TherehasoflateyearscreptsomuchconfusionintothemindofthestudentaswellasofthegeneralreaderastotheidentityoftheScarletPimpernelwiththatoftheGasconRoyalistplotterknowntohistoryastheBarondeBatz，thatthetimeseemsopportuneforsettingalldoubtsonthatsubjectatrest。
　　TheidentityoftheScarletPimpernelisinnowaywhateverconnectedwiththatoftheBarondeBatz，andevensuperficialreflectionwillsoonbringthemindtotheconclusionthatgreatfundamentaldifferencesexistedinthesetwomen，intheirpersonality，intheircharacter，and，aboveall，intheiraims。
　　Accordingtooneortwoenthusiastichistorians，theBarondeBatzwasthechiefagentinavastnetworkofconspiracy，entirelysupportedbyforeignmoney——bothEnglishandAustrian——andwhichhadforitsobjecttheoverthrowoftheRepublicanGovernmentandtherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。
　　Inordertoattainthispoliticalgoal，itisaverredthathesethimselfthetaskofpittingthemembersoftherevolutionaryGovernmentoneagainsttheother，andbringinghatredanddissensionsamongstthem，untilthecryof“Traitor！”resoundedfromoneendoftheAssemblyoftheConventiontotheother，andtheAssemblyitselfbecameasonevastdenofwildbeastswhereinwolvesandhyenasdevouredoneanotherand，stillunsatiated，lickedtheirstreamingjawshungeringformoreprey。
　　Thosesameenthusiastichistorians，whohaveafirmbeliefintheso-called“ForeignConspiracy，“ascribeeveryimportanteventoftheGreatRevolution——bethateventthedownfalloftheGirondins，theescapeoftheDauphinfromtheTemple，orthedeathofRobespierre——totheintriguesofBarondeBatz。Heitwas，sotheysay，whoeggedtheJacobinsonagainsttheMountain，RobespierreagainstDanton，HebertagainstRobespierre。HeitwaswhoinstigatedthemassacresofSeptember，theatrocitiesofNantes，thehorrorsofThermidor，thesacrileges，thenoyades：
　　allwiththeviewofcausingeverysectionoftheNationalAssemblytoviewiththeotherinexcessesandincruelty，untilthemakersoftheRevolution，satiatedwiththeirownlust，turnedononeanother，andSardanapalus-likeburiedthemselvesandtheirorgiesinthevasthecatombofaself-consumedanarchy。
　　WhetherthepowerthusascribedtoBarondeBatzbyhishistoriansisrealorimaginaryitisnotthepurposeofthisprefacetoinvestigate。ItssoleobjectistopointoutthedifferencebetweenthecareerofthisplotterandthatoftheScarletPimpernel。
　　TheBarondeBatzhimselfwasanadventurerwithoutsubstance，savethatwhichhederivedfromabroad。Hewasoneofthosemenwhohavenothingtoloseandeverythingtogainbythrowingthemselvesheadlongintheseethingcauldronofinternalpolitics。
　　ThoughhemadeseveralattemptsatrescuingKingLouisfirst，andthentheQueenandRoyalFamilyfromprisonandfromdeath，heneversucceeded，asweknow，inanyoftheseundertakings，andheneveroncesomuchasattemptedtherescueofotherequallyinnocent，ifnotquitesodistinguished，victimsofthemostbloodthirstyrevolutionthathasevershakenthefoundationsofthecivilisedworld。
　　Naymore；whenonthe29thPrairialthoseunfortunatemenandwomenwerecondemnedandexecutedforallegedcomplicityintheso-called“ForeignConspiracy，“deBatz，whoisuniversallyadmittedtohavebeentheheadandprime-moverofthatconspiracy——if，indeed，conspiracytherewas——nevermadeeithertheslightestattempttorescuehisconfederatesfromtheguillotine，oratleasttheoffertoperishbytheirsideifhecouldnotsucceedinsavingthem。
　　Andwhenwerememberthatthemartyrsofthe29thPrairialincludedwomenlikeGrandmaison，thedevotedfriendofdeBatz，thebeautifulEmiliedeSt。Amaranthe，littleCecileRenault——amerechildnotsixteenyearsofage——alsomenlikeMichonisandRoussell，faithfulservantsofdeBatz，theBarondeLezardiere，andtheComtedeSt。Maurice，hisfriends，wenolongercanhavetheslightestdoubtthattheGasconplotterandtheEnglishgentlemanareindeedtwoverydifferentpersons。
　　Thelatter'saimswereabsolutelynon-political。Heneverintriguedfortherestorationofthemonarchy，orevenfortheoverthrowofthatRepublicwhichlieloathed。
　　Hisonlyconcernwastherescueoftheinnocent，thestretchingoutofasavinghandtothoseunfortunatecreatureswhohadfallenintothenetsspreadoutforthembytheirfellow-men；bythosewho——godless，lawless，pennilessthemselves——hadsworntoexterminateallthosewhoclungtotheirbelongings，totheirreligion，andtotheirbeliefs。
　　TheScarletPimperneldidnottakeituponhimselftopunishtheguilty；hiscarewassolelyofthehelplessandoftheinnocent。
　　ForthisaimheriskedhislifeeverytimethathesetfootonFrenchsoil，forithesacrificedhisfortune，andevenhispersonalhappiness，andtoithedevotedhisentireexistence。
　　Moreover，whereastheFrenchplotterissaidtohavehadconfederatesevenintheAssemblyoftheConvention，confederateswhoweresufficientlyinfluentialandpowerfultosecurehisownimmunity，theEnglishmanwhenhewasbentonhiserrandsofmercyhadthewholeofFranceagainsthim。
　　TheBarondeBatzwasamanwhoneverjustifiedeitherhisownambitionsorevenhisexistence；theScarletPimpernelwasapersonalityofwhomanentirenationmightjustlybeproud。
　　CHAPTERI
　　INTHETHEATRENATIONAL
　　Andyetpeoplefoundtheopportunitytoamusethemselves，todanceandtogotothetheatre，toenjoymusicandopen-aircafesandpromenadesinthePalaisRoyal。
　　Newfashionsindressmadetheirappearance，millinersproducedfresh“creations，“andjewellerswerenotidle。Agrimsenseofhumour，bornoftheveryintensityofever-presentdanger，haddubbedthecutofcertaintunics“tetetranche，“orafavouriteragoutwascalled“alaguillotine。“
　　Onthreeeveningsonlyduringthepastmemorablefourandahalfyearsdidthetheatresclosetheirdoors，andtheseeveningsweretheonesimmediatelyfollowingthatterrible2ndofSeptemberthedayofthebutcheryoutsidetheAbbayeprison，whenParisherselfwasaghastwithhorror，andthecriesofthemassacredmighthavedrownedthecallsoftheaudiencewhosehandsupraisedforplauditswouldstillbedrippingwithblood。
　　OnallothereveningsofthesesamefourandahalfyearsthetheatresintheRuedeRichelieu，inthePalaisRoyal，theLuxembourg，andothers，hadraisedtheircurtainsandtakenmoneyattheirdoors。Thesameaudiencethatearlierinthedayhadwhiledawaythetimebywitnessingtheever-recurrentdramasofthePlacedelaRevolutionassembledhereintheeveningsandfilledstalls，boxes，andtiers，laughingoverthesatiresofVoltaireorweepingoverthesentimentaltragediesofpersecutedRomeosandinnocentJuliets。
　　Deathknockedatsomanydoorsthesedays！Hewassoconstantaguestinthehousesofrelativesandfriendsthatthosewhohadmerelyshakenhimbythehand，thoseonwhomhehadsmiled，andwhomhe，stillsmiling，hadpassedindulgentlyby，lookedonhimwiththatsubtlecontemptbornoffamiliarity，shruggedtheirshouldersathispassage，andenvisagedhisprobablevisitonthemorrowwithlightheartedindifference。
　　Paris——despitethehorrorsthathadstainedherwallshadremainedacityofpleasure，andtheknifeoftheguillotinedidscarcedescendmoreoftenthandidthedrop-scenesonthestage。
　　Onthisbitterlycoldeveningofthe27thNivose，inthesecondyearoftheRepublic——or，asweoftheoldstylestillpersistincallingit，the16thofJanuary，1794——theauditoriumoftheTheatreNationalwasfilledwithaverybrilliantcompany。
　　TheappearanceofafavouriteactressinthepartofoneofMoliere'svolatileheroineshadbroughtpleasure-lovingParistowitnessthisrevivalof“LeMisanthrope，“withnewscenery，dresses，andtheaforesaidcharmingactresstoaddpiquancytothemaster'smordantwit。
　　TheMoniteur，whichsoimpartiallychroniclestheeventsofthosetimes，tellsusunderthatdatethattheAssemblyoftheConventionvotedonthatsamedayanewlawgivingfullerpowertoitsspies，enablingthemtoeffectdomiciliarysearchesattheirdiscretionwithoutpreviousreferencetotheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，authorisingthemtoproceedagainstallenemiesofpublichappiness，tosendthemtoprisonattheirowndiscretion，andassuringthemthesumofthirty-fivelivres“foreverypieceofgamethusbeatenupfortheguillotine。“UnderthatsamedatetheMoniteuralsoputsitonrecordthattheTheatreNationalwasfilledtoitsutmostcapacityfortherevivalofthelatecitoyenMoliere'scomedy。
　　TheAssemblyoftheConventionhavingvotedthenewlawwhichplacedthelivesofthousandsatthemercyofafewhumanbloodhounds，adjourneditssittingandproceededtotheRuedeRichelieu。
　　Alreadythehousewasfullwhenthefathersofthepeoplemadetheirwaytotheseatswhichhadbeenreservedforthem。Anawedhushdescendedonthethrongasonebyonethemenwhoseverynamesinspiredhorroranddreadfiledinthroughthenarrowgangwaysofthestallsortooktheirplacesinthetinyboxesaround。
　　CitizenRobespierre'sneatlybewiggedheadsoonappearedinoneofthese；hisbosomfriendSt。Justwaswithhim，andalsohissisterCharlotte。Danton，likeabig，shaggy-coatedlion，elbowedhiswayintothestalls，whilstSauterre，thehandsomebutcherandidolofthepeopleofParis，wasloudlyacclaimedashishugeframe，gorgeouslycladintheuniformoftheNationalGuard，wassightedononeofthetiersabove。
　　Thepublicintheparterreandinthegallerieswhisperedexcitedly；theawe-inspiringnamesflewabouthitherandthitheronthewingsoftheoverheatedair。Womencranedtheirneckstocatchsightofheadswhichmayhaponthemorrowwouldrollintothegruesomebasketatthefootoftheguillotine。
　　Inoneofthetinyavant-sceneboxestwomenhadtakentheirseatslongbeforethebulkoftheaudiencehadbeguntoassembleinthehouse。Theinsideoftheboxwasincompletedarkness，andthenarrowopeningwhichallowedbutasorryviewofonesideofthestagehelpedtoconcealratherthandisplaytheoccupants。
　　TheyoungeroneofthesetwomenappearedtobesomethingofastrangerinParis，forasthepublicmenandthewell-knownmembersoftheGovernmentbegantoarriveheoftenturnedtohiscompanionforinformationregardingthesenotoriouspersonalities。
　　“Tellme，deBatz，“hesaid，callingtheother'sattentiontoagroupofmenwhohadjustenteredthehouse，“thatcreaturethereinthegreencoat——withhishanduptohisfacenow——whoishe？”
　　“Where？Whichdoyoumean？”
　　“There！Helooksthiswaynow，andhehasaplaybillinhishand。
　　Themanwiththeprotrudingchinandtheconvexforehead，afacelikeamarmoset，andeyeslikeajackal。What？”
　　Theotherleanedovertheedgeofthebox，andhissmall，restlesseyeswanderedoverthenowclosely-packedauditorium。
　　“Oh！”hesaidassoonasherecognisedthefacewhichhisfriendhadpointedouttohim，“thatiscitizenFoucquier-Tinville。“
　　“ThePublicProsecutor？”
　　“Himself。AndHeronisthemannexttohim。“
　　“Heron？”saidtheyoungermaninterrogatively。
　　“Yes。HeischiefagenttotheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritynow。“
　　“Whatdoesthatmean？”
　　Bothleanedbackintheirchairs，andtheirsombrely-cladfigureswereoncemoremergedinthegloomofthenarrowbox。Instinctively，sincethenameofthePublicProsecutorhadbeenmentionedbetweenthem，theyhadallowedtheirvoicestosinktoawhisper。
　　Theolderman——astoutish，florid-lookingindividual，withsmall，keeneyes，andskinpittedwithsmall-pox——shruggedhisshouldersathisfriend'squestion，andthensaidwithanairofcontemptuousindifference：
　　“Itmeans，mygoodSt。Just，thatthesetwomenwhomyouseedownthere，calmlyconningtheprogrammeofthisevening'sentertainment，andpreparingtoenjoythemselvesto-nightinthecompanyofthelateM。deMoliere，aretwohell-houndsaspowerfulastheyarecunning。“
　　“Yes，yes，“saidSt。Just，andmuchagainsthiswillaslightshudderranthroughhisslimfigureashespoke。“Foucquier-TinvilleIknow；Iknowhiscunning，andIknowhispower——buttheother？”
　　“Theother？”retorteddeBatzlightly。“Heron？Letmetellyou，myfriend，thateventhemightandlustofthatdamnedPublicProsecutorpalebeforethepowerofHeron！”
　　“Buthow？Idonotunderstand。“
　　“Ah！youhavebeeninEnglandsolong，youluckydog，andthoughnodoubtthemainplotofourhideoustragedyhasreachedyourken，youhavenocognisanceoftheactorswhoplaytheprincipalpartsonthisarenafloodedwithbloodandcarpetedwithhate。
　　Theycomeandgo，theseactors，mygoodSt。Just——theycomeandgo。Maratisalreadythemanofyesterday，Robespierreisthemanofto-morrow。To-daywestillhaveDantonandFoucquier-Tinville；
　　westillhavePereDuchesne，andyourowngoodcousinAntoineSt。
　　Just，butHeronandhislikearewithusalways。“
　　“Spies，ofcourse？”
　　“Spies，“assentedtheother。“Andwhatspies！WereyoupresentatthesittingoftheAssemblyto-day？”
　　“Iwas。Iheardthenewdecreewhichalreadyhaspassedintolaw。
　　Ah！Itellyou，friend，thatwedonotletthegrassgrowunderourfeetthesedays。Robespierrewakesuponemorningwithawhim；bytheafternoonthatwhimhasbecomelaw，passedbyaservilebodyofmentooterrifiedtoruncountertohiswill，fearfullesttheybeaccusedofmoderationorofhumanity——thegreatestcrimesthatcanbecommittednowadays。“
　　“ButDanton？”
　　“Ah！Danton？Hewouldwishtostemthetidethathisownpassionshaveletloose；tomuzzletheragingbeastswhosefangshehimselfhassharpened。ItoldyouthatDantonisstillthemanofto-day；
　　to-morrowhewillbeaccusedofmoderation。Dantonandmoderation！——
　　yegods！Eh？Danton，whothoughttheguillotinetooslowinitswork，andarmedthirtysoldierswithswords，sothatthirtyheadsmightfallatoneandthesametime。Danton，friend，willperishto-morrowaccusedoftreacheryagainsttheRevolution，ofmoderationtowardsherenemies；andcurslikeHeronwillfeastonthebloodoflionslikeDantonandhiscrowd。“
　　Hepausedamoment，forhedarednotraisehisvoice，andhiswhisperswerebeingdrownedbythenoiseintheauditorium。Thecurtain，timedtoberaisedateighto'clock，wasstilldown，thoughitwascloseonhalf-past，andthepublicwasgrowingimpatient。Therewasloudstampingoffeet，andafewshrillwhistlesofdisapprovalproceededfromthegallery。
　　“IfHerongetsimpatient，“saiddeBatzlightly，whenthenoisehadmomentarilysubsided，themanagerofthistheatreandmayhaphisleadingactorandactresswillspendanunpleasantdayto-morrow。“
　　“AlwaysHeron！”saidSt。Just，withacontemptuoussmile。
　　“Yes，myfriend，“rejoinedtheotherimperturbably，“alwaysHeron。
　　Andhehasevenobtainedalongerleaseofexistencethisafternoon。“
　　“Bythenewdecree？”
　　“Yes。Thenewdecree。TheagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，ofwhomHeronisthechief，havefromto-daypowersofdomiciliarysearch；theyhavefullpowerstoproceedagainstallenemiesofpublicwelfare。Isn'tthatbeautifullyvague？Andtheyhaveabsolutediscretion；everyonemaybecomeanenemyofpublicwelfare，eitherbyspendingtoomuchmoneyorbyspendingtoolittle，bylaughingto-dayorcryingto-morrow，bymourningforonedeadrelativeorrejoicingovertheexecutionofanother。
　　Hemaybeabadexampletothepublicbythecleanlinessofhispersonorbythefilthuponhisclothes，hemayoffendbywalkingto-dayandbyridinginacarriagenextweek；theagentsoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityshallalonedecidewhatconstitutesenmityagainstpublicwelfare。Allprisonsaretobeopenedattheirbiddingtoreceivethosewhomtheychoosetodenounce；theyhavehenceforththerighttoexamineprisonersprivatelyandwithoutwitnesses，andtosendthemtotrialwithoutfurtherwarrants；theirdutyisclear——theymust'beatupgamefortheguillotine。'Thusisthedecreeworded；theymustfurnishthePublicProsecutorwithworktodo，thetribunalswithvictimstocondemn，thePlacedelaRevolutionwithdeath-scenestoamusethepeople，andfortheirworktheywillberewardedthirty-fivelivresforeveryheadthatfallsundertheguillotineAh！ifHeronandhislikeandhismyrmidonsworkhardandwelltheycanmakeacomfortableincomeoffourorfivethousandlivresaweek。
　　Wearegettingon，friendSt。Just——wearegettingon。“
　　Hehadnotraisedhisvoicewhilehespoke，norintherecountingofsuchinhumanmonstrosity，suchvileandbloodthirstyconspiracyagainsttheliberty，thedignity，theverylifeofanentirenation，didheappeartofeeltheslightestindignation；ratherdidatoneofamusementandevenoftriumphstrikethroughhisspeech；andnowhelaughedgood-humouredlylikeanindulgentparentwhoiswatchingthenaturallycruelanticsofaspoiltboy。
　　“Thenfromthishellletlooseuponearth，“exclaimedSt。Justhotly，“mustwerescuethosewhorefusetorideuponthistideofblood。“
　　Hischeekswereglowing，hiseyessparkledwithenthusiasm。Helookedveryyoungandveryeager。ArmandSt。Just，thebrotherofLadyBlakeney，hadsomethingoftherefinedbeautyofhislovelysister，butthefeaturesthoughmanly——hadnotthelatentstrengthexpressedinthemwhichcharacterisedeverylineofMarguerite'sexquisiteface。Theforeheadsuggestedadreamerratherthanathinker，theblue-greyeyeswerethoseofanidealistratherthanofamanofaction。
　　DeBatz'skeenpiercingeyeshadnodoubtnotedthis，evenwhilsthegazedathisyoungfriendwiththatsamelookofgood-humouredindulgencewhichseemedhabitualtohim。
　　“Wehavetothinkofthefuture，mygoodSt。Just，“hesaidafteraslightpause，andspeakingslowlyanddecisively，likeafatherrebukingahot-headedchild，“notofthepresent。Whatareafewlivesworthbesidethegreatprincipleswhichwehaveatstake？”
　　“Therestorationofthemonarchy——Iknow，“retortedSt。Just，stillunsobered，“but，inthemeanwhile——“
　　“Inthemeanwhile，“rejoineddeBatzearnestly，“everyvictimtothelustofthesemenisasteptowardstherestorationoflawandorder——thatistosay，ofthemonarchy。Itisonlythroughtheseviolentexcessesperpetratedinitsnamethatthenationwillrealisehowitisbeingfooledbyasetofmenwhohaveonlytheirownpowerandtheirownadvancementinview，andwhoimaginethattheonlywaytothatpowerisoverthedeadbodiesofthosewhostandintheirway。Oncethenationissickenedbytheseorgiesofambitionandofhate，itwillturnagainstthesesavagebrutes，andgladlyacclaimtherestorationofallthattheyarestrivingtodestroy。Thisisouronlyhopeforthefuture，and，believeme，friend，thateveryheadsnatchedfromtheguillotinebyyourromantichero，theScarletPimpernel，isastonelaidfortheconsolidationofthisinfamousRepublic。“
　　“I'llnotbelieveit，“protestedSt。Justemphatically。
　　DeBatz，withagestureofcontemptindicativealsoofcompleteself-satisfactionandunalterableself-belief，shruggedhisbroadshoulders。Hisshortfatfingers，coveredwithrings，beatatattooupontheledgeofthebox。
　　Obviously，hewasreadywitharetort。Hisyoungfriend'sattitudeirritatedevenmorethanitamusedhim。Buthesaidnothingforthemoment，waitingwhilethetraditionalthreeknocksonthefloorofthestageproclaimedtheriseofthecurtain。Thegrowingimpatienceoftheaudiencesubsidedasifbymagicatthewelcomecall；everybodysettleddownagaincomfortablyintheirseats，theygaveupthecontemplationofthefathersofthepeople，andturnedtheirfullattentiontotheactorsontheboards。
　　CHAPTERII
　　WIDELYDIVERGENTAIMS
　　ThiswasArmandS。Just'sfirstvisittoParissincethatmemorabledaywhenfirsthedecidedtoseverhisconnectionfromtheRepublicanparty，ofwhichheandhisbeautifulsisterMargueritehadatonetimebeenamongstthemostnoble，mostenthusiasticfollowers。Alreadyayearandahalfagotheexcessesofthepartyhadhorrifiedhim，andthatwaslongbeforetheyhaddegeneratedintothesickeningorgieswhichwereculminatingto-dayinwholesalemassacresandbloodyhecatombsofinnocentvictims。
　　WiththedeathofMirabeauthemoderateRepublicans，whosesoleandentirelypureaimhadbeentofreethepeopleofFrancefromtheautocratictyrannyoftheBourbons，sawthepowergofromtheircleanhandstothegrimyonesoflustfuldemagogues，whoknewnolawsavetheirownpassionsofbitterhatredagainstallclassesthatwerenotasself-seeking，asferociousasthemselves。
　　Itwasnolongeraquestionofafightforpoliticalandreligiouslibertyonly，butoneofclassagainstclass，managainstman，andlettheweakerlooktohimself。Theweakerhadprovedhimselftobe，firstly，themanofpropertyandsubstance，thenthelaw-abidingcitizen，lastlythemanofactionwhohadobtainedforthepeoplethatverysamelibertyofthoughtandofbeliefwhichsoonbecamesoterriblymisused。
　　ArmandSt。Just，oneoftheapostlesofliberty，fraternity，andequality，soonfoundthatthemostsavageexcessesoftyrannywerebeingperpetratedinthenameofthosesameidealswhichhehadworshipped。
　　HissisterMarguerite，happilymarriedinEngland，wasthefinaltemptationwhichcausedhimtoquitthecountrythedestiniesofwhichhenolongercouldhelptocontrol。ThesparkofenthusiasmwhichheandthefollowersofMirabeauhadtriedtokindleintheheartsofanoppressedpeoplehadturnedtoragingtonguesofunquenchableflames。ThetakingoftheBastillehadbeenthepreludetothemassacresofSeptember，andeventhehorrorofthesehadsincepaledbesidetheholocaustsofto-day。
　　Armand，savedfromtheswiftvengeanceoftherevolutionariesbythedevotionoftheScarletPimpernel，crossedovertoEnglandandenrolledhimselftinderthebanneroftheheroicchief。ButhehadbeenunablehithertotobeanactivememberoftheLeague。
　　Thechiefwasloathtoallowhimtorunfoolhardyrisks。TheSt。
　　Justs——bothMargueriteandArmand——werestillverywell-knowninParis。Margueritewasnotawomaneasilyforgotten，andhermarriagewithanEnglish“aristo“didnotpleasethoserepublicancircleswhohadlookeduponherastheirqueen。Armand'ssecessionfromhispartyintotheranksoftheemigreshadsingledhimoutforspecialreprisals，ifandwheneverhecouldbegotholdof，andbothbrotherandsisterhadanunusuallybitterenemyintheircousinAntoineSt。Just——onceanaspiranttoMarguerite'shand，andnowaservileadherentandimitatorofRobespierre，whoseferociouscrueltyhetriedtoemulatewithaviewtoingratiatinghimselfwiththemostpowerfulmanoftheday。
　　NothingwouldhavepleasedAntoineSt。JustmorethantheopportunityofshowinghiszealandhispatriotismbydenouncinghisownkithandkintotheTribunaloftheTerror，andtheScarletPimpernel，whoseownslenderfingerswereheldonthepulseofthatrecklessrevolution，hadnowishtosacrificeArmand'slifedeliberately，oreventoexposeittounnecessarydangers。
　　ThusitwasthatmorethanayearhadgonebybeforeArmandSt。
　　Just——anenthusiasticmemberoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel——wasabletodoaughtforitsservice。Hehadchafedundertheenforcedrestraintplaceduponhimbytheprudenceofhischief，when，indeed，hewaslongingtoriskhislifewiththecomradeswhomhelovedandbesidetheleaderwhomherevered。
　　Atlast，inthebeginningof'94hepersuadedBlakeneytoallowhimtojointhenextexpeditiontoFrance。WhattheprincipalaimofthatexpeditionwasthemembersoftheLeaguedidnotknowasyet，butwhattheydidknowwasthatperils——gravereventhanhitherto——wouldattendthemontheirway。
　　ThecircumstanceshadbecomeverydifferentoflateAtfirsttheimpenetrablemysterywhichhadsurroundedthepersonalityofthechiefhadbeenafullmeasureofsafety，butnowonetinycornerofthatveilofmysteryhadbeenliftedbytworoughpairsofhandsatleast；Chauvelin，ex-ambassadorattheEnglishCourt，wasnolongerinanydoubtastotheidentityoftheScarletPimpernel，whilstCollotd'HerboishadseenhimatBoulogne，andhadtherebeeneffectuallyfoiledbyhim。
　　Fourmonthshadgonebysincethatday，andtheScarletPimpernelwashardlyeveroutofFrancenow；themassacresinParisandintheprovinceshadmultipliedwithappallingrapidity，thenecessityfortheselflessdevotionofthatsmallbandofheroeshadbecomedaily，hourlymorepressing。Theyralliedroundtheirchiefwithunboundedenthusiasm，andletitbeadmittedatoncethatthesportinginstinct——inherentintheseEnglishgentlemen——
　　madethemallthemorekeen，allthemoreeagernowthatthedangerswhichbesettheirexpeditionswereincreasedtenfold。
　　Atawordfromthebelovedleader，theseyoungmen——thespoiltdarlingsofsociety——wouldleavethegaieties，thepleasures，theluxuriesofLondonorofBath，and，takingtheirlivestntheirhands，theyplacedthem，togetherwiththeirfortunes，andeventheirgoodnames，attheserviceoftheinnocentandhelplessvictimsofmercilesstyranny。Themarriedmen——Ffoulkes，myLordHastings，SirJeremiahWallescourt——leftwifeandchildrenatacallfromthechief，atthecryofthewretched。Armand——
　　unattachedandenthusiastic——hadtherighttodemandthatheshouldnolongerbeleftbehind。
　　Hehadonlybeenawayalittleoverfifteenmonths，andyethefoundParisadifferentcityfromtheonehehadleftimmediatelyaftertheterriblemassacresofSeptember。Anairofgrimlonelinessseemedtohangoverherdespitethecrowdsthatthrongedherstreets；themenwhomhewaswonttomeetinpublicplacesfifteenmonthsago——friendsandpoliticalallies——werenolongertobeseen；strangefacessurroundedhimoneveryside——
　　sullen，gloweringfaces，allwearingacertainairofhorrifiedsurpriseandofvague，terrifiedwonder，asiflifehadbecomeoneawfulpuzzle，theanswertowhichmustbefoundinthebriefintervalbetweentheswiftpassagesofdeath。
　　ArmandSt。Just，havingsettledhisfewsimplebelongingsinthesqualidlodgingswhichhadbeenassignedtohim，hadstartedoutafterdarktowandersomewhataimlesslythroughthestreets。
　　Instinctivelyheseemedtobesearchingforafamiliarface，someonewhowouldcometohimoutofthatmerrypastwhichhehadspentwithMargueriteintheirprettyapartmentintheRueSt。
　　Honore。
　　Foranhourhewanderedthusandmetnoonewhomheknew。Attimesitappearedtohimasifhedidrecogniseafaceorfigurethatpassedhimswiftlybyinthegloom，butevenbeforehecouldfullymakeuphismindtothat，thefaceorfigurehadalreadydisappeared，glidingfurtivelydownsomenarrowunlightedby-street，withoutturningtolooktorightorleft，asifdreadingfullerrecognition。
　　Armandfeltatotalstrangerinhisownnativecity。
　　TheterriblehoursoftheexecutiononthePlacedelaRevolutionwerefortunatelyover，thetumbrilsnolongerrattledalongtheunevenpavements，nordidthedeath-cryoftheunfortunatevictimsresoundthroughthedesertedstreets。Armandwas，onthisfirstdayofhisarrival，sparedthesightofthisdegradationoftheoncelovelycity；butherdesolation，hergeneralappearanceofshamefacedindigenceandofcruelaloofnessstruckachillintheyoungman'sheart。
　　Itwasnowonder，therefore，whenanonhewaswendinghiswayslowlybacktohislodginghewasaccostedbyapleasant，cheerfulvoice，thatherespondedtoitwithalacrity。Thevoice，ofasmooth，oilytimbre，asiftheownerkeptitwellgreasedforpurposesofamiablespeech，waslikeanechoofthepast，whenjolly，irresponsibleBarondeBatz，erst-whileofficeroftheGuardintheserviceofthelateKing，andsincethenknowntobethemostinveterateconspiratorfortherestorationofthemonarchy，usedtoamuseMargueritebyhisvapid，senselessplansfortheoverthrowofthenewly-risenpowerofthepeople。
　　Armandwasquitegladtomeethim，andwhendeBatzsuggestedthatagoodtalkoveroldtimeswouldbevastlyagreeable，theyoungermangladlyacceded，Thetwomen，thoughcertainlynotmistrustfulofoneanother，didnotseemtocaretorevealtoeachothertheplacewheretheylodged。DeBatzatonceproposedtheavant-sceneboxofoneofthetheatresasbeingthesafestplacewhereoldfriendscouldtalkwithoutfearofspyingeyesorears。
　　“Thereisnoplacesosafeorsoprivatenowadays，believeme，myyoungfriend，“hesaid“Ihavetriedeverysortofnookandcrannyinthisaccursedtown，nowriddledwithspies，andIhavecometotheconclusionthatasmallavant-sceneboxisthemostperfectdenofprivacythereisintheentirecity。Thevoicesoftheactorsonthestageandthehumamongtheaudienceinthehousewilleffectuallydrownallindividualconversationtoeveryearsavetheoneforwhomitisintended。“
　　Itisnotdifficulttopersuadeayoungmanwhofeelslonelyandsomewhatforlorninalargecitytowhileawayaneveninginthecompanionshipofacheerfultalker，anddeBatzwasessentiallygoodcompany。Hisvapouringshadalwaysbeenamusing，butArmandnowgavehimcreditformoreseriousnessofpurpose；andthoughthechiefhadwarnedhimagainstpickingupacquaintancesinParis，theyoungmanfeltthatthatrestrictionwouldcertainlynotapplytoamanlikedeBatz，whosehotpartisanshipoftheRoyalistcauseandhare-brainedschemesforitsrestorationmustmakehimatonewiththeLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel。
　　Armandacceptedtheother'scordialinvitation。He，too，feltthathewouldindeedbesaferfromobservationinacrowdedtheatrethaninthestreets。Amongacloselypackedthrongbentonamusementthesombrely-cladfigureofayoungman，withtheappearanceofastudentorofajournalist，wouldeasilypassunperceived。
　　Butsomehow，afterthefirsttenminutesspentindeBatz'companywithinthegloomyshelterofthesmallavant-scenebox，Armandalreadyrepentedoftheimpulsewhichhadpromptedhimtocometothetheatreto-night，andtorenewacquaintanceshipwiththeex-officerofthelateKing'sGuard。ThoughheknewdeBatztobeanardentRoyalist，andevenanactiveadherentofthemonarchy，hewassoonconsciousofavaguesenseofmistrustofthispompous，self-complacentindividual，whoseeveryutterancebreathedselfishaimsratherthandevotiontoaforlorncause。
　　Therefore，whenthecurtainroseatlastonthefirstactofMoliere'swittycomedy，St。JustturneddeliberatelytowardsthestageandtriedtointeresthimselfinthewordyquarrelbetweenPhilinteandAlceste。
　　Butthisattitudeonthepartoftheyoungermandidnotseemtosuithisnewly-foundfriend。ItwasclearthatdeBatzdidnotconsiderthetopicofconversationbyanymeansexhausted，andthatithadbeenmorewithaviewtoadiscussionlikethepresentinterruptedonethathehadinvitedSt。Justtocometothetheatrewithhimto-night，ratherthanforthepurposeofwitnessingMile。Lange'sdebutinthepartofCelimene。
　　ThepresenceofSt。JustinParishadasamatteroffactastonisheddeBatznotalittle，andhadsethisintriguingbrainbusyonconjectures。Itwasinordertoturntheseconjecturesintocertaintiesthathehaddesiredprivatetalkwiththeyoungman。
　　Hewaitedsilentlynowforamomentortwo，hiskeen，smalleyesrestingwithevidentanxietyonArmand'savertedhead，hisfingersstillbeatingtheimpatienttattoouponthevelvet-coveredcushionofthebox。ThenatthefirstmovementofSt。Justtowardshimhewasreadyinaninstanttore-openthesubjectunderdiscussion。
　　Withaquicknodofhisheadhecalledhisyoungfriend'sattentionbacktothemenintheauditorium。
　　“YourgoodcousinAntoineSt。JustishandandglovewithRobespierrenow，“hesaid。“WhenyouleftParismorethanayearagoyoucouldaffordtodespisehimasanempty-headedwindbag；
　　now，ifyoudesiretoremaininFrance，youwillhavetofearhimasapowerandamenace。“
　　“Yes，Iknewthathehadtakentoherdingwiththewolves，“
　　rejoinedArmandlightly。“Atonetimehewasinlovewithmysister。IthankGodthatshenevercaredforhim。“
　　“Theysaythatheherdswiththewolvesbecauseofthisdisappointment，“saiddeBatz。“Thewholepackismadeupofmenwhohavebeendisappointed，andwhohavenothingmoretolose。
　　Whenallthesewolveswillhavedevouredoneanother，thenandthenonlycanwehopefortherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。Andtheywillnotturnononeanotherwhilstpreyfortheirgreedliesreadytotheirjaws。YourfriendtheScarletPimpernelshouldfeedthisbloodyrevolutionofoursratherthanstarveit，ifindeedhehatesitasheseemstodo。“
　　Hisrestlesseyespeeredwitheagerinterrogationintothoseoftheyoungerman。Hepausedasifwaitingforareply；then，asSt。Justremainedsilent，hereiteratedslowly，almostinthetonesofachallenge：
　　“Ifindeedhehatesthisbloodthirstyrevolutionofoursasheseemstodo。“
　　Thereiterationimpliedadoubt。InamomentSt。Just'sloyaltywasupinarms。
　　TheScarletPimpernel，“hesaid，“caresnaughtforyourpoliticalaims。Theworkofmercythathedoes，hedoesforjusticeandforhumanity。“
　　“Andforsport，“saiddeBatzwithasneer，“soI'vebeentold。“
　　“HeisEnglish，“assentedSt。Just，“andassuchwillneverowntosentiment。Whateverbethemotive，lookattheresult！
　　“Yes！afewlivesstolenfromtheguillotine。“
　　“Womenandchildren——innocentvictims——wouldhaveperishedbutforhisdevotion。“
　　“Themoreinnocenttheywere，themorehelpless，themorepitiable，thelouderwouldtheirbloodhavecriedforreprisalsagainstthewildbeastswhosentthemtotheirdeath。“
　　St。Justmadenoreply。Itwasobviouslyuselesstoattempttoarguewiththisman，whosepoliticalaimswereasfarapartfromthoseoftheScarletPimpernelaswastheNorthPolefromtheSouth。
　　“Ifanyofyouhaveinfluenceoverthathot-headedleaderofyours，“continueddeBatz，unabashedbythesilenceofhisfriend，“IwishtoGodyouwouldexertitnow。“
　　“Inwhatway？”queriedSt。Just，smilinginspiteofhimselfatthethoughtofhisoranyoneelse'scontroloverBlakeneyandhisplans。
　　ItwasdeBatz'turntobesilent。Hepausedforamomentortwo，thenheaskedabruptly：
　　“YourScarletPimpernelisinParisnow，ishenot？”
　　“Icannottellyou，“repliedArmand。
　　“Bah！thereisnonecessitytofencewithme，myfriend。ThemomentIseteyesonyouthisafternoonIknewthatyouhadnotcometoParisalone。“
　　“Youaremistaken，mygooddeBatz，“rejoinedtheyoungmanearnestly；“IcametoParisalone。“
　　“Cleverparrying，onmyword——butwhollywastedonmyunbelievingears。DidInotnoteatoncethatyoudidnotseemoverpleasedto-daywhenIaccostedyou？”
　　“Againyouaremistaken。Iwasverypleasedtomeetyou，forI
　　hadfeltsingularlylonelyallday，andwasgladtoshakeafriendbythehand。Whatyoutookfordispleasurewasonlysurprise。“
　　“Surprise？Ah，yes！Idon'twonderthatyouweresurprisedtoseemewalkingunmolestedandopenlyinthestreetsofParis——whereasyouhadheardofmeasadangerousconspirator，eh？——andasamanwhohastheentirepoliceofhiscountryathisheels——onwhoseheadthereisaprice——what？”
　　“IknewthatyouhadmadeseveralnobleeffortstorescuetheunfortunateKingandQueenfromthehandsofthesebrutes。“
　　“Allofwhicheffortswereunsuccessful，“assenteddeBatzimperturbably，“everyoneofthemhavingbeeneitherbetrayedbysomed——dconfederateorferretedoutbysomeastutespyeagerforgain。Yes，myfriend，ImadeseveraleffortstorescueKingLouisandQueenMarieAntoinettefromthescaffold，andeverytimeIwasfoiled，andyethereIam，yousee，unscathedandfree。Iwalkaboutthestreetsboldly，andtalktomyfriendsasImeetthem。“
　　“Youarelucky，“saidSt。Just，notwithoutatingeofsarcasm。
　　“Ihavebeenprudent，“retorteddeBatz。“IhavetakenthetroubletomakefriendstherewhereIthoughtIneededthemmost——themammonofunrighteousness，youknow-what？”
　　Andhelaughedabroad，thicklaughofperfectself-satisfaction。
　　“Yes，Iknow，“rejoinedSt。Just，withthetoneofsarcasmstillmoreapparentinhisvoicenow。“YouhaveAustrianmoneyatyourdisposal。“
　　“Anyamount，“saidtheothercomplacently，“andagreatdealofitstickstothegrimyfingersofthesepatrioticmakersofrevolutions。ThusdoIensuremyownsafety。IbuyitwiththeEmperor'smoney，andthusamIabletoworkfortherestorationofthemonarchyinFrance。“
　　AgainSt。Justwassilent。Whatcouldhesay？Instinctivelynow，asthefleshypersonalityoftheGasconRoyalistseemedtospreaditselfoutandtofillthetinyboxwithhisambitiousschemesandhisfar-reachingplans，Armand'sthoughtsflewbacktothatotherplotter，themanwiththepureandsimpleaims，themanwhoseslenderfingershadneverhandledaliengold，butwereevertherereadystretchedouttothehelplessandtheweak，whilsthisthoughtswereonlyofthehelpthathemightgivethem，butneverofhisownsafety。
　　DeBatz，however，seemedblandlyunconsciousofanysuchdisparagingthoughtsinthemindofhisyoungfriend，forhecontinuedquiteamiably，eventhoughanoteofanxietyseemedtomakeitselffeltnowinhissmoothvoice：
　　“Weadvanceslowly，butstepbystep，mygoodSt。Just，“hesaid。
　　“IhavenotbeenabletosavethemonarchyinthepersonoftheKingortheQueen，butImayyetdoitinthepersonoftheDauphin。“
　　“TheDauphin，“murmuredSt。Justinvoluntarily。
　　Thatinvoluntarymurmur，scarcelyaudible，sosoftwasit，seemedinsomewaytosatisfydeBatz，forthekeennessofhisgazerelaxed，andhisfatfingersceasedtheirnervous，intermittenttattooontheledgeofthebox。
　　“Yes！theDauphin，“hesaid，noddinghisheadasifinanswertohisownthoughts，“orrather，letmesay，thereigningKingofFrance——LouisXVII，bythegraceofGod——themostpreciouslifeatpresentuponthewholeofthisearth。“
　　“Youarerightthere，frienddeBatz，“assentedArmandfervently，“themostpreciouslife，asyousay，andonethatmustbesavedatallcosts。“
　　“Yes，“saiddeBatzcalmly，“butnotbyyourfriendtheScarletPimpernel。“
　　“Whynot？”
　　ScarcewerethosetwolittlewordsoutofSt。Just'smouththanherepentedofthem。Hebithislip，andwithadarkfrownuponhisfaceheturnedalmostdefiantlytowardshisfriend。
　　ButdeBatzsmiledwitheasybonhomie。
　　“Ah，friendArmand，“hesaid，“youwerenotcutoutfordiplomacy，noryetforintrigue。Sothen，“headdedmoreseriously，“thatgallanthero，theScarletPimpernel，hashopesofrescuingouryoungKingfromtheclutchesofSimonthecobblerandoftheherdofhyenasonthewatchforhisattenuatedlittlecorpse，eh？”
　　“Ididnotsaythat，“retortedSt。Justsullenly。
　　“No。ButIsayit。Nay！nay！donotblameyourself，myover-loyalyoungfriend。CouldI，oranyoneelse，doubtforamomentthatsoonerorlateryourromanticherowouldturnhisattentiontothemostpatheticsightinthewholeofEurope——thechild-martyrintheTempleprison？ThewonderweretomeiftheScarletPimpernelignoredourlittleKingaltogetherforthesakeofhissubjects。No，no；donotthinkforamomentthatyouhavebetrayedyourfriend'ssecrettome。WhenImetyousoluckilytodayIguessedatoncethatyouwerehereunderthebanneroftheenigmaticallittleredflower，and，thusguessing，Ievenwentastepfurtherinmyconjecture。TheScarletPimpernelisinParisnowinthehopeofrescuingLouisXVIIfromtheTempleprison。“
　　“Ifthatisso，youmustnotonlyrejoicebutshouldbeabletohelp。“
　　“Andyet，myfriend，Idoneithertheonenownormeantodotheotherinthefuture，“saiddeBatzplacidly。“IhappentobeaFrenchman，yousee。“
　　“Whathasthattodowithsuchaquestion？”
　　“Everything；thoughyou，Armand，despitethatyouareaFrenchmantoo，donotlookthroughmyspectacles。LouisXVIIisKingofFrance，mygoodSt。Just；hemustowehisfreedomandhislifetousFrenchmen，andtonooneelse。“
　　“Thatissheermadness，man，“retortedArmand。“Wouldyouhavethechildperishforthesakeofyourownselfishideas？”
　　“Youmaycallthemselfishifyouwill；allpatriotismisinameasureselfish。Whatdoestherestoftheworldcareifwearearepublicoramonarchy，anoligarchyorhopelessanarchy？Weworkforourselvesandtopleaseourselves，andIforonewillnotbrookforeigninterference。“
　　“Yetyouworkwithforeignmoney！”
　　“Thatisanothermatter。IcannotgetmoneyinFrance，soIgetitwhereIcan；butIcanarrangefortheescapeofLouisXVIIisKingofFrance，mygoodSt。Just；hemustofFranceshouldbelongthehonourandgloryofhavingsavedourKing。“
　　ForthethirdtimenowSt。Justallowedtheconversationtodrop；
　　hewasgazingwide-eyed，almostappalledatthisimpudentdisplayofwell-nighferociousselfishnessandvanity。DeBatz，smilingandcomplacent，wasleaningbackinhischair，lookingathisyoungfriendwithperfectcontentmentexpressedineverylineofhispock-markedfaceandintheveryattitudeofhiswell-fedbody。Itwaseasyenoughnowtounderstandtheremarkableimmunitywhichthismanwasenjoying，despitethemanyfoolhardyplotswhichhehatched，andwhichhaduptonowinvariablycometonaught。
　　Aregularbraggartandemptywindbag，hehadtakenbutonegoodcare，andthatwasofhisownskin。UnlikeotherlessfortunateRoyalistsofFrance，heneitherfoughtinthecountrynorbraveddangersintown。Heplayedasafergame——crossedthefrontierandconstitutedhimselfagentofAustria；hesucceededingainingtheEmperor'smoneyforthegoodoftheRoyalistcause，andforhisownmostespecialbenefit。
　　EvenalessastutemanoftheworldthanwasArmandSt。JustwouldeasilyhaveguessedthatdeBatz'desiretobetheonlyinstrumentintherescueofthepoorlittleDauphinfromtheTemplewasnotactuatedbypatriotism，butsolelybygreed。ObviouslytherewasarichrewardwaitingforhiminViennathedaythathebroughtLouisXVIIsafelyintoAustrianterritory；thatrewardhewouldmissifameddlesomeEnglishmaninterferedinthisaffair。Whetherinthiswrangleheriskedthelifeofthechild-Kingornotmatteredtohimnotatall。ItwasdeBatzwhowastogetthereward，andwhosewelfareandprosperitymatteredmorethanthemostpreciouslifeinEurope。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEDEMONCHANCE
　　St。Justwouldhavegivenmuchtobebackinhislonelysqualidlodgingsnow。ToolatedidherealisehowwisehadbeenthedictumwhichhadwarnedhimagainstmakingorrenewingfriendshipsinFrance。
　　Menhadchangedwiththetimes。Howterriblytheyhadchanged！
　　Personalsafetyhadbecomeafetishwithmost——agoalsodifficulttoattainthatithadtobefoughtforandstrivenfor，evenattheexpenseofhumanityandofself-respect。
　　Selfishness——themere，cold-bloodedinsistenceforself-advancement——ruledsupreme。DeBatz，surfeitedwithforeignmoney，useditfirstlytoensurehisownimmunity，scatteringittorightandlefttostilltheambitionofthePublicProsecutorortosatisfythegreedofinnumerablespies。
　　Whatwasleftoverheusedforthepurposeofpittingthebloodthirstydemagoguesoneagainsttheother，makingoftheNationalAssemblyagiganticbear-den，whereinwildbeastscouldrendoneanotherlimbfromlimb。
　　Inthemeanwhile，whatcaredhe——hesaidithimself——whetherhundredsofinnocentmartyrsperishedmiserablyanduselessly？
　　TheywerethenecessaryfoodwherebytheRevolutionwastobesatiatedanddeBatz'schemesenabledtomature。ThemostpreciouslifeinEuropeevenwasonlytobesavedifitspricewenttoswellthepocketsofdeBatz，ortofurtherhisfutureambitions。
　　Timeshadindeedchangedanentirenation。St。Justfeltassickenedwiththisself-seekingRoyalistashedidwiththesavagebruteswhostrucktorightorleftfortheirowndelectation。Hewasmeditatingimmediateflightbacktohislodgings，withahopeoffindingthereawordforhimfromthechief——awordtoremindhimthatmendidlivenowadayswhohadotheraimsbesidestheirownadvancement——otheridealsbesidesthedeificationofself。
　　Thecurtainhaddescendedonthefirstact，andtraditionally，astheworksofM。deMolieredemandedit，thethreeknockswereheardagainwithoutanyinterval。St。Justrosereadywithapretextforpartingwithhisfriend。Thecurtainwasbeingslowlydrawnuponthesecondact，anddisclosedAlcesteinwrathfulconversationwithCelimene。
　　Alceste'sopeningspeechisshort。WhilsttheactorspokeitArmandhadhisbacktothestage；withhandoutstretched，hewasmurmuringwhathehopedwouldproveapoliteexcuseforthusleavinghisamiablehostwhiletheentertainmenthadonlyjustbegun。
　　DeBatz——vexedandimpatient——hadnotbyanymeansfinishedwithhisfriendyet。Hethoughtthathisspeciousarguments——deliveredwithboundlessconviction——hadmadesomeimpressiononthemindoftheyoungman。Thatimpression，however，hedesiredtodeepen，andwhilstArmandwasworryinghisbraintofindaplausibleexcuseforgoingaway，deBatzwasrackinghistofindoneforkeepinghimhere。
　　ThenitwasthatthewaywarddemonChanceintervened。HadSt。Justrisenbuttwominutesearlier，hadhisactivemindsuggestedthedesiredexcusemorereadily，whoknowswhatunspeakablesorrow，whatheartrendingmisery，whatterribleshamemighthavebeensparedbothhimandthoseforwhomhecared？Thosetwominutes——
　　didhebutknowit——decidedthewholecourseofhisfuturelife。
　　Theexcusehoveredonhislips，deBatzreluctantlywaspreparingtobidhimgood-bye，whenCelimene，speakingcommon-placewordsenoughinanswertoherquarrelsomelover，causedhimtodropthehandwhichhewasholdingouttohisfriendandtoturnbacktowardsthestage。
　　Itwasanexquisitevoicethathadspoken——avoicemellowandtender，withdeeptonesinitthatbetrayedlatentpower。ThevoicehadcausedArmandtolook，thelipsthatspokeforgedthefirsttinylinkofthatchainwhichrivetedhimforeveraftertothespeaker。
　　Itisdifficulttosayifsuchathingreallyexistsasloveatfirstsight。Poetsandromancistswillhaveusbelievethatitdoes；idealistsswearbyitasbeingtheonlytrueloveworthyofthename。
　　IdonotknowifIampreparedtoadmittheirtheorywithregardtoArmandSt。Just。Mlle。Lange'sexquisitevoicecertainlyhadcharmedhimtotheextentofmakinghimforgethismistrustofdeBatzandhisdesiretogetaway。Mechanicallyalmosthesatdownagain，andleaningbothelbowsontheedgeofthebox，herestedhischininhishand，andlistened。ThewordswhichthelateM。
　　deMoliereputsintothemouthofCelimenearetriteandflippantenough，yeteverytimethatMlle。Lange'slipsmovedArmandwatchedher，entranced。
　　There，nodoubt，thematterwouldhaveended：ayoungmanfascinatedbyaprettywomanonthestage——'tisasmallmatter，andonefromwhichtheredothnotoftenspringawearytrailoftragiccircumstances。Armand，whohadapassionformusic，wouldhaveworshippedattheshrineofMlle。Lange'sperfectvoiceuntilthecurtaincamedownonthelastact，hadnothisfrienddeBatzseenthekeenenchantmentwhichtheactresshadproducedontheyoungenthusiast。
　　NowdeBatzwasamanwhoneverallowedanopportunitytoslipby，ifthatopportunityledtowardsthefurtheranceofhisowndesires。
　　HedidnotwanttolosesightofArmandjustyet，andherethegooddemonChancehadgivenhimanopportunityforobtainingwhathewanted。
　　HewaitedquietlyuntilthefallofthecurtainattheendofActII。；then，asArmand，withasighofdelight，leanedbackinhischair，andclosinghiseyesappearedtobelivingthelasthalf-houralloveragain，deBatzremarkedwithwell-assumedindifference：
　　“Mlle。Langeisapromisingyoungactress。Doyounotthinkso，myfriend？”
　　“Shehasaperfectvoice——itwasexquisitemelodytotheear，“
　　repliedArmand。“Iwasconsciousoflittleelse。“
　　“Sheisabeautifulwoman，nevertheless，“continueddeBatzwithasmile。“Duringthenextact，mygoodSt。Just，Iwouldsuggestthatyouopenedyoureyesaswellasyourears。
　　Armanddidashewasbidden。ThewholeappearanceofMlle。Langeseemedinharmonywithhervoice。Shewasnotverytall，buteminentlygraceful，withasmall，ovalfaceandslender，almostchildlikefigure，whichappearedstillmoresoabovethewidehoopsanddrapedpanniersofthefashionsofMoliere'stime。
　　Whethershewasbeautifulornottheyoungmanhardlyknew。
　　Measuredbycertainstandards，shecertainlywasnotso，forhermouthwasnotsmall，andhernoseanythingbutclassicalinoutline。Buttheeyeswerebrown，andtheyhadthathalf-veiledlookinthem——shadedwithlonglashesthatseemedtomakeaperpetualtenderappealtothemasculineheart：thelips，too，werefullandmoist，andtheteethdazzlingwhite。Yes！——onthewholewemighteasilysaythatshewasexquisite，eventhoughwedidnotadmitthatshewasbeautiful。
　　PainterDavidhasmadeasketchofher；wehaveallseenitattheMuseeCarnavalet，andallwonderedwhythatcharming，ifirregular，littlefacemadesuchanimpressionofsadness。
　　Therearefiveactsin“LeMisanthrope，“duringwhichCelimeneisalmostconstantlyonthestage。AttheendofthefourthactdeBatzsaidcasuallytohisfriend：
　　“IhavethehonourofpersonalacquaintanceshipwithMlle。Lange。
　　Anyoucareforanintroductiontoher，wecangoroundtothegreenroomaftertheplay。“
　　Didprudencethenwhisper，“Desist“？Didloyaltytotheleadermurmur，“Obey“？Itwereindeeddifficulttosay。ArmandSt。Justwasnotfive-and-twenty，andMlle。Lange'smelodiousvoicespokelouderthanthewhisperingsofprudenceoreventhanthecallofduty。
　　HethankeddeBatzwarmly，andduringthelasthalf-hour，whilethemisanthropicalloverspurnedrepentantCelimene，hewasconsciousofacurioussensationofimpatience，atinglingofhisnerves，awild，madlongingtohearthosefullmoistlipspronouncehisname，andhavethoselargebrowneyesthrowtheirhalf-veiledlookintohisown。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　MADEMOISELLELANGE
　　Thegreen-roomwascrowdedwhendeBatzandSt。Justarrivedthereaftertheperformance。Theoldermancastahastyglancethroughtheopendoor。Thecrowddidnotsuithispurpose，andhedraggedhiscompanionhurriedlyawayfromthecontemplationofMlle。
　　Lange，sittinginafarcorneroftheroom，surroundedbyanadmiringthrong，andbyinnumerablefloraltributesofferedtoherbeautyandtohersuccess。
　　DeBatzwithoutawordledthewaybacktowardsthestage。Here，bythedimlightoftallowcandlesfixedinsconcesagainstthesurroundingwalls，thescene-shifterswerebusymovingdrop-scenes，backclothsandwings，andpaidnoheedtothetwomenwhostrolledslowlyupanddownsilently，eachwrappedinhisownthoughts。
　　Armandwalkedwithhishandsburiedinhisbreechespockets，hisheadbentforwardonhischest；buteverynowandagainhethrewquick，apprehensiveglancesroundhimwheneverafirmstepechoedalongtheemptystageoravoicerangclearlythroughthenowdesertedtheatre。
　　“Arewewisetowaithere？”heasked，speakingtohimselfratherthantohiscompanion。
　　Hewasnotanxiousabouthisownsafety；butthewordsofdeBatzhadimpressedthemselvesuponhismind：“Heronandhisspieswehavealwayswithus。“
　　Fromthegreen-roomaseparatefoyerandexitleddirectlyoutintothestreet。Graduallythesoundofmanyvoices，theloudlaughterandoccasionalsnatchesofsongwhichforthepasthalf-hourhadproceededfromthatpartofthehouse，becamemoresubduedandmorerare。Onebyonethefriendsoftheartistswereleavingthetheatre，afterhavingpaidtheusualbanalcomplimentstothosewhomtheyfavoured，orpresentedtheaccustomedofferingofflowerstothebrighteststarofthenight。
　　Theactorswerethefirsttoretire，thentheolderactresses，theoneswhocouldnolongercommandacourtofadmirersroundthem。
　　Theyallfiledoutofthegreenroomandcrossedthestagetowhere，attheback，anarrow，ricketywoodenstairsledtotheirso-calleddressing-rooms——tiny，darkcubicles，ill-lighted，unventilated，wheresomehalf-dozenofthelesserstarstumbledoveroneanotherwhileremovingwigsandgrease-paint。
　　ArmandanddeBatzwatchedthisexodus，bothwithequalimpatience。Mlle。Langewasthelasttoleavethegreen-room。
　　Forsometime，sincethecrowdhadbecomethinnerroundher，Armandhadcontrivedtocatchglimpsesofherslight，elegantfigure。Ashortpassageledfromthestagetothegreen-roomdoor，whichwaswideopen，andatthecornerofthispassagetheyoungmanhadpausedfromtimetotimeinhiswalk，gazingwithearnestadmirationatthedaintyoutlineoftheyounggirl'shead，withitswigofpowderedcurlsthatseemedscarcelywhiterthanthecreamybrillianceofherskin。
　　DeBatzdidnotwatchMlle。Langebeyondcastingimpatientlooksinthedirectionofthecrowdthatpreventedherleavingthegreen-room。HedidwatchArmand，however——notedhiseagerlook，hisbriskandalertmovements，theobviousglancesofadmirationwhichhecastinthedirectionoftheyoungactress，andthisseemedtoaffordhimaconsiderableamountofcontentment。
　　ThebestpartofanhourhadgonebysincethefallofthecurtainbeforeMlle。Langefinallydismissedhermanyadmirers，anddeBatzhadthesatisfactionofseeingherrunningdownthepassage，turningbackoccasionallyinordertobidgay“good-nights“totheloitererswhowereloathtopartfromher。Shewasachildinallhermovements，quiteunconsciousofselforofherowncharms，butfranklydelightedwithhersuccess。Shewasstilldressedintheridiculoushoopsandpannierspertainingtoherpart，andthepowderedperukehidthecharmofherownhair；thecostumegaveacertainstiltedairtoherunaffectedpersonality，which，bythisverysenseofcontrast，wasessentiallyfascinating。
　　Inherarmssheheldahugesheafofsweet-scentednarcissi，thespoilsofsomefavouredspotfarawayintheSouth。Armandthoughtthatneverinhislifehadheseenanythingsowinsomeorsocharming。
　　Havingatlastsaidthepositivelyfinaladieu，Mlle。Langewithahappylittlesighturnedtorundownthepassage。
　　ShecamefacetofacewithArmand，andgaveasuddenlittlegaspofterror。Itwasnotgoodthesedaystocomeonanyloitererunawares。
　　ButalreadydeBatzhadquicklyjoinedhisfriend，andhissmooth，pleasantvoice，andpodgy，beringedhandextendedtowardsMlle。
　　Lange，weresufficienttoreassureher。
　　“Youweresosurroundedinthegreen-room，mademoiselle，“hesaidcourteously，“Ididnotventuretopressinamongthecrowdofyouradmirers。YetIhadthegreatwishtopresentmyrespectfulcongratulationsinperson。“
　　“Ah！c'estcecherdeBatz！”exclaimedmademoisellegaily，inthatexquisitelyripplingvoiceofhers。“Andwhereintheworlddoyouspringfrom，myfriend？
　　“Hush-sh-sh！”hewhispered，holdinghersmallbemittenedhandinhis，andputtingonefingertohislipswithanurgententreatyfordiscretion；“notmyname，Ibegofyou，fairone。“
　　“Bah！”sheretortedlightly，eventhoughherfulllipstremblednowasshespokeandbeliedherverywords。Youneedhavenofearwhilstyouareinthispartofthehouse。ItisanunderstoodthingthattheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritydoesnotsenditsspiesbehindthecurtainofatheatre。Why，ifallofusactorsandactressesweresenttotheguillotinetherewouldbenoplayonthemorrow。Artistesarenotreplaceableinafewhours；thosethatareinexistencemustperforcebespared，orthecitizenswhogovernusnowwouldnotknowwheretospendtheirevenings。“
　　Butthoughshespokesoairilyandwithheraccustomedgaiety，itwaseasilyperceivedthatevenonthischildishmindthedangerswhichbeseteveryonethesedayshadalreadyimprintedtheirmarkofsuspicionandofcaution。
　　“Comeintomydressing-room，“shesaid。“Imustnottarryhereanylonger，fortheywillbeputtingoutthelights。ButIhavearoomtomyself，andwecantalktherequiteagreeably。“
　　Sheledthewayacrossthestagetowardsthewoodenstairs。
　　Armand，whoduringthisbriefcolloquybetweenhisfriendandtheyounggirlhadkeptdiscreetlyinthebackground，feltundecidedwhattodo。ButataperemptorysignfromdeBatzhe，too，turnedinthewakeofthegaylittlelady，whoranswiftlyupthericketysteps，hummingsnatchesofpopularsongsthewhile，andnotturningtoseeifindeedthetwomenwerefollowingher。
　　Shehadthesheafofnarcissistillinherarms，andthedoorofhertinydressing-roombeingopen，sheranstraightinandthrewtheflowersdowninaconfused，sweet-scentedmassuponthesmalltablethatstoodatoneendoftheroom，litteredwithpotsandbottles，letters，mirrors，powder-puffs，silkstockings，andcambrichandkerchiefs。
　　Thensheturnedandfacedthetwomen，amerrylookofunalterablegaietydancinginhereyes。
　　“Shutthedoor，monami，“shesaidtodeBatz，“andafterthatsitdownwhereyoucan，solongasitisnotonmymostpreciouspotofunguentoraboxofcostliestpowder。“
　　WhiledeBatzdidashewastold，sheturnedtoArmandandsaidwithaprettytoneofinterrogationinhermelodiousvoice：
　　“Monsieur？”
　　“St。Just，atyourservice，mademoiselle，“saidArmand，bowingverylowinthemostapprovedstyleobtainingattheEnglishCourt。
　　“St。Just？”sherepeated，alookofpuzzlementinherbrowneyes。
　　“Surely——“
　　“AkinsmanofcitizenSt。Just，whomnodoubtyouknow，mademoiselle，“
　　heexclaimed。
　　“MyfriendArmandSt。Just，“interposeddeBatz，“ispracticallyanew-comerinParis。HelivesinEnglandhabitually。“
　　“InEngland？”sheexclaimed。“Oh！dotellmeallaboutEngland。
　　Iwouldlovetogothere。PerhapsImayhavetogosomeday。Oh！
　　dositdown，deBatz，“shecontinued，talkingrathervolubly，evenasadelicateblushheightenedthecolourinhercheeksunderthelookofobviousadmirationfromArmandSt。Just'sexpressiveeyes。