Hepickeduphisshort-stemmedpipeandpulledsavagelyatitforawhile。DeBatzwasmeditating。
“Myfriend，“hesaidafteralittlewhile，“youareagitatingyourselfquiteunnecessarily，andgravelyjeopardisingyourprospectsofgettingacomfortablelittleincomethroughkeepingyourfingersoffmyperson。WhosaidIwantedtomeddlewiththechild？”
“Youhadbestnot，“growledHeron。
“Exactly。Youhavesaidthatbefore。Butdoyounotthinkthatyouwouldbefarwiser，insteadofdirectingyourundividedattentiontomyunworthyself，toturnyourthoughtsalittletoonewhom，believeme，youhavefargreatercausetofear？”
“Whoisthat？”
“TheEnglishman。“
“YoumeanthemantheycalltheScarletPimpernel？”
“Himself。Haveyounotsufferedfromhisactivity，friendHeron？
IfancythatcitizenChauvelinandcitizenCollotwouldhavequiteataletotellabouthim。“
“TheyoughtbothtohavebeenguillotinedforthatblunderlastautumnatBoulogne。“
“Takecarethatthesameaccusationbenotlaidatyourdoorthisyear，myfriend，“commenteddeBatzplacidly。
“Bah！”
“TheScarletPimpernelisinParisevennow。“
“Thedevilheis！”
“Andonwhaterrand，thinkyou？”
Therewasamoment'ssilence，andthendeBatzcontinuedwithslowanddramaticemphasis：
“ThatofrescuingyourmostpreciousprisonerfromtheTemple。“
“Howdoyouknow？”Heronqueriedsavagely。
“Iguessed。“
“How？”
“IsawamanintheTheatreNationalto-day……“
“Well？”
“WhoisamemberoftheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernel。“
“D——him！WherecanIfindhim？”
“Willyousignareceiptforthethreethousandfivehundredlivres，whichIampiningtohandovertoyou，myfriend，andI
willtellyou？”
“Where'sthemoney？”
“Inmypocket。“
WithoutfurtherwordsHerondraggedtheinkhornandasheetofpapertowardshim，tookupapen，andwroteafewwordsrapidlyinaloose，scrawlyhand。Hestrewedsandoverthewriting，thenhandeditacrossthetabletodeBatz。
“Willthatdo？”heaskedbriefly。
Theotherwasreadingthenotethroughcarefully。
“Iseeyouonlygrantmeafortnight，“heremarkedcasually。
“Forthatamountofmoneyitissufficient。Ifyouwantanextensionyoumustpaymore。“
“Sobeit，“assenteddeBatzcoolly，ashefoldedthepaperacross。“Onthewholeafortnight'simmunityinFrancethesedaysisquiteapleasantrespite。AndIprefertokeepintouchwithyou，friendHeron。I'llcallonyouagainthisdayfortnight。“
Hetookoutaletter-casefromhispocket。Outofthishedrewapacketofbank-notes，whichhelaidonthetableinfrontofHeron，thenheplacedthereceiptcarefullyintotheletter-case，andthisbackintohispocket。
Heroninthemeanwhilewascountingoverthebanknotes。Thelightofferocityhadentirelygonefromhiseyes；momentarilythewholeexpressionofthefacewasoneofsatisfiedgreed。
“Well！”hesaidatlastwhenhehadassuredhimselfthatthenumberofnoteswasquitecorrect，andhehadtransferredthebundleofcrisppapersintoaninnerpocketofhiscoat——“well，whataboutyourfriend？”
“Iknewhimyearsago，“rejoineddeBatzcoolly；“heisakinsmanofcitizenSt。Just。IknowthatheisoneoftheconfederatesoftheScarletPimpernel。“
“Wheredoeshelodge？”
“Thatisforyoutofindout。Isawhimatthetheatre，andafterwardsinthegreen-room；hewasmakinghimselfagreeabletothecitizenessLange。Iheardhimaskforleavetocallonherto-morrowatfouro'clock。Youknowwhereshelodges，ofcourse！”
HewatchedHeronwhilethelatterscribbledafewwordsonascrapofpaper，thenhequietlyrosetogo。Hetookuphiscloakandonceagainwrappeditroundhisshoulders。Therewasnothingmoretobesaid，andhewasanxioustogo。
Theleave-takingbetweenthetwomenwasneithercordialnormorethanbarelycourteous。DeBatznoddedtoHeron，whoescortedhimtotheoutsidedoorofhislodging，andtherecalledloudlytoasoldierwhowasdoingsentinelatthefurtherendofthecorridor。
“Showthiscitizenthewaytotheguichet，“hesaidcurtly。
“Good-night，citizen，“headdedfinally，noddingtodeBatz。
TenminuteslatertheGascononcemorefoundhimselfintheRueduTemplebetweenthegreatouterwallsoftheprisonandthesilentlittlechurchandconventofSt。Elizabeth。HelookeduptowhereinthecentraltowerasmallgratedwindowlightedfromwithinshowedtheplacewherethelastoftheBourbonswasbeingtaughttodesecratethetraditionsofhisrace，atthebiddingofamenderofshoes——anavalofficercashieredformisconductandfraud。
Suchishumannatureinitsself-satisfiedcomplacencythatdeBatz，calmlyignoringthevilepartwhichhehimselfhadplayedinthelastquarterofanhourofhisinterviewwiththeCommittee'sagent，founditinhimtothinkofHeronwithloathing，andevenofthecobblerSimonwithdisgust。
Thenwithaself-righteoussenseofdutyperformed，andanindifferentshrugoftheshoulders，hedismissedHeronfromhismind。
“ThatmeddlesomeScarletPimpernelwillfindhishandsover-fullto-morrow，andmayhapwillnotinterfereinmyaffairsforsometimetocome，“hemused；“meseemsthatthatwillbethefirsttimethatamemberofhispreciousLeaguehascomewithintheclutchesofsuchunpleasantpeopleasthesleuth-houndsofmyfriendHeron！”
CHAPTERIX
WHATLOVECANDO
“Yesterdayyouwereunkindandungallant。HowcouldIsmilewhenyouseemedsostern？”
“YesterdayIwasnotalonewithyou。HowcouldIsaywhatlaynextmyheart，whenindifferentearscouldcatchthewordsthatweremeantonlyforyou？”
“Ah，monsieur，dotheyteachyouinEnglandhowtomakeprettyspeeches？”
“No，mademoiselle，thatisaninstinctthatcomesintobirthbythefireofawoman'seyes。“
MademoiselleLangewassittinguponasmallsofaofantiquedesign，withcushionscoveredinfadedsilksheapedroundherprettyhead。ArmandthoughtthatshelookedlikethatcarvedcameowhichhissisterMargueritepossessed。
Hehimselfsatonalowchairatsomedistancefromher。Hehadbroughtheralargebunchofearlyviolets，forheknewthatshewasfondofflowers，andtheselayuponherlap，againsttheopalescentgreyofhergown。
Sheseemedalittlenervousandagitated，hisobviousadmirationbringingareadyblushtohercheeks。
TheroomitselfappearedtoArmandtobeaperfectframeforthecharmingpicturewhichshepresented。Thefurnitureinitwassmallandold；tinytablesofantiqueVernis-Martin，softlyfadedtapestries，apale-tonedAubussoncarpet。Everythingmellowandinameasurepathetic。MademoiselleLange，whowasanorphan，livedaloneundertheduennashipofamiddle-agedrelative，apennilesshanger-onofthesuccessfulyoungactress，whoactedasherchaperone，housekeeper，andmaid，andkeptunseemlyorover-boldgallantsatbay。
ShetoldArmandallaboutherearlylife，herchildhoodinthebackshopofMaitreMeziere，thejeweller，whowasarelativeofhermother's；ofherdesireforanartisticcareer，herstruggleswiththemiddle-classprejudicesofherrelations，herbolddefianceofthem，andfinalindependence。
Shemadenosecretofherhumbleorigin，herwantofeducationinthosedays；onthecontrary，shewasproudofwhatshehadaccomplishedforherself。Shewasonlytwentyyearsofage，andalreadyheldaleadingplaceintheartisticworldofParis。
Armandlistenedtoherchatter，interestedineverythingshesaid，questioningherwithsympathyanddiscretion。Sheaskedhimagooddealabouthimself，andabouthisbeautifulsisterMarguerite，who，ofcourse，hadbeenthemostbrilliantstarinthatmostbrilliantconstellation，theComedieFrancaise。ShehadneverseenMargueriteSt。Justact，but，ofcourse，Parisstillrangwithherpraises，andallart-loversregrettedthatsheshouldhavemarriedandleftthemtomournforher。
ThustheconversationdriftednaturallybacktoEngland。
Mademoiselleprofessedavastinterestinthecitizen'scountryofadoption。
“Ihadalways，“shesaid，“thoughtitanuglycountry，withthenoiseandbustleofindustriallifegoingoneverywhere，andsmokeandfogtocoverthelandscapeandtostuntthetrees。“
“Then，infuture，mademoiselle，“hereplied，“mustyouthinkofitasonecarpetedwithverdure，whereinthespringtheorchardtreescoveredwithdelicateblossomwouldspeaktoyouoffairyland，wherethedewygrassstretchesitsvelvetysurfaceintheshadowofancientmonumentaloaks，andivy-coveredtowersreartheirstatelycrownstothesky。“
“AndtheScarletPimpernel？Tellmeabouthim，monsieur。“
“Ah，mademoiselle，whatcanItellyouthatyoudonotalreadyknow？TheScarletPimpernelisamanwhohasdevotedhisentireexistencetothebenefitofsufferingmankind。Hehasbutonethought，andthatisforthosewhoneedhim；hehearsbutonesoundthecryoftheoppressed。“
“Buttheydosay，monsieur，thatphilanthropyplaysbutasorrypartinyourhero'sschemes。Theyaverthathelooksonhisowneffortsandtheadventuresthroughwhichhegoesonlyinthelightofsport。“
“LikeallEnglishmen，mademoiselle，theScarletPimpernelisalittleashamedofsentiment。Hewoulddenyitsveryexistencewithhislips，evenwhilsthisnobleheartbrimmedoverwithit。
Sport？Well！mayhapthesportinginstinctisaskeenasthatofcharity——theraceforlives，thetusslefortherescueofhumancreatures，thethrowingofalifeonthehazardofadie。“
“TheyfearhiminFrance，monsieur。HehassavedsomanywhosedeathhadbeendecreedbytheCommitteeofPublicSafety。“
“PleaseGod，hewillsavemanyyet。“
“Ah，monsieur，thepoorlittleboyintheTempleprison！”
“Hehasyoursympathy，mademoiselle？”
“Ofeveryright-mindedwomaninFrance，monsieur。Oh！”sheaddedwithaprettygestureofenthusiasm，claspingherhandstogether，andlookingatArmandwithlargeeyesfilledwithtears，“ifyournobleScarletPimpernelwilldoaughttosavethatpoorinnocentlamb，Iwouldindeedblesshiminmyheart，andhelphimwithallmyhumblemightifIcould。“
“MayGod'ssaintsblessyouforthosewords，mademoiselle，“hesaid，whilst，carriedawaybyherbeauty，hercharm，herperfectfemininity，hestoopedtowardsheruntilhiskneetouchedthecarpetatherfeet。“Ihadbeguntolosemybeliefinmypoormisguidedcountry，tothinkallmeninFrancevile，andallwomenbase。Icouldthankyouonmykneesforyoursweetwordsofsympathy，fortheexpressionoftendermotherlinessthatcameintoyoureyeswhenyouspokeofthepoorforsakenDauphinintheTemple。“
Shedidnotrestrainhertears；withhertheycameveryeasily，justaswithachild，andastheygatheredinhereyesandrolleddownherfreshcheekstheyiiinowaymarredthecharmofherface。Onehandlayinherlapfingeringadiminutivebitofcambric，whichfromtimetotimeshepressedtohereyes。TheothershehadalmostunconsciouslyyieldedtoArmand。
Thescentofthevioletsfilledtheroom。Itseemedtoemanatefromher，afittingattributeofheryoung，whollyunsophisticatedgirlhood。Thecitizenwasgoodlytolookat；hewaskneelingatherfeet，andhislipswerepressedagainstherhand。
Armandwasyoungandhewasanidealist。Idonotforamomentimaginethatjustatthismomenthewasdeeplyinlove。Thestrongerfeelinghadnotyetrisenupinhim；itcamelaterwhentragedyencompassedhimandbroughtpassiontosuddenmaturity。
Justnowhewasmerelyyieldinghimselfuptotheintoxicatingmoment，withalltheabandonment，alltheenthusiasmoftheLatinrace。Therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotbendthekneebeforethisexquisitelittlecameo，thatbyitsverypresencewasgivinghimanhourofperfectpleasureandofaestheticjoy。
Outsidetheworldcontinueditshideous，relentlessway；menbutcheredoneanother，foughtandhated。Hereinthissmallold-worldsalon，withitsfadedsatinsandbitsofivory-tintedlace，theouteruniversehadneverreallypenetrated。Itwasatinyworld——quiteapartfromtherestofmankind，perfectlypeacefulandabsolutelybeautiful。
IfArmandhadbeenallowedtodepartfromherenow，withouthavingbeenthecauseaswellasthechiefactorintheeventsthatfollowed，nodoubtthatMademoiselleLangewouldalwayshaveremainedacharmingmemorywithhim，anexquisitebouquetofvioletspressedreverentlybetweentheleavesofafavouritebookofpoems，andthescentofspringflowerswouldinafteryearshaveeverbroughtherdaintypicturetohismind。
Hewasmurmuringprettywordsofendearment；carriedawaybyemotion，hisarmstoleroundherwaist；hefeltthatifanothertearcamelikeadewdroprollingdownhercheekhemustkissitawayatitsverysource。Passionwasnotsweepingthemofftheirfeet——notyet，fortheywereveryyoung，andlifehadnotasyetpresentedtothemitsmostunsolvableproblem。
Buttheyyieldedtooneanother，tothespringtimeoftheirlife，callingforLove，whichwouldcomepresentlyhandinhandwithhisgrimattendant，Sorrow。
EvenasArmand'sglowingfacewasatlastlifteduptohersaskingwithmutelipsforthatfirstkisswhichshealreadywaspreparedtogive，therecametheloudnoiseofmen'sheavyfootstepstrampinguptheoldoakstairs，thensomeshouting，awoman'scry，andthenextmomentMadameBelhomme，trembling，wide-eyed，andinobviousterror，camerushingintotheroom。
“Jeanne！Jeanne！Mychild！Itisawful！Itisawful！MonDieu——monDieu！Whatistobecomeofus？”
Shewasmoaningandlamentingevenassheranin，andnowshethrewherapronoverherfaceandsankintoachair，continuinghermoaningandherlamentations。
NeitherMademoisellenorArmandhadstirred。Theyremainedlikegravenimages，heononeknee，shewithlargeeyesfixeduponhisface。Theyhadneitherofthemlookedontheoldwoman；theyseemedevennowunconsciousofherpresence。Buttheirearshadcaughtthesoundofthatmeasuredtrampoffeetupthestairsoftheoldhouse，andthehaltuponthelanding；theyhadheardthebriefwordsofcommand：
“Open，inthenameofthepeople！”
Theyknewquitewellwhatitallmeant；theyhadnotwanderedsofarintherealmsofromancethatreality——thegrim，horriblerealityofthemoment——hadnotthepowertobringthembacktoearth。
Thatperemptorycalltoopeninthenameofthepeoplewastheprologuethesedaystoadramawhichhadbuttwoconcludingacts：
arrest，whichwasacertainty；theguillotine，whichwasmorethanprobable。JeanneandArmand，thesetwoyoungpeoplewhobutamomentagohadtentativelyliftedtheveiloflife，lookedstraightintoeachother'seyesandsawthehandofdeathinterposedbetweenthem：theylookedstraightintoeachother'seyesandknewthatnothingbutthehandofdeathwouldpartthemnow。Lovehadcomewithitsattendant，Sorrow；buthehadcomewithnouncertainfootsteps。Jeannelookedonthemanbeforeher，andhebenthisheadtoimprintaglowingkissuponherhand。
“AuntMarie！”
ItwasJeanneLangewhospoke，buthervoicewasnolongerthatofanirresponsiblechild；itwasfirm，steadyandhard。Thoughshespoketotheoldwoman，shedidnotlookather；herluminousbrowneyesrestedonthebowedheadofArmandSt。Just。
“AuntMarie！”sherepeatedmoreperemptorily，fortheoldwoman，withherapronoverherhead，wasstillmoaning，andunconsciousofallsaveanovermasteringfear。
“Open，inthenameofthepeople！”cameinaloudharshvoiceoncemorefromtheothersideofthefrontdoor。
“AuntMarie，asyouvalueyourlifeandmine，pullyourselftogether，“saidJeannefirmly。
“Whatshallwedo？Oh！whatshallwedo？”moanedMadameBelhomme。
Butshehaddraggedtheapronawayfromherface，andwaslookingwithsomepuzzlementatmeek，gentlelittleJeanne，whohadsuddenlybecomesostrange，sodictatorial，allunlikeherhabitualsomewhatdiffidentself。
“Youneednothavetheslightestfear，AuntMarie，ifyouwillonlydoasItellyou，“resumedJeannequietly；“ifyougivewaytofear，weareallofusundone。Asyouvalueyourlifeandmine，“shenowrepeatedauthoritatively，“pullyourselftogether，anddoasItellyou。“
Thegirl'sfirmness，herperfectquietudehadthedesiredeffect。
MadameBelhomme，thoughstillshakenupwithsobsofterror，madeagreatefforttomasterherself；shestoodup，smootheddownherapron，passedherhandoverherruffledhair，andsaidinaquakingvoice：
“Whatdoyouthinkwehadbetterdo？”
“Goquietlytothedoorandopenit。“
“But——thesoldiers——“
“Ifyoudonotopenquietlytheywillforcethedooropenwithinthenexttwominutes，“interposedJeannecalmly。“Goquietlyandopenthedoor。Tryandhideyourfears，grumbleinanaudiblevoiceatbeinginterruptedinyourcooking，andtellthesoldiersatoncethattheywillfindmademoiselleintheboudoir。Go，forGod'ssake！”sheadded，whilstsuppressedemotionsuddenlymadeheryoungvoicevibrate；“go，beforetheybreakopenthatdoor！”
MadameBelhomme，impressedandcowed，obeyedlikeanautomaton。
Sheturnedandmarchedfairlystraightoutoftheroom。Itwasnotaminutetoosoon。Fromoutsidehadalreadycomethethirdandfinalsummons：
“Open，inthenameofthepeople！”
Afterthatacrowbarwouldbreakopenthedoor。
MadameBelhomme'sheavyfootstepswereheardcrossingtheante-chamber。ArmandstillkneltatJeanne'sfeet，holdinghertremblinglittlehandinhis。
“Alove-scene，“shewhisperedrapidly，“alove-scene——quick——doyouknowone？”
Andevenashehadtriedtorisesheheldhimhack，downonhisknees。
Hethoughtthatfearwasmakingherdistracted。
“Mademoiselle——“hemurmured，tryingtosootheher。
“Tryandunderstand，“shesaidwithwonderfulcalm，“anddoasI
tellyou。AuntMariehasobeyed。Willyoudolikewise？”
“Tothedeath！”hewhisperedeagerly。
“Thenalove-scene，“sheentreated。“Surelyyouknowone。
RodrigueandChimene！Surely——surely，“sheurged，evenastearsofanguishroseintohereyes，“youmust——youmust，or，ifnotthat，somethingelse。Quick！Theverysecondsareprecious！”
Theywereindeed！MadameBelhomme，obedientasafrighteneddog，hadgonetothedoorandopenedit；evenherwell-feignedgrumblingscouldnowbeheardandtheroughinterrogationsfromthesoldiery。
“CitizenessLange！”saidagruffvoice。
“Inherboudoir，quoi！”
MadameBelhomme，bracedupapparentlybyfear，wasplayingherpartremarkablywell。
“Botheringgoodcitizens！Onbakingday，too！”shewentongrumblingandmuttering。
“Oh，think——think！”murmuredJeannenowinanagonisedwhisper，herhotlittlehandgraspinghissotightlythathernailsweredrivenintohisflesh。“Youmustknowsomething，thatwilldo——anything——fordearlife'ssake……Armand！”
Hisname——inthetenseexcitementofthisterriblemoment——hadescapedherlips。
Allinaflashofsuddenintuitionheunderstoodwhatshewanted，andevenasthedooroftheboudoirwasthrownviolentlyopenArmand——stillonhisknees，butwithonehandpressedtohisheart，theotherstretchedupwardstotheceilinginthemostapproveddramaticstyle，wasloudlydeclaiming：
“Pourvengersonhonneurilperditsonamour，Pourvengersamaitresseilaquittelejour！”
WhereuponMademoiselleLangefeignedthemostperfectimpatience。
“No，no，mygoodcousin，“shesaidwithaprettymoueofdisdain，“thatwillneverdo！Youmustnotthusemphasisetheendofeveryline；theversesshouldflowmoreevenly，asthus……“
Heronhadpausedatthedoor。Itwashewhohadthrownitopen——hewho，followedbyacoupleofhissleuth-hounds，hadthoughttofindherethemandenouncedbydeBatzasbeingoneofthefollowersofthatirrepressibleScarletPimpernel。TheobviouslyParisianintonationofthemankneelinginfrontofcitizenessLangeinanattitudenowayssuggestiveofpersonaladmiration，andcoollyrecitingversesoutofaplay，hadsomewhattakenhimaback。
“Whatdoesthismean？”heaskedgruffly，stridingforwardintotheroomandglaringfirstatmademoiselle，thenatArmand。
Mademoisellegavealittlecryofsurprise。
“Why，ifitisn'tcitizenHeron！”shecried，jumpingupwithadaintymovementofcoquetryandembarrassment。“WhydidnotAuntMarieannounceyou？……Itisindeedremissofher，butsheissoill-temperedonbakingdaysIdarenotevenrebukeher。Won'tyousitdown，citizenHeron？Andyou，cousin，“sheadded，lookingdownairilyonArmand，“Iprayyoumaintainnolongerthatfoolishattitude。“
Thefebrilenessofhermanner，theglowinhercheekswereeasilyattributabletonaturalshynessinfaceofthisunexpectedvisit。
Heron，completelybewilderedbythislittlescene，whichwassounlikewhatheexpected，andsounlikethosetowhichhewasaccustomedintheexerciseofhishorribleduties，waspracticallyspeechlessbeforethelittleladywhocontinuedtoprattlealonginasimple，unaffectedmanner。
“Cousin，“shesaidtoArmand，whointhemeanwhilehadrisentohisknees，“thisiscitizenHeron，ofwhomyouhaveheardmespeak。MycousinBelhomme，“shecontinued，oncemoreturningtoHeron，“isfreshfromthecountry，citizen。HehailsfromOrleans，wherehehasplayedleadingpartsinthetragediesofthelatecitizenCorneille。But，ahme！IfearthathewillfindParisaudiencesvastlymorecriticalthanthegoodOrleanese。Didyouhearhim，citizen，declaimingthosebeautifulversesjustnow？
Hewasmurderingthem，sayI——yes，murderingthem——thegaby！”
Thenonlydiditseemasifsherealisedthattherewassomethingamiss，thatcitizenHeronhadcometovisither，notasanadmirerofhertalentwhowouldwishtopayhisrespectstoasuccessfulactress，butasapersontobelookedonwithdread。
Shegaveaquaint，nervouslittlelaugh，andmurmuredinthetonesofafrightenedchild：
“La，citizen，howglumyoulook！Ithoughtyouhadcometocomplimentmeonmylatestsuccess。Isawyouatthetheatrelastnight，thoughyoudidnotafterwardscometoseemeinthegreen-room。Why！Ihadaregularovation！Lookatmyflowers！”sheaddedmoregaily，pointingtoseveralbouquetsinvasesabouttheroom。“CitizenDantonbroughtmethevioletshimself，andcitizenSanterrethenarcissi，andthatlaurelwreath——isitnotcharming？——thatwasatributefromcitizenRobespierrehimself。“
Shewassoartless，sosimple，andsonaturalthatHeronwascompletelytakenoffhisusualmentalbalance。Hehadexpectedtofindtheusualsettingtothedramaticepisodeswhichhewaswonttoconduct——screamingwomen，amaneitheratbay，swordinhand，orhidinginalinencupboardorupachimney。
Noweverythingpuzzledhim。DeBatz——hewasquitesure——hadspokenofanEnglishman，afolloweroftheScarletPimpernel；everythinkingFrenchpatriotknewthatallthefollowersoftheScarletPimpernelwereEnglishmenwithredhairandprominentteeth，whereasthisman……
Armand——whodeadlydangerhadprimedinhisimprovisedrole——wasstridingupanddowntheroomdeclaimingwithever-varyingintonations：
“JoigneztousvoseffortscontreunespoirsidouxPourenvenirabout，c'esttroppeuquedevous。“
“No！no！”saidmademoiselleimpatiently；“youmustnotmakethatuglypausemidwayinthelastline：'pourenvenirabout，c'esttroppeuquedevous！'“
ShemimickedArmand'sdictionsoquaintly，imitatinghisstride，hisawkwardgesture，andhisfaultyphraseologywithsuchfunnyexaggerationthatHeronlaughedinspiteofhimself。
“SothatisacousinfromOrleans，isit？”heasked，throwinghislankybodyintoanarmchair，whichcreakeddismallyunderhisweight。
“Yes！aregulargaby——what？”shesaidarchly。“Now，citizenHeron，youmuststayandtakecoffeewithme。AuntMariewillbebringingitindirectly。Hector，“sheadded，turningtoArmand，“comedownfromthecloudsandaskAuntMarietobequick。“
ThiscertainlywasthefirsttimeinthewholeofhisexperiencethatHeronhadbeenaskedtostayanddrinkcoffeewiththequarryhewashuntingdown。Mademoiselle'sinnocentlittleways，herdesirefortheprolongationofhisvisit，furtheraddledhisbrain。DeBatzhadundoubtedlyspokenofanEnglishman，andthecousinfromOrleanswascertainlyaFrenchmaneveryinchofhim。
PerhapshadthedenunciationcomefromanyoneelsebutdeBatz，Heronmighthaveactedandthoughtmorecircumspectly；but，ofcourse，thechiefagentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritywasmoresuspiciousofthemanfromwhomhetookaheavybribethanofanyoneelseinFrance。ThethoughthadsuddenlycrossedhismindthatmayhapdeBatzhadsenthimonafool'serrandinordertogethimsafelyoutofthewayoftheTempleprisonatagivenhouroftheday。
Thethoughttookshape，crystallised，causedhimtoseearapidvisionofdeBatzsneakingintohislodgingsandstealinghiskeys，theguardbeingslack，careless，inattentive，allowingtheadventurertopassbarriersthatshouldhavebeenclosedagainstallcomers。
NowHeronwassureofit；itwasallaconspiracyinventedbydeBatz。Hehadforgottenallabouthistheoriesthatamanunderarrestisalwayssaferthanamanthatisfree。Hadhisbrainbeenquitenormal，andnotobsessed，asitalwayswasnowbythoughtsoftheDauphin'sescapefromprison，nodoubthewouldhavebeenmoresuspiciousofArmand，butallhisworstsuspicionsweredirectedagainstdeBatz。Armandseemedtohimjustafool，anactorquoi？andsoobviouslynotanEnglishman。
Hejumpedtohisfeet，curtlydecliningmademoiselle'soffersofhospitality。Hewantedtogetawayatonce。Actorsandactresseswerealways，bytacitconsentoftheauthorities，moreimmunethantherestofthecommunity。Theyprovidedtheonlyamusementintheintervalsofthehorriblescenesaroundthescaffolds；theywereirresponsible，harmlesscreatureswhodidnotmeddleinpolitics。
Jeannethewhilewasgailyprattlingon，herluminouseyesfixedupontheall-powerfulenemy，strivingtoreadhisthoughts，tounderstandwhatwentonbehindthosecruel，prominenteyes，thechancesthatArmandhadofsafetyandoflife。
Sheknew，ofcourse，thatthevisitwasdirectedagainstArmand——someonehadbetrayedhim，thatodiousdeBatzmayhap——andshewasfightingforArmand'ssafety，forhislife。Herarmouryconsistedofherpresenceofmind，hercoolcourage，herself-control；sheusedalltheseweaponsforhissake，thoughattimesshefeltasifthestrainonhernerveswouldsnapthethreadoflifeinher。Theeffortseemedmorethanshecouldbear。
Butshekeptupherpart，rallyingHeronfortheshortnessofhisvisit，begginghimtotarryforanotherfiveminutesatleast，throwingout——withsubtlefeminineintuition——justthoseveryhintsanentlittleCapet'ssafetythatweremostcalculatedtosendhimflyingbacktowardstheTemple。
“Ifeltsohonouredlastnight，citizen，“shesaidcoquettishly，“thatyouevenforgotlittleCapetinordertocomeandwatchmydebutasCelimene。“
“Forgethim！”retortedHeron，smotheringacurse，“Ineverforgetthevermin。Imustgobacktohim；therearetoomanycatsnosingroundmymouse。Gooddaytoyou，citizeness。Ioughttohavebroughtflowers，Iknow；butIamabusyman——aharassedman。“
“Jetecrois，“shesaidwithagravenodofthehead；“butdocometothetheatreto-night。IamplayingCamille——suchafinepart！
oneofmygreatestsuccesses。“
“Yes，yes，I'llcome——mayhap，mayhap——butI'llgonow——gladtohaveseenyou，citizeness。Wheredoesyourcousinlodge？”heaskedabruptly。
“Here，“sherepliedboldly，onthespurofthemoment。
“Good。Lethimreporthimselfto-morrowmorningattheConciergerie，andgethiscertificateofsafety。Itisanewdecree，andyoushouldhaveone，too。“
“Verywell，then。HectorandIwillcometogether，andperhapsAuntMariewillcometoo。Don'tsendustomamanguillotineyetawhile，citizen，“shesaidlightly；“youwillnevergetsuchanotherCamille，noryetsogoodaCelimene。“
Shewasgay，artlesstothelast。SheaccompaniedHerontothedoorherself，chaffinghimabouthisescort。
“Youareanaristo，citizen，“shesaid，gazingwithwell-feignedadmirationonthetwosleuth-houndswhostoodinwaitintheanteroom；“itmakesmeproudtoseesomanycitizensatmydoor。
ComeandseemeplayCamille——cometo-night，anddon'tforgetthegreen-roomdoor——itwillalwaysbekeptinvitinglyopenforyou。“
Shebobbedhimacurtsey，andhewalkedout，closelyfollowedbyhistwomen；thenatlastsheclosedthedoorbehindthem。Shestoodthereforawhile，hereargluedagainstthemassivepanels，listeningfortheirmeasuredtreaddowntheoakstaircase。Atlastitrangmoresharplyagainsttheflagstonesofthecourtyardbelow；thenshewassatisfiedthattheyhadgone，andwentslowlybacktotheboudoir。
CHAPTERX
SHADOWS
Thetensiononhernervesrelaxed；therewastheinevitablereaction。Herkneeswereshakingunderher，andsheliterallystaggeredintotheroom。
ButArmandwasalreadynearher，downonbothhiskneesthistime，hisarmsclaspingthedelicateformthatswayedliketheslenderstemsofnarcissiinthebreeze。
“Oh！youmustgooutofParisatonce——atonce，“shesaidthroughsobswhichnolongerwouldbekeptback。
“He'llreturn——Iknowthathewillreturn——andyouwillnotbesafeuntilyouarebackinEngland。“
Buthecouldnotthinkofhimselforofanythinginthefuture。
HehadforgottenHeron，Paris，theworld；hecouldonlythinkofher。
“Iowemylifetoyou！”hemurmured。“Oh，howbeautifulyouare——howbrave！HowIloveyou！”
Itseemedthathehadalwayslovedher，fromthemomentthatfirstinhisboyishhearthehadsetupanidealtoworship，andthen，lastnight，intheboxofthetheatre——hehadhisbackturnedtowardthestage，andwasreadytogo——hervoicehadcalledhimback；ithadheldhimspellbound；hervoice，andalsohereyes……
HedidnotknowthenthatitwasLovewhichthenandtherehadenchainedhim。Oh，howfoolishhehadbeen！fornowheknewthathehadlovedherwithallhismight，withallhissoul，fromtheveryinstantthathiseyeshadresteduponher。
Hebabbledalong——incoherently——intheintervalsofcoveringherhandsandthehemofhergownwithkisses。Hestoopedrightdowntothegroundandkissedthearchofherinstep；hehadbecomeadevoteeworshippingattheshrineofhissaint，whohadperformedagreatandawonderfulmiracle。
Armandtheidealisthadfoundhisidealinawoman。Thatwasthegreatmiraclewhichthewomanherselfhadperformedforhim。Hefoundinherallthathehadadmiredmost，allthathehadadmiredintheleaderwhohithertohadbeentheonlypersonificationofhisideal。ButJeannepossessedallthosequalitieswhichhadrousedhisenthusiasminthenobleherowhomherevered。Herpluck，heringenuity，hercalmdevotionwhichhadavertedthethreateneddangerfromhim！
Whathadhedonethatsheshouldhaveriskedherownsweetlifeforhissake？
ButJeannedidnotknow。Shecouldnottell。Hernervesnowweresomewhatunstrung，andthetearsthatalwayscamesoreadilytohereyesflowedquiteunchecked。Shecouldnotverywellmove，forheheldherkneesimprisonedinhisarms，butshewasquitecontenttoremainlikethis，andtoyieldherhandstohimsothathemightcoverthemwithkisses。
Indeed，shedidnotknowatwhatprecisemomentloveforhimhadbeenborninherheart。Lastnight，perhaps……shecouldnotsay……butwhentheypartedshefeltthatshemustseehimagain……
andthentoday……perhapsitwasthescentoftheviolets……
theyweresoexquisitelysweet……perhapsitwashisenthusiasmandhistalkaboutEngland……butwhenHeroncamesheknewthatshemustsaveArmand'slifeatallcost……thatshewoulddieiftheydraggedhimawaytoprison。
Thusthesetwochildrenphilosophised，tryingtounderstandthemysteryofthebirthofLove。Buttheywereonlychildren；theydidnotreallyunderstand。Passionwassweepingthemofftheirfeet，becauseacommondangerhadboundthemirrevocablytooneanother。Thewomanlyinstincttosaveandtoprotecthadgiventheyounggirlstrengthtobearadifficultpart，andnowshelovedhimforthedangersfromwhichshehadrescuedhim，andhelovedherbecauseshehadriskedherlifeforhim。
Thehoursspedon；therewassomuchtosay，somuchthatwasexquisitetolistento。Theshadesofeveningweregatheringfast；theroom，withitspale-tonedhangingsandfadedtapestries，wassinkingintothearmsofgloom。AuntMariewasnodoubttooterrifiedtostiroutofherkitchen；shedidnotbringthelamps，butthedarknesssuitedArmand'smood，andJeannewasgladthatthegloamingeffectuallyhidtheperpetualblushinhercheeks。
Intheeveningairthedyingflowerssenttheirheadyfragrancearound。ArmandwasintoxicatedwiththeperfumeofvioletsthatclungtoJeanne'sfingers，withthetouchofhersatingownthatbrushedhischeek，withthemurmurofhervoicethatquiveredthroughhertears。
Nonoisefromtheuglyouterworldreachedthissecludedspot。Inthetinysquareoutsideastreetlamphadbeenlighted，anditsfeeblerayscamepeepinginthroughthelacecurtainsatthewindow。Theycaughtthedaintysilhouetteoftheyounggirl，playingwiththeloosetendrilsofherhairaroundherforehead，andoutliningwithathinbandoflightthecontourofneckandshoulder，makingthesatinofhergownshimmerwithanopalescentglow。
Armandrosefromhisknees。Hereyeswerecallingtohim，herlipswerereadytoyield。
“Tum'aimes？”hewhispered。
Andlikeatiredchildshesankuponhisbreast。
Hekissedherhair，hereyes，herlips；herskinwasfragrantastheflowersofspring，thetearsonhercheeksglistenedlikemorningdew。
AuntMariecameinatlast，carryingthelamp。Shefoundthemsittingsidebyside，liketwochildren，handinhand，mutewiththeeloquencewhichcomesfromboundlesslove。Theywereunderaspell，forgettingeventhattheylived，knowingnothingexceptthattheyloved。
Thelampbrokethespell，andAuntMarie'sstilltremblingvoice：
“Oh，mydear！howdidyoumanagetoridyourselfofthosebrutes？
Butsheaskednootherquestion，evenwhenthelampshowedupquiteclearlytheglowingcheeksofJeanneandtheardenteyesofArmand。Inherheart，longsinceatrophied，therewereafewmemories，carefullyputawayinasecretcell，andthosememoriescausedtheoldwomantounderstand。
NeitherJeannenorArmandnoticedwhatshedid；thespellhadbeenbroken，butthedreamlingeredon；theydidnotseeAuntMarieputtingtheroomtidy，andthenquietlytiptoeingoutbythedoor。
Butthroughthedream，realitywasstrugglingforrecognition。
AfterArmandhadaskedforthehundredthtime：“Tum'aimes？”andJeanneforthehundredthtimehadrepliedmutelywithhereyes，herfearsforhimsuddenlyreturned。
Somethinghadawakenedherfromhertrance——aheavyfootstep，mayhap，inthestreetbelow，thedistantrollofadrum，oronlytheclashofsteelsaucepansinAuntMarie'skitchen。ButsuddenlyJeannewasalert，andwithheralertnesscameterrorforthebeloved。
“Yourlife，“shesaid——forhehadcalledherhislifejustthen，“yourlife——andIwasforgettingthatitisstillindanger……
yourdear，yourpreciouslife！”
“Doublydearnow，“hereplied，“sinceIoweittoyou。“
“ThenIprayyou，Ientreatyou，guarditwellformysake——makeallhastetoleaveParis……oh，thisIbegofyou！”shecontinuedmoreearnestly，seeingthelookofdemurinhiseyes；“everyhouryouspendinitbringsdangernearertoyourdoor。“
“IcouldnotleavePariswhileyouarehere。“
“ButIamsafehere，“sheurged；“quite，quitesafe，Iassureyou。
Iamonlyapooractress，andtheGovernmenttakesnoheedofusmimes。Menmustbeamused，evenbetweentheintervalsofkillingoneanother。Indeed，indeed，Ishouldbefarsaferherenow，waitingquietlyforawhile，whileyoumakepreparationstogo……
Myhastydepartureatthismomentwouldbringdisasteronusboth。“
Therewaslogicinwhatshesaid。Andyethowcouldheleaveher？
nowthathehadfoundthisperfectwoman——thisrealisationofhishighestideals，howcouldhegoandleaveherinthisawfulParis，withbruteslikeHeronforcingtheirhideouspersonalityintohersacredpresence，threateningthatverylifehewouldgladlygivehisowntokeepinviolate？
“Listen，sweetheart，“hesaidafterawhile，whenpresentlyreasonstruggledbackforfirstplaceinhismind。“Willyouallowmetoconsultwithmychief，withtheScarletPimpernel，whoisinParisatthepresentmoment？Iamunderhisorders；IcouldnotleaveFrancejustnow。Mylife，myentirepersonareathisdisposal。I
andmycomradesarehereunderhisorders，foragreatundertakingwhichhehasnotyetunfoldedtous，butwhichIfirmlybelieveisframedfortherescueoftheDauphinfromtheTemple。“
Shegaveaninvoluntaryexclamationofhorror。
“No，no！”shesaidquicklyandearnestly；“asfarasyouareconcerned，Armand，thathasnowbecomeanimpossibility。Someonehasbetrayedyou，andyouarehenceforthamarkedman。IthinkthatodiousdeBatzhadahandinHeron'svisitofthisafternoon。
Wesucceededinputtingthesespiesoffthescent，butonlyforamoment……withinafewhours——lessperhaps——Heronwillrepenthimofhiscarelessness；he'llcomeback——Iknowthathewillcomeback。Hemayleaveme，personally，alone；buthewillbeonyourtrack；he'lldragyoutotheConciergerietoreportyourself，andthereyourtruenameandhistoryareboundtocometolight。Ifyousucceedinevadinghim，hewillstillbeonyourtrack。IftheScarletPimpernelkeepsyouinParisnow，yourdeathwillbeathisdoor。“
Hervoicehadbecomequitehardandtrenchantasshesaidtheselastwords；womanlike，shewasalreadypreparedtohatethemanwhosemysteriouspersonalityshehadhithertoadmired，nowthatthelifeandsafetyofArmandappearedtodependonthewillofthatelusivehero。
“Youmustnotbeafraidforme，Jeanne，“heurged。“TheScarletPimpernelcaresforallhisfollowers；hewouldneverallowmetorununnecessaryrisks。“
Shewasunconvinced，almostjealousnowofhisenthusiasmforthatunknownman。AlreadyshehadtakenfullpossessionofArmand；shehadpurchasedhislife，andhehadgivenherhislove。ShewouldshareneithertreasurewiththatnamelessleaderwhoheldArmand'sallegiance。
“Itisonlyforalittlewhile，sweetheart，“hereiteratedagainandagain。“Icouldnot，anyhow，leavePariswhilstIfeelthatyouarehere，maybeindanger。Thethoughtwouldbehorrible。I
shouldgomadifIhadtoleaveyou。“
ThenhetalkedagainofEngland，ofhislifethere，ofthehappinessandpeacethatwereinstoreforthemboth。
“WewillgotoEnglandtogether，“hewhispered，“andtherewewillbehappytogether，youandI。WewillhaveatinyhouseamongtheKentishhills，anditswallswillbecoveredwithhoneysuckleandroses。Atthebackofthehousetherewillbeanorchard，andinMay，whenthefruit-blossomisfadingandsoftspringbreezesblowamongthetrees，showersofsweet-scentedpetalswillenvelopusaswewalkalong，fallingonuslikefragrantsnow。Youwillcome，sweetheart，willyounot？”
“Ifyoustillwishit，Armand，“shemurmured。
Stillwishit！Hewouldgladlygoto-morrowifshewouldcomewithhim。But，ofcourse，thatcouldnotbearranged。Shehadhercontracttofulfilatthetheatre，thentherewouldbeherhouseandfurnituretodisposeof，andtherewasAuntMarie……But，ofcourse，AuntMariewouldcometoo……Shethoughtthatshecouldgetawaysometimebeforethespring；andhesworethathecouldnotleaveParisuntilshecamewithhim。
Itseemedaterribledeadlock，forshecouldnotbeartothinkofhimaloneinthoseawfulParisstreets，wheresheknewthatspieswouldalwaysbetrackinghim。ShehadnoillusionsastotheimpressionwhichshehadmadeonHeron；sheknewthatitcouldonlybeamomentaryone，andthatArmandwouldhenceforthbeindaily，hourlydanger。
Atlastshepromisedhimthatshewouldtaketheadviceofhischief；theywouldbothbeguidedbywhathesaid。Armandwouldconfideinhimto-night，andifitcouldbearrangedshewouldhurryonherpreparationsand，mayhap，bereadytojoinhiminaweek。
“Inthemeanwhile，thatcruelmanmustnotriskyourdearlife，“
shesaid。“Remember，Armand，yourlifebelongstome。Oh，I
couldhatehimfortheloveyoubearhim！”
“Sh——sh——sh！”hesaidearnestly。“Dearheart，youmustnotspeaklikethatofthemanwhom，nexttoyourperfectself，Ilovemostuponearth。“
“Youthinkofhimmorethanofme。IshallscarceliveuntilI
knowthatyouaresafelyoutofParis。“
Thoughitwashorribletopart，yetitwasbest，perhaps，thatheshouldgobacktohislodgingsnow，incaseHeronsenthisspiesbacktoherdoor，andsincehemeanttoconsultwithhischief。
Shehadavaguehopethatifthemysteriousherowasindeedthenoble-heartedmanwhomArmandrepresentedhimtobe，surelyhewouldtakecompassionontheanxietyofasorrowingwoman，andreleasethemanshelovedfrombondage。
Thisthoughtpleasedherandgaveherhope。SheevenurgedArmandnowtogo。
“WhenmayIseeyouto-morrow？”heasked。
“Butitwillbesodangeroustomeet，“sheargued。
“Imustseeyou。Icouldnotlivethroughthedaywithoutseeingyou。“
“Thetheatreisthesafestplace。“
“Icouldnotwaittilltheevening。MayInotcomehere？”
“No，no。Heron'sspiesmaybeabout。“
“Wherethen？”
Shethoughtitoverforamoment。
“Atthestage-doorofthetheatreatoneo'clock，“shesaidatlast。“Weshallhavefinishedrehearsal。Slipintotheguichetoftheconcierge。Iwilltellhimtoadmityou，andsendmydressertomeetyouthere；shewillbringyoualongtomyroom，whereweshallbeundisturbedforatleasthalfanhour。“
Hehadperforcetobecontentwiththat，thoughhewouldsomuchratherhaveseenherhereagain，wherethefadedtapestriesandsoft-tonedhangingsmadesuchaperfectbackgroundforherdelicatecharm。HehadeveryintentionofconfidinginBlakeney，andofaskinghishelpforgettingJeanneoutofParisasquicklyasmaybe。
Thusthisperfecthourwaspast；themostpure，thefullestofjoythatthesetwoyoungpeoplewereeverdestinedtoknow。Perhapstheyfeltwithinthemselvestheconsciousnessthattheirgreatlovewouldriseanontoyetgreater，fullerperfectionwhenFatehadcrowneditwithhishaloofsorrow。Perhaps，too，itwasthatconsciousnessthatgavetotheirkissesnowthesolemnityofalastfarewell。
CHAPTERXI
THELEAGUEOFTHESCARLETPIMPERNEL
ArmandnevercouldsaydefinitelyafterwardswhitherhewentwhenhelefttheSquareduRoulethatevening。Nodoubthewanderedaboutthestreetsforsometimeinanabsent，mechanicalway，payingnoheedtothepassers-by，nonetothedirectioninwhichhewasgoing。
HismindwasfullofJeanne，herbeauty，hercourage，herattitudeinfaceofthehideousbloodhoundwhohadcometopollutethatcharmingold-worldboudoirbyhisloathsomepresence。Herecalledeverywordsheuttered，everygestureshemade。
Hewasamaninloveforthefirsttime——wholly，irremediablyinlove。
Isupposethatitwasthepangsofhungerthatfirstrecalledhimtohimself。Itwascloseoneighto'clocknow，andhehadfedonhisimaginings——firstonanticipation，thenonrealisation，andlastlyonmemory——duringthebestpartoftheday。Nowheawokefromhisday-dreamtofindhimselftiredandhungry，hutfortunatelynotveryfarfromthatquarterofPariswherefoodiseasilyobtainable。
HewassomewhereneartheMadeleine——aquarterheknewwell。Soonhesawinfrontofhimasmalleating-housewhichlookedfairlycleanandorderly。Hepushedopenitsswing-door，andseeinganemptytableinasecludedpartoftheroom，hesatdownandorderedsomesupper。
Theplacemadenoimpressionuponhismemory。Hecouldnothavetoldyouanhourlaterwhereitwassituated，whohadservedhim，whathehadeaten，orwhatotherpersonswerepresentinthedining-roomatthetimethathehimselfenteredit。
Havingeaten，however，hefeltmorelikehisnormalself——moreconsciousofhisactions。Whenhefinallylefttheeating-house，herealised，forinstance，thatitwasverycold——afactofwhichhehadforthepastfewhoursbeentotallyunaware。Thesnowwasfallinginthincloseflakes，andabitingnorth-easterlywindwasblowingthoseflakesintohisfaceanddownhiscollar。Hewrappedhiscloaktightlyaroundhim。ItwasagoodstepyettoBlakeney'slodgings，whereheknewthathewasexpected。
HestruckquicklyintotheRueSt。Honore，avoidingthegreatopenplaceswherethegrimhorrorsofthismagnificentcityinrevoltagainstcivilisationweredisplayedinalltheirgrimnakedness——onthePlacedelaRevolutiontheguillotine，ontheCarrouseltheopen-aircampsofworkersunderthelashofslave-driversmorecruelthantheuncivilisedbrutesoftheFarWest。
AndArmandhadtothinkofJeanneinthemidstofallthesehorrors。Shewasstillapettedactressto-day，butwhocouldtellifonthemorrowtheterriblelawofthe“suspect“wouldnotreachherinordertodragherbeforeatribunalthatknewnomercy，andwhosesolejusticewasacondemnation？
Theyoungmanhurriedon；hewasanxioustobeamonghisowncomrades，tohearhischief'spleasantvoice，tofeelassuredthatbyallthesacredlawsoffriendshipJeannehenceforthwouldbecomethespecialcareoftheScarletPimpernelandhisleague。
BlakeneylodgedinasmallhousesituatedontheQuaidel'Ecole，atthebackofSt。Germainl'Auxerrois，fromwhencehehadaclearanduninterruptedviewacrosstheriver，asfarastheirregularblockofbuildingsoftheChateletprisonandthehouseofJustice。
Thesametower-clockthattwocenturiesagohadtolledthesignalforthemassacreoftheHuguenotswasevennowstrikingnine。
Armandslippedthroughthehalf-openportecochere，crossedthenarrowdarkcourtyard，andranuptwoflightsofwindingstonestairs。Atthetopofthese，adooronhisrightallowedathinstreakoflighttofiltratebetweenitstwofolds。Anironbellhandlehungbesideit；Armandgaveitapull。
Twominuteslaterhewasamongsthisfriends。Heheavedagreatsighofcontentandrelief。Theveryatmospherehereseemedtobedifferent。Asfarasthelodgingitselfwasconcerned，itwasasbare，asdevoidofcomfortasthosesortofplaces——so-calledchambresgarnies——usuallywereinthesedays。Thechairslookedricketyanduninviting，thesofawasofblackhorsehair，thecarpetwasthreadbare，andinplacesinactualholes；buttherewasacertainsomethingintheairwhichrevealed，inthemidstofallthissqualor，thepresenceofamanoffastidioustaste。
Tobeginwith，theplacewasspotlesslyclean；thestove，highlypolished，gaveforthapleasingwarmglow，evenwhilstthewindow，slightlyopen，allowedamodicumoffreshairtoentertheroom。
InaroughearthenwarejugonthetablestoodalargebunchofChristmasroses，andtotheeducatednostriltheslightscentofperfumesthathoveredintheairwasdoublypleasingafterthefetidairofthenarrowstreets。
SirAndrewFfoulkeswasthere，alsomyLordTony，andLordHastings。TheygreetedArmandwithwhole-heartedcheeriness。
“WhereisBlakeney？”askedtheyoungmanassoonashehadshakenhisfriendsbythehand。
“Present！”cameinloud，pleasantaccentsfromthedoorofaninnerroomontheright。
Andtherehestoodunderthelintelofthedoor，themanagainstwhomwasraisedthegianthandofanentirenation——themanforwhoseheadtherevolutionarygovernmentofFrancewouldgladlypayoutallthesavingsofitsTreasury——themanwhomhumanbloodhoundsweretracking，hotonthescent——forwhomthenetsofabitterrevengeandrelentlessreprisalswereconstantlybeingspread。
Washeunconsciousofit，ormerelycareless？Hisclosestfriend，SirAndrewFfoulkes，couldnotsay。Certainitisthat，ashenowappearedbeforeArmand，picturesqueaseverinperfectlytailoredclothes，withpricelesslaceatthroatandwrists，hisslenderfingersholdinganenamelledsnuff-boxandahandkerchiefofdelicatecambric，hiswholepersonalitythatofadandyratherthanamanofaction，itseemedimpossibletoconnecthimwiththefoolhardyescapadeswhichhadsetonenationglowingwithenthusiasmandanotherclamouringforrevenge。
Butitwasthemagnetismthatemanatedfromhimthatcouldnotbedenied；thelightthatnowandthen，swiftassummerlightning，flashedoutfromthedepthsoftheblueeyesusuallyveiledbyheavy，lazylids，thesuddentighteningoffirmlips，thesettingofthesquarejaw，whichinamoment——butonlyforthespaceofasecond——transformedtheentireface，andrevealedthebornleaderofmen。
Justnowtherewasnoneofthatinthedebonnair，easy-goingmanoftheworldwhoadvancedtomeethisfriend。Armandwentquicklyuptohim，gladtograsphishand，slightlytroubledwithremorse，nodoubt，attherecollectionofhisadventureofto-day。Italmostseemedtohimthatfrombeneathhishalf-closedlidsBlakeneyhadshotaquickinquiringglanceuponhim。Thequickflashseemedtolightuptheyoungman'ssoulfromwithin，andtorevealit，naked，tohisfriend。
Itwasalloverinamoment，andArmandthoughtthatmayhaphisconsciencehadplayedhimatrick：therewasnothingapparentinhim——ofthishewassure——thatcouldpossiblydivulgehissecretjustyet。
“Iamratherlate，Ifear，“hesaid。“Iwanderedaboutthestreetsinthelateafternoonandlostmywayinthedark。IhopeIhavenotkeptyouallwaiting。“
Theyallpulledchairscloselyroundthefire，exceptBlakeney，whopreferredtostand。Hewaitedawhileuntiltheywereallcomfortablysettled，andallreadytolisten，then：
“ItisabouttheDauphin，“hesaidabruptlywithoutfurtherpreamble。
Theyunderstood。Allofthemhadguessedit，almostbeforethesummonscamethathadbroughtthemtoParistwodaysago。SirAndrewFfoulkeshadlefthisyoungwifebecauseofthat，andArmandhaddemandeditasarighttojoinhandsinthisnoblework。BlakeneyhadnotleftFranceforoverthreemonthsnow。
BackwardsandforwardsbetweenParis，orNantes，orOrleanstothecoast，wherehisfriendswouldmeethimtoreceivethoseunfortunateswhomoneman'swhole-hearteddevotionhadrescuedfromdeath；backwardsandforwardsintotheveryheartsofthosecitieswhereinanarmyofsleuth-houndswereonhistrack，andtheguillotinewasstretchingoutherarmstocatchthefoolhardyadventurer。
NowitwasabouttheDauphin。Theyallwaited，breathlessandeager，thefireofanobleenthusiasmburningintheirhearts。
Theywaitedinsilence，theireyesfixedontheleader，lestonesinglewordfromhimshouldfailtoreachtheirears。
Thefullmagnetismofthemanwasapparentnow。Asheheldthesefourmenatthismoment，hecouldhaveheldacrowd。Themanoftheworld——thefastidiousdandy——hadshedhismask；therestoodtheleader，calm，sereneintheveryfaceofthemostdeadlydangerthathadeverencompassedanyman，lookingthatdangerfullyintheface，notstrivingtobelittleitortoexaggerateit，butweighingitinthebalancewithwhattherewastoaccomplish：therescueofamartyred，innocentchildfromthehandsoffiendswhoweredestroyinghisverysoulevenmorecompletelythanhisbody。
“Everything，Ithink，isprepared，“resumedSirPercyafteraslightpause。“TheSimonshavebeensummarilydismissed；I
learnedthatto-day。TheyremovefromtheTempleonSundaynext，thenineteenth。Obviouslythatistheonedaymostlikelytohelpusinouroperations。AsfarasIamconcerned，Icannotmakeanyhard-and-fastplans。Chanceatthelastmomentwillhavetodictate。ButfromeveryoneofyouImusthaveco-operation，anditcanonlybebyyourfollowingmydirectionsimplicitlythatwecanevenremotelyhopetosucceed。“
Hecrossedandrecrossedtheroomonceortwicebeforehespokeagain，pausingnowandagaininhiswalkinfrontofalargemapofParisanditsenvironsthathunguponthewall，histallfigureerect，hishandsbehindhisback，hiseyesfixedbeforehimasifhesawrightthroughthewallsofthissqualidroom，andacrossthedarknessthatoverhungthecity，throughthegrimbastionsofthemightybuildingfaraway，wherethedescendantofanhundredkingslivedatthemercyofhumanfiendswhoworkedforhisabasement。
Theman'sfacenowwasthatofaseerandavisionary；thefirmlinesweresetandrigidasthoseofanimagecarvedinstone——thestatueofheart-wholedevotion，withtheself-imposedtaskbeckoningsternlytofollow，therewherelurkeddangeranddeath。
“Theway，Ithink，inwhichwecouldbestsucceedwouldbethis，“
heresumedafterawhile，sittingnowontheedgeofthetableanddirectlyfacinghisfourfriends。Thelightfromthelampwhichstooduponthetablebehindhimfellfulluponthosefourglowingfacesfixedeagerlyuponhim，buthehimselfwasinshadow，amassivesilhouettebroadlycutoutagainstthelight-colouredmaponthewallbeyond。
“Iremainhere，ofcourse，untilSunday，“hesaid，“andwillcloselywatchmyopportunity，whenIcanwiththegreatestamountofsafetyentertheTemplebuildingandtakepossessionofthechild。Ishall，ofcoursechoosethemomentwhentheSimonsareactuallyonthemove，withtheirsuccessorsprobablycominginataboutthesametime。Godaloneknows，“headdedearnestly，“howI
shallcontrivetogetpossessionofthechild；atthemomentIamjustasmuchinthedarkaboutthatasyouare。“
Hepausedamoment，andsuddenlyhisgravefaceseemedfloodedwithsunshine，akindoflazymerrimentdancedinhiseyes，effacingalltraceofsolemnitywithinthem。
“La！”hesaidlightly，“ononepointIamnotatallinthedark，andthatisthatHisMajestyKingLouisXVIIwillcomeoutofthatuglyhouseinmycompanynextSunday，thenineteenthdayofJanuaryinthisyearofgraceseventeenhundredandninety-four；
andthis，too，doIknow——thatthosemurderousblackguardsshallnotlayhandsonmewhilstthatpreciousburdenisinmykeeping。
SoIprayyou，mygoodArmand，donotlooksoglum，“headdedwithhispleasant，merrylaugh；“you'llneedallyourwitsaboutyoutohelpusinourundertaking。“
“Whatdoyouwishmetodo，Percy？”saidtheyoungmansimply。
“InonemomentIwilltellyou。Iwantyoualltounderstandthesituationfirst。ThechildwillbeoutoftheTempleonSunday，butatwhathourIknownot。Thelateritwillbethebetterwoulditsuitmypurpose，forIcannotgethimoutofParisbeforeeveningwithanychanceofsafety。Herewemustrisknothing；thechildisfarbetteroffasheisnowthanhewouldbeifheweredraggedbackafteranabortiveattemptatrescue。Butatthishourofthenight，betweennineandteno'clock，IcanarrangetogethimoutofParisbytheVillettegate，andthatiswhereI
wantyou，Ffoulkes，andyou，Tony，tobe，withsomekindofcoveredcart，yourselvesinanydisguiseyouringenuitywillsuggest。Hereareafewcertificatesofsafety；Ihavebeenmakingacollectionofthemforsometime，astheyarealwaysuseful。“
Hedivedintothewidepocketofhiscoatanddrewforthanumberofcards，greasy，much-fingereddocumentsoftheusualpatternwhichtheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritydeliveredtothefreecitizensofthenewrepublic，andwithoutwhichnoonecouldenterorleaveanytownorcountrycommunewithoutbeingdetainedas“suspect。“HeglancedatthemandhandedthemovertoFfoulkes。
“Chooseyourownidentityfortheoccasion，mygoodfriend，“hesaidlightly；“andyoutoo，Tony。Youmaybestonemasonsorcoal-carriers，chimney-sweepsorfarm-labourers，Icarenotwhichsolongasyoulooksufficientlygrimyandwretchedtobeunrecognisable，andsolongasyoucanprocureacartwithoutarousingsuspicions，andcanwaitformepunctuallyattheappointedspot。“
Ffoulkesturnedoverthecards，andwithalaughhandedthemovertoLordTony。Thetwofastidiousgentlemendiscussedforawhiletherespectivemeritsofachimney-sweep'suniformasagainstthatofacoal-carrier。
“Youcancarrymoregrimeifyouareasweep，“suggestedBlakeney；
“andifthesootgetsintoyoureyesitdoesnotmakethemsmartlikecoaldoes。“
“Butsootadheresmoreclosely，“arguedTonysolemnly，“andIknowthatweshan'tgetabathforatleastaweekafterwards。“
“Certainlyyouwon't，yousybarite！”assertedSirPercywithalaugh。
“Afteraweeksootmightbecomepermanent，“musedSirAndrew，wonderingwhat，underthecircumstance，myladywouldsaytohim。
“Ifyouarebothsofastidious，“retortedBlakeney，shrugginghisbroadshoulders，“I'llturnoneofyouintoareddleman，andtheotherintoadyer。Thenoneofyouwillbebrightscarlettotheendofhisdays，asthereddlenevercomesofftheskinatall，andtheotherwillhavetosoakinturpentinebeforethedyewillconsenttomove……Ineithercase……oh，mydearTony！……thesmell……“
Helaughedlikeaschoolboyinanticipationofaprank，andheldhisscentedhandkerchieftohisnose。MyLordHastingschuckledaudibly，andTonypunchedhimforthisunseemlydisplayofmirth。