"Thatforyourselfyoumightsee，"heansweredpitilessly，"theroadbywhichyourloveristojourney。"
　　"MonDieu！"shecried，wringingherhands，"itishorrible。Oh！
　　Youarenotmen，youRevolutionists。Youarebeastsofprey，tigersinhumansemblance。"
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Greatinjusticesbegetgreatreactions。Greatwrongscanonlybebalancedbygreatwrongs。Forcenturiesthepowerhaslainwiththearistocrats，andtheyhavemostfoullyabusedit。ForcenturiesthepeopleofFrancehavewrithedbeneaththearmedheelofthenobility，andtheirblood，unjustlyandwantonlyshed，hassaturatedthesoiluntilfromthatseedhassprungthisoverwhelmingretribution。Now—now，whenitistoolate—youarerepenting；
　　now，whenatlastsometwenty—fivemillionFrenchmenhaverisenwithweaponsintheirhandstopurgethenationofyou。Wearenoworsethanwereyou；indeed，notsobad。Itisonlythatwedoinalittlewhile—and，therefore，whileitlastsingreaterquantity—whatyouhavebeendoingthroughcountlessgenerations。"
　　"Sparemethesearguments，Monsieur，"shecried，recoveringherspirit。"The’whys’and’wherefores’ofitarenothingtome。I
　　seewhatyouaredoing，andthatisenough。But，"andhervoicegrewgentleandpleading，herhandswereheldouttohim，"youaregoodatheart，Monsieur；youaregenerousandyoucanbenoble。YouwillgivemethelifethatIhavecometobegofyou；thelifeyoupromisedme。"
　　"Yes，butuponterms，Mademoiselle，andthosetermsyouhaveheard。"
　　Shelookedamomentintothatcalm，setface，intothedarkgreyeyesthatlookedsosolemnandbetrayedsolittleofwhatwaspassingwithin。
　　"Andyousaythatyouloveme？"shecried。
　　"Helas！"hesighed。"ItisaweaknessIcannotconquer。
　　"Lookwelldownintoyourheart，M。LaBoulaye，"sheansweredhim，"
　　andyouwillfindhowegregiousisyourerror。Youdonotloveme；
　　youloveyourself，andonlyyourself。IfyoulovedmeyouwouldnotseektohavemewhenIamunwilling。Aboveallthings，youwoulddesiremyhappiness—itiseversowhenwetrulylove—andyouwouldseektopromoteit。If，indeed，youlovedmeyouwouldgrantmyprayer，andnottorturemeasyouaredoing。Butsinceyouonlyloveyourself，youministeronlytoyourself，andseektowinmebyforcesinceyoudesireme。"
　　Sheceased，andhereyesfellbeforehisglance，whichremainedriveteduponherface。Immovablehestoodamomentortwo，thenheturnedfromherwithalittlesigh，andleaninghiselbowuponthewindow—sill，hegazeddownintothecrowdssurgingaboutthesecondtumbril。Butalthoughhesawmuchtherethatwascalculatedtocompelattention，heheedednothing。Histhoughtswereverybusy，andhewasdoingwhatMademoisellehadbiddenhim。Hewaslookingintohimself。Andfromthatquestioninghegatherednotonlythathelovedher，butthathelovedhersowellandsotrulythat—inspiteevenofallthatwaspassed—hemustdoherwill，anddeliveruptoherthemansheloved。
　　Hisresolvewasbuthalftakenwhenheheardherstirringintheroombehindhim。Heturnedsharplytofindthatshehadgainedthedoor。
　　"Mademoiselle！"hecalledafterher。Shestopped，andassheturned，heobservedthatherlasheswerewet。Butinherhearttherearosenowafreshhope，awakenedbythenamebywhichhehadrecalledher。"Whitherareyougoing？"heasked。
　　"Away，Monsieur，"sheanswered。"Iwasrealisingthatmyjourneyhadindeedbeeninvain。"
　　Helookedatherasecondinsilence。Thensteppingforward：
　　"Mademoiselle，"hesaid，veryquietly，"yourargumentshaveprevailed，anditshallbeasyoudesire。Theci—devantVicomted’Ombrevalshallgofree。"
　　Herfaceseemedtogrowofasuddenpaler，andforaninstantshestoodstillasifrobbedofunderstanding。Thenshecameforwardwithhandsoutheld。
　　"aidInotthatyouweregoodandgenerous？SaidInotthatyoucouldbenoble，Monsieur？"shecried，asshecaughthisresistinghandandsoughttocarryittoherlips。"Godwillblessyou，Monsieur—"
　　Hedrewhishandaway，butwithoutroughness。"Letussaynomore，Mademoiselle，"hebegged。
　　"ButIwill，"sheansweredhim。"Iamnotwithoutheart，Monsieur，andnowthatyouhavegivenmethisproofofthedeepqualityofyourlove，I—"Shepaused，asifatalossforwords。
　　"Well，Mademoiselle？"heurgedher。
　　"Ihaveitinmyhearttowishthat—thatitwereotherwise，"shesaid，hercheeksreddeningunderhisgaze。"IfitwerenotthatI
　　accountmyselfinhonourboundtowedM。leVicomte—"
　　"Stop！"heinterruptedher。Hehadcaughtatlastthedriftofwhatshewassaying。"Thereisnoneedforanycomedy，Suzanne。
　　EnoughofthathadweatBoisvert。"
　　"Itisnotcomedy，"shecriedwithheat。"ItwasnotaltogethercomedyatBoisvert。"
　　"True，"hesaid，wilfullymisunderstandingherthathemightthemoreeasilydismissthesubject，"itwentnearertobeingtragedy。"
　　Thenabruptlyheaskedher：
　　"Whereareyouresiding？"
　　Shepausedbeforereplying。Shestillwantedtoprotestthatsomeaffectionforhimdweltinherheart，althoughcurbed（toagreaterextenteventhanshewasaware）bythedifferenceintheirstations，andcheckedbyherplightedwordtoOmbreval。Atlast，abandoningapurposewhichhiscountenancetoldherwouldbefutile：
　　"IamstayingwithmyoldnurseatChoisy，"sheansweredhim。
　　"HenrietteGodelliereishername。Sheiswellknowninthevillage，andseemsingoodfavourwiththepatriots，sothatIaccountmyselfsafe。Iambelievedtobeherniecefromthecountry。"
　　"Hum！"hesnorted。"TheCitoyenneGodelliere’sniecefromthecountryinsilks？"
　　"Thatiswhatsomeonequestioned，andsheansweredthatitwasagownplunderedfromthewardrobeofsomeemigratedaristocrats。"
　　"Haveacare，Suzanne，"saidhe。"Thetimesaredangerous，anditisamatterofaweekagosinceamanwaslanternefornootherreasonthanbecausehewaswearinggloves，whichwasdeemedanaristocratichabit。Come，Mademoiselle，letusgatherupyourgems。
　　Youweregoingwithoutthemsomemomentsago。"
　　Anddownuponhiskneeshewent，and，takingupthelittlebagwhichhadbeenleftwherehehadflungit，hesethimselftorestorethejewelstoit。Shecametohisassistance，inspiteofhisprotestations，andso，withinamomentortwo，thetaskwascompleted，andthelittletreasurewaspackedawayinthebosomofhergown。
　　"To—morrow，"hesaid，ashetookhisleaveofheratthedoor，"I
　　shallhopetobringtheci—devantVicomtetoChoisy，andIwillseethatheisequippedwithalaissez—passerthatwillcarrybothofyousafelyoutofFrance。"
　　Shewasbeginningtothankhimalloveragain，buthecuthershort，andsotheyparted。
　　Longaftershewasgonedidhesitathiswriting—table，hisheadinhishandsandhiseyesstaringstraightbeforehim。Hisfacelookedgreyandhaggard；thelinesthatseareditwerelinesofpain。
　　"Theysay，"hemurmuredonce，thinkingaloud，asmensometimeswillinmomentsofgreatstress，"thatagoodactionbringsitsownreward。Perhapsmyactionisnotagoodone，afterall，andthatiswhyIsuffer。"
　　And，buryinghisheadinhisarms，heremainedthuswithhissorrowuntilhisofficialenteredtoinquireifhedesiredlights。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　THEINCORRUPTIBLE
　　ItwastowardsnoonofthefollowingdaywhenCaronLaBoulayepresentedhimselfatthehouseofDuplay，thecabinet—makerintheRueSt。Honore，andaskedoftheelderlyfemalewhoadmittedhimifhemightseetheCitizen—deputyRobespierre。
　　Aberlinestoodatthedoor，thepostillionatthehorses’heads，andaboutittherewassomebustle，asifinpreparationofadeparture。ButLaBoulayepaidnoheedtoitasheenteredthehouse。
　　HewasimmediatelyconductedupstairstotheIncorruptible’sapartment—forhewastoowellknowntosomuchasneedannouncing。
　　Inanswertothewoman’sknockagentle，almostplaintivevoicefromwithinbadethementer，andthuswasCaronusheredintothehumbledwellingofthehumbleandineffective—lookingindividualwhosepoweralreadytranscendedthatofanyothermaninFrance，andwhowasdestinedtobecomestillmorebeforehisephemeralstarwentout。
　　Intothatunpretentiousandratherclose—smellingroom—foritwasbed—chamberaswellasdining—roomandstudy—steppedLaBoulayeunhesitatingly，withtheairofamanwhoisintimatewithhissurroundingsandassuredofhiswelcomeinthem。Intheright—handcornerstoodthebedonwhichtheclotheswerestilltumbled；inthecentreofthechamberwasatablealllitteredwiththedisorderofamealpartaken；ontheleft，bythewindow，satRobespierreathiswriting—table，andfromtheovermantelatthebackoftheroomamarblecounterpartofRobespierre’sownheadandshoulderslookeddownuponthenewcomer。Therewereafewpicturesonthewhitewashedwalls，andafewobjectsofartaboutthechamber，butinthemainithadacomfortlessair，whichmayinparthaveresultedfromthefactthatnofirehadbeenlighted。
　　Thegreatmantossedasidehispen，androseasthedoorclosedaftertheenteringvisitor。Pushinghishorn—rimmedspectaclesupontohisforeheadhestretchedouthishandtoLaBoulaye。
　　"Itisyou，Caron，"hemurmuredinthatplaintivevoiceofhis。
　　ItwasavoicethatsortedwellwiththehumanemanwhohadresignedajudgeshipatArrassoonerthanpassadeath—sentence，buthardlysowellwithhimwho，asPublicProsecutorinParis，hadbroughtsomehundredsofheadstothesawdust。"Ihavebeendesiringtocongratulateyouuponyourvictoryofyesterday，"hecontinued，"evenasIhavebeencongratulatingmyselfuponthefactthatitwasIwhofoundyouandgaveyoutotheNation。IfearedthatI
　　mightnotseeyouereIleft。"
　　"YouareleavingParis？"askedLaBoulaye，withoutheedingthecomplimentsintheearlierpartoftheother’sspeech。
　　"Forafewdays。BusinessoftheNation，myfriend。Butyou—
　　letustalkofyou。DoyouknowthatIamproudofyou，cherCaron？
　　YoureloquenceturnedDantongreenwithjealousy，andasforpoorVergniaud，itextinguishedhimutterly。Mafoi！Ifyoucontinueasyouhavebegun，thedaymaynotbefardistantwhenyouwillbecomethepatronandItheProtege。"Andhisweakeyesbeamedpleasantlyfromoutofthatunhealthypaleface。
　　OutwardlyhehadchangedlittlesincehisfirstcomingtoParis，torepresenttheThirdEstateofArtoise，saving，hischeeksweregrownmorehollow。Uponhisdresshestillbestowedthesameunpretentiouscarethathadalwayscharacterisedit，which，inoneofthemostprominentpatriotsoftheMountain，amountedalmosttofoppishness。
　　Bluecoat，whitewaistcoat，silkhoseandshoesbuckledwithsilver，gavehimanelegantexteriorthatmusthaveearnedhimmanyacovertsneerfromhiscolleagues。Hisslopingforeheadwascrownedbyaperiwig，sedulouslycurledandpowdered—forallthatwiththenoblessethiswasalreadyadiscardedfashion。
　　LaBoulayerepliedtohispatron’scomplimentswiththebestgracehecouldcommandconsideringhowfullofanothermatterwashismind。
　　"Imaycongratulatemyself，Maximilien，"headded，"uponmygoodfortuneincomingbeforeyoutookyourdeparture。Ihavearequesttoprefer，afavourtoask。"
　　"Tut！Whotalksoffavours？Notyou，Caron，Ihope。Youhavebuttonamewhatyoudesire，andsothatitlieswithinmypowertoaccordit，thethingisyours。"
　　"ThereisaprisonerintheLuxembourginwhomIaminterested。I
　　seekhisenlargement。"
　　"Butisthatall？"criedthelittleman，and，withoutmoreado，heturnedtohiswriting—tableanddrewaprintedformfromamongthechaosofdocuments。"Hisname？"heaskedindifferently，ashedippedhisquillintheink—hornandscratchedhissignatureatthefootofit。
　　"Anaristocrat，"saidCaron，withsomeslighthesitancy。
　　"Eh？"Andthearchedbrowsdrewtogetherforaninstant。"Butnomatter。ThereareenoughandtospareevenforFouquier—Tinvillle’svoraciousappetite。Hisname？"
　　"Theci—devantVicomteAntoled’Ombreval。"
　　"Qui—ca？"Thequestionrangsharpasapistol—shot，soundingthemorefearfulbyvirtueofthecontrastwiththegentletonesinwhichRobespierrehadspokenhitherto。Thelittleman’sfacegrewevil。"d’Ombreval？"hecried。"Butwhatisthismantoyou？ItisbyyourfavouralonethatIhavelethimlivesolong，butnow—"
　　Hestoppedshort。"Whatisyourinterestinthisman？"hedemanded，andthequestionwassofiercelyputastosuggestthatitwouldbewellforLaBoulayethatheshouldprovethatinterestslightindeed。
　　ButwhateverfeelingsmayhavebeenswayingCaronatthemoment，fearwasnotoneofthem。
　　"Myinterestinhimissufficientlygreattocausemetoseekhisfreedomatyourhands，"heanswered，withcomposure。
　　Robespierreeyedhimnarrowlyforamoment，peeringathimoverhisspectacleswhichhehaddrawndownontohistip—tiltednose。Thenthefiercenessdiedoutofhismienandmannerassuddenlyasithadsprungup。Hebecameoncemoretheweak—looking，ineffectualmanthathadfirstgreetedLaBoulaye：urbaneandquiet，butcold—coldasice。
　　"Iamdesolated，mydearCaron，butyouhaveaskedmefortheonemanintheprisonsofFrancewhoselifeIcannotyieldyou。HeisfromArtois，andthereisanoldscore’twixthimandme，’twixthisfamilyandmine。Theywerethegrandsseigneursofthelandonwhichwewereborn，theseOmbrevals，andIcouldtellyouofwrongscommittedbythemwhichwouldmakeyoushudderinhorror。Thisoneshallatoneinthesmallmeasurewecanenforcefromhim。ItwastothisendthatIorderedyoutoeffecthiscapture。Havepatience，dearCaron，andforgivemethatIcannotgrantyourrequest。AsI
　　havesaid，Iamdesolatedthatitshouldbeso。Askme，ifyouwill，thelifeofanyother—oranydozenothers—andtheyareyours。ButOmbrevalmustdie。"
　　Caronstoodamomentinsilentdismay。HerewasanobstacleuponwhichhehadnotcountedwhenhehadpassedhiswordtoSuzannetoeffectthereleaseofherbetrothed。Atallcostshemustgainit，hetoldhimself，andtothatendhenowsethimselftoplead，advancing，ashisonlyargument—butadvancingitwithafervourthataddedtoitsweight—thathestoodpledgedtosavetheci—devantVicomte。Robespierrelookedupathimwithashadeofpoliteregretuponhiscadaverousface，andwithpoliteregrethedeploredthatCaronshouldhavesoboundhimself。
　　Soabsorbedwerethey，theoneinpleading，theotherinresisting，thatneithernoticedtheopeningofthedoor，noryetthegirlwhostoodobservingthemfromthethreshold。
　　"Ifthismandies，"criedLaBoulayeatlast，"Iamdishonoured。
　　"Itisregrettable，"returnedRobespierre，"thatyoushouldhavepledgedyourwordinthematter。Youwillconfess，Caron，thatitwasalittleprecipitate。Enfin，"heended，crumplingthedocumenthehadsignedandtossingitunderthetable，"youmustextricateyourselfasbestyoucan。Iamsorry，butIcannotgivehimtoyou。"
　　Caron’sfacewasverywhiteandhishandswereclenchedconvulsively。
　　ItisquestionablewhetherinthatmomenthehadnotflunghimselfupontheIncorruptible，andenforcedthatwhichhithertohehadonlybesought，butthatinthatinstantthegirlsteppedintotheroom。
　　"Andisitreallyyou，Caron？"camethemelodiousvoiceofCecile。
　　LaBoulayestartedroundtoconfronther，andstifledacurseattheuntimelyinterruptionwhichRobespierrewasblessingasmosttimely。
　　"Itis—itis，Citoyenne，"heansweredshortly，toaddmoreshortlystill："IamhereonbusinesswiththeCitizen，youruncle。"
　　Butbeforethegirlcouldsomuchasappreciatetherebukehelevelledatherintrusion，herunclehadcometotherescue。
　　"Thebusiness，however，isatanend。TakechargeofthisgoodCaron，Cecile，whilstImakereadyformyjourney。"
　　Thus，soreatheart，andchagrinedbeyondwords，LaBoulayewasforcedtorealisehisdefeat，andtoleavethepresenceoftheIncorruptible。ButwithCecilehewentnofartherthanthelanding。
　　"Ifyouwillexcuseme，Citoyenne，"hesaidabstractedly，"Iwilltakemyleaveofyou。"
　　"ButIshallnotexcuseyou，Caron，"shesaid，refusingtoseehisabstraction。"Youwillstaytodinner—"
　　"Iamsorrybeyondmeasure，but—"
　　"Youshallstay，"sheinterrupted。"Come，Caron。Itismonthssinceyouwerewithus。Wewillmakealittlefeteinhonourofyouryesterday’striumph，"shepromisedhim，sidlinguptohimwithabewitchingglanceofblueeyes，andthemostdistractingtossofgoldencurlsuponanivoryneck。
　　ButtosuchseductionsCaronprovedasimperviousasmightamanofstone。Heexcusedhimselfwithcoldpoliteness。TheNation’sbusinesswasawaitinghim；hemightnotstay。
　　"TheNation’sbusinessmayawaityoualittlelonger，"shedeclared，takingholdofhisarmwithbothhands，andhadsheleftitatthatitispossiblethatshehadwonherwaywithhim。Butmostindiscreetlysheadded：
　　"Come，Caron，youshalltellmewhowasyouryesterday’svisitor。
　　Doyouknowthatthesightofhermademejealous？Wasitnotfoolishinme？"
　　Andnow，fromcoldpoliteness，LaBoulayepassedtohotimpoliteness。
　　Roughlyheshookherdetaininghandsfromhim，andwithhardlysomuchasawordoffarewell，hepasseddownthestairs，leavingherwhitewithpassionattheslighthehadtherebyputuponher。
　　Thebeautyseemedtopassoutofherfacemuchasthemeeknesswaswonttopassoutofheruncle’swhenhewasroused。Herblueeyesgrewsteelyandcruelasshelookedafterhim。
　　"Wait，Caron，"shemutteredtoherself，"Iwillcryquitswithyou。"
　　Andthen，withasobofanger，sheturnedandmountedthestairstoherapartments。
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　THETHEFT
　　LaBoulayesatoncemoreintheRueNationaleandwithhisheadinhishands，hiselbowssupportedbythewriting—table，hestaredbeforehim，hisfacedrawnwiththepainandangerofthedefeathehadsustainedwherenodefeathadbeenexpected。
　　HehadbeensoassuredthathehadbuttoaskforOmbreval’slife，anditwouldbeaccordedhim；hehadpromisedSuzannewithsuchconfidence—boastingalmost—thathecoulddothis，andtodoithehadpledgedhisword。Andnow？Forveryshamehecouldnotgotoherandtellherthatdespitehisfinepromisesdespitehisboldbargaining，hewasaspowerlesstoliberateOmbrevalaswassheherself。
　　Andwithreflectionhecametoseethatevendidhebearhersuchataleshewouldnotbelieveit。Theinfiniteassuranceofhispower，implicitineverythingthathehadsaidtoher，mustnowariseinhermemory，andgivethelietohispresentconfessionofpowerlessness。Shewouldnotbelievehim，anddisbelievinghim，shewouldseekamotiveforthewordsthatshewoulddeemuntrue。
　　Andthatmotiveshewouldnotfindfartoseek。Shewouldaccounthispresentattitudetheconsummationofamiserablesubterfugebywhichhesoughttowinherconfidenceandesteem。Shewould—shemust—believethathehadbutmadeasemblanceofbefriendinghersodisinterestedlyonlythathemightenlistherkindnessandregard，andturnthempresentlytohisownpurposes。Shewouldinferthathehadposedasunselfish—asself—sacrificing，almost—onlythathemightwinheresteem，andthatbytellinghernowthatRobespierrewasinflexibleinhisresolvetosendOmbrevaltotheguillotine，hesoughttoretainthatesteemwhilstdoingnothingforit。ThathehadeverintendedtosaveOmbrevalshewouldnotcredit。Shewouldthinkitallacunningschemetowinhisownends。Andnowhebethoughthimofthegriefthatwouldbesetheruponlearningthatherjourneyhadindeedbeenfruitless。Hesmotethetableablowwithhisclenchedhand，andcursedthewholeRepublic，fromRobespierredowntothemeanestsans—culottethatbrayedtheCairainthestreetsofParis。
　　Hehadpledgedhisword，andforallthathebelongedtotheclasswhoserighttohonourwasdeniedbythearistocrats，hiswordhehadneveryetbroken。Thatcircumstance—aspersonifiedbyMaximilienRobespierre—shouldbreakitforhimnowwasmatterenoughtoenragehim，forthanthisneverhadtherebeenanoccasiononwhichsuchabreachcouldhavebeenlessendurable。
　　Herosetohisfeet，andsethimselftopacethechamber，driventoactionofbodybytheagonisedactivityofhismind。Fromthestreetrosethecryofthepastry—cookgoinghisdailyrounds，asithadrisenyesterday，heremembered，whenSuzannehadbeenwithhim。Andnowofasuddenhestoodstill。Hislipswerecompressed，hisbrowsdrawntogetherinaforbiddingscowl，andhiseyesnarroweduntiltheyseemedalmostclosed。Thenwithhisclenchedrighthandhesmotetheopenpalmoftheother。Hisresolvewastaken。Byfairmeansorfoul，withRobespierre’ssanctionorwithoutit，hewouldkeephisword。AfternotonlythehopebuttheassurancehehadgivenSuzannethatherbetrothedshouldgofree，hecoulddonolessthanaccomplishtheVicomte’senlargementbywhatevermeansshouldpresentthemselves。
　　Andnowtoseekaway。HerecalledthefreepardontowhichRobespierrehadgonethelengthofappendinghissignature。Herememberedthatithadnotbeendestroyed；Robespierrehadcrumpleditinhishandandtosseditaside。AndbynowRobespierrewouldhavedeparted，anditshouldnotbedifficultforhim—theprotegeandintimateofRobespierre—togainaccesstotheIncorruptible’sroom。
　　IfonlyhecouldfindthatdocumentandfillinthenameofOmbrevalthethingwouldbeasgoodasdone。True，hewouldrequirethesignaturesofthreeotherDeputies；butoneofthesehecouldsupplyhimself，andanothertwowereeasilytoberequisitioned，seeingthatalreadyitboreRobespierre’s。
　　Andthenassuddenlyastheideaofthemeanshadcometohim，camenowthespectreoftheconsequencestoaffrighthim。HowwoulditfarewithhimonRobespierre’sreturn？HowangeredwouldnotRobespierrebeupondiscoveringthathiswisheshadbeensetatnaught，hisverymeasurescontravened—andthisbyfraud？AndthanRobespierre’sangertherewerefewthingsmoreterriblein’93。Itwasanangerthatshoreawayheadsasrecklesslyaswaysideflowersareflickedfromtheirstemsbytheidler’scane。
　　Foraseconditdauntedhim。Ifhedidthisthinghemustseekrefugeinflight；hemustleaveFrance，abandonthecareerwhichwassofullofpromiseforhim，andwanderabroad，apennilessfortune—hunter。Wellmighttheprospectgivehimpause。Wellmightitcausehimtosurveythatpale，sardoniccountenancethateyedhimgloomilyfromthemirrorabovehismantelshelf，andaskitmockinglyifitthoughtthatSuzannedeBellecour—orindeed，anywomanliving—wereworthyofsogreatasacrifice。
　　Whathadshedoneforhimthatheshouldcastawayeverythingforhersake？Onceshehadtoldhimthatshelovedhim，onlytobetrayhim。Wasthatawomanforwhomamanshouldwantonhisfortunes？
　　Andthenhesmiledderisively，mockinghisreflectionsinthemirrorevenashemockedhimself。
　　"Poorfool，"hemuttered，"itisnotforthesakeofwhatyouaretoher。Wereitforthatalone，youwouldnotstirafingertogratifyherwishes。Itisforthesakeofwhatsheistoyou，Caron。"
　　Heturnedfromthemirror，hisresolvenowfirm，andgoingtothedoorhecalledhisofficial。BrieflyheinstructedBrutustouchingthepackingofavalise，whichhewouldprobablyneedthatnight。
　　"Youaregoingajourney，Citizen？"inquiredBrutus，towhichLaBoulayereturnedashortanswerintheaffirmative。"DoIaccompanyyou？"inquiredtheofficial，towhichLaBoulayeshookhishead。
　　AtthatBrutus，who，forallhisinsolenceofmanner，wasverydevotedlyattachedtohisemployer，brokeintoremonstrances，impertinentofdictionbutaffectionateoftenor。HeprotestedthatLaBoulayehadlefthimbehind，andlonely，duringhismissiontothearmyinBelgium，andhevowedthathewouldnotbeleftbehindagain。
　　"Well，well；weshallsee，Brutus，"answeredtheDeputy，layinghishanduponthefellow’sshoulder。"ButIamafraidthatthistimeI
　　amgoingfartherthanyouwouldcaretocome。"
　　Theman’sferretyeyeswereraisedofasuddentoLaBoulaye’sfaceinaverysearchingglance。Caron’stonehadbeenladenwithinsinuation。
　　"Youarerunningway，"criedtheofficial。
　　"Sh！MygoodBrutus，whatfolly！WhyshouldIrunaway—andfromwhom，pray？"
　　"Iknownotthat。Butyouare。Ihearditinyourvoice。Andyoudonottrustme，CitizenLaBoulaye，"thefellowadded，inastrickenvoice。"Ihaveservedyoufaithfullythesetwoyears，andyetyouhavenotlearnttotrustme。"
　　"Ido，Ido，myfriend。Yougotoofastwithyourconclusions。Nowseetomyvalise，andonmyreturnperhapsI’lltellyouwhereIamgoing，andputyourfidelitytothetest。"
　　"Andyouwilltakemewithyou？"
　　"Why，yes，"LaBoulayepromisedhim，"unlessyoushouldprefertoremaininParis。"
　　Withthathegotawayandleavingthehouse，hewalkedbrisklyupthestreet，roundthecorner，andonuntilhestoodoncemorebeforeDuplay’s。
　　"HastheCitizenRobespierredepartedyet？"heinquiredofthewomanwhoansweredhisperemptoryknock。
　　"Hehasbeengonethishour，CitizenLaBoulaye，"sheanswered。
　　"Hestartedalmostimmediatelyafteryoulefthim。"
　　"Diable！"grumbledCaron，withwell—feignedannoyance。"Quelcontretemps！Ihaveleftamostimportantdocumentinhisroom，and，ofcourse，itwillbelocked。"
　　"ButtheCitoyenneCecilehasthekey，"answeredthewoman，eagertoobligehim。
　　"Why，yes—naturally！Nowthatisfortunate。WillyoudomethefavourtoprocurethekeyfromheCitoyenneforafewmoments，tellingher，ofcourse，thatitisIwhoneedit？"
　　"Butcertainly，Montez，Citoyen。"Andwithawaveofthehandtowardsthestairsshewentbeforehim。
　　Hefollowedleisurely，andbythetimehehadreachedRobespierre’sdoorhervoicefloateddowntohimfromabove，callingtheIncorruptible’sniece。NextheheardCecile’svoicereplying，andthenawhisperedconferenceonthelandingoverhead，totheaccompanimentoftheoccasionaltinkleofabunchofkeys。
　　Presentlythedomesticreturned，andunlockingthedoor，shehelditopenforLaBoulayetopass。FromherattitudeitseemedtoCaronasifshewereintentioned—probablyshehadbeeninstructed—toremaintherewhileheobtainedwhathesought。Nowhehadnomindthatsheshouldseehimmakinghisquestamongthewastedpapersonthefloor，andso：
　　"Ishallnotbemorethanafewminutes，"heannouncedquietly。"I
　　willcallyouwhenIamreadytodepart。"
　　Thusuncompromisinglydismissed，shedidnotventuretoremain，and，passingin，LaBoulayeclosedthedoor。Asgreatashadbeenhisdeliberationhithertowasnowthefeverishhastewithwhichhecrossedtothespotwherehehadseenthedocumentflung。HecaughtupacrumpledsheetandopeneditoutItwasnotthethinghesought。
　　Hecastitasideandtookupanotherwithnobetterluck。TocrumplediscardedpapersseemedthehabitoftheIncorruptible，fortherewasaverylitterofthemontheground。OneafteranotherdidCaroninvestigatewithoutsuccess。Hewasonhiskneesnow，andhisexplorationhadcarriedhimasfarasthetable；anothermomentandhewasgrovellingunderit，stillathissearch，whichwitheachfreshdisappointmentgrowmorefeverish。
　　Yonder—bythelegoftheIncorruptible’schair—heespiedtheballofpaper，andtoreachithestretchedtohisfulllength，lyingpronebeneathatableinanattitudescarcebecomingaDeputyoftheFrenchRepublic。Butitwasworththeeffortandthedisregardofdignity，forwhenpresentlyonhiskneeshesmoothedoutthatdocument，hediscoveredittobetheonehesoughttheorderuponthegaolersoftheLuxembourgtosetatlibertyapersonorpersonswhosenamesweretobefilledin，signedbyMaximilienRobespierre。
　　Herose，absorbedinhissuccessfulfind，andhepursueduponthetabletheprocessofsmoothingthecreasesasmuchaspossiblefromthatpricelessdocument。ThatdonehetookupapenandattachedhisownsignaturealongsideofRobespierre’s；thenintotheblankspaceabovehefilledthenameofAnatoled’Ombrevalci—devantVicomted’Ombreval。Hedroppedthepenandtookupthesand—box。
　　Hesprinkledthewriting，creasedthepaper，anddustedthesandbackintothereceptacle。Andthenofasuddenhisbloodseemedtofreeze，andbeadsofcoldsweatstoodoutuponhisbrow。Therehadbeentheveryslighteststirbehindhim，andwithithadcomeawarmbreathuponhisbowedneck。Someonewaslookingoverhisshoulder。Aninstantheremainedinthatbowedattitudewithheadhalf—raised。ThensuddenlystraighteninghimselfheswungroundandcamefacetofacewithCecileDeshaix。
　　Confrontingeachotherandveryclosetheynowstoodandeachwasbreathingwithmorethannormalquickness。Hercheekswerewhite，hernostrilsdilatedandquivering，herblueeyesbalefulandcruel，whilstherlipsworeneversofaintasmile。ForasecondLaBoulayelookedtheverypictureoffoolishnessandalarm。Thenitseemedasifhedrewacurtain，andhisfaceassumedtheexpressionlessmaskthatwashabitualtoitinmomentsofgreattension。
　　Instinctivelyheputbehindhimhishandswhichheldthepaper。
　　Cecile’slipstookonanaddedcurlofscornassheobservedtheact。
　　"Youthief！"shesaid，verylow，butveryfiercely。"Thatwasthepaperthatyouleftbehindyou，wasit？"
　　"ThepaperthatIhaveiscertainlythepaperthatIleftbehind，"
　　heansweredserenely，forhehadhimselfwellinhandbynow。"Andasfordubbingmeathiefsoreadily"—hepaused，andshruggedhisshoulders—"youareawoman，"heconcluded，withanairsuggestingthatthatfactwasaconclusiontoallthings。
　　"Fool！"sheblazed。"Doyouthinktoovercomemebyquibbles？Doyouthinktodupemewithwordsandshrugs？"
　　"MydearCecilehebeggedhalf—whimsically，"mayIimploreyoutousesomerestraint？InuredasIamtotheunboundedlicenceofyourtongueandtotheabandonthatseemssoinherentinyou，letmeassureyouthat—"
　　"Ah！YoucansayCecilenow？"shecried，leavingtheremainderofhisspeechunheeded。"Nowthatyouneedme；nowthatyouwantmetobeapartytoyourtreacherousdesignsagainstmyuncle。Oh，youcansay’Cecile’and’dearCecile’insteadofyoureverlasting’Citoyenne’。
　　"ItseemsIamdoomedtobealwaysmisunderstoodbyyou，"helaughed，andatthesoundshestartedasifhehadstruckher。
　　Hadshebutlookedinhiseyesshehadseennolaughterthere；shemighthaverealisedthatmurderratherthanmirthwasinhissoul—
　　for，atallcosts，hewasdeterminedtoholdthepaperhehadbeenatsuchpainstoget。
　　"Iunderstandyouwellenough，"shecriedhotly，hercheeksflamingredofasudden。"Iunderstandyou，youthief，youtrickster。DoyouthinkthatIheardnothingofwhatpassedthismorningbetweenmyuncleandyou？DoyouthinkIdonotknowwhosenameyouhavewrittenonthatpaper？Answerme，"shecommandedhim。
　　"Sinceyouknowsomuch，whatneedforanyquestions？"quothhecoolly，transferringthecovetedpapertohispocketashespoke。
　　"AndsincewearesofaragreedthatIamnotcontradictinganythingyousay—nor，indeed，intendto—perhapsyouwillseetheconvenienceofendinganinterviewthatpromisestobefruitless。
　　MydearCecile，Iamverygratefultoyouforthekeyofthisroom。
　　IbegthatyouwillmakemycomplimentstotheCitizenyouruncleuponhisreturn，andinformhimofhowthoroughlyyouministeredtomywants。"
　　Withthatandasuperbairofinsouciance，hemadeshifttogo。Butfrontinghimshebarredhisway。
　　"Givemethatpaper，sclerat，"shedemandedimperiously。"Youshallnotgountilyousurrenderit。GiveittomeorIwillcallDuplay。"
　　"YoumaycallthedevilforaughtIcare，youlittlefool，"heansweredher，verypleasantly。"DoyouthinkDuplaywillbemadenoughtolayhandsuponaDeputyoftheConventioninthedischargeoftheaffairsoftheNation？"
　　"Itisalie！"
　　"Why，ofcourseitis，"headmittedsweetly。"ButDuplaywillnotbeawareofthat。"
　　"Ishalltellhim。"
　　"Tut！Hewon’tbelieveyou。I’llthreatenhimwiththeguillotineifhedoes。AndIshouldthinkthatDuplayhassufficientdreadofthenationalbarbernottoriskhavinghistoiletperformedbyhim。
　　Now，bereasonable，andletmepass。"
　　Enragedbeyondmeasurebyhispersiflageandverymanifestcontemptofher，shesprangsuddenlyuponhim，andcaughtatthelapelsofhisredingote。
　　"Givemethatpaper！"shescreamed，exertingherentirestrengthinavainefforttoboldlyshakehim。
　　Coldlyheeyedthisgolden—hairedviragonow，andlookedinvainforsometraceofherwontedbeautyinthestormydistortionofherface。
　　"Yougrowtiresomewithyourrepetitions，"heansweredherimpatiently，as，snatchingatherwrists，hemadeherreleaseherhold。"Letmego。"Andwiththatheflungherroughlyfromhim。
　　Asecondshestaggered，then，recoveringherbalanceandwithoutaninstant’shesitation，shespedtothedoor。ImaginingherintenttobetolockhiminLaBoulayesprangafterher。Butitseemedthathismindhadbeenmoreswifttofastenuponthewisercoursethanhadhers。Instead，shesnatchedthekeyandclosedthedoorontheinside。Shewastedamomentfumblingatthelock，andevenashecaughtherbythewaistthekeyslippedin，andbeforehedraggedherbackshehadcontrivedtoturnit，andnowhelditinherhand。
　　Helaughedatrifleangrilyasshetwistedoutofhisgrasp，andstoodpantingbeforehim。
　　"Youshallnotleavethisroomwiththatpaper，"shegasped，herangereverswelling，andnowrenderingherspeechalmostincoherent。
　　Hesethisarmsakimbo，andsurveyedherwhimsically。
　　"MydearCecile，"quothhe，"ifyouwilltakenothoughtformyconvenience，Ibegthat，atleast，youwilltakesomeforyourgoodname。Thousanddevilswoman！WillyouhaveitsaidinParisthatyouwerefoundlockedinaroomwithme？Whatwillyouruncle—
　　yourvirtuous，prudish，incorruptibleuncle—saywhenhelearnsofit？Ifhedoesnotdemandaheavypricefromyouforsodishonouringhim，heisnotthemanIdeemhim。Nowbesensible，child，andopenthatdoorwhilethereisyettime，andbeforeanybodydiscoversusinthismostcompromisingsituation。"
　　Hestruckthetonemostlikelytowinhimobedience，andthathehadjudgedastutelyherfaceshowedhim。Intheplaceoftheangerthathaddistortedittherecamenowintothatcountenancealookofsurpriseandfear。Shesawherselfbaffledateverypoint。ShehadthreatenedhimwithDuplay—theonlymanavailable—andhehadshownherhowfutileitmustprovetosummonhim。Andnowshehadlockedherselfinwithhim，thinkingtositthereuntilheshoulddoherwill，andheshowedherthedangertoherselftherein，whichhadescapedhernotice。
　　Therewasasettleclosebehindher，andontothisshesank，andbendingherheadsheopenedthefloodgatesofherpassionatelittlesoul，andlettheragethathadsolongpossessedherdissolveintears。AtsightofthatsuddenchangeoffrontLaBoulayestampedhisfoot。Heappreciatedthefactthatshewasabouttofighthimwithweaponsthatonapreviousoccasion—when，however，itistrue，theywerewieldedbyanother—hadaccomplishedhisundoing。
　　Andforallthathesteeledhisheart，andevokedthememoryofSuzannetostrengthenhiminhispurpose：heapproachedherwithakindlyexterior。Hesathimdownbesideher；heencompassedherwaistwithhisarm，anddrawinghertohimhesethimselftosootheherasonesoothesawilfulchild。Hadhethenrecalledwhatherattitudehadbeentowardshiminthepasthehadthoughttwicebeforeadoptingsuchacourse。Butinhismindtherewasnosentimentthatwasnotbrotherly，andfarfromhiswisheswasittoinvesthisactionwithanyotherthanafraternalkindness。
　　Butshe，feelingthatcaressingarmabouther，andfiredbyitinherhaplesspassionforthisman，wasquicktomisinterprethim，andtotranslatehisattitudeintooneofakindnessfarbeyondhisdreams。Shenestledclosertohim；athisbiddingherweepingdieddownandceased。
　　"There，Cecile，youwillgivemethekeynow？"hebegged。
　　Sheglancedupathimshylythroughwetlashes—aspeepsthesunthroughAprilclouds。
　　"ThereisnothingIwillnotdoforyou，Caron，"shemurmured。"See，Iwillevenhelpyoutoplaythetraitoronmyuncle。Foryoulovemealittle，cherCaron，isitnotso？"
　　Hefelthimselfgrowcoldfromheadtofoot，andhegrewsickatthethoughtthatbytheindiscretionofhisclumsysympathyhehadbroughtthisdownuponhislucklesshead。Mechanicallyhisarmrelaxedtheholdofherwaistandfellaway。Instinctivelysheapprehendedthatallwasnotasshehadthought。Sheturnedontheseattofacehimsquarely，andcaughtsomethingofthedismayinhisglanceoftheloathingalmost（forwhatismoreloathsometoamanthantobewooedbyawomanhedesiresnot？）Gradually，inchbyinch，shedrewawayfromhim，everfacinghim，andhereyeseveronhis，asiffascinatedbythehorrorofwhatshesaw。Thusuntiltheextremityofthesettlepermittedhertogonofarther。Shestarted，thenherglanceflickereddown，andshegaveasuddengaspofpassion。SimultaneouslythekeyrangontheboardsatCaron’sfeetangrilyflungtherebyCecile。
　　"Go！"sheexclaimed，inasuffocatingvoice，"andneverletmeseeyourfaceagain。"
　　Forasecondortwohesatquitestill，hiseyesobservingherwithalookofineffablepity，whichmighthaveincreasedherdisorderhadsheperceivedit。Thenslowlyhestooped，andtookupthekey。
　　Herosefromthesettle，andwithoutaword—forwordsherealised，coulddonomorethanheightenthetragicbanalityofthesituation—hewenttothedoor，unlockedit，andpassedout。
　　HuddledinhercornersatCecile，listeninguntilhisstepshaddiedawayonthestairs。Thenshecastherselfproneuponthesettle，andinafrenzyofsobsandtearssheventedsomeoftherageandshamethatweredistractingher。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　THEGRATITUDEOFOMBREVAL
　　WhatLaBoulayemayhavelackedinknowledgeofwoman’swayshemadeupforbyhisknowledgeofCecile，andfromthisheapprehendedthattherewasnotimetobelostifhewouldcarryouthispurpose。
　　Touchingherdismissalofhim，hepermittedhimselfnoillusions。
　　Herateditatitstruevalue。Hesawinitnosignofrelentingofgenerosity，butonlyadesiretoputanendtotheshamewhichhispresencewasoccasioningher。
　　Hecouldimaginethelengthstowhichthethirstofvengeancewouldurgeascornedwoman，andofallwomenhefeltthatCecilescornedwasthemosttobefeared。Shewouldnotsitwithfoldedhands。
　　Oncesheovercamethefirsttempestuousoutburstofherpassionshewouldbeupanddoing，strainingeverysensetooutwitandthwarthiminhisproject，whosescopeshemusthavemorethanguessed。
　　Reasoningthus，heclearlysawnotonlythateverymomentwasofvalue，butthatflightwastheonlythingremaininghimifhewouldsavehimselfaswellasOmbreval。Andsohehiredhimacabriolet，anddroveinallhastetothehouseofBillaudVarennes，theDeputy，fromwhomhesoughttoobtainoneofthetwosignaturesstillneededbyhisorderofrelease。HewasdisappointedatlearningthatVarenneswasnotathome—though，hadhebeenabletopeepanhourorsointothefuture，hewouldhaveofferedupthankstoHeavenforthatsameDeputy’sabsence。HisinsistentandimpatientquestionselicitedtheinformationthatprobablyVerenneswouldbefoundatFevrier’s。AndsotoFevrier’sfamousrestaurantintheoldPalaisRoyalwentLaBoulaye，andtherehehadthegoodfortunetofindnotonlyBillaudVarennes，butalsotheDeputyCarnot。Nordidfortuneendherfavoursthere。ShewassmilingnowuponCaron，aswasprovedbythefactthatneithertoVarennesnorCarnotdidthenameofOmbrevalmeananything。Robespierre’ssubscriptionofthedocumentwasacceptedbyeachasaffordinghimasufficientwarranttoappendhisownsignature，andalthoughCarnotaskedaquestionortwo，itwasdoneinanidlehumour，andhepaidlittleattentiontosuchrepliesasCaronmadehim。
　　Withinfiveminutesofenteringtherestaurant，LaBoulayewasinthestreetagain，driving，bywayofthePontNeuf，totheLuxembourg。
　　Attheprisonheencounterednottheslightestdifficulty。Hewasknownpersonallytotheofficer，ofwhomhedemandedthepersonoftheci—devantVicomte，andhisorderofreleasewastoocorrecttogiverisetoanyhesitationonthepartofthemantowhomitwassubmitted。Hewasleftwaitingafewmomentsinachamberthatdiddutyasaguard—room，andpresentlytheVicomte，lookingpale，andtremblingwithexcitementathissuddenrelease，stoodbeforehim。
　　"You？"hemuttered，uponbeholdingLaBoulaye。ButtheRepublicanreceivedhimverycoldly，andhurriedhimoutoftheprisonwithscantceremony。
　　TheofficerattendedtheDeputytothedoorofhiscabriolet，andinhishearingCaronbadethecoachmandrivetothePorteSt。Martin。
　　This，however，wasnomorethanasubterfugetowhichhewasresortingwithaviewtobafflingthelaterpossibilityoftheirbeingtraced。Ombrevalnaturallyenoughpliedhimwithquestionsastheywent，towhichLaBoulayereturnedsuchcurtanswersthatintheend，discouragedandoffended，thenoblemanbecamesilent。
　　ArrivedatthePorteSt。Martintheyalighted，andLaBoulayedismissedthecarriage。OnfoothenowledhiscompanionasfarasthechurchofSt。NicholasdesChamps，wherehehiredasecondcabriolet，biddingthemandrivehimtotheQuaidelaGreve。
　　Havingreachedtheriversidetheyoncemoretookashortwalk，crossingbythePontauChange，andthencemakingtheirwaytowardsNotreDame，intheneighbourhoodofwhichLaBoulayeusheredtheVicomteintoathirdcarriage，andthinkingthatbynowtheyhaddoneallthatwasneededtoeffacetheirtracks，heorderedthemantoproceedasquicklyaspossibletoChoisy。
　　TheyarrivedatthatlittlevillageontheSeineanhourorsolater，andhavingridthemselvesoftheirconveyance，CaroninquiredanddiscoveredthewaytothehouseofCitoyenneGodelliere。
　　Mademoisellewaswithin，andatsoundofCaron’svoicequestioningtheerstwhileservantwhohadbefriendedher，shemadehastetoshowherself。Andatawordfromher，Henrietteadmittedthetwomenandusheredthemintoamodestparlour，wheresheleftthemwithMademoiselle。
　　LaBoulayewasthefirsttospeak。
　　"ItrustthatIhavenotkeptyouwaitingoverlong，Citoyenne，"hesaid，bywayofsayingsomething。
　　"Monsieur，"sheansweredhim，withalookthatwasfullofgratitudeandkindliness"youhavebehavednobly，andtomydyingdayIshallrememberit。"
　　ThisLaBoulayedeprecatedbyagesture，bututterednowordastheVicomtenowsteppedforwardandboreSuzanne’shandtohislips。
　　"Mademoiselle，"saidhe，"MonsieurLaBoulayeherewasveryreticenttouchingthemannerinwhichmyreleasehasbeengained。ButIneverdoubtedthatIowedittoyourgoodefforts，andthatyouhadadoptedthecoursesuggestedtoyoubymyletter，andboughtmefromtheRepublic。"
　　LaBoulayeflushedslightlyasmuchatthecontemptuoustoneasatthewordsinwhichOmbrevalreferredtotheRepublic。
　　"Itisnottomebuttoourgoodfriend，M。LaBoulaye，thatyoushouldaddressyourthanks，Monsieur。"
　　"Ah？Vraiment？"exclaimedtheVicomte，turningasuperciliouseyeupontheDeputy，forwithhisfreedomheseemedtohaverecoveredhisoldhabits。
　　"IhavenotsoldyoutotheCitoyenne，"saidLaBoulaye，thewordsbeingdrawnfromhimbytheother’smanner。"Iammakingherapresentofyou—asortofweddinggift。"Andhislipssmiled，forallthathiseyesremainedhard。
　　Ombrevalmadehimnoanswer，butstoodlookingfromtheDeputytoSuzanneinsomehesitation。Theexpressionswhichhisveryloftydignityprompted，hissenseoffitness—feeblethoughitwas—
　　forbadehim。Andsotherefollowedapause，which，however，wasbutbrief，forLaBoulayehadyetsomethingtosay。
　　IthadjustcometohimwithadismayingforcethatinthehasteofhisescapefromPariswiththeVicomtehehadforgottentoreturntohislodgingforapassportthathewasfortunatelypossessedof。
　　Itwasalaissez—passer，signedandleftinblank，withwhichhehadbeenequipped—againstthepossibilityoftheneedforitarising—whenhehadstartedupontheConvention’serrandtotheArmyofDumouriez。WhilstonhiswaytoRobespierre’shousetosecuretheorderofrelease，hehadbethoughthimoffillinginthatpassportforthreepersons，andthus，sincetoremainmustentailhisruinanddestruction，makehisescapefromFrancewithMademoiselleandtheVicomte。Itwashisonlychance。Theninthehurryofthesucceedingincidents，theexcitementthathadattendedthem，andtheimperativeneedforhasteingettingtheVicomtetoChoisy，hehadputtheintendedreturntohislodgingfromhismind—overlookinguntilnowthefactthatnotonlymusthegobackforthevalisewhichhehadbiddenBrutuspack，butalsoforthatfarmorepreciouspassport。
　　Itnowbecamenecessarytoexplainthecircumstancestohiscompanions，andinexplainingthemthewholeaffair，fromRobespierre’srefusaltogranthimthelifeoftheVicomtedowntothemeanstowhichhehadhadrecourse，couldnotbekeptfromtranspiring。Asshelistened，Suzanne’sexpressionchangedintooneofineffablewonder。
　　"Andyouhavedonethisforme？"shecried，whenatlasthepaused。，"youhaveruinedyourcareerandendangeredyourlife？"
　　LaBoulayeshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Ispokeover—confidentlywhenIsaidthatIcouldobtainyoutheVicomte’spardon。ThereprovedtobeafactoronwhichIhadnotcounted。Nevertheless，whatIhadpromisedImustfulfil。IwasbyhonourboundtoleavenothingundonethatmightresultintheVicomte’senlargement。"
　　Ornbrevallaughedsoftly，butwithconsummateamusement。
　　"Asans—culottewithasenseofhonourissuchananomaly—"hebegan，whenMademoiselleinterposed，anoteofangersoundinginhervoice。
　　"M。d’Ombrevalmeanstopayyouacompliment，"sheinformedLaBoulaye，"buthehassuchanoddwayofchoosinghisexpressionsthatIfearedyoumightmisunderstandhim。"
　　LaBoulayesignifiedhisindifferencebyasmile。
　　"Iamafraidtheci—devantVicomtehasnotyetlearnthislesson，"
　　saidhe；"orelseheislikethesinnerwhouponrecoveringhealthforgotthepenitencethathadcometohiminthedaysofsickness。
　　Butwehaveothermatterstodealwith，Citoyenne，and，inparticular，thematterofthepassport。FoolthatIam！"hecriedbitterly。
　　"ImustreturntoParisatonce，"heannouncedbriskly。"Thereisnohelpforit。Wewillhopethatasyetthewayisopentome，andthatIshallbepermittedtogoandtoreturnunmolested。Insuchacasetherestiseasy—exceptthatyouwillhavetosuffermycompanyasfarasthefrontier。"
　　ItwasMademoisellewhoaccompaniedhimtothedoor。