Probably，knowingyouilla—bed，theyabusedtheoccasionbygettingdrunk，andprobablytheyarestillsleepingitoff。Theplaceissilentenough。"
　　ButTardivetscarcelyheardhim。Fromhiswindowhewasstaringintotheyardbelow，toothunderstruckbyitsemptinesstoevenhaverecoursetoprofanity。Stabledoorandporte—cocherealikestoodopen。Heturnedsuddenlyandmadeforhiscoat。Seizingit，hethrusthishandinonepocketafteranother。Atlast：
　　"Treachery！"hecried，andlettingthegarmentfalltotheground，heturneduponLaBoulayeafacesotransfiguredbyangerthatitlookedlittleliketheusuallygood—humouredcountenanceofCaptainTardivet"Mykeyshavebeenstolen。BySt。Guillotine，I’llhavethethiefhanged。"
　　"Didanybodyknowthatthekeyswereinyourpocket？"askedtheingenuousCaron。
　　"Itoldyoulastnight。"
　　"Yes，yes；Irememberthat。Butdidanybodyelseknow？"
　　"Theostlerknew。Hesawmelockthedoors。"
　　"Why，then，letusfindtheostler，"urgedCaron。"Putonsomeclothesandwewillgobelow。"
　　MechanicallyCharlotobeyedhim，andashedidsohegavehisfeelingsventatlast。Frombetweensetteethcamenowaflowofoathsandimprecationsassteadyastheflowofwaterfromthegargoyleoverhead。
　　Atlasttheyhasteneddownthestairstogether，andinthecommon—roomtheyfoundthesleepingcompanymuchasLaBoulayehadleftitthenightbefore。Inanaccessofrageatwhathesaw，andattheampleevidencesofthedebauchthathadreducedthemtothiscondition，CharlotbeganbykickingthechairfromunderMotherCapoulade。Thenoiseofherfallandthescreamwithwhichsheawokeservedtoarouseoneortwoothers，wholiftedtheirheadstogazestupidlyaboutthem。
　　ButCharlotwasbusystirringtheotherslumberers。Hehadfoundawhip，andwiththishewasnowlayingvigorouslyabouthim。
　　"Up，youswine！"heblazedatthem。"Afoot，youdrunkenscum！"
　　Hiswhipcracked，andhisimprecationsranghighandlurid。AndLaBoulayeassistedhiminhislabourswithkicksandcuffsandatonguenolessvituperative。
　　Atlasttheywereontheirfeet—apale，bewildered，shamefacedcompany—receivingfromtheinfuriatedCharlotthenewsthatwhilsttheyhadindulgedthemselvesintheirdrunkenslumberstheirprisonershadescapedandcarriedoffthetreasurewiththem。Thenewswasreceivedwithagroanofdismay，andseveralturnedtothedoortoascertainforthemselveswhetheritwasindeedexact。
　　Thedrearyemptinessoftherain—washedyardaffordedthemmorethanampleconfirmation。
　　"Whereisyourpigofanostler，MotherCapoulade？"demandedtheangryCaptain。
　　Quiveringwithterror，sheansweredhimthattherascalshouldbeintheshedbythestables，whereitwashiswonttosleep。Outintotherain，despitethescantinessofhisattire，wentCharlot，followedcloselybyLaBoulayeandoneortwostragglers。Theshedprovedempty，asCaroncouldhavetoldhim—andso，too，didthestables。Here，atthespotwhereMadamedeBellecour’scoachmanhadbeenleftbound，theCaptainturnedtoLaBoulayeandthoseothersthathadfollowedhim。
　　"Itistheostler’swork，"heannounced。"Therewasknaveryandtreacherywritlargeuponhisuglyface。Ialwaysfeltit，andthisbusinessproveshowcorrectweremyinstincts。Theroguewasbribedwhenhediscoveredhowthingswerewithyou，yougreasysots。Butyou，LaBoulaye，"hecriedsuddenly，"wereyoudrunk，too？"
　　"NotI，"answeredtheDeputy。
　　"Then，nameofaname，howcamethatlumberingcoachtoleavetheyardwithoutawakeningyou？"
　　"Youaskmetoexplaintoomuch，"wasLaBoulaye’scoolevasion。
　　"Ihavealwaysaccountedmyselfalightsleeper，andIcouldnothavebelievedthatsuchathingcouldreallyhavetakenplacewithoutdisturbingme。Butthefactremainsthatthecoachhasgone，andIthinkthatinsteadofstandinghereinidlespeculationastohowitwent，youmightfindmoreprofitableemploymentinconsideringhowitistobroughtbackagain。Itcannothavegoneveryfar。"
　　IfanyrayofsuspicionhadbeguntoglimmerinCharlot’sbrain，thatsuggestionofLaBoulaye’swasenoughtoutterlyextinguishit。
　　Theyreturnedindoors，andwithoutmoreadoTardivetsethimselftoplanthepursuit。Heknew，heannounced，thatPrussiawastheirdestination。HehaddiscovereditatthetimeoftheircapturefromcertainpapersthathehadfoundinaportmanteauoftheMarquise’s。
　　HediscussedthematterwithLaBoulaye，anditwasnowthatCaronhadoccasiontocongratulatehimselfuponhiswisdominhavingelectedtoremainbehind。
　　TheCaptainproposedtorecallthefiftymenthatwerewatchingtheroadsfromFrance，andtospreadthemalongtheRiverSambre，asfarasLiege，toseekinformationofthewaytakenbythefugitives。Assoonasanyoneofthepartiesstruckthetrailitwastosendwordtotheothers，andstartimmediatelyinpursuit。
　　Now，hadCharlotbeenpermittedtospreadsuchanetasthis，theMarquisemustinevitablyfallintoit，andCaronhadpledgedhiswordthatsheshouldhaveanopenroadtoPrussia。WithamapspreaduponthetablehenowexpoundedtotheCaptainhowlittlenecessitytherewasforsoelaborateascheme。ThenearestwaytoPrussiawasbyCharleroi，Dinant，andRochefort，intoLuxembourg，and—hecontended—itwasnotonlyunlikely，butincredible，thattheMarquiseshouldchooseanybuttheshortestroadtocarryheroutofBelgium，seeingthedangersthatmustbesetheruntilthefrontiersofLuxembourgwerepassed。
　　"Andso，"arguedLaBoulaye，"whywastetimeinrecallingyourmen？
　　Thinkofthecaptivesyoumightmissbysuchanact！Itwereinfinitelybetteradvised。toassumethatthefugitiveshavetakentheCharleroi—Dinantroad，andtodespatch，atonce，say，half—a—dozenmeninpursuit。"
　　Tardivetponderedthematterforsomemoments。
　　"Yomareright，"heagreedatlast。"Iftheyhaveresolvedtocontinuetheirjourney，ahalf—dozenmenshouldsufficetorecapturethem。Iwilldespatchtheseatonce……"
　　LaBoulayelookedupatthat。
　　"Iftheyhaveresolvedtocontinuetheirjourney？"heechoed。"Whatelseshouldtheyhaveresolved？"
　　Tardivetstrokedhisreddishhairandsmiledastutely。
　　"Inorganisingapursuit，"aidhe，"thewisepursuerwillalwaysputhimselfintheplaceofthefugitives，andseektoreasonastheywouldprobablyreason。Now，whatmorelikelythanthattheseladies，ortheircoachman，orthatrascallyostler，shouldhavethoughtofdoublingbackintoFrance？Theymightnaturallyarguethatwe；
　　shouldneverthinkofpursuingtheminthatdirection。Similarlyplaced，thatishowIshouldreason，andthatisthecourseIshouldadopt，makingforPrussiathroughLorraine。PerhapsIdotheirintelligencestoomuchhonour—yet，tome，itseemssuchanobviouscourse。"’
　　LaBoulayegrewcoldwithapprehension。Yetimpassivelyheasked：
　　"Butwhatofyourmenwhoareguardingthefrontiers？"
　　"Pooh！Adetourmightcircumventthem。TheMarquisemightgoasfarnorthasRoubaixorComines，orasfairsouthasRocroy，orevenCharlemont。Nameofaname，butitismorethanlikely！"heexclaimed，withsuddenconviction。"Whatdoyousay，Caron？"
　　"Thatyourave，"answeredLaBoulayecoldly。
　　"Well，weshallsee。Iwilldespatchamessagetomymen，biddingthemspreadthemselvesasfarnorthasComiinesandasfarsouthasCharlemont。ShouldthefugitiveshavemadesuchadetourasI
　　suggestedtherewillbeampletimetotakethem。"
　　LaBoulayestillcontemnedthenotionwithafineshowofindifference，butTardivetheldtohispurpose，andpresentlydespatchedthemessengersashehadproposed。AtthatCaronfelthispulsesquickeningwithanxietyforMademoiselle。Theseastutemeasuresmustinevitablyresultimhercapture—forwasitnotatRoubaixthathehadbiddenherawaithim？Therewasbutonethingtobedone，torideouthimselftomeetheralongtheroadfromSoigniestoOudenarde，andtoescortherintoFrance。Sheshouldgoostensiblyashisprisoner，andhewasconfidentthatnotallthebrigandsofCaptainTardivetwouldsufficetotakeherfromhim。
　　Accordingly，heannouncedhisintentionofresuminghisinterruptedjourney，andorderedhismentosaddleandmakeready。Meanwhile，havingtakenmeasurestorecapturetheMarquiseshouldshehavedoubledbackintoFrance，CharlotwasnoworganisinganexpeditiontoscourtheroadtoPrussia，againstthepossibilityofherhavingadheredtoheroriginalintentionofjourneyingthatway。Thushewasdeterminedtotakenorisks，andleavehernoloopholeofescape。
　　Tardivetwouldhavesethimselfattheheadofthesixhorsemenofthisexpedition，butthatLaBoulayeinterfered，andthistimetosomepurpose。HeassuredtheCaptainthathewasstillfarfromrecovered，andthattospendadayinthesaddlemighthavethegravestofconsequencesforhim。
　　"Iftheoccasiondemandedit，"heconcluded，"Ishouldmyselfurgeyoutochancethematterofyourhealth。Buttheoccasiondoesnot。
　　Thebusinessisofthesimplest，andyourmencandoasmuchwithoutyouastheycouldwithyou。"
　　Tardivetpermittedhimselftobepersuaded，andCaronhadagaingoodcausetocongratulatehimselfthathehadremainedbehindtoinfluencehim。Heopinedthatthemen，failingtopickupthetrailatCharleroi，wouldprobablygoonasfarasDinantbeforeabandoningthechase；thentheywouldreturntoBoisverttoannouncetheirfailure，andbythattimeitwouldbetoolatetoreorganisethepursuit。Ontheotherhand，hadTardivetaccompaniedthem，uponfailingtofindanytraceoftheMarquiseatCharleroi，LaBoulayecouldimaginehimpushingnorthalongtheSambre，andpressingthepeasantryintohisservicetoformanimpassablecordon。
　　Andso，havingwonhiswayinthisatleast，andseenthesixmensetoutunderthecommandofTardivet’strustedGuyot，CarontookhisleaveoftheCaptain。Hewasontheverypointofsettingoutwhenacourierdasheduptothedoorofthe"Eagle，"andcalledforacupofwine。AsitwasbroughthimheaskedthehostesswhethertheCitizen—deputyLaBoulaye，CommissionertothearmyofDumouriez，hadpassedthatway。UponbeinginformedthattheDeputywaseventhenwithintheinn，thecouriergotdownfromhishorseanddemandedtobetakentohim。
　　Thehostessledhimintothecommon—room，andpointedouttheDeputy。Thecourierheavedasighofrelief，andremovinghissoddencloakhebadethelandladygetitdriedandpreparehimasstoutamealasherhostelryafforded。
　　"Nameofaname！"heswore，ashepitchedhisdrippinghatintoacorner。"Butitisgoodtofindyouatlast，Citizen—deputy？I
　　hadexpectedtomeetyouatValenciennes。Butasyouwerenotthere，andasmyletterswereurgent，Ihavebeencompelledtorideforthepastsixhoursthroughthatinfernaldeluge。Enfin，hereyouare，andhereismyletter—fromtheCitizen—deputyMaximilienRobespierre—andhereI’llrestmeforthenextsixhours。"
　　Biddingthefellowbyallmeansrestandrefreshhimself，LaBoulayebroketheseal，andreadthefollowing：
　　DearCaron，MycouriershoulddeliveryouthisletterasyouareonthePointofreenteringFrance，onyourreturnfromthemissionwhichyouhavedischargedwithsomuchglorytoyourselfandcredittomewhorecommendedyouforthetask。ImakeyoumycomplimentsonthetactandadroitnessyouhaveemployedtobringthisstubbornDumouriezintosomesemblanceofsympathywiththeConvention。
　　Andnow，myfriend，Ihaveanothertaskforyou，whichyoucandischargeonyourhomewardjourney。Youwillmakeaslightdetour，passingintoArtoisandridingtotheChateaud’Ombreval，whichissituatedsomefourmilessouthofArras。HereIwishyounotonlytoPossessyourselfofthepersonoftheci—devantVicomted’Ombreval，bringinghimtoParisasyourPrisoner，butfurther，tomakeaverysearchinginvestigationofthataristocrat’spapers，securinganydocumentsthatyoumayconsiderofanaturetreasonabletotheFrenchRepublic，OneandIndivisible。
　　TheletterendedwiththeusualgreetingsandRobespierre’ssignature。
　　LaBoulayesworesoftlytohimselfashefoldedtheepistle。
　　"Itseems，"hemutteredtoCharlot，"thatIamtoturncatch—pollintheserviceoftheRepublic。"
　　"ToatrueservantoftheNation，"putinthecourier，whohadoverheardhim，"alltasksthatmaytendtotheadvancementoftheRepublicshouldbeeagerlyundertaken。Diable！HavenotIriddenintherainthesesixhourspast？"
　　LaBoulayepaidnoheedtohim；hewastooinuredtothissortofinsolencesincethenewrulehadlevelledallmen。ButCharlotturnedslowlytoregardthefellow。
　　Hewasatallmanofratherslenderstature，butindifferentlydressedingarmentsthatweresplashedfromheadtofootwithmud，andfromwhichasteamwasbeginningtoriseashestoodnowwithhisbacktothefire。Charloteyedhimsonarrowlythatthefellowshiftedhispositionanddroppedhisglanceinsomediscomfort。
　　Hisspeech，thoughroughofpurport，hadnotbeenungentleofdelivery。Buthisfacewasdirty—thesuresignofanardentpatriot—hishairhunguntidyabouthisface，andheworethatlatestabominationoftheultra—revolutionist，adenseblackbeardandmoustache。
　　"Myfriend，"saidCharlot，"althoughwearereadytoacknowledgeyouourequal，weshouldlikeyoutounderstandthatwedonottakelessonsindutyevenfromourequals。Bearyouthatinmindifyouseektohaveapeacefultimewhileyouarehere，foritsohappensthatIamquarteredatthisinn，andhaveamoreimportantwaywithmethanthisgood—naturedDeputyhere。"
　　ThefellowdartedCharlotamalevolentglance。
　　"Youtalkofequalityandyououtrageequalityinabreath，"hegrowled。"Ihalfsuspectyouofbeingaturncoataristocrat。"Andhespatostentatiouslyontheground。
　　"Suspectwhatyouwill，butvoicenosuspicionshere，elseyou’llbecomeacquaintedwiththemightyshortmethodsofCharlotTardivet。
　　Andasforaristocrats，myfriend，therearenonesorabidasthenewly—converted。Iwonderhowlongitissinceyoubecameapatriot？"
　　BeforethefellowcouldmakeanyanswerthecorporalincommandofLaBoulaye’sescortenteredtoinformCaronthatthemenwereinthesaddle。
　　AtthattheDeputyhurriedlytookhisleaveofTardivet，andwrappinghisheavycloaktightlyabouthimhemarchedoutintotherain，andmounted。
　　AfewmomentslatertheyclatteredbrisklyoutofBoisvert，thethickgreymudflyingfromtheirhorses’hoofsastheywent，andtooktheroadtoFrance。ForacoupleofmilestheyrodesteadilyalongundertheunceasingrainandintheteethofthatbleakFebruarywind。
　　Thenatacross—roadLaBoulayeunexpectedlycalledahalt。
　　"Myfriends，"hesaidtohisescort，"wehaveyetalittlebusinesstodischargeinBelgiumbeforewecrossthefrontier。"
　　WiththatheannouncedhisintentionofgoingNorth，andsobrisklydidhecausethemtoride，thatbynoon—ashortthreehoursafterquittingBoisvert—theyhadcoveredadistanceoftwenty—fivemiles，andbroughtuptheirsteaminghorsesbeforetheHoteldeFlandresatLeuze。
　　Atthis，theonlypost—houseintheplace，LaBoulayemadeinquiriesastowhetheranycarriagehadarrivedfromSoigniesthatmorning，toreceiveanegativeanswer。Thisnowisesurprisedhim，forhehardlythoughtthatMademoisellecouldhavehadtimetocomesofar。Shemust，however，bedrawingnearer，andhedeterminedtorideontomeether。FromLeuzetoSoigniesisadistanceofsomeeightornineleaguesbyaroadwhichmayroughlybesaidtobethebasisofatrianglehavingitsapexatBoisvert。
　　Afterhismenhadhurriedlyrefreshedthemselves，LaBoulayeorderedthemtohorseagain，andtheynowcanteredout，alongthisroad，toSoignes。ButasmileaftermilewascoveredwithouttheircominguponanysignofsuchacarriageasMademoiselleshouldbetravellingin，LaBoulayealmostunconsciouslyquickenedthepaceuntilintheendtheyfoundthemselvescareeringalongasfastastheirjadedhorseswouldbearthem，andspeculatingmightilyupontheDeputy’soddbehaviour。
　　Soigniesitselfwasreachedtowardsfouro’clock，andstilltheyhadnotmetherwhomLaBoulayeexpected。Here，inastateofsomewonderandevenofsomeanxiety，CaronmadestraightfortheAubergedesPostes。Biddinghismendismountandseetothemselvesandtheirbeasts，hewentinquestofthehost，andhavingfoundhim，bombardedhimwithquestions。
　　InreplyheelicitedtheinformationthatatnoonthatdayacarriagesuchashedescribedhadreachedSoigniesinaverysorrycondition。Oneofthewheelshadcomeoffontheroad，andalthoughtheMarquise’smenhadcontrivedtoreplaceitandtorudelysecureitbyanimprovisedpin，theyhadbeencompelledtoproceedatawalkforsomefifteenmilesofthejourney，whichaccountedforthelatenessoftheirarrivalatSoignies。TheyhadremainedattheAubergedesPostesuntilthewheelhadbeenproperlymended，anditwasnotmorethananhoursincetheyhadresumedtheirjourneyalongtheroadtoLiege。
　　"Butdidboththecitoyennesdepart？"criedLaBoulaye，inamazement，anduponreceivinganaffirmativereplyitatonceenteredhismindthattheMarquisemusthaveinfluencedherdaughtertothatend—perhapsevenemployedforce。
　　"Didthereappeartobeanysignsofdisagreementbetweenthem？"
　　washisnextquestion。
　　"No，Citizen，Iobservednothing。Theyseemedinperfectaccord。"
　　"Theyoungeronedidnotbyanychanceinquireofyouwhetheritwouldbepossibletohireaberline？"askedCarondesperately。
　　"No，"thelandlordansweredhim，withwonderingeyes。"Sheappearedasanxiousashermotherfortherepairingofthecoachinwhichtheycame，thattheymightagaindepartinit。"
　　LaBoulayestoodamomentinthought，hisbrowsdrawntogether，hisbreathingseemingsuspended，forintohissoulasuspicionhadofasuddenbeenthrust—ahideoussuspicion。Abruptlyhedrewhimselfuptothefullofhisactivefigure，andthrewbackhishead，hisresolvetaken。
　　"CanIhavefreshhorsesatonce？"heinquired。"Ineedeight。"
　　Thelandlordthoughtfullyscratchedhishead。
　　"Youcanhavetwoatonce，andtheothersixinahalf—hour。"
　　"Verywell，"heanswered。"Saddlemeoneatonce，andhavetheothersevenreadyformymenassoonaspossible。"
　　Andwhilstthehostsenttheostlertoexecutetheorder，Caroncalledforacupofwineandacrustofbread。Munchinghiscrustheenteredthecommon—roomwherehismenwereattablewithasteamingragoutbeforethem。
　　"Garin，"hesaidtothecorporal，"inahalf—hourthelandlordwillbeabletoprovideyouwithfreshhorses。YouwillsetoutatoncetofollowmealongtheroadtoLiege。Iamstartingimmediately。"
　　Garin，withtheeasyfamiliarityoftheRepublicansoldier，badehimtakesomethoughtofhisexhaustedcondition，andsnatchatleastthehalf—hour’srestthatwastobetheirs。ButLaBoulayewasoutoftheroombeforehehadfinished。Acoupleofminuteslatertheyheardaclatterofdepartinghoofs，andLaBoulayewasgonealongtheroadtooLiegeinpursuitoftheladiesofBellecour。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THEROADTOLIEGE
　　"Ofwhatareyouthinking，littlefool？"askedtheMarquisepeevishly，herfatfacepuckeredintoahundredwrinklesofill—humour。
　　"Ofnothinginparticular，Madame，"thegirlansweredpatiently。
　　TheMarquisesniffedcontemptuously，andglancedthroughthewindowofthecoachuponthedreary，rainsoddenlandscape。
　　"DoyoucallthesometimesecretaryCitizen—cutthroatLaBoulaye，nothinginparticular？"sheasked。"Mafoi！Iwonderthatyoudonotdieofself—contemptafterwhatpassedbetweenyouatBoisvert。"
　　"Madame，Iwasnotthinkingofhim，"saidSuzanne。
　　"Moreshametoyou，then，"wasthesourretort，fortheMarquisewasbentupondisagreeingwithher。"Haveyouaconscience，Suzanne，thatyoucouldhaveplayedsuchaDelilahpartandnevergiveathoughttothemanyouhavetricked？"
　　"YouwillmakemeregretthatItoldyouofit，"saidthegirlquietly。
　　"Youarereadyenoughtoregretanythingbuttheactitself。Perhapsyou’llberegrettingthatyoudidnottakeaberlineatSoignies，asyoupromisedthecitizen—scoundrelthatyouwould，andsetouttojoinhim？"
　　"Itishardlygeneroustotauntmeso，Madame，Idoverybitterlyregretwhathastakenplace。ButyoumightdomethejusticetorememberthatwhatIdidIdidasmuchforothersasformyself。
　　Asmuch，indeed，foryouasformyself。"
　　"Forme？"echoedtheMarquiseshrilly。"Tiens，thatisdrollnow！
　　Forme？Wasitformethatyoumadelovetothecitizen—blackguard？
　　Areyousodeadtoshamethatyoudareremindmeofit？"
　　Mademoisellesighed，andseemedtoshrinkbackintotheshadowsofthecarriage。Herfacewasverypale，andhereyeslookedsorelytroubled。
　　"ItissomethingthattomydyingdayIshallregret，"shemurmured。
　　"Itwasvile，itwasunworthy！YetifIhadnotusedtheonlyweapontomyhand—"Sheceased，theMarquisecaughtthesoundofasob。
　　"Whatareyouweepingfor，littlefool？"shecried。
　　"AsmuchasanythingforwhathemustthinkofmewhenherealiseshowshamefullyIhaveusedhim。"
　　"Anddoesitmatterwhatthecanaillethinks？Shallitmatterwhatthecitizen—assassinthinks？"
　　"Alittle，Madame，"shesighed。"HewilldespisemeasIdeserve。
　　IalmostwishthatIcouldundoit，andgobacktothatlittleroomatBoisvert。theprisonerofthatfearfulman，Tardivet，orelsethat—"Againshepaused，andtheMarquiseturnedtowardsherwithagasp。
　　"Orelsethatwhat？"shedemanded。"Mafoi，itonlyremainsthatyoushouldwishyouhadkeptyourpromisetothisscum。"
　　"Ialmostwishit，Madame。Ipledgedmywordtohim。"
　　"Youtalkasifyouwereaman，"saidhermother；"asifyourwordwasathingthatboundyou。Itisawoman’sprerogativetochangehermind。AsforthisRepublicanscum—"
　　"Youshallnotcallhimthat，"wastherejoinder，sharplydelivered；
　　forSuzannewasrousedatlast。"Heistwentytimesmorenobleandbravethananygentleman，thatIhaveevermet。Weoweourlibertytohimatthismoment，andsufficientlyhaveIwrongedhimbymyactions—"
　　"Fool，whatareyousaying？"criedtheenragedMarquise。"He，morenobleandbravethananygentlemanthatyouevermet？He—thiskennel—bredcitizen—ruffianofarevolutionist？Areyoumad，girl，or—"TheMarquisepausedamomentandtookadeepbreaththatwasasagaspofsuddenunderstanding。"Isitthatyouareinlovewiththiswretch！"
　　"Madame！"Theexclamationwasladenwithblendedwonder，dignity，andhorror。
　　"Well？"demandedMadamedeBellecourseverely。"Answerme，Suzanne。
　　AreyouinlovewiththisLaBoulaye？"
　　"Istheretheneedtoanswer？"quoththegirlscornfully。"SurelyyouforgetthatIamMademoiselledeBellecour，daughteroftheMarquisedeBellecour，andthatthismanisofthecanaille，elseyouhadneveraskedthequestion。"
　　WithanexpressionofsatisfactiontheMarquisewassinkingbackinthecarriage，whenofasuddenshesatboltupright。
　　"Someoneisridingverydesperately，"shecried，anoteofalarmringinginhervoice。
　　Abovethethudofthecoach—horses’hoofsandtherumbleoftheirvehiclesoundednowtheclatterofsomeonegallopingmadlyintheirwake。Mademoisellelookedfromthewindowintothegatheringdusk。
　　"Itwillbesomecourier，Madame，"sheansweredcalmly。"Noneotherwouldrideatsuchapace。"
　　"IshallknownorestuntilwearesafelyinaChristiancountryagain，"theMarquisecomplained。
　　Thehoof—beatsgrewnearer，andthedarkfigureofahorsemandashedsuddenlypastthewindow。Simultaneously，aloud，harshcommandtohaltrangoutupontheeveningair。
　　TheMarquiseclutchedatherdaughter’sarmwithonehand，whilstwiththeothershecrossedherself，asthoughtheirassailantweresomeemissaryofthepowersofevil。
　　"MotherinHeaven，deliverus！"shegasped，turningsuddenlydevout。
　　"MonDieu！"criedMademoiselle，whohadrecognisedthevoicethatwasnowharanguingthemenonthebox—theirdriverandtheostlerofthe’EagleInn。’"ItisLaBoulayehimself。"
　　"LaBoulaye？"echoedtheMarquise。Then，inafrenzyofterror：
　　"Therearethepistolsthere，Suzanne，"shecried。"Youcanshoot。
　　Killhim！Killhim！"
　　Thegirl’slipscametightlytogetheruntilhermouthseemednomorethanastraightline。Hercheeksgrewwhiteasdeath，buthereyeswerebraveandresolute。Sheputforthherhandandseizedoneofthepistolsasthecarriagewithafinaljoltcametoastandstill。
　　Aninstantlaterthedoorwasdraggedopen，andLaBoulayestoodbowingintherainwithmockceremoniousnessandaverycontemptuoussmileonhissternmouth。Hehaddismounted，andflungthereinsofhishorseovertheboughofatreebytheroadside。TheMarquiseshudderedatsightofhim，andsoughttoshrinkfartherbackintothecushionsofthecarriage。
　　"Citoyenne，"hewassaying，verybitterly，"whenImademycompactwithyouyesternight，Ididnotreckonuponbeingcompelledtorideafteryouinthisfashion。Ihavesomeknowledgeofthewaysofyourpeople，oftheirfullwordsandemptydeeds；butyouIwasfoolenoughtotrust。Byexperiencewelearn。Imustaskyoutoalight，Citoyenne。"
　　"Towhatpurpose，Monsieur？"sheasked，inavoicewhichshestrovetorendercoldandsteady。
　　"Tothepurposethatyourpartofthebargainbecarriedout。YourmotherandyourtreasureweretofindtheirwayintoPrussiauponconditionthatyoureturnwithmetoFrance。"
　　"Itwasabargainofcoercion，Monsieur，"sheansweredattemptingtobrazenitout。"Iwasawomaninadesperatesituation。"
　　"Surelyyourmemoryisatfault，Citoyenne，"heanswered，withapolitenessthatwasinitselfamockery。
　　"YoursituationwassolittledesperatethatIhadofferedtoeffecttherescuebothofyourmotherandyourselfwithoutaskinganyguerdon。Yourmiserabletreasurealoneitwasthathadtobesacrificed。Youwillrecallthatthebargainwasofyourownproposing。"
　　Therewasapause，duringwhichhestoodwaitingforherreply。
　　Herblueeyesmadeanattempttomeethissteadygaze，butfailed。
　　Herbosomroseandfellintheintensityofheragitation。
　　"Iwasawomandistraught，Monsieur。Surelyyouwillnotholdmetowordsutteredinanhourofmadness。ItwasabargainIhadnorighttomake，forIamnolongerfreetodisposeofmyself。IambetrothedtotheVicomteAnatoled’Ombreval。Thecontracthasalreadybeensigned，andtheVicomtewillbemeetingusatTreves。"
　　Itwasasifshehadstruckhim，andamazementlefthimsilentamoment。Inadim，subconsciouswayheseemedtonoticethatthenameshementionedwasthatofthemanhewasbiddentoarrest。
　　Then，withanoath：
　　"Icarenaughtforthat，"hecried。"AsGodlives，youshallfulfilyourwordtome。"
　　"Monsieur，Irefuse，"sheanswered，withfinality。"Letmerequestyoutoclosethedoorandsufferustoproceed。"
　　"Yourmotherandyourtreasuremayproceed—itwasthuswebargained。Butyoushallcomewithme。Iwillbenogirl’sdupe，nowoman’sfool，Citoyenne。"
　　Whenhesaidthatheutteredthefulltruth。Therewasnoloveinhisvoiceorinhisheartatthatmoment。Thandesireofhernothingwasfurtherfromhismind。Itwashispridethatwasupinarms，hiswoundeddignitythatcriedouttohimtoavengehimselfuponher，andtopunishherforhavingnomiserablydupedhim。Thatshewasunwillingtogowithhimonlyservedtoincreasehispurposeoftakingher，sincethemoreunwillingshewasthemorewouldshebepunished。
　　"Citoyenne，Iamwaitingforyoutoalight，"hesaidperemptorily。
　　"Monsieur，IamverywellasIam，"sheansweredhim，andleaningslightlyfromthecoach—"Driveon，Blaise，"shecommanded。
　　ButLaBoulayecockedapistol。
　　"Drivesomuchasayard，"hethreatened。"andI’lldriveyoutothedevil。"Then，turningoncemoretoSuzanne："Neverinmylife，CitoyennehaveIemployedforcetoawoman，"hesaid。"Itrustthatyouwillnotputmetothepainofcommencingnow。"
　　"Standback，Monsieur，"washerimperiousanswer。Butheedlessheadvanced，andthrustinghisheadunderthelintelofthecarriagedoorheleanedforward，toseizeher。Then，beforehecouldsomuchasconjecturewhatshewasabout，herhandwentupgraspingaheavyhorse—pistolbythebarrel，andshebroughtthebuttofitdownwithadeadlyprecisionbetweenhisbrows。
　　Hereeledbackwards，threwuphisarms，andmeasuredhislengthinthethickgreymudoftheroad。
　　Hereyeshadfollowedhimwithalookofhorror，anduntilshesawhimlyingstillonhisbackdidsheseemtorealisewhatshehaddone。
　　"Mydear，bravegirl，"murmuredhermother’svoicebutsheneverheardit。Withasobsherelaxedhergraspofthepistolandletitfallfromthecarriage。
　　"ShallIdriveon，Mademoiselle？"inquiredBlaisefromthebox。
　　Butwithoutansweringhimshehadsteppeddownintothemud，andwasstandingbare—headedintherainbesidethebodyofCaron。
　　Silently，shestoopedandgropedforhisheart。Itwasbeatingvigorouslyenough，shethought。Shestoopedlowerandtakinghimunderthearms，shehalfbore，halfdraggedhimtothesideoftheroad，asifthethin，barehedgewerecapableofaffordinghimshelter。Thereshestoodamomentlookingdownathim。Thenwithasobshesuddenlystooped，andcarelessoftheeyesobservingher，shekissedhimfulluponthemouth。
　　Asecondlatershefledlikeafrightenedthingbacktothecarriage，and，closingthedoor，shecalledinastrangledvoicetoodriveon。
　　Shepaidlittleheedtothepraisethatwasbeingbestoweduponherbyhermother—whohadseennothingofthekiss。Butshelaybackinhercornerofthecoach，andnowherlasheswerewetatthethoughtofCaronlyingoutthereintheroad。Nowhercheeksgrewredwithshameatthethoughtthatshe，thenobly—bornMademoiselledeBellecour，shouldhaveallowedevenpitytohavesofarovercomeherastohavecausedhertotouchwithherlipsthelipsofalow—bredrevolutionist。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　THECOURIER
　　ItwaswellforLaBoulayethathehadtetheredhishorsetoatreebeforeapproachingthecoach。Thatsolitarybeaststandingbytheroadsideinthedeepeninggloomattractedtheattentionofhisfollowers，when—ahalf—hourorsolater—theyrodethatway，makingforLiege，asLaBoulayehadbiddenthem。
　　Attheirapproachtheanimalneighed，andGarin，hearingthesound，reinedinandpeeredforwardintothegloom，todescrythehorse’sheadandbackoutlinedabovetheblurofthehedge。Hismenhaltedbehindhimwhilstheapproachedtheriderlessbeastandmade—aswellashecouldinthedarkness—anexaminationofthesaddle。
　　Oneholsterhefoundempty，atwhichheconcludedthattherider，whoeverhehadbeen，hadmetwithtrouble；fromtheotherhedrewaheavypistol，which，however，gavehimnoclue。
　　"Getdown，"heorderedhismen，"andsearchtheroadshereabouts。
　　I’llwagerahorsetoahorseshoethatyouwillfindabodysomewhere。"
　　Hewasobeyed，andpresentlyacryfromoneofthesearchersannouncedadiscovery。Itwassucceededbyanotherexclamation。
　　"Sacrenom！"sworethetrooper。"ItistheCitizen—deputy！"
　　InaninstantGarinhadleapttothegroundandwiththeotherscrowdingabouthim，theirbridlesovertheirarmsandtheirhorsesinabunchbehindthem，hewasbendingunderthedrippinghedgetoexaminethebodythatlaysupineinthesoddenroad。AvigorousoathescapedhimwhenheassuredhimselfthatitwasindeedLaBoulaye。
　　"Ishedead？"criedthemeninchorus。
　　"No—notdead"grumbledthecorporal。"Butthereisalumponhisbrowthesizeofanegg，andGodknowshowlonghehasbeenlyinghereinthisbedofmud。"
　　Theyhadnorestoratives，andtheonlythingwastoconveyhimtothenearesthabitationanddemandshelter。Theyheldashortcouncilonthematter，andintheendGarinbadefourofthemtakehimupandcarryhiminacloak。Sometwomilesbacktheyhadpassedahouse，andthitherthecorporalnowbadethemretracetheirsteps。
　　Theymadeanoddprocession；firstwenttwomountedtroopersleadingthehorsesoftheothers，thenthefouronfoot，carryingtheDeputyinacloak，andlastly，Garinridingintherear。
　　Inthismannertheywentbackalongthedarkroad，andforcloseuponahalf—hour—fortheirprogresswasslow—theytrudgedalonginsilence。Atlasttherewasashortexclamationfromoneoftheriders，ashalfamileawayanilluminatedwindowbeamedinvitingly。
　　Encouragedbyit，theyquickenedtheirstepsalittle。ButalmostatthesametimeLaBoulayestirredonthecloak，andthemenwhocarriedhimheardhimspeak。Atfirstitwasanincoherentmutter，thenhiswordscamemoredistinctly。
　　"Hold！Whereareyoucarryingme？Whothedevilareyou？"
　　ItwasGarin’svoicethatcameinstantlytoreassurehim。Caronessayedtositup，butfindingitimpracticable，heshortlybadehismensethimdown。Theyhalted。GarindismountedandcametotheDeputy’sside，anditwasfoundthathisconditionwasnonesograveafterall，forhewasabletostandunaided。When，however，heattemptedtowalk，hereeled，andwouldofacertaintyhavefallen，butthatGarinputouthisarmtosupporthim。
　　"Steadythere，Citizen，"thecorporaladmonishedhim。
　　"Getmyhorse！"hecommandedbriefly。
　　"But，nameofaname！youarenotfittoride，"Garinprotested。
　　LaBoulaye，however，wouldlistentonoreason。WiththerecoveryofhisfacultiescametheconsiderationofhowmiserablySuzannehaddupedhim，andofhowshehaddealtwithhimwhenhehadovertakenher。Heburnednowtobeavenged，andatallcostshewouldrideafterandrecaptureher。Heannounced，therefore，tothecorporalthattheymustpushontoLiege。Garingaspedathisobstinacy，andwouldhavesoughttohavedissuadedhim，butthatLaBoulayeturnedonhimwithafiercenessthatsilencedhisexpostulations。
　　ItwaslefttoNaturetoenforcewhatGarincouldnotachieve。WhenLaBoulayecametoattempttomounthefounditimpossible。Hewasstiffandnumbfromhislongexposureintherain，andwhenhemovedwithanyvigourhisheadswamdizzilyandthrobbedwithpain。
　　Atlasthewasforcedtorealise—withinwardgirding—thathemustrelinquishhisdetermination，andheacknowledgedhimselfreadytotakethecorporal’sadviceandmakeforthehousewhoselightedwindowshonelikeabeaconinthedarknessthathaddescended。Heevenallowedthemtoprevailuponhimtoliedowninthecloakagain，andthustheycarriedhimtheremainderoftheway。Inhishearthestillborethehopethatshortrest，restoratives，andfreshclotheswouldfithimforthepursuitoncemore，andthatifhesetoutwithinthenextfewhourshemightyetcomeupwithMademoisellebeforeshehadpassedbeyondhisreach。Shouldthemorningstillfindhimunequaltothetaskofgoingafterher，hewoulddespatchGarinandhismen。
　　Atlasttheyreachedthecottage—itwaslittlemore—andGarinrappedonthedoorwithhiswhip。Itwasopenedbyawoman，whotoldthem，inanswertothecorporal’srequestforshelter，thatherhusbandwasfromhome，andthatshehadnoaccommodationforthem。ItwouldseemthatthewomanhadhousedsoldiersoftheRepublicbefore，andthatherexperienceshadnotbeenofanaturecalculatedtoencourageherinthepractice。ButLaBoulayenowstaggeredforwardandpromisedhergenerouspaymentifshewouldreceivethem。
　　"Payment？"shecried。"Inworthlessassignatsthatnobodywilltakefromme。Iknowthewaysofyou。"
　　"Notinassignats，"LaBoulayepromisedher，"butincoin。"
　　Andhavingmollifiedhersomewhatwiththatassurance，heproceededtourgehertoadmitthem。Yonderwasashedwherethehorsescouldbestabledforthenight。Butstillthewomandemurred。
　　"Ilacktheroom，"shesaid，withsomefirmness。
　　"Butatleast，"putinGarin，"youcouldhousetheCitizenhere。
　　Hehasbeenhurt，andheisscarcelyabletostand。Come，woman，ifyouwillconsenttothat，weotherscanliewiththehorsesintheshed。"
　　Thisintheendtheygainedbyrenewedpromisesofgoodpayment。
　　Shebrewedabrothforthem，andforLaBoulayeshefoundasuitofherabsenthusband’sclothes，whilsthisownwetgarmentswerespreadtodrybeforethefire。Somebrandy，too，shefoundandbroughthim，andthedraughtdidmuchtorestorehim。
　　Whentheyhadsupped，Garinandthetrooperswithdrewtotheouthouse，leavingLaBoulayeinsolepossessionofthecottagehearth。Andthere，inasuitoftheabsentfarmer’sgreyhomespun，hislegsencasedincoarsewoollenstockingsandsabotsuponhisfeet，sattheyoungDeputyalonewithhisunpleasantthoughts。Thewomanhadbroughthimapipe，and，althoughthehabitwasforeigntohimasarule，hehadlighteditandfoundthesmokingsomewhatsoothing。Ruefullyhepassedhishandacrosshisbandagedbrow，andinponderingoverallthathadtakenplacesinceyesternightatBoisvert，hischeeksgrewflushedatoncewithangerandwithshame。
　　"Tohavebeensoduped！"
　　Andnow—hismindgrowingclearerasherecoveredinvigour—itoccurredtohimthatbyto—morrowitwouldbetoolatetogivepursuit。OnceshecrossedtheSambreatLiege，orelsewhere，whocouldtellhimbywhatroadshewouldelecttocontinueherjourney？
　　Hehadnotsufficientmenathisdisposaltosendoutpartiesalongeachofthepossibleroads。ThatherultimatedestinationwasTrevesheknew。Butoncethereshewasbeyondhisreach，atsafetyfromthetalonsoftheFrenchRepublic。
　　Hesatonandthought，whattimehisbrowscameclosertogetherandhisteethfastenedviciouslyuponthestemofthepipe。Bythetablesatthewoman，knittingindustriously，andeverandanonglancinginquiryatherstern，thoughtfulguest，andtheclickofherneedleswastheonlysoundthatdisturbedthestillnessoftheroom。Outsidethewindwaswailinglikethedamned，andtherainwhichhadrecommencedwithnewvigour，rattlednoisilyuponthepanes。
　　Suddenlyabovethedinoftheelementsashoutsoundedinthenight。
　　TheDeputyraisedhishead，andglancedtowardsthewoman。Amomentlatertheyheardthegatecreak，andstepsuponthepaththatledtothecottagedoor。
　　"Yourhusband？"inquiredLaBoulaye。
　　"No，monsieur。HehasgonetoLiege，andwillnotreturnuntilto—morrow。Idonotknowwhoitcanbe。"
　　Therewasalarmonherface，whichLaBoulayenowsethimselftoallay。
　　"Atleastyouarewellprotected，Citoyenne。Mymenarecloseathand，andwecansummonthemiftherebetheneed。"
　　Reassuredsherose，andatthesamemomentaknocksoundedonthedoor。Shewenttoopenit，andfromhisseatbythehearthLaBoulayeheardagentle，mincingvoicethatwasoddlyfamiliartohim。
　　"Madame，"itsaid，"wearetwopoor，lostwayfarers，andwecraveshelterforthenight。Wewillpayyouhandsomely。"
　　"IamdesolatedthatIhavenoroom，Messieur，"sheanswered，withcourteousfirmness。
　　"Pardi！"interpolatedanothervoice。"Weneednoroom。Abundleofstrawandacornerisallweseek。Ofyourcharity，Madame，isthisanightonwhichtoleaveadogoutofdoors？"
　　AlightofrecollectionleapedsuddenlytoLaBoulaye’seyes，andwithasuddengasphestoopedtothehearth。
　　"ButIcannot，Messieurs，"thewomanwassaying，whenthesecondvoiceinterruptedher。
　　"Iseeyourhusbandbythefire，Madame。Letushearwhathehastosay。"
　　Thewomancolouredtotherootsofherhair。Shesteppedbackapace，andwasabouttoanswerthemwhen，chancingtoglanceinLaBoulaye’sdirection，shepaused。Hehadrisen，andwasstandingwithhisbacktothefire。Therewasablacksmudgeacrosshisface，whichseemedtoactasamask，andhisdarkeyesglowedwithanintensityofmeaningwhicharrestedherattention，andsilencedtheanswerwhichwasrisingtoherlips。
　　Inthebriefpausethenew—comershadcrossedthethreshold，andstoodwithintherusticchamber。ThefirstofthesewashewhosegentlevoiceLaBoulayehadrecognised—oldM。desCadoux，thefriendoftheMarquisdeBellecour。Hiscompanion，totheDeputy’svastsurprise，wasnoneotherthanthebeardedcourierwhohadthatmorningdeliveredhimatBoisverttheletterfromRobespierre。
　　Whatdidthesetwotogether，anduponsuchmanifesttermsofequality？That，itshouldbehisbusinesstodiscover。
　　"Comein，Messieurs，"hebadethem，assumingtheroleofhost。"Weareunusedtostrangers，andMathildethereistimidofrobbers。
　　Drawnearthefireanddryyourselves。Wewilldothebestwecanforyou。Wearepoorpeople，Messieurs；verypoor。"
　　"Ihavealreadysaidthatwewillpayyouhandsomelymyfriend，"
　　quothDesCadoux，comingforwardwithhiscompanion。"Doyourbestforusandyoushallnotregretit。Haveyouaughttoeatinthehouse？"
　　Thewomanwasstandingbythewall，herfaceexpressingbewildermentandsuspicion。Suspiciousshewas，yetthatglanceofLaBoulaye’shadruledherstrangely，andshewascontenttonowawaitdevelopments。
　　"Wewillseewhatwecando，"answeredLaBoulaye，ashemaderoomforthembythehearth。"Come，Mathilde，letustrywhatthelarderwillyield。"
　　"IamafraidthatMadamestillmistrustsus，"deploredDesCadoux。
　　LaBoulayelaughedforanswerashegentlybutfirmlydrewhertowardsthedoorleadingtotheinteriorofthehouse。Hehelditforhertopass，whattimehiseyesweresetinanintentbutpuzzledglanceuponthecourier。TherewassomethingaboutthemanthatwasnotwhollystrangetoLaBoulaye。Thatmorning，whenhehadspokeninthegruffaccentsofoneoftherabble，nosuspicionhadenteredtheDeputy’smindthathewasotherthanheseemed，forallthathenowrecalledhowTardivethadfoundthefellow’spatriotismalittletoopatriotic。Nowthathespokeinthevoicethatwasnaturallyusualtohim，itseemedtoLaBoulayethatitcontainedanotethathehadheardbefore。
　　Stillpuzzled，hepassedoutoftheroomtobequestionedsharplybythewomanofthehousetouchinghismotivesforpassinghimselfoffasherhusbandandinvitingthenew—comerstoenter。
　　"Ipromiseyoutheirstaywillbeaverybriefone，"heanswered。
　　"Ihavesuspicionstoverifytheendstoserve，asyoushallsee。
　　Willyoudomethefavourtogooutbythebackandcallmymen？
　　Tellthecorporaltomakehiswaytothefrontofthehouse，andtoholdhimselfinreadinesstoenterthemomentIcallhim。"
　　"Whatareyouabouttodo？"sheaskedandtheface，ashesawitbythelightofthecandlesheheld，woreanexpressionofsullendisapproval。
　　Hereassuredherthattherewouldbenobloodshed，andsuggestedthatthemenweredangerouscharacterswhomitmightbeillforhertoentertain。Andsoatlasthewonhisway，andshewenttodohiserrand，whilsthereenteredthekitchenHefoundDesCadouxbythefire，intentupondryingasmuchofhimselfaspossible。Theyoungermanhadseizeduponthebottleofbrandythathadbeenleftonthetable，andwasintheactoffillinghimselfasecondglass。Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthemindofeitherthanasuspicionoftheidentityofthisrustically—cladandgrimy—facedfellow。
　　"Mathildewillbehereinamoment，"saidCarondeferentially。
　　"Sheisseekingsomethingforyou。"
　　Hadhetoldthempreciselywhatshewasseekingtheyhadbeen，possibly，lessatease。
　　"Letherhasten，"criedthecourier，"forIamfamished。"
　　"Havepatience，Anatole，"murmuredtheever—gentleCadoux。"Thegoodwomandidnotexpectus。"
　　Anatole！ThenamebuzzedthroughCaron’sbrain。Towhomdiditbelong？Heknewofsomeonewhoboreit。Yetquestionhimselfthoughhemight，hecouldatthemomentfindnoanswer。Andthenthecouriercreatedadiversionbyaddressinghim。
　　"Fillyourselfaglass，monbonhomme，"saidhe。"Ihaveatoastforyou。"
　　"Forme，Monsieur，"criedLaBoulaye，withsurprisedhumility。"Itweretoogreatanhonour。"
　　"Doasyouarebidden，man，"returnedthisveryperemptorycourier。
　　"There；nowletusseehowyourfavourruns。Cry’LongLivetheKing！’"
　　Holdingthebrandy—glass，whichthemanhadforceduponhim，LaBoulayeeyedhimwhimsicallyforasecond。
　　"ThereisnotoastIwouldmoregladlydrink，"saidheatlast，"ifIconsidereditavailing。But—alas—youproposeitover—late。"
　　"Diable！Whatmayyoumean？"
　　"Why，thatsincetheKingisdead，itshallprofituslittletocry，’LongLivetheKing！’"
　　"TheKing，Monsieur，neverdies，"saidCadouxsententiously。
　　"Sinceyouputitso，Monsieur，"answeredLaBoulaye，asifconvinced，"I’llhonourthetoast。"Andwiththecrytheyaskedofhimhedrainedhisglass。
　　"Andso，myhonestfellow，"saidDesCadoux，producinghiseternalsnuff—box，"itseemsthatyouareaRoyalist。Wedidbuttestyouwiththattoast，myfriend。"
　　"Whatshouldapoorfellowknowofpolitics，Messieurs？"hedeprecated。"Theseareoddtimes。Idoubtmetheworldhasneverseentheirlike。Nomanmaysafelyknowhisneighbour。Nowyou，sir，"hepursued，turningtotheyoungerman，"youhavetheairofasans—culotte，yetfromyourspeechyouseemanhonestenoughgentleman。"
　　Thefellowlaughedwithunction。
　　"Theairofasans—culotte？"hecried。"Myfaith，yes。Somuchso，thatthismorningIimposedmyselfasacourierfromParisuponnolessanastutesleuth—houndoftheConventionthantheCitizen—deputyLaBoulaye。"
　　"Isitpossible？"criedCaron，hiseyesopeningwideinwonder。"Buthow，Monsieurs？Forsurelyacouriermustbearletters，and—"
　　"SodidI，sodidI，myfriend，"theotherinterrupted，withvainglory。"Iknockedapatrioticcourierovertheheadtoobtainthem。
　　Hewasgenuine，thatothercourier，andIpassedmyselfoutofFrancewithhispapers。"
　　"Monsieurisamusinghimselfattheexpenseofmycredulity，"LaBoulayecomplained。
　　"Mygoodman，Iamtellingyoufacts，"theotherinsisted。
　　"Buthowcouldsuchathingbeaccomplished？"askedCaron，seatinghimselfatthetable，andrestinghischinuponhishand，hisgazesofullofadmirationastoseemawestruck。
　　"How？Iwilltellyou。IamfromArtois。"
　　"You’llberepeatingthatcharmingstoryoncetoooften，"DesCadouxcautionedhim。
　　"Pish，youtimorousone！"helaughed，andresumedhistale。"IamfromArtois，then。Ihavesomepropertythere，anditlatelycametomyearsthatthisassemblyofcurstheycalltheConventionhaddeterminedtomakeanendofme。Butbeforetheycouldcarryouttheirdesign，thosesonsofdogs，mytenants，incitedbythechoiceexamplessetthembyothertenantry，madeadescentonmyChateauonenight，anddidthemselvesthepleasureofburningittotheground。ByamiracleIescapedwithmylifeandlayhiddenforthreeweeksinthehouseofanoldpeasantwhohadremainedfaithful。