\"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。
