"Monsieur，"shesaid，inavoicethatshookwiththesincereintensityofherfeelings，"thinkmenotungratefulthatIhavesaidsolittle。Butyouracthasoverwhelmedme。Itissotrulynoble，thattoofferyouthanksthatarebutwords，seemstomelittleshortofabanality。"
　　"Tut！"helaughed。"Ihavenotyetdonehalf。ItwillbetimetothankmewhenweareoutofFrance。"
　　"AndyouspeaksolightlyofleavingFrance？"shecried。"Butwhatistobecomeofyou？Whatofyourcareer？"
　　"Othercareersarepossibleinothercountries，"heanswered，withalightnesshedidnotfeel。"WhoknowsperhapstheEnglishorthePrussiansmightbeamenabletoachangeofgovernment。Ishallseektoinduceoneortheotherofthemtobecamearepublic，andthenI
　　shallbecomeoncemorealegislator。"
　　Withthat，andvowingthateverymomentheremainedtheirchancesofleavingFrancegrewmoreslender，hetookhisleaveofher，expressingthehopethathemightbebackwithinacoupleofhours。
　　Mademoisellewatchedhimtothegardengate，thenclosingthedoorshereturnedwithin。
　　Shediscoveredherbetrothed—hewhomLaBoulayehadcalledherlover—standingwithhisbacktothefire，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，theverypictureofsurliness。Hemadenoneoftheadvancesthatonemightlookforinamanplacedashewasatthatmoment。
　　Hegreetedher，instead，withacomplaint。
　　"Willyoupermitme，Mademoiselle，tosaythatinthismatteryouhavehardlychosenthewisercourse？"
　　"Inwhatmatter？"quothshe，atalosstounderstandhim。
　　"Inthematterofmyrelease。Iadvisedyouinmylettertopurchasemyfreedom。Hadyoudoneso，weshouldnowbeinapositiontostartforthefrontier—foryouwouldhavemadeapassportapartofyourbargain。Insteadofthis，notonlyareweobligedtoruntheriskofwaiting，butevenifthisfellowshouldreturn，weshallbeaffrontedbyhiscompanyforsomedaystocome。"AndtheVicomtesniffedtheairintokenofdisgust。
　　Suzannelookedathiminanamazementthatleftherspeechlessforamoment。Atlast：
　　"Andthisisyourgratitude？"shedemanded。"ThisisallthatyouhavetosayinthanksforthediscomfortanddangerthatIhavesufferedonyourbehalf？Yourtoneisoddlychangedsinceyouwrotemethatpiteous，pitiableletterfromBelgium，M。leVicomte。"
　　Hereddenedslightly。
　　"IamafraidthatIhavebeenclumsyinmyexpressions，"heapologised。"Butneverdoubtmygratitude，Mademoiselle。Iammoregratefultoyouthanwordscantell。Youhavedoneyourdutytomeasfewwomencould。"
　　Theword"duty"offendedher，yetsheletitpass。Inhismonstrousvanityitwasoftenhopelesstomakehimappreciatetheimportanceofanythingoranybodyoutsideofhimself。Ofthisthepresentoccasionwasaninstance。
　　"Youmustforgivememyseemingthanklessness，Mademoiselle，"hepursued。"Itwasthecompanyofthatsans—culotterascalthatsouredme。Ihadenoughofhimamonthago，whenhebroughtmetoParis。
　　Itoffendedmetohavehimstandhereagaininthesameroomwithme，andinsolentlyrefertohispledgedwordasthoughhewereagentlemanborn。"
　　"Towhomdoyourefer？"quothshe。
　　"Mafoi！Howmanyofthemarethere？Why，tothisfellow，LaBoulaye？"
　　"Soitseemed，andyetIcouldnotbelieveitofyou。Doyounotrealisethatyouringratitudeapproachesthebase？"
　　Hevouchsafedheralong，coldstareofamazement。
　　"Mordieu！"heejaculatedatlast。"Iamafraidthatyourreasonhasbeenaffectedbyyourtroubles。Youseem，Mademoiselle，tobeunmindfulofthestationintowhichyouhavehadthehonourtobeborn。"
　　"Ifyourbearingistobeacceptedasasignthatyourememberit，IwillprayGodthatImay，indeed，forgetit—completelyandforalltime。"
　　AndthenthedooropenedtoadmitthegoodHenriette，whocametoannouncethatshehadcontrivedahastymeal，andthatitwasservedandawaitingthem。
　　"Diable！"helaughed。"ThosearethefirstwordsoftruewitthatIhaveheardthesemanydays。Iswear，"headded，withapleasantnessthatwasoddlyatvariancewithhissullenhumourofamomentback，"thatIhavenottastedhumanfoodthesefourweeks，andasformyappetite—itiscapableofconsumingthewholepatrimonyofSt。Peter。Leadtheway，mygoodHenriette。Come，Mademoiselle。"
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　THEARREST
　　FactsprovedhowcorrecthadbeenLaBoulaye’santicipationsofthecoursethatCecilewouldadopt，Withinahalf—hourofhishavingquittedthehouseofBillaudVarennes，shepresentedherselfthere，anddemandedtoseetheDeputy。Uponbeingtoldthathewasabsentshedeterminedtoawaithisreturn。
　　Andso，forthematterofanhour，sheremainedintheroomwheretheporterhadofferedheraccommodation，frettingatthedelay，andonlyrestrainedfromrepairingtosomeothermemberoftheConventionbytheexpectationthatthenextmomentwouldseeVarennesarrive。
　　Arrivehedidatlast，whenherpatiencewasallbutexhausted，andexcitedlyshetoldhertaleofwhathadtakenplace。Varenneslistenedgravely，andcross—questionedherinhisunbelief—foritseemed，indeed，monstrousthatamanofLaBoulaye’spositionshouldruinsopromisingafutureaswashisbyanactforwhichVarennescouldnotsomuchasdivineamotive。Butherstoryhungtogethersofaithfully，andwassofarborneoutbythefactthatVarenneshimselfhadindeedsignedsuchadocumentasshedescribed，thatintheendtheDeputydeterminedtotakesomestepstoneutralisetheharmthatmighthavebeendone。
　　Dismissingthegirlwiththeassurancethatthemattershouldhavehisattention，hebeganbydespatchingacouriertoRobespierreatChartres—whereheknewtheIncorruptibletobe。Thatdone，heresortedtomeasuresforLaBoulaye’sdetention。Butthisprovedagravematter。Whatif，afterall，thathalf—hystericalgirl’sstoryshouldbeinaccurate？Inwhatcasewouldhefindhimselfif，actinguponitinthemeantime，heshouldorderCaron’sarrest？ThepersonofaDeputywasnotonetobesolightlytreated，andhemightfindhimselfconstrainedtoansweraseriouschargeinconsequence。ThuspartlyactuatedbypatriotismandthefearofRobespierre，andpartlyrestrainedbypatriotismandthefearofLaBoulaye，hedecideduponamiddlecourse：thatofsimplydetainingLaBoulayeathislodginguntilRobespierreshouldeitherreturnorsendananswertohismessage。Thus，whilstleavinghimperfectfreedomofmovementwithinhisownapartments，hewouldyetensureagainsthisescapesothatshouldRobespierredemandhimhecouldwithoutdifficultybeproduced。
　　Tothisendherepairedwithasous—lieutenantandsixmentoLaBoulaye’shouseintheRueNationale，intendingtostationthesoldierstherewithordersnottoallowtheDeputytogoout，andtodetainandquestionallwhosoughtadmittancetohim。Henourishedthehopethattheci—devantVicomtemightstillbewithLaBoulaye。AttheRueNationale，however，hewastodiscoverthatneitherDeputynoraristocratwastobefound。BrutusinformedhimthathewasexpectingtheCitizenLaBoulaye，butbeyondthathewouldsaynothing，andhewiselydeterminedtoholdhispeacetouchingthevalisethathehadbeenorderedtopackandthefactthatheknewtheDeputymeditatedleavingParis。Brutushadlearntthevalueofsilence，especiallywhenthosewhosoughtinformationweremembersoftheConvention。
　　AlarmedatthisfurthercorroborationofCecile’sstoryoftreacheryVarennesleftthemilitaryatCaron’shouse，withordersnottoallowtheDeputytoagaindepartifinthemeantimeheshouldhappentoreturn，whilsttoeverybarrierofParishesentinstructionstohaveLaBoulayedetainedifheshouldpresenthimself。BythesemeasureshehopedstilltobeabletoprovideagainstthepossibilityofCaron’sseekingtoleaveParis。
　　ButCaronhadbeengoneoveranhour，andasamatteroffact，hewasbackagaininPariswithinaverylittletimeoftheseordershavingbeenissued。AttheBarriered’Enfer，althoughrecognised，hewasnotmolested，sincetheordersonly，anddistinctly，concernedhisdepartureandnowisehisarrival。
　　Thus，notuntilhehadreachedhislodgingsdidherealisethatallwasnotashehadhoped。Andeventhenitwasonlywithindoorsthathemadethediscovery，whenhefoundhimselfsuddenlyconfrontedbythesous—lieutenant，whowasidlinginthepassage。Theofficersalutedhimrespectfully，andnolessrespectfully，thoughfirmly，informedhimthat，byorderoftheCitizen—deputyBillaudVarennes，hemustaskhimtoconfinehimselftohisownapartmentsuntilfurtherorders。
　　"Butwhy，Citizen—officer？"LaBoulayedemanded，strivingtoexcludefromhisvoiceanyshadeofthechagrinthatwasbesettinghim。
　　"Whatdotheseordersmean？"
　　Theofficerwascourtesypersonified，butexplanationshehadnonetogive，fortheexcellentreason，heurgedthathewaspossessedofnone。Hewasasoldier，andhehadreceivedorderswhichhemustobey，withoutquestioningeithertheirwisdomortheirjustice。
　　Appreciatingthefutilityofbearinghimselfotherwise，sincehisretreatwasalreadyblockedbyacoupleofgendarmes，Caronsubmittedtotheinevitable。
　　Hemountedleisurelytohisstudy，andtheruinthatstaredhimintheeyeswasenoughtohavedauntedtheboldestofmen。Yet，todohimjustice，hewasmoreconcernedatthemomentwiththeconsequencesthisturnofaffairsmighthaveforMademoisellethanwithhisownimpendingdownfall。ThathehadCeciletothankforhisapprehensionheneverdoubted。Yetitwasareflectionthathereadilydismissedfromhismind。Insuchapassashenowfoundhimselfnonebutaweaklingcouldwastetimeandenergyinbewailingthecircumstancesthathadconspiredtoit。InamanofLaBoulaye’scalibreandmettleitwasmorebefittingtoseekameanstoneutraliseasmuchaspossibletheevildone。
　　HecalledBrutusandcross—questionedhimregardingtheattitudeandbehaviourofthesoldierysincetheircoming。Helearntthatnothinghadbeentouchedbythem，andthattheywereactingwiththeutmostdiscreetness，takingscrupulouscarenottoexceedtheorderstheyhadreceived，whichamountedtodetainingLaBoulayeandnothingmore。
　　"Youthink，then，thatyoumightcomeandgounmolested？"heasked。
　　"IthinkthatImightcertainlygo。ButwhethertheywouldpermitmetoreturnonceIhadleft，Icannotsay。"Sothattheywillletyoupassout，thatisallthatsignifiesatthemoment，"saidCaron。
　　"Shouldtheyquestionyou，youcantellthemthatyouaregoingtodineandtofetchmemydinnerfromBerthon’s。Asamatteroffact，IshallwantyoutogotoChoisywithaletter，whichyoumustseedoesnotfallintothehandsofanyofthesepeopleoftheConvention。"
　　"Givemetheletter，Citizen，andtrustmetodotherest，"answeredthefaithfulBrutus。
　　LaBoulayesearchedadrawerofhiswriting—tablefortheblankpassportherequired。Havingfoundit，hehesitatedforamomenthowtofillitin。Atlasthedecided，andsetdownthreenames—Pierre，Francois，andJulieMichael，players，goingtoStrasbourg—towhichheaddeddescriptionsofhimself，theVicomte，andMademoiselle。Hereasonedthatincaseitshouldultimatelyproveimpossibleforhimtoaccompanythem，thepassport，thusindited，wouldstilldodutyfortheothertwo。Theycouldeasilyadvancesomeexcusewhythethirdpersonmentionedwasnotaccompanyingthem。FromthisitwillbeseenthatLaBoulayewasfarfromhavingabandonedhopeofeffectinghisescape，eitherbyhisownresourcefulnessorbythefavourofRobespierrehimself，whosekindnessforhim，afterall，wasafactorworthreckoningupon。
　　ToMademoisellehenowwroteasfollows：
　　Iamsendingyouthelaissez—passerfilledinforthethreeofus。Iamunfortunatelyunabletobringitmyselfasmyabstractionoftheorderofreleasehasalreadybeendiscovered，andIambeingdetainedpendingthearrivalofRobespierre。ButIamatmyownlodging，andIhaveeveryhopethat，eitherbytheuseofmyownwit，orelsebythefavourofmyfriendRobespierre，Ishallshortlybeabletojoinyou。Iwouldthereforeaskyoutowaitafewdays。ButshouldIpresentlysendyouwordnottodosoanylonger，orshouldyouhearofeventswhichwillrenderitimpossibleformetoaccompanyyou，youcanthensetoutwithOmbreval，travellingundertheguisedescribedinthepassport，andinforminganyquestionersthattheotherpersonmentionedhasbeenforcedbyillhealthtointerrupthisjourney。AsIhavesaid，Ihaveeveryhopeofwinningthroughmypresentdifficulties；butshouldIfailtodoso，mymostearnestprayerwillbethatyoumaymakeyourwayoutofFranceinsafety，andthatlastinghappinessmaybeyourlotinwhatevercountryyoumayelecttosettle。Youmaytrustthebearerimplicitly，patrioticthoughhemayappear。
　　Hesubscribedtheletterwithhisinitials，and，havingenclosedthepassportandsealedthepackage，hegaveittoBrutus，withthemostminuteinstructionstouchingitsdelivery。
　　TheseinstructionsBrutuscarriedoutwithspeedandfidelity。Hewasallowedtoquitthehousewithoutsomuchasaquestion，whichlefthisplanforreadmittancethegreaterlikelihoodofsucceeding。
　　Insomethinglessthananhour—forhehiredhimselfahorseatthenearestpost—house—hehaddeliveredhislettertoMademoiselleatChoisy。
　　Itscontentssowedinherhearttheverydeepestconsternation—
　　aconsternationveryfullysharedbytheVicomte。
　　"Tenez！"heexclaimed，whenhehadreadit。"Perhapsnowyouwilladmitthejusticeofmyplaintthatyoudidnotmakeasimplepurchaseofmyliberty，asIcounselledyou，insteadofenteringintothisidioticcompactwiththatsans—culotte。"
　　Shelookedathimamomentinsilence。ShewassufferingasitwasattheverythoughtthatLaBoulaye’slifemightbeindangerinconsequenceofwhathehaddoneforher。Withreluctancehadsheacceptedthesacrificeofhiscareerwhichhehadmadetoserveher。Nowthatitbecamethequestionofasacrificeoflifeaswellshewasdismayed。Allthewrongsthatsheandhershaddonethatmanseemedtoriseupandreproachhernow。Andso，whenpresentlysheansweredtheVicomte，itwasnomorethannaturalthatsheshouldanswerhimimpatiently。
　　"Ithought，Monsieur，thatwehadalreadydiscussedandsettledthat？"
　　"Settledit？"heechoed，withasneer。"Itseemsnonesoeasytosettle。Doyouthinkthatwordswillsettleit。"
　　"Bynomeans，"sheanswered，hervoicequivering。"Itseemsasifaman’slifewillberequiredforthat。"
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders，andhisfaceputonalookofannoyance。
　　"Ihope，Mademoiselle，thatyouarenotproposingtointroducesentimentality。Ithinkyouwouldbebetteradvisedtoleavethatvulgaritytothevulgar。"
　　"Idonotproposetopursuethediscussionatall，Monsieur，"washerchillyanswer。
　　"Thewayofwoman，"hereflectedaloud。"Letherfindthatsheisbeingworstedinargument，andshecalmlytellsyouthatshehasnomindtopursueit。But，Mademoiselle，willyoutellmeatleastwhatyouintend？"
　　"WhatdoIintend？"shequestioned。"Whatchoicehavewe？"
　　"Wheneverweareaskedtofollowagivencourse，wehavealwaysthechoicebetweentwoalternatives，"hetheorised。"Wecancomply，ornotcomply。"
　　"InthepresentinstanceIamafraidyourruleisinapplicable。
　　Thereisnoroomforanyalternative。Wecandonothingbutwait。"
　　Shelookedathimimpatiently，andwearilyshesankontoachair。
　　"Monsieur，"shesaid，ascalmlyasmightbe，"Iamalmostdistractedbymythoughtsasitis。Idon’tknowwhetheryouareseekingtocompletetheroutofmysenses。Letmebegofyouatleastnottodealinriddleswithme。Thetimeisill—chosen。Tellmebluntlywhatisinyourmind，if，indeed，anything。"
　　Heturnedfromherpeevishly，andcrossedtothewindow。Thetwilightwasdescending，andthelittlegardenwaslookinggreyinthenowpallidlight。Herseemingobtusenesswasirritatinghim。
　　"Surely，Mademoiselle，"heexclaimedatlast，"itisnotnecessarythatIshouldtellyouwhatothercourseisopentous？Itisamatterforourchoicewhetherwedepartatonce。Wehaveapassport，and—and，enfin，everyhourthatweremainhereourdangerisincreased，andourchancesofescapearelessened。"
　　"Ah！"Shebreathedthesyllablecontemptuously。"AndwhatofLaBoulaye？"
　　"Pooh！hesayshimselfthatheisinnogreatdanger。Heisamonghisfellows。Leavehimtoextricatehimself。Afterall，itishisfaultthatwearehere。Whyshouldweendangerournecksbywaitinghisconvenience？"
　　"Butsurelyyouforgetwhathehasdoneforus。Youareforgettingthathehasrescuedyoufromtheguillotine，draggedyououtoftheveryjawsofdeath。Doyouthinkthattoforsakehimnowwouldbeafair，anhonestreturn？"
　　"Butnameofaname，"raspedtheVicomte，"doeshenotsaythatheisfarfromdespairing？Hispositionisnothalfsodangerousasours。Ifwearetaken，therewillbeanendofus。Withhimmattersarefarfrombeingsobad。Heisoneoftherabblehimself，andtherabblewilllookafteritsown。"
　　Sheroseimpatiently。
　　"Monsieur，Iamafraidthesubjectisnotonethatwemayprofitablydiscuss。Ishallobeythevoiceofmyconscienceinthematter，andIshallwaituntilwehearagainfromLaBoulaye。ThatisthemessageIamabouttoreturnhimbyhisservant。
　　TheVicomtewatchedherflingoutoftheroom，andhisweakfacewasnowwhitewithanger。Herappedoutanoathasheturnedtothewindowagain。
　　"Mad！"hemuttered，through—setteeth。"Madasasun—struckdog。
　　Thetroublesshehaslatelyseenhaveturnedherhead—neveradifficultmatterwithawoman。ShetalksasifshehadbeenreadingRousseauonthe’Rightofman’。Toproposetoendangerourlivesforthesakeofthatscum，LaBoulaye！Ciel！Itpassesbelief。"
　　Butitwasinvainthathewassullenandresentful。Suzanne’smindentertainednodoubtofwhatsheshoulddo，andshehadherwayinthematter，sendingbackBrutuswiththemessagethatshewouldwaituntilLaBoulayecommunicatedwithheragain。
　　ThatnightCaronslepttranquilly。Hehadmaturedaplanofescapewhichheintendedtocarryoutuponthemorrow，andwithconfidenthopetocradlehimhehadfallenasleep。
　　Butthemorrow—earlyintheforenoon—broughtafactorwithwhichhehadnotreckoned，inthepersonoftheIncorruptiblehimself。
　　RobespierrehadreturnedinhothastetoParisuponreceivingVarennes’message，andherepairedstraighttothehouseofLaBoulaye。
　　Caronwasinhisdressing—gownwhenRobespierrewasusheredintohisstudy，andthesightofthatgreenishcomplexionandthesmalleyes，lookingveryangryandmenacing，causedthesongthattheyoungmanhadbeenhummingtofadeonhislips。
　　"You，Maximilien！"heexclaimed。
　　"Yourcordialwelcomeflattersme，"sneeredtheIncorruptible，comingforward。Thenwithasuddenchangeofvoice："Whatisthattheytellmeyouhavedone，miserable？"hegrowled。
　　ItwouldhavebeenamadnessonCaron’sparttohaveincreasedanangerthatwasalreadymountingtoverypassionateheights。
　　Contritely，therefore，andhumblyheacknowledgedhisfault，andcasthimselfuponthemercyofRobespierre。
　　ButtheIncorruptiblewasnotsoeasilytobeshaken。
　　"Traitorthatyouare！"heinveighed。"DoyouimaginethatbecauseitisyourstomakehighsoundingspeechesintheConventionyouaretoconspirewithimpunityagainsttheNation？Yourloyalty，itseems，isnomorethanamatterofwords，andtheythatwouldkeeptheirheadsontheirshouldersinFranceto—daywillfindtheneedformorethanwordsastheirclaimtobeletlive。Ifyouwouldsaveyourmiserableneck，tellmewhatyouhavedonewiththisdamnedaristocrat。"
　　"Heisgone，"answeredLaBoulayequietly。
　　"Don’tprevaricate，Caron！Don’tseektobefoolme，Citizen—deputy。
　　Youhavehiminhidingsomewhere。Youcanhavesuppliedhimwithnopapers，andamanmaynottraveloutofFrancewithouttheminthesetimes。Tellme—whereishe？"
　　"Gone，"repeatedLaBoulaye。"Ihavesethimfree，andhehasavailedhimselfofittoplacehimselfbeyondyourreach。MorethanthatIcannottellyou。"
　　"Canyounot？"snarledRobespierre，showinghisteeth。"Ofwhatareyoudreamingfool？DoyouthinkthatIwillsoeasilyseemyselfcheatedofthisdog？DidInottellyouthatratherwouldIgrantyouthelivesofadozenaristocratsthanthatofthissingleone？Doyouthink，then，thatIamsolightlytobebaulked？NameofGod？Whoareyou，LaBoulaye，whatareyou，thatyoudarethwartmeinthis？"Helookedattheyoungman’simpassivefacetocurbhisanger。"Come，Caron，"headded，inawheedlingtone。"Tellmewhatyouhavedonewithhim？"
　　"Ihavealreadytoldyou，"answeredtheotherquietly。
　　AsswiftandsuddenlyasitchangedbeforedidRobespierre’shumourchangeagainuponreceivingthatreply。Withasnortofangerhestrodetothedoorandthrewitopen。
　　"Citizen—lieutenant！"hecalled，inaraspingvoice。
　　"Here，Citizen，"cameavoicefrombelow。
　　"Giveyourselfthetroubleofcomingupwithacoupleofmen。Now，CitizenLaBoulaye，"hesaid，morecomposedly，asheturnedoncemoretotheyoungman，"sinceyouwillnotlearnreasonyoumaymounttheguillotineinhisplace。"
　　Caronpaledslightlyasheinclinedhisheadinsilentsubmission。
　　Atthatmomenttheofficerenteredwithhismenathisheels。
　　"Arrestmethattraitor，"Maximiliencommanded，pointingashakingfingeratCaron。"TotheLuxembourgwithhim。"
　　"IfyouwillwaitwhileIchangemydressing—gownforacoat，Citizen—officer，"saidLaBoulayecomposedly，"Ishallbegrateful。"
　　Then，turningtohisofficial，"Brutus，"hecalled，"attendme。"
　　HehadanopportunitywhileBrutuswashelpinghimintohiscoattowhisperinthefellow’sear：
　　"Letherknow。"
　　Morehedarednotsay，buttohisastuteofficialthatwasenough，andwithasorrowfulfacehedeliveredtoSuzanne，afewhourslater，thenewsofLaBoulaye’sdefinitearrestandremovaltotheLuxembourg。
　　AtBrutus’sdescriptionofthescenetherehadbeen’twixtRobespierreandCaronshesighedheavily，andherlashesgrewwet。
　　"Poor，faithfulLaBoulaye！"shemurmured。"Godaidhimnow。"
　　Sheborethenewstod’Ombreval，anduponhearingithetossedasidethebookthathadbeenengrossinghimandlookedup，asuddenlightofreliefspreadingonhisweakface。
　　"Itistheend，"saidhe，asthoughnohappierconsummationcouldhaveattendedmatters，"andwehavenomoretowaitfor。Shallwesetoutto—day？"heasked，andurgedthewisdomofmakinghaste。
　　"IhopeandIprayGodthatitmaynotbetheend，asyousofondlydeemit，Monsieur，"sheansweredhim。"Butwhetheritistheendornot，Iamresolvedtowaituntilthereisnoroomforanyhope。"
　　"Asyouwill，"hesighedwearily，"Theissueofitallwillprobablybethelossofourheads。Buteventhatmightbemoreeasilyaccomplishedthantoimpartreasontoawoman。"
　　"Orunselfishness，itseems，toaman，"shereturned，asshesweptangrilyfromtheroom。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　THETRIBUNAL
　　AttheBaroftheRevolutionaryTribunalstoodDeputyCaronLaBoulayeuponhistrialfortreasontotheNationandcontraventionoftheendsofjustice。Fouquier—Tinvillle，thesleuth—houndAttorney—General，advancedhischarges，anddetailedthenatureoftheyoungrevolutionist’scrime。ButtherewasinFouquier—Tinvillle’sprosecutionalackofvirulenceforonce，justasamongLaBoulaye’sfellows，sittinginjudgment，therewasacertainuneasiness，fortheRevolutionwasstillyoung，andithadnotyetdevelopedthatSaturnianhabitofdevouringitsownchildrenwhichwaslatertobecomeoneofitsmainfeatures。
　　ThematterofLaBoulaye’scrime，however，wasbuttooclear，anddespitethehesitancyonthepartofthejury，despitetheunwontedtamenessofTinvillle’sinvective，theTribunal’scoursewaswell—defined，andadmittedofnottheslightestdoubt。Andso，theproductionofevidencebeingdispensedwithbyCaron’sreadyconcurrenceandacknowledgmentoftheoffence，thePresidentwasonthepointofformallyaskingthejuryfortheirfinding，whensuddenlytherehappenedacommotion，andasmallmaninabluecoatandblack—rimmedspectaclesroseatTinvillle’sside，andbegananimpassionedspeechforthedefence。
　　ThismanwasRobespierre，andtherevolutionistssittingtherelistenedtohiminmutewonder，fortheyrecalledthatitwasupontheIncorruptible’sownchargetheirbrother—deputyhadbeenarrested。
　　ArdentlydidMaximilienpourouthiseloquence，enumeratingthemanyvirtuesoftheaccusedanddwellingatlengthuponhisvastservicestotheRepublic，hishithertounfalteringfidelitytothenationandthepeople’scause，andlastly，deploringthatinamomentofweaknessheshouldhavecommittedtheindiscretionwhichhadbroughthimwherehestood。Andagainstthisthingofwhichhewasnowaccused，RobespierrebadetheDeputiesofthejurybalancetheyoungman’spast，andthemuchthathehaddonefortheRevolution，andtoofferhim，inconsiderationofallthat，achanceofmakingatonementandregainingthepositionoftrustandofbrotherlyaffectionwhichforamomenthehadforfeited。
　　TheCourtwasstirredbytheaddress。Theyknewtheyoungsans—culotte’sworth，andtheywerereluctanttopasssentenceuponhimandtosendhimtothedeathdesignedforaristocratsandtraitors。Andsotheyreadilypronouncedthemselveswillingtoextendhimthemostgenerousmeasureofmercy，toopentheirarmsandoncemoretoclasptotheirheartsthebrotherwhohadstrayedandtoreinstatehimintheirconfidenceandtheircouncils。TheypressedRobespierretonametheactofatonementbywhichheproposedLaBoulayeshouldrecoverhisprestige，andRobespierreinanswercried：
　　"Lethimrepairtheevilhehasdone。Lethimneutralisethetreacheryintowhichamomentofhumanweaknessbetrayedhim。Lethimreturntousthearistocrathehasattemptedtosave，andwewillforgethisindiscretionandreceivehimbackamongstuswithopenarms，aswastheprodigalsonreceived。"
　　Therewasasalvoofapplause。Menrosetotheirfeetexcitedly，andwitharmsoutstretchedinCaron’sdirectiontheyvociferouslyimploredhimtolistentoreasonasutteredbytheIncorruptible，torepenthimandtoatonewhiletherewasyettime。Theylovedhim，theysworeinvoicesofthunder，eachseekingtobeheardabovehisneighbour’sdin，anditwouldbreaktheirheartstofindhimguilty，yetfindhimguiltytheymustunlesshechosethecoursewhichthisgoodpatriotMaximilienpointedouttohim。
　　LaBoulayestoodpalebutcomposed，hislipscompressed，hiskeeneyesalert。Inwardlyhewasmovedbythisdemonstrationofgoodwill，thisverystormoffraternity，buthispurposeremainedadamant，andwhenatlastthePresident’sbellhadtinkledhisnoisyjudgesintosilence，hisvoiceroseclearandsteadyashethankedthemforleaningtoclemencyonhisbehalf。
　　"Helas，"heended，"wordscannottellyouhowdeeplyIdeplorethatitisaclemencyofwhichImaynotavailmyself。WhatIhavedoneImaynotundo。Andso，Citizens，whilstIwouldstillretainyourloveandyoursympathy，youmustsuffermetoletjusticetakeitscourse。TodelaywouldbebuttowasteyourtimetheNation’stime。"
　　"Butthisisrankdefiance，"roaredTinvillle，rousedatlastintosomesemblanceofhishabitualbloodthirstiness。"Hewhoseheartcanbesoinsensibletoouraffectionsmeritsnoclemencyatthisbar。"
　　AndsothePresidentturnedwithashrugtohiscolleagues，andtheverdictwastaken。Thefindingwas"Guilty，"andthePresidentwasonthepointofpassingsentence，whenagainRobespierresprangtohisfeet。TheIncorruptible’scomplexionlookedsicklierthanitswont，formortificationhadturnedhimgreenoutright。Agustofpassionsweptthroughhissoul，suchaswouldhavemadeanothermancallforthedeathofthisdefiantyouthwhohadwithstoodhisentreaties。ButsuchwasRobespierre’swonderfulcommandofself，suchwashispowerofmakinghisinclinationssubservienttotheendshehadinviewthathehadbutrisentovoiceafreshappeal。
　　Hedemandedthatthesentenceshouldbepassedwiththereservationthattheaccusedshouldhavetwenty—fourhoursforreflection。
　　Shouldheattheendofthattimebedisposedtotellthemwheretheci—devantVicomted’Ombrevalwastobefound，letthemreconsiderhiscase。Ontheotherhand，shouldhestillcontinueobduratebythenoonofto—morrow，thenletthesentencebeconsummated。
　　Therewassomedemur，butRobespierresweptitfiercelyasidewithpatrioticarguments。LaBoulayewasastoutservantoftheNation，whomitmustprofitFrancetoletlivethathemightserveher；
　　Ombrevalwasabasearistocrat，whosedeathalltrueRepublicansshouldaimatencompassing。Andsohewonthedayintheend，andwhenthesentenceofdeathwaspassed，itwaspassedwiththereservationthatshouldtheprisoner，uponreflection，beinclinedtoshowhimselfmoreloyaltoFranceandtheinterestsoftheRepublicbytellingthemhowOrnbrevalmightberecaptured，hewouldfindthemstillinclinedtomercyandforgiveness。AllowinghiseyestostrayroundtheCourtatthatmoment，LaBoulayestartedatsightofanunexpectedface。ItwasMademoiselledeBellecour，deathlypaleandwiththestrained，piteouslookthathauntstheeyesofthemad。Heshiveredatthethoughtoftheperiltoherselfincomingintothatassembly；then，recoveringhimself，heturnedtohisjudges。
　　"Citizen—President，Citizensall，Ithankyou；butIshouldbeunappreciativeofyourkindnessdidIpermityoutoentertainfalsehopes。Mypurposeisunalterable。"
　　"Takehimaway，"thePresidentcommandedimpatiently，andastheyremovedhimMademoisellecreptfromtheCourt，weepingsoftlyinherpoignantgrief，andrealisingthatnotsomuchforthePresident’searasforherownhadLaBoulayeutteredthosewords。
　　TheyweremeanttofortifyherandtogivehercouragewiththeassurancethatOmbrevalwouldnotbebetrayed。Togivehercourage！
　　Herlipwastwistedintoanoddlybittersmileatthereflection，asshesteppedintohercabriolet，andbadethedriverreturntoChoisy。Caronwasdoingthisforher。Hewascastingawayhisyoung，vigorouslife，withallitswealthofpromise，totheendthatherbetrothed—themanwhomhebelievedsheloved—mightbespared。Thegreatness，thenobilityofthesacrificeoverwhelmedher。Sherememberedthethoughtsthatinthepastshehadentertainedconcerningthisyoungrevolutionist。Neveryethadshebeenabletoregardhimasbelongingtothesameorderofbeingsasherself—notevenwhenshehadkissedhisunconsciouslipsthateveningontheRidgeroad。Animmeasurablegulfhadseemedtoyawnbetweenthem—thegulfbetweenhernobilityandhisbaseorigin。Andnow，ashercarriagetrundledoutofParisandtookthedustyhighroad，sheshuddered，andhercheeksburnedwithshameatthememoryofthewrongthatbysuchthoughtsshehaddonehim。Wasshe，indeed，thenobler？Byaccidentofbirth，perhaps，butbynatureproperhewasassuredlythenoblestmanthateverwomanbore。
　　InthePlacedelaRevolutionagruesomeenginetheycalledtheguillotinewaslevellingallthings，andfastestablishingthereignofabsoluteequality。Butwithalltheswiftmowingofitsbloodyscythe，nothalfsofastdiditlevelmenasMademoiselledeBellecour’sthoughtsweredoingthatafternoon。
　　SomarkedwasthedisorderinhercountenancewhenshereachedChoisythatevenunobservantOmbrevalwhomcontinuousyearsofself—complacencyhadrenderedsingularlyobtuse—couldnothelpbutnoticeit，and—fearing，nodoubt，thatthisagitationmightinsomewayconcernhimself—heevenwentthelengthofquestioningher，hisvoicesoundingthenoteofhisalarm。
　　"Itisnothing，"sheanswered，inadejectedvoice。"Atleast，nothingthatneedcauseyouuneasiness。TheyhavesentencedLaBoulayetodeath，"sheannounced，aspasmcrossingheravertedface。
　　Hetookadeepbreathofrelief。
　　"Godknowsthey’vesentencedinnocentmenenough。Itishightimetheybeganupononeanother。Itaugurswell—extremelywell。"
　　TheywerealoneinHenriette’skitchen；thefaithfulwomanwasatmarket。Mademoisellewaswarmingherselfbeforethefire。Ombrevalstoodbythewindow。Hehadspentthetimeofherabsenceinthecareofhisclothes，andhehadcontrivedtodresshimselfwithsomesemblanceofhisold—timeelegancewhichenhancedhisgoodlooksandhigh—bornair。
　　"Youseemtoutterlyforget，Monsieur，thenatureofthechargeuponwhichhehasbeenarraigned，"shesaid，inatiredvoice。
　　"Why，no，"heanswered，andhesmiledairily；"hewassufficientlyafooltobeluredbythebrightesteyesinFranceintoaservicefortheirmistress。Myfaith！He’snotthefirstbymanyathousandwhomawoman’ssoftglanceshaveundone—"
　　"Thedegreeinwhichyouprofitbytheserviceheisdoingthosebrighteyes，appearssingularlybeneaththedignityofyournotice。"
　　"Whatajesteryouarebecoming，mamie，"helaughedandatthesoundsheshudderedagainanddrewmechanicallynearertothefireasthoughhershudderingwastheresultofcold。
　　"Itisyetpossiblethathemaynotdie，"shesaidalmostasifspeakingtoherself。"Theyhaveofferedhimhisliberty，andhisreinstatementeven—uponconditions。"
　　"Howinteresting！"hemurmurednonchalantly。"Theyhaveanoddwayofdispensingjustice。"
　　"Theconditionsimposedarethatheshallamendthewronghehasdone，anddeliveruptotheConventionthepersonofoneci—devantVicomted’Ombreval。"
　　"MyGod！"
　　Itwasagaspofsuddendismaythatbrokefromtheyoungnobleman。
　　Thecoloursweptoutofhisface，andhiseyesdilatedwithhorror。
　　WatchinghimSuzanneobservedthesuddenchange，andtookafiercejoyinhavingproducedit。
　　"Itinterestsyoumorecloselynow，Monsieur？"sheasked。
　　"Suzanne，"hecried，comingastepnearer，andspeakingeagerly；
　　"heknowsmywhereabouts。Hebroughtmeherehimself。Areyoumad，girl，thatyoucansittheresocomposedlyandtellmethis？"
　　"Whatelsewouldyouhavemedo？"sheinquired。
　　"Do？Why，leaveChoisyatonce。Come；bestirring。InGod’sname，girl，bethinkyouthatwehavenotamomenttolose。IknowtheseRepublicans，andhowfartheyaretobetrusted。Thisfellowwouldbetraymetosavehisskinwithaslittlecompunctionas—"
　　"Youfool！"shebrokein，anundercurrentoffierceindignationvibratingthroughherscorn。"Whatareyousaying？Hewouldbetrayyou？He？"ShetossedherarmstoHeaven，andburstintoalaughofinfinitederision。"Havenofearofthat，M。leVicomte，foryouaredealingwithanatureofanobilitythatyoucannotsomuchassurmise。Ifheweremindedtobetrayyou，whydidhenotdosoto—day，whentheyofferedhimhislibertyinexchangeforinformationthatwouldleadtoyourrecapture？"
　　"Butalthoughhemayhaverefusedto—day，"returnedtheVicomtefrenziedly，"hemaythinkbetterofitto—morrow—perhapseventonight。
　　Ciel！Thinkoftheriskwerun；alreadyitmaybetoolate。Oh，why，"hedemandedreproachfully，"whydidn’tyoulistentomewhen，daysago，Icounselledflight？"
　　"Becauseitneitherwas，noris，myintentiontofly。"
　　"What？"hecried，and，hisjawfallenandhiseyeswide，heregardedher。Thensuddenlyhecaughtherbythearmandshookherroughly。
　　"Areyoumad？"hecried，inafrenzyofangerandfear。"AmItodielikeadogthatascumofaRepublicanmaysavehismiserableneck？IsthiscanailleofarevolutionisttobetraymetohisrabbleTribunal？"
　　"AlreadyhaveItoldyouthatyouneedfearnobetrayal。"
　　"NeedInot？"hesneered。"Mafoi！butIknowtheseruffians。ThereisnotanounceofhonourinthewholeNationalConvention。"
　　"Fool！"sheblazed，risingandconfrontinghimwithanangerbeforewhichherecoiled，appalled。"Doyoudaretostandthereandprateofhonour—you？Doyouforgetwhyhestoodhistrial？Doyouforgetwhyheisdying，andcanyounotseethevilethingthatyouaredoinginarguingflight，thatyoutalkofhonourthus，anddenyhisclaimtoit？MonDieu！Youreffronterystiflesme！LaBoulayewasrightwhenhesaidthatwithushonourisbutaword—justsomuchwind，andnothingmore。"
　　Hestaredatherinuncomprehendingwonder。Hedrewawayanotherstep。Heaccountedhermad，and，thathemighthumourher，heputbyhisownfearsforthemoment—awonderfulunselfishnessthisinthemostnobly—bornVicomted’Ombreval。
　　"MypoorSuzanne，"hemurmured。"Ourtroublehasdemoralisedyourunderstanding。Youtakeafalseviewofthings。Youdonotapprehendthesituation。"
　　"InGod’sname，besilent！"shegasped。
　　"Butthetimeisnotoneforsilence，"hereturned。
　　"SoIhadthought，"quothshe。"Yetsinceyoucanbesilentandfurtiveinothermatters，Ibegthatyouwillbesilentinthisalso。Youtalkinvain，Monsieur，inanycase。ForIamnotmindedtoleaveChoisy。IfyouurgemefurtherIshallburnourpassport。"
　　Andwiththatshelefthim，toseekthesolitudeofherownroom。
　　Inapassionoftearssheflungherselfuponthelittlebed，andthereshelay，apreytosuchananguishashadnevertouchedherlifebefore。
　　Andnow，inthathourofhergrief，itcametoher—asthesunpiercesthemist—thatshelovedLaBoulaye；thatshehadlovedhim，indeed，sincethatnightatBoisvert，althoughshehadstifledtheverythought，andhiddenitevenfromherself，asbeingunworthyinoneofherstationtoloveamansolowly—bornasCaron。Butnow，ontheeveofhisdeath，thetruthwouldnolongerbedenied。
　　Itcried，perchance，thelouderbyvirtueofthepusillanimityofthecravenbelowstairsinwhoseplaceCaronwastodie；butanyhow，itcriedsoloudlythatitoverborethesternvoiceofthebloodthathadhithertourgedhertoexcludethesentimentfromherheart。
　　Noaccountnowdidshetakeofanydifferenceinstation。Beshenoblerathousandtimes，behesimplerathousandtimes，thefactremainedthatshewasawoman，heaman，andbeyondthatshedidnotseektogo。
　　LowindeedweretheLiliesofFrancewhenadaughteroftheraceoftheirupholdersheededthemsolittleandthecastetheysymbolised。
　　Henriettecametoherthatafternoon，and，allignorantofthesourcesofhergrief，sheessayedtosootheandcomforther，inwhich，atlast，shesucceeded。
　　IntheeveningOmbrevalsentwordthathewishedtospeaktoher—
　　andthathisneedwasurgent。Butshereturnedhimtheanswerthatshewouldseehiminthemorning。Shewasindisposedthatevening，sheadded，inapology。
　　Andinthemorningtheymet，asshehadpromisedhim。Bothpale，althoughfromdifferentcauses，andbothshowingsignsofhavingsleptbutlittle。Theybroketheirfasttogetherandinsilence，whichatlastheendedbyaskingherwhetherthenighthadbroughtherreflection，andwhethersuchreflectionhadmadeherappreciatetheirpositionandtheneedtosetoutatonce。
　　"ItneedednoreflectiontomakemerealiseourpositionbetterthanIdidyesterday，"sheanswered。"Ihadhopedthatitwouldhavebroughtyoutoadifferentframeofmind。ButIamafraidthatithasnotdoneso。"
　　"Ifailtoseewhatchangemyframeofmindadmitsof，"heansweredtestily。
　　"Haveyouthought，"sheaskedatlast，andhervoicewascoldandconcentrated，"thatthismanisgivinghislifeforyou？"
　　"Ihavefeared，"heanswered，withincrediblecallousness，"thattosavehiscravenskinhemightelecttododifferentlyatthelastmoment。"
　　Shelookedathiminamightywonder，herdarkeyesopentotheirwidest，andlookingblackbytheextremedilationofthepupils。
　　Sovastwasheramazementatthisunboundedegotismthatitalmostoverruledherdisgust。
　　"Youcastepithetsaboutyouandbestowtitleswithamagnificentunconsciousnessofhowwelltheymightfityou。"
　　"Ah？Forexample？"
　　"Incallingthismanacraven，youtakenothoughtforthecowardicethatactuatesyouintohidingwhilehediesforyou？"
　　"Cowardice？"heejaculated。Thenaflushspreadonhisface。"Mafoi，Mademoiselle，"saidhe，inaquiveringvoice，"yourwordsbetraythoughtsthatwouldbescarcelybecomingintheVicomtessed’Ombreval。"
　　"That，Monsieur，isapointthatneedgiveyoulittlethought。IamnotlikelytobecometheVicomtesse。"
　　Hebestowedheralookofminglingwonderandanger。Hadhe，indeed，heardheraright？Didherwordsimplythatshedisdainedthehonour？
　　"Surely，"hegasped，voicingthosedoubtsofhis，"youdonotmeanthatyouwouldviolateyourbetrothalcontract？Youdonot—"
　　"Imean，Monsieur，"shecutin，"thatIwillgivemyselftonomanIdonotlove。"
　　"Yourimmodesty，"saidhe，"fallsinnothingshortoftheextraordinaryframeofmindthatyouappeartobedevelopinginconnectionwithothermatters。WeshallhaveyoubeatingadrumandscreechingtheCairainthestreetsofParispresently，likeMademoiselledeMericourt。"
　　Sherosefromthetable，herfaceverywhite，herhandpressinguponhercorsage。Amomentshelookedathim。Then：
　　"Donotletustalkofourselves，"sheexclaimedatlast。"ThereisamanintheConciergeriewhodiesatnoonunlessyouareforthcomingbeforethentosavehim。Hehimselfwillnotbetrayyoubecausehe—Nomatterwhy，hewillnot。Tellme，Monsieur，howdoyou，whoaccountyourselfamanofhonouraboveeverything，intendtodealwiththissituation？"
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Onceheisdeadanddonewith—providedthathedoesnotfirstbetrayme—Itrustthat，nolongerhavingthissubjecttoharpupon，youwillconsenttoavailyourselfofourpassport，andaccompanymeoutofFrance。"
　　"Honourdoesnotforinstance，suggesttoyouthatyoushouldrepairtotheConciergerieandtaketheplacethatbelongstoyou，andwhichanotherisfilling？"
　　Asuddenlightofcomprehensionsweptnowintohisface。
　　"AtlastIunderstandwhathasbeeninyourmindsinceyesterday，whathasmadeyousooddinyourwordsandmanner。Youhavethoughtthatitwasperhapsmydutyasamanofhonourtogoandeffecttherescueofthisfellow。But，mydearchild，bethinkyouofwhatheis，andofwhatIam。Wereheagentleman—myequal—mycoursewouldstandclearlydefined。Ishouldnothavehesitatedamoment。
　　Butthiscanaille！Mafoi！letmebegofyoutocometoyoursenses。
　　Theverythoughtisunworthyinyou。"
　　"Iunderstandyou，"sheansweredhim，verycoldly。"Youuseacoward’sarguments，andyouhavetheeffronterytoconsideryourselfamanofhonour—anobleman。InolongermarvelthatthereisarevolutioninFrance。"
　　Shestoodsurveyinghimforamoment，thenshequietlylefttheroom。
　　Hestaredafterher。
　　"Woman，woman！"hesighed，ashesetdownhisnapkinandroseinhisturn。
　　Hishumourwasoneofpityingpatienceforagirlthathadnotthewittoseethattoaskhim—themostnobled’Ombreval—todiethatLaBoulayemightlivewasverymuchlikeaskinghimtosacrificehislifetosaveadog’s。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　THECONCIERGERIE
　　ItwantedbutafewminutestonoonasthecondemnedofthedaywerebeingbroughtoutoftheConciergerietotaketheirplacesinthewaitingtumbrils。Fourteentheynumbered，andtherewasawomanamongstthemascomposedasanyofthemen。Shedescendedtheprisonstepsinnonchalantconversationwithawittyyoungmanofsomethirtyyearsofage，whohadbeenoneoftheornamentsoftheprerevolutionarysalons。Hadthepairbeenonthepointofmountingaweddingcoachtheycouldnothaveshownthemselvesinbetterspirits。
　　Aristocrats，too，weretheremainingtwelve，withoneexception，andiftheyhadnotknownhowtolive，atleasttheycouldsetaverysplendidexampleofhowtodie。Theycamemostlyinpairs，andthemajorityofthememulatingthefirstcoupleandtreatingthewholematterasapleasantrythatratherboredthembytheelementofcoarsenessintroducedbythemob。Oneortwowerepale，andtheireyesworeafurtive，frightenedlook。Buttheyvaliantlyfoughtdowntheirfears，andforallthattheheartswithinthemmayhavebeensickwithhorror，theycontrivedtotwistasmileontotheirpalelips。Theydidnotlackforstoutpatternsofhighbearing，andinadditiontheyhadtheirownarrogantpride—thepridethathadbroughtthematlasttothispass—tosustainthemintheirextremity。Noblesselesobligeait。Therabble，thecanailleofthenewregime，mightdowhattheywouldwiththeirbodies，buttheirspiritstheycouldnotbreak，norovercometheirindomitablepride。Bythebravemanneroftheirdeathitremainedforthemtomakeamendsfortheatrociousmanneroftheirlives，andsuchaglamourdidtheysheduponthemselvesbythesamebravemanner，thatitcompelledsympathyandadmirationofthosethatbeheldthem，andmadeuponhumanityanimpressiondeepenoughtoerasetheformerimpressionleftbytheirmisdeeds。
　　Likeheroes，likesaintedmartyrs，theydied，thesemenwho，throughgenerationaftergeneration，hadgroundandcrushedthepeople’neaththeironheeloftyrannyandoppression，untilthepeoplehad，ofasudden，risenandreversedtheposition，goingtoexcesses，intheirlately—awakenedwrath，thatwerebegottenoftheexcesseswhichforcenturiestheyhadendured。
　　Lastofthisgallantandsprucecompany（foreverymanhaddonnedhisbest，anddressedhimselfwiththeutmostcare）cameCaronLaBoulaye。Hewalkedalone，foralthoughtheircomradeindeath，hewastheircomradeinnothingelse。TheirheadsmightlietogetherinthesawdustofSanson’sbasket，butwhiletheylived，nocontactwouldtheypermitthemselves，ofbodyorofsoul，withthissans—culotte。Hadtheyknownwhyhedied，perhaps，theyhadshownhimfellowship。Butintheirnescienceofthefacts，itwouldneedmorethandeathtomeltthemintoakindnesstoamemberoftheConvention，fordeathwastheonlythingtheyhadincommon，anddeath，aswehaveseen，hadnotconqueredthem。
　　Ashewasabouttopassout，agaolersuddenlythrustforwardahandtodetainhim，andalmostsimultaneouslythedoor，whichhadswungtobehindthelastofhisdeath—fellows，re—openedtoadmitthedapperfigureoftheIncorruptible。
　　HeeyedCaronnarrowlyasheadvancedintothehall，andatthecomposureevidentintheyoungman’sbearing，hisglanceseemedtokindlewithadmiration，forallthathislipsremainedcruelintheirtightenedcurves。
　　Carongavehimgood—daywithafriendlysmile，andbeforeRobespierrecouldutterawordtheyoungmanwasexpressinghispoliteregretsathavingbaulkedhimashehaddone。
　　"Ihadagreatobjecttoserve，Maximilien，"heconcluded，"andmyonlyregretisthatitshouldhaveruncountertoyourwishes。I
　　oweyousomuch—everythinginfact—thatIamfilledwithshameatthethoughtofhowillareturnIammakingyou。MyonlyhopeisthatbymydeathyouwillconsiderthatIhavesufficientlyatonedformyingratitude。"
　　"Fool！"croakedRobespierre，"youaresacrificingyourselfforsomechimaeraandthelifeyouaresavingisthatofaveryworthlessandviciousindividual。Ofyouringratitudetomeweewillnotspeak。Butevennow，intheeleventhhour，Iwouldhaveyoubethinkyouofyourself。"
　　Heheldout]hishandstohim，andentreatywasstampeduponRobespierre’scountenancetoadegreewhichperhapsnomanhadyetseen。"Bethinkyou，cherCaron—"hebeganagain。Buttheyoungmanshookhishead。
　　"Myfriend，mybestoffriends，"heexclaimed，"Ibegthatyouwillnotmakeitharderforme。Iamresolved，andyourentreatiesdobutheightenmypainofthwartingyour—theonlypainthatinthissupremehourIamexperiencing。Itisnotadifficultthingtodie，Maximilien。WereItolive，Imusthenceforthleadalifeofunsatisfieddesire。Imustevenhankerandsighafterasomethingthatisunattainable。Idie，andallthisisextinguishedwithme。
　　Attheveryprospectmydesiresfadeimmeasurably。Letmegoinpeace，andwithyourforgiveness。"
　　Robespierreeyedhimamomentortwoinastonishment。Thenhemadeanabruptgestureofimpatience。
　　"Foolthatyouare！Itissuicideyouarecommitting。Andforwhat？Foradreamashadow。Isthislikeaman，Caron’？Isthis—
　　Willyoubestill，youanimal？"hebarkedatagaolerwhohadoncebeforetouchedhimuponthearm。"DoyounotseethatIamoccupied？"
　　Butthemanleantforward，andsaidsomewordshurriedlyintoRobespierre’sear，whichcastthepetulanceoutofhisfaceandmind，andcausedhimofasuddentobecomeveryattentive。
　　"Ah？"hesaidatlast。Then，withasuddenbriskness："LettheCitizenLaBoulayenotgoforthuntilIreturn，"hebadethegaoler；
　　andtoCaronhesaid："Youwillhavethegoodnesstoawaitmyreturn。"
　　Withthatheturnedandsteppedbrisklyacrossthehallandthroughthedoor，whichthegaoler，allequalitynotwithstanding，hastenedtoopenforhimwithasmuchservilityaseverthehaughtiestaristocrathadcompelled。
　　Savingthatsinglegaoler，LaBoulayewasaloneinthespacioushalloftheConciergerie。FromwithouttheyheardthewildclamouringandCa—iraingofthemob。Chafingatthisfreshdelay，whichwasasaprolongationofhisdeath—agony，LaBoulayewaspacingtoandfro，theringofhisfootstepsonthestoneflooryieldingahollow，sepulchralecho。
　　"Isheneverreturning？"hecriedatlast；andasifinanswertohisquestion，thedrumssuddenlybegantoroll，andthevociferationsoftherabbleswelledinvolumeandgrewshriller。"Whatisthat？"
　　heinquired。
　　Thegaoler，onwhosedirtyfacesomemeasureofsurprisewasmanifested，approachedthelittlegratingthatoverlookedtheyardandpeeredout。
　　"Sacrenom！"heswore。"Thetumbrilsaremoving。Theyhaveleftyoubehind，Citizen。"
　　ButLaBoulayegatherednoencouragement，suchasthegaolerthoughthemight，fromthatcontingency。HebutimaginedthatitwasRobespierre’swishtoputhimbackforanotherdayinthehopethathemightstillloosenhistongue。Anoathofvexationbrokefromhim，andhestampedhisfootimpatientlyuponthefloor。
　　Thenthedooropenedsuddenly，andRobespierrehelditwhilstintotheroomcameawoman，closelyveiled，whosetallandshapelyfigurecausedtheyoungDeputy’sbreathtoflutter。TheIncorruptiblefollowedher，andturningtothegaoler：
　　"Leaveus，"hecommandedbriskly。
　　Andpresently，whenthosethreestoodalone，thewomanraisedherveilanddisclosedthefacehehadexpected—thebeautifulfaceofSuzannedeBellecour，but，alas！woefullypaleandanguishedofexpression。SheadvancedasteptowardsCaron，andthenstoodstill，encounteringhissteadfast，wonder—struckgaze，andseemingtofalter。Withasob，atlastsheturnedtoMaximilien，whohadremainedapaceortwobehind。
　　"Tellhim，Monsieur，"shebegged。
　　Robespierrestartedoutofhisapparentabstraction。Hepeeredatherwithhisshort—sightedeyes，andfromhertoCaron。Thenhecameforwardastepandclearedhisthroat，ratherasatrickoforatorythantorelieveanyhuskiness。
　　"Toputitbriefly，myclearCaron，"saidhe，"theCitoyenneherehasmanifestedagreatersolicitudeforyourlifethanyoudidyourself，andshehasdonemethetwofoldserviceofsettingitinmypowertopunishanenemy，andtopreserveafriendfromadeaththatwasveryimminent。Intheeleventhhourshecametometomaketermsforyourpardon。Sheproposedtodeliveruptomethepersonoftheci—devantVicomted’OmbrevalprovidedthatI
　　shouldgrantyouanunconditionalpardon。Youcanimagine，mygoodCaron，withwhateagernessIagreedtoherproposal，andwithwhatpleasureInowannouncetoyouthatyouarefree。"
　　"Free！"gaspedLaBoulaye，hiseyestravellingfearfullyfromRobespierretoMademoiselle，andremainingriveteduponthelatterasthoughhewereattemptingtopenetrateintothesecretsofherverysoul。
　　"Practicallyfree，"answeredtheIncorruptible。"YoumayleavetheConciergeriewhenyouplease，thoughtIshallaskyoutoremainatyourlodgingintheRueNationaleuntilthisOmbrevalisactuallytaken。OncehehasbeenbroughttoParis，IshallsendyouyourpapersthatyoumayleaveFrance，for，muchthoughIshallregretyourabsence，Ithinkthatitwillbewiserforyoutomakeyourfortuneelsewhereafterwhathaspassed。"
　　LaBoulayetookastepinSuzanne’sdirection。
　　"Youhavedonethis？"hecried，inaquiveringvoice。"Youhavebetrayedthemantowhomyouwerebetrothed？"
　　"Donotusethatword，Monsieur，"shecried，withashudder。"Myactioncannotberankedamongbetrayals。Hewouldhaveletyougototheguillotineinhisstead。Hehadnotthevirtuetocomeforward，forallthatheknewthatyoumustdieifhedidnot。Onthecontrary，suchaconditionofthingsaffordedhimamusement，mattertoscornandinsultyouwith。Hewouldhavecomplacentlyallowedadozenmentohavegonetotheguillotinethathisownworthlesslifemighthavebeenspared。
　　"Buthewasyourbetrothed！"LaBoulayeprotested。
　　"True！"shemadeanswer；"butIhadtochoosebetweenthemanithadbeenarrangedIshouldmarryandthemanIlowed。"Aflushcrimsonedhercheek，andhervoicesankalmosttoawhisper。"AndtosavethemanIloveIhavedeliveredupOmbreval。"
　　"Suzanne"
　　Thenameburstfromhislipsinashoutofwonderandofjoyineffable。Inastrideheseemedtocoverthedistancebetweenthem，andhecaughthertohimasthedoorslammedonthediscreetlydepartingRobespierre。