\"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。