner，thenheraisedhisshiftyeyestohiscolleague。
　　Therewasunboundedadmirationexpressedinthem。Oneblackguardhadmetanother——agreateronethanhimself——andwasproudtoacknowledgehimashismaster。
　　“ByLucifer，citizenChauvelin，“hesaidatlast，“Ishouldneverhavethoughtofsuchathingmyself。“
　　Chauvelinputuphishandwithagestureofself-deprecation。
　　“Icertainlythinkthatmeasureoughttobeadequate，“hesaidwithagentleairofassumedmodesty，“unlessyouwouldprefertoarrestthewomanandlodgeherhere，keepingherhereasanhostage。“
　　“No，no！”saidHeronwithagrufflaugh；“thatideadoesnotappealtomenearlysomuchastheother。Ishouldnotfeelsosecureontheway……Ishouldalwaysbethinkingthatthatcursedwomanhadbeenallowedtoescape……No！no！Iwouldratherkeepherundermyowneye——justasyousuggest，citizenChauvelin……andundertheprisoner's，too，“headdedwithacoarsejest。“Ifhedidnotactuallyseeher，hemightbemorereadytotryandsavehimselfatherexpense。But，ofcourse，hecouldnotseehershotbeforehiseyes。Itisaperfectplan，citizen，ariddoesyouinfinitecredit；andiftheEnglishmantrickedus，“heconcludedwithafierceandsavageoath，“andwedidnotfindCapetattheendofthejourney，Iwouldgladlystranglehiswifeandhisfriendwithmyownhands。“
　　“AsatisfactionwhichIwouldnotbegrudgeyou，citizen，“saidChauvelindryly。“Perhapsyouareright……thewomanhadbestbekeptunderyourowneye……theprisonerwillneverriskhersafetyonthat，Iwouldstakemylife。We'lldeliverourfinal'either——or'themomentthatshehasjoinedourparty，andbeforewestartfurtheronourway。Now，citizenHeron，youhaveheardmyadvice；areyoupreparedtofollowit？”
　　“Tothelastletter，“repliedtheother。
　　Andtheirtwohandsmetinagraspofmutualunderstanding——twohandsalreadyindeliblystainedwithmuchinnocentblood，moredeeplystainednowwithseventeenpastdaysofinhumanityandmiserabletreacherytocome。
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII
　　CAPITULATION
　　WhatoccurredwithintheinnercelloftheConciergerieprisonwithinthenexthalf-hourofthat16thdayofPluvioseintheyearIIoftheRepublicis，perhaps，toowellknowntohistorytoneedorbearoverfullrepetition。
　　ChroniclersintimatewiththeinnerhistoryofthoseinfamousdayshavetoldushowthechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritygaveordersonehouraftermidnightthathotsoup，whitebreadandwinebeservedtotheprisoner，whoforcloseonfourteendayspreviouslyhadbeenkeptonshortrationsofblackbreadandwater；thesergeantinchargeoftheguard-roomwatchforthenightalsoreceivedstrictordersthatthatsameprisonerwasonnoaccounttobedisturbeduntilthehourofsixinthemorning，whenhewastobeservedwithanythinginthewayofbreakfastthathemightfancy。
　　Allthisweknow，andalsothatcitizenHeron，havinggivenallnecessaryordersforthemorning'sexpedition，returnedtotheConciergerie，andfoundhiscolleagueChauvelinwaitingforhimintheguard-room。
　　“Well？”heaskedwithfebrileimpatience——“theprisoner？
　　“Heseemsbetterandstronger，“repliedChauvelin。“Nottoowell，Ihope？”
　　“No，no，onlyjustwellenough。“
　　“Youhaveseenhim——sincehissupper？”
　　“Onlyfromthedoorway。Itseemsheateanddrankhardlyatall，andthesergeanthadsomedifficultyinkeepinghimawakeuntilyoutame。“
　　“Well，nowfortheletter，“concludedHeronwiththesamemarkedfeverishnessofmannerwhichsatsocuriouslyonhisuncouthpersonality。“Pen，inkandpaper，sergeant！”hecommanded。
　　“Onthetable，intheprisoner'scell，citizen，“repliedthesergeant。
　　Heprecededthetwocitizensacrosstheguard-roomtothedoorway，andraisedforthemtheironbar，loweringitbackafterthem。
　　ThenextmomentHeronandChauvelinwereoncemorefacetofacewiththeirprisoner。
　　Whetherbyaccidentordesignthelamphadbeensoplacedthatasthetwomenapproacheditslightfellfullupontheirfaces，whilethatoftheprisonerremainedinshadow。Hewasleaningforwardwithbothelbowsonthetable，histhin，taperingfingerstoyingwiththepenandink-hornwhichhadbeenplacedclosetohishand。
　　“Itrustthateverythinghasbeenarrangedforyourcomfort，SirPercy？”Chauvelinaskedwithasarcasticlittlesmile。
　　“Ithankyou，sir，“repliedBlakeneypolitely。
　　“Youfeelrefreshed，Ihope？”
　　“Greatlyso，Iassureyou。ButIamstilldemmedsleepy；andifyouwouldkindlybebrief——“
　　“Youhavenotchangedyourmind，sir？”queriedChauvelin，andanoteofanxiety，whichhevainlytriedtoconceal，quiveredinhisvoice。
　　“No，mygoodM。Chambertin，“repliedBlakeneywiththesameurbanecourtesy，“Ihavenotchangedmymind。“
　　Asighofreliefescapedthelipsofboththemen。Theprisonercertainlyhadspokeninaclearerandfirmervoice；butwhateverrenewedstrengthwineandfoodhadimpartedtohimheapparentlydidnotmeantoemployinrenewedobstinacy。Chauvelin，afteramoment'spause，resumedmorecalmly：
　　“YouarepreparedtodirectustotheplacewherelittleCapetlieshidden？”
　　“Iampreparedtodoanything，sir，togetoutofthisd——dhole。“
　　“Verywell。Mycolleague，citizenHeron，hasarrangedforanescortoftwentymenpickedfromthebestregimentoftheGardedeParistoaccompanyus——yourself，himandme——towhereveryouwilldirectus。Isthatclear？”
　　“Perfectly，sir。“
　　“Youmustnotimagineforamomentthatwe，ontheotherhand，guaranteetogiveyouyourlifeandfreedomevenifthisexpeditionproveunsuccessful。“
　　“Iwouldnotventureonsuggestingsuchawildproposition，sir，“
　　saidBlakeneyplacidly。
　　Chauvelinlookedkeenlyonhim。Therewassomethinginthetoneofthatvoicethathedidnotaltogetherlike——somethingthatremindedhimofaneveningatCalais，andyetagainofadayatBoulogne。Hecouldnotreadtheexpressionintheeyes，sowithaquickgesturehepulledthelampforwardsothatitslightnowfellfullonthefaceoftheprisoner。
　　“Ah！thatiscertainlybetter，isitnot，mydearM。Chambertin？”
　　saidSirPercy，beamingonhisadversarywithapleasantsmile。
　　Hisface，thoughstillofthesameashenhue，lookedsereneifhopelesslywearied；theeyesseemedtomock。ButthisChauvelindecidedinhimselfmusthavebeenatrickofhisownoverwroughtfancy。Afterabriefmoment'spauseheresumeddryly：
　　“If，however，theexpeditionturnsoutsuccessfulineveryway——iflittleCapet，withoutmuchtroubletoourescort，fallssafeandsoundintoourhands——ifcertaincontingencieswhichIamabouttotellyouallfalloutaswewish——then，SirPercy，IseenoreasonwhytheGovernmentofthiscountryshouldnotexerciseitsprerogativeofmercytowardsyouafterall。“
　　“Anexercise，mydearM。Chambertin，whichmusthaveweariedthroughfrequentrepetition，“retortedBlakeneywiththesameimperturbablesmile。
　　“Thecontingencyatpresentissomewhatremote；whenthetimecomeswe'lltalkthismatterover……Iwillmakenopromise……
　　and，anyhow，wecandiscussitlater。“
　　“Atpresentwearebutwastingourvaluabletimeoversotriflingamatter……Ifyou'llexcuseme，sir……Iamsodemmedfatigued——“
　　“Thenyouwillbegladtohaveeverythingsettledquickly，Iamsure。“
　　“Exactly，sir。“
　　Heronwastakingnopartillthepresentconversation。Heknewthathistemperwasnotlikelytoremainwithinbounds，andthoughhehadnothingbutcontemptforhiscolleague'scourtlymanners，yetvaguelyinhisstupid，blunderingwayhegrudginglyadmittedthatmayhapitwasbettertoallowcitizenChauvelintodealwiththeEnglishman。Therewasalwaysthedangerthatifhisownviolenttempergotthebetterofhim，hemightevenatthiseleventhhourorderthisinsolentprisonertosummarytrialandtheguillotine，andthuslosethefinalchanceofthemoreimportantcapture。
　　Hewassprawlingonachairinhisusualslouchingmannerwithhisbigheadsunkbetweenhisbroadshoulders，hisshifty，prominenteyeswanderingrestlesslyfromthefaceofhiscolleaguetothatoftheotherman。
　　Butnowhegaveagruntofimpatience。
　　“Wearewastingtime，citizenChauvelin，“hemuttered。“Ihavestillagreatdealtoseetoifwearetostartatdawn。Getthed——dletterwritten，and——“
　　Therestofthephrasewaslostinanindistinctandsurlymurmur。
　　Chauvelin，afterashrugoftheshoulders，paidnofurtherheedtohim；heturned，blandandurbane，oncemoretotheprisoner。
　　“Iseewithpleasure，SirPercy，“hesaid，“thatwethoroughlyunderstandoneanother。Havinghadafewhours'restyouwill，I
　　know，feelquitereadyfortheexpedition。Willyoukindlyindicatetomethedirectioninwhichwewillhavetotravel？”
　　“Northwardsalltheway。“
　　“Towardsthecoast？”
　　“Theplacetowhichwemustgoisaboutsevenleaguesfromthesea。“
　　“OurfirstobjectivethenwillbeBeauvais，Amiens，Abbeville，Crecy，andsoon？”
　　“Precisely。“
　　“AsfarastheforestofBoulogne，shallwesay？”
　　“Whereweshallcomeoffthebeatentrack，andyouwillhavetotrusttomyguidance。“
　　“Wemightgotherenow，SirPercy，andleaveyouhere。“
　　“Youmight。Butyouwouldnotthenfindthechild。Sevenleaguesisnotfarfromthecoast。Hemightslipthroughyourfingers。“
　　“AndmycolleagueHeron，beingdisappointed，wouldinevitablysendyoutotheguillotine。“
　　“Quiteso，“rejoinedtheprisonerplacidly。“Methought，sir，thatwe。haddecidedthatIshouldleadthislittleexpedition？
　　Surely，“headded，“itisnotsomuchtheDauphinwhomyouwantasmyshareinthisbetrayal。“
　　“Youarerightasusual，SirPercy。Thereforeletustakethatassettled。WegoasfarasCrecy，andthenceplaceourselvesentirelyinyourhands。“
　　“Thejourneyshouldnottakemorethanthreedays，sir。“
　　“DuringwhichyouwilltravelinacoachinthecompanyofmyfriendHeron。“
　　“Icouldhavechosenpleasantercompany，sir；still，itwillserve。“
　　“Thisbeingsettled，SirPercy。Iunderstandthatyoudesiretocommunicatewithoneofyourfollowers。“
　　“Someonemustlettheothersknow……thosewhohavetheDauphinintheircharge。“
　　“Quiteso。ThereforeIprayyouwritetooneofyourfriendsthatyouhavedecidedtodelivertheDauphinintoourhandsinexchangeforyourownsafety。“
　　“Yousaidjustnowthatthisyouwouldnotguarantee，“interposedBlakeneyquietly。
　　“Ifallturnsoutwell，“retortedChauvelinwithashowofcontempt，“andifyouwillwritetheexactletterwhichIshalldictate，wemightevengiveyouthatguarantee。“
　　“Thequalityofyourmercy，sir，passesbelief。“
　　“ThenIprayyouwrite。Whichofyourfollowerswillhavethehonourofthecommunication？”
　　“Mybrother-in-law，ArmandSt。Just；heisstillinParis，I
　　believe。Hecanlettheothersknow。“
　　Chauvelinmadenoimmediatereply。He'pausedawhile，hesitating。
　　WouldSirPercyBlakeneybeready——ifhisownsafetydemandedit——tosacrificethemanwhohadbetrayedhim？Inthemomentous“either——or“thatwastobeputtohim，by-and-by，wouldhechoosehisownlifeandleaveArmandSt。Justtoperish？ItwasnotforChauvelin——oranymanofhisstamp——tojudgeofwhatBlakeneywoulddoundersuchcircumstances，andhaditbeenaquestionofSt。Justalone，mayhapChauvelinwouldhavehesitatedstillmoreatthepresentjuncture。
　　Butthefriendashostagewasonlydestinedtobeaminorleverageforthefinalbreaking-upoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelthroughthedisgraceofitschief。Therewasthewife——MargueriteBlakeney——sisterofSt。Just，jointandfarmoreimportanthostage，whoseverycloseaffectionforherbrothermightproveanadditionaltrumpcardinthathandfulwhichChauvelinalreadyheld。
　　Blakeneypaidnoheedseeminglytotheother'shesitation。Hedidnotevenlookupathim，butquietlydrewpenandpapertowardshim，andmadereadytowrite。
　　“Whatdoyouwishmetosay？”heaskedsimply。
　　“Willthatyoungblackguardansweryourpurpose，citizenChauvelin？”queriedHeronroughly。
　　Obviouslythesamedoubthadcrossedhismind。Chauvelinquicklyre-assuredhim。
　　“Betterthananyoneelse，“hesaidfirmly。“Willyouwriteatmydictation，SirPercy？
　　“Iamwaitingtodoso，mydearsir。“
　　“Beginyourletterasyouwish，then；nowcontinue。“
　　Andhebegantodictateslowly，watchingeverywordasitleftBlakeney'spen。
　　“'Icannotstandmypresentpositionanylonger。CitizenHeron，andalsoM。Chauvelin——，Yes，SirPercy，Chauvelin，notChambertin……C，H，A，U，V，E，L，I，N……Thatisquiteright——'havemadethisprisonaperfecthellforme。'“
　　SirPercylookedupfromhiswriting，smiling。
　　“Youwrongyourself，mydearM。Chambertin！”hesaid；“Ihavereallybeenmostcomfortable。“
　　“IwishtoplacethematterbeforeyourfriendsinasindulgentamannerasIcan，“retortedChauvelindryly。
　　“Ithankyou，sir。Prayproceed。“
　　“……aperfecthellforme，'“resumedtheother。“Haveyouthat？……'andIhavebeenforcedtogiveway。To-morrowwestartfromhereatdawn；andIwillguidecitizenHerontotheplacewherehecanfindtheDauphin。Buttheauthoritiesdemandthatoneofmyfollowers，onewhohasoncebeenamemberoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel，shallaccompanymeonthisexpedition。I
　　thereforeaskyou'——or'desireyou'or'begyou'——whicheveryouprefer，SirPercy……“
　　“'Askyou'willdoquitenicely。Thisisreallyveryinteresting，youknow。“
　　“……'tobepreparedtojointheexpedition。Westartatdawn，andyouwouldberequiredtobeatthemaingateofthehouseofJusticeatsixo'clockprecisely。Ihaveanassurancefromtheauthoritiesthatyourlifeshouldbein-violate，butifyourefusetoaccompanyme，theguillotinewillawaitmeonthemorrow。'“
　　“'Theguillotinewillawaitmeonthemorrow。'Thatsoundsquitecheerful，doesitnot，M。Chambertin？”saidtheprisoner，whohadnotevincedtheslightestsurpriseatthewordingoftheletterwhilsthewroteattheother'sdictation。“Doyouknow，Iquiteenjoyedwritingthisletter；itsoremindedmeofhappydaysinBoulogne。“
　　Chauvelinpressedhislipstogether。Trulynowhefeltthataretortfromhimwouldhavebeenundignified，moreespeciallyasjustatthismomenttherecamefromtheguardroomthesoundofmn'svoicestalkingandlaughing，theoccasionalclangofsteel，orofaheavybootagainstthetiledfloor，therattlingofdice，orasuddenburstoflaughter——sounds，infact，thatbetokenedthepresenceofanumberofsoldierscloseby。
　　Chauvelincontentedhimselfwithanodinthedirectionoftheguard-room。
　　“Theconditionsaresomewhatdifferentnow，“hesaidplacidly，“fromthosethatreignedinBoulogne。Butwillyounotsignyourletter，SirPercy？”
　　“Withpleasure，sir，“respondedBlakeney，aswithanelaborateflourishofthepenheappendedhisnametothemissive。
　　Chauvelinwaswatchinghimwitheyesthatwouldhaveshamedalynxbytheirkeenness。Hetookupthecompletedletter，readitthroughverycarefully，asiftofindsomehiddenmeaningbehindtheverywordswhichhehimselfhaddictated；hestudiedthesignature，andlookedvainlyforamarkorasignthatmightconveyadifferentsensetothatwhichhehadintended。Finally，findingnone，hefoldedtheletterupwithhisownhand，andatonceslippeditinthepocketofhiscoat。
　　“Takecare，M。Chambertin，“saidBlakeneylightly；“itwillburnaholeinthatelegantvestofyours。“
　　“Itwillhavenotimetodothat，SirPercy，“retortedChauvelinblandly；“anyouwillfurnishmewithcitizenSt。Just'spresentaddress，Iwillmyselfconveythelettertohimatonce。“
　　“Atthishourofthenight？PooroldArmand，he'llbeabed。Buthisaddress，sir，isNo。32，RuedelaCroixBlanche，onthefirstfloor，thedooronyourrightasyoumountthestairs；youknowtheroomwell，citizenChauvelin；youhavebeeninitbefore。Andnow，“headdedwithaloudandostentatiousyawn，“shallwealltobed？Westartatdawn，yousaid，andIamsod——dfatigued。“
　　Frankly，hedidnotlookitnow。Chauvelinhimself，despitehismaturedplans，despitealltheprecautionsthatbemeanttotakeforthesuccessofthisgiganticscheme，feltasuddenstrangesenseoffearcreepingintohisbones。Halfanhouragohehadseenamaninwhatlookedlikethelaststageofutterphysicalexhaustion，ahunchedupfigure，listlessandlimp，handsthattwitchednervously，thefaceasofadyingman。Nowthoseoutwardsymptomswerestilltherecertainly；thefacebythelightofthelampstilllookedlivid，thelipsbloodless，thehandsemaciatedandwaxen，buttheeyes！——theywerestillhollow，withheavylidsstillpurple，butintheirdepthstherewasacurious，mysteriouslight，alookthatseemedtoseesomethingthatwashiddentonaturalsight。
　　CitizenChauvelinthoughtthatHeron，too，mustbeconsciousofthis，buttheCommittee'sagentwassprawlingonachair，suckingashort-stemmedpipe，andgazingwithentireanimalsatisfactionontheprisoner。
　　“Themostperfectpieceofworkwehaveeveraccomplished，youandI，citizenChauvelin，“hesaidcomplacently。
　　“Youthinkthateverythingisquitesatisfactory？”askedtheotherwithanxiousstressonhiswords。
　　“Everything，ofcourse。Nowyouseetotheletter。Iwillgivefinalordersforto-morrow，butIshallsleepintheguard-room。“
　　“AndIonthatinvitingbed，“interposedtheprisonerlightly，asherosetohisfeet。“Yourservant，citizens！”
　　Hebowedhisheadslightly，andstoodbythetablewhilstthetwomenpreparedtogo。Chauvelintookafinallonglookatthemanwhomhefirmlybelievedhehadatlastbroughtdowntoabjectdisgrace。
　　Blakeneywasstandingerect，watchingthetworetreatingfigures——
　　oneslenderhandwasonthetable。Chauvelinsawthatitwasleaningratherheavily，asifforsupport，andthatevenwhilstafinalmockinglaughspedhimandhiscolleagueontheirway，thetallfigureoftheconqueredlionswayedlikeastalwartoakthatisforcedtobendtothemightyfuryofanall-compellingwind。
　　WithasighofcontentChauvelintookhiscolleaguebythearm，andtogetherthetwomenwalkedoutofthecell。
　　CHAPTERXXXIX
　　KILLHIM！
　　TwohoursaftermidnightArmandSt。Justwaswakenedfromsleepbyaperemptorypullathishell。InthesedaysinParisbutonemeaningcouldasarulebeattachedtosuchasummonsatthishourofthenight，andArmand，thoughpossessedofanunconditionalcertificateofsafety，satupinbed，quiteconvincedthatforsomereasonwhichwouldpresentlybeexplainedtohimhehadoncemorebeenplacedonthelistofthe“suspect，“andthathistrialandcondemnationonatrumped-upchargewouldfollowinduecourse。
　　Truthtotell，hefeltnofearattheprospect，andonlyaverylittlesorrow。Thesorrowwasnotforhimself；heregrettedneitherlifenorhappiness。Lifehadbecomehatefultohimsincehappinesshadfledwithitonthedarkwingsofdishonour；sorrowsuchashefeltwasonlyforJeanne！Shewasveryyoung，andwouldweepbittertears。Shewouldbeunhappy，becauseshetrulylovedhim，andbecausethiswouldbethefirstcupofbitternesswhichlifewasholdingouttoher。Butshewasveryyoung，andsorrowwouldnotbeeternal。Itwasbetterso。He，ArmandSt。
　　Just，thoughhelovedherwithanintensityofpassionthathadbeenmagnifiedandstrengthenedbyhisownoverwhelmingshame，hadneverreallybroughthisbelovedonesinglemomentofunalloyedhappiness。
　　FromtheveryfirstdaywhenhesatbesideherinthetinyboudoiroftheSquareduRoule，andtheheavyfootfallofHeronandhisbloodhoundsbrokeinontheirfirstkiss，downtothishourwhichhebelievedstruckhisowndeath-knell，hisloveforherhadbroughtmoretearstoherdeareyesthansmilestoherexquisitemouth。
　　Herhehadlovedsodearly，thatforhersweetsakehehadsacrificedhonour，friendshipandtruth；tofreeher，ashebelieved，fromthehandsofimpiousbruteshehaddoneadeedthatcriedCain-likeforvengeancetotheverythroneofGod。Forherhehadsinned，andbecauseofthatsin，evenbeforeitwascommitted，theirlovehadbeenblighted，andhappinesshadneverbeentheirs。
　　Nowitwasallover。Hewouldpassoutofherlife，upthestepsofthescaffold，tastingashemountedthemthemostentirehappinessthathehadknownsincethatawfuldaywhenhebecameaJudas。
　　Theperemptorysummons，oncemorerepeated，rousedhimfromhismeditations。Helitacandle，andwithouttroublingtoslipanyofhisclotheson，hecrossedthenarrowante-chamber，andopenedthedoorthatgaveonthelanding。
　　“Inthenameofthepeople！”
　　Hehadexpectedtohearnotonlythosewords，butalsothegroundingofarmsandthebriefcommandtohalt。HehadexpectedtoseebeforehimthewhitefacingsoftheuniformoftheGardedeParis，andtofeelhimselfroughlypushedbackintohislodgingpreparatorytothesearchbeingmadeofallhiseffectsandtheplacingofironsonhiswrists。
　　Insteadofthis，itwasaquiet，dryvoicethatsaidwithoutundueharshness：
　　“Inthenameofthepeople！”
　　Andinsteadoftheuniforms，thebayonetsandthescarletcapswithtricolourcockades，hewasconfrontedbyaslight，sable-cladfigure，whoseface，litbytheflickeringlightofthetallowcandle，lookedstrangelypaleandearnest。
　　“CitizenChauvelin！”gaspedArmand，moresurprisedthanfrightenedatthisunexpectedapparition。
　　“Himself，citizen，atyourservice，“repliedChauvelinwithhisquiet，ironicalmanner。“IamthebearerofaletterforyoufromSirPercyBlakeney。HaveIyourpermissiontoenter？”
　　MechanicallyArmandstoodaside，allowingtheothermantopassin。Heclosedthedoorbehindhisnocturnalvisitor，then，taperinhand，heprecededhimintotheinnerroom。
　　Itwasthesameoneinwhichafortnightagoafightinglionhadbeenbroughttohisknees。Nowitlaywrappedingloom，thefeeblelightofthecandleonlylightingArmand'sfaceandthewhitefrillofhisshirt。Theyoungmanputthetaperdownonthetableandturnedtohisvisitor。
　　“ShallIlightthelamp？”heasked。
　　“Quiteunnecessary，“repliedChauvelincurtly。“Ihaveonlyalettertodeliver，andafterthattoaskyouonebriefquestion。“
　　FromthepocketofhiscoathedrewtheletterwhichBlakeneyhadwrittenanhourago。
　　“Theprisonerwrotethisinmypresence，“hesaidashehandedtheletterovertoArmand。“Willyoureadit？”
　　Armandtookitfromhim，andsatdownclosetothetable；leaningforwardheheldthepapernearthelight，andbegantoread。Hereadtheletterthroughveryslowlytotheend，thenonceagainfromthebeginning。HewastryingtodothatwhichChauvelinhadwishedtodoanhourago；hewastryingtofindtheinnermeaningwhichhefeltmustinevitablyliebehindthesewordswhichPercyhadwrittenwithhisownhand。
　　ThatthesebarewordswerebutablindtodeceivetheenemyArmandneverdoubtedforamoment。InthishewasasloyalasMargueritewouldhavebeenherself。NeverforamomentdidthesuspicioncrosshismindthatBlakeneywasabouttoplaythepartofacoward，buthe，Armand，feltthatasafaithfulfriendandfollowerheoughtbyinstincttoknowexactlywhathischiefintended，whathemeanthimtodo。
　　Swiftlyhisthoughtsflewbacktothatotherletter，theonewhichMargueritehadgivenhim——theletterfullofpityandoffriendshipwhichhadbroughthimhopeandajoyandpeacewhichhehadthoughtatonetimethathewouldneverknowagain。Andsuddenlyonesentenceinthatletterstoodoutsoclearlybeforehiseyesthatitblurredtheactual，tangibleonesonthepaperwhichevennowrustledinhishand。
　　Butifatanytimeyoureceiveanotherletterfromme——beitscontentswhattheymay——actinaccordancewiththeletter，butsendacopyofitatoncetoFfoulkesortoMarguerite。
　　Noweverythingseemedatoncequiteclear；hisduty，hisnextactions，everywordthathewouldspeaktoChauvelin。ThosethatPercyhadwrittentohimwerealreadyindeliblygravenonhismemory。
　　Chauvelinhadwaitedwithhisusualpatience，silentandimperturbable，whiletheyoungmanread。NowwhenhesawthatArmandhadfinished，hesaidquietly：
　　“Justonequestion，citizen，andIneednotdetainyoulonger。
　　Butfirstwillyoukindlygivemebackthatletter？Itisapreciousdocumentwhichwillforeverremaininthearchivesofthenation。“
　　ButevenwhilehespokeArmand，withoneofthosequickintuitionsthatcomeinmomentsofacutecrisis，haddonejustthatwhichhefeltBlakeneywouldwishhimtodo。Hehadheldtheletterclosetothecandle。Acornerofthethincrisppaperimmediatelycaughtfire，andbeforeChauvelincouldutterawordofanger，ormakeamovementtopreventtheconflagration，theflameshadlickedupfullyonehalfoftheletter，andArmandhadonlyjusttimetothrowtheremainderonthefloorandtostampouttheblazewithhisfoot。
　　“Iamsorry，citizen，“hesaidcalmly；“anaccident。“
　　“Auselessactofdevotion，“interposedChauvelin，whoalreadyhadsmotheredtheoaththathadrisentohislips。TheScarletPimpernel'sactionsinthepresentmatterwillnotlosetheirmeritedpublicitythroughthefoolishdestructionofthisdocument。“
　　“Ihadnothought，citizen，“retortedtheyoungman，“ofcommentingontheactionsofmychief，oroftryingtodenythemthatpublicitywhichyouseemtodesireforthemalmostasmuchasIdo。“
　　“More，citizen，agreatdealmore！TheimpeccableScarletPimpernel，thenobleandgallantEnglishgentleman，hasagreedtodeliverintoourhandstheuncrownedKingofFrance——inexchangeforhisownlifeandfreedom。Methinksthatevenhisworstenemywouldnotwishforabetterendingtoacareerofadventure，andareputationforbraveryunequalledinEurope。Butnomoreofthis，timeispressing，ImusthelpcitizenHeronwithhisfinalpreparationsforhisjourney。You，ofcourse，citizenSt。Just，willactinaccordancewithSirPercyBlakeney'swishes？”
　　“Ofcourse，“repliedArmand。
　　“YouwillpresentyourselfatthemainentranceofthehouseofJusticeatsixo'clockthismorning。“
　　“Iwillnotfailyou。“
　　“Acoachwillbeprovidedforyou。Youwillfollowtheexpeditionashostageforthegoodfaithofyourchief。“
　　“Iquiteunderstand。“
　　“H'm！That'sbrave！Youhavenofear，citizenSt。Just？”
　　“Fearofwhat，sir？
　　“Youwillbeahostageinourhands，citizen；yourlifeaguaranteethatyourchiefhasnothoughtofplayingusfalse。NowIwasthinkingof——ofcertainevents——whichledtothearrestofSirPercyBlakeney。“
　　“Ofmytreachery，youmean，“rejoinedtheyoungmancalmly，eventhoughhisfacehadsuddenlybecomepaleasdeath。“Ofthedamnableliewherewithyoucheatedmeintosellingmyhonour，andmademewhatIam——acreaturescarcefittowalkuponthisearth。“
　　“Oh！”protestedChauvelinblandly。
　　“Thedamnablelie，“continuedArmandmorevehemently，“thathathmademeonewithCainandtheIscariot。Whenyougoadedmeintothehellishact，JeanneLangewasalreadyfree。“
　　“Free——butnotsafe。“
　　“Alie，man！Alie！Forwhichyouarethriceaccursed。GreatGod，isitnotyouthatshouldhavecauseforfear？MethinkswereItostrangleyounowIshouldsufferlessofremorse。“
　　“Andwouldberenderingyourex-chiefbutasorryservice，“
　　interposedChauvelinwithquietirony。“SirPercyBlakeneyisadyingman，citizenSt。Just；he'llbeadeadmanatdawnifIdonotputinanappearancebysixo'clockthismorning。ThisisaprivateunderstandingbetweencitizenHeronandmyself。WeagreedtoitbeforeIcametoseeyou。“
　　“Oh，youtakecareofyourownmiserableskinwellenough！Butyouneednotbeafraidofme——Itakemyordersfrommychief，andhehasnotorderedmetokillyou。“
　　“Thatwaskindofhim。Thenwemaycountonyou？Youarenotafraid？”
　　“AfraidthattheScarletPimpernelwouldleavemeinthelurchbecauseoftheimmeasurablewrongIhavedonetohim？”retortedArmand，proudanddefiantinthenameofhischief。“No，sir，I
　　amnotafraidofthat；IhavespentthelastfortnightinprayingtoGodthatmylifemightyetbegivenforhis。“
　　“H'm！Ithinkitmostunlikelythatyourprayerswillbegranted，citizen；prayers，Iimagine，soveryseldomare；butIdon'tknow，Ineverpraymyself。Inyourcase，now，IshouldsaythatyouhavenottheslightestchanceoftheDeityinterferinginsopleasantamanner。EvenwereSirPercyBlakeneypreparedtowreakpersonalrevengeonyou，hewouldscarcelybesofoolishastorisktheotherlifewhichweshallalsoholdashostageforhisgoodfaith。“
　　“Theotherlife？”
　　“Yes。Yoursister，LadyBlakeney，willalsojointheexpeditionto-morrow。ThisSirPercydoesnotyetknow；butitwillcomeasapleasantsurpriseforhim。AttheslightestsuspicionoffalseplayonSirPercy'spart，athisslightestattemptatescape，yourlifeandthatofyoursisterareforfeit；youwillbothbesummarilyshotbeforehiseyes。IdonotthinkthatIneedbemoreprecise，eh，citizenSt。Just？”
　　Theyoungmanwasquiveringwithpassion。Aterribleloathingforhimself，forhiscrimewhichhadbeentheprecursorofthisterriblesituation，filledhissoultothevergeofsheerphysicalnausea。Aredfilmgatheredbeforehiseyes，andthroughithesawthegrinningfaceoftheinhumanmonsterwhohadplannedthishideous，abominablething。Itseemedtohimasifinthesilenceandthehushofthenight，abovethefeeble，flickeringflamethatthrewweirdshadowsaround，agroupofdevilsweresurroundinghim，andwereshouting，“Killhim！Killhimnow！Ridtheearthofthishellishbrute！”
　　NodoubtifChauvelinhadexhibitedtheslightestsignoffear，ifhehadmovedaninchtowardsthedoor，Armand，blindwithpassion，driventomadnessbyagonisingremorsemoreeventhanbyrage，wouldhavesprungathisenemy'sthroatandcrushedthelifeoutofhimashewouldoutofavenomousbeast。Buttheman'scalm，hisimmobility，recalledSt。Justtohimself。Reason，thathadalmostyieldedtopassionagain，foundstrengthtodrivetheenemybackthistime，towhisperawarning，anadmonition，evenareminder。Enoughharm，Godknows，hadbeendonebytempestuouspassionalready。AndGodaloneknewwhatterribleconsequencesitstriumphnowmightbringinitstrial，andstrikingonArmand'sbuzzingearsChauvelin'swordscamebackasatriumphantandmockingecho：
　　“He'llbeadeadmanatdawnifIdonotputinanappearancebysixo'clock。“
　　Theredfilmlifted，thecandleflickeredlow，thedevilsvanished，onlythepalefaceoftheTerroristgazedwithgentleironyoutofthegloom。
　　“IthinkthatIneednotdetainyouanylonger，citizen，St。
　　Just，“hesaidquietly；“youcangetthreeorfourhours'restyetbeforeyouneedmakeastart，andIstillhaveagreatmanythingstoseeto。Iwishyougood-night，citizen。“
　　“Good-night，“murmuredArmandmechanically。
　　Hetookthecandleandescortedhisvisitorbacktothedoor。Hewaitedonthelanding，taperinhand，whileChauvelindescendedthenarrow，windingstairs。
　　Therewasalightintheconcierge'slodge。Nodoubtthewomanhadstruckitwhenthenocturnalvisitorhadfirstdemandedadmittance。Hisnameandtricolourscarfofofficehadensuredhimthefullmeasureofherattention，andnowshewasevidentlysittingupwaitingtolethimout。
　　St。Just，satisfiedthatChauvelinhadfinallygone，nowturnedbacktohisownrooms。
　　CHAPTERXL
　　GODHELPUSALL
　　Hecarefullylockedtheouterdoor。Thenhelitthelamp，forthecandlegavebutaflickeringlight，andhehadsomeimportantworktodo。
　　Firstly，hepickedupthecharredfragmentoftheletter，andsmootheditoutcarefullyandreverentlyashewouldarelic。
　　Tearshadgatheredinhiseyes，buthewasnotashamedofthem，fornoonesawthem；buttheyeasedhisheart，andhelpedtostrengthenhisresolve。Itwasamerefragmentthathadbeensparedbytheflame，butArmandkneweverywordoftheletterbyheart。
　　Hehadpen，inkandpaperreadytohisband，andfrommemorywroteoutacopyofit。TothisheaddedacoveringletterfromhimselftoMarguerite：
　　This——whichIhadfromPercythroughthehandsofChauvelin——I
　　neitherquestionnorunderstand……Hewrotetheletter，andI
　　havenothoughtbuttoobey。Inhispreviouslettertomeheenjoinedme，ifeverhewrotetomeagain，toobeyhimimplicitly，andtocommunicatewithyou。ToboththesecommandsdoIsubmitwithagladheart。ButofthismustIgiveyouwarning，littlemother——Chauvelindesiresyoualsotoaccompanyusto-morrow……
　　Percydoesnotknowthisyet，elsehewouldneverstart。Butthosefiendsfearthathisreadinessisablind……andthathehassomeplaninhisheadforhisownescapeandthecontinuedsafetyoftheDauphin……Thisplantheyhopetofrustratethroughholdingyouandmeashostagesforhisgoodfaith。GodonlyknowshowgladlyIwouldgivemylifeformychief……butyourlife，dearlittlemother……issacredaboveall……IthinkthatIdorightinwarningyou。Godhelpusall。
　　Havingwrittentheletter，hesealedit，togetherwiththecopyofPercy'sletterwhichhehadmade。Thenhetookupthecandleandwentdownstairs。
　　Therewasnolongeranylightintheconcierge'slodge，andArmandhadsomedifficultyinmakinghimselfheard。Atlastthewomancametothedoor。Shewastiredandcrossaftertwointerruptionsofhernight'srest，butshehadapartialityforheryounglodger，whosepleasantwaysandeasyliberalityhadbeenlikeapalerayofsunshinethroughthesqualorofevery-daymisery。
　　“Itisaletter，citoyenne，“saidArmand，withearnestentreaty，“formysister。ShelivesintheRuedeCharonne，nearthefortifications，andmusthaveitwithinanhour；itisamatteroflifeanddeathtoher，tome，andtoanotherwhoisverydeartousboth。“
　　Theconciergethrewupherhandsinhorror。
　　“RuedeCharonne，nearthefortifications，“sheexclaimed，“andwithinanhour！BytheHolyVirgin，citizen，thatisimpossible。
　　Whowilltakeit？Thereisnoway。“
　　“Awaymustbefound，citoyenne，“saidArmandfirmly，“andatonce；itisnotfar，andtherearefivegoldenlouiswaitingforthemessenger！”
　　Fivegoldenlouis！Thepoor，hardworkingwoman'seyesgleamedatthethought。Fivelouismeantfoodforatleasttwomonthsifonewascareful，and——
　　“Givemetheletter，citizen，“shesaid，“timetosliponawarmpetticoatandashawl，andI'llgomyself。It'snotfitfortheboytogoatthishour。“
　　“Youwillbringmebackalinefrommysisterinreplytothis，“
　　saidArmand，whomcircumstanceshadatlastrenderedcautious。
　　“BringituptomyroomsthatImaygiveyouthefivelouisinexchange。“
　　Hewaitedwhilethewomanslippedbackintoherroom。Sheheardhimspeakingtoherboy；thesameladwhoafortnightagohadtakenthetreacherousletterwhichhadluredBlakeneytothehouseintothefatalambuscadethathadbeenpreparedforhim。
　　EverythingremindedArmandofthatawfulnight，everyhourthathehadsincespentinthehousehadbeenrackingtorturetohim。Nowatlasthewastoleaveit，andonanerrandwhichmighthelptoeasetheloadofremorsefromhisheart。
　　Thewomanwassoonready。Armandgaveherfinaldirectionsastohowtofindthehouse；thenshetooktheletterandpromisedtobeveryquick，andtobringbackareplyfromthelady。
　　Armandaccompaniedhertothedoor。Thenightwasdark，athindrizzlewasfalling；hestoodandwatcheduntilthewoman'srapidlywalkingfigurewaslostinthemistygloom。
　　Thenwithaheavysighheoncemorewentwithin。
　　CHAPTERXLI
　　WHENHOPEWASDEAD
　　InasmallupstairsroomintheRuedeCharonne，abovetheshopofLucastheold-clothesdealer，MargueritesatwithSirAndrewFfoulkes。Armand'sletter，withitsmessageanditswarning，layopenonthetablebetweenthem，andshehadinherhandthesealedpacketwhichPercyhadgivenherjusttendaysago，andwhichshewasonlytoopenifallhopeseemedtobedead，ifnothingappearedtostandanylongerbetweenthatonedearlifeandirretrievableshame。
　　Asmalllampplacedonthetablethrewafeebleyellowlightonthesqualid，ill-furnishedroom，foritlackedstillanhourorsobeforedawn。Armand'sconciergehadbroughtherlodger'sletter，andMargueritehadquicklydespatchedabriefreplytohim，areplythatheldloveandalsoencouragement。
　　ThenshehadsummonedSirAndrew。Heneverhadathoughtofleavingherduringthesedaysofdiretrouble，andhehadlodgedallthiswhileinatinyroomonthetop-mostfloorofthishouseintheRuedeCharonne。
　　Athercallhehadcomedownveryquickly，andnowtheysattogetheratthetable，withtheoil-lampilluminingtheirpale，anxiousfaces；shethewifeandhethefriendholdingaconsultationtogetherinthismostmiserablehourthatprecededthecoldwintrydawn。
　　Outsideathin，persistentrainmixedwithsnowpatteredagainstthesmallwindowpanes，andanicywindfoundoutallthecrevicesintheworm-eatenwoodworkthatwouldafforditingresstotheroom。ButneitherMargueritenorFfoulkeswasconsciousofthecold。Theyhadwrappedtheircloaksroundtheirshoulders，anddidnotfeelthechillcurrentsofairthatcausedthelamptoflickerandtosmoke。
　　“Icanseenow，“saidMargueriteinthatcalmvoicewhichcomessonaturallyinmomentsofinfinitedespair——“IcanseenowexactlywhatPercymeantwhenhemademepromisenottoopenthispacketuntilitseemedtome——tomeandtoyou，SirAndrew——thathewasabouttoplaythepartofacoward。Acoward！GreatGod！”Shecheckedthesobthathadrisentoherthroat，andcontinuedinthesamecalmmannerandquiet，evenvoice：
　　“Youdothinkwithme，doyounot，thatthetimehascome，andthatwemustopenthispacket？”
　　“Withoutadoubt，LadyBlakeney，“repliedFfoulkeswithequalearnestness。“IwouldstakemylifethatalreadyafortnightagoBlakeneyhadthatsameplaninhismindwhichhehasnowmatured。
　　EscapefromthatawfulConciergerieprisonwithalltheprecautionssocarefullytakenagainstitwasimpossible。Iknewthatalas！fromthefirst。Butintheopenallmightyetbedifferent。I'llnotbelieveitthatamanlikeBlakeneyisdestinedtoperishatthehandsofthosecurs。“
　　Shelookedonherloyalfriendwithtear-dimmedeyesthroughwhichshoneboundlessgratitudeandheart-brokensorrow。
　　Hehadspokenofafortnight！ItwastendayssinceshehadseenPercy。Ithadthenseemedasifdeathhadalreadymarkedhimwithitsgrimsign。Sincethenshehadtriedtoshutawayfromhermindtheterriblevisionswhichheranguishconstantlyconjuredupbeforeherofhisgrowingweakness，ofthegradualimpairingofthatbrilliantintellect，thegradualexhaustionofthatmightyphysicalstrength。
　　“Godblessyou，SirAndrew，foryourenthusiasmandforyourtrust，“shesaidwithasadlittlesmile；“butforyouIshouldlongagohavelostallcourage，andtheselasttendays——whatacycleofmiserytheyrepresent——wouldhavebeenmaddeningbutforyourhelpandyourloyalty。GodknowsIwouldhavecourageforeverythinginlife，foreverythingsaveone，butjustthat，hisdeath；thatwouldbebeyondmystrength——neitherreasonnorbodycouldstandit。Therefore，Iamsoafraid，SirAndrew，“sheaddedpiteously。
　　“Ofwhat，LadyBlakeney？”
　　“ThatwhenheknowsthatItooamtogoashostage，asArmandsaysinhisletter，thatmylifeistobeguaranteehis，Iamafraidthathewilldrawback——thathewill——myGod！”shecriedwithsuddenfervour，“tellmewhattodo！”
　　“Shallweopenthepacket？”askedFfoulkesgently，“andthenjustmakeupourmindstoactexactlyasBlakeneyhasenjoinedustodo，neithermorenorless，butjustwordforword，deedfordeed，andIbelievethatthatwillberight——whatevermaybetide——intheend。“
　　Oncemorehisquietstrength，hisearnestnessandhisfaithcomfortedher。Shedriedhereyesandbrokeopentheseal。Thereweretwoseparatelettersinthepacket，oneunaddressed，obviouslyintendedforherandFfoulkes，theotherwasaddressedtoM。lebaronJeandeBatz，15，RueSt。JeandeLatranaParis。
　　“AletteraddressedtothatawfulBarondeBatz，“saidMarguerite，lookingwithpuzzledeyesonthepaperassheturneditoverandoverinherhand，“tothatbombasticwindbag！Iknowhimandhiswayswell！WhatcanPercyhavetosaytohim？”
　　SirAndrewtoolookedpuzzled。Butneitherofthemhadthemindtowastetimeinuselessspeculations。Margueriteunfoldedtheletterwhichwasintendedforher，andafterafinallookonherfriend，whosekindfacewasquiveringwithexcitement，shebeganslowlytoreadaloud：
　　Ineednotaskeitherofyoutwototrustme，knowingthatyouwill。ButIcouldnotdieinsidethisholelikearatinatrap——Ihadtotryandfreemyself，attheworsttodieintheopenbeneathGod'ssky。Youtwowillunderstand，andunderstandingyouwilltrustmetotheend。Sendtheenclosedletteratoncetoitsaddress。Andyou，Ffoulkes，mymostsincereandmostloyalfriend，IbegwithallmysoultoseetothesafetyofMarguerite。Armandwillstaybyme——butyou，Ffoulkes，donotleaveher，standbyher。Assoonasyoureadthisletter——andyouwillnotreadituntilbothsheandyouhavefeltthathopehasfledandImyselfamabouttothrowupthesponge——tryandpersuadehertomakeforthecoastasquicklyasmaybe……AtCalaisyoucanopenupcommunicationswiththeDay-Dreamintheusualway，andembarkonheratonce。LetnomemberoftheLeagueremainonFrenchsoilonehourlongerafterthat。ThentelltheskippertomakeforLePortal——theplacewhichheknows——andtheretokeepasharpoutlookforanotherthreenights。Afterthatmakestraightforhome，foritwillhenousewaitinganylonger。I
　　shallnotcome。ThesemeasuresareforMarguerite'ssafety，andforyouallwhoareinFranceatthismoment。Comrade，Ientreatyoutolookonthesemeasuresasonmydyingwish。TodeBatzI
　　havegivenrendezvousattheChapelleoftheHolySepulchre，justoutsidetheparkoftheChateaud'Ourde。HewillhelpmetosavetheDauphin，andifbygoodluckhealsohelpsmetosavemyselfI
　　shallbewithinsevenleaguesofLePortal，andwiththeLianefrozenassheisIcouldreachthecoast。
　　ButMarguerite'ssafetyIleaveinyourhands，Ffoulkes。WouldthatIcouldlookmoreclearlyintothefuture，andknowthatthosedevilswillnotdragherintodanger。BeghertostartatonceforCalaisimmediatelyyouhavebothreadthis。Ionlybeg，Idonotcommand。Iknowthatyou，Ffoulkes，willstandbyherwhatevershemaywishtodo。God'sblessingbeforeveronyouboth。
　　Marguerite'svoicediedawayinthesilencethatstilllayoverthisdesertedpartofthegreatcityandinthissqualidhousewheresheandSirAndrewFfoulkeshadfoundsheltertheselasttendays。Theagonyofmindwhichtheyhadhereendured，neverdoubting，butscarcelyeverhoping，hadfounditsculminationatlastinthisfinalmessage，whichalmostseemedtocometothemfromthegrave。
　　Ithadbeenwrittentendaysago。AplanhadthenapparentlyformedinPercy'smindwhichhehadsetforthduringthebriefhalf-hour'srespitewhichthosefiendshadoncegivenhim。Sincethentheyhadnevergivenhimtenconsecutiveminutes'peace；
　　sincethentendayshadgonebyhowmuchpower，howmuchvitalityhadgonebytooontheleadenwingsofallthoseterriblehoursspentinsolitudeandinmisery？
　　“Wecanbuthope，LadyBlakeney，“saidSirAndrewFfoulkesafterawhile，“thatyouwillbeallowedoutofParis；butfromwhatArmandsays——“
　　“AndPercydoesnotactuallysendmeaway，“sherejoinedwithapatheticlittlesmile。
　　“No。Hecannotcompelyou，LadyBlakeney。YouarenotamemberoftheLeague。“
　　“Oh，yes，Iam！”sheretortedfirmly；“andIhaveswornobedience，justasallofyouhavedone。Iwillgo，justashebidsme。andyou，SirAndrew，youwillobeyhimtoo？”
　　“Myordersaretostandbyyou。Thatisaneasytask。“
　　“Youknowwherethisplaceis？”sheasked——“theChateaud'Ourde？”
　　“Oh，yes，weallknowit！Itisempty，andtheparkisawreck；
　　theownerfledfromitattheveryoutbreakoftherevolution；heleftsomekindofstewardnominallyincharge，acuriouscreature，halfimbecile；thechateauandthechapelintheforestjustoutsidethegroundshaveoftservedBlakeneyandallofusasaplaceofrefugeonourwaytothecoast。“
　　“ButtheDauphinisnotthere？”shesaid。
　　“No。AccordingtothefirstletterwhichyoubroughtmefromBlakeneytendaysago，andonwhichIacted，Tony，whohaschargeoftheDauphin，musthavecrossedintoHollandwithhislittleMajestyto-day。“
　　“Iunderstand，“shesaidsimply。“Butthen——thislettertodeBatz？”
　　“Ah，thereIamcompletelyatsea！ButI'lldeliverit，andatoncetoo，onlyIdon'tliketoleaveyou。WillyouletmegetyououtofParisfirst？Ithinkjustbeforedawnitcouldbedone。
　　WecangetthecartfromLucas，andifwecouldreachSt。Germainbeforenoon，IcouldcomestraightbackthenanddeliverthelettertodeBatz。This，Ifeel，Ioughttodomyself；hutatAchard'sfarmIwouldknowthatyouweresafeforafewhours。“
　　“Iwilldowhateveryouthinkright，SirAndrew，“shesaidsimply；
　　“mywillisboundupwithPercy'sdyingwish。GodknowsIwouldratherfollowhimnow，stepbystep，——ashostage，asprisoner——anywaysolongasIcanseehim，but——“
　　Sheroseandturnedtogo，almostimpassivenowinthatgreatcalmbornofdespair。
　　Astrangerseeinghernowhadthoughtherindifferent。Shewasverypale，anddeepcirclesroundhereyestoldofsleeplessnightsanddaysofmentalmisery，butotherwisetherewasnotthefaintestoutwardsymptomofthatterribleanguishwhichwasrendingherheartstrings。Herlipsdidnotquiver，andthesourceofhertearshadbeendrieduptendaysago。
　　“TenminutesandI'llbeready，SirAndrew，“shesaid。“Ihavebutfewbelongings。WillyouthewhileseeLucasaboutthecart？”
　　Hedidasshedesired。Hercalminnowaydeceivedhim；heknewthatshemustbesufferingkeenly，andwouldsuffermorekeenlystillwhileshewouldbetryingtoeffaceherownpersonalfeelingsallthroughthatcomingdrearyjourneytoCalais。
　　Hewenttoseethelandlordaboutthehorseandcart，andaquarterofanhourlaterMargueritecamedownstairsreadytostart。ShefoundSirAndrewincloseconversewithanofficeroftheGardedeParis，whilsttwosoldiersofthesameregimentwerestandingatthehorse'shead。
　　WhensheappearedinthedoorwaySirAndrewcameatonceuptoher。
　　“ItisjustasIfeared，LadyBlakeney，“hesaid；“thismanhasbeensentheretotakechargeofyou。Ofcourse，heknowsnothingbeyondthefactthathisordersaretoconveyyouatoncetotheguard-houseoftheRueSte。Anne，whereheistohandyouovertocitizenChauvelinoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety。“
　　SirAndrewcouldnotfailtoseethelookofintensereliefwhich，inthemidstofallhersorrow，seemedsuddenlytohavelightedupthewholeofMarguerite'swanface。ThethoughtofwendingherownwaytosafetywhilstPercy，mayhap，wasfightinganunevenfightwithdeathhadbeenwell-nighintolerable；butshehadbeenreadytookeywithoutamurmur。NowFateandtheenemyhimselfhaddecidedotherwise。Shefeltasifaloadhadbeenliftedfromherheart。
　　“IwillatoncegoandfinddeBatz，“SirAndrewcontrivedtowhisperhurriedly。“AssoonasPercy'sletterissafelyinhishandsIwillmakemywaynorthwardsandcommunicatewithallthemembersoftheLeague，onwhomthechiefhassostrictlyenjoinedtoquitFrenchsoilimmediately。WewillproceedtoCalaisfirstandopenupcommunicationwiththeDay-Dreamintheusualway。
　　Theothershadbestembarkonboardher，andtheskippershallthenmakefortheknownspotofLePortel，ofwhichPercyspeaksinhisletter。ImyselfwillgobylandtoLePortel，andthence，ifIhavenonewsofyouoroftheexpedition，IwillslowlyworksouthwardsinthedirectionoftheChateaud'Ourde。ThatisallthatIcando。IfyoucancontrivetoletPercyorevenArmandknowmymovements，dosobyallmeans。IknowthatIshallbedoingright，for，inaway，Ishallbewatchingoveryouandarrangingforyoursafety，asBlakeneybeggedmetodo。Godblessyou，LadyBlakeney，andGodsavetheScarletPimpernel！”
　　Hestoopedandkissedherhand，andsheintimatedtotheofficerthatshewasready。Hehadahackneycoachwaitingforherlowerdownthestreet。Toitshewalkedwithafirmstep，andassheentereditshewavedalastfarewelltoSirAndrewFfoulkes。