PARTII
CHAPTERXXIV
THENEWS
ThegreyJanuarydaywasfalling，drowsy，anddullintothearmsofnight。
Marguerite，sittingintheduskbesidethefireinhersmallboudoir，shiveredalittleasshedrewherscarfcloserroundhershoulders。
Edwards，thebutler，enteredwiththelamp。Theroomlookedpeculiarlycheerynow，withthedelicatewhitepanellingofthewallglowingtinderthesoftkissoftheflickeringfirelightandthesteadierglowoftherose-shadedlamp。
“Hasthecouriernotarrivedyet，Edwards？”askedMarguerite，fixingtheimpassivefaceofthewell-drilledservantwithherlargepurple-rimmedeyes。
“Notyet，m'lady，“herepliedplacidly。
“Itishisday，isitnot？”
“Yes，m'lady。Andtheforenoonishistime。Buttherehavebeenheavyrains，andtheroadsmustberaremuddy。Hemusthavebeendelayed，m'lady。“
“Yes，Isupposeso，“shesaidlistlessly。“Thatwilldo，Edwards。
No，don'tclosetheshutters。I'llringpresently。“
Themanwentoutoftheroomasautomaticallyashehadcome。Heclosedthedoorbehindhim，andMargueritewasoncemorealone。
Shepickedupthebookwhichshehadfingeredidlybeforethelightgaveout。ShetriedoncemoretofixherattentiononthistaleofloveandadventurewrittenbyMr。Fielding；butshehadlostthethreadofthestory，andtherewasamistbetweenhereyesandtheprintedpages。
Withanimpatientgestureshethrewdownthebookandpassedherhandacrosshereyes，thenseemedastonishedtofindthatherhandwaswet。
Sheroseandwenttothewindow。Theairoutsidehadbeensingularlymildallday；thethawwaspersisting，andasouthwindcameacrosstheChannel——fromFrance。
Margueritethrewopenthecasementandsatdownonthewidesill，leaningherheadagainstthewindow-frame，andgazingoutintothefastgatheringgloom。Fromfaraway，atthefootofthegentlyslopinglawns，therivermurmuredsoftlyinthenight；intheborderstotherightandleftafewsnowdropsstillshowedliketinywhitespecksthroughthesurroundingdarkness。Winterhadbeguntheprocessofslowlysheddingitsmantle，coquettingwithSpring，whostilllingeredinthelandofInfinity。Graduallytheshadowsdrewcloserandcloser；thereedsandrushesontheriverbankwerethefirsttosinkintotheirembrace，thenthebigcedarsonthelawn，majesticanddefiant，butyieldingstillunconqueredtothepowerofnight。
Thetinystarsofsnowdropblossomsvanishedonebyone，andatlastthecool，greyribbonoftheriversurfacewaswrappedunderthemantleofevening。
Onlythesouthwindlingeredon，soughinggentlyinthedrowsyreeds，whisperingamongthebranchesofthecedars，andgentlystirringthetendercorollasofthesleepingsnowdrops。
Margueriteseemedtoopenoutherlungstoitsbreath。IthadcomeallthewayfromFrance，andonitswingshadbroughtsomethingofPercy——amurmurasifhehadspoken——amemorythatwasasintangibleasadream。
Sheshiveredagain，thoughofatruthitwasnotcold。Thecourier'sdelayhadcompletelyunsettledhernerves。TwiceaweekhecameespeciallyfromDover，andalwayshebroughtsomemessage，sometokenwhichPercyhadcontrivedtosendfromParis。Theywereliketinyscrapsofdrybreadthrowntoastarvingwoman，buttheydidjusthelptokeepherheartalive——thatpoor，aching，disappointedheartthatsolongedforenduringhappinesswhichitcouldneverget。
Themanwhomshelovedwithallhersoul，hermindandherbody，didnotbelongtoher；hebelongedtosufferinghumanityoverthereinterror-strickenFrance，wherethecriesoftheinnocent，thepersecuted，thewretchedcalledloudertohimthansheinherlovecoulddo。
Hehadbeenawaythreemonthsnow，duringwhichtimeherstarvinghearthadfedonitsmemories，andthehappinessofabriefvisitfromhimsixweeksago，when——quiteunexpectedly——hehadappearedbeforeher……homebetweentwodesperateadventuresthathadgivenlifeandfreedomtoanumberofinnocentpeople，andnearlycosthimhis——andshehadlaininhisarmsinaswoonofperfecthappiness。
Butbehadgoneawayagainassuddenlyashehadcome，andforsixweeksnowshehadlivedpartlyinanticipationofthecourierwithmessagesfromhim，andpartlyonthefitfuljoyengenderedbythesemessages。To-dayshehadnoteventhat，andthedisappointmentseemedjustnowmorethanshecouldbear。
Shefeltunaccountablyrestless，andcouldshebuthaveanalysedherfeelings——hadshedaredsotodo——shewouldhaverealisedthattheweightwhichoppressedherheartsothatshecouldhardlybreathe，wasoneofvagueyetdarkforeboding。
Sheclosedthewindowandreturnedtoherseatbythefire，takingupherhookwiththestrongresolutionnottoallowhernervestogetthebetterofher。Butitwasdifficulttopinone'sattentiondowntotheadventuresofMasterTomJoneswhenone'smindwasfullyengrossedwiththoseofSirPercyBlakeney。
Thesoundofcarriagewheelsonthegravelledforecourtinthefrontofthehousesuddenlyawakenedherdrowsysenses。Shethrewdownthebook，andwithtremblinghandsclutchedthearmsofherchair，strainingherearstolisten。Acarriageatthishour——andonthisdampwinter'sevening！Sherackedhermindwonderingwhoitcouldbe。
LadyFfoulkeswasinLondon，sheknew。SirAndrew，ofcourse，wasinParis。HisRoyalHighness，everafaithfulvisitor，wouldsurelynotventureouttoRichmondinthisinclementweather——andthecourieralwayscameonhorseback。
Therewasamurmurofvoices；thatofEdwards，mechanicalandplacid，couldbeheardquitedistinctlysaying：
“I'msurethatherladyshipwillbeathomeforyou，m'lady。ButI'llgoandascertain。“
Margueriterantothedoorandwithjoyfuleagernesstoreitopen。
“Suzanne！”shecalled“mylittleSuzanne！IthoughtyouwereinLondon。Comeupquickly！Intheboudoir——yes。Oh！whatgoodfortunehathbroughtyou？”
Suzanneflewintoherarms，holdingthefriendwhomshelovedsowellcloseandclosertoherheart，tryingtohideherface，whichwaswetwithtears，inthefoldsofMarguerite'skerchief。
“Comeinside，mydarling，“saidMarguerite。“Why，howcoldyourlittlehandsare！”
Shewasonthepointofturningbacktoherboudoir，drawingLadyFfoulkesbythehand，whensuddenlyshecaughtsightofSirAndrew，whostoodatalittledistancefromher，atthetopofthestairs。
“SirAndrew！”sheexclaimedwithunstintedgladness。
Thenshepaused。Thecryofwelcomediedonherlips，leavingthemdryandparted。Shesuddenlyfeltasifsomefearfultalonshadgrippedherheartandweretearingatitwithsharp，longnails；thebloodflewfromhercheeksandfromherlimbs，leavingherwithasenseoficynumbness。
Shebackedintotheroom，stillholdingSuzanne'shand，anddrawingherinwithher。SirAndrewfollowedthem，thenclosedthedoorbehindhim。AtlastthewordescapedMarguerite'sparchedlips：
“Percy！Somethinghashappenedtohim！Heisdead？”
“No，no！”exclaimedSirAndrewquickly。
Suzanneputherlovingarmsroundherfriendanddrewherdownintothechairbythefire。Shekneltatherfeetonthehearthrug，andpressedherownburninglipsonMarguerite'sicy-coldhands。SirAndrewstoodsilentlyby，aworldoflovingfriendship，ofheart-brokensorrow，inhiseyes。
Therewassilenceintheprettywhite-panelledroomforawhile。
Margueritesatwithhereyesclosed，bringingthewholearmouryofherwillpowertobearherupoutwardlynow。
“Tellme！”shesaidatlast，andhervoicewastonelessanddull，likeonethatcamefromthedepthsofagrave——“tellme——exactly——
everything。Don'tbeafraid。Icanbearit。Don'tbeafraid。“
SirAndrewremainedstanding，withbowedheadandonehandrestingonthetable。Inafirm，clearvoicehetoldhertheeventsofthepastfewdaysastheywereknowntohim。AllthathetriedtohidewasArmand'sdisobedience，which，inhisheart，hefeltwastheprimarycauseofthecatastrophe。HetoldoftherescueoftheDauphinfromtheTemple，themidnightdriveinthecoal-cart，themeetingwithHastingsandTonyinthespinney。HeonlygavevagueexplanationsofArmand'sstayinPariswhichcausedPercytogobacktothecity，evenatthemomentwhenhismostdaringplanhadbeensosuccessfullycarriedthrough。
“Armand，Iunderstand，hasfalleninlovewithabeautifulwomaninParis，LadyBlakeney，“hesaid，seeingthatastrange，puzzledlookhadappearedinMarguerite'spaleface。“ShewasarrestedthedaybeforetherescueoftheDauphinfromtheTemple。Armandcouldnotjoinus。Hefeltthathecouldnotleaveher。Iamsurethatyouwillunderstand。“
Thenasshemadenocomment，heresumedhisnarrative：
“IhadbeenorderedtogobacktoLaVillette，andtheretoresumemydutiesasalabourerintheday-time，andtowaitforPercyduringthenight。ThefactthatIhadreceivednomessagefromhimfortwodayshadmademesomewhatworried，butIhavesuchfaithinhim，suchbeliefinhisgoodluckandhisingenuity，thatIwouldnotallowmyselftobereallyanxious。ThenonthethirddayIheardthenews。“
“Whatnews？”askedMargueritemechanically。
“ThattheEnglishmanwhowasknownastheScarletPimpernelhadbeencapturedinahouseintheRuedeIaCroixBlanche，andhadbeenimprisonedintheConciergerie。“
“TheRuedelaCroixBlanche？Whereisthat？”
“IntheMontmartrequarter。Armandlodgedthere。Percy，I
imagine，wasworkingtogethimaway；andthosebrutescapturedhim。“
“Havingheardthenews，SirAndrew，whatdidyoudo？”
“IwentintoParisandascertaineditstruth。“
“Andthereisnodoubtofit？”
“Alas，none！IwenttothehouseintheRuedelaCroixBlanche。
Armandhaddisappeared。Isucceededininducingtheconciergetotalk。Sheseemstohavebeendevotedtoherlodger。Amidsttearsshetoldmesomeofthedetailsofthecapture。Canyoubeartohearthem，LadyBlakeney？”
“Yes——tellmeeverything——don'tbeafraid，“shereiteratedwiththesamedullmonotony。
“ItappearsthatearlyontheTuesdaymorningthesonoftheconcierge——aladaboutfifteen——wassentoffbyherlodgerwithamessagetoNo。9RueSt。Germainl'Auxerrois。ThatwasthehousewherePercywasstayingalllastweek，wherehekeptdisguisesandsoonforusall，andwheresomeofourmeetingswereheld。PercyevidentlyexpectedthatArmandwouldtryandcommunicatewithhimatthataddress，forwhentheladarrivedinfrontofthehousehewasaccosted——sohesays——byabig，roughworkman，whobrowbeathimintogivingupthelodger'sletter，andfinallypressedapieceofgoldintohishand。TheworkmanwasBlakeney，ofcourse。
IimaginethatArmand，atthetimethathewrotetheletter，musthavebeenunderthebeliefthatMademoiselleLangewasstillinprison；hecouldnotknowthenthatBlakeneyhadalreadygotherintocomparativesafety。Intheletterhemusthavespokenoftheterribleplightinwhichhestood，andalsoofhisfearsforthewomanwhomheloved。Percywasnotthemantoleaveacomradeinthelurch！Hewouldnotbethemanwhomweallloveandadmire，whosewordweallobey，forwhosesakewewouldgladlyallofusgiveourlife——hewouldnotbethatmanifhedidnotbraveevencertaindangersinordertobeofhelptothosewhocallonhim。
ArmandcalledandPercywenttohim。HemusthaveknownthatArmandwasbeingspiedupon，forArmand，alas！wasalreadyamarkedman，andthewatch-dogsofthoseinfernalcommitteeswerealreadyonhisheels。Whetherthesesleuth-houndshadfollowedthesonoftheconciergeandseenhimgivethelettertotheworkmanintheRueSt。Germainl'Auxerrois，orwhethertheconciergeintheRuedeIaCroixBlanchewasnothingbutaspyofHeron's，or，againwhethertheCommitteeofGeneralSecuritykeptacompanyofsoldiersinconstantalertinthathouse，weshall，ofcourse，neverknow。AllthatIdoknowisthatPercyenteredthatfatalhouseathalf-pastten，andthataquarterofanhourlatertheconciergesawsomeofthesoldiersdescendingthestairs，carryingaheavyburden。Shepeepedoutofherlodge，andbythelightinthecorridorshesawthattheheavyburdenwasthebodyofamanboundcloselywithropes：hiseyeswereclosed，hisclotheswerestainedwithblood。Hewasseeminglyunconscious。
ThenextdaytheofficialorganoftheGovernmentproclaimedthecaptureoftheScarletPimpernel，andtherewasapublicholidayinhonouroftheevent。“
Margueritehadlistenedtothisterriblenarrativedry-eyedandsilent。Nowshestillsatthere，hardlyconsciousofwhatwentonaroundher——ofSuzanne'stears，thatfellunceasinglyuponherfingers——ofSirAndrew，whohadsunkintoachair，andburiedhisheadinhishands。Shewashardlyconsciousthatshelived；theuniverseseemedtohavestoodstillbeforethisawful，monstrouscataclysm。
But，nevertheless，shewasthefirsttoreturntotheactiverealitiesofthepresent。
“SirAndrew，“shesaidafterawhile，“tellme，wherearemyLordsTonyandHastings？”
“AtCalais，madam，“hereplied。“Isawthemthereonmywayhither。TheyhaddeliveredtheDauphinsafelyintothehandsofhisadherentsatMantes，andwereawaitingBlakeney'sfurtherorders，ashehadcommandedthemtodo。“
“Willtheywaitforusthere，thinkyou？”
“Forus，LadyBlakeney？”heexclaimedinpuzzlement。
“Yes，forus，SirAndrew，“shereplied，whilsttheghostofasmileflittedacrossherdrawnface；“youhadthoughtofaccompanyingmetoParis，hadyounot？”
“ButLadyBlakeney——“
“Ah！Iknowwhatyouwouldsay，SirAndrew。Youwillspeakofdangers，ofrisks，ofdeath，mayhap；youwilltellmethatIasawomancandonothingtohelpmyhusband——thatIcouldbebutahindrancetohim，justasIwasinBoulogne。Buteverythingissodifferentnow。Whilstthosebrutesplannedhiscapturehewascleverenoughtooutwitthem，butnowtheyhaveactuallygothim，thinkyouthey'lllethimescape？They'llwatchhimnightandday，myfriend，justastheywatchedtheunfortunateQueen；butthey'llnotkeephimmonths，weeks，orevendaysinprison——evenChauvelinnowwillnolongerattempttoplaywiththeScarletPimpernel。Theyhavehim，andtheywillholdhimuntilsuchtimeastheytakehimtotheguillotine。“
Hervoicebrokeinasob；herself-controlwasthreateningtoleaveher。Shewasbutawoman，youngandpassionatelyinlovewiththemanwhowasabouttodieanignominiousdeath，farawayfromhiscountry，hiskindred，hisfriends。
“Icannotlethimdiealone，SirAndrew；hewillbelongingforme，and——and，afterall，thereisyou，andmyLordTony，andLordHastingsandtheothers；surely——surelywearenotgoingtolethimdie，notlikethat，andnotalone。“
“Youareright，LadyBlakeney，“saidSirAndrewearnestly；“wearenotgoingtolethimdie，ifhumanagencycandoaughttosavehim。AlreadyTony，HastingsandIhaveagreedtoreturntoParis。
ThereareoneortwohiddenplacesinandaroundthecityknownonlytoPercyandtothemembersoftheLeaguewherehemustfindoneormoreofusifhesucceedsingettingaway。AllthewaybetweenParisandCalaiswehaveplacesofrefuge，placeswhereanyofuscanhideatagivenmoment；wherewecanfinddisguiseswhenwewantthem，orhorsesinanemergency。No！no！wearenotgoingtodespair，LadyBlakeney；therearenineteenofuspreparedtolaydownourlivesfortheScarletPimpernel。AlreadyI，ashislieutenant，havebeenselectedastheleaderofasdeterminedagangashaseverenteredonaworkofrescuebefore。WeleaveforParisto-morrow，andifhumanpluckanddevotioncandestroymountainsthenwe'lldestroythem。Ourwatchwordis：'GodsavetheScarletPimpernel。'“
Hekneltbesideherchairandkissedthecoldfingerswhich，withasadlittlesmile，sheheldouttohim。
“AndGodblessyouall！”shemurmured。
Suzannehadrisentoherfeetwhenherhusbandknelt；nowhestoodupbesideher。Thedaintyyoungwomanhardlymorethanachild——
wasdoingherbesttorestrainhertears。
“SeehowselfishIam，“saidMarguerite。“Italkcalmlyoftakingyourhusbandfromyou，whenImyselfknowthebitternessofsuchpartings。“
“Myhusbandwillgowherehisdutycallshim，“saidSuzannewithcharmingandsimpledignity。“Ilovehimwithallmyheart，becauseheisbraveandgood。Hecouldnotleavehiscomrade，whoisalsohischief，inthelurch。Godwillprotecthim，Iknow。I
wouldnotaskhimtoplaythepartofacoward。“
Herbrowneyesglowedwithpride。Shewasthetruewifeofasoldier，andwithallherdaintywaysandchildlikemannersshewasasplendidwomanandastaunchfriend。SirPercyBlakeneybadsavedherentirefamilyfromdeath，theComteandComtessedeTournai，theVicomte，herbrother，andsheherselfallowedtheirlivestotheScarletPimpernel。
Thisshewasnotliketoforget。
“Thereisbutlittledangerforus，Ifearme，“saidSirAndrewlightly；“therevolutionaryGovernmentonlywantstostrikeatahead，itcaresnothingforthelimbs。Perhapsitfeelsthatwithoutourleaderweareenemiesnotworthyofpersecution。Ifthereareanydangers，somuchthebetter，“headded；“butIdon'tanticipateany，unlesswesucceedinfreeingourchief；andhavingfreedhim，wefearnothingmore。“
“Thesameappliestome，SirAndrew，“rejoinedMargueriteearnestly。
“NowthattheyhavecapturedPercy，thosehumanfiendswillcarenaughtforme。IfyousucceedinfreeingPercyI，likeyou，willhavenothingmoretofear，andifyoufail——“
Shepausedandputhersmall，whitehandonSirAndrew'sarm。
“Takemewithyou，SirAndrew，“sheentreated；“donotcondemnmetotheawfultortureofwearywaiting，dayafterday，wondering，guessing，neverdaringtohope，lesthopedeferredbemorehardtobearthandrearyhopelessness。“
ThenasSirAndrew，veryundecided，yethalfinclinedtoyield，stoodsilentandirresolute，shepressedherpoint，gentlybutfirmlyinsistent。
“Iwouldnotheintheway，SirAndrew；Iwouldknowhowtoeffacemyselfsoasnottointerferewithyourplans。But，oh！”sheadded，whileaquiveringnoteofpassiontrembledinhervoice，“can'tyouseethatImustbreathetheairthathebreatheselseI
shallstifleormayhapgomad？”
SirAndrewturnedtohiswife，amutequeryinhiseyes。
“Youwoulddoaninhumanandacruelact，“saidSuzannewithseriousnessthatsatquaintlyonherbabyface，“ifyoudidnotaffordyourprotectiontoMarguerite，forIdobelievethatifyoudidnottakeherwithyouto-morrowshewouldgotoParisalone。“
Margueritethankedherfriendwithhereyes。Suzannewasachildinnature，butshehadawoman'sheart。Shelovedherhusband，and，therefore，knewandunderstoodwhatMargueritemustbesufferingnow。
SirAndrewnolongercouldresisttheunfortunatewoman'searnestpleading。Frankly，hethoughtthatifsheremainedinEnglandwhilePercywasinsuchdeadlyperilsheranthegraveriskoflosingherreasonbeforetheterriblestrainofsuspense。Heknewhertobeawomanofcourage，andonecapableofgreatphysicalendurance；andreallyhewasquitehonestwhenhesaidthathedidnotbelievetherewouldbemuchdangerfortheheadlessLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelunlesstheysucceededinfreeingtheirchief。Andiftheydidsucceed，thenindeedtherewouldbenothingtofear，forthebraveandlovingwifewho，likeeverytruewomandoes，andhasdoneinlikecircumstancessincethebeginningoftime，wasonlydemandingwithpassionateinsistencetherighttosharethefate，goodorill，ofthemanwhomsheloved。
CHAPTERXXV
PARISONCEMORE
SirAndrewhadjustcomein。Hewastryingtogetalittlewarmthintohishalf-frozenlimbs，forthecoldhadsetinagain，andthistimewithrenewedvigour，andMargueritewaspouringoutacupofhotcoffeewhichshehadbeenbrewingforhim。Shehadnotaskedfornews。Sheknewthathehadnonetogiveher，elsehehadnotwornthatwearied，despondentlookinhiskindface。
“I'lljusttryonemoreplacethisevening，“hesaidassoonashehadswallowedsomeofthehotcoffee——“arestaurantintheRuedelaHarpe；themembersoftheCordeliers'Cluboftengothereforsupper，andtheyareusuallywellinformed。Imightgleansomethingdefinitethere。“
“Itseemsverystrangethattheyaresoslowinbringinghimtotrial，“saidMargueriteinthatdull，tonelessvoicewhichhadbecomehabitualtoher。“Whenyoufirstbroughtmetheawfulnewsthat……Imadesurethattheywouldbringhimtotrialatonce，andwasinterrorlestwearrivedheretoolateto——toseehim。“
Shecheckedherselfquickly，bravelytryingtostillthequiverofhervoice。
“AndofArmand？”sheasked。
Heshookhisheadsadly。
“WithregardtohimIamatastillgreaterloss，“hesaid：“I
cannotfindhisnameonanyoftheprisonregisters，andIknowthatheisnotintheConciergerie。Theyhaveclearedoutalltheprisonersfromthere；thereisonlyPercy——“
“PoorArmandI“shesighed；“itmustbealmostworseforhimthanforanyofus；itwashisfirstactofthoughtlessdisobediencethatbroughtallthismiseryuponourheads。“
Shespokesadlybutquietly。SirAndrewnotedthattherewasnobitternessinhertone。Butherveryquietudewasheart-breaking；
therewassuchaninfinityofdespairinthecalmofhereyes。
“Well！thoughwecannotunderstanditall，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidwithforcedcheerfulness，“wemustrememberonething——thatwhilstthereislifethereishope。“
“Hope！”sheexclaimedwithaworldofpathosinhersigh，herlargeeyesdryandcircled，fixedwithindescribablesorrowonherfriend'sface。
Ffoulkesturnedhisheadaway，pretendingtobusyhimselfwiththecoffee-makingutensils。Hecouldnotbeartoseethatlookofhopelessnessinherface，forinhishearthecouldnotfindthewherewithaltocheerher。Despairwasbeginningtoseizeonhimtoo，andthishewouldnotlethersee。
TheyhadbeeninParisthreedaysnow，anditwassixdayssinceBlakeneyhadbeenarrested。SirAndrewandMargueritehadfoundtemporarylodgingsinsideParis，TonyandHastingswerejustoutsidethegates，andallalongtheroutebetweenParisandCalais，atSt。Germain，atMantes，inthevillagesbetweenBeauvaisandAmiens，wherevermoneycouldobtainfriendlyhelp，membersofthedevotedLeagueoftheScarletPimpernellayinhiding，waitingtoaidtheirchief。
FfoulkeshadascertainedthatPercywaskeptacloseprisonerintheConciergerie，intheveryroomsoccupiedbyMarieAntoinetteduringthelastmonthsofherlife。HeleftpoorMargueritetoguesshowcloselythatelusiveScarletPimpernelwasbeingguarded，theprecautionssurroundinghimbeingevenmoreminutethanthosewhichbadmadetheunfortunateQueen'sclosingdaysamartyrdomforher。
ButofArmandhecouldgleannosatisfactorynews，onlythenegativeprobabilitythathewasnotdetainedinanyofthelargerprisonsofParis，asnoregisterwhichhe，Ffoulkes，solaboriouslyconsultedborerecordofthenameofSt。Just。
HauntingtherestaurantsanddrinkingboothswherethemostadvancedJacobinsandTerroristswerewonttomeet，behadlearnedoneortwodetailsofBlakeney'sincarcerationwhichhecouldnotpossiblyimparttoMarguerite。ThecaptureofthemysteriousEnglishmanknownastheScarletPimpernelhadcreatedagreatdealofpopularsatisfaction；butitwasobviousthatnotonlywasthepublicmindnotallowedtoassociatethatcapturewiththeescapeoflittleCapetfromtheTemple，butitsoonbecamecleartoFfoulkesthatthenewsofthatescapewasstillbeingkeptaprofoundsecret。
OnoneoccasionhehadsucceededinspyingontheChiefAgentoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，whomheknewbysight，whilethelatterwassittingatdinnerinthecompanyofastout，floridmanwithpock-markedfaceandpodgyhandscoveredwithrings。
SirAndrewmarvelledwhothismanmightbe。HeronspoketohiminambiguousphrasesthatwouldhavebeenunintelligibletoanyonewhodidnotknowthecircumstancesoftheDauphin'sescapeandthepartthattheLeagueoftheScarletPimpernelhadplayedinit。
ButtoSirAndrewFfoulkes，who——cleverlydisguisedasafarrier，grimyafterhisday'swork——wasstraininghisearstolistenwhilstapparentlyconsuminghugeslabsofboiledbeef，itsoonbecamedearthatthechiefagentandhisfatfriendweretalkingoftheDauphinandofBlakeney。
“Hewon'tholdoutmuchlonger，citizen，“thechiefagentwassayinginaconfidentvoice；“ourmenareabsolutelyunremittingintheirtask。Twoofthemwatchhimnightandday；theylookafterhimwell，andpracticallyneverlosesightofhim，butthemomenthetriestogetanysleeponeofthemrushesintothecellwithaloudbangingofbayonetandsabre，andnoisytreadontheflagstones，andshoutsatthetopofhisvoice：'Nowthen，aristo，where'sthebrat？Tellusnow，andyoushallhedownandgotosleep。'Ihavedoneitmyselfallthroughonedayjustforthepleasureofit。It'salittletiringforyoutohavetoshoutagooddealnow，andsometimesgivethecursedEnglishmanagoodshake-up。Hehashadfivedaysofit，andnotonewinkofsleepduringthattime——notonesingleminuteofrest——andheonlygetsenoughfoodtokeephimalive。Itellyouhecan'tlast。CitizenChauvelinhadasplendidideathere。Itwillallcomerightinadayortwo。“
“H'm！”gruntedtheothersulkily；“thoseEnglishmenaretough。“
“Yes！”retortedHeronwithagrimlaughandaleerofsavagerythatmadehisgauntfacelookpositivelyhideous——“youwouldhavegivenoutafterthreedays，frienddeBatz，wouldyounot？AndI
warnedyou，didn'tI？ItoldyouifyoutamperedwiththebratI
wouldmakeyoucryinmercytomefordeath。“
“AndIwarnedyou，“saidtheotherimperturbably，“nottoworrysomuchaboutme，buttokeepyoureyesopenforthosecursedEnglishmen。“
“Iamkeepingmyeyesopenforyou，nevertheless，myfriend。IfI
thoughtyouknewwherethevermin'sspawnwasatthismomentI
would——“
“Youwouldputmeonthesamerackthatyouoryourpreciousfriend，Chauvelin，havedevisedfortheEnglishman。ButIdon'tknowwheretheladis。IfIdidIwouldnotbeinParis。“
“Iknowthat，“assentedHeronwithasneer；“youwouldsoonbeafterthereward——overinAustria，what？——butIhaveyourmovementstrackeddayandnight，myfriend。Idaresayyouareasanxiousasweareastothewhereaboutsofthechild。Hadhebeentakenoverthefrontieryouwouldhavebeenthefirsttohearofit，eh？No，“headdedconfidently，andasifanxioustoreassurehimself，“myfirmbeliefisthattheoriginalideaoftheseconfoundedEnglishmenwastotryandgetthechildovertoEngland，andthattheyaloneknowwhereheis。Itellyouitwon'tbemanydaysbeforethatverywitheredScarletPimpernelwillorderhisfollowerstogivelittleCapetuptous。Oh！theyarehangingaboutParissomeofthem，Iknowthat；citizenChauvelinisconvincedthatthewifeisn'tveryfaraway。Giveherasightofherhusbandnow，sayI，andshe'llmaketheothersgivethechildupsoonenough。“
Themanlaughedlikesomehyenagloatingoveritsprey。SirAndrewnearlybetrayedhimselfthen。HehadtodighisnailsintohisownfleshtopreventhimselffromspringingthenandthereatthethroatofthatwretchwhosemonstrousingenuityhadinventedtortureforthefallenenemyfarworsethananythatthecrueltiesofmedievalInquisitionshaddevised。
Sotheywouldnotlethimsleep！Asimpleideaborninthebrainofafiend。HeronhadspokenofChauvelinastheoriginatorofthedevilry；amanweakeneddeliberatelydaybydaybyinsufficientfood，andthehorribleprocessofdenyinghimrest。Itseemedinconceivablethathuman，sentientbeingsshouldhavethoughtofsuchathing。PerspirationstoodupinbeadsonSirAndrew'sbrowwhenhethoughtofhisfriend，broughtdownbywantofsleepto——
what？Hisphysiquewassplendidlypowerful，butcoulditstandagainstsuchrackingtormentforlong？Andtheclear，thealertmind，theschemingbrain，therecklessdaring——howsoonwouldthesebecomeenfeebledbytheslow，steadytortureofanutterwantofrest？
Ffoulkeshadtosmotheracryofhorror，whichsurelymusthavedrawntheattentionofthatfiendonhimselfhadhenotbeensoengrossedintheenjoymentofhisowndevilry。Asitis，heranoutofthestuffyeating-house，forhefeltasifitsfetidairmustchokehim。
Foranhourafterthathewanderedaboutthestreets，notdaringtofaceMarguerite，lesthiseyesbetrayedsomeofthehorrorwhichwasshakinghisverysoul。
Thatwastwenty-fourhoursago。To-dayhehadlearntlittleelse。
ItwasgenerallyknownthattheEnglishmanwasintheConciergerieprison，thathewasbeingcloselywatched，andthathistrialwouldcomeonwithinthenextfewdays；butnooneseemedtoknowexactlywhen。Thepublicwasgettingrestive，demandingthattrialandexecutiontowhicheveryoneseemedtolookforwardastoaholiday。InthemeanwhiletheescapeoftheDauphinhadbeenkeptfromtheknowledgeofthepublic；Heronandhisgang，fearingfortheirlives，hadstillhopesofextractingfromtheEnglishmanthesecretofthelad'shiding-place，andthemeanstheyemployedforarrivingatthisendwasworthyofLuciferandhishostofdevilsinhell。
FromotherfragmentsofconversationwhichSirAndrewFfoulkeshadgleanedthatsameevening，itseemedtohimthatinordertohidetheirdefalcationsHeronandthefourcommissariesinchargeoflittleCapethadsubstitutedadeafanddumbchildfortheescapedlittleprisoner。Thismiserablesmallwreckofhumanitywasreputedtobesickandkeptinadarkenedroom，inbed，andwasinthatconditionexhibitedtoanymemberoftheConventionwhohadtherighttoseehim。ApartitionhadbeenveryhastilyerectedintheinnerroomonceoccupiedbytheSimons，andthechildwaskeptbehindthatpartition，andnoonewasallowedtocometooneartohim。Thusthefraudwassucceedingfairlywell。Heronandhisaccomplicesonlycaredtosavetheirskins，andthewretchedlittlesubstitutebeingreallyill，theyfirmlyhopedthathewouldsoondie，whennodoubttheywouldbruitabroadthenewsofthedeathofCapet，whichwouldrelievethemoffurtherresponsibility。
Thatsuchideas，suchthoughts，suchschemesshouldhaveengenderedinhumanmindsitisalmostimpossibletoconceive，andyetweknowfromnolessimportantawitnessthanMadameSimonherselfthatthechildwhodiedintheTempleafewweekslaterwasapoorlittleimbecile，adeafanddumbchildbroughthitherfromoneoftheasylumsandlefttodieinpeace。TherewasnobodybutkindlyDeathtotakehimoutofhismisery，forthegiantintellectthathadplannedandcarriedouttherescueoftheuncrownedKingofFrance，andwhichalonemighthavehadthepowertosavehimtoo，wasbeingbrokenontherackofenforcedsleeplessness。
CHAPTERXXVI
THEBITTERESTFOE
ThatsameeveningSirAndrewFfoulkes，havingannouncedhisintentionofgleaningfurthernewsofArmand，ifpossible，wentoutshortlyafterseveno'clock，promisingtobehomeagainaboutnine。
Marguerite，ontheotherhand，hadtomakeherfriendasolemnpromisethatshewouldtryandeatsomesupperwhichthelandladyofthesemiserableapartmentshadagreedtoprepareforher。Sofartheyhadbeenleftinpeacefuloccupationofthesesqualidlodgingsinatumble-downhouseontheQuaidelaFerraille，facingthehouseofJustice，thegrimwallsofwhichMargueritewouldwatchwithwide-opendryeyesforaslongasthegreywintrylightlingeredoverthem。
Evennow，thoughthedarknesshadsetin，andsnow，fallinginclose，smallflakes，threwathickwhiteveiloverthelandscape，shesatattheopenwindowlongafterSirAndrewhadgoneout，watchingthefewsmallflicksoflightthatblinkedacrossfromtheothersideoftheriver，andwhichcamefromthewindowsoftheChatelettowers。ThewindowsoftheConciergerieshecouldnotsee，forthesegaveononeoftheinnercourtyards；buttherewasamelancholyconsolationeveninthegazingonthosewallsthatheldintheircruel，grimembraceallthatshelovedintheworld。
ItseemedsoimpossibletothinkofPercy——thelaughter-loving，irresponsible，light-heartedadventurer——asthepreyofthosefiendswhowouldrevelintheirtriumph，whowouldcrushhim，humiliatehim，insulthim——yegodsalive！eventorturehim，perhaps——thattheymightbreaktheindomitablespiritthatwouldmockthemevenonthethresholdofdeath。
Surely，surelyGodwouldneverallowsuchmonstrousinfamyasthedeliveranceofthenoblesoaringeagleintothehandsofthosepreyingjackals！Marguerite——thoughherheartachedbeyondwhathumannaturecouldendure，thoughheranguishonherhusband'saccountwasdoubledbythatwhichshefeltforherbrother——couldnotbringherselftogiveupallhope。SirAndrewsaiditrightly；whiletherewaslifetherewashope。Whiletherewaslifeinthosevigorouslimbs，spiritinthatdaringmind，howcouldpuny，rampantbeastsgainthebetteroftheimmortalsoul？
AsforArmand——why，ifPercywerefreeshewouldhavenocausetofearforArmand。
Shesighedasighofdeep，ofpassionateregretandlonging。Ifshecouldonlyseeherhusband；ifshecouldonlylookforonesecondintothoselaughing，lazyeyes，whereinshealoneknewhowtofathomtheinfinityofpassionthatlaywithintheirdepths；ifshecouldbutoncefeelhis——ardentkissonherlips，shecouldmoreeasilyendurethisagonisingsuspense，andwaitconfidentlyandcourageouslyfortheissue。
Sheturnedawayfromthewindow，forthenightwasgettingbitterlycold。FromthetowerofSt。Germainl'Auxerroistheclockslowlystruckeight。Evenasthelastsoundofthehistoricbelldiedawayinthedistancesheheardatimidknockingatthedoor。
“Enter！”shecalledunthinkingly。
Shethoughtitwasherlandlady，comeupwithmorewood，mayhap，forthefire，soshedidnotturntothedoorwhenshehearditbeingslowlyopened，thenclosedagain，andpresentlyasofttreadonthethreadbarecarpet。
“MayIcraveyourkindattention，LadyBlakeney？”saidaharshvoice，subduedtotonesofordinarycourtesy。
Shequicklyrepressedacryofterror。Howwellsheknewthatvoice！WhenlastsheheardititwasatBoulogne，dictatingthatinfamousletter——theweaponwherewithPercyhadsoeffectuallyfoiledhisenemy。Sheturnedandfacedthemanwhowasherbitterestfoe——hersinthepersonofthemansheloved。
“Chauvelin！”shegasped。
“Himselfatyourservice，dearlady，“hesaidsimply。
Hestoodinthefulllightofthelamp，histrim，smallfigureboldlycutoutagainstthedarkwallbeyond。Heworetheusualsable-colouredclotheswhichheaffected，withtheprimly-foldedjabotandcuffsedgedwithnarrowlace。
Withoutwaitingforpermissionfromherhequietlyanddeliberatelyplacedhishatandcloakonachair。Thenheturnedoncemoretowardher，andmadeamovementasiftoadvanceintotheroom；butinstinctivelysheputupahandasiftowardoffthecalamityofhisapproach。
Heshruggedhisshoulders，andtheshadowofasmile，thathadneithermirthnorkindlinessinit，hoveredroundthecornersofhisthinlips。
“HaveIyourpermissiontosit？”heasked。
“Asyouwill，“sherepliedslowly，keepingherwide-openeyesfixeduponhimasdoesafrightenedbirdupontheserpentwhomitloathesandfears。
“AndmayIcraveafewmomentsofyourundividedattention，LadyBlakeney？”hecontinued，takingachair，andsoplacingitbesidethetablethatthelightofthelampwhenhesatremainedbehindhimandhisfacewasleftinshadow。
“Isitnecessary？”askedMarguerite。
“Itis，“herepliedcurtly，“ifyoudesiretoseeandspeakwithyourhusband——tobeofusetohimbeforeitistoolate。“
“Then，Iprayyou，speak，citizen，andIwilllisten。“
Shesankintoachair，notheedingwhetherthelightofthelampfellonherfaceornot，whetherthelinesinherhaggardcheeks，orhertear-dimmedeyesshowedplainlythesorrowanddespairthathadtracedthem。Shehadnothingtohidefromthisman，thecauseofallthetortureswhichsheendured。Sheknewthatneithercouragenorsorrowwouldmovehim，andthathatredforPercy——
personaldeadlyhatredforthemanwhohadtwicefoiledhim——
hadlongcrushedthelastsparkofhumanityinhisheart。
“Perhaps，LadyBlakeney，“hebeganafteraslightpauseandinhissmooth，evenvoice，“itwouldinterestyoutohearhowIsucceededinprocuringformyselfthispleasureofaninterviewwithyou？”
“Yourspiesdidtheirusualwork，Isuppose，“shesaidcoldly。
“Exactly。Wehavebeenonyourtrackforthreedays，andyesterdayeveninganunguardedmovementonthepartofSirAndrewFfoulkesgaveusthefinalcluetoyourwhereabouts。“
“OfSirAndrewFfoulkes？”sheasked，greatlypuzzled。
Hewasinaneating-house，cleverlydisguised，Iown，tryingtogleaninformation，nodoubtastotheprobablefateofSirPercyBlakeney。Aschancewouldhaveit，myfriendHeron，oftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，chancedtobediscussingwithreprehensibleopenness——er——certain——whatshallIsay？——certainmeasureswhich，atmyadvice，theCommitteeofPublicSafetyhavebeenforcedtoadoptwithaviewto——“
“Atruceonyoursmooth-tonguedspeeches，citizenChauvelin，“sheinterposedfirmly。“SirAndrewFfoulkeshastoldmenaughtofthis——soIprayyouspeakplainlyandtothepoint，ifyoucan。“
Hebowedwithmarkedirony。
“Asyouplease，“hesaid。“SirAndrewFfoulkes，hearingcertainmattersofwhichIwilltellyouanon，madeamovementwhichbetrayedhimtooneofourspies。AtawordfromcitizenHeronthismanfollowedontheheelsoftheyoungfarrierwhohadshownsuchinterestintheconversationoftheChiefAgent。SirAndrew，Iimagine，burningwithindignationatwhathehadheard，wasperhapsnotquitesocautiousasheusuallyis。Anyway，themanonhistrackfollowedhimtothisdoor。Itwasquitesimple，asyousee。Asforme，IhadguessedaweekagothatwewouldseethebeautifulLadyBlakeneyinParisbeforelong。WhenIknewwhereSirAndrewFfoulkeslodged，IhadnodifficultyinguessingthatLadyBlakeneywouldnotbefaroff。“
“AndwhatwasthereincitizenHeron'sconversationlastnight，“
sheaskedquietly，“thatsoarousedSirAndrew'sindignation？”
“Hehasnottoldyou？”
“Oh！itisverysimple。Letmetellyou，LadyBlakeney，exactlyhowmattersstand。SirPercyBlakeney——beforeluckychanceatlastdeliveredhimintoourhands——thoughtfit，asnodoubtyouknow，tomeddlewithourmostimportantprisonerofState。“
“Achild。Iknowit，sir——thesonofamurderedfatherwhomyouandyourfriendswereslowlydoingtodeath。“
“Thatisasitmaybe，LadyBlakeney，“rejoinedChauvelincalmly；
“butitwasnoneofSirPercyBlakeney'sbusiness。This，however，hechosetodisregard。HesucceededincarryinglittleCapetfromtheTemple，andtwodayslaterwehadhimunderlock，andkey。“
“Throughsomeinfamousandtreacheroustrick，sir，“sheretorted。
Chauvelinmadenoimmediatereply；hispale，inscrutableeyeswerefixeduponherface，andthesmileofironyroundhismouthappearedmorestronglymarkedthanbefore。
“That，again，isasitmaybe，“hesaidsuavely；“butanyhowforthemomentwehavetheupperhand。SirPercyisintheConciergerie，guardeddayandnight，morecloselythanMarieAntoinetteevenwasguarded。“
“Andhelaughsatyourboltsandbars，sir，“sherejoinedproudly。
“RememberCalais，rememberBoulogne。Hislaughatyourdiscomfiture，then，mustresoundinyourearevento-day。“
“Yes；butforthemomentlaughterisonourside。Stillwearewillingtoforegoeventhatpleasure，ifSirPercywillbutmoveafingertowardshisownfreedom。“
“Againsomeinfamousletter？”sheaskedwithbittercontempt；
“someattemptagainsthishonour？”
“No，no，LadyBlakeney，“heinterposedwithperfectblandness。
“Mattersaresomuchsimplernow，yousee。WeholdSirPercyatourmercy。Wecouldsendhimtotheguillotineto-morrow，butwemightbewilling——remember，Ionlysaywemight——toexerciseourprerogativeofmercyifSirPercyBlakeneywillonhissideaccedetoarequestfromus。“
“Andthatrequest？”
“Isaverynaturalone。HetookCapetawayfromus，anditisbutcrediblethatheknowsatthepresentmomentexactlywherethechildis。Lethiminstructhisfollowers——andImistakenot，LadyBlakeney，thereareseveralofthemnotveryfarfromParisjustnow——lethim，Isay，instructthesefollowersofhistoreturnthepersonofyoungCapettous，andnotonlywillweundertaketogivethesesamegentlemenasafeconductbacktoEngland，butweevenmightbeinclinedtodealsomewhatlessharshlywiththegallantScarletPimpernelhimself。“
Shelaughedaharsh，mirthless，contemptuouslaugh。
“Idon'tthinkthatIquiteunderstand，“shesaidafteramomentortwo，whilsthewaitedcalmlyuntilherout-breakofhystericalmirthhadsubsided。“Youwantmyhusband——theScarletPimpernel，citizen——todeliverthelittleKingofFrancetoyouafterhehasriskedhislifetosavethechildoutofyourclutches？Isthatwhatyouaretryingtosay？”
“Itis，“rejoinedChauvelincomplacently，“justwhatwehavebeensayingtoSirPercyBlakeneyforthepastsixdays，madame。“
“Well！thenyouhavehadyouranswer，haveyounot？”
“Yes，“herepliedslowly；“buttheanswerhasbecomeweakerdaybyday。“
“Weaker？Idon'tunderstand。“
“Letmeexplain，LadyBlakeney，“saidChauvelin，nowwithmeasuredemphasis。Heputbothelbowsonthetableandleanedwellforward，peeringintoherface，lestoneofitsvariedexpressionsescapedhim。“JustnowyoutauntedmewithmyfailureinCalais，andagainatBoulogne，withaproudtossofthehead，whichIownisexcessivebecoming；youthrewthenameoftheScarletPimpernelinmyfacelikeachallengewhichInolongerdaretoaccept。
'TheScarletPimpernel，'youwouldsaytome，'standsforloyalty，forhonour，andforindomitablecourage。Thinkyouhewouldsacrificehishonourtoobtainyourmercy？RememberBoulogneandyourdiscomfiture！'Allofwhich，dearlady，isperfectlycharmingandwomanlyandenthusiastic，andI，bowingmyhumblehead，mustownthatIwasfooledinCalaisandbaffledinBoulogne。ButinBoulogneImadeagravemistake，andonefromwhichIlearnedalesson，whichIamputtingintopracticenow。“
Hepausedawhileasifwaitingforherreply。Hispale，keeneyeshadalreadynotedthatwitheveryphraseheutteredthelinesinherbeautifulfacebecamemorehardandset。Alookofhorrorwasgraduallyspreadingoverit，asiftheicy-coldhandofdeathhadpassedoverhereyesandcheeks，leavingthemrigidlikestone。
“InBoulogne，“resumedChauvelinquietly，satisfiedthathiswordswerehittingsteadilyatherheart——“inBoulogneSirPercyandI
didnotfightanequalfight。Freshfromapleasantsojourninhisownmagnificenthome，fullofthespiritofadventurewhichputstheessenceoflifeintoaman'sveins，SirPercyBlakeney'ssplendidphysiquewaspittedagainstmyfeeblepowers。OfcourseIlostthebattle。Imadethemistakeoftryingtosubdueamanwhowasinthezenithofhisstrength，whereasnow——“
“Yes，citizenChauvelin，“shesaid，“whereasnow——“
“SirPercyBlakeneyhasbeenintheprisonoftheConciergerieforexactlyoneweek，LadyBlakeney，“hereplied，speakingveryslowly，andlettingeveryoneofhiswordssinkindividuallyintohermind。“Evenbeforehehadtimetotakethebearingsofhiscellortoplanonhisownbehalfoneofthoseremarkableescapesforwhichheissojustlyfamous，ourmenbegantoworkonaschemewhichIamproudtosayoriginatedwithmyself。Aweekhasgonebysincethen，LadyBlakeney，andduringthattimeaspecialcompanyofprisonguard，actingundertheordersoftheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityandofPublicSafety，havequestionedtheprisonerunremittingly——unremittingly，remember——dayandnight。
Twobytwothesementakeitinturnstoentertheprisoner'scelleveryquarterofanhour——latelyithashadtobemoreoften——andaskhimtheonequestion，'WhereislittleCapet？'Uptonowwehavereceivednosatisfactoryreply，althoughwehaveexplainedtoSirPercythatmanyofhisfollowersarehonouringtheneighbourhoodofPariswiththeirvisit，andthatallweaskforfromhimareinstructionstothosegallantgentlementobringyoungCapetbacktous。Itisallverysimple，unfortunatelytheprisonerissomewhatobstinate。Atfirst，even，theideaseemedtoamusehim；heusedtolaughandsaythathealwayshadthefacultyofsleepingwithhiseyesopen。Butoursoldiersareuntiringintheirefforts，andthewantofsleepaswellasofasufficiencyoffoodandoffreshairiscertainlybeginningtotellonSirPercyBlakeney'smagnificentphysique。Idon'tthinkthatitwillbeverylongbeforehegiveswaytoourgentlepersuasions；andinanycasenow，Iassureyou，dearlady，thatweneednotfearanyattemptonhisparttoescape。Idoubtifhecouldwalkverysteadilyacrossthisroom——“
MargueritehadsatquitesilentandapparentlyimpassiveallthewhilethatChauvelinhadbeenspeaking；evennowshescarcelystirred。Herfaceexpressedabsolutelynothingbutdeeppuzzlement。Therewasafrownbetweenherbrows，andhereyes，whichwerealwaysofsuchliquidblue，nowlookedalmostblack。
ShewastryingtovisualisethatwhichChauvelinhadputbeforeher：amanharasseddayandnight，unceasingly，unremittingly，withonequestionallowedneitherrespitenorsleep——hisbrain，soul，andbodyfaggedoutateveryhour，everymomentofthedayandnight，untilmindandbodyandsoulmustinevitablygivewayunderanguishtenthousandtimesmoreunendurablethananyphysicaltormentinventedbymonstersinbarbarictimes。
Thatmanthusharassed，thusfaggedout，thusmartyrisedatallhoursofthedayandnight，washerhusband，whomshelovedwitheveryfibreofherbeing，witheverythrobofherheart。
Torture？Oh，no！thesewereadvancedandcivilisedtimesthatcouldaffordtolookwithhorrorontheexcessesofmedievaldays。
Thiswasarevolutionthatmadeforprogress，andchallengedtheopinionoftheworld。ThecellsoftheTempleofLaForceortheConciergerieheldnosecretinquisitionwithironmaidensandracksandthumbscrews；butafewmenhadputtheirtortuousbrainstogether，andhadsaidonetoanother：“WewanttofindoutfromthatmanwherewecanlayourhandsonlittleCapet，sowewon'tlethimsleepuntilhehastoldus。Itisnottorture——oh，no！
Whowoulddaretosaythatwetortureourprisoners？Itisonlyalittlehorseplay，worryingtotheprisoner，nodoubt；but，afterall，hecanendtheunpleasantnessatanymoment。Heneedbuttoanswerourquestion，andhecangotosleepascomfortablyasalittlechild。Thewantofsleepisverytrying，thewantofproperfoodandoffreshairisveryweakening；theprisonermustgivewaysoonerorlater——“
Sothesefiendshaddecideditbetweenthem，andtheyhadputtheirideaintoexecutionforonewholeweek。MargueritelookedatChauvelinasshewouldonsomemonstrous，inscrutableSphinx，marvelingifGod——eveninHisanger——couldreallyhavecreatedsuchafiendishbrain，or，havingcreatedit，couldallowittowreaksuchdevilryunpunished。
Evennowshefeltthathewasenjoyingthementalanguishwhichhehadputuponher，andshesawhisthin，evillipscurledintoasmile。
“Soyoucameto-nighttotellmeallthis？”sheaskedassoonasshecouldtrustherselftospeak。Herimpulsewastoshriekoutherindignation，herhorrorofhim，intohisface。ShelongedtocalldownGod'seternalcurseuponthisfiend；butinstinctivelysheheldherselfincheck。Herindignation，herwordsofloathingwouldonlyhaveaddedtohisdelight。
“Youhavehadyourwish，“sheaddedcoldly；“now，Iprayyou，go。“
“Yourpardon，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidwithallhishabitualblandness；“myobjectincomingtoseeyoutonightwastwofold。
MethoughtthatIwasactingasyourfriendingivingyouauthenticnewsofSirPercy，andinsuggestingthepossibilityofyouraddingyourpersuasiontoours。“
“Mypersuasion？YoumeanthatI——“
“Youwouldwishtoseeyourhusband，wouldyounot，LadyBlakeney？”
“Yes。“
“ThenIprayyoucommandme。Iwillgrantyouthepermissionwheneveryouwishtogo。“
“Youareinthehope，citizen，“shesaid，“thatIwilldomybesttobreakmyhusband'sspiritbymytearsormyprayers——isthatit？”
“Notnecessarily，“herepliedpleasantly。“Iassureyouthatwecanmanagetodothatourselves，intime。“
“Youdevil！”Thecryofpainandofhorrorwasinvoluntarilywrungfromthedepthsofhersoul。“AreyounotafraidthatGod'shandwillstrikeyouwhereyoustand？”
“No，“hesaidlightly；“Iamnotafraid，LadyBlakeney。Yousee，I
donothappentobelieveinGod。Come！”headdedmoreseriously，“haveInotprovedtoyouthatmyofferisdisinterested？YetI
repeatitevennow。IfyoudesiretoseeSirPercyinprison，commandme，andthedoorsshallbeopentoyou。“
Shewaitedamoment，lookinghimstraightandquitedispassionatelyintheface；thenshesaidcoldly：
“Verywell！Iwillgo。“
“When？”heasked。
“Thisevening。“
“Justasyouwish。IwouldhavetogoandseemyfriendHeronfirst，andarrangewithhimforyourvisit。“
“Thengo。Iwillfollowinhalfanhour。“
“C'estentendu。WillyoubeatthemainentranceoftheConciergerieathalf-pastnine？Youknowit，perhaps——no？ItisintheRuedelaBarillerie，immediatelyontherightatthefootofthegreatstaircaseofthehouseofJustice。“
“OfthehouseofJustice！”sheexclaimedinvoluntarily，aworldofbittercontemptinhercry。Thensheaddedinherformermatter-of-facttones：
“Verygood，citizen。Athalf-pastnineIwillbeattheentranceyouname。“
“AndIwillbeatthedoorpreparedtoescortyou。“
Hetookuphishatandcoatandbowedceremoniouslytoher。Thenheturnedtogo。Atthedooracryfromher——involuntarilyenough，Godknows！——madehimpause。
“Myinterviewwiththeprisoner，“shesaid，vainlytrymg，poorsoul！torepressthatquiverofanxietyinhervoice，“itwillbeprivate？”
“Oh，yes！Ofcourse，“herepliedwithareassuringsmile。“Aurevoir，LadyBlakeney！Half-pastnine，remember——“
Shecouldnolongertrustherselftolookonhimashefinallytookhisdeparture。Shewasafraid——yes，absolutelyafraidthatherfortitudewouldgiveway——meanly，despicably，uselesslygiveway；thatshewouldsuddenlyflingherselfatthefeetofthatsneering，inhumanwretch，thatshewouldpray，implore——Heavenabove！whatmightshenotdointhefaceofthisawfulreality，ifthelastlingeringshredofvanishingreason，ofpride，andofcouragedidnotholdherincheck？
Thereforesheforcedherselfnottolookonthatdeparting，sable-cladfigure，onthatevilface，andthosehandsthatheldPercy'sfateintheircruelgrip；butherearscaughtthewelcomesoundofhisdeparture——theopeningandshuttingofthedoor，hislightfootstepechoingdownthestonestairs。
Whenatlastshefeltthatshewasreallyalonesheutteredaloudcrylikeawoundeddoe，andfallingonherkneessheburiedherfaceinherhandsinapassionatefitofweeping。Violentsobsshookherentireframe；itseemedasifanoverwhelminganguishwastearingatherheart——thephysicalpainofitwasalmostunendurable。Andyeteventhroughthisparoxysmoftearshermindclungtoonerootidea：whenshesawPercyshemustbebraveandcalm，beabletohelphimifhewantedher，todohisbiddingiftherewasanythingthatshecoulddo，oranymessagethatshecouldtaketotheothers。Ofhopeshehadnone。Thelastlingeringrayofithadbeenextinguishedbythatfiendwhenhesaid，“Weneednotfearthathewillescape。Idoubtifhecouldwalkverysteadilyacrossthisroomnow。“
CHAPTERXXVII
INTHECONCIERGERIE
Marguerite，accompaniedbySirAndrewFfoulkes，walkedrapidlyalongthequay。Itlackedtenminutestothehalfhour；thenightwasdarkandbitterlycold。Snowwasstillfallinginsparse，thinflakes，andlaylikeacrispandglitteringmantleovertheparapetsofthebridgesandthegrimtowersoftheChateletprison。
Theywalkedonsilentlynow。AllthattheyhadwantedtosaytooneanotherhadbeensaidinsidethesqualidroomoftheirlodgingswhenSirAndrewFfoulkeshadcomehomeandlearnedthatChauvelinhadbeen。
“Theyarekillinghimbyinches，SirAndrew，“hadbeentheheartrendingcrywhichburstfromMarguerite'soppressedheartassoonasherhandsrestedinthekindlyonesofherbestfriend。
“Isthereaughtthatwecando？”
Therewas，ofcourse，verylittlethatcouldbedone。OneortwofinesteelfileswhichSirAndrewgavehertoconcealbeneaththefoldsofherkerchief；alsoatinydaggerwithsharp，poisonedblade，whichforamomentsheheldinherhandhesitating，hereyesfillingwithtears，herheartthrobbingwithunspeakablesorrow。
Thenslowly——veryslowly——sheraisedthesmall，death-dealinginstrumenttoherlips，andreverentlykissedthenarrowblade。
“Ifitmustbe！”shemurmured，“GodinHismercywillforgive！”
Shesheathedthedagger，andthis，too，shehidinthefoldsofhergown。
“Canyouthinkofanythingelse，SirAndrew，thathemightwant？”
sheasked。“Ihavemoneyinplenty，incasethosesoldiers——“
SirAndrewsighed，andturnedawayfromhersoastohidethehopelessnesswhichhefelt。Sincethreedaysnowbehadbeenexhaustingeveryconceivablemeansofgettingattheprisonguardwithbriberyandcorruption。ButChauvelinandhisfriendshadtakenexcellentprecautions。TheprisonoftheConciergerie，situatedasitwasintheveryheartofthelabyrinthineandcomplicatedstructureoftheChateletandthehouseofJustice，andisolatedfromeveryothergroupofcellsinthebuilding，wasinaccessiblesavefromonenarrowdoorwaywhichgaveontheguard-roomfirst，andthenceontheinnercellbeyond。JustasallattemptstorescuethelateunfortunateQueenfromthatprisonhadfailed，sonoweveryattempttoreachtheimprisonedScarletPimpernelwasequallydoomedtobitterdisappointment。
Theguard-roomwasfilledwithsoldiersdayandnight；thewindowsoftheinnercell，heavilybarred，weretoosmalltoadmitofthepassageofahumanbody，andtheywereraisedtwentyfeetfromthecorridorbelow。SirAndrewhadstoodinthecorridortwodaysago，hebadlookedonthewindowbehindwhichheknewthathisfriendmustbeeatingouthisnobleheartinalongingforliberty，andhehadrealisedthenthateveryeffortathelpfromtheoutsidewasforedoomedtofailure。
“Courage，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidtoMarguerite，whenanontheyhadcrossedthePontauChange，andwerewendingtheirwayslowlyalongtheRuedelaBarillerie；“rememberourprouddictum：theScarletPimpernelneverfails！andalsothis，thatwhatevermessagesBlakeneygivesyouforus，whateverhewishesustodo，wearetoamanreadytodoit，andtogiveourlivesforourchief。Courage！
SomethingtellsmethatamanlikePercyisnotgoingtodieatthehandsofsuchverminasChauvelinandhisfriends。“
TheyhadreachedthegreatirongatesofthehouseofJustice。
Marguerite，tryingtosmile，extendedhertremblingbandtothisfaithful，loyalcomrade。
“I'llnotbefar，“hesaid。“Whenyoucomeoutdonotlooktotherightorleft，butmakestraightforhome；I'llnotlosesightofyouforamoment，andassoonaspossiblewillovertakeyou。Godblessyouboth。“
Hepressedhislipsonhercoldlittlehand，andwatchedhertall，elegantfigureasshepassedthroughthegreatgatesuntiltheveiloffallingsnowhidherfromhisgaze。Thenwithadeepsighofbitteranguishandsorrowheturnedawayandwassoonlostinthegloom。
Margueritefoundthegateatthebottomofthemonumentalstairsopenwhenshearrived。Chauvelinwasstandingimmediatelyinsidethebuildingwaitingforher。
“Wearepreparedforyourvisit，LadyBlakeney，“hesaid，“andtheprisonerknowsthatyouarecoming。“
Heledthewaydownoneofthenumerousandinterminablecorridorsofthebuilding，andshefollowedbriskly，pressingherhandagainstherbosomtherewherethefoldsofherkerchiefhidthesteelfilesandthepreciousdagger。
Eveninthegloomoftheseill-lightedpassagessherealisedthatshewassurroundedbyguards。Thereweresoldierseverywhere；twohadstoodbehindthedoorwhenfirstsheentered，andhadimmediatelycloseditwithaloudclangbehindher；andallthewaydownthecorridors，throughthehalf-lightengenderedbyfeeblyflickeringlamps，shecaughtglimpsesofthewhitefacingsontheuniformsofthetownguard，oroccasionallytheglintofsteelofabayonet。PresentlyChauvelinpausedbesideadoor，whichhehadjustreached。Hishandwasonthelatch，foritdidnotappeartobelocked，andheturnedtowardMarguerite。
“Iamverysorry，LadyBlakeney，“hesaidinsimple，deferentialtones，“thattheprisonauthorities，whoatmyrequestaregrantingyouthisinterviewatsuchanunusualhour，havemadeaslightconditiontoyourvisit。“
“Acondition？”sheasked。“Whatisit？”
“Youmustforgiveme，“hesaid，asifpurposelyevadingherquestion，“forIgiveyoumywordthatIhadnothingtodowitharegulationthatyoumightjustlyfeelwasderogatorytoyourdignity。Ifyouwillkindlystepinhereawardressinchargewillexplaintoyouwhatisrequired。“
Hepushedopenthedoor，andstoodasideceremoniouslyinordertoallowhertopassin。Shelookedonhimwithdeeppuzzlementandalookofdarksuspicioninhereyes。ButhermindwastoomuchengrossedwiththethoughtofhermeetingwithPercytoworryoveranytriflethatmight——asherenemyhadinferred——offendherwomanlydignity。
Shewalkedintotheroom，pastChauvelin，whowhisperedasshewentby：
“Iwillwaitforyouhere。And，Iprayyou，ifyouhaveaughttocomplainofsummonmeatonce。“
Thenheclosedthedoorbehindher。TheroominwhichMargueritenowfoundherselfwasasmallunventilatedquadrangle，dimlylightedbyahanginglamp。Awomaninasoiledcottongownandlankgreyhairbrushedawayfromaparchment-likeforeheadrosefromthechairinwhichshehadbeensittingwhenMargueriteentered，andputawaysomeknittingonwhichshehadapparentlybeenengaged。
“Iwastotellyou，citizeness，“shesaidthemomentthedoorhadbeenclosedandshewasalonewithMarguerite，“thattheprisonauthoritieshavegivenordersthatIshouldsearchyoubeforeyouvisittheprisoner。“
Sherepeatedthisphrasemechanicallylikeachildwhohasbeentaughttosayalessonbyheart。Shewasastoutishmiddle-agedwoman，withthatpasty，flabbyskinpeculiartothosewholiveinwantoffreshair；buthersmall，darkeyeswerenotunkindly，althoughtheyshiftedrestlesslyfromoneobjecttoanotherasifsheweretryingtoavoidlookingtheotherwomanstraightintheface。
“Thatyoushouldsearchme！”reiteratedMargueriteslowly，tryingtounderstand。
“Yes，“repliedthewoman。“Iwastotellyoutotakeoffyourclothes，sothatImightlookthemthroughandthrough。Ihaveoftenhadtodothisbeforewhenvisitorshavebeenallowedinsidetheprison，soitisnouseyourtryingtodeceivemeinanyway。
Iamverysharpatfindingoutifanyonehaspapers，orfilesorropesconcealedinanunderpetticoat。Come，“sheaddedmoreroughly，seeingthatMargueritehadremainedmotionlessinthemiddleoftheroom；“thequickeryouareaboutitthesooneryouwillbetakentoseetheprisoner。“
Thesewordshadtheirdesiredeffect。TheproudLadyBlakeney，inwardlyrevoltingattheoutrage，knewthatresistancewouldbeworsethanuseless。Chauvelinwastheothersideofthedoor。A
callfromthewomanwouldbringhimtoherassistance，andMargueritewasonlylongingtohastenthemomentwhenshecouldbewithherhusband。
Shetookoffherkerchiefandhergownandcalmlysubmittedtothewoman'sroughhandsastheywanderedwithsurenessandaccuracytothevariouspocketsandfoldsthatmightconcealprohibitedarticles。Thewomandidherworkwithpeculiarstolidity；shedidnotutterawordwhenshefoundthetinysteelfilesandplacedthemonatablebesideher。Inequalsilenceshelaidthelittledaggerbesidethem，andthepursewhichcontainedtwentygoldpieces。TheseshecountedinfrontofMargueriteandthenreplacedtheminthepurse。Herfaceexpressedneithersurprise，norgreednorpity。Shewasobviouslybeyondthereachofbribery——
justamachinepaidbytheprisonauthoritiestodothisunpleasantwork，andnodoubtterrorisedintodoingitconscientiously。