"CitizenBellecour，"hesaid，andhisvoice，likehisface，seemedtohavechangedsincelasttheMarquishadheardit，andtohavegrownmoredeepandmetallic，"youmaymarvel，nowthatyoubeholdtheCommissionerwhosentacompanyofsoldierstorescueyouandyourChateaufromthehandsofthemoblastnight，whatpurposeI
　　soughttoservebyextendingtoyouaprotectionwhichnoneofyourordermerits，andyouleastofany，inmyeyes。"
　　"Thetimesmayhavewroughtsadandoverwhelmingchanges，"answeredtheMarquis，withcoldcontempt，"butithasnotyetsoutterlyabasedusthatwebringourselvestospeculateuponthepurposesoftherabble。"
　　AfaintcrimsonflushcreptintoCaron’ssallowcheeks。
　　"Indeed，Iseehowlittleyouhavechanged！"heansweredbitterly。
　　"Youareofthosethatwillnotlearn，Citizen。Thefaultlieshere，"headded，tappinghishead，"anditwillremainuntilweremovetheoneswiththeother。Butnowforthebusinessthatbringsme，"heproceeded，morebriskly。"Fouryearsago，CitizenBellecour，youlaidyourwhipacrossmyfaceinthewoodsoutyonder，andwhenIspokeofseekingsatisfactionactionyouthreatenedmewithyourgrooms。Iwillnotspeakofyourotherbrutalitiesonthatsameday。Iwillconfinemyselftothatfirstaffront。"
　　"Bebrief，sir，"criedtheMarquisoffensively。"Sinceyouhavetheforcetocompelustolistentoyou，letmebegthatyouwillatleastdisplaythegenerosityofdetainingusnolongerthanyouneed。"
　　"Iwillbeasbriefasitlieswithinthepossibilityofwords，"
　　answeredCaroncoldly。"Iamcome，CitizenBellecour，todemandofyouto—daythesatisfactionwhichfouryearsagoyourefusedme。"
　　"Ofme？"criedtheMarquis。
　　"Throughthepersonofyourson，theVicomte，asIaskedforitfouryearsago，"saidCaron。"Youareamoldman，Citizen，andIdonotfightoldmen。"
　　"Iamyetyoungenoughtocutyouintoribbons，youdog，ifIweremindedtodishonourmyselfbymeetingyou。"AndturningtoOmbrevalforsympathy，heventedalowlaughofcontemptuouswonder。
　　"Insolence！"sneeredOmbrevalsympathetically，whilstMademoisellestoodlookingonwithcheeksthatweregrowingpaler，forthatthiseventwouldendbadlyforeitherherfatherorherbrothersheneverdoubted。
　　"CitizenBellecour，"saidCaron，stillverycoldly，"youhaveheardwhatIpropose，ashaveyoualso，Citizen—vicomte。"
　　"Formyself，"begantheyouth"Iam—"
　　"Silence，Armand！"hisfathercommanded，layingahanduponhissleeve。"Understandme，citizen—deputy，orcitizen—commissioner，orcitizen—blackguardorwhateveryoucallyourvileself，youarecomeonafruitlessjourneytoBellecour。NeitherInormysonissolosttothedutywhichweoweourrankastosomuchasdreamofaccedingtoyourpreposterousrequest。Ithink，sir，thatyouhadbeenbetteradvisedtohaveleftthemobtoitsworklastnight，ifyoubutrestraineditforthispurpose。"
　　"Isthatyourlastword？"askedLaBoulaye，stillcalmlyweatheringthatstormofinsults。
　　"Myverylast，sir。"
　　"Therearemorewaysthanoneoftakingsatisfactionforthataffront，CitizenBellecour，"rejoinedLaBoulaye，"andifthecoursewhichInowpursueshouldprovemoredistastefultoyouthanthatwhichIlastsuggested，theblameofitmustrestwithyou。"Heturnedtothebluecoatatthedoor。"Citizen—soldier，mywhip。"
　　Therewasasuddenmovementamongthearistocrats—ahorrifiedrecoiling—andevenBellecourwasshakenoutofhissplendidarrogance。
　　"Insolentcur！"exclaimedOmbrevalwithwitheringscorn；"towhatlengthsispresumptiondrivingyou？"
　　"Tothelengthofahorsewhip，"answeredLaBoulayepleasantly。
　　HereceivedthewhipfromthehandsofthesoldierandhenowadvancedtowardsBellecour，unwindingthelashashecame。
　　Ombrevalbarredhiswaywithanoath。
　　"ByHeaven：youshallnot！"hecried。
　　"Shallnot？"echoedLaBoulaye，hislipscurling。"Youhadbeststandaside—youthataresteepedinmuskandfierceness。"AndbeforethesternandthreateningcontemptofLaBoulaye’sglancetheyoungnoblemanfellback。ButhisplacewastakenbytheVicomtedeBellecour，whoadvancedtoconfrontCaron。
　　"MonsieurlaBoulaye，"heannounced，"Iamreadyandwillingtomeetyou。"AndconsideringthegrimalternativewithwhichtheRepublicanshadthreatenedhim，theoldMarquishadnotthecouragetointerfereagain。
　　"Ah！"ItwasanexclamationofsatisfactionfromtheCommissioner。
　　"Iimaginedthatyouwouldchangeyourminds。Ishallawaityou，Citizen，inthegardeninfiveminutes’time。"
　　"Ishallnotkeepyouwaiting，Monsieur，"wastheVicomte’sanswer。
　　VeryformallyLaBoulayebowedandlefttheroomaccompaniedbytheofficerandfollowedbythesoldier。
　　"MonDieu！"gaspedtheMarquise，fanningherselfasthedoorclosedaftertheRepublicans。"OpenmeawindoworIshallstifle！Howtheplacereekswiththem。Iamacalmwoman，Messieurs，but，onmyhonour，hadheaddressedanyofyoubyhisodioustitleof’citizen’again，IswearthatIhadstruckhimwithmyownhands。"
　　Thereweresomethatlaughed。ButMademoisellewasnotofthose。
　　Hereyestravelledtoherbrother’spalefaceandweaklyframe，andherglancewassuchaglanceaswebenduponthebeloveddead，forinhimshesawonewhowasgoinginevitablytohisdeath。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　LABOULAYEDISCHARGESADEBT
　　AlongthenorthernsideoftheChateauranaterraceborderedbyaredsandstonebalustrade，andbelowthistheItaliangarden，socalledperhapsinconsequenceoftheoddlyclippedbox—trees，itsonlyfeaturethatsuggestedItaly。Atthefarendofthisgardentherewasastripofeventurfthatmighthavebeendesignedforafencingground，andwhichCaronknewofold。ThitherheledCaptainJuste，andthereinthepalesunshineofthatFebruarymorningtheyawaitedthearrivaloftheVicomteandhissponsor。
　　Buttheminuteswentbyandstilltheywaited—five，ten，fifteenminuteselapsed，yetnoonecame。Justewasonthepointofreturningwithintoseekthereasonofthisdelaywhenstepssoundedontheterraceabove。Buttheywereaccompaniedbytherustleofagown，andpresentlyitwasMademoisellewhoappearedbeforethem。Thetwomeneyedherwithastonishment，whichinthecaseofLaBoulaye，wastemperedbyanotherfeeling。
　　"MonsieurlaBoulaye，"saidshe，herglancewanderingtowardstheCaptain，"mayIspeakwithyoualone？"
　　OutwardlyimpassivetheCommissionerbowed。
　　"Yourservant，Citoyenne，"saidhe，removinghiscockedhat。
　　"Juste，willyougiveusleave？"
　　"Youwillfindmeontheterracewhenyouwantme，Citizen—deputy，"
　　answeredtheofficer，andsaluting，hedeparted。
　　ForamomentortwoafterhewasgoneSuzanneandCaronstoodconfrontingeachotherinsilence。Sheseemedsmittenwithasuddenawkwardness，andshelookedawayfromhimwhattimehewaited，hatinhand，thechillmorningbreezefaintlystirringaloosestrandofhisblackhair。
　　"Monsieur，"shefalteredatlast，"Iamcometointercede。"
　　AtthatafaintsmilehoveredasecondontheRepublican’sthinlips。
　　"AndisthenoblesseofFrancefallensolowthatitsendsitswomentointercedeforthelivesofitsmen？But，perhaps，"headdedcynically，"ithadnotfartofall。"
　　Hercheeksreddened。Hisinsulttoherclassacteduponherasaspurandovercametheirresolutenessthatseemedtohavebesether。
　　"Toinsultthefallen，sir，isworthyofthenewregime，whoserepresentativeyouare，Enfine！Wemusttakeit，Isuppose，aswetakeeverythingelseinthesedisorderedtimes—withabentheadandameeksubmission。"
　　"FromthelittlethatIhaveseen，Citoyenne，"heanswered，verycoldly，rousedinhisturn，"itratherseemsthatyoutakethingsonyourkneesandwithappealsformercy。"
　　"Monsieur，"shecried，andhereyesnowmethisinfearlessanger，"ifyoupersistinthesegratuitousinsultsIshallleaveyou。"
　　Helaughedinrudeamusement，andputonhishat。Thespellthatforamomentherbeautyhadcastoverhimwhenfirstshehadappearedhadbeenattenuating。Itnowbrokesuddenly，andashecoveredhimselfhiswholemannerchanged。
　　"Isthisinterviewofmyseeking？"heasked。"ItisyourbrotherIamawaiting。Nameofaname，Citoyenne，doyouthinkmypatienceinexhaustible？Theci—devantVicomtepromisedtoattendmehere。
　　Itwastheboastofyourorderthatwhateversinsyoumightbeguiltyofyouneverbrokeyourword。Haveyoulosteventhatvirtue，whichservedyouasacloakforuntoldvices？Andisyourbrotherfledintothewoodswhilstyou，hissister，comeheretointercedewithmeforhiswretchedlife？Pah！Intheolddaysyouarousedmyhatredbyyourtyranniesandyourinjustices；to—dayyouwearyanddisgustmebyyourineffablecowardices，fromthatgentlemaninPariswhonowcallshimselfOrleans—Egalitedownwards。"
　　"Monsieur，"shebeganButhewasnotyetdone。Hischeekswereflushedwithareflectionoftheheartwithin。
　　"Citoyenne，Ihaveadebttodischarge，andIwilldischargeitinfull。Intercessionsarevainwithme。Icannotforget。Sendmeyourbrotherwithintenminutestomeetmehere，mantoman，andheshallhave—allofyoushallhave—thechancethatliesinsuchanencounter。ButwoeuntoeverymanatBellecourifheshouldfailme。Citoyenne，youknowmymind。"
　　Butsheoverlookedthenoteofdismissalinhisvoice。
　　"Youspeakofadebtthatyoumustdischarge，"saidshe，withnowhitlessheatthanhehadexhibited。"Yourefertothedebtofvengeancewhichyoulooktodischargebymurderingthatboy，mybrother。Butdoyounotowemeadebtalso？"
　　"You？"hequestioned。"Myfaith！Unlessitbeadebtofscorn，Iknowofnone。"
　　"Aye，"shereturnedwistfully，"youareliketherest。Youhavealongmemoryforinjuries，butashortoneforbenefits。Haditnotbeenforme，Monsieur，youwouldnotbeherenowtodemandthisthatyoucallsatisfaction。HaveyouforgottenhowI—"
　　"No，"hebrokein。"Iwellrememberhowyousoughttostaythemwhentheywerefloggingmeintheyardthere。Butyoucametoolate。Youmighthavecomebefore，forfromthebalconyaboveyouhadbeenwatchingmytorture。Butyouwaitedoverlong。Iwascastoutfordead。"。
　　Sheflashedhimasearchingglance，asthoughshesoughttoreadhisthoughts，andtoascertainwhetherheindeedbelievedwhathewassaying。
　　"Castoutfordead？"sheechoed。"Andbywhosecontrivance？Bymine，M。laBoulaye。Whentheywerecuttingyoudowntheydiscoveredthatyouwerenotdead，andbutthatIbribedthementokeepitsecretandcarryyoutoDuhamel’shouse，theyhadcertainlyinformedmyfatherandyouwouldhavebeenfinishedoff。"
　　Hiseyesopenedwidenow，andintothemtherecameatroubledlook—thelookofonewhoisendeavouringtograspanelusiverecollection。
　　"Mafoi，"hemuttered。"ItseemstocometomeasifIhadheardsomethingofthesortinadream。Itwas—"Hepaused，andhisbrowswereknitamoment。Thenhelookedupsuddenly，andgraduallyhisfacecleared。"Why，yes—Ihaveit！"heexclaimed。"ItwasinDuhamel’shouse。WhileIwaslyinghalfunconsciousonthecouchIheardoneofthementellingDuhamelthatyouhadpaidthemtocarrymethereandtokeepasecret。"
　　"Andyouhadforgottenthat？"sheasked，withthefaintestnoteofcontempt。
　　"Notforgotten，"heanswered，"foritwasneverreallytheretoberemembered。ThatIhadheardsuchwordshadmorethanonceoccurredtome，butIhavealwayslookeduponitastherecollectionofsomethingthatIhaddreamt。Ihadneverlookeduponitasathingthathadhadarealhappening。"
　　"How，then，didyouexplainyourescape？"
　　"IalwaysimaginedthatIhadbeenassumeddead。"
　　Therewasabriefspellofsilence。Then—
　　"Andnowthatyouknow，Monsieur—？"
　　Sheleftthequestionunfinished，andheldoutherhandstohiminagestureofsupplication。Hisfacepaledslightlyandoverclouded。
　　Herinfluence，againstwhichsolonghehadsteeledhimself，reinforcedbythedebtinwhichshehadshownhimthathestoodtowardsher，wasprevailingwithhimdespitehimself。Stirredsuddenlyoutofthecoldnessthathehadhithertoassumed，hecaughttheoutstretchedhandsanddrewherastepnearer。Thatwashisundoing。Strongmanthoughheunquestionablywas，likemanyanotherstrongmanhisstrengthseemedtofallfromhimatawoman’stouch。Hehadledsoaustereandsternalifeduringthepastfouryears；ofwomenhehadbuthadthemostpassingofglances，andintercoursewithnonesaveanoldfemalewhoactedashishousekeeperinParis。Andherewasawomanwhowasnotonlybeautiful，butthewomanwhoyearsagohadembodiedallhisnotionsofwhatwasmostperfectinwomanhood；thewomanwhoeversince，anddespiteallthatwaspast，hadreignedinhisheartandmindalmostinspiteofhimself，almostunknowntohim。
　　Thetouchofherhandnow，theclosenessofherpresence，thefaintperfumethatreachedhimfromher，andthatwastohimasasymbolofherinherentsweetness，thelargeblueeyesmeetinghisinexpectation，andtheimploringhalf—poutofherlips，wereallseductionsagainstwhichhehadnotbeenhumanhadheprevailed。
　　Verywhiteintheintensityofthelong—quiescentpassionshehadresuscitated，hecried：
　　"Mademoiselle，whatshallIsaytoyou？"
　　Thefouryearsthatweregoneseemedsuddenlytohaveslippedaway。
　　ItwasasiftheystoodagainbythebrookintheparkonthatAprilmornwhenfirsthehaddaredtowordhispresumptuouslove。EventhevocabularyoftheRepublicwasforgotten，andtheinterdictedtitleof"Mademoiselle"fellnaturallyfromhislips。
　　"Saythatyoucanbegenerous，"sheimploredhimsoftly。"Saythatyoupreferthedebtyouowetotheinjuryyoureceived。"
　　"Youdonotknowthesacrificeyouask，"heexclaimedstillfightingwithhimself。"Ihavewaitedfouryearsforthis，andnow—"
　　"Heismybrother，"shewhispered，insowonderfulatonethatwordswhichofthemselvesmayhaveseemednoargumentatallbecamethecrowningargumentofherintercession。
　　"Soit！"heconsented。"Foryoursake，Mademoiselle，andinpaymentofthedebtIoweyou，IwillgoasIcame。IshallnotseetheCitizen—marquisagain。Butdoyoutellhimfrommethatifhesetsanyvalueonhislife，hehadbestshakethedustofFrancefromhisfeet。Toolongalreadyhashetarried，andatanymomentthosemayarrivewhowillmakehimemigratenotonlyoutofFrancebutoutoftheworldaltogether。Besides，thepeasantrythathasrisenoncemayriseagain，andIshallnotbeheretoprotecthimfromitsviolence。Tellhimhehadbestdepartatonce。"
　　"Monsieur，Iamgrateful—very，verydeeplygrateful。Icansaynomore。MayHeavenrewardyou。IshallpraythegoodGodtowatchoveryoualways。Adieu，Monsieur！"
　　Hestoodlookingatheramomentstillretaininghisholdofherhands。
　　"Adieu，Mademoiselle，"hesaidatlast。Then，veryslowly—asifsothatrealisinghisintentshemightfrustrateitwereshesominded—heraisedherrighthand。Itwasnotwithdrawn，andsohebentlow，andpressedhislipsuponit。
　　"Godguardyou，Mademoiselle，"hesaidatlast，andiftheywerestrangewordsforaRepublicanandaDeputy，itmustberememberedthathisbearingduringthepastfewmomentshadbeensingularlyunlikeaRepublican’s。
　　Hereleasedherhand，andsteppingback，doffedhishat。Withafinalinclinationofthehead，sheturnedandwalkedawayinthedirectionoftheterrace。
　　AtadistanceLaBoulayefollowed，solostinthoughtthathedidnotobserveCaptainJusteuntilthefellow’svoicebrokeuponhisear。
　　"Youhavebeenlongenough，Citizen—deputy，"wasthesoldier’sgreeting。"Itakeitthereistobenoduel。"
　　"Imakeyoumycomplimentsupontheacutenessofyourperception，"
　　answeredLaBoulayetartly。"Youareright。Thereistobenoencounter。"
　　Juste’sairwasslightlymocking，andwordsofnotoverdelicatebanterrosetohislips，tobeinstantlyquelledbyLaBoulaye。
　　"Letyourdrumsbeatarally，Citizen—captain，"hecommandedbriskly。
　　"WeleaveBellecourintenminutes。"。
　　Andindeed，inlessthanthattimetheblue—coatswereswingingbrisklydowntheavenue。IntherearrodeLaBoulaye，hiscloakwrappedabouthim，hissquarechinburiedinhisneck—cloth，andhisminddeepinmeditation。
　　>FromawindowoftheChateautheladywhowasthecauseoftheyoungRevolutionist’smentalabsorptionwatchedthedepartingsoldiers。
　　OneithersideofherstoodOmbrevalandherfather。
　　"Myfaith，littleone，"saidBellecourgood—humouredly。"Iwonderwhatmagicyouhaveexercisedtoridusofthatinfernalcompany。"
　　"Womenhavesometimesapowerofwhichmenknownothing，"washercrypticanswer。
　　Ombrevalturnedtoherwithascowlofsuddensuspicion。
　　"Itrust，Mademoiselle，thatyoudidnot—"hestoppedshort。Histhoughtswereofaqualitythatdefiedpoliteutterance。
　　"ThatIdidnotwhat，Monsieur？"sheasked。
　　"ItrustyourememberedthatyouaretobecometheVicomtessed’Ombreval"heanswered，constructinghissentencedifferently。
　　"Monsieur！"exclaimedBellecourangrily。
　　"IwaschieflymindfulofthefactthatIhadmybrother’slifetosave，"saidthegirl，verycoldly，hereyerestinguponherbetrothedinaglanceofsomuchcontemptthatitforcedhimintoanabashedsilence。
　　Inhermindshewascontrastingthissupercilious，vacillatingweaklingwiththestern，strongmanwholodeyonder。Asighflutteredacrossherlips。Hadthingsbutbeendifferent。HadOmbrevalbeentheRevolutionistandLaBoulayetheVicomte，howmuchbetterpleasedmightshenothavebeen。Butsinceitwasnotso，whysigh？ItwasnotasifshehadlovedthisLaBoulaye。
　　Howwasthatpossible？Washenotofthecanaille，baselyborn，andaRevolutionist—theenemyofherorder—inaddition？Itwereamadnesstoevendreamofthepossibilityofsuchathing，forSuzannedeBellecourcameoftooproudastock，andknewtoowelltherespectthatwasduetoit。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEINVALIDSATBOISVERT
　　TherehadbeenfrictionbetweentheNationalConventionandGeneralDumouriez，who，thoughafinesoldier，wasaremarkablyindifferentRepublican。TheConventionhadunjustlyorderedthearrestofhiscommissariatofficers，Petit—JeanandMalus，andinotherwaysirritatedamanwhosepatiencewasneverofthelongest。
　　Ontheeve，however，ofwarwithHolland，thegreatonesinParishadsuddenlyperceivedtheirerror，andhadsought—despitethemanyenemies，fromMaratdownwards，thatDumouriezcountedamongtheirnumbers—toconciliateageneralwhoseservicestheyfoundthattheycouldnotdispensewith。ThisconciliationwasthebusinessuponwhichtheDeputyLaBoulayehadbeendespatchedtoAntwerp，andasanambassadorheprovedsignallysuccessful，asmuchbyvirtueoftheexcellenttermshewasempoweredtoofferasinconsequenceofthesympathyanddiplomacyhedisplayedinofferingthem。
　　ThegreatRepublicanGeneralstarteduponhiscampaignintheLowCountriesasfullysatisfiedasunderthecircumstanceshecouldhopetobe。MalusandPetit—Jeanwerenotonlyenlargedbutreinstated，hewaspromisedabundantsuppliesofalldescriptions，andhewasassuredthattheRepublicapprovedandendorsedhisplanofcampaign。
　　LaBoulaye，hismissionsatisfactorilydischarged，turnedhomewardsoncemore，andwithanescortofsixmenandacorporalheswiftlyretracedhisstepsthroughthatblackened，war—ravagedcountry。
　　TheyhadsleptanightatMons，andtheywerewithinashortthreeleaguesofFrenchsoilwhentheychancedtoridetowardsnoonintothelittlehamletofBoisvert。Probablytheywouldhavegonestraightthroughwithoutdrawingrein，butthat，astheypassedtheAubergedel’Aigle，LaBoulayeespieduponthegreenfrontingthewaysidehostelryacompanyofahalf—dozensoldiersplayingatbowlswithcannon—balls。
　　ThesightbroughtCarontoasuddenhalt，andhesathishorseobservingthemandwonderinghowitchancedthatthesemenshouldfindthemselvessofarfromthearmy。Threeofthemshowedsignsofhavingbeenrecentlywounded。Onecarriedhisarminasling，anotherlimpedpainfullyandbytheaidofastick，whilsttheheadofthethirdwasswathedinbandages。Butmostremarkableweretheybyvirtueoftheirclothes。Onefellow—heofthebandagedhead—woreacoatofyellowbrocadedsilk，which，inspiteofarentintheshoulder，andsundrystainsofwineandoil，wasunmistakablyofacomparativenewness。Beneaththisappearedthenankeensandblackleggingsofasoldier。Anothercoveredhisgreasylockswithathree—corneredhat，richlylacedingold。A
　　thirdflauntedunderhisraggedbluecoatagold—broideredwaistcoatandaBrusselscravat。Avaluableringflashedfromthegrimyfingerofafourth，who，insteadofthemilitarywhitenankeens，woreapairofblacksilkbreeches。Therewasone—heoftheinjuredarm—resplendentinaredingoteofcrimsonvelvet，whilstheofthelimpsupportedhimselfuponagold—headedcaneofebony，whichwasinludicrousdiscordwiththetatteredbluecoat，thephrygiancap，andthetoesthatpeepedthroughhisbrokenboots。
　　Theypausedintheirgametoinspect，intheirturn，thenewcomers，andtoLaBoulayeitseemedthattheirglanceswerenotfreefromuneasiness。
　　"Apicturesquecompanyonmylife，"hemusedaloud。Thenbeckonedtheoneinthecrimsoncoat。
　　"Hola，Citizen，"hecalledtohim。
　　Thefellowhesitatedamoment，thenshuffledforwardwithasullenair，andstoodbyCaron’sstirrup。
　　"InGod’sname，whatareyouandwhoareyou？"theDeputydemanded。
　　"WeareinvalidedsoldiersfromthearmyofDumouriez，"themanansweredhim。
　　"Butwhatareyoudoinghere，atBoisvert？"
　　"Weareinhospital，Citizen。"
　　"Yonder？"askedLaBoulayederisively，pointingwithhiswhiptothe"EagleInn。"
　　Thefellownodded。
　　"Yes，Citizen，yonder，"heansweredcurtly。
　　LaBoulayelookedsurprised。Thenhiseyesstrayedtotheothersonthegreen。
　　"Butyouarenotallinvalids？"hequestioned。
　　"Manyofusareconvalescent。"
　　"Convalescent？Butthosethreebravesyonderaresomethingmorethanconvalescent。TheyareaswellasIam。Whydotheynotrejointhetroops？"
　　Thefellowlookedupwithascowl。
　　"Wetakeourordersfromourofficer，"heansweredsourly。
　　"Ah！"quoththeDeputy。"Thereissomeoneinchargehere，then？
　　Whomayitbe？"
　　"CaptainCharlot，"thefellowanswered，withanimpudentair，whichclearlyseemedtoask："Whathaveyoutosaytothat？"
　　"CaptainCharlot？"echoedLaBoulaye，inastonishment，forthenamewasthatofthesometimepeasantofBellecour，whohadsinceriseninlife，andwho，asanofficer，hadinafewmonthsacquiredabrilliantfamefordeedsofdaring。"CharlotTardivet？"heinquired。
　　"IsthereanyotherCaptainCharlotinthearmyoftheRepublic？"
　　thefellowaskedinsolently。
　　"Isheinvalidedtoo？"inquiredCaron，withoutheedingthesoldier’soffensivenessofmanner。
　　"HewasseverelywoundedatJemappes，"wastheanswer。
　　"AtJemappes？But，voyonsmyfriend，Jemappeswasfoughtthreemonthsago。"
　　"Why，soalltheworldknows。Whatthen？TheGeneralsentCaptainCharlotheretorestandbecured，givinghimchargeoftheinvalidedsoldierswhocamewithhimandofotherswhowerealreadyhere。"
　　"Andofthese，"criedLaBoulaye，hisamazementgrowing，"havenonereturnedtoDumouriez？"
　　"HaveInotsaidthatweareinvalids？"
　　Caroneyedhimwithcoldcontempt。
　　"Howmanyofyouarethere？"heasked。Andforallthatthemanbegantomislikethisquestioning，hehadnotthehardihoodtorefuseananswertothesterntonesofthatsternmanonhorseback。
　　"Somefifty，orthereabouts。"
　　LaBoulayesaidnothingforamoment，thentouchingthefellow’ssleevewithhiswhip。
　　"Howcameyouintothismasquerade？"heinquired。
　　"Mafoi，"answeredtheman，shrugginghisshoulders，"wewereinrags。Thecommissariatwasdemoralised，andsupplieswerenotforthcoming。Wehadtotakewhatwecouldfind，orelsegonaked。"
　　"Andwheredidyoufindthesethings？"
　　"Diable！Willyourquestionsnevercometoanend，Citizen？WouldyounotbebetteradvisedinputtingthemtotheCaptainhimself？"
　　"Why，soIwill。Whereishe？"
　　Inthedistanceacloudofdustmightbeperceivedabovethelong，whiteroad。ThesoldierespieditasLaBoulayeputhisquestion。
　　"Iammuchatfaultifhedoesnotcomeyonder。"Andhepointedtothedust—cloud。
　　"Ithink，"saidLaBoulaye，turningtohismen，"thatwewilldrinkacupofwineatthe’EagleInn。’"
　　Meanthoughtheplacewas，itwasequippedwithastable—yard，towhichadmittancewasgainedbyaporte—cochereontheright。
　　Wheelinghishorse，LaBoulaye，withoutanotherwordtothesoldierhehadbeenquestioning，rodethroughit，followedbyhisescort。
　　Thehostess，whocameforwardtoreceivethem，wasatall，bonywomanofveryswarthycomplexion，withbeadyeyesandteethprominentasarat’s。Butifill—favoured，sheseemed，atleast，well—intentioned，inadditiontowhichthetricolourscarfofofficeroundLaBoulaye’swaistwasathingthatcommandedrespectandservility，howevermuchitmightbetheinsigniaofaGovernmentofliberty，equality，andfraternity。
　　Shebadetheostlercarefortheirhorses，andshebroughtthemherbestwine，seekingunderanassumedgenialitytoconcealtheunrestbornofherspeculationsastowhatmighthappendidCaptainCharlotreturneretheDeputydeparted。
　　Charlotdidreturn。Scarceweretheyseatedattheirwinewhentheconfusedsoundsthatfromthedistancehadbeenswellingtookmoredefiniteshape。ThehostesslookeduneasyasLaBoulayeroseandwenttothedooroftheinn。Downtheroadmarchednowanumerouscompanyfromwhich—tojudgebytheiroddappearance—theplayersatbowlshadbeendrawn。Theynumberedcloseuponthreescore，andinthecentreofthemcameagreatlumberingvehicle，whichpuzzledLaBoulaye。Hedrewawayfromthedoorandpostedhimselfatthewindow，sothatunobservedhemightascertainwhatwastoward。Intothecourtyardcamethatcompany，pele—mele，anoddmixtureofragsandgauds，yetaverylustyparty，vigorousoflimbandloudofvoice。Withthemcamethecoach，andtherewassuchapressaboutthegatesthatLaBoulayelookedtoseesomeofthemcrushedtodeath。
　　Butwithafewshoutsandoathsandthreatsatoneanothertheygotthroughinsafety，andtheunwieldycarriagewasbroughttoastandstill。
　　Theywereclamouringaboutitsdoors，andtoLaBoulayeitseemedthattheywereonthepointofquarrellingamongthemselves，somewantingtoenterthecoachandothersseekingtorestrainthem，whenthroughtheporte—cochererodeCharlotTardivethimself。
　　Hebarkedoutasharpwordofcommand，andtheygrewsilentandstill，testifyingtoadisciplinewhichsaidmuchforthestrengthofcharacteroftheircaptain。Hewasstrangelyaltered，wasthisTardivet，andhisappearancenowwasworthyofhisfollowers。Underagaudily—laced，three—corneredhathishairhungdishevelledandunkempt，likewispsofstraw。Heworeacoatoffloweredblacksilk，withaheavygoldedging，andaverybrightplum—colouredwaistcoatshowedabovethebroadtricolourscarfthatsashedhismiddle。Hisbreecheswerewhite（orhadbeenwhiteinorigin），anddisappearedintoapairofverylustrouslacqueredbootsthatrosehighabovehisknees。Acavalrysabreofordinarydimensionshungfromamilitarybelt，andapistol—butt，peepingfromhissash，completedtheastonishingmotleyofhisappearance。Fortherest，hewasthesametallandwell—knitfellow；buttherewasmorestrengthinhissquarechin，moreintelligenceinthekeenblueeyes，and，alas！morecoarsenessinthemouth，whichbristledwithareddishbeardofsomedays’growth。
　　LaBoulayewatchedhimwithinterest。HehadbecomeintimatewithhimintheolddaysinParis，whitherTardivethadgone，andwhere，firedbythewrongshehadsuffered，hehadbeenoneoftheapostlesoftheRevolution。WhenthefrontiersofFrancehadbeenindangerTardivethadtakenuparms，andbythelustrewhichhehadsheduponthenameofCaptainCharlotashewascometobecalledthroughoutthearmy—hehadeclipsedthefameofCitizenTardivet，theerstwhileprophetofliberty。Greatchangestheseintheestateofonewhohadbeenasimplepeasant；butthenthetimesweretimesofgreatchanges。WasnotSanterre，thebrewer，becomeagreatgeneral，andwasnotRobespierre，theobscurelawyerofArras，bywayofbecomingadictator？Wasit，therefore，wonderfulthatCharlotshouldhavepassedfrompeasanttopreacher，frompreachertosoldier，andfromsoldierto—what？
　　AshrewdsuspicionwasbeingborneinuponLaBoulaye’smindashestoodbythatwindow，hismenbehindhimwatchingalso，withnolessintentnessandsomeuneasinessforthemselves—fortheymislikedthelookofthecompany。
　　InfivesecondsCharlothadrestoredorderinthehumanchaoswithout。Infiveminutestherewerebuttenmenleftintheyard。
　　TheothersweregoneatCharlot’sbidding—abidding，couchedinwordsthatwenttoconfirmLaBoulaye’ssuspicions。
　　"Youwillgetbacktoyourpostsatonce，"hehadsaid。"Becausewehavemadeonerichcaptureisnoreasonwhyyoushouldneglecttheopportunitiesofmakingothersnolessrich。You，Moulinet，withtwentymen，shallpatroltheroadtoCharleroi，andgetasnearFranceaspossible。YouBoligny，stationyourselfintheneighbourhoodofConde，withtenmen，andguardtheroadfromValenciennes。You，Aigreville，spreadyourtwentymenfromCondetoTournay，andwatchthefrontiersclosely。Makeaninspectionofanycapturesyoumaytake，andwastenotimeinbringinghitherworthlessones。Nowgo。Iwillseethateachman’sshareofthisisassuredhim。March！"
　　Thereweresomeshoutsof"VivelaRepublique！"someof"ViveleCaptaineCharlot！"andsotheypouredoutoftheyard，andlefthimtogiveafewhurrieddirectionstothetenmenthatremained。
　　"Sadinvalidsthese，asIlive！"exclaimedLaBoulayeoverhisshouldertohisfollowers。"Ha！Thereismyfriendoftheredredingote！"
　　ThefellowwiththebandagedheadhadapproachedCharlotandwastuggingathissleeve。
　　"Letbe，yougreasyrascal，"theCaptainsnappedathim，toadd：
　　"Whatdoyousay？ADeputy？Where？"Thefellowpointedwithhisthumbinthedirectionofthehostelry。
　　"Sacrednameofaname！"growledCharlot，and，turningsuddenlyfromthementowhomhehadbeenissuingdirections，hesprangupthestepsandenteredtheinn。AshecrossedthethresholdofthecommonroomhewasconfrontedbythetallfigureofLaBoulaye。
　　"Imakeyoumycompliments，Charlot，"wasCaron’sgreeting，"uponthevigoroushealththatappearstoprevailinyourhospital。"
　　Tardivetstoodamomentwithinthedoorway，staringattheDeputy。
　　Thenhisbrowcleared，andwithalaugh，atonceofwelcomeandamusement，hestrodeforwardandputouthishand。
　　"MygoodCaron！"hecried。"TomeetyouatBoisvertisapleasureIhadnotlookedfor。"
　　"Areyousoverysure，"askedLaBoulayesardonically，ashetooktheoutstretchedhand，"thatitisapleasure？"
　　"Howcoulditbeelse，oldfriend？BySt。Guillotine！"headded，clappingtheDeputyontheback，"youshallcometomyroom，andwewillbroachabottleofgreenseal。"
　　Insomemeasureofwonder，LaBoulayepermittedhimselftobeledupthecrazystairstoamostuntidyroomabove，whichevidentlydiddutyastheCaptain’sparlour。Aheavybrasslamp，hangingfromtheceiling，afewuntrustworthychairsandadealtable，stainedandunclean，weretheonlyarticlesoffurniture。ButinalmosteverycornertherewereuntidyheapsofgarmentsOfallsortsandconditions；strewnaboutthefloorwereotherarticlesofapparel，afewweapons，asaddle，andthreeorfourboots；hereanemptybottle，lyingonitsside，yonderacoupleoffullonesbythehearth；anoddbookortwoandaninfinityofplayingcards，casttheremuchasasowerscattershisseedsupontheground。
　　Theremaybeahundredwaysofapprehendingthecharacterofaman，butnoneperhapsismorereliablethantheappearanceofhisdwelling，andnodiscerningpersonthatsteppedintoCaptainTardivet’sparlourcouldlongremainindoubtofitsinhabitant’spursuitsandhabits。
　　WhenDameCapouladehadwithdrawn，afterbringingthemtheirwineandcastingafewlogsuponthefire，LaBoulayeturnedhisbacktothehearthandconfrontedhishost。
　　"Whyareyounotwiththearmy，Charlot？"heaskedinatonewhichmadethequestionsoundlikeademand。
　　"Havetheynottoldyou，"rejoinedtheotherairily，engrossedinfillingtheglasses。
　　"IunderstandyouweresentheretorecoverfromawoundyoureceivedthreemonthsagoatJemappes，andtotakechargeofotherinvalidedsoldiers。Butseemingly，yourinvalidsdonotnumbermorethanahalf—dozenoutofthefiftyorsixtymenthatarewithyou。Howisitthen，thatyoudonotreturnwiththesetoDumouriez？"
　　"BecauseIcanserveFrancebetterhere，"answeredCharlot，"andatthesametimeenrichmyselfandmyfollowers。"
　　"Inshort，"returnedLaBoulayecoldly，"becauseyouhavedegeneratedfromasoldierintoabrigand。"
　　Charlotlookedup，andforjustasecondhisglancewasnotwithoutuneasiness。Thenhelaughed。Heunbuckledhisswordandtosseditintoacorner，throwinghishatafterit。
　　"Itwaseveryourwaytotakeextremeviews，Caron，"heobserved，withacertainwhimsicalregretoftone。"That，nodoubt，iswhathasmadeastatesmanofyou。YouhadchosenmorewiselyhadyouelectedtoservetheRepublicwithyourswordinstead。Come，myfriend，"andhepointedtothewine，"letuspledgetheNation。"
　　LaBoulayeshruggedhisshouldersslightly，andsighed。Intheendhecameforwardandtookthewine。
　　"LonglivetheRepublic！"wasCharlot’stoast，andwithaslightinclinationoftheheadLaBoulayedrainedhisglass。
　　"Itislikelytolivewithoutyou，Charlot，unlessyoumendyourconduct。"
　　"Diable！"snappedtheCaptain，atriflepeevishly。"CanyounotunderstandthatinmyownwayIamservingmycountry。Youhavecalledmeabrigand。ButyoumightsaythesameofGeneralDumouriezhimself。Howmanycitieshashenotsacked？"
　　"Thatisthewayofwar。"
　　"Andsoisthis。HemakeswarupontheenemiesofFrancethatdwellincities，whilstI，inasmallerway，makewaruponthosethattravelincoaches。Iconfinemyselftoemigres—thesedamnedaristocratswhomitiseverygoodFrenchman’sdutytoaidinstampingout。Overthefrontierstheycomewiththeirjewels，theirplate，andtheirmoney—chests。Towhombelongsthiswealth？ToFrance。
　　Toolongalreadyhavetheywithheldfromthesonsofthesoilthatwhichbelongsequallytothem，andnowtheyhavetheeffronterytoattempttocarrytheserichesoutofthecountry。WouldanytrueRepublicandaretoreproachmeforwhatIdo？IambutseizingthatwhichbelongstoFrance，andheredividingitamongthegoodpatriotsthatarewithme，thesoldiersthathavebledforFrance。"
　　"Aspeciousargument，"sneeredLaBoulaye。
　　"SpeciousenoughtosatisfytheConventionitselfifeverIshouldbecalledtotask，"answeredCharlot，withheat。"DoyouproposetodrawtheattentionoftheExecutivetomydoings？"
　　LaBoulaye’sgreyeyesregardedhimsteadilyforamoment。
　　"KnowyouofanyreasonwhyIshouldnot？"heasked。
　　"Yes，Caron，Ido，"wasthereadyanswer。"IamwellawareoftheextentofyourpowerwiththeMountain。InParisIcanseethatitmightgohardwithmeifyouweremindedthatitshould，andyouwereabletoseizeme。Ontheotherhand，thatsuchargumentsthatIhaveadvancedtoyouwouldbeacceptabletotheGovernmentIdonotdoubt。Butwhilsttheywouldapproveofthisthatyoucallbrigandage，IalsodonotdoubtthattheywouldclaimthattheprizesIhaveseizedarebyrightthepropertyoftheConvention，andtheymightcompelmetosurrenderthem。Thustheywouldpassfrommyhandsintothoseofsomestatesman—brigand，who，underthepleaofseizingthesetreasuresforthecoffersofthenation，wouldtransferthemtohisown。Wouldyouratherhelpsuchanonetoprofitthanme，Caron？Haveyousofarforgottenhowwesufferedtogether—almostintheself—samecause—atBellecour，intheolddays？Haveyouforgottenthefriendshipthatlinkeduslater，inParis，whentheRevolutionwasinitsdawn？HaveyouforgottenwhatIhaveenduredatthehandsofthisinfernalclassthatyoucanfeelnosympathyforme？Caron，itisameasureofrevenge，andasthereisaHeaven，averymildone。
　　Metheyrobbedofmorethanlife；themIdeprivebutoftheirjewelsandtheirplate，turningthemdestituteupontheworld。
　　Bethinkyouofmygirl—wife，Caron，"headded，furiously，"andofhowshediedofgriefandshameashortthreemonthsafterourhideousnuptials。GodinHeaven！WhenthememoryofitreturnstomeImarvelatmyownforbearance。ImarvelthatIdonottakeeverymanandwomanofthemthatfallintomyhandsandflogthemtodeathastheywouldhavefloggedyouwhenyousought—alastosolittlepurpose—tointerveneonmybehalf。"
　　Hegrewsilentandthoughtful，andtheexpressionofhisfacewasnotnice。Atlast："HaveIgivenyoureasonenough，"heasked，"whyyoushouldnotseektothwartme？"
　　"Why，yes，"answeredLaBoulaye，"morethanwasnecessary。IamdesolatedthatIshouldhavebroughtyoutore—openasorrowthatIthoughtwashealed。"
　　"Soitis，Caron。HowitisIdonotknow。Perhapsitismynature；perhapsitisthatinyouthsorrowisseldomlong—enduring；
　　perhapsitisthestrenuouslifeIhavelivedandthechangesthathavebeenwroughtinme—for，afterall，thereisalittleinthisCaptainTardivetthatislikethepeasantpoorMarietooktohusband，fouryearsago。Iamnolongerthesameman，andamongtheotherthingsthatIhaveputfrommearethesorrowsthatwereoftheoldCharlot。Butsomememoriescannotaltogetherdie，andifto—dayInolongermournthatpoorchild，yettheknowledgeofthedebtthatlies’twixtthenoblesseofFranceandmeiseverpresent，andIneglectnoopportunityofdischargingapartofit。
　　Butenoughofthat，Caron。Tellmeofyourself。Itisafulltwelvemonthsincelastwemet，andinthattime，fromwhatIhaveheard，youhavedonemuchandgonefar。Tellmeofit，Caron。"
　　Theydrewtheirchairstothehearth，andtheysattalkingsolongthattheearlyFebruarytwilightcamedownuponthemwhiletheywerestillattheirreminiscences。LaBoulayehadintendedreachingValenciennesthatnight；butratherthanjourneyforwardinthedarkhenowproposedtolieatBoisvert，aresolutioninwhichhedidnotlackforencouragementfromCharlot。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THECAPTIVES
　　AmidthesordidsurroundingsofCharlot’sprivatequarterstheCaptainandtheDeputysuppedthatevening。Thesuppersortedwellwiththehouse—agreasy，ill—cookedmealthatprovedlittleinvitingtothesomewhatfastidiousLaBoulaye。Butthewine，plundered，nodoubt，incommonwiththegobletsoutofwhichtheydrankit—wasmorethangood，andwhilstLaBoulayeshowedhisappreciationofit，Charlotabuseditlikeasoldier。Theysatfacingeachotheracrossthelittledealtable，whosestainswerenowhiddenbyacloth，andtolightthemtheyhadfourtaperssetinsilvercandlesticksofmagnificentworkmanship，andmostwondrousweight，whichTardivetinformedhisguesthadbeenthepropertyofaci—devantprinceoftheblood。
　　AsthenightworeonCaptainCharlotgrewboisterousandmoreconfidential。Hecameatlengthtospeakofthelastcapturetheyhadmade。
　　"Ihavetakenprizes，Caron，"saidhe，"whichakingmightnotdespise。Butto—day—"Heraisedhiseyestotheceilingandwaggedhishead。
　　"Well？"quothLaBoulaye。"Whataboutto—day？"
　　"Ihavemadeacaptureworthmorethanalltheothersputtogether。
　　Itwasanindifferent—lookingberline，andmymenwerewithinanaceofallowingittopass。ButIhaveanose，moncher"—andhetappedtheorganwithludicroussignificance—"and，bonDieu，whataffair！Icansmellanaristocrataleagueoff。DownuponthatcoachIswoopedlikeahawkuponasparrow。Withinitsattwowomen，thicklyveiled，andIgiveyoumywordthatinasenseIpitiedthem，fornotadoubtofit，buttheywereintheactofcongratulatingthemselvesupontheirescapefromFrance。Butsentimentmaybecomefatalifpermittedtointerferewithenterprise。StiflingmyregretsIdesiredthemtoalight，andtheybeingwiseobeyedmewithoutdemur。
　　Iallowedthemtoretaintheirveils。Isoughtthesightofthingsotherthanwomen’sfaces，andabriefsurveyofthecoachshowedmewheretobestowmyattention。Iliftedthebackseat。Itcameuplikethelidofthechestitwas，andbeneathitIdiscoveredenoughgoldandsilverplatetooutweighinvaluealmosteverythingthatI
　　hadevertaken。Butthatwasbynomeansall。Underthefrontseattherewasachestofgold—louisd’orstheywere，sometwoorthreethousandatleast—and，besidesthat，alittleiron—boundboxofgemswhichinitselfwasworthmorethanalltherestofthecontentsofthattreasure—casketofacoach。Itellyou，Caron，Idroppedthelidofthatseatinsomehaste，forIwasnotmindedthatmymenshouldbecomeaswiseasI。Isteppeddownandbade，thewomenre—enter，andhitherunderstrongescortIhavebroughtthem。"
　　"Andthesetreasures？"askedLaBoulaye。
　　"Theyarestillinthecoachbelow，withthewomen。Ihavetoldthesethattheyshallspendthenightthere。To—morrowIshallseetothemandgivethemtheirliberty—whichisamoregenerousproceedingthanmightbefallthematthehandsofanother。Whentheyaregonecomesthedivisionofthespoil。"Heclosedoneeyeslowly，inaveryponderouswink。"TomymenIshallrelegatethegoldandsilverplateaswellasthemoney。FormyselfIshallonlyretainthelittleiron—boundbox。Myfollowerswillaccountmemorethangenerousandthemselvesmorethansatisfied。Asforme，LaBoulaye—bySt。Guillotine，IamtemptedtoemigratealsoandsetupasanaristocratmyselfinPrussiaorEngland，forinthatlittleboxthereissomethingmorethanafortune。Iaskedyouto—daywhetheryouweremindedtolayinformationagainstmeinParis。Myfaith，Iamlittleconcernedwhetheryoudoornot，forIthinkthatbeforeyoucanreachParis，CaptainCharlotTardivetwillbenomorethananameintheRepublicanarmy。AbroadI
　　shallcallmyselfCharlotduTardivet，andIshallsleepinfinelinenandliveontrufflesandchampagne。Caron，yourhealth！"
　　Hedrainedhisglass，andlaughedsoftlytohimselfashesetitdown。
　　"Doyoutrustyourmen？"askedLaBoulaye。
　　"Eh？Trustthem？Nameofaname！Theyknowme。Ihaveplacedthetenmostfaithfulonesonguard。Theyanswertotherestofuswiththeirnecksforthesafetyoftheircharge。Comehither，Caron。"
　　Herosesomewhatunsteadily，andlurchedacrosstothewindow。LaBoulayefollowedhim，andgazingoutunderhisindication，hebeheldthecoachbytheblazeofafirewhichthemenhadlightedtokeepthemfromfreezingattheirpost。
　　"Doesthatlooksecure？"
　　"Why，yes—secureenough。Butifthosefellowsweretotakeitintotheirheadsthatitwouldbemoreprofitabletosharetheprizeamongtenthanamongsixty？"
　　"Secreanom！！"sworeCharlotimpatiently。"Youdomywitspoorcredit。Forwhatdoyoutakeme？HaveIgonethroughsomuch，thinkyou，withoutlearninghowlittlemenaretobetrusted？Faugh！
　　Lookattheporte—cochere。Thegatesareclosed—aye，andlocked，moncher，andthekeysarehere，inmypocket。Doyouimaginetheyaretobebrokenthroughwithoutarousinganyone？Andthen，thehorses。Theyareinthestablesoverthere，andagain，thekeysareinmypocket。Sothat，yousee，Idonotleaveeverythingtothehonestyofmytenmostfaithfulones。"
　　"Youhavelearnedwisdom，notadoubtofit，"laughedtheDeputy。
　　"Inahardschool，Caron，"answeredtheCaptainsoberly。"Aye，nameofaname，inamonstroushardschool。"
　　Heturnedfromthewindow，andthelightofthetapersfallingonhisface，showeditheavilyscoredwithlinesofpain，testifyingtotheuglymemorieswhichtheDeputy’slightwordshadevoked。Thensuddenlyhelaughed，half—bitterly，halfhumourously。
　　"La，la！"saidhe。"Thething’spast。CharlotTardivetthebridegroomofBellecourandCaptainCharlotofDumouriez’armyaredifferentmen—verydifferent。"
　　Hestrodebacktothetable，filledhisgoblet，andgulpeddownthewine。ThenhecrossedtothefireandstoodwithhisbacktoLaBoulayeforaspell。Whennexthefacedhiscompanionallsignsofemotionhadclearedfromhiscountenance。Itwasagainthecallous，recklessfaceofCaptainCharlot，renderedatriflemorerecklessandatriflemorecallousbythewine—flushonhischeeksandthewine—glitterinhiseye。
　　"Caron"saidhe，withahalf—smile，"shallwehavetheseladiesintosupper？"
　　"Godforbid！"ejaculatedLaBoulaye。
　　"Nay，butIwill，"theotherinsisted，andhemovedacrosstothewindow。
　　Ashepassedhim，LaBoulayelaidadetaininghanduponhisarm。
　　"Notthat，Charlot，"hebeggedimpressively，hisdarkfaceveryset。
　　"Plunderthem，turnthemdestituteupontheworld，ifyouwill，butremember，atleast，thattheyarewomen。"
　　Charlotlaughedinhisface。
　　"Itissomethingtoremember，isitnot？Theyremembereditofourwomen，thesearistocrats！"
　　TherewassomuchuglytruthintheCaptain’swords，andsuchasuggestionofjust，ifbitter，retributioninhismentalattitude，thatLaBoulayereleasedhisarm，atalossforfurtherargumentswherewithtocurbhim。
　　"Paydi！"Charlotcontinued，"Ihaveamindforafrolic。Doesnotjusticegivemetherighttoclaimthatthesearistocratsshallamuseme？"
　　Withanoathheturnedabruptly，andpulledthecasementopen。
　　"Guyot！"hecalled，andavoicefrombelowmadeanswertohim。
　　"Youwillmakemycomplimentstothecitoyennesinthecoach，Guyot，andtellthemthattheCitizen—captainTardivetrequeststhehonouroftheircompanytosupper。"
　　Thenhewenttothedoor，andcallingDameCapoulade，hebadehersettwofreshcovers；inwhichhewasexpeditiouslyobeyed。LaBoulayestoodbythefire，hispalefaceimpassivenowandalmostindifferent。CharlotreturnedtothewindowtolearnfromGuyotthatthecitoyennesthankedtheCitizen—captain，butthattheyweretiredandsoughttobeexcused，askingnothingbetterthantobeallowedtoremainatpeaceintheircarriage。
　　"Sacrednameofaname！"hecroaked，atriflethickly，forthewinehehadtakenwasmasteringhimmoreandmore。"Aretheydefyingus？
　　Sincetheywillnotacceptaninvitation，compelthemtoobeyacommand。Bringthemupatonce，Guyot。"
　　"Atonce，Captain，"wastheanswer，andGuyotwentaboutthebusiness。
　　Charlotclosedthewindowandapproachedthetable。
　　"Theyarecoquettishthesescenteddames，"hemocked，ashepouredhimselfoutsomewine。"YouarenotdrinkingCaron。"
　　"Itisperhapswisethatoneofusshouldremainsober，"answeredtheDeputyquietly，forinspiteofacertainsympathywiththefeelingsbywhichCharlotwasactuated，hewasindeadantipathytothisbaitingofwomenthatseemedtoward。
　　Charlotmadenoanswer。Hedrainedhisgobletandsetitdownwithabang。Thenheflunghimselfintoachair，andstretchingouthislong，bootedlegshebegantohumtherefrainofthe"Marseillaise。"
　　Thusafewmomentswentby。Thentherecameasoundofstepsuponthecreakingstairs，andthegruffvoiceofthesoldierurgingtheladiestoascendmorespeedily。
　　Atlastthedooropenedandtwowomenentered，followedbyGuyot。
　　Charlotlurchedtohisfeet。
　　"Youhavecome，Mesdames，"saidhe，forgettingthemodeofaddressprescribedbytheConvention，andclumsilyessayingtomakealeg。