InthattimeIletmybeardgrow，andtrainedmyhairintoapatrioticunkemptness。Then，infilthygarments，likeanytrueRepublican，Isetouttocrossthefrontier。AsIapproachedit，IwasfilledwithfearsthatImightnotwinacross，andthen，inthemomentofmydoubtings，Icameuponthatmostopportuneofcouriers。Ihadthenotiontochangeplaceswithhim，andIdid。
HewasthebearerofalettertotheDeputyLaBoulaye，ofwhomyoumayhaveheard，andthisletterIopenedtodiscoverthatitchargedhimtoeffectmyarrest。"
IfLaBoulayewasstartled，hisfaceneverbetrayedit，notbysomuchasthequiverofaneyelid。Hesaton，hisjawinhispalm，hiseyesadmiringlybentuponthespeaker。
"Youmayjudgeofmyhonesty，andofhowfullysensibleIwasofthetrustIhadundertaken，whenItellyouthatwithmyownhandI
deliveredtheletterthismorningtothatanimalLaBoulayeatBoisvert。"Heseemedtoswellwithprideinhisachievement。
"Diable！"hecontinued。"Minewasafinepieceofacting。Iwouldyoucouldhaveseenmeplaythepartofthepatriot。Thinkoftheironyofit！IwonoutofFrancewiththeverypapersorderingmyarrest。Mafoi！Youshouldhaveseenmebefoolthatdirtofadeputy！ItwasaperformanceworthyofTalmahimself。"AndhelookedfromCadouxtoLaBoulayeforapplause。
"Idoubtnot，"saidtheDeputycoldly。"Itmusthavebeenworthwitnessing。Butdoesitnotseemapitytospoileverythingandtoneutralisesowonderfulanachievementforthemeresakeofboastingofittoapoor，ignorantpeasant，MonsieurleVicomteAnatoled’Ombreval？"
Withasuddencry，thepseudocourierleapttohisfeet，whilstDesCadouxturnedonthestoolheoccupiedtostarealarmedlyatthespeaker。
"NameofGod！Whoareyou？"demandedOmbrevaladvancingastep。
WithhissleeveLaBoulayerubbedpartofthedisfiguringsmearfromhisfaceashestoodupandmadeanswercoolly：
"IamthatdirtofaDeputywhomyoubefooledatBoisvert。"Then，raisinghisvoice，"Garin！"heshouted，andimmediatelythedooropenedandthesoldiersfiledin。
Ombrevalstoodlikeastatue，thunderstruckwithamazementatthismostunlooked—forturningofthetables，hisfaceashen，hisweakmouthfallenopenandhiseyesfearful。
DesCadoux，whohadalsorisen，seemedtotakeinthesituationataglance。Likeawell—bredgamesterwhoknowshowtolosewithagoodgracetheoldgentlemanlaugheddrilytohimselfashetappedhissnuff—box。
"Wearedelightfullytaken，cherVicomte，"hemurmured，applyingthetobaccotohisnostrilashespoke。"It’soddsyouwon’tbeabletorepeatthatprettystorytoanymoreofyourfriends。Iwarnedyouthatyouinclinedtorelateittoooften。"
Withasuddenoath，Ombreval—movedtovalourbytheblindragethatpossessedhim—sprangatLaBoulaye。But，assuddenly，Garincaughthisarmsfrombehindandheldhimfast。
"Removethemboth，"LaBoulayecommanded。"Placetheminsafetyforthenight，andseethattheydonotescapeyou，Garin，asyouvalueyourneck。"
DesCoudaxshuthissnuff—boxwithasnap。
"Formypart，Iamready，Monsieur—yourpardon—Citizen，"hesaid，"andIshallgiveyounotrouble。ButsinceIamnot，Itakeit，includedintheordersyouhavereceived，Ihaveaproposaltomakewhichmayprovemutuallyconvenient。"
"Praymakeit，Citizen，"saidLaBoulaye。
"ItoccurstomethatitmayoccasionyousomemeasureofannoyancetocarrymeallthewaytoParis—andcertainly，formypart，I
shouldmuchprefernottoundertakethejourney。Foronething，itwillbefatiguing，foranother，Ihavenodesiretolookuponthenextworldthroughthelittlewindowoftheguillotine。Iwish，then，topropose，Citizen，"pursuedtheoldnobleman，nonchalantlydustingsomefragmentsoftobaccofromhiscravat。"thatyoudealwithmeoutofhand。"
"How，Citizen？"inquiredLaBoulaye。
"Why，yourmen，Itakeitaretolerablemarksmen。Ithinkthatitmightprovemoreconvenienttobothofusifyouweretohavemeshotassoonasthereislightenough。"
LaBoulaye’seyesrestedinalmostimperceptiblekindnessuponDesCadoux。Here，atleast，wasanaristocratwithaspirittobeadmiredandemulated。
"Youarechoosingthelesseroftwoevils，Citizen，"saidtheDeputy。
"Precisely，"answeredDesCadoux。
"Butpossibly，Citizen，itmaybeyourstoavoidboth。Youshallhearfrommeinthemorning。Ibegthatyouwillsleeptranquillyinthemeantime。Garin，removetheprisoners。"
CHAPTERXV
LABOULAYEBAITSHISHOOK
ForfullyanhouraftertheirprisonershadbeenremovedLaBoulayepacedthenarrowlimitsofthekitchenwithfaceinscrutableandbusymind。HerecalledwhatSuzannehadsaidtouchingherbetrothaltoOmbreval，whomshelookedtomeetatTreves。Thismiserableindividual，then，wasthemanforwhosesakeshehaddupedhim。ButOmbrevalatleastwasinCaron’spower，anditcametohimnowthatbyvirtueofthatcircumstancehemightdeviseawaytobringherbackwithouttheneedtogoafterher。Hewouldsendherword—aye，andproof—thathehadtakenhimcaptive，anditshouldbeherstochoosewhethershewouldcometohisrescueandhumbleherselftosavehimorleavehimtohisfate。InthathouritseemedallonetoLaBoulayewhichcourseshefollowed，sincebyeither，hereasoned，shemustbebroughttosuffer。Thathelovedherwaswithhimnowamatterthathadsunkintocomparativeinsignificance。
Thesentimentthatruledhismindwasanger，withitsnaturalconcomitant—thedesiretopunish。
AndwhenmorningcametheDeputy’sviewofthesituationwasstillunchanged。Hewasastiratanearlyhour，andwithoutsomuchaswaitingtobreakhisfast，hebadeGarinbringintheprisoners。
Theirappearancewasineachcasetypical。Ombrevalwassullenandhisdressuntidy，evenwhenallowancehadbeenmadefortheinherentuntidinessoftheRepublicandisguisewhichhehadadoptedtosolittlepurpose。DesCadouxlookedwellandfreshafterhisrest，andgavetheDeputyanairy"Goodmorning"asheentered。Hehadbeenatsomepains，too，withhistoilet，andalthoughhishairwasslightlydisarrangedandmostofthepowderwasgonefromtherightside，suggestingthathehadlainonit，hisappearanceinthemainwascreditablyelegant。
"CitizenOmbreval，"saidLaBoulaye，inthatstern，emotionlessvoicethatwasbecomingcharacteristicofhim，"sinceyouhaveacquaintedyourselfwiththecontentsoftheletteryoustolefromthemanyoumurdered，youcannotbeindoubtastomyintentionsconcerningyou。"
TheVicomtereddenedwithanger。
"ForyourintentionsIcarenothing，"heansweredhotly—renderedverybravebypassion—"butIwillhaveyouconsideryourwords。
DoyousaythatIstoleandmurdered？Youforget，M。leRepublican，thatIamagentlemen。"
"Meaning，ofcourse，thattheclassthatsodescribeditselfcoulddothesethingswithimpunitywithouthavingthemcalledbytheirpropernames，isitnotso？ButyoualsoforgetthattheRepublichasabolishedgentlemen，andwiththem，theirdisgracefulprivileges。"
"Canaille！"growledtheVicomte，hiseyesablazewithwrath。
"Citizen—aristocrat，consideryourwords！"LaBoulayehadsteppedcloseuptohim，andhisvoicethrobbedwithasuddenangernowhitlesscompellingthanOmbreval’s。"Fool！letmehearthatwordagain，appliedeithertomeortoanyofmyfollowers，andI’llhaveyoubeatenlikeadog。"
Andasthelessereverdoesgivewaybeforethegreater，sonowdidtheangerthathadsustainedOmbrevalgodownandvanishbeforetheoverwhelmingpassionofLaBoulaye。HegrewpaletothelipsattheDeputy’sthreat，andhiseyescravenlyavoidedthesteadygazeofhiscaptor。
"Youdeservelittleconsiderationatmyhands，Citizen，"saidLaBoulaye，morequietly，"andyetIhaveamindtogiveyoualessoningenerosity。WestartforParisinhalf—an—hour。Ifanywhereyoushouldhavefriendsexpectingyou，whomyoumightwishtoappriseofyourposition，youmayspendthehalf—hourthatisleftinwritingtothem。Iwillseethatyourletterreachesitsdestination。"
Ombreval’spallorseemedtointensify。HiseyeslookedtroubledastheywereraisedtoLaBoulaye’s。Thentheyfellagain，andtherewasapause。Atlast—
"Ishallbegladtoavailmyselfofyouroffer，"hesaid，inavoicethatformeeknesswasludicrouslyatvariancewithhislateutterances。
"Thenpraydosoatonce。"AndLaBoulayetookdownaninkhornaquill，andasheafofpaperfromthemantel—shelfbehindhim。
Theseheplacedonthetable，andsettingachair，hesignedtothearistocrattobeseated。
"Andnow，CitizenCadoux，"saidLaBoulaye，turningtotheoldnobleman，"IshallbegladifyouwillhonourmebysharingmybreakfastwhileCitizenOmbrevalisathiswriting。"
DesCadouxlookedupinsomesurprise。
"Youaretoogood，Monsieur，"saidhe，inclininghishead。"Butafterwards？"
"Ihavedecided，"saidLaBoulaye，withtheghostofasmile，"todealwithyourcasemyself，Citizen。"
Theolddandytookadeepbreath，buttheglanceofhisblueeyeswassteadfast，andhislipssmiledashemadeanswer：
"Againyouaretoogood。IfearedthatyouwouldcarrymetoParis，andatmyagethejourneyisatiresomeone。Iamgrateful，andmeanwhile，—why，sinceyouaresogoodastoinviteme，letusbreakfast，byallmeans。"
Theysatdownatasmalltableintheembrasureofthewindow，andtheirhostessplacedbeforethemaboiledfowl，adishofeggs，astewofherbs，andaflaskofredwine，allofwhichLaBoulayehadbiddenherprepare。
"Why，itisafeast，"declaredDesCadoux，inexcellenthumour，andforallthathewasundertheimpressionthathewastodieinhalf—an—hourheatewiththeheartiestgood—will，chattingpleasantlythewhilewiththeRepublican—thefirstRepublicanwithwhomithadeverbeenhisaristocraticlottositattable。AndwhattimethemealproceededOmbreval—withtwosoldiersstandingbehindhischair—pennedhislettertoMademoiselledeBellecour。
HadLaBoulaye—inspiredbythedesiretoavengehimselfforthetreacheryofwhichhehadbeenthevictim—dictatedthatepistle，tcouldnothavebeenindictedinamannerbettersuitedtohisends。
Itwasamaudlin，piteousletter，inwhich，ratherthanmakinghisfarewells，theVicomtebesoughttheaidofSuzanne。Hewas，hewrote，inthehandsofmenwhomightbebribed，andsinceshewasrich—forheknewofthetreasurewithwhichshehadescaped—hebasedhishopesuponheremployingaportionofherrichestoobtaininghisenlargement。She，hecontinued，washisonlyhope，andforthesakeoftheirlove，forthesakeoftheircommonnobility，hebesoughthernottofailhimnow。Carriedawaybythepiteousnessofhisentreatiesthetearswelleduptohiseyesandtrickleddownhischeeks，oneortwoofthemfindingtheirwaytothepaperthussmearingitwithanappealmorepiteousstillifpossiblethanthatofhismaudlinwords。
Atlasttheletterwasended。Hesealeditwithawaferandwrotethesuperscription：
"ToMademoiselledeBellecour。Atthe’HoteldesTroisRois，’
Treves。"
Heannouncedthecompletionofhistask，andLaBoulayebadehimgojoinDesCadouxatthenexttableandtakesomefoodbeforesettingout，whilsttheDeputyhimselfnowsatdowntowrite。
"Citoyenne，’hewrote，"themantowhomyouarebetrothed，forwhosesakeyoustoopedtotreacheryandattemptedmurder，isinmyhands。
ThushasHeavensetitinmypowertopunishyou，iftheknowledgethathetravelstotheguillotineislikelytoproveapunishment。
Ifyouwouldrescuehim，cometomeinParis，and，conditionally，Imaygiveyouhislife。"
That，hethoughtshouldhumbleher。HefoldedhisletterroundOmbreval’sandhavingsealedthepackage，headdresseditasOmbrevalhadaddressedhisownmissive。
"Garin，"hecommandedbriefly，"removetheCitizenOmbreval。"
Whenhehadbeenobeyed，andGarinhadconductedtheVicomtefromtheroom，LaBoulayeturnedagaintoDesCadoux。Theywerealone，savingthetwosoldiersguardingthedoor。
Theoldmanrose，andmakingthesignofthecross，hesteppedforward，calmandintrepidofbearing。
"Monsieur，"heannouncedtoLaBoulaye，whowaseyeinghimwiththefaintesttingeofsurprise，"Iamquiteready。"
"Haveyoualwaysbeensodevout，Citizen？"inquiredtheDeputy。
"Alas！noMonsieur。Buttherecomesatimeinthelifeofeverymanwhen，forafewmomentsatleast，heispronetogrowmindfulofthelessonslearntinchildhood。"
ThesurpriseincreasedinLaBoulaye’scountenance。Atlastheshruggedhisshoulders，afterthemannerofonewhoabandonsaproblemthathasgrowntooknotty。
"CitizendesCadoux，"saidhe，"IhavedeliberatedthatsinceI
havereceivednoordersfromParisconcerningyou，andalsosinceIamnotbyprofessionacatch—pollthereisnoreasonwhateverwhyIshouldcarryyoutoParis。Infact，Citizen，IknowofnoreasonwhyIshouldinterferewithyourfreedomatall。OnthecontrarywhenIrecallthekindnessyousoughttodomethatday，yearsago，atBellecour，IfindeveryreasonwhyIshouldfurtheryourescapefromtheRevolutionarytribunal。Ahorse，Citizen，standsreadysaddledforyou，andyouarefreetodepart，withtheonecondition，however，thatyouwillconsenttobecomemycourierforonce，andcarryaletterforme—amatterwhichshouldoccasionyou，Ithink，nodeviationfromyourjourney。"
Theolddandy，inwhoseintrepidspiritthedeathwhichhehadbelievedimminenthadoccasionednotrembling，turnedpaleasLaBoulayeceased。HisblueeyeswereliftedalmosttimidlytotheDeputy’sface，andhislipquivered。
"Youarenotgoingtohavemeshot，then？"hefaltered。
"Shot？"echoedLaBoulaye，andthenherememberedtheprecisewordsoftherequestwhichDesCadouxhadpreferredthenightbefore，butwhich，atthetime，hehadtreatedlightly。"Mafoi，youdonotflatterme！"hecried。"AmIamurderer，then？Come，come，Citizen，hereistheletterthatyouaretocarry。ItisaddressedtoMademoiselledeBellecour，atTreves，andenclosesOmbreval’sfarewellepistletothatlady。"
"But，gladly，Monsieur，"exclaimedDesCadoux。
Andthen，asiftocoverhissuddenaccessofemotion，ofwhichhewasmostheartilyashamed，hefumbledforhissnuff—box，and，havingfoundit，hetookanenormouspinch。
Theypartedontheverybestoftermsdidthesetwo—thearistocratandtheRevolutionary—actuatedbyamutualesteemtemperedineachcasewithgratitude。
WhenatlastDesCadouxhadtakenasympatheticleaveofOmbrevalanddeparted，CaronorderedtheVicomtetobebroughtbeforehimagain，andatthesametimebadehismenmakereadyfortheroad。
"Citizen，"saidLaBoulaye，"westartforParisatonce。Ifyouwillpassmeyourwordofhonourtoattemptnoescapeyoushalltravelwithusincompletefreedomandwithalldignity。"
Ombrevallookedathimwithinsolentsurprise，hisweaksuperciliousmouthgrowingmoresuperciliouseventhanitswont。Hehadrecoveredagooddealofhisspiritbynow。
"Passyoumywordofhonour？"heechoed。"MonDieu！mygoodfellowawordofhonourisabondbetweengentlemen。IthinktoowellofminetopassittothefirstgreasyrascaloftheRepublicthatasksitofme。"
LaBoulayeeyedhimasecondwithaglancebeforewhichthearistocratgrewpale，andalreadyregrettedhimofhiswords。TheveinsintheDeputy’stempleswereswollen。
"Iwarnedyou，"saidhe，inadullvoice。ThentothesoldiersstandingoneithersideofOmbreval—"Takehimout，"hesaid，"mounthimonhorseback。Lethimridewithhishandspinionedbehindhisback，andhisfeetlashedtogetherunderthehorse’sbelly。Attendtoit！"
"Monsieur，"criedtheyoungman，inanappealingvoice，"Iwillgiveyoumywordofhonournottoescape。Iwill—"
"Takehimout，"LaBoulayerepeated，withadullbarkofcontempt。
"Youhadyourchance，Citizen—aristocrat。"
Ombrevalsethisteethandclenchedhishands。
"Canaille！"hesnarled，inhisfury。
"Hold！"Caroncalledafterthedepartingmen。
Theyobeyed，andnowthiswretchedVicomte，ofsuchunstablespiritdroppedallhisangeragain，assuddenlyashehadcaughtitup。
Fearpaledhischeekandpalsiedhislimbsoncemore，forLaBoulaye’sexpressionwasveryterrible。
"YouknowwhatIsaidthatIwouldhavedonetoyouifyouusedthatwordagain？"LaBoulayequestionedhimcoldly。
"I—Iwasbesidemyself，Monsieur，"theothergasped，intheintensityofhisfear。AndatthesightofhispitiableconditiontheangerfellawayfromLaBoulaye，andhesmiledscornfully。
"Myfaith，"hesneered。"Youarehotonemomentandcoldthenext。
Citizen，Iamafraidthatyouarenobetterthanavulgarcoward。
Takehimaway，"heended，wavinghishandtowardsthedoor，andashewatchedthemleadinghimouthereflectedbitterlythatthiswasthemantowhomSuzannewasbetrothed—themanwhom，notadoubtofit，sheloved，sinceforhimshehadstoopedsolow。Thismiserablecravenshepreferredtohim，becausetheman，soignobleofnature，wasnoblebytheaccidentofbirth。
PARTIII
THEEVERLASTINGRULE
Loverulesthecourt，thecamp，thegrove，Andmenbelowandsaintsabove，ForloveisHeavenandHeavenislove。
TheLayoftheLastMinstrel。
CHAPTERXVI
CECILEDESHAIX
InhislodgingsatthecorneroftheRue—St。HonoreandtheRuedelaRepublique—latelychanged，intheall—encompassingmetamorphosis，from"RueRoyale"sattheDeputyCaronLaBoulayeathiswriting—table。
Therewasaflushonhisfaceandasparkleintheeyesthatlookedpensivelybeforehimwhattimehegnawedthefeatheredendofhisquill。InhisearsstillrangtheacclamationsthathadgreetedhisbrilliantspeechintheAssemblythatday。HewasofthepartyoftheMountain—aswasbutnaturalinaprotegeoftheSeagreenRobespierre—apartymorefamedforitsdirectnessofpurposethaneleganceofexpression，andinitsrankstherewasroomandtospareforsuchoratorsashe。TheseasonwasMarchof’93—aseasonmarkedbythedeadlyfeudraging’twixttheGirondinsandtheMountain，andinthatbattleoftonguesLaBoulayewascoveringhimselfwithgloryanddoingcredittohispatron，theIncorruptible。
HewasofarhetoricnotinferiortoVergniaud’s—thatmosteloquentGirondon—andofaquicknessofwitandhonestyofaimunrivalledinthewholebodyoftheConvention，andwiththesegiftsheharassedtonolittlepurposethosesmooth—tonguedlegislatorsoftheGironde，whomDumouriezcalledtheJesuitsoftheRevolution。HispopularitywiththemenoftheMountainandwiththemassesofPariswasgrowingdaily，andthecrushingreplyhehadthatdaydeliveredtothechargespreferredbyVergniaudwaslikelytoincreasehisfame。
Well，therefore，mighthesitwithflushedcheeksandsparklingeyeschewingthebuttofhispenandsmilingtohimselfatthememoryoftheenthusiasmofwhichhehadbeenthecentreahalf—hourago。
Here，indeed，wassomethingthatamanmightlivefor，somethingthatamanmighttakepridein，andsomethingthatmightconsoleamanforawoman’streachery。What，indeed，couldwoman’slovegivehimthatmightcomparewiththis？Wasitnotmoregloriousfartomakehimselftheadmired，therevered，theveryidolofthosesternmen，thanthebelovedofasimperinggirl？Thelatteranycoxcombwithawell—cutcoatmightencompass，buttheformerachievementwasaman’swork。
Andyet，forallthathereasonedthusspeciouslyandphilosophically，therewasamomentwhenhisbrowgrewcloudedandhiseyeslosttheirsparkle。HewasthinkingofthatnightintheinnatBoisvert，whenhehadkneltbesideherandshehadliedtohim。Hewasthinkingofthehappiness，thatforafewbriefhourshadbeenhis，untilhediscoveredhowbaselyshehaddeceivedhim，andforallthefull—flavourofhispresentelationitseemedtohimthatinthatotherhappinesswhichhenowaffectedtodespisebycontrast，therehaddweltagreater，amorecontentingsweetness。
WouldshecometoParis？Hehadaskedhimselfthatquestioneverydayofthetwentythatwerespentsincehisreturn。AndinthemeantimetheVicomted’OmbrevallayintheprisonoftheLuxembourgawaitingtrial。ThathehadnotyetbeenarraignedhehadtothanktheeffortsofLaBoulaye。TheyoungDeputyhadinformedRobespierrethatforreasonsofhisownhewishedtheci—devantVicomte，tobekeptinprisonsomelittletime，andtheIncorruptible，peeringathimoverhishorn—rimmedspectacles，hadshruggedhisshouldersandanswered：
"Butcertainly，cherCaron，sinceitisyourwish。HewillbesafeintheLuxembourg。"
Hehadpressedhisprotegeforareason，butLaBoulayehadevadedthequestion，promisingtoenlightenhimlater。
SincethenCaronhadwaited，andnowitwasmorethantimethatMademoisellemadesomesign。OrwasitthatneitherOmbreval’scravenentreatiesnorhisownshortmessagehadaffectedher？WasshewhollyheartlessandlikelytoproveasfaithlesstotheVicomteinhishourofneedasshehadprovedtohim？
Withatossoftheheadhedismissedherfromhisthoughts，anddippinghisquill，hebegantowrite。
>Fromthestreetcamethedullrollofbeatendrumsandtherhythmicalfallofmarchingfeet。ButthesoundwastoocommoninrevolutionaryParistoarrestattention，andhewroteon，heedingitaslittleashedidthegruffvoiceofapastry—cookcryinghiswares，theshrillercallofamilkman，ortheoccasionalrumblingsofpassingvehicles。Butofasuddenoneofthoserumblingsceasedabruptlyathisdoor。Heheardtherattleofhoofsandthegrindofthewheelagainstthepavement，andlookingup，heglancedacrossattheormolutimepieceonhisovermantel。Itwasnotyetfouro’clock。
Wonderingwhetherthevisitormightbeforhimorforthetenantofthefloorabove，hesatlisteninguntilhisdooropenedandhisofficial—theeuphemismof"servant"intherevolutionarylexicon—cametoannouncethatawomanwasbelow，askingtoseehim。
NowforallthathebelievedhimselftohavebecomeaboveemotionswhereMademoiselledeBellecourwasconcerned，hefelthispulsesquickenattheverythoughtthatthismightbesheatlast。
"Whatmannerofwoman，Brutus？"heasked。
"Aprettywoman，Citizen，"answeredBrutus，withagrin。"ItistheCitoyenneDeshaix。"
LaBoulayemadeanimpatientgesture。
"Fool。whydidyounotsayso，"hecriedsharply。
"Fool，youdidnotaskme，"answeredtheservant，withthattouching，fraternalfranknessadoptedbyalltruepatriots。Hewasathin，under—sizedmanofperhapsthirtyyearsofage，anddressedinblack，withadecency—underLaBoulaye’ssuasion—thatwasratheratvariancewithhisextremedemocracy。HisrealnamewasFerdinand，but，followingafashionprevailingamongtheultra—republicans，hehadrenamedhimselfafterthefamousRomanpatriot。
LaBoulayetoyedamomentwithhispen，afrowndarkeninghisbrow。
Then：
"Admither，"hesighedwearily。
Andpresentlyshecame，aprettywoman，asBrutushaddeclared，veryfair，andwiththeinnocenteyesofababy。Shewassmallofstature，andbytheegregiousheightofherplume—crownedhead—dressitwouldseemasifshesoughtbyarttoaddtotheinchesshehadreceivedfromNature。Fortherestsheworeapinkpetticoat，veryextravagantlybeflounced，andapinkcorsagecutextravagantlylow。
Inonehandshecarriedafan—hardlyasaweaponagainstheat，seeingthatthewinterwasnotyetout—intheotherahugebunchofearlyroses。
"Tevoile！"washergreeting，merrily—roguishly—delivered，andiftheRevolutionhaddonenothingelseforher，ithad，atleast，enabledhertoaddressLaBoulayebythe"Thou"ofintimacywhichthenewvocabularyprescribed。
LaBoulayerose，laidasidehispen，andpolitely，ifcoolly，returnedhergreetingandsetachairforher。
"Youare，"saidhe，"averyharbingerofSpring，Citoyenne，withyourflowersandyourravishingtoilette。"
"Ah！Ipleaseyou，then，foronce，"saidshewithouttheleastembarrassment。"Tellme—howdoyoufindme？"And，laughing，sheturnedaboutthathemightadmireherfromallpointsofview。
Helookedathergravelyforamoment，sogravelythatthelaughterbegantofadefromhereyes。
"Ifindyoucharming，Citoyenne，"heansweredatlast。"YouremindmeofDiana。"
"Compliments？"quothshe，hereyebrowsgoingupandhereyesbeamingwithsurpriseanddelight。"ComplimentsfromLaBoulaye！Butsurelyitistheendoftheworld。Tellme，monami，"shebegged，greedilyanglingformore，"inwhatdoIremindyouofthesylvangoddess？"
"Inthescantinessofyourraiment，Citoyenne，"heansweredacidly。
"ItsortsbetterwithArcadiathanwithParis。"
Hereyebrowscamedown，hercheeksflushedwithresentmentanddiscomfiture。Tocoverthissheflungherrosesamongthepapersofhiswriting—table，anddroppingintoachairshefannedherselfvigorously。
"Citoyenne，yourelievemyanxieties，"saidhe。"Ifearedthatyoustoodindangeroffreezing。"
"Tofreezeisnomorethanonemightexpectinyourcompany，"sheanswered，stiflingheranger。
Hemadenoreply。Hemovedtothewindow，andstooddrummingabsentlyonthepanes。HewasinuredtotheseinvasionsonthepartofCecileDeshaixandtothebold，unwomanlyadvancesthatrepelledhim。To—dayhispatiencewithherwasevenshorterthanitswont，haplybecausewhenhisofficialhadannouncedawomanhehadforamomentpermittedhimselftothinkthatitmightbeSuzanne。Thesilencegrewawkward，andatlasthebrokeit。
"TheCitizenRobespierreiswell？"heasked，withoutturning。
"Yes，"saidshe，andforallthattherewaschagrintospareintheglancewithwhichsheadmiredthebackofhisstraightandshapelyfigure，shecontrivedtorenderhervoiceairilyindifferent。
"Wewereattheplaylastnight。"
"Ah！"hemurmuredpolitely。"AndwasTalmainveine？"
"Morebrilliantthanever，"answeredshe。
"Heisagreatactor，Citoyenne。"
Ashadeofannoyancecrossedherface。
"WhydoyoualwaysaddressmeasCitoyenne？"sheasked，withsometestiness。
Heturnedatlastandlookedatheramoment。
"Weliveinacensoriousworld，Citoyenne，"heansweredgravely。
Shetossedherheadwithanexclamationofimpatience。
"Weliveinafreeworld，Citizen。Freedomisourmotto。IsitfornothingthatweareRepublicans？"
"Freedomofactionbegetsfreedomofwords，"saidhe，"andfreedomofwordsleadstofreedomofcriticism—andthatisathingtowhichnowisewomanwillexposeherself，nomatterunderwhatregimewelive。Youwouldbewell—advised，Citoyenne，inthinkingofthatwhenyoucomehere。"
"Butyounevercometous，Caron，"shereturned，inavoiceofmildcomplaint。"YouhavenotbeenoncetoDuplay’ssinceyourreturnfromBelgium。Andyouseemdifferent，too，sinceyourjourneytothearmy。"Sherosenowandapproachedhim。"Whatisit，cherCaron？"sheasked，hervoiceaverycaressofseductiveness，hereyeslookingupintohis。"Issomethingtroublingyou？"
"Troublingme？"heechoed，musingly。"No。ButthenIamabusyman，Citoyenne。"
Awaveofredseemedtosweepacrossherface，andherheelbeattheparquetfloor。
"IfyoucallmeCitoyenneagainIshallstrikeyou，"shethreatenedhim。
Helookeddownather，andshehadthefeelingthatbehindtheinscrutablemaskofhiscountenancehewaslaughingather。
"Itwouldsortwellwithyouraudacity，"hemadeanswercoolly。
Shefeltinthatmomentthatshehatedhim，anditwasamiraclethatshedidnotdoasshehadthreatened，forwithallhermeeklookssheownedaveryfiercestoftempers。Shedrewbackapaceortwo，andherglancefell。
"Ishallnottroubleyouinfuture，"shevowed。"Ishallnotcomehereagain。"
Hebowedslightly。
"Iapplaudthewisdomofyourresolve—Cit—Cecile。Theworld，asIhavesaid，iscensorious。"
Shelookedathimasecond，thenshelaughed，butitwaslaughterofthelipsonly；theeyeslookedsteelyasdaggersandascapableofmischief。
"Adieu，CitizenLaBoulaye，"shemurmuredmockingly。
"Aurevoir，CitoyenneDeshaix，"herepliedurbanely。
"Ough！"shegasped，andwiththatsuddenexclamationofpent—upwrath，shewhiskedaboutandwentrustlingtothedoor。
"Citoyenne，"hecalledafterher，"youareforgettingyourflowers。"
Shehalted，andseemedforasecondtohesitate，lookingathimoddly。Thenshecamebacktothetableandtookupherroses。
Againshelookedathim，andletthebouquetfallbackamongthepapers。
"Ibroughtthemforyou，Caron，"shesaid，"andI’llleavethemwithyou。Wecanatleastbefriends，canwenot？"
"Friends？Butwereweeveraughtelse？"heasked。
"Alas！no，"shesaidtoherself，whilstaloudshemurmured："I
thoughtthatyouwouldlikethem。Yourroomhassuchagloomy，sombreair，andafewrosesseemtodiffusesomeofthesunshineonwhichtheyhavebeennurtured。"
"Youaretoogood，Cecile’’heanswered，and，forallhiscoldness，hewastouchedalittlebythisthoughtfulness。
Shelookedupatthealteredtone，andtheexpressionofherfaceseemedtosoften。Butbeforeshecouldmakeanswertherewasarapatthedoor。Itopened，andBrutusstoodinthedoorway。
"Citizen，"heannounced，inhissourtones，"thereisanotherwomanbelowaskingtoseeyou。"
LaBoulayestarted，asagainhisthoughtsflewtoSuzanne，andadullflushcreptintohispalecheeksandmountedtohisbrow。
Cecile’seyeswereuponhim，herglancehardeningassheobservedthesesigns。Bitterenoughhaditbeentoendurehiscoldnesswhilstshehadimaginedthatitsprangfromtheausterityofhisnatureandtheabsorptionofhissoulinmatterspolitical。Butnowthatitseemedshemighthavecausetotemperherbitternesswithjealousyhersoulwasturnedtogall。
"Whatmannerofwoman，Brutus？"heaskedafterasecond’spause。
"Tall，pale，straight，blackhair，blackeyes，silkgown—andsavoursthearistocrataleagueoff，"answeredBrutus。
"Yourofficialseemsgiftedwithaverycomprehensiveeye，"saidCeciletartly。
ButLaBoulayepaidnoheedtoher。Theflushdeepenedonhisface，thenfadedagain，andhegrewoddlypale。Hisofficial’sinventoryofhercharacteristicsfittedMademoiselledeBellecourineverydetail。
"Admither，Brutus，"hecommanded，andhisvoicehadahuskysound。
Then，turningtoCecile，"Youwillgivemeleave？"hesaid，cloakingrudedismissalinitspolitestform。
"Assuredly，"sheansweredbitterly，makingshifttogo。"Yourvisitorisnodoubtpolitical？"shehalf—askedhalf—asserted。
Buthemadenoanswerasheheldthedoorforher，andbowedlowasshepassedout。Withawhitefaceandlipstightlycompressedshewent，andhalf—wayonthestairsshemetahandsomewoman，tallandofqueenlybearing，whoascended。HertoilettelackedtheelaboratenessofCecile’s，butshecarrieditwithanairwhichnotallthemodistesofFrancecouldhavesucceededinimpartingtotheCitoyenneDeshaix。
SodeadwasRobespierre’sniecetoeverysenseoffitnessthat，havingdrawnasidetoletthewomanpass，shestoodgazingafterheruntilshedisappearedroundtheangleofthelanding。Then，inafury，shesweptfromthehouseandintoherwaitingcoach，andasshedrovebacktoDuplay’sintheRueSt。Honoreshewasweepingbitterlyinherjealousrage。
CHAPTERXVII
LABOULAYE’SPROMISE
LaBoulayeremainedamomentbythedoorafterCecile’sdeparture；
thenhemovedawaytowardshisdesk，strivingtomasterthetumultuousthrobbingofhispulses。HiseyealightedonCecile’sroses，and，scarceknowingwhyhedidit，hepickedthemupandflungthembehindabookcase。Itwasbutdonewhenagainthedooropened，andhisofficialusheredinMademoiselledeBellecour。
Oddlyenough，atsightofher，LaBoulayegrewmasterofhimself。
Hereceivedherwithapoliteandveryformalbow—atrifleover—gracefulforapatriot。
"So，Citoyenne，"saidhe，andsocoldwashisvoicethatitseemedeventingedwithmockery，"youarecomeatlast。"
"Icouldnotcomebefore，Monsieur，"sheanswered，trembling。"Theywouldnotletme。"Then，afterasecond’spause："AmItoolate，Monsieur？"sheasked。
"No，"heansweredher。"Theci—devantVicomted’Ombrevalstillliesawaitingtrial。Willyounotbeseated？"
"Idonotlooktoremainlong。"
"Asyouplease，Citoyenne。IhavedelayedOmbreval’strialthinkingthatifnotmyletterwhythenhismightbringyou，soonerorlater，tohisrescue。Itmayinterestyoutohear，"hecontinuedwithanunmistakablenoteofirony，"thatthatbravebuthaplessgentlemanismuchfrettedathisincarceration。"
Ashadowcrossedherface，whichremainedotherwisecalmandcomposed—thebeautiful，intrepidfacethathadmorethanoncebeenLaBoulaye’sundoing。
"Iamgladthatyouhavewaited，Monsieur。Insodoingyouneedhavenodoubtsconcerningme。M。d’Ombrevalismybetrothed，andthetrothIplightedhimbindsmeinhonourtosuccourhimnow。"
LaBoulayelookedsteadilyatherforamoment。
"Uponmysoul，"hesaidatlast，anoteofineffablesarcasmvibratinginhisvoice，"Ishallneverceasetoadmiretheeffronteryofyourclass，andthecoolnesswithwhich，indespiteofdishonourableaction，youmakehigh—soundingtalkofhonourandthethingstowhichitbindsyou。Ihaveadimrecollection，Citoyenne，ofsomethinguncommonlylikeyourtrothwhichyouplightedmeonenightatBoisvert。ButsolittledidthatpromisebindyouthatwhenIsoughttoenforceyourfulfilmentofityoubrokemyheadandleftmetodieintheroad。"
Hiswordsshookheroutofhercalm。Herbosomroseandfell，hereyesseemedtogrowhaggardandherhandswereclaspedconvulsively。
"Monsieur，"sheanswered，"whenIgaveyoumypromisethatnightI
hadeveryintentionofkeepingit。Iswearit，asHeavenismywitness。"
"Youractionsmorethanprovedit，"hesaiddryly。
"Begenerous，Monsieur，"shebegged。"Itwasmymotherprevaileduponmetoaltermydetermination。SheurgedthatIshouldbedishonouredifIdidnot。"
"Thatwordagain！"hecried。"Whatpartitplaysinthelifeofthenoblesse。Allthatitsuitsyoutodo，youdobecausehonourbidsyou，alltowhichyouhaveboundyourselves，butwhichisdistasteful，youdiscoverthathonourforbids，andthatyouwouldbedishonoureddidyoupersist。ButIaminterruptingyou，Citoyenne。Didyourmotheradvanceanyarguments？"
"Thestrongestargumentofalllayhere，inmyheart，Monsieur，"
sheansweredhim，rousedandhardenedbyhisscorn。"Youmustseethatithadbecomewithmeamatterofchoosingthelesseroftwoevils。UponreflectionIdiscoveredthatIwasboundtotwomen，anditbehovedmetokeepthemorebindingofmypledges。"
"WhichyoudiscoveredtobeyourwordtoOmbreval，"hesaid，andhisvoicegrewunconsciouslysofter，forhebegantorealisethequandaryinwhichshehadfoundherself。
Sheinclinedherheadassentingly。
"TohimIhadgiventheearlierpromise，andthen，again，hewasofmyownclasswhilstyou—"
"Spareme，Citoyenne，"hecried。"Iknowwhatyouwouldsay。I
amoftherabble，andoflittlemoreaccountinamatterofhonourthana，beastofthefield。Itisthusthatyoureason，andyet，monDieu！Ihadthoughtthaterenowsuchnotionshaddiedoutwithyou，andthat，stupidenoughthoughyourclasshasproveditself，itwouldatleasthavedisplayedtheintelligencetoperceivethatitsdayisended，itssunset。"Heturnedandpacedtheapartmentashespoke。"TheLiliesofFrancehavebeenshornfromtheirstems，theyhavewitheredbytheroadside，andtheyhavebeentrampledintothedustbythemenofthenewregime，andyetitseemsthatyouothersofthenoblessehavenotlearntyourlesson。YouhavenotyetdiscoveredthathereinFrancethemanwhowasbornatillerofthesoilisstillaman，and，byhismanhood，theequalofaking，who，afterall，canbenomorethanaman，andissometimesless。
Enfin！"heendedbrusquely。"ThisisnottheNationalAssembly，andItalktoearsuntutoredinsuchthings。Letusdealratherwiththebusinessuponwhichyouarecome。"
Sheeyedhimoutofapaleface，witheyesthatseemedfascinated。
Thatshortburstofthefieryeloquencethathadmadehimfamousrevealedhimtoherinanewlight：thelightofastrengthandcapacityaboveandbeyondthatwhich，already，shehadperceivedwashis。
"Willyoubelieve，Monsieur，thatitcostmemanytearstouseyouasIdid？Ifyoubutknew—"Andthereshepausedabruptly。ShehadallbuttoldhimofthekissthatshehadleftuponhisunconsciouslipsthateveningontheroadtoLiege。"MonDieuhowIhatedmyself！"Andsheshudderedasshespoke。
Heobservedallthis，andwithabrusquenessthatwaspartlyassumedhehastenedtoherrescue。
"Whatisdoneisdone，Citoyenne。Come，letusleavereminiscences。
Youareheretoatone，Itakeit。"
Atthatshestarted。Hiswordsremindedherofthoseofhisletter。
"MonsieurLaBoulaye—"
"Ifitisallonetoyou，Citoyenne，Ishouldpreferthatyoucallmecitizen。"
"Citizen，then，"sheamended。"IhavebroughtwithmethegemswhichItoldyouwouldconstitutemydowry。InhislettertometheVicomtesuggestedthat—"Shepaused。
"ThatsomeRepublicanblackguardmightbebribed，"heconcluded，verygently。
Hisgentlenessdeceivedher。Sheimaginedthatitmeantthathemightnotbeunwillingtoacceptsuchabribe，andthereuponshesetherselftopleadwithhim。Helisteneddispassionately，hishandsbehindhisback，hiseyesbentuponher，yetbetrayingnothingofhisthoughts。AtlastshebroughtherprayerforOmbreval’slifetoanend，andproducedasmallleatherbagwhichshesetuponthetable，beseechinghimtosatisfyhimselfastothevalueofthecontents。
Nowatlasthestirred。Hisfacegrewcrimsontotherootsofhishair，andhiseyesseemedofasuddentotakefire。Heseizedthatlittlebagandhelditinhishand。
"Andso，MademoiselledeBellecour，"saidhe，inaconcentratedvoice，"youhavelearntsolittleofmethatyoubringmeabribeofgems。AmIahelot，thatyoushouldoffertobuymyverysoul？
Doyouthinkmyhonourissocheapathingthatyoucanhaveitforthematterofsomebitsofglass？Ordoyouimaginethatweofthenewregime，becausewedonotmouththewordateveryturn，havenosuchthingashonour？Forshame！"Hepaused，hiswrathboilingoverashesoughtwordsinwhichtogiveitutterance。Andthen，wordsfailinghimtoexpressthehalfofwhatwasinhim，heliftedthebaghighabovehishead，andhurleditatherfeetwithaforcethatsenthalftheglitteringcontentsrollingabouttheparquetfloor。"Citoyenne，yourjourneyhasbeeninvain。Iwillnottreatwithyouanotherinstant。"
Sherecoiledbeforehiswrath，awhiteandfrightenedthingthatbutaninstantbackhadbeensocalmandself—possessed。Shegavenothoughttotheflashingjewelsscatteredaboutthefloor。Throughallthefearthatnowpossessedherrosetheconsiderationofthisman—thismanwhomshehadalmostconfessedhalf—shamedlytoherselfthatsheloved，thatnightontheLiegeroad；thismanwhoateveryturnamazedherandfilledherwithanewsenseofhisstrengthanddignity。
Then，bethinkingherofOmbrevalandofhermission，shetookhercourageinbothhands，and，advancingastep，shecastherselfuponherkneesbeforeCaron。
"Monsieur，forgiveme，"shebesoughthim。"Imeantyounoinsult。
HowcouldI，whenmyeverywishistopropitiateyou？Bethinkyou，Monsieur，IhavejourneyedallthewayfromPrussiatosavethatman，becausemyhon—becauseheismybetrothed。Remember，Monsieur，youheldouttomethepromiseinyourletterthatifIcameyouwouldtreatwithme，andthatImightbuyhislifefromyou。"
"Why，soIdid，"heanswered，touchedbyherhumiliationandhertears。"Butyouwenttoofastinyourconclusions。"
"Forgivemethat。See！Iamonmykneestoyou。AmInothumbledenough？HaveInotsufferedenoughforthewrongImayhavedoneyou？"
"ItwouldtakethesufferingsofagenerationtoatoneforthewrongsI
haveenduredatthehandsofyourfamily，Citoyenne。"
"Iwilldowhatyouwill，Monsieur。BethinkyouthatIampleadingforthelifeofthemanIamtomarry。"
Helookeddownuponhernowinanemotionthatinitswaywasaspowerfulasherown。Yethisvoicewashardandsternlygovernedashenowaskedher"Isthatanargument，Mademoiselle？Isitanargumentlikelytoprevailwiththemanwho，forhistwice—confessedloveofyou，hassufferedsoretrials？"
Hefeltthatinawayshehadconqueredhim；hiscareer，whichbutthatdayhadseemedall—sufficingtohim，wasnowfallenintothelimboofdisregard。Theonethingwhosepossessionwouldrenderhislifeahappyone，whoseabsencewouldleavehimnowalastingunhappiness，knelthereathisfeet。Forgottenwerethewrongshehadsuffered，forgottenthepurposetohumbleandtopunish。
Everythingwasforgottenandsilencedbythecompellingvoiceofhisblood，whichcriedoutthathelovedher。Hestoopedtoherandcaughtherwristsinagripthatmadeherwince。Hisvoicegrewtense。
"Ifyouwouldbribemetosavehislife，Suzanne，thereisbutonepricethatyoucanpay。"
"Andthat？"shegaspedhereyeslookingupwithascaredexpressionintohismasterfulface。
"Yourself，"hewhispered，withanardourthatalmostamountedtofierceness。
Shegazedasecondathimingrowingalarm，thenshedraggedherhandsfromhisgrasp，andcoveringherfaceshefella—sobbing。
"Donotmisunderstandme，"hecried，ashestooderectoverher。
"IfyouwouldhaveOmbrevalsavedandsentoutofFranceyoumustbecomemywife。"
"Yourwife？"sheechoed，pausinginherweeping，andforamomentanoddhappinessseemedtofillher。Butassuddenlyasithadarisendidshestifleit。WasshenotthenobledaughterofthenobleMarquisdeBellecourandwasnotthisalowlybornmemberofarabblegovernment？Therecouldbenosuchmating。Ashudderranthroughher。"Icannot，Monsieur，Icannot！"shesobbed。
Helookedatheramomentwithaglancethatwasalmostofsurprise，then，withaslightcompressionofthelipsandthefaintestraisingoftheshoulders，heturnedfromherandstrodeovertothewindow。
TherewasaconsiderableconcourseofpeopleontheirwaytothePlacedelaRepublique，forthehourofthetumbrilswasathand。
Ahalf—dozenofthoseunsexedviragosproducedbytheRevolution，infilthygarments，redbonnetsandstreaminghair，weremarchingbytotheraucouschorusofthe"Caira！"
Heturnedfromthesightindisgust，andagainfacedhisvisitor。
"Citoyenne，"hesaid，inacomposedvoice，"Iamafraidthatyourjourneyhasbeeninvain。"
Sherosenowfromherknees，andadvancedtowardshim。
"Monsieur，youwillnotbesocruelastosendmeawayempty—handed？"
shecried，scarceknowingwhatshewassaying。
Buthelookedathergravely，andwithoutanysignofmelting。
"Onwhat，"heasked，"doyoubaseanyclaimuponme？"
"Onwhat？"sheechoed，andherglancevastroubledwithperplexity。
Thenofasuddenitcleared。"Onthelovethatyouhaveconfessedforme，"shecried。
Helaughedashortlaugh—halfamazement，halfscorn。
"MonDieu！"heexclaimed，tossinghisarmstoHeaven，"afineclaimthat，asIlive；afineargumentbywhichtoinducemetoplaceanothermaninyourarms。IamtodoitbecauseIloveyou！"
Theygazedateachothernow，shewithaglanceofstrainedanxiety，hewiththesamelookofhalf—contemptuouswonder。Andthenacreakingrumblefrombelowattractedhisattention，andhelookedround。Hemovedforwardandthrewthewindowwide，lettinginwiththeMarchairanoddmedleyofsoundstowhichtherollingofdrumsaffordedamostcongruousaccompaniment。
"Look，Citoyenne，"hesaid，andhepointedoutthefirsttumbril，whichwascomingroundthecorneroftheRueSt。Honore。
Sheapproachedwithsomeshrinkingbegottenbyasuspicionofwhatshewasdesiredtosee。
Inthestreetbelow，amongavociferatingcrowdofallsortsandconditions，theblackdeath—cartmovedonitswaytotheguillotine。
ItwasprecededbyacompanyofNationalGuards，andfollowedbythedrummersandanothercompanyonfoot。Withinthefatalvehicletravelledthreemenandtwowomen，accompaniedbyaconstitutionalpriest—oneofthoserenegadeswhohadtakentheoathimposedbytheConvention。Thetwowomensatmotionless，morelikestatuesthanlivingbeings，theirfaceslividandhorriblyexpressionless，sonumbedweretheirintelligencesbyfear。Ofthemen，onestoodcalmanddignified，anotherkneltathisprayers，andwassubject，therefore，tothegreaterportionofthegibesthemobwasofferingthesepoorvictims；thethird，averyelegantgentlemaninagreencoatandbuckskinbreeches，leantnonchalantlyupontherailofthetumbrilandexchangedgibeswiththepeople。Allfiveofthemwereintheprimeoflife，and，bytheirtoilettesandtheairthatclungtothem，belongedunmistakablytothenoblesse。
OneglancedidMademoisellebestowuponthattragicspectacle，thenwithashuddershedrewback，herfacegoingdeathlywhite。
"Whydidyoubidmelook？"shemoaned。