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