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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/71356-h.zip b/71356-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6ac7430..0000000 --- a/71356-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..423b39e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #71356 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/71356) diff --git a/old/71356-0.txt b/old/71356-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 176d179..0000000 --- a/old/71356-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,20102 +0,0 @@ - -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Le chevalier de Maison-Rouge - -This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online -at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, -you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located -before using this eBook. - - -Title: Le chevalier de Maison-Rouge - -Author: Alexandre Dumas - -Release Date: August 6, 2023 [eBook #71356] - -Language: English - -Credits: Aaron Adrignola, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The Internet - Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LE CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE -*** - - - - - - - - - THE MARIE ANTOINETTE ROMANCES. - - LE CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: "OH, HOW LONG IT IS SINCE I HAVE SEEN ANY FLOWERS!" - -_Drawn and etched by E. Abot._ - - Chevalier de Maison-Rouge. -] - - - - - LE - - CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE. - - - BY - - ALEXANDRE DUMAS. - - - BOSTON: - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY. - - 1897. - - - - - _Copyright, 1890, 1894_, - By Little, Brown, and Company. - - - University Press: - John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A. - - - - -INTRODUCTORY NOTE. - - -The "Chevalier de Maison-Rouge," though it deals with events subsequent -to those covered by the earlier stories of the Marie Antoinette cycle, -was written at an earlier date. In it we are introduced to a new set of -personages, and see no more of the characters whose fortunes furnish -the fictitious as distinguished from the historical interest of the -earlier stories. - -The months which elapsed between the execution of the King and the -appearance in the Place de la Révolution of the ill-fated Marie -Antoinette were thickly strewn with tragedy, particularly after the -final conflict between the Gironde and the Mountain, and the decisive -victory of the latter, resulting in the undisputed supremacy of the -band of men in whom we now see the personification of the Reign of -Terror. - -Those portions of the narrative which describe the life of the queen at -the Temple, and subsequently in the Conciergerie, are founded strictly -upon fact. Of the treatment accorded to the little Dauphin by Simon, -who is given much prominence in the story, it need only be said that it -falls far short of the truth as it is to be found in numberless memoirs -and documents. There is nothing in all history more touching and -heart-rending than the fate of this innocent child, who was literally -done to death by sheer brutality in less than two years; nor is there -any one of the excesses committed by the extreme revolutionists which -has done more to cause posterity to fail to realize the vast benefits -which mankind owes to the Revolution, in the face of the unnamable -horrors which were perpetrated in its name. - -The noble answer of Marie Antoinette to the unnatural charges brought -against her by Hébert (not Simon) was actually made at her trial. - -There is no direct historical authority for the various attempts herein -detailed to effect the escape of the Queen, although rumors of such -were circulating unceasingly. The titular hero of the book is not an -historical personage, nor are Maurice Lindey and Lorin; but the latter -are faithful representatives of a by no means small class of sincere -and devoted republicans who turned aside with shrinking horror from -the atrocities of the Terror. - -The mutual heroism of Maurice and Lorin in the final catastrophe -reminds us of the similar conduct of Gaston in the "Regent's Daughter" -when he fails to reach Nantes with the reprieve until the head of one -of his comrades had fallen. Nor can one avoid a thought of Sydney -Carton laying down his life for Charles Darnay, in Charles Dickens's -"Tale of Two Cities," wherein the horrors of the Terror are so vividly -pictured. - -One must go far to seek for a more touching and pathetic love-episode -than that of Maurice and Geneviève, whose sinning, if sinning it was, -was forced upon them by the cold and unscrupulous Dixmer in the pursuit -of his one unchangeable idea. - -On the 16th of October, 1793, the daughter of the Cæsars lost her life -through the instrumentality of the machine which we saw Cagliostro -exhibit to her in a glass of water at the Château de Taverney more than -twenty years before. Then she was in the bloom of youth and beauty, a -young queen coming to reign over a people who had just begun to realize -their wrongs and their power. To-day she is a woman of thirty-eight, -prematurely aged, but bearing about her still the noble dignity of her -ancient race, and proving anew, as Charles I. had proved, and as her -own husband had proved, that the near approach of death brings forth -the noblest qualities in those of royal lineage. - -We cannot better end this brief note than by quoting the characteristic -but powerful apostrophe of Carlyle in his essay upon the "Diamond -Necklace." - -"Beautiful Highborn, thou wert so foully hurled low! For if thy being -came to thee out of old Hapsburg dynasties, came it not also (like my -own) out of Heaven? _Sunt lachrymæ rerum, et mentem mortalia tangunt._ -Oh, is there a man's heart that thinks without pity of those long -months and years of slow-wasting ignominy: of thy birth, soft-cradled -in imperial Schönbrunn, the winds of Heaven not to visit thy face -too roughly, thy foot to light on softness, thy eye on splendor: -and then of thy death, or hundred deaths, to which the guillotine -and Fouquier-Tinville's judgment bar was but the merciful end? Look -_there_, O man born of woman! The bloom of that fair face is wasted, -the hair is gray with care: the brightness of those eyes is quenched, -their lids hang drooping, the face is stony pale, as of one living in -death. Mean weeds, which her own hand has mended, attire the Queen of -the World. The death-hurdle, where thou sittest pale, motionless, which -only curses environ, has to stop; a people, drunk with vengeance, will -drink it again in full draught, looking at thee there. Far as the eye -reaches, a multitudinous sea of maniac heads: the air deaf with their -triumph yell! The living-dead must shudder with yet one other pang: her -startled blood yet again suffuses with the hue of agony that pale face -which she hides with her hands. There is, then, no heart to say, God -pity thee? O think not of these: think of HIM whom thou worshippest, -the Crucified,--who also treading the wine-press _alone_, fronted -sorrow still deeper: and triumphed over it, and made it holy: and built -of it a Sanctuary of Sorrow for thee and all the wretched! Thy path of -thorns is nigh ended. One long last look at the Tuileries, where thy -step was once so light,--where thy children shall not dwell. The head -is on the block: the axe rushes--Dumb lies the World: that wild-yelling -World and all its madness is behind thee." - - - - -LIST OF CHARACTERS. - -Period, 1793. - - - Marie Antoinette, } - The Dauphin, } prisoners at the Temple. - Madame Royale, } - The Princess Elizabeth, } - Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, } - M. Dixmer, } engaged in an attempt to - Geneviève, his wife, } rescue the Queen. - Sophie Tison, } - Lieutenant Maurice Lindey, a patriot, in love with Geneviève. - Maximilien-Jean Lorin, his friend. - Santerre, Commandant of the Parisian National Guard. - Simon, a cobbler. - President Harmand, of the Revolutionary Tribunal. - Fouquier-Tinville, the public accuser. - M. Giraud, the city architect. - Chauveau Lagarde, counsel for the Queen. - Jean Paul Marot, } - Robespierre, } - Danton, } - Chénier, } Montagnards. - Hébert, } - Fabre d'Églantine, } - Collot d'Herbois, } - Robert Lindet, } - MM. Vergniaud, Féraud, Brissot, Louvet, }Girondins. - Pétion, Valazé, Lanjuinais, Barbaroux, } - MM. Roland, Servien, Clavières, } of the French Ministry, - Le Brun, and Monge, } August, 1793. - Generals Dumouriez, Miacrinski, } officers commanding the - Steingel, Neuilly, Valence, } French armies on the - Dampierre, and Miranda, } frontiers. - Henriot, Commandant-General of the National Guard. - Citizen Devaux, of the National Guard. - Citizens Tonlan, Lepître, Agricola, } of the Municipal - and Mercevault, } Guard. - Grammont, Adjutant-Major. - Tison, employed at the Temple Prison. - Madame Tison, his wife. - Arthémise, ex-dancer at the opera. - Abbé Girard. - Dame Jacinthe, his servant. - Turgy, an old waiter of Louis XVI., attending the royal family at the Temple. - Muguet, _femme-de-chambre_ of Dixmer. - Madame Plumeau, hostess of an alehouse near the Temple. - Agesilaus, servant to Maurice Lindey. - Aristide, concierge at Maurice's house. - Gracchus, a turnkey at the Conciergerie. - Richard, jailer at the Conciergerie. - Madame Richard, his wife. - Duchesse, } - Gilbert, } Gendarmes at the Conciergerie. - Sanson, the executioner. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - Chapter Page - - I. The Enrolled Volunteers 1 - - II. The Unknown 13 - - III. The Rue des Fossés Saint Victor 22 - - IV. Manners of the Times 30 - - V. What Sort of Man the Citizen Maurice Lindey was 40 - - VI. The Temple 46 - - VII. The Oath of the Gamester 57 - - VIII. Geneviève 68 - - IX. The Supper 79 - - X. Simon the Shoemaker 90 - - XI. The Billet 100 - - XII. Love 110 - - XIII. The Thirty-First of May 141 - - XIV. Devotion 148 - - XV. The Goddess Reason 157 - - XVI. The Prodigal Child 163 - - XVII. The Miners 171 - - XVIII. Clouds 182 - - XIX. The Request 191 - - XX. The Flower-Girl 200 - - XXI. The Crimson Carnation 207 - - XXII. Simon the Censor 215 - - XXIII. Arthémise 222 - - XXIV. The Mother and Daughter 231 - - XXV. The Conspiracy 240 - - XXVI. The Little Dog Jet 252 - - XXVII. The Muscadin 263 - - XXVIII. The Chevalier de Maison-Rouge 273 - - XXIX. The Patrol 282 - - XXX. The Password 292 - - XXXI. The Search 300 - - XXXII. The Fire 309 - - XXXIII. The Morrow 322 - - XXXIV. The Conciergerie 326 - - XXXV. La Salle des Pas-Perdus 337 - - XXXVI. The Citizen Théodore 347 - - XXXVII. The Citizen Gracchus 355 - - XXXVIII. The Royal Child 361 - - XXXIX. The Bouquet of Violets 372 - - XL. The Tavern of Noah's Well 384 - - XLI. The Registrar of the Minister of War 392 - - XLII. The Two Billets 399 - - XLIII. The Preparations of Dixmer 405 - - XLIV. The Preparations of the Chevalier 412 - - XLV. The Inquiry 420 - - XLVI. The Sentence 429 - - XLVII. The Priest and the Executioner 437 - - XLVIII. The Cart 445 - - XLIX. The Scaffold 453 - - L. The Visit to the Domicile 461 - - LI. Lorin 466 - - LII. Sequel to the Preceding 475 - - LIII. The Duel 482 - - LIV. The Salle des Morts 490 - - LV. Why Lorin went out 502 - - LVI. Long Live Simon! 505 - - - - -LE - -CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE ENROLLED VOLUNTEERS. - - -It was on the evening of the 10th of March, 1793, ten o'clock was -striking from Notre Dame, and each stroke sounding, emitted a sad and -monotonous vibration. Night had fallen on Paris, not boisterous and -stormy, but cold, damp, and foggy. Paris itself at that time was not -the Paris of our day, glittering at night with thousands of reflected -lights,--the Paris of busy promenades, of lively chat, with its riotous -suburbs, the scene of audacious quarrels, and daring crime,-- but a -fearful, timid, busy city, whose few and scattered inhabitants, even -in crossing from one street to another, ran concealing themselves in -the darkness of the alleys, and ensconcing themselves behind their -portes-cochères, like wild beasts tracked by the hunters to their lair. - -As we have previously said, it was the evening of the 10th of March, -1793. A few remarks upon the critical situation of the country, which -had produced the changed aspect of the capital, before we commence -stating the events the recital of which form the subject of this -history. - -France, by the death of Louis XVI., had become at variance with all -Europe. To the three enemies she had first combated,--that is to say, -Prussia, the Empire, and Piedmont,--were now joined England, Holland, -and Spain. Sweden and Denmark alone preserved their old neutrality, -occupied as they were besides in beholding Catharine II. devastating -Poland. - -The state of affairs was truly frightful. France, more respected as a -physical power, but less esteemed as a moral one, since the massacres -of September and the execution of the 21st of January, was literally -blockaded, like a simple town, by the whole of Europe. England was -on our coasts, Spain upon the Pyrenees, Piedmont and Austria on the -Alps, Holland and Prussia to the north of the Pays-Bas, and with one -accord from the Upper Rhine to the Scheldt two hundred and fifty -thousand combatants marched against the Republic. Our generals were -repulsed in every direction. Miacrinski had been obliged to abandon -Aix-la-Chapelle, and draw back upon Liege; Steingel and Neuilly were -driven back upon Limbourg; while Miranda, who besieged Maestricht, fell -back upon Tongres. Valence and Dampierre, reduced to beat a retreat, -did so with a loss of half their number. More than ten thousand -deserters had already abandoned the army, and cleverly scattered -themselves in the interior. At last the Convention, having no hope -except in Dumouriez, despatched courier after courier, commanding him -to quit the borders of the Biesboos (where he was preparing to embark -for Holland), and return to take the command of the army of the Meuse. - -Sensitive at heart, like an animate body, France felt at Paris--that is -to say, at its core--each and every blow levelled at it by invasion, -revolt, or treason, even from quarters the most distant. Each victory -was a riot of joy; every defeat an insurrection of terror. It is -therefore easy to comprehend what tumult was produced by the news of -these successive losses which we had just experienced. - -On the preceding evening, the 9th of March, they had had at the -Convention a sitting more stormy than usual; all the officers had -received orders to join their regiments at the same time, and Danton, -that audacious proposer of improbable things (but which nevertheless -were accomplished),--Danton mounting the tribune, cried out, "Soldiers -are wanting, say you? Offer Paris an opportunity of saving France. -Demand from her thirty thousand men, send them to Dumouriez; and -not only is France saved, but Belgium is secured, and Holland is -conquered." This proposition had been received with shouts of -enthusiasm, registers had been opened in all the sections, calling -on them to assemble in the evening. Places of public amusement were -closed to avoid all distraction, and the black flag was hoisted at the -Hôtel de Ville, in token of distress. Before midnight, five and thirty -thousand names were inscribed on the registers; only this evening, as -it had before occurred in September, in every section, while inscribing -their names, the enrolled Volunteers had demanded that before their -departure the traitors might be punished. - -The traitors were in fact the "contre-revolutionists,"--the hidden -conspirators who from within menaced the Revolution, thus menaced from -without. But as may be easily understood, the word "traitor" extended -to all those to whom the extreme parties who at this period tore -France wished to apply it. The traitors were the weaker party; as the -Girondins were the weakest, the Montagnards decided that the Girondins -must be the traitors. - -On the next day, which was the 10th of March, all the Montagnard -deputies were present at the sitting. The Jacobins, armed, filled -the tribunes, after having turned out the women; the mayor presented -himself with the Council of the Commune, confirming the report of -the Commissioners of the Convention respecting the devotedness of -the citizens, but repeating the wish, unanimously expressed the -preceding evening, for a Tribunal Extraordinary appointed to judge -the traitors. The report of the Committee was instantly demanded with -loud vociferations. The Committee met immediately, and in five minutes -afterward Robert Lindet declared that a Tribunal would be formed, -composed of nine judges (independent of all forms, and acquiring proof -by every means), divided into two permanent sections, and prosecuting, -by order of the Convention or directly, all those who were found guilty -in any way of attempting to mislead the people. - -This was a sweeping clause, and the Girondins, understanding it as -their death-warrant, rose _en masse_. Death, cried they, rather than -submit to the establishment of this Venetian inquisition. - -The Montagnards, in reply to this apostrophe, demanded to put the -matter to the vote in loud tones. "Yes," exclaimed Féraud, "let us -vote to make known to the world the men who are willing to assassinate -innocence under the mask of the law." They voted at length; and against -all expectation the majority decided--(1) that they would have juries; -(2) that these juries should be of equal numbers in the departments; -(3) that they should be nominated by the Convention. At the moment -when these three propositions were approved, loud cries were heard; -but the Convention, accustomed to receive occasional visits from the -populace, inquired their wishes, and were informed in reply that it -was merely a deputation of enrolled Volunteers, who, having dined at -the Halle-au-Blé, demanded to be permitted to display their military -tactics before the Convention. - -The doors were opened immediately, and six hundred men, armed with -swords, pistols, and pikes, apparently half-intoxicated, filed off amid -shouts of applause, and loudly demanded the death of the traitors. -"Yes," replied Collot d' Herbois, addressing them, "yes, my friends, we -will save you--you and liberty--notwithstanding their intrigues." These -words were followed by an angry glance toward the Girondins, which -plainly intimated they were not yet beyond reach of danger. In short, -the sitting of the Convention terminated, the Montagnards scattered -themselves among other clubs, running first to the Cordeliers and then -to the Jacobins, proposing to place the traitors beyond the reach of -the law by cutting their throats that very night. - -The wife of Louvet resided in the Rue Saint Honoré, near the Jacobins. -She, hearing these vociferations, descended, entered the club, and -heard this proposition; then quickly retraced her steps, and warned -her husband of the impending danger. Louvet, hastily arming himself, -ran from door to door to alarm his friends, but found them all absent; -then fortunately ascertaining from one of the servants they had gone -to Pétion's house, he followed them there. He found them quietly -deliberating over a decree which ought to be presented on the morrow, -and which by a chance majority they hoped to pass. He related what had -occurred, communicated his fears, informed them of the plot devised -against them by the Cordeliers and Jacobins, and concluded by urging -them on their side to pursue some active and energetic measure. - -Then Pétion rose, calm and self-possessed as usual, walked to the -window, opened it, looked at the sky, and then extended his hand, which -he drew in covered with moisture. "It rains," said he; "there will be -nothing to-night." - -Through this half-opened window the last vibration of the clock was -heard striking ten. - -Such were the occurrences of the 10th of March and the evening -preceding it,--occurrences which, in this gloomy obscurity and -menacing silence, rendered the abodes destined to shelter the living -like sepulchres peopled by the dead. In fact, long patrols of the -National Guard, preceded by men marching with fixed bayonets, troops -of citizens, armed at hazard, pushing against each other, gendarmes -closely examining each doorway, and strictly scrutinizing every -narrow alley,--these were the sole inhabitants who ventured to expose -themselves in the streets. Every one instinctively understood that some -unusual and terrible plot was in progress. - -The cold and drizzling rain, which had tended so much to reassure -Pétion, had considerably augmented the ill-humor and trouble of these -inspectors, whose every meeting resembled preparation for combat, and -who, after recognizing each other with looks of defiance, exchanged the -word of command slowly and with a very bad grace. One would have said -on seeing them separate and return to their several posts, that they -mutually feared an attack from behind. - -On the same evening, when Paris was a prey to one of these panics -(so often renewed that they ought, in some measure, to have become -habitual),--the evening on which the massacre of the lukewarm -revolutionists was secretly debated, who after having voted (with -reservation for the most part) the death of the king, recoiled -to-day before the death of the queen, a prisoner in the Temple, with -her children and her sister-in-law,--a woman, enveloped in a mantle -of lilac printed cotton with black spots, her head almost buried in -her hood, glided along the houses in the Rue Saint Honoré, seeking -concealment under a door-porch, or in the angle of a wall, every time -a patrol appeared, remaining motionless as a statue and holding her -breath till he had passed, and once more pursuing her anxious course -with increased rapidity, till some danger of a similar nature again -compelled her to seek refuge in silence and immobility. - -She had already (thanks to the precautions she had taken) travelled -over with impunity part of the Rue Saint Honoré, when at the corner of -the Rue de Grenelle she suddenly encountered, not a body of patrol, -but a small troop of our brave enrolled Volunteers, who, having dined -at the Halle-au-Blé, found their patriotism considerably increased by -the numerous toasts they had drunk to their future victories. The poor -woman uttered a cry, and made a futile attempt to escape by the Rue du -Coq. - -"Ah, ah, Citizen!" cried the chief of the Volunteers (for already, with -the need of command natural to man, these worthy patriots had elected -their chief), "Ah, where are you going?" - -The fugitive made no reply, but continued her rapid movement. - -"What sport!" said the chief; "it is a man disguised, an aristocrat who -thinks to save himself." - -The sound of two or three guns escaping from hands rather too unsteady -to be depended upon, announced to the poor woman that her haste was a -fatal mistake. - -"No, no," cried she, stopping short, and retracing her steps; "no, -Citizen; you are mistaken. I am not a man." - -"Then advance at command," said the chief, "and reply to my questions. -Where are you hastening to, charming belle of the night?" - -"But, Citizen, I am not going anywhere. I am returning." - -"Oh! returning, are you?" - -"Yes." - -"It is rather a late return for a respectable woman, Citizeness?" - -"I am returning from visiting a sick relative." - -"Poor little kitten!" said the chief, making a motion with his hand, -before which the horrified woman quickly recoiled, "where is your -passport?" - -"My passport! What is that, Citizen? What do you mean?" - -"Have you not read the decree of the Commune?" - -"No." - -"You have heard it proclaimed, then?" - -"Alas, no! What, then, said this decree, in the name of God?" - -"In the first place, we no longer say 'God'; we only speak of the -'Supreme Being' now." - -"Pardon my error. It is an old custom." - -"Bad habit--the habit of the aristocracy." - -"I will endeavor to correct myself, Citizen; but you said--" - -"I said that the decree of the Commune prohibited any one to go out, -after ten at night, without a civic pass. Now, have you this civic -pass?" - -"Alas! no." - -"You have forgotten it at your relative's?" - -"I was ignorant of the necessity of taking it with me on going out." - -"Then come with us to the first post; there you can explain all -prettily to the captain; and if he feels perfectly satisfied with your -explanation, he will depute two men to conduct you in safety to your -abode, else you will be detained for further information. File left! -forward! quick march!" - -From the cry of terror which escaped the poor prisoner, the chief of -the enrolled Volunteers understood how much the unfortunate woman -dreaded this interview. - -"Oh, oh!" said he, "I am quite certain we hold distinguished game. -Forward, forward--to the route, my little _ci-devant_." - -And the chief seizing the arm of the captive, placed it within his own, -and dragged her, notwithstanding her cries and tears, toward the post -of the Palais Egalité. - -They were already at the top of the barrier of Sergents, when suddenly -a tall young man, closely wrapped in a mantle, turned the corner of -the Rue des Petits-Champs at the very moment when the prisoner was -endeavoring, by renewing her supplications, to regain her liberty. But -without listening the chief dragged her brutally forward. The woman -uttered a cry of grief mingled with terror. The young man saw the -struggle, heard the cry, and bounding from the opposite side of the -street, found himself facing the little troop. - -"What is all this? What are you doing to this woman?" demanded he of -the person who appeared to be the chief. - -"Before you question me, you had better attend to your own business." - -"Who is this woman; and what do you want with her?" repeated the young -man, in a still more imperative tone than at first. - -"But who are you, that you interrogate us?" - -The young man opened his cloak, when an epaulet was visible, glistening -on his military costume. - -"I am an officer," said he, "as you can see." - -"Officer! In what?" - -"In the Civic Guard." - -"Well, what of that?" replied one of the troop. "What do we know here -of the officers of the Civic Guard?" - -"What is that he says?" asked another man, in a drawling and ironical -tone peculiar to a man of the people, or rather of the Parisian -populace, when beginning to be angry. - -"He says," replied the young man, "that if the epaulet cannot command -respect for the officer, the sword shall command respect for the -epaulet." - -At the same time, making a retrograde movement, the unknown defender of -the young woman had disengaged his arm from the folds of his mantle, -and drawn from beneath it, sparkling by the glimmer of a lamp, a -large infantry sabre. Then with a rapid movement which displayed his -familiarity with similar scenes of violence, he seized the chief of the -Volunteers by the collar of his jacket, and placing the point of the -sabre to his throat, "Now," said he, "let us speak like friends." - -"But, Citizen," said the chief, endeavoring to free himself. - -"I warn you, that at the slightest movement made, either by you or any -of your men, I pass my sabre through your body." - -During this time two men belonging to the troop retained their hold of -the woman. - -"You have asked who I am," continued the young man, "which you had -no right to do, since you do not command a regular patrol. However, -I will inform you. My name is Maurice Lindey; I commanded a body of -artillery-men on the 10th of August, am now lieutenant in the National -Guards, and secretary to the section of Brothers and Friends. Is that -sufficient?" - -"Well, Citizen Lieutenant," replied the chief, still menaced with the -blade, the point of which he felt pressing more and more, "this is -quite another thing. If you are really what you say,--that is, a good -patriot--" - -"There, I knew we should soon understand each other," said the officer. -"Now, in your turn, answer me: why did this woman call out, and what -are you doing with her?" - -"We are taking her to the guard-house." - -"And why are you taking her there?" - -"Because she has no civic pass, and the last decree of the Commune -ordered the arrest of any and every individual appearing in the streets -of Paris without one, after ten o'clock at night. Do you forget the -country is in danger, and that the black flag floats over the Hôtel de -Ville?" - -"The black flag floats over the Hôtel de Ville, and the country is in -danger, because two hundred thousand slaves march against France," -replied the officer, "and not because a woman runs through the streets -of Paris after ten o'clock at night. But never mind, citizens. There is -a decree of the Commune, it is true, and you only did your duty; and -if you had answered me at once, our explanation might have been a much -shorter and probably a less stormy one. It is well to be a patriot, -but equally so to be polite; and the first officer whom the citizens -ought to respect is he, it seems to me, whom they themselves appointed. -In the mean time, take the woman with you, if you please. You are at -liberty to depart." - -"Oh! Citizen," cried the woman, who had listened to the whole of -this debate with the most intense anxiety,--"Oh! Citizen," she cried, -seizing the arm of Maurice, "do not abandon me to the mercy of these -rude and half-drunken men." - -"Well, then," said Maurice, "take my arm, and I will conduct you with -them as far as the Poste." - -"To the Poste!" exclaimed the terrified woman, "and why to the Poste, -when I have injured no one?" - -"You are taken to the Poste," replied Maurice, "not because you have -done any one wrong, or because you are considered capable of so doing, -but on account of the decree issued by the Commune, forbidding any one -to go out without a pass, and you have none." - -"But, Monsieur, I was ignorant of the law." - -"Citizen, you will find at the Poste brave and honorable men, who will -fully appreciate your reasons, and from whom you have nothing to fear." - -"Monsieur," said the young woman, pressing Maurice's arm, "it is no -longer insult that I fear, it is death; if they conduct me to the -Poste, I am lost." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE UNKNOWN. - - -There was in this voice an accent of so much terror, mingled with -superiority, that Maurice was startled. Like a stroke of electricity, -this vibrating voice had touched his heart. He turned toward the -enrolled Volunteers, who were talking among themselves. Humiliated -at having been held in check by a single individual, they were now -consulting together with the visible intention of regaining their lost -ground. They were eight against one; three were armed with guns, the -remainder with pistols and pikes. Maurice wore only his sabre. The -contest could not be an equal one. Even the woman comprehended this, as -she held down her head and uttered a deep sigh. - -As to Maurice, with his brows knit, his lip disdainfully curled, and -his sabre drawn from its scabbard, he stood irresolute, fluctuating -between the sentiments of a man and a citizen,--the one urging him to -protect the woman, the other counselling him to give her up. All at -once, at the corner of the Rue des Bons-Enfans, he saw the reflection -of several muskets, and heard also the measured tread of a patrol, who, -perceiving a crowd, halted within a few paces of the group, and through -the corporal demanded, "Who goes there?" - -"A friend," said Maurice. "A friend! Advance, Lorin!" - -He to whom this order was addressed, placed himself at the head of his -eight men, and quickly approached. - -"Is it you, Maurice?" said the corporal. "Ah, libertine! what are you -doing in the streets at this hour?" - -"You see, I come from the section of Brothers and Friends." - -"Yes; to visit that of sisters and friends. We know all about that. - - "Ah, listen, ma belle, - When the dusk midnight hour - The church-bell shall toll, - I will haste to thy bower; - To thy side I will steal, - Spite of bolts and of bars, - And my love will reveal - 'Neath the light of the stars. - -Is it not so, eh?" - -"No, friend, you are mistaken. I was on my way home when I discovered -this citizen struggling in the hands of these citizen Volunteers, and -ran up to inquire why they wished to detain her." - -"It is just like you," said Lorin. - - "For all the world knows that the fair sex so dear - Has ever a friend in the French cavalier." - -Then turning toward the Volunteers, "Why did you stop this woman?" -inquired the poetical corporal. - -"I have already told the lieutenant," replied the chief of the little -troop, "because she had no pass." - -"Bah! bah!" said Lorin, "a great crime, certainly." - -"Are you then ignorant of the decree of the Commune?" demanded the -chief of the Volunteers. - -"Yes; but there is another clause which annuls that." - -"Which?" - -"Listen:-- - - "On Pindus and Parnassus, it is decreed by Love, - That Beauty's witching face, - That Youth and fairy Grace, - Without a pass, by day or night, may through the city rove. - -What do you say to this decree, Citizen? it is gallant, it seems to me." - -"Yes; but it does not appear to me peremptory. In the first place it -has not appeared in the 'Moniteur;' then we are neither upon Pindus nor -Parnassus; it is not yet day; and lastly, the citizeness is perhaps -neither graceful, young, nor fair." - -"I wager the contrary," said Lorin. "Prove that I am in the right, -Citizeness; remove your hood that all may judge if you come under the -conditions of the decree." - -"Monsieur," said the young woman, pressing closer to Maurice, "having -saved me from your enemies, protect me now from your friends, I beseech -you." - -"You see," said the chief, "how she hides herself. In my opinion she is -a spy of the aristocrats,--some street-walker." - -"Oh, Monsieur!" said the young woman, stepping before Maurice, and -discovering a face radiant with youth, rank, and beauty, visible by the -light of the lamp, "do I look like what they have termed me?" - -Maurice was dazzled. He had never even dreamed of beauty equal to that -he had caught sight of for a moment, and only for a moment, since the -unknown had again concealed her face in the hood as rapidly as she had -unveiled it. "Lorin," said Maurice, in a whisper, "claim the prisoner, -that you may conduct her to your post; you have a right to do so as -chief of patrol." - -"Very good," said the young corporal, "I understand with half a word." - -Then, addressing himself to the unknown, "Let us go, ma belle," -continued he; "since you will not afford us the proof that you are -within the conditions of the decree, you must follow us." - -"Why follow you?" said the chief of the enrolled Volunteers. - -"Certainly. We shall conduct the citizeness to the post of the Hôtel de -Ville, where we are on guard, and there she will be examined." - -"Not so, not so," said the chief of the first troop; "she belongs to -us, and we will keep her." - -"Citizens, citizens," said Lorin, "you will make me angry!" - -"Angry, or not angry, _morbleu_, it is equally the same to us. We are -true soldiers of the Republic, and while you patrol the streets, we go -to shed our blood on the frontier." - -"Take care you do not shed it by the way, citizens, which is very -likely to occur, if you are not rather more polite than you are at -present." - -"Politeness is a virtue appertaining to the aristocracy, and we belong -to the lower orders," replied the chief. - -"Do not speak of these things before Madame," said Lorin, "perhaps she -is an Englishwoman. Do not be angry at the supposition, my beautiful -bird of the night," added he, gallantly, turning toward the unknown. -"Doubtless you are conversant with the poets, and one of them tells us -'that England is a swan's nest situated in the midst of a large pond.'" - -"Ah! you betray yourself," said the chief of the enrolled; "you avow -yourself a creature of Pitt, in the pay of England. A--" - -"Silence," said Lorin; "you do not understand poetry; therefore I must -speak to you in prose. We are National Guards, affable and patient -fellows enough, but still children of Paris,--that is to say, if we are -provoked we strike rather hard." - -"Madame," said Maurice, "from what you have now witnessed you can -easily imagine what will soon follow. In five minutes ten or twelve -men will be cutting one another's throats for you. Is the cause your -defenders have embraced worthy of the blood they are about to shed?" - -"Monsieur," replied the unknown, clasping her hands, "I can only assure -you that if you permit me to be arrested, the result to myself will be -dreadful, but to others fatal; and that rather than you should abandon -me, I would beseech you to pierce me through the heart with the weapon -you hold in your hand, and cast my corpse into the Seine." - -"Madame," replied Maurice, "I will take all the responsibility upon -myself;" and letting drop the hand of the lovely _incognita_ which he -held in his own,-- - -"Citizens," said he, addressing himself to the National Guard, "as an -officer, as a patriot, and a Frenchman, I command you to protect this -woman. And, Lorin, if any of these _canaille_ say one word, put them to -the bayonet." - -"Carry arms!" cried Lorin. - -"God of mercy!" cried the unknown, enveloping her head still closer in -her hood, and supporting herself against a post, "O God! protect him!" - -The Volunteers directly placed themselves on the defensive, and one -among them fired his pistol, the ball passing through the hat of -Maurice. - -"Charge bayonets!" cried Lorin. - -Then, in the darkness of night, a scene of struggling and confusion -ensued, during which one or two shots were heard, followed by cries, -imprecations, and blasphemies; but no one appeared, because, as we have -said, a massacre was secretly debated, and it was believed that it had -commenced. Two or three windows only were opened for an instant, but -were immediately closed. Less in number, and worse armed, the enrolled -Volunteers were in an instant defeated. Two were badly wounded and four -others pinned against the wall, each with a bayonet at his breast. - -"There," said Lorin, "I hope now you will remain as quiet as lambs. As -for you, Citizen Maurice, I order you to conduct this woman to the post -of the Hôtel de Ville. You understand you are answerable for her." - -"Yes," said Maurice. Then, in a low tone, "And the password?" added he. - -"The devil!" said Lorin, rubbing his ear, "the password; it is--" - -"Do not fear I shall make a bad use of it." - -"Faith," said Lorin; "make what use you like of it, that is your -concern." - -"Tell me then," said Maurice. - -"I will tell you all in good time, but let us first dispose of these -tipsy fellows. Then, before we part, I shall not be sorry to give you a -few words of advice." - -"Well, I will wait." - -Lorin then turned to his National Guards, who still kept the enrolled -Volunteers in subjection. - -"Now," said he, to the latter, "have you had sufficient?" - -"Yes, dog of a Girondin," replied the chief. - -"You deceive yourself, my friend," said Lorin, coolly; "we are better -sans-culottes than yourselves, seeing that we belong to the club of -Thermopyles, of whose patriotism no one, I hope, entertains a doubt. -Let these citizens go," continued Lorin, "they resist no longer." - -"It is not the less true that if this woman is an object of -suspicion--" - -"If she was a suspicious character she would have made her escape -during this skirmish, and not, as you see she has done, waited till it -had terminated." - -"Hum!" said one of the Volunteers, "What the Citizen Thermopyle -observes is quite true." - -"Besides, we shall know, since my friend is going to conduct her to the -Poste, while we go and drink to the health of the nation." - -"Are we going to drink?" said the chief. - -"Certainly, I am very thirsty, and I know a pretty little cabaret at -the corner of the Rue Thomas du Louvre." - -"Why did you not say so at once, Citizen? We are sorry to have doubted -your patriotism; and to prove it, let us, in the name of the nation and -the law, embrace each other as friends." - -"Let us embrace," said Lorin. - -And the enrolled Volunteers and the National Guards embraced with warm -enthusiasm. At this period the French people were as anxious to embrace -as to behead one another. - -"Let us now go," cried the two united troops, "to the corner of the Rue -Thomas du Louvre." - -"And we," said one of the wounded, in a plaintive voice, "do you intend -to abandon us here?" - -"Ah, well! yes," said Lorin, "abandon the heroes who have fallen -bravely fighting for their country against patriots--it is true -by mistake, but still true for all that; we will send you some -wheelbarrows. Meanwhile you can sing the Marseillaise, it will divert -you." - -Then approaching Maurice, who was waiting for him, with the unknown, at -the corner of the Rue du Coq, while the National Guards and enrolled -Volunteers arm-in-arm retraced their steps toward the square of the -Palais-Egalité,-- - -"Maurice," said he, "I promised you some counsel, and it is this. -Be persuaded to accompany us, rather than compromise yourself by -protecting this young woman, who, it is true, is very charming, and on -that account not the less to be suspected; for charming women who run -about the streets of Paris at midnight--" - -"Sir," said the young woman, "judge me not from appearances, I implore -you." - -"In the first place, you say _sir_, and that is a great fault. Do you -understand, Citizeness, what I say?" - -"Of course I do, Citizen; but allow your friend to accomplish his kind -action." - -"In what way?" - -"By conducting me home, and protecting me on my road." - -"Maurice, Maurice," said Lorin, "consider well what you are about; you -will compromise yourself terribly." - -"I know it well," said the young man; "but what would you have me do? -If I leave the poor woman, she will be stopped at every step by the -patrols." - -"Oh, yes, yes! while with you, sir,--while with you, Citizen, I meant -to say, I shall be safe." - -"You hear," said Lorin, "safe! She then runs great danger?" - -"My dear Lorin," said Maurice, "let us be just. She must be either a -good compatriot or an aristocrat. If she is an aristocrat, we have -erred in protecting her; if she is a good patriot, it is our duty to -preserve her." - -"Your pardon, friend; I am sorry for Aristotle, but your logic is at -fault. See what he says:-- - - "Iris my reason steals away, - And yet she tells me to be wise; - Oh, lady! I can only say, - Then turn away those glorious eyes." - -"Lorin," said Maurice, "a truce to Dorat, to Parny, and to -Gentil-Bernard, I pray you. Speak seriously; will you, or will you not, -give me the password?" - -"That is to say, Maurice, you place me in this dilemma,--I must either -sacrifice my duty to my friend, or my friend to my duty; but I fear, -Maurice, my duty will fall the sacrifice." - -"Decide, then, for one or the other, my friend; but in the name of -Heaven, decide quickly." - -"You will not abuse it?" - -"I promise you." - -"That is not sufficient; swear!" - -"Upon what?" - -"Swear upon the altar of your country." - -Lorin pulled off his hat, presenting to Maurice the side with the -cockade, and Maurice, finding the affair very simple, took, without -smiling, the oath required upon this improvised altar. - -"Now, then," said Lorin, "this is the password--France and Lutèce; -perhaps you would say, France and Lucrèce; but let that pass, it is -Roman all the same." - -"Fair Citizeness," said Maurice, "I am now at your service. Thanks, -Lorin." - -"_Bon voyage_," cried Lorin, replacing on his head "the altar of his -country," and faithful to his Anacreontic taste, departed singing:-- - - "Eleonora, Eleonora! - Now I've taught you how to love, - Tell your passionate adorer - Does the lesson weary prove?" - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE RUE DES FOSSES SAINT VICTOR. - - -Maurice finding himself alone with the young woman felt for the -moment deeply embarrassed. The fear of being duped, attracted by her -marvellous beauty, troubled his conscience as a pure and exalted -Republican, and caused him to hesitate when about to offer her the -support of his arm. - -"Where are you going, Citizeness?" said he. - -"Alas, sir, a long way from here," replied she. - -"But how far?" - -"By the side of the Jardin des Plantes." - -"It is some distance; let us proceed on our way." - -"Ah, sir!" said the unknown; "I plainly perceive I am a burden to you; -but indeed it is no ordinary danger that I incur. Were it not so, -believe me, I should not abuse your generosity." - -"But, Madame," said Maurice, who during this _tête-à-tête_ had totally -forgotten the language imposed by the Republican vocabulary, and -returned to the language of a gentleman, "how is it, in all conscience, -that at this hour you are found in the streets of Paris, where, with -the exception of ourselves, you do not see a solitary individual?" - -"I have told you, sir; I have been paying a visit to the Faubourg du -Roule. Leaving home at mid-day, and knowing nothing of what had taken -place, I returned in equal ignorance, all my time having been spent in -deep retirement." - -"Yes," murmured Maurice, "in some retired house, the resort of the -aristocrats. Confess, Citizeness, that, while outwardly demanding my -protection, you laugh in your sleeve at my egregious folly." - -"Why should I act thus?" - -"You are aware that a Republican is your guide. Well, this Republican -betrays his cause, that is all." - -"But, Citizen," quickly rejoined the unknown, "I, as well as you, love -the Republic; you labor under a mistake concerning me." - -"Then, Citizeness, if you are a good patriot, you can have no cause for -concealment. Where do you come from?" - -"Monsieur, excuse me." - -There was in this "monsieur" so much sweetness and modesty of -expression, that Maurice believed it to be founded on some sentiment -concealed. - -"Surely," said he, "this woman is returning from some assignation." - -At this moment, without knowing why, he felt deeply oppressed at this -thought, and for a short time he remained silent. - -When these two nocturnal promenaders had reached the Rue de la -Verrerie, after having encountered three or four patrols, who, thanks -to the password, allowed them free passage, the last watchman appeared -somewhat suspicious. Maurice found it necessary to give his name and -residence. - -"That is all that is required from you," said the officer; "but the -citizeness, who is she?" - -"The sister of my wife." - -The officer permitted them to pass. - -"You are then married, sir?" murmured the unknown. - -"No, Madame; why do you think so?" - -"Then," said she, laughing, "you had better have said I was your wife." - -"Madame," said Maurice, "the name of wife is rather too sacred to be -lightly bestowed. I have not the honor of your acquaintance." - -The unknown in her turn felt an oppression of the heart, and remained -silent and confused. At this moment they crossed the Bridge Marie. The -young woman quickened her pace as they approached the end of their -journey. They crossed the Bridge de la Tournelle. - -"We are now, I believe, in your quarter," said Maurice, planting his -foot on the Quai Saint Bernard. - -"Yes, Citizen," replied the young woman; "but it is precisely here I -most require your kind assistance." - -"Really, Madame," said Maurice, "you forbid me to be indiscreet, yet do -all in your power to excite my curiosity. This is not generous. Grant -me your confidence. I have merited it, I think. Will you not do me the -honor to tell me to whom I speak?" - -"You speak, sir," said the unknown, smiling, "to a woman whom you have -saved from the greatest danger she has ever encountered; to one who -owes you a debt of everlasting gratitude." - -"I do not require so much, Madame; be less grateful, and pending the -second we shall yet be together, tell me your name." - -"Impossible!" - -"You would have told it nevertheless to the first sectionary, if you -had been taken to the station." - -"No, never!" exclaimed the unknown. - -"But in that case you would have gone to prison." - -"I had considered all that." - -"And prison at this moment--" - -"Means the scaffold; I know all that." - -"And you would have preferred the scaffold?" - -"To treason,--to discover my name would be treason." - -"I said truly, you compel me to act a singular part for a Republican!" - -"You act the part of a truly generous man. You find a poor woman -subjected to insult; you do not contemn her because she might be 'one -of the people,' but that she may be exempted from fresh annoyances, to -save her from shipwreck, you reconduct her to the miserable quarter she -inhabits." - -"As far as appearances go, you state the matter correctly, and I might -have credited you, had I never either seen you or heard you speak; but -your beauty and mode of expression stamp you as a woman of distinction, -and it is just this distinction, in opposition to your costume and this -miserable quarter, which proves to me that your absence from home at -this unseasonable hour conceals some mystery. You are silent. We will -speak no more. Are we far from your house, Madame?" - -At this moment they entered the Rue des Fossés Saint Victor. - -"You see that small dark building," said the unknown to Maurice, -pointing toward a house situated beyond the walls of the Jardin des -Plantes. "When we reach there you must quit me." - -"Very well, Madame, issue your orders; I am here only to obey." - -"You are angry." - -"I angry?--not the least in the world; besides, what does it matter to -you?" - -"It matters much, since I have yet a favor to ask of you." - -"What is that?" - -"A kind and frank adieu,--the farewell of a friend." - -"The farewell of a friend! Oh, Madame, you do me too great an honor. A -singular friend, not to know the name of his friend, who even conceals -from him where she resides, no doubt from the fear of being too much -troubled with his company." - -The young woman hung down her head, but did not reply to this sarcasm. - -"As to the rest, Madame," continued Maurice, "if I have discovered a -secret, I did so involuntarily, and without any effort on my part to do -so." - -"I have now reached my destination, sir," said the unknown. - -They were opposite the old Rue Saint Jacques, lined with tall -dark-looking houses, intersected by obscure narrow alleys, leading to -streets occupied by manufactories and tanyards, as within two steps ran -the little river De Bièvre. - -"Here!" said Maurice, "is it here that you live?" - -"Yes." - -"Impossible!" - -"It is so, nevertheless. And now, adieu! my brave chevalier, my -generous protector, adieu!" - -"Adieu! Madame," said Maurice, with slight irony of tone, "but first -again assure me you run no further risk of danger." - -"None whatever." - -"In that case I will leave you." - -Maurice then bowed coldly and retired a few paces. The unknown remained -standing for an instant in the same place. - -"I do not like to take my leave of you thus," said she. "Come, Monsieur -Maurice, your hand." - -Maurice approached, and held out his hand, and then felt the young -woman slip a ring on his finger. - -"Oh, Citizen! what have you done? Do you not perceive that you have -lost one of your rings?" - -"Sir, you wrong me much." - -"The crime of ingratitude is wanting in me; is it not so, Madame?" - -"Come, I beseech you, sir--my friend, do not leave me thus. What do you -wish to know? What do you ask?" - -"Payment--is it not so?" said the young man, bitterly. - -"No," said the unknown, with a bewitching expression; "but forgive me -the secrecy I am obliged to preserve toward you." - -Maurice, seeing in the obscurity those beautiful eyes wet with -tears, feeling the pressure of that soft hand reposing between his -own, hearing the accents of that persuasive voice, which had almost -descended to the depths of prayer, felt his anger all at once yield to -admiration. - -"What do I ask?" said he. "To see you again." - -"Impossible! utterly impossible." - -"If only for once--one hour, a minute, a second." - -"I tell you it is impossible." - -"Do you tell me seriously," said Maurice, "that I shall never see you -again!" - -"Never," said the unknown, in a desponding tone. - -"Madame," said Maurice, "you certainly jest with me." Then, raising his -noble head, he shook his hanging curls like a man wishing to escape -from some power which, in spite of himself, still bound him. The -unknown regarded him with an undefinable expression. It was evident she -had not altogether escaped the sentiment she had inspired. - -"Listen," said she, after a moment's silence, interrupted only by a -sigh, which Maurice had in vain endeavored to suppress. "Swear to me, -upon your honor, to shut your eyes the moment I desire you to do so, -and to keep them closed while you count sixty. Mind, upon your honor." - -"If I swear, what will happen to me?" - -"It will happen that I will prove my gratitude to you in a manner that -I faithfully promise you I will never again to any other person, should -he even do more for me than you have done, which would be no easy -matter." - -"But, at least, am I not to know--" - -"No; trust to me. You will see--" - -"In truth, Madame, I know not whether you are angel or demon." - -"Will you swear it?" - -"Yes; I swear to do as you desire me." - -"Whatever occurs, you will not open your eyes--whatever happens. You -understand? even if you should feel yourself struck with a poniard." - -"You bewilder me. My word of honor required with so much urgency?" - -"Swear, then, Monsieur. It appears to me that you run no great risk in -so doing." - -"Well, I swear," said Maurice, "whatever may happen," closing his eyes. - -He hesitated. - -"Let me see you only once more--only once more," said he. "I entreat -you." - -The young woman let fall her hood, with a smile not quite free from -coquetry, when, by the light of the moon, which at this moment shed -its lustre between two clouds, he again beheld, for the second time, -the raven hair hanging in masses of shining curls, the beautifully -arched and pencilled eyebrows overshadowing the almond-shaped eyes, so -soft and languishing, an exquisitely formed nose, and lips fresh and -brilliant as coral. - -"Oh, you are beautiful, lovely, divine!" said Maurice. - -"Shut your eyes," said the unknown. - -Maurice obeyed. - -The young woman took both his hands within her own, and placed him in -the desired position. - -Suddenly he felt a warm perfume pervade his face, and lips slightly -touch his mouth, leaving between his lips the disputed ring. - -All passed rapid as thought. Maurice experienced a sensation almost -amounting to pain, so deep was it and unexpected, penetrating to his -very inmost soul. - -He made a brusque movement, and extended his arms before him. - -"Your oath!" said a voice, already in the distance. - -Maurice clasped his hands over his eyes the more strenuously to resist -the strong inclination he felt to perjure himself. He counted no more; -he thought no more, but remained tottering, his nerves totally unstrung. - -In about an instant he heard a noise like that of a door closing a -few paces distant from him; then again everything was silent. Then he -removed his hand, and opened his eyes, looking round about him like a -man just awakened from a deep sleep, and might, perhaps, have fancied -all that had occurred a passing dream, had he not held between his lips -the identical ring, proving that the adventure, however incredible, was -an incontestable reality. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -MANNERS OF THE TIMES. - - -When Maurice came to himself, he looked around, but saw only the -gloomy, dirty alleys extending to his right and left. He essayed to -find out exactly where he was, that he might recognize it again; but -his mind was disturbed, the night was dark, and the moon, which for a -moment had appeared to light up the lovely face of the fair unknown, -had again retired behind the clouds. The young man, after a moment of -cruel incertitude, retraced his steps toward his own house, situated in -the Rue de Roule. - -Arriving at the Rue Sainte Avoie, Maurice was much surprised at the -number of patrols in motion in that quarter of the Temple. - -"What is the matter now, Sergeant?" inquired he, of the chief of -patrol, who, all on the alert, had just been thoroughly searching the -Rue des Fontaines. - -"What is it?" said the sergeant. "It is this, _mon officier_. It was -intended this night to carry off the woman Capet, and the whole nest -besides." - -"How was that?" - -"A band of Royalists had, I do not know how, procured the password, and -introduced themselves into the Temple in the costume of chasseurs of -the National Guard. Fortunately, he who represented the corporal, when -speaking to the officer on guard, addressed him as 'Monsieur.' He sold -himself,--the aristocrat!" - -"The devil!" said Maurice; "and have they not arrested the -conspirators?" - -"No. The Royalists reached the street, and dispersed." - -"And is there any hope of capturing any of these fellows?" - -"There is only one among the number of sufficient importance to -arrest,--that is the chief, a very slight man, who had been introduced -among the men on guard by one of the municipals of the service. We gave -the villain chase, but he found a door behind, and fled through the -Madelonnettes." - -Under any other circumstances, Maurice would have remained for the -rest of the night with the patriots who guarded the safety of the -Republic; but since one short hour, love of country was no longer his -sole engrossing thought. He continued his way, and the tidings he had -just learned were soon banished from his mind by the recent stirring -events in which he had himself taken so active a part. Besides, these -pretended attempts at rescue had become very frequent, and the patriots -themselves were aware that under certain circumstances politicians made -use of them to advance their own ends; therefore, this news caused our -young Republican no great disquietude. - -On returning home, Maurice found his "official" (at this epoch they -had no longer servants),--Maurice, say we, found his official waiting, -but who, while waiting, had fallen asleep, and while sleeping snored -uneasily. He awoke him, and with all due regard for his fellow-man, -made him pull off his boots, then dismissed him, that he might not -interrupt his cogitations, and jumping into bed, it being very late, -and he also having youth on his side, slept soundly, notwithstanding -the preoccupation of his thoughts. - -The next day he discovered a letter on his _table-de-nuit_. This letter -was written in a clear, elegant hand, but unknown to him. He looked -at the seal. Engraved on it was the single English word, "Nothing." -The letter merely contained these words, "Thank you. Everlasting -gratitude in exchange for everlasting forgetfulness." Maurice summoned -his domestic (the true patriot never rang, the bell denoted servility; -indeed, many officials only entered the service of their masters on -this express condition). - -The official of Maurice had received, nearly thirty years before, at -the baptismal font, the name of John; but in '92 he was, by private -authority, rebaptized (John savoring of Aristocracy and Deism), and now -called himself "Scævola." - -"Scævola," demanded Maurice, "do you know where this letter came from?" - -"No, Citizen." - -"Who brought it to you?" - -"The concierge." - -"And who brought it to him?" - -"A messenger, no doubt, since it has no post-mark." - -"Go down, and request the concierge to walk up." - -The concierge complied, because it was Maurice who made the request, -and he was much beloved by all the officials with whom he was concerned -in any way; but at the same time the concierge declared that had it -been any other tenant, he should have asked him to walk down. - -The concierge was called Aristide. - -Maurice interrogated him. It was a stranger who had brought the letter, -about eight in the morning. The young man multiplied his questions, and -varied them in every possible shape, but could elicit nothing further. -Maurice requested his acceptance of six francs, also desiring, if this -stranger again presented himself, that he would follow him, without -appearing to do so, and inform him (Maurice) where he went. - -We hasten to say, that, much to the satisfaction of Aristide, who felt -himself rather insulted by this proposition, the man returned no more. - -Maurice remained alone, crushing the letter with vexation; he drew the -ring from his finger, and placed it with the crumpled letter upon the -_table-de-nuit_, then turned toward the wall, with the foolish idea of -sleeping afresh; but at the end of an hour Maurice, relinquishing his -attempted coolness, kissed the ring and re-read the letter. The ring -was a splendid sapphire; the letter, as we have said, was a charming -little billet, displaying its aristocracy in every line. - -As Maurice re-read and examined it, the door opened. Maurice hastily -replaced the ring on his finger, and concealed the note under his -pillow. Was this the modesty of newly awakened love; or was it the -shame of a patriot, who would not wish it to be known that he was in -relation with people imprudent enough to write such a billet, of which -the perfume alone was sufficient to compromise both the hand that -penned it and the hand that received it? - -He who entered was a young man attired as a patriot, but a patriot -of surpassing elegance. His jacket was composed of fine cloth, his -breeches of cashmere, and his stockings of fine striped silk. As to -his bonnet, it might have shamed from the elegance of its form and -splendid purple color even those of the Trojan Paris himself. Added -to all this, he carried in his belt a pair of pistols of the royal -manufacture of Versailles, and a short sabre like those of the pupils -of Champ-de-Mars. - -"Ah! thou sleepest, Brutus," said the new-comer, "and the country is in -danger. _Fi, donc!_" - -"No, Lorin," said Maurice, laughing, "I do not sleep, I dream." - -"Yes, I understand, of Eucharis." - -"Well, as for me, I cannot understand." - -"Bah!" - -"Of whom do you speak? Who is this Eucharis?" - -"Why the woman--" - -"What woman?" - -"The woman of the Rue Saint Honoré,--the woman of the patrol, the -unknown, the woman for whom you and I risked our heads last night." - -"Oh, yes," said Maurice, who knew perfectly well what his friend would -say, and only feigned ignorance, "the unknown." - -"Well, who was she?" - -"I know nothing about her." - -"Was she pretty?" - -"Pshaw!" said Maurice, pouting his lips disdainfully. - -"A poor woman forgotten in some love adventure. - - "Yes; weak creatures that we are, - 'Tis Love that ever tortures man." - -"Possibly," said Maurice, to whom such an idea was at this moment -peculiarly repugnant, and who would have much preferred finding the -unknown to be even a conspirator rather than a light woman. - -"And where does she live?" - -"I know nothing concerning her." - -"Come, now; you know nothing, that's impossible!" - -"Why so?" - -"You escorted her back." - -"She escaped from me at the Bridge Marie--" - -"Escaped from you!" cried Lorin, with a roar of laughter; "a woman -escape from you! - - "Say, can the trembling dove elude - The vulture,--tyrant of the air; - The fawn, on whom the tiger rude - Springs from his solitary lair." - -"Lorin," said Maurice, "I wish you would accustom yourself to speak -like other people. You annoy me horribly with your atrocious poetry." - -"To speak like other people, indeed! Now, it appears to me I speak -better than most people. I speak as the Citizen Demoustier, both in -prose and poetry. As for my poetry, _mon cher_, I know a certain Emilie -who does not consider it so bad. But to return to yours." - -"My poetry!" - -"No; your Emilie." - -"Have I an Emilie?" - -"Ah, ah! your gazelle may have turned tigress, and shown her teeth in a -manner that may not have pleased you, although in love." - -"I in love?" said Maurice, shaking his head. - -"Yes, you in love. - - "Deadly are the bolts of Jove, - But deadlier far the shafts of love." - -"Lorin," said Maurice, arming himself with a pipe-key which lay upon -the table; "I swear that if you will spout verses I will whistle." - -"Then let us talk politics; besides, that brought me here. Have you -heard the news?" - -"I know that Widow Capet wished to escape." - -"Oh, that is nothing!" - -"What more is there, then?" - -"The famous Chevalier de Maison-Rouge is in Paris!" - -"Is that true?" said Maurice, raising himself to a sitting posture. -"When did he come?" - -"Yesterday evening." - -"But how?" - -"Disguised as a chasseur of the National Guard. A woman who is thought -to be an aristocrat, disguised as a woman of the people, took him -the clothes to the barrier gate; an instant afterward they came in -arm-in-arm. It was not till after they had passed that the suspicion of -the sentinel was excited. He had seen the woman pass with a bundle and -repass accompanied by a soldier, when it suddenly struck him something -was wrong, and he ran after them. They had disappeared in a hôtel of -the Rue Saint Honoré, where the door was opened as if by magic. The -hôtel had a second point of egress, leading on to the Champs Elysées. -_Bon soir_ to the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge and his companion; they had -both vanished. Our rulers will demolish the hôtel and guillotine the -proprietor, but that will not deter the chevalier from renewing the -attempt which has hitherto failed; it is four months since his first -failure, and yesterday was his second." - -"Is he not arrested?" demanded Maurice. - -"Ah! well. Yes, _mon cher_, as well attempt to stop Proteus, arrest -Proteus; you know the trouble Aristæus had to accomplish it,-- - - "'Pastor Aristæus, fugiens Peneïa Tempe.'" - -"Take care," said Maurice, carrying the key to his mouth. - -"Take care yourself, for this time you will not whistle at me, but at -Virgil." - -"That is very true, and as long as you do not translate him I have -nothing to say. Now, to return to the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -"We agree that he is a brave man." - -"The fact is, that to undertake such things he must possess immense -courage." - -"Or intense adoration." - -"Do you believe, then, in the love of the chevalier for the queen?" - -"I do not believe it. I only mention what report says. Besides, she -has turned the brains of so many others, that this would not be at all -surprising. She once fascinated Barnave, they say." - -"Never mind; the chevalier must have had confederates even in the -Temple." - -"Very possibly,-- - - "Love breaks through bars, - And laughs at bolts." - -"Lorin!" - -"Ah! it is true." - -"Then you think like the rest?" - -"Why not?" - -"Because according to your account the queen must have had already two -hundred lovers." - -"Two, three, four hundred. She is quite handsome enough for that. I do -not say that she loves them; but in short, they love her. All the world -beholds the sun, but the sun does not see all the world." - -"You say, then, that the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge--" - -"I say they are on his track at this moment, and if he escapes this -time the bloodhounds of the Republic, he will be a cunning fox." - -"And what does the Commune in all this affair?" - -"The Commune is about to issue a decree, by which every house (like -an open register) must display on the front the name of every -inhabitant, both male and female. This is realizing the dream of the -ancients,--why should there not be a window in every breast, that all -the world may see what passes there?" - -"An excellent idea that," said Maurice. - -"To place windows in men's breasts?" - -"No; but to place a list of names on every door." - -Maurice felt, in fact, that this might be the means of assisting him to -discover the unknown, or at least afford him some clew whereby he might -be able to trace her. - -"Is it not so?" said Lorin. "I have already betted this measure -will secure us a batch of five hundred aristocrats. By the bye, we -have received this morning, at our club, a deputation of enrolled -Volunteers; they arrived conducted by our adversaries of last night, -whom I had not abandoned till dead drunk,--they came, I tell you, with -garlands of flowers and immortal crowns." - -"Indeed," replied Maurice, laughing; "and how many were there?" - -"They were thirty, and were shaved, wearing bouquets in their -button-holes. - -"'Citizens of the Club of Thermopyles,' said the orator, 'as true -patriots, we wish the union of Frenchmen not to be interrupted by any -misunderstanding; we therefore come to fraternize with you anew.'" - -"Well, what then?" - -"Then we again fraternized, and in this reiteration, as Diafoirus -expresses himself, we raised an altar to the country, with the table of -the secretary and two carafes in which the nosegays were deposited. As -you were the hero of the feat, you were three times summoned to appear, -that you might be crowned; but as you did not reply, seeing you were -not present, and it was necessary to crown something, they crowned the -bust of Washington. This was the order of the ceremony." - -As Lorin concluded this statement, which at this epoch had nothing of -burlesque, a noise was heard proceeding from the street; and drums, -first heard in the distance, now approached nearer and nearer. This, at -that period, was the common way of issuing general orders. - -"What is all that?" said Maurice. - -"The proclamation of the decree of the Commune," said Lorin. - -"I will run to the station," said Maurice, leaping from his bed, and -calling his servant to assist him. - -"I will return home and go to bed," said Lorin. "I had not two hours' -sleep last night, thanks to those outrageous Volunteers. If they only -fight a little, let me sleep; but if they fight much, come and fetch -me." - -"But why are you so smart to-day?" said Maurice, eyeing him all over as -he rose to withdraw. - -"Because on my way here I am obliged to pass the 'Rue Béthisy,' and in -the Rue Béthisy, on the third flat, is a window which always opens when -I pass." - -"Then you do not fear being taken for a fop?" - -"I a fop! I am, on the contrary, known for a French sans-culotte. But -one must make some sacrifice to the softer sex. The worship of the -country does not exclude that of love; indeed, one commands the other:-- - - "Our Republicans profess - We should follow ancient lore; - Beauty we prize none the less, - That we love our freedom more. - -Dare to whistle to that, and I denounce you as an aristocrat. Adieu, -_mon ami_." - -Lorin held out his hand to Maurice, which the young secretary cordially -shook, and went out thinking of a sonnet to Chloris. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -WHAT SORT OF MAN THE CITIZEN MAURICE LINDEY WAS. - - -While Maurice Lindey, having dressed quickly, proceeds to the section -of the Rue Lepelletier, of which, as we already know, he was secretary, -we will endeavor to lay before the public the antecedents of this young -man, introduced upon the scene by one of those impulses so familiar to -powerful and generous natures. - -The young man had spoken the plain truth the preceding evening, when -in reply he had said his name was Maurice Lindey, resident in the Rue -du Roule. He might have added he was a child of that half aristocracy -accorded to the gentlemen of the robe. His ancestors, for two hundred -years, had distinguished themselves by that invariable parliamentary -opposition which had rendered so illustrious the names of Molé and -Maupeou. His father, honest Lindey, who had passed his life grumbling -against despotism, when on the fourteenth of July, '89, the Bastille -had fallen by the hands of the people, died from sudden fright and the -shock of seeing despotism replaced by a liberty militant, leaving his -only son independent in fortune and republican in principle. - -The Revolution which had closely followed this great event found -Maurice in all the vigor and maturity of manhood befitting a champion -about to enter the lists; his republican education improved by his -assiduous attendance of the clubs, and by his reading all the pamphlets -of that period. God alone knows how many Maurice had read. Deep and -rational contempt for the hierarchy, philosophical consideration of the -elements which form the social body, absolute denial of all nobility -which is not personal, impartial appreciation of the past, ardor for -new ideas, a sympathy with the people which was blended with a belief -in aristocratic organizations,--such were the morals, not of the hero -we should have chosen, but of him whom the journal from which we draw -our facts has given us as the hero of our narrative. - -As to his personal appearance he was in height five feet eight inches, -from twenty-five to twenty-six years of age, and muscular as Hercules. -His beauty was of the cast characteristic of the Frank,--that is to -say, fair complexion, blue eyes, curling chestnut hair, rosy cheeks, -and ivory teeth. - -After the portrait of the man comes the position of the citizen. -Maurice, not rich, but still independent, bore a name much respected, -and above all popular. Maurice, known by his liberal education and -principles still more liberal than his education,--Maurice placed -himself, so to speak, at the head of a party composed of all the young -citizen-patriots. It was well that with the sans-culottes he passed for -rather lukewarm, and with the sectionaries as rather foppish. But the -sans-culottes no longer remembered his lukewarmness when they saw him -snap in twain the knotted cudgels, and the sectionaries pardoned his -elegance when he one day scientifically planted a blow between two eyes -that had been for some time watching him in an offensive manner. - -And now for the physical, moral, and civic combined. Maurice had -assisted at the taking of the Bastille; he had been on the expedition -to Versailles, had fought like a lion on the 10th of August; and in -this memorable journey, it is only justice to observe, he had killed -as many patriots as Swiss,--not being more willing to tolerate an -assassin in a blouse than an enemy to the Republic in a red coat. It -was he who in order to exhort the defenders of the chȃteau to surrender -themselves, and to prevent the shedding of blood, threw himself -before the mouth of a cannon which a Parisian artillery-man was about -to discharge; it was he who by a window first entered the Louvre, -regardless of the firing of five hundred Swiss and as many gentlemen -in ambush; and when he perceived the signal of surrender, his avenging -sword had already cut through more than ten uniforms. Then, seeing his -friends leisurely massacring some prisoners, who having thrown down -their arms and clasping their hands supplicated for life, he furiously -attacked these friends, which gained for him a reputation worthy of -the good days of Rome and of Greece. War declared, Maurice enrolled -himself, and departed for the frontier in the rank of lieutenant, with -the first 1500 volunteers the city sent against the invaders, which -volunteers were each day to be followed by 1500 others. - -At the first battle in which he assisted--that is to say at -Jemappes--he was struck by a ball, which after having divided the -muscles of his shoulder lodged against the bone. The representative -of the people knew Maurice, and sent him back to Paris for surgical -treatment. - -For a whole month, consumed by fever, he tossed upon his bed of -suffering; but in January was able to resume his command, if not by -name, at least in fact, of the club of Thermopyles,--that is to say -of one hundred young men of the Parisian citizens, armed to oppose -any attempt in favor of the tyrant Capet. And yet more, Maurice, with -contracted brows, dilated eyes, and pale face, his heart filled with a -strange mixture of moral hatred and physical pity, assisted, sword in -hand, at the execution of the king, and perhaps he alone of all that -throng remained silent when the head of the son of Saint Louis fell -on the scaffold; and then Maurice only raised on high his redoubtable -sabre, while his friends, loudly shouting _Vive la liberté_, omitted to -notice that on this occasion at least one voice did not unite itself -with their own. - -This was the individual who on the morning of the 14th of March bent -his steps toward the Rue Lepelletier, and of whose stormy career our -history will furnish further details. - -Toward 10 o'clock, Maurice reached the section of which he was the -secretary. The commotion was great. The question in agitation was, to -vote an address to the Convention in order to repress the conspiracies -of the Girondins. They impatiently awaited the arrival of Maurice. - -The only subject talked about was the return of the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge, the audacity with which this arch-conspirator had for the -second time entered Paris, where he well knew a price was now fixed on -his head. - -To this circumstance was attributed the attempt made the preceding -evening on the Temple, and each one expressed his hatred and -indignation against the traitors and aristocrats. - -Contrary to the general expectation, Maurice appeared preoccupied and -silent, wrote down the proclamation, finished his employment in three -hours, demanded if the sitting had terminated, and receiving an answer -in the affirmative, took his hat, and proceeded toward the Rue Saint -Honoré. - -Arrived there, Paris appeared quite different to him. He revisited -the corner of the Rue du Coq, where during the night he had first -seen the lovely unknown struggling in the hands of soldiers. Thence -he proceeded to the Pont Marie, the same road he had travelled by her -side, stopping where the different patrols had stopped them, repeating -in the same places (as if they had preserved an echo of their words) -the sentences exchanged between them; only it was now one o'clock -in the afternoon, and the sun, shining brilliantly upon this walk, -reminded him at every step of the occurrences of the past night. - -Maurice crossed the bridges, and entered directly the Rue Victor, as it -was then called. - -"Poor woman," murmured Maurice, "she did not reflect yesterday that the -duration of the night was only twelve hours, and that her secret would -not in all probability last longer than the night. By the light of the -sun, I will endeavor to find the door through which she vanished, and -who knows but I may perhaps even see her at a window?" - -He then entered the old Rue Saint Jacques, and placed himself in the -same spot as the unknown had placed him on the preceding evening. For -an instant he closed his eyes, perhaps foolishly expecting the kiss he -had then received would again impress his lips. But he felt nothing but -the remembrance; 'tis true that burned yet. - -Maurice opened his eyes and saw two little streets, one to the right, -the other to the left. They were muddy, dirty, and badly paved, -furnished with barriers, cut by little bridges thrown over a kennel. -There might be seen the beams of arches, nooks, corners, and twenty -doors propped up, fast falling into decay. Here was hard labor in all -its misery, here was misery in all its hideousness. Here and there was -a garden enclosed by a fence, others by palisades of poles, some by -walls; skins were hanging in the out-houses, diffusing around that -disgusting odor always arising from a tanyard. - -Maurice's search lasted for nearly two hours, during which he found -nothing, and divined nothing, and ten times he had retraced his steps -to consider where he was. But all his efforts were in vain, his search -was a fruitless one, as all trace of the young woman seemed to have -been effaced by the fog and rain of the previous night. - -"Truly," said Maurice, "I must be in a dream. This filthy place could -not for an instant have afforded refuge for my beautiful fairy of last -night." - -There was, in this wild Republican, more real poetry than in his friend -of the Anacreontic quatrains, since he clung to this idea, fearful to -sully, even in thought, the spotless purity of the unknown. But all -hope had now forsaken him. - -"Adieu," said he; "mysterious beauty, you have treated me like a child -and a fool. Would she have led me here if she really lived in this -wretched locality? No; she would only pass as a swan over the infected -marsh, and like a bird in the air leave no trace behind." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE TEMPLE. - - -The same day and the same hour, when Maurice, disappointed and unhappy, -repassed the Bridge de la Tournelle, several municipals, accompanied by -Santerre, Commandant of the Parisian National Guard, made a visit of -inquiry to the Temple, which had been transformed into a prison, since -the 13th of August, 1792. - -The visit was made especially to a portion of the third story, -consisting of an antechamber and three rooms. One of these chambers was -occupied by two females, a young girl, and a child of nine years old, -all dressed in mourning. The elder of the females was about seven or -eight and thirty. She was seated at a table reading. - -The second, whose age appeared twenty-eight or twenty-nine, was engaged -on a piece of tapestry. - -The young girl, who was about fourteen, was seated near the child, who, -ill and in bed, closed his eyes as if asleep, although that was utterly -impossible, owing to the noise made by the municipals. While some moved -the beds, others examined their clothes and linen; the rest, when -their search was concluded, remained rudely staring at the unfortunate -prisoners, who never even raised their eyes,--the one from her book, -the other from her embroidery, and the third from her brother. - -The eldest of these women was tall, handsome, and very pale. She -appeared to concentrate all her attention on her book, although in all -probability her eyes read, but not her mind. One of the municipals -approached her, brutally snatched away her book, and flung it into the -middle of the room. The prisoner stretched her hand across the table, -took up another book, and continued to read. - -The Montagnard made a furious gesture, as if he would take away the -second, as he had the first; but at this attempt, which startled the -prisoner at her embroidery near the window, the young girl sprang -forward, and encircling the reader's head with her arms, weeping, -exclaimed, "My poor mother! my poor mother!" and then embraced her. As -she did so the prisoner placed her mouth to her ear, and whispered: -"Marie, there is a letter concealed in the stove; remove it." - -"Come! come!" said the municipal, brutally dragging the young girl -toward him, and separating her from her mother, "shall you soon have -finished embracing?" - -"Sir," said the girl, "has the Convention decreed that children shall -not embrace their mothers?" - -"No; but it has decreed that traitors, aristocrats, and _ci-devants_ -shall be punished. That is why I am here to interrogate you. Answer, -Antoinette." - -She who was thus grossly accosted did not even deign to look at her -examiner, but turned her head aside, while a flush passed over her -face, pale with grief and furrowed with tears. - -"It is impossible," said he, "that you are ignorant of the attempt last -night. Whence came it?" - -The prisoners still maintained silence. - -"Answer, Antoinette," said Santerre, approaching her, without remarking -the almost frenzied horror which had seized the young woman at sight of -this man, who, on the morning of the 21st of January, conducted Louis -XVI. from the Temple to the scaffold. "Reply. They were conspiring -last night against the Republic, and seeking your escape from the -captivity in which you are kept till you receive that punishment of -your crimes which the will of the people may inflict upon you. Tell me, -do you know who are the conspirators?" - -Marie started at the harsh tone of that voice, which she endeavored to -fly from by removing her chair to the greatest distance possible, but -replied no more to this question than to the former ones, paid no more -deference to Santerre than she had done to the municipal. - -"You are then determined not to reply?" said Santerre, stamping his -foot furiously. - -The prisoner took up a third volume from the table, Santerre turned -himself away. The brutal power of this man who commanded 80,000 men, -who had only need of a gesture to drown the voice of the dying Louis -XVI., was defeated by the dignity of a poor prisoner, whose head he -could cause to fall, but whose will he could not bend. - -"And you, Elizabeth," said he, addressing the other lady, who at that -instant ceased from her embroidery to join her hands in prayer, not to -these men, but to God, "will you reply?" - -"I do not know what you ask," said she; "therefore I cannot reply." - -"_Morbleu!_ Citizen Capet," said Santerre, impatiently, "I think what -I say is sufficiently clear too. I again tell you, that yesterday an -attempt was made for your escape; and you certainly must know the -culprits." - -"Having no communication with those outside, Monsieur, we cannot -possibly tell what people do, either for or against us." - -"Very well," said the municipal; "we will now hear what your nephew -will say." - -And he approached the bed of the young dauphin. At this menace, Marie -Antoinette suddenly rose. - -"Monsieur," said she, "my son is ill, and now asleep--do not wake him." - -"Reply then." - -"I know nothing." - -The municipal walked straight to the bed of the little prisoner, who, -as we have said, feigned sleep. - -"Come, wake up, Capet," said he, shaking him roughly. - -The child opened his eyes and smiled. - -The municipals then surrounded his bed. - -The queen, agitated with fear and grief, made a sign to her daughter, -who, profiting by this moment, glided from the apartment into the room -adjoining, opened the mouth of the stove, drew out a letter and burned -it; then, reentering the room, reassured her mother with a glance. - -"What do you want with me?" asked the sick child. - -"To inquire if you heard nothing during the night?" - -"No; I was asleep." - -"You are very fond of sleep, it seems." - -"Yes; for when I sleep I dream." - -"And what do you dream?" - -"That I again see my father, whom you killed." - -"Then you heard nothing!" said Santerre, quickly. - -"Nothing." - -"These wolf's cubs are, in truth, well-agreed with the she-wolf," said -the municipal, furious with rage. "There has been, notwithstanding, a -plot." - -The queen smiled. - -"She defies us, the Austrian!" cried the municipal. "Well, since it is -thus, let us execute in all its rigor the decree of the Commune. Get -up, Capet." - -"What would you do?" said the queen, forgetting herself. "Do you not -see my son is ill, and suffering from fever? Do you wish to kill him?" - -"Your son," said the municipal, "is the cause of constant alarm to the -Council of the Temple; he is the point at which all the conspirators -aim, and flatter themselves they shall carry you all off together. -Well, let them come. Tison--call Tison." - -Tison was a species of journeyman, charged with all the heavy household -work in the prison. He appeared. He was a man of forty years old, -much sunburnt, of a rude and ferocious aspect, with matted black hair -overhanging his eyebrows. - -"Tison," said Santerre, "who came yesterday to bring the prisoners' -food?" - -Tison gave the name. - -"And their linen, who brought it to them?" - -"My daughter." - -"Then your daughter is a laundress?" - -"Certainly." - -"And you gave her the washing of the prisoners?" - -"Why not? She might as well gain that as another; it is no longer the -tyrant's money, but belongs to the nation, who pays for them." - -"You were told to examine the linen with the greatest attention." - -"Well, do I ever fail in my duty? In proof of which, they had yesterday -a handkerchief tied in two knots. I took it to the Council, who ordered -my wife to undo the knots, iron, and return it to Madame Capet, without -saying anything about it." - -At this remark of two knots being tied in the pocket-handkerchief, the -queen trembled, the pupils of her eyes dilated, and she and Madame -Elizabeth exchanged hasty glances. - -"Tison," said Santerre, "your daughter is a person of whose patriotism -no one can entertain a doubt; but when she leaves the Temple to-day she -returns there no more." - -"Ah, _mon Dieu_!" said Tison, terrified, "what are you saying to me? -Shall I not see my daughter except when I go out?" - -"You shall go out no more," said Santerre. - -Tison looked wildly around, without allowing his eye to remain fixed -on any particular object, and suddenly exclaimed, "I am not to go -out; that is it, is it? Well, then, I will go out altogether. Give me -my dismissal. I am neither traitor nor aristocrat, that I should be -detained in prison. I tell you I will go out." - -"Citizen," said Santerre, "obey the orders of the Commune, and be -silent; or I tell you it may be all the worse for you. Remain here and -watch all that passes. There is an eye on you. I warn you." - -During this time the queen, who thought herself for a moment forgotten, -recovered by degrees, and replaced her son in his bed. - -"Desire your wife to come up," said the municipal to Tison. - -He obeyed without a word. The threats of Santerre had rendered him as -meek as a lamb. - -Tison's wife came up. - -"Come here, Citizeness," said Santerre; "we are going into the -antechamber; during that time, search all the prisoners." - -"Listen, wife," said Tison; "they are not going to permit our daughter -to come to the Temple any more." - -"What! they will not permit our daughter to come here! Then we shall -see her no more?" - -Tison mournfully shook his head. - -"What do you say to this?" - -"I say we shall make a report to the Council of the Temple, and the -Council will decide it. In the mean time--" - -"In the mean time I will see my daughter again." - -"Silence," said Santerre, "you were brought here for the purpose of -searching the prisoners; search them, then, and afterward we shall -see--" - -"But--now--" - -"Oh, oh!" said Santerre, knitting his brows, "you are contaminated, it -appears to me." - -"Do as the Citizen General tells you, wife," Tison said; "afterward, we -shall see." - -And Tison regarded Santerre with a humble smile. - -"Very well," said the woman; "go, then, I am ready to search." - -The men went out. - -"My dear Madame Tison," said the queen, "you know--" - -"I only know, Citizeness Capet," said the horrible woman, gnashing her -teeth, "that you are the cause of all the misery of the people; and -also that I have reason to suspect you, and you know it." - -Four men waited at the door, to assist Tison's wife, if the queen -offered any resistance. - -The search commenced on the queen. - -There was found on her person a handkerchief tied in three knots, which -unfortunately appeared a reply to the one spoken of by Tison; a pencil, -a scapulary, and some sealing-wax. - -"Ah! I knew it," said Tison's wife; "I have often told the municipals -she wrote, the Austrian! The other day I found a lump of sealing-wax in -the socket of the candlestick." - -"Ah, Madame," said the queen, in a supplicating tone, "only show the -scapulary, I entreat you." - -"Yes," said the woman, "I feel pity for you, who have felt so much pity -for me to take my daughter from me." - -Madame Elizabeth and Madame Royale had nothing found upon them. - -The woman Tison recalled the municipals, who entered, Santerre at their -head. She showed them the articles found upon the queen, which, as they -passed from hand to hand, afforded subject for an infinite variety of -conjectures; but the handkerchief tied in three knots excited, above -all, the imagination of these persecutors of the royal race. - -"Now," said Santerre, "we are going to read the decree of the -Convention to you." - -"What decree?" demanded the queen. - -"The decree which orders you to be separated from your son." - -"Is it, then, true that this decree exists?" - -"Yes; the Convention has too much regard for the health of a child -confided to its guardianship, to leave him in the care of a mother so -depraved." - -The eyes of the queen flashed lightning. - -"But make some accusation at least, tigers that you are." - -"That is not at all difficult," said a municipal; and he pronounced one -of those infamous accusations brought by Suetonius against Agrippina. - -"Oh!" cried the queen, standing, pale with indignation, "I appeal from -it to the heart of every mother." - -"That is all very fine," said a municipal; "but we have already been -here two hours, and cannot lose the whole day. Get up, Capet, and -follow us." - -"Never, never!" cried the queen, rushing between the municipals and -the young Louis, and preparing to defend the approach to his bed, as a -tigress the entrance to her den. "Never will I permit you to carry away -my child!" - -"Oh, Messieurs," said Madame Elizabeth, clasping her hands in the most -touching attitude of prayer, "Messieurs, in the name of Heaven, have -pity on us two mothers." - -"Then speak," said Santerre; "state the names, avow the project of your -accomplices; explain what they wished to intimate by the knots made in -the pocket-handkerchief brought with your linen by Tison's daughter, -and the meaning of those tied in the handkerchief found in your pocket, -and on these conditions I will leave you your child." - -A look from Madame Elizabeth seemed to implore the queen to submit to -this dreadful sacrifice. - -But quietly brushing from her eye a tear which sparkled like a diamond, -"Adieu, my son!" cried she; "never forget your father who is in heaven, -or your mother who will soon join him there, and never omit to repeat -morning and evening the prayer I have taught you. Adieu! my son." - -She gave him a last kiss; then rising calm and inflexible, "I know -nothing, Messieurs," said she, "do as you please." - -But the queen must have required more fortitude than is contained in -the heart of a woman, and above all of a mother. She fell back fainting -upon a chair, while they carried away the child, who with fast flowing -tears held out his arms, but uttered not a single word or cry. - -The door closed behind the municipals who carried away the royal child, -and the three women remained alone. There was for a moment the deep -silence of despair, interrupted only by occasional sobs. - -The queen first broke silence. - -"My daughter," said she, "that letter?" - -"I burned it, as you desired me, mother." - -"Without reading it?" - -"Without reading it." - -"Adieu, then, to the last ray of hope, divine hope!" murmured Madame -Elizabeth. - -"You are right, my sister, you are right; it is almost beyond -endurance." Then turning toward her daughter, "But you at least saw the -hand-writing, Marie?" - -"Yes, mother, for a moment." - -The queen rose, went to the door to make sure she was not observed; -then drawing a pin from her hair, approached the wall, and from a chink -drew out a small paper folded like a letter, and showing it to Madame -Royale, "collect your thoughts before you reply, my child," said she; -"was the writing the same as this?" - -"Yes, yes, mother!" cried the princess; "I recognize it!" - -"God be praised, then!" cried the queen, falling with fervor on her -knees. "If he could write since this morning, he is safe. Thanks, O -God! thanks! So noble a friend deserves thy miraculous preservation." - -"Of whom do you speak, mother?" demanded Madame Royale. "Who is this -friend? Tell me his name, that I may commend him to God in my prayers." - -"You are right, my child; never forget it. This name, for it is the -name of a gentleman replete with honor and courage, one not devoted -to us through ambition, for he has only revealed himself since our -misfortunes. He has never seen the queen of France, or rather the queen -of France has never seen him, and he devotes his life to her defence. -Perhaps he will be recompensed as all virtue is now recompensed, by a -dreadful death. But--if he dies.--Oh! I shall still think of him in -heaven. He is called--" - -The queen looked uneasily around, then lowering her voice, "He is -called the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge. Pray for him." - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE OATH OF THE GAMESTER. - - -The attempted abduction however doubtful might be the fact, since if -it had any reality it had failed in its very commencement, had excited -the anger of some, and the interest of others. What afforded strong -probability to the existence of such a project was the fact that the -Committee for General Security learned that three weeks, or a month -before, a number of emigrants had entered France from different parts -of the frontier. It was evident that these people who thus risked -their lives did not do so without design, and this design was in all -probability to co-operate in carrying off the royal family. - -Already, upon the proposition of the Conventionalist Usselin, the -terrible decree had been promulgated, which condemned to death all -emigrants convicted of having returned to France; all Frenchmen -convicted of having intended to emigrate; every individual convicted of -having assisted in their flight, or in their return, either a female or -male emigrant; and lastly, all citizens convicted of having afforded -shelter to an emigrant. With this dreadful law commenced the "Reign of -Terror." All that was wanting was the law for suspected persons. The -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge was an enemy far too active and audacious -for his return to Paris, and his appearance in the Temple, not to call -forth the gravest measures. More severe inspections than had previously -taken place were made in a number of suspected houses; but with the -exception of some female emigrants who allowed themselves to be taken, -and some old men who did not care enough for their few remaining days -to dispute with the executioner, their researches produced no other -result. - -The sections, as may be imagined, were after this event much occupied -for several days, and consequently the secretary of the section -Lepelletier, one of the most influential in Paris, had little time to -think of his unknown fair one. At first, as he had resolved on quitting -the old Rue Saint Jacques, he had tried to forget her, but, as his -friend Lorin had observed to him,-- - - "Alas! endeavoring to forget - But makes us recollect the more." - -Maurice, however, neither said nor confessed anything. He buried in -his heart all the details of that adventure which he had been able to -conceal from the scrutiny of his friend. But Lorin, who knew Maurice to -be of a joyous and hilarious nature, and now saw him constantly sad and -thoughtful, seeking solitude, doubted not, to use his own expression, -that the rogue Cupid had passed that way. It is remarkable, that, -during its eighteen centuries of monarchy, France had had few years so -mythological as the year of our Lord 1793. - -In the mean time the chevalier was not taken, and he was no more spoken -of. The widowed queen, cruelly robbed of her child, contented herself -by weeping, in company with her sister and daughter. The young dauphin -was consigned to the care of "Simon the Shoemaker," and entered upon -that course of martyrdom which, in the short space of two years, was to -reunite him with his father and mother. There was a moment's calm. The -Montagnard volcano rested before devouring the Girondins. - -Maurice felt the weight of this calm, as the heaviness of the -atmosphere is felt in stormy weather, and not knowing how to dispose -of his leisure, abandoned himself entirely to the ardor of a sentiment -which if not actually love itself bordered closely upon it. He re-read -his letter, again kissed his beautiful sapphire ring, and resolved -(notwithstanding his oath) to make one more attempt, promising himself -this should indeed be the last. The young man had first thought he -would go to the section of the Jardin des Plantes, and there make -inquiry from the secretary, his colleague. But the first idea (and we -may add, which he still retained) that the beautiful unknown was mixed -up in some political plot, still restrained him, as the thought that -any indiscretion on his part might be the means of sending this lovely -woman to the Place de la Révolution, and her head to the block, caused -his blood to curdle and freeze in his veins. He therefore determined on -seeking this adventure alone, and without any further information. - -His plan, besides, was very simple. The catalogue of names inscribed -on each door would certainly afford him some clew, and then by -interrogating the porters he might be able to solve the mystery. In -his capacity of secretary of the Rue Lepelletier, he possessed full -and entire right to make all inquiries. Besides, Maurice, ignorant of -the name of the unknown, was able to judge of it by analogy. It was -impossible so lovely a creature should not possess a name in harmony -with her form, some name appertaining to sylph, fairy, or angel, since -her arrival on earth must have been hailed as that of a superior and -supernatural being. This name would then most infallibly guide him. - -Maurice then dressed himself in a coat of dark brown cloth, adorned his -head with the _bonnet-rouge_ worn on great occasions, and set out on -his voyage of discovery alone. He had in his hand one of those knotted -cudgels called a _constitution_, which wielded by his vigorous hand -was powerful as the club of Hercules, and in his pocket he placed his -commission as secretary of the section Lepelletier. These were at once -his physical security and his moral guarantee. - -He prepared himself to review afresh the Rue Saint Victor, the old Rue -Saint Jacques, reading by the light of the declining day all those -names (inscribed by hands more or less practised) upon the panels of -every door. - -Maurice had reached the hundredth house, and consequently read the -hundredth list, and nothing had yet occurred to induce him to imagine -that he was in the least degree upon the trail of the unknown, as he -had fully made up his mind that no name could be hers which did not -belong to the class he had imagined, when a good-natured shoemaker, -noticing the anxiety and impatience depicted on the young man's -countenance, came out with his strap of leather and his punch, and -looking at Maurice over his spectacles,-- - -"Do you wish any information respecting the tenants of this house, -Citizen?" said he; "if so, I shall be happy to give it to you." - -"Thanks, Citizen," stammered Maurice; "I am looking for the name of a -friend." - -"Tell me the name, Citizen; I know everybody in this quarter. Where -does this friend live?" - -"He lived, I think, in the old Rue Saint Jacques; but I fear he has -removed." - -"But how is he named? I must know that." - -Maurice taken thus unawares hesitated for a moment, then pronounced the -first name that presented itself to his memory. - -"René," said he. - -"And what trade?" - -Maurice was surrounded by tanneries. - -"A journeyman-tanner," said he. - -"In that case," said a burgess, who stopped and regarded Maurice with -a certain good-nature, not totally exempt from distrust, "you should -address yourself to his master." - -"That is true," said the door-keeper; "you are quite right, the masters -know the names of their workmen; here is Citizen Dixmer, who is manager -of a tannery, and has more than fifty workmen in his yard, he can -perhaps tell you." Maurice turned round and saw a burgess of commanding -figure and mild countenance, the richness of whose attire denoted -opulence. - -"Only as the citizen porter observes, it is necessary I should know the -family name." - -"The one I said,--René." - -"René is his baptismal name; it is the family name I require. All my -workmen sign their family name." - -"Upon my word," said Maurice, growing impatient under this species of -interrogation, "the family name? I do not know it." - -"What," said the burgess, with a smile, in which Maurice thought he -discerned more irony than he wished to appear,--"what, not know the -surname of your friend!" - -"No." - -"In that case, it is not probable you will find him," and the burgess, -gravely bowing to Maurice, walked a short distance and entered a house -in the old Rue Saint Jacques. - -"The fact is, that if you do not know his surname," said the porter-- - -"Well, I do not know it," said Maurice, who would not have been sorry -to find some occasion to vent his ill-temper, and was at the moment -much inclined to seek a quarrel. "What have you to say to that?" - -"Nothing, Citizen, nothing at all; only since you do not know the -name of your friend, it is as Citizen Dixmer said more than probable -you will not find him," and the citizen porter went into his lodge, -shrugging his shoulders. Maurice felt a great inclination to thrash -this porter, but he was an old man, and his infirmities saved him. -Had the porter been twenty years younger, Maurice would have given -a scandalous illustration of the principle,--equal in law, unequal -in physical force. Besides, the day was drawing to a close, and he -had only a few moments of daylight left. He availed himself of it by -returning to the first street, then to the second, examined every door, -searched in every nook, looked under every palisade, climbed each wall, -threw a glance into the interior of every gateway, looked through the -keyholes, knocked at some deserted warehouses without receiving any -reply, till at length nearly two hours had elapsed in this useless -investigation. - -Nine o'clock struck; no more noise was heard, no movement seen in this -deserted quarter, whose life seemed to have retired with the light of -day. Maurice in despair made a retrograde movement, when all at once, -at the winding of a narrow alley, he discerned a light. He immediately -ventured into the dark passage, without remarking that at that very -moment a curious head, which for the last quarter of an hour (from the -midst of a clump of trees, rising above the wall) had followed all his -movements, then disappeared suddenly behind this wall. A short time -after this head had disappeared, three men came out from a small door -in this same wall, went into the alley where Maurice had preceded -them, while a fourth, for greater security, locked the door of entrance -into the alley. At the end of the alley, Maurice discovered a court; -it was on the opposite side of this court that the light was burning. -He knocked at the door of a poor, solitary house, but at the first -sound the light was extinguished. He redoubled his efforts, but no one -answered his call; he saw they were determined to make no reply, so -comprehending that it was only a useless waste of time, he crossed the -court and re-entered the alley. At this moment the door of the house -turned softly on its hinges, three men came out, and then the sound of -a whistle was heard. - -Maurice turned round, and saw three shadows within a short distance. -He saw in the darkness also (his eyes having become accustomed to this -obscurity) the reflection of three glittering blades. He knew that he -was hemmed in. He would have brandished his club, but the alley was -so narrow that it touched the wall on either side. At the same moment -he was stunned by a violent blow on the head. This was an unforeseen -assault made upon him by the four men who entered through the door in -the wall. Seven men at the same time threw themselves upon Maurice, and -notwithstanding a desperate resistance, overpowered him, and succeeded -in binding his hands and bandaging his eyes. - -Maurice had not even uttered a cry, or called for aid. Strength and -true courage are self-reliant, and are ashamed of extraneous aid. -Besides, Maurice had often heard that no one would enter this deserted -quarter. Maurice was thus, as we have said, thrown down and bound, but -had not uttered a single complaint. He had reflected as to what would -follow,--that as they had bandaged his eyes they did not intend to kill -him directly. At Maurice's age respite becomes hope. He recovered his -presence of mind, and listened patiently. - -"Who are you?" demanded a voice, still breathless from the late -struggle. - -"I am a man they are murdering," replied Maurice. - -"What is more, you are a dead man if you speak loud, or call for -assistance, or even utter the least cry." - -"If I had wished to cry, I need not have waited till now." - -"Are you ready to answer my questions?" - -"Let me hear them first; I shall then see whether I ought to reply." - -"Who sent you here?" - -"No one." - -"You came then of your own accord?" - -"Yes." - -"You lie!" - -Maurice made a desperate effort to disengage his hands, but it was in -vain. - -"I never lie," said he. - -"In either case, whether you came of your own accord or were sent, you -are a spy." - -"And you are cowards!" - -"We cowards!" - -"You are seven or eight against one man bound, and you insult that man. -Cowards! cowards! cowards!" - -This violence on the part of Maurice, instead of enraging his -adversaries, appeared to produce a contrary effect. It was even a proof -that the young man was not what they had laid to his charge; a true spy -would have trembled, and begged for mercy. - -"There is nothing insulting in that," said a voice, milder yet firmer -than any that had previously been heard; "in the times we live in, one -may be a spy without being a dishonest man, only it is at the risk of -one's life." - -"If that is your opinion, you are welcome to question me, I will answer -you faithfully." - -"What are you doing in this quarter?" - -"Looking for a woman." - -This excuse was received with a murmur of incredulity; the murmur -increased and became a storm. - -"You lie!" replied the same voice. "There is no woman in the matter, -and we know what we mean by 'woman;' there is no woman to pursue in -this quarter. Avow your project, or die." - -"Come," said Maurice, "you will not kill me for pleasure, unless you -are downright ruffians." - -Maurice made a second effort, more violent and unexpected than the -first, to disengage his hands from the cord which bound them, when -suddenly a cold sensation, sharp and painful, shot through his breast. - -Despite himself, Maurice fell back a step. - -"Ah! you felt that," said one of the men. "Well, there are eight inches -like the inch with which you have just become acquainted." - -"Complete your work, then," said Maurice, resignedly; "it will at least -soon be over." - -"Come now, who are you?" asked the voice which was at once mild and -commanding. - -"Do you wish to know my name?" - -"Yes, your name." - -"Maurice Lindey." - -"What!" exclaimed a voice, "Maurice Lindey, the revolu--the patriot? -Maurice Lindey, secretary of the Lepelletier section?" - -These words were pronounced with so much heat that Maurice saw clearly -that they were decisive. To reply was in a manner to fix irrevocably -his fate. - -Maurice was incapable of cowardice. He drew himself up like a Spartan, -and said in a firm voice,-- - -"Yes, Maurice Lindey; yes, Maurice Lindey, the secretary of the section -Lepelletier; yes, Maurice Lindey, the patriot, the revolutionist, the -Jacobin; Maurice Lindey, in short, whose brightest day on earth will be -that on which he will die for liberty." - -A death-like silence followed this reply. - -Maurice presented his breast, expecting every moment that the blade, -whose point he had already felt, would be plunged into his heart. - -"Is your statement really true?" asked a voice which betrayed some -emotion; "come, young man, do not lie." - -"Search my pocket," said Maurice, "and you will find my commission. -Look at my shirt-bosom, and if my blood has not effaced them, you will -there see embroidered my initials, _M_ and _L_." - -Maurice at once felt himself lifted by strong arms which bore him a -short distance. He heard first one door open, then another; but the -second was narrower than the first, for his bearers could scarcely pass -through with him. - -The murmurs and whispers continued. - -"I am lost," thought Maurice. "They are going to tie a stone round my -neck and throw me into some hole of the Bièvre." - -But in another moment he felt that the men ascended some steps, where -the air was warmer, and where they placed him on a seat. He heard a -double door shut and the steps withdraw. He believed that he was left -alone. He listened as intently as a man can whose life depends upon a -word, and he believed that he heard that same voice whose tones had -already struck him as mixing mildness with command, say to the others,-- - -"Let us deliberate." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -GENEVIÈVE. - - -A quarter of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice. -Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his -strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he -sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found -himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing -his life in an ignominious den of assassins. - -He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he -watched? - -Again he struggled to break his bonds. His muscles of steel swelled and -contracted; the cord cut into his flesh, but did not break. - -The most terrible thing was that his hands were fastened behind his -back so that he could not remove the bandage from his eyes. If he could -only see, he might escape. - -As he had made these attempts to free himself without opposition, -without anything stirring around him, he concluded that he was alone. -The ground under his feet was soft and soundless, might be gravel or -perhaps clay. An acrid and pungent smell announced the presence of -vegetable matter. Maurice fancied he was in a greenhouse, or some place -very like it. He took a step or two, hit the wall, turned, and groping -with his hands, felt some garden-tools. He uttered an exclamation of -joy. - -With unparalleled exertion he examined these tools, one after the -other. His flight now became a question of time. If chance, or -Providence, granted him five minutes, and if among these tools he found -a sharp instrument, he was saved. - -He found a spade. From the way in which Maurice was bound, it required -a great struggle to raise the spade a sufficient height for his -purpose. He at length succeeded, and upon the blade of the spade which -he supported against the wall with his back, he at last cut, or rather -wore away, the cord which confined his wrists. The operation was -tedious, the iron cut slowly. The perspiration streamed from his face; -he heard a noise as of some one approaching; with a tremendous effort -the cord, half-severed, broke. He could not help giving a cry of joy; -now at least he was sure to die in defending himself. - -Maurice tore the bandage from his eyes. - -He had not been mistaken; he found himself not in a greenhouse, but -in a kind of pavilion used as a receptacle for the more delicate -plants unable to outlive the winter in the open air. In a corner the -gardening implements were stowed away, one of which had been the means -of rendering him so important a service. Facing him was a window; he -rushed toward it; it was grated, and a man armed with a carbine placed -sentinel before it. - -On the other side of the garden, about thirty paces distant, rose a -small turret, fellow to the one where Maurice remained prisoner. The -blind was down, but through the blind a light was visible. - -He approached the door and listened; another sentinel paced to and fro -before this door. These were the footsteps he had heard. - -But from the end of the corridor a confusion of voices resounded. The -deliberation had evidently degenerated into disputation. Maurice could -not hear distinctly what was said; some words, however, reached him, -and amid these words--as if for them only the distance was short--he -distinguished plainly, Spy! Poniard! Death! - -Maurice redoubled his attention; a door opened, and he heard more -distinctly. - -"Yes," said one voice, "he is assuredly a spy; he has discovered -something, and is certainly sent to take us and our secret unawares. In -freeing him we run the risk of his denouncing us." - -"But his word," said a voice. - -"His word--he will give it only to betray us. Is he a gentleman that we -should trust his word?" - -Maurice ground his teeth at the idea which some folks still retained, -that only a gentleman could keep his oath. - -"But he does not know us; how can he denounce us?" - -"No; he certainly does not know us nor our occupation, but he knows the -address, and will return; next time he will be well accompanied." - -This argument appeared conclusive. - -"Then," said the voice which several times already had struck Maurice -as belonging to the chief, "it is decided." - -"Yes, a hundred times yes; I do not comprehend you with your -magnanimity. My good sir, if the Committee for the Public Safety caught -us, you would see if they acted toward us with so much ceremony." - -"You persist, then, in your decision, gentlemen?" - -"Without doubt, and you are not, we hope, going to oppose it." - -"I have only one voice, gentlemen; it has been in favor of his -liberation: you possess six, and they all vote for his death. Let it, -then, be death." - -Maurice felt the blood freeze in his veins. - -"Of course he will howl," said a voice; "have you removed Madame -Dixmer?" - -"Madame Dixmer!" murmured Maurice; "I begin now to comprehend. I am in -the house of the master-tanner who spoke to me in the old Rue Saint -Jacques, and who went away laughing because I was unable to tell him -the name of my friend. But how can it be to his interest to assassinate -me?" - -Looking round, Maurice perceived an iron stake with a handle of -ash-tree wood. - -"In any case," said he, "before they assassinate me, I will kill more -than one of them." - -And he sprang to secure this harmless instrument, which, in his hand, -was to become a formidable weapon. He then retired behind the door, -and so placed himself that he could see without being seen. His heart -beat so tumultuously that in the deep silence its palpitations might be -heard. Suddenly Maurice shuddered from head to foot. A voice had said,-- - -"If you act according to my advice, you will break a pane, and through -the bars kill him with a shot from a carbine." - -"Oh, no, no!--not an explosion," said another voice, "that might betray -us. Besides, Dixmer, there is your wife." - -"I have just looked at her through the blind; she suspects nothing--she -is reading." - -"Dixmer, you shall decide for us. Do you advocate a shot from the -carbine, or a stroke from the poniard?" - -"Avoid firearms as much as possible--the poniard." - -"Then let it be the poniard. Come!" - -"Come!" repeated five or six voices, together. - -Maurice was a child of the Revolution, with a heart of flint, and in -mind, like many others at that epoch, an atheist. But at the word -"Come!" pronounced behind the door, which alone separated him from -death, he remembered the sign of the cross, which his mother had taught -him when an infant he said his prayers at her knee. - -Steps approached, stopped; then the key turned in the lock, and the -door slowly opened. - -During this fleeting moment, Maurice had said to himself,-- - -"If I do not strike at once, I am a dead man. If I throw myself upon -the assassins, I take them unawares--gain first the garden, then the -street, and am saved!" - -Immediately, with the spring of a lion, and uttering a fierce cry which -savored more of menace than terror, he threw down the first two men, -who believing him bound and blindfolded were quite unprepared for such -an assault, scattered the others, took a tremendous leap over them, -thanks to his iron muscles, saw at the end of the corridor a door -leading into the garden wide open, rushed toward it, cleared at a bound -six steps, found himself in the garden, and guessing his whereabouts as -nearly as possible, rushed toward the gate. It was secured by a lock -and a couple of bolts. Maurice drew back the bolts, tried to open the -lock; but it had no key. - -In the mean time his pursuers, who had reached the steps, perceived him. - -"There he is!" cried they; "fire upon him, Dixmer, fire! Kill him--kill -him!" - -Maurice uttered a groan; he was enclosed in the garden; he measured -the walls with his eye--they were ten feet in height. - -All this passed in a moment. The assassins rushed forward in pursuit. - -Maurice was about thirty paces in advance; he looked about him with -the air of a condemned man who seeks the shadow of a chance to save -himself. He perceived the turret, the blind, and behind the blind the -light. - -He made but one bound,--a bound of six feet,--seized the blind, tore it -down, passed through the window, smashing it, and alighted in a chamber -where a lady sat reading. - -The lady rose terrified, calling for help. - -"Stand aside, Geneviève; stand aside!" cried the voice of Dixmer, -"stand aside that I may kill him!" - -And Maurice saw the carbine levelled at him. - -But scarcely had the woman looked at him than she uttered a frightful -cry, and instead of standing aside, as desired by her husband, rushed -between him and the barrel of the gun. - -This movement concentrated all Maurice's attention on the generous -woman, whose first impulse was to protect him from danger and death. - -In his turn he uttered a cry of astonishment. - -It was the unknown whom he had so eagerly sought. - -"You!" he exclaimed, "you--" - -"Silence!" cried she. - -Then, turning toward the assassins, who, variously armed, approached -the window,-- - -"Ah! you will not kill him!" cried she. - -"He is a spy," said Dixmer, whose usually placid countenance had -assumed an expression of stern resolution,--"he is a spy, and therefore -must die." - -"A spy--he!" said Geneviève; "he a spy! Come here, Dixmer; I need only -say one word to prove that you are strangely deceived." - -Dixmer and Geneviève approached the window, and in a low voice she -uttered a few words. - -The master-tanner raised his head quickly. - -"He!" said he. - -"He himself," said Geneviève. - -"You are certain, quite certain?" - -This time the young woman did not reply, but smiling held out her hand -to Maurice. - -The features of Dixmer now assumed a singular expression of coolness -and gentleness. He rested the butt-end of his musket on the ground. - -"This is quite another thing," said he. - -Then making a sign to his companions to follow, he stepped aside with -them, and after saying a few words, they disappeared. - -"Conceal that ring," murmured Geneviève; "it is known by every one -here." - -Maurice quickly drew the ring from his finger, and slipped it into his -waistcoat-pocket. - -A moment afterward the door of the pavilion opened, and Dixmer, -unarmed, advanced toward Maurice. - -"Pardon me, Citizen," said he, "that I did not know sooner the -obligation I am under to you. My wife, while retaining a grateful -remembrance of the service you rendered her on the 10th of March, had -forgotten your name. We were therefore completely in ignorance with -whom we were concerned; otherwise, believe me, we should not for a -moment have entertained suspicion either of your honor or intentions. I -therefore again ask your pardon." - -Maurice was bewildered; with the greatest difficulty he preserved his -equilibrium; he felt his head turn round, and was near falling. He -supported himself against the mantel-piece. - -"Why on earth did you wish to kill me?" he asked. - -"This is the secret, Citizen," said Dixmer; "I confide it to your -keeping. I am, as you already know, a tanner, and principal in this -concern. The greater part of the acids I employ in the preparation -of my skins are prohibited goods. Now the smugglers have received -intelligence of an information laid before the counsel-general. I -feared you were an informer. My smugglers were more alarmed than myself -at your _bonnet-rouge_ and formidable appearance, and I do not conceal -from you that your death was resolved upon." - -"_Pardieu!_ and well I know it," said Maurice; "you tell me no news. I -heard your consultation, and have seen your carbine." - -"I have already apologized," said Dixmer, in a tone of marked kindness. -"You must understand that, thanks to the unsettled state of the times, -myself and partner, Monsieur Morand, are likely to realize an immense -fortune. We have the furnishing of the military bags, and finish from -fifteen hundred to two thousand each day. Owing to this blessed state -of things in which we live, the municipality are much occupied, and -have not time strictly to examine our accounts, so that it must be -confessed we fish a little in troubled waters; the more so because, -as I have already told you, the preparatory materials we procure by -smuggling allow us to gain two hundred per cent." - -"The devil!" said Maurice, "that appears to me an honest living enough, -and I can now understand your dread lest a denunciation on my part -should put an end to it; but now you know me, you fear me no longer. Is -it not so?" - -"Now," said Dixmer, "I do not even ask your word of honor." Then, -placing his hand on his shoulder and smiling, "As it is only between -friends," said he, "may I inquire what brought you here, young man? But -of course, if you wish to keep it secret, you are perfectly at liberty -to do so." - -"I have already told you, I believe," murmured Maurice. - -"Yes, a woman," said the burgess; "I know there was something about a -woman." - -"_Mon Dieu!_ excuse me, Citizen, I am aware some sort of explanation -is due to you. Well, then, I sought a female, who the other evening, -disguised, told me she resided in this quarter. I neither know her -name, position, or place of abode. I only know I am madly in love with -her, that she is short--" - -Geneviève was tall. - -"That she is fair, and of a lively temperament." - -Geneviève was a brunette, with large pensive eyes. - -"A grisette, in short," continued Maurice; "so to please her, I assumed -the popular dress." - -"That explains all," said Dixmer, with a faith which a sly wink did not -belie. - -Geneviève colored, and feeling herself blush, turned away. - -"Poor Citizen Lindey," said Dixmer, laughing; "what a miserable evening -we have caused you to pass! and you are about the last I would wish to -injure, so excellent a patriot, a brother; but, in short, I believed -some confounded spy had usurped your name." - -"Let us say no more on the subject," said Maurice, who knew it was time -for him to withdraw; "put me on my road, and let us forget--" - -"Put you on your road!" exclaimed Dixmer; "let you leave us! no indeed, -not yet. I give--or rather my partner and myself give--a supper -to-night to those brave fellows who wished so much to slaughter you a -little while ago. I reckon upon your supping with them, that you may -see they are not such devils as they appear to be." - -"But," said Maurice, overjoyed at the thought of being for a few hours -near Geneviève, "I do not know really if I ought to accept--" - -"If you ought to accept!" said Dixmer; "I know you ought; these are -good and stanch patriots like yourself. Besides, I shall not consider -that you have forgiven me unless we break bread together." - -Geneviève uttered not a word. Maurice was in torment. - -"The fact is," stammered Maurice, "I fear I may be a constraint upon -you, Citizen--this dress--my ungentlemanly appearance--" - -Geneviève looked timidly toward him. - -"We invite you in all kindness," said she. - -"I accept your invitation, Citizen," said he, bowing. - -"I will go and secure our companions," said Dixmer; "in the mean time, -warm yourself, my dear sir." - -He went out. Maurice and Geneviève remained alone. - -"Ah, Monsieur!" said the young woman, in an accent to which she in vain -tried to convey a tone of reproach, "you have failed in your word; you -have been exceedingly indiscreet." - -"Madame," cried Maurice, "have I in any way compromised you? Ah! in -that case, pardon me; I will retire, and never--" - -"Goodness!" said she, rising, "you are wounded in the breast; your -shirt is stained with blood." - -Indeed, upon the fine, white shirt of Maurice--a shirt forming a -strange contrast to his coarser clothes--a large red spot of blood had -spread itself, and had dried there. - -"Do not be under any alarm, Madame," said the young man, "one of the -smugglers pricked me with his poniard." - -Geneviève turned pale, and taking his hand,-- - -"Forgive me," said she, "the wrong that has been done you; you saved my -life, and I have nearly caused your death." - -"Am I not sufficiently recompensed in finding you? You cannot for a -moment imagine it was for another that I sought." - -"Come with me," said Geneviève, interrupting him; "I will find you some -clean linen. Our guests must not see you thus; it would be too great a -reproach to them." - -"I am a great trouble to you, Madame, I fear," said Maurice, sighing. - -"Not at all; I only do my duty; and," she added, "I do it with much -pleasure." - -Geneviève then conducted Maurice to a large dressing-room, arranged -with an air of elegance he had not expected to find in the house -of a master-tanner. It is true this master-tanner appeared to be a -millionnaire. She then opened the wardrobes. - -"Help yourself," said she; "you are at home." She withdrew. - -When Maurice came out, he found Dixmer had returned. - -"Come! come!" said he, "to table; we only wait for you." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE SUPPER. - - -When Maurice entered with Dixmer and Geneviève into the dining-room, -situated in the part of the house where they had first conducted him, -the supper was ready but the room vacant. He saw all the guests enter -successively. They were six in number, men of agreeable exterior, for -the most part young and fashionably dressed; two or three even wore the -blouse and red bonnet. - -Dixmer introduced Maurice, naming his titles and qualifications. Then, -turning toward Maurice,-- - -"You see," said he, "Citizen Lindey, all those who assist me in -my trade. Thanks to the times in which we live, thanks to the -revolutionary principles which have effaced all distinction, we all -live upon the same footing of sacred equality. Every day we assemble -twice at the same table, and I am happy you have been induced to -partake of our family repast. Come! to table--citizens, to table." - -"And--Monsieur Morand," said Geneviève, timidly, "do we not wait for -him?" - -"Ah, true!" said Dixmer. "This citizen of whom I have already spoken, -Citizen Lindey, is my partner. He conducts, if I may so express myself, -the moral part of the establishment. He attends to the writing, keeps -the cash, superintends the factories, pays and receives the money, -and, in short, works harder than any of us. The result is that he is -sometimes rather late. I will go and tell him we are waiting." - -At this moment the door opened, and the Citizen Morand entered. - -He was a short man, dark, with bushy eyebrows, and wore green -spectacles--like a man whose eyes are fatigued from excess of -work--concealing his black eyes, but not effectually obstructing their -scintillating gleams. At the first words he uttered, Maurice recognized -that mild, yet commanding voice engaged in his behalf when endeavoring -to save him from becoming a victim to that terrible discussion. He was -habited in a brown coat, with large buttons, a white waistcoat; and his -fine cambric shirt-frill was often during dinner smoothed by a hand -which Maurice, no doubt from its being that of a tradesman, admired -much for its beauty and delicacy of appearance. - -They all took their seats. Morand was placed on Geneviève's right -hand, Maurice on her left. Dixmer sat opposite his wife. The rest of -the guests seated themselves promiscuously round an oblong table. -The supper was excellent. Dixmer had a capital appetite, and did the -honors of the table with much politeness. The workmen, or those who -pretended to be such, under this example became excellent companions. -The Citizen Morand spoke little, and ate still less; drank scarcely -anything, and rarely smiled. Maurice, perhaps from the reminiscences -his voice awakened, felt for him immediately a lively sympathy, only he -was in doubt as to his age; and this rather annoyed him, as sometimes -he imagined him to be a man of forty or forty-five years, and sometimes -to be quite young. - -Dixmer, on placing himself at table, felt obliged to offer some -explanation to his guests for the admission of a stranger into -their little circle. He acquitted himself like an artless man, one -unaccustomed to deceit; but the guests, as it seemed, were not hard to -manage on this point; for, notwithstanding the awkwardness displayed -by the manufacturer of hides in the introduction of the young man, they -all appeared perfectly satisfied. - -Maurice regarded him with astonishment. - -"Upon my honor," said he to himself, "I shall really soon think that -I myself am deceived. Is that the same man who, with flaming eyes and -threatening voice, pursued me, gun in hand, and absolutely wished to -kill me three quarters of an hour since? Then I should have taken him -for either a hero or an assassin. Goodness! how the love of hides does -transform a man." - -While making these observations Maurice experienced a strange feeling -of joy and grief, and felt unable to analyze his own emotions. He -at length found himself near his beautiful unknown, whom he had so -ardently sought. As he had dreamed, she bore a charming name; he was -intoxicated with the happiness of finding himself at her side; he drank -in her every word; and at each sound of her voice the most secret -chords of his heart vibrated; but he was deeply wounded by all he saw. - -Geneviève was exactly what he had pictured her; the dream of a stormy -night, reality had not destroyed. Here was an elegant woman, of sad -demeanor but refined mind, affording another instance of what had so -frequently occurred during the latter years preceding this present -celebrated year '93. Here was a young woman of distinction compelled, -from the ruin into which the nobility was ever falling, deeper and -deeper, to ally herself to a commoner engaged in commerce. Dixmer -appeared a trusty man. He was incontestably rich, and his manners to -Geneviève were those of a man making every endeavor to render a woman -happy. But could kindness, riches, or excellent intentions compensate -her for what she had sacrificed, or remove the immense distance -existing between husband and wife, between a refined, distinguished, -charming girl, and a vulgar-looking tradesman? With what could -Geneviève fill up this abyss? Alas! Maurice now guessed too well. With -love! And he therefore returned to that opinion of the young woman -he had formed on the evening of their first meeting,--that she was -returning from some love affair. - -The idea of Geneviève loving any one was torture to Maurice. He -sighed, and deeply regretted having exposed himself to the temptation -of imbibing a still larger dose of that poison termed love. At other -moments, while listening to that ductile voice, so soft and harmonious, -examining that pure and open countenance which evinced no fear that he -should read every secret of her soul, he arrived at the conclusion that -it was utterly impossible that this matchless creature could descend to -deceit; and then he found a bitter pleasure in remembering that this -lovely woman belonged solely to this good citizen, with his honest -smile and vulgar pleasantries, and would never be to him more than a -passing acquaintance. - -They conversed of course on politics. How could it be otherwise at an -epoch when politics were mixed up with everything. Political subjects -were even painted on the plates, political designs covered the walls, -and politics were daily proclaimed in the streets. All at once, one of -the guests who had hitherto preserved silence inquired concerning the -prisoners of the Temple. - -Maurice started, in spite of himself, at the ring of that voice. He -recognized the voice of the man who, a strenuous advocate for extreme -measures, had first struck him with his dagger, and then advocated -his death. Nevertheless, this man, an honest tanner, and head of the -manufactory, at least so Dixmer represented him, soon incited the -good humor of Maurice by the expression of ideas the most patriotic, -and principles the most revolutionary. The young man, under certain -circumstances, was not inimical to these extreme measures, so much in -fashion at this period, of which Danton was the apostle and hero. In -this man's place, from the effect of whose voice and weapon he felt -himself still smarting, he would not have attempted to assassinate -the man he believed to be a spy, but would rather have locked him in -the garden, and there, equally armed, sword to sword, have fought -him without mercy, without pity. This is what Maurice would have -done; but he comprehended soon that this was too much to expect of a -journeyman-tanner. - -This man of extreme measures, who appeared to possess in his political -ideas the same violent system as in his private conduct, then spoke of -the Temple, and expressed surprise that the prisoners were confided to -the guardianship of a permanent council liable to be corrupted, and to -municipals whose fidelity had already been more than once tempted. - -"Yes," said the Citizen Morand; "but it must be remembered that on -every occasion, up to the present time, the municipals have fully -justified the confidence reposed in them by the nation, and history -will record that the Citizen Robespierre alone has merited the title of -'Incorruptible.'" - -"Without doubt, without doubt," replied the interlocutor; "but because -a thing has not yet happened, it would be absurd to suppose it never -can happen. As for the National Guard," continued the foreman of the -manufactory, "well, the companies of the different sections are placed, -each in their turn, on duty at the Temple, and that indifferently. -Will you not admit that there might be, in a company of twenty or -five-and-twenty men, a band of seven or eight determined characters, -who some fine night might slaughter the sentinels and carry off the -prisoners?" - -"Bah!" said Maurice; "you see, Citizen, this would be a foolish -expedient. In fact the thing was tried three weeks or a month ago, and -did not succeed." - -"Yes," replied Morand; "because one of those aristocrats who composed -the patrol had the imprudence in speaking to let fall the word -'Monsieur,' I do not know to whom." - -"And then," said Maurice, who wished to prove that the police of the -Republic did their duty, "because the entrance of the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge into Paris was already known--" - -"Bah!" cried Dixmer. - -"They knew that Maison-Rouge had entered Paris?" coldly demanded -Morand; "and did they know by what means he entered?" - -"Perfectly." - -"Indeed!" said Morand, leaning forward to look at Maurice, "I should -be curious to know that, as up to the present moment no one can speak -positively. But you, Citizen, you, secretary of one of the principal -sections in Paris, ought to be better informed." - -"Doubtless; therefore, what I am about to tell you is the true -statement of facts." - -All the guests and even Geneviève appeared prepared to pay the greatest -attention to this recital. - -"Well," said Maurice, "the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge came from Vendée, -it appears; he had traversed all France with his usual good fortune. -Arrived during the day at the Barrière du Roule, he waited till nine -o'clock at night. At that hour a woman, disguised as a woman of the -people, went out through the barrier, carrying to the chevalier a -costume of chasseur of the National Guard. Ten minutes afterward she -re-entered with him; but the sentinel, who had seen her go out alone, -felt rather suspicious when he saw her return with a companion. He gave -the alarm to the post; the post turned out, when the two culprits, -knowing they were pursued, flung themselves into a hôtel where a second -door opened into the Champs Elysées. - -"It seems that a patrol devoted to the tyrants waited for the chevalier -at the corner of the Rue Bar-du-Bec. You are acquainted with the rest." - -"Ah, ah!" said Morand; "this is very strange." - -"But positively true," said Maurice. - -"Yes, it has an air of truth; but the female, do you know what became -of her?" - -"No; she has disappeared, and they are quite ignorant who she is, or -what she is." - -The partner of Citizen Dixmer, and Citizen Dixmer himself, appeared to -breathe more freely. - -Geneviève had listened to the whole of this recital, pale, silent, and -immovable. - -"But," said Morand, with his usual coolness, "who can say that the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge made one of the patrol who gave the alarm at -the Temple?" - -"A municipal, one of my friends, that day on duty at the Temple. He -recognized him." - -"He knew him from description?" - -"He had seen him before." - -"And what sort of man, personally, is this Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" - -"A man of five or six and twenty, short, fair, and of a pleasing -countenance, with magnificent eyes and superb teeth." - -There was a profound silence. - -"Well," said Morand, "if your friend the municipal recognized this -pretended Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, why did he not arrest him?" - -"In the first place, not knowing of his arrival at Paris, he feared -being the dupe of a resemblance; and then my friend, being rather -lukewarm, acted as the lukewarm generally act,--gave him the benefit of -his doubt, and let him alone." - -"You would not have acted thus, Citizen?" said Dixmer, laughing -boisterously. - -"No," said Maurice; "I confess it, I would rather find myself deceived -than allow so dangerous a man as the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge to -escape." - -"And what would you have done, then, Monsieur?" timidly inquired -Geneviève. - -"What would I have done, Citizeness?" said Maurice. "Oh, by Jove! I -would have made short work of it. I would have had every door in the -Temple shut. I would have walked straight up to the patrol, have placed -my hand on his collar, and said to him, 'Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, -I arrest you as a traitor to the nation;' and my hand once upon his -collar, I would not soon release him, I can tell you." - -"And what would have happened then?" asked Geneviève. - -"It would have happened that he and his accomplices would have been -arrested, and that very hour would have been guillotined; that is all." - -Geneviève shuddered, and darted on her neighbor a look of affright. -But the Citizen Morand did not appear to notice this glance, and -phlegmatically emptied his glass. - -"The Citizen Lindey is right," said he; "there was nothing else to do; -but, unfortunately, it was not done." - -"And," demanded Geneviève, "do you know what has become of the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" - -"Bah!" said Dixmer, "in all probability he did not wish to remain -longer, and finding his attempt abortive, quitted Paris immediately." - -"And perhaps even France," added Morand. - -"Not at all, not at all," said Maurice. - -"What! has he had the imprudence to remain in Paris?" asked Geneviève. - -"He has not stirred." - -A movement of general astonishment followed this assertion which -Maurice had stated with so much confidence. - -"This is only a supposition, Citizen, on your part," said -Morand,--"merely a supposition, that is all." - -"No; I affirm it as a positive fact." - -"Ah!" said Geneviève; "I acknowledge, for my part, I cannot believe it -is as you say; it would be such an unpardonable imprudence." - -"You are a woman, Citizen; and can comprehend, then, what would -outweigh, with a man of such a character as the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge, all considerations of personal security?" - -"And what can outweigh the dread of losing one's life in a manner so -dreadful?" - -"Ah, Citizeness!" answered Maurice, "love." - -"Love!" repeated Geneviève. - -"Certainly. Do you not know, then, that the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge -is enamored of Marie Antoinette?" - -Two or three incredulous laughs were faintly heard. Dixmer looked at -Maurice as if he sought to penetrate the very depths of his soul. -Geneviève felt the tears suffuse her eyes, and a shuddering she could -not conceal from Maurice ran through her frame. The Citizen Morand -spilled some wine from his glass, which he was then in the act of -putting to his lips. His paleness would have alarmed Maurice, had not -all the young man's attention been at the time centred on Geneviève. - -"You are moved, Citizeness," murmured Maurice. - -"Did you not say I should understand this because I was a woman? Well, -we women feel for such devotion even if opposed to our principles." - -"And that of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge is the height of devotion, -as it is said he has never even spoken to the queen." - -"Ah! there now, Citizen Lindey," said the man of extreme measures; "it -seems to me, permit me to observe, that you are very indulgent to the -Chevalier--" - -"Monsieur," said Maurice, perhaps intentionally making use of a word -which had ceased to be in vogue, "I love all brave and courageous -natures, which does not prevent my fighting them when I meet them in -the ranks of my enemies. I do not despair of one day encountering the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -"And--" said Geneviève. - -"If I meet him--well, I shall fight him." - -The supper was finished. Geneviève set the example of retiring, by -herself rising from table. At this moment the clock struck. - -"Midnight!" said Morand, coolly. - -"Midnight," exclaimed Maurice,--"midnight already?" - -"That exclamation affords me much pleasure," said Dixmer; "it proves -you are not wearied, and induces me to hope we may see you again. It is -the door of a true patriot which opens to receive you; and, I trust, -ere long, you will find it that of a sincere friend." - -Maurice bowed, and turning toward Geneviève,-- - -"Will the Citizeness also permit me to repeat my visit?" demanded he. - -"I do more than permit, I request you to do so. Adieu, Citizen," and -Geneviève retired. - -Maurice took leave of all the guests, particularly saluting Morand, -with whom he was much pleased; pressed Dixmer's hand, and went away -bewildered, but on the whole more joyful than sad, from the various and -unexpected events of the evening. - -"Unfortunate encounter, unfortunate encounter!" said the young woman, -after Maurice's departure, and then burst into tears in the presence of -her husband, who had conducted her to her room. - -"Bah!" said Dixmer, "the Citizen Lindey, a known patriot, secretary -to a section, admired, worshipped, and highly popular, is, on the -contrary, a great acquisition to a poor tanner who has contraband -merchandise on his premises." - -"Do you think so, _mon ami_?" asked Geneviève, timidly. - -"I think it is a warrant of patriotism, a seal of absolution, placed -upon our house; and I think, after this evening, that the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge himself would be safe at our house." - -And Dixmer kissed his wife with an affection more paternal than -conjugal, and left her in the little pavilion set apart for her special -benefit, passing himself into another part of the building, which he -inhabited with the guests we have seen assembled round his table. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -SIMON THE SHOEMAKER. - - -The month of May had commenced. A bright clear day expanded the lungs -tired of inhaling the icy fogs of winter, and the rays of the sun, warm -and exhilarating, shone upon the black walls of the Temple. At the -wicket of the interior, which separated the tower from the gardens, the -soldiers of the post were smoking and laughing. But, notwithstanding -the beauty of the day, and the offer made to the prisoners to descend -and walk in the garden, the three females refused to do so; as, since -the execution of her husband, the queen had obstinately secluded -herself in her chamber, not wishing to pass the door of the apartment -lately occupied by the king on the second story. When by any chance she -took the air, since the fatal occurrence of the 21st of January, she -did so on the platform of the tower, where even the battlements were -inclosed with shutters. - -The National Guards on duty, who knew the three females had received -permission to go out, waited in vain all day, expecting them to turn -the authority to some account. Toward five o'clock a man descended, and -approached the sergeant in command of the post. - -"Ah! ah! is that you, Father Tison?" said the sergeant, who appeared to -be a right merry fellow. - -"Yes, it is I, Citizen; I bring you, on the part of the municipal -Maurice Lindey, your friend, who is now upstairs, this permission, -granted by the Council of the Temple to my daughter, to pay a visit to -her mother this evening." - -"And you are going out just as your daughter is coming in? Unnatural -father!" said the sergeant. - -"I am going much against my inclination, Citizen Sergeant. I also -hoped to see my poor child, whom I have not seen for two months, and -to embrace her this evening. I am going out now. This service, this -damned service, compels me to go out. It is necessary I should go to -the Commune to make my report. A fiacre is waiting for me at the door, -with two gendarmes, and it is exactly the time when my poor Sophie will -arrive." - -"Unhappy parent!" said the sergeant. - -"And, Citizen Sergeant, when my child comes to see her poor mother, who -is dying to see her, you will allow her to pass?" - -"The order is correct," replied the sergeant, whom the reader has no -doubt recognized as our friend Lorin; "so I have nothing to say against -it; when your daughter comes, she may pass." - -"Thanks, brave Thermopyle! thanks," said Tison; and he went out to make -his report to the Commune, murmuring, "My poor wife, how happy she will -be!" - -"Do you know, Sergeant," said one of the National Guard, seeing -Tison depart, and overhearing the last words,--"do you know there is -something in these things that makes my blood run cold?" - -"What things, Citizen Devaux?" demanded Lorin. - -"Why," replied the compassionate National Guard, "to see this man, -with his surly face and heart of stone, this pitiless guardian of the -queen, go out with his eyes full of tears, partly of joy, partly of -grief, thinking that his wife will see his daughter, and he shall not. -It does not do to reflect upon it too much, Sergeant; it is really -grievous." - -"Doubtless that is why he does not reflect upon it himself, this man -who goes out with tears in his eyes, as you term it." - -"Upon what should he reflect?" - -"That it is three months since this woman he so brutally uses has -seen her child. He does not think of her grief, only of his own; that -is all. It is true this woman was queen," continued the sergeant, in -an ironical tone rather difficult of comprehension; "and one is not -obliged to feel the same respect for a queen as for the wife of a -journeyman." - -"Notwithstanding, all this is very sad," said Devaux. - -"Sad, but necessary," said Lorin. "The best way then, is, as you say, -not to think of it," and he began to sing-- - - "Where the branches met - On a rocky stone - There I found Nicette, - Seated all alone." - -Lorin was in the midst of his pastoral ditty, when suddenly a loud -noise was heard from the left side of the post, composed of oaths, -menaces, and tears. - -"What is that?" demanded Devaux. - -"It sounded like the voice of a child," said Lorin, listening. - -"In fact," said the National Guard, "it is a poor little one they are -beating. Truly they ought only to send here those who have no children." - -"Will you sing?" said a hoarse and drunken voice. - -And the voice sung in example-- - - "Madame Veto promised - That all our heads should fall--" - -"No," said the child, "I will not sing." - -"Will you sing?" - -And the voice recommenced-- - - "Madame Veto promised--" - -"No! no!" said the child. "No, no, no!" - -"Ah! little beggar," said the hoarse voice; and the noise of a lash -whirring through the air was distinctly heard. The infant screamed with -agony. - -"Ah! _sacre bleu!_" said Lorin; "it is that rascally Simon beating the -little Capet." - -Several of the National Guards shrugged their shoulders. Two or three -tried to smile. Devaux rose and went out. - -"I said truly," murmured he, "that parents should never enter here." - -All at once a low door opened, and the royal child, chased by the whip -of his guardian made a flying leap into the court, when something hard -struck his leg, and fell on the ground behind him. - -He stumbled, and fell upon his knee. - -"Bring me my last, little monster, or else--" - -The child rose and shook his head, in token of refusal. - -"Ah! this is it, is it?" cried the same voice. "Wait, you shall see," -and the shoemaker Simon rushed from his hut as a wild beast from its -den. - -"Hallo! hallo!" cried Lorin, frowning. "Where are you going so fast, -Master Simon?" - -"To chastise this little wolf's cub," said the shoemaker. - -"To chastise him, for what?" - -"For what?" - -"Yes." - -"Because the little beggar will neither sing like a good patriot, nor -work like a good citizen." - -"Well, what have you to do with that?" demanded Lorin. "Did the nation -confide Capet to you that you might teach him to sing?" - -"And what business have you to interfere, I should like to know, -Citizen Sergeant?" said Simon, astonished. - -"I interfere, as it becomes every man of feeling to do. It is unworthy -of a man to see a child beaten, and to suffer him to be beaten." - -"Bah! the son of a tyrant." - -"He is a child; and the child has not participated in the crimes of the -father. The child is not culpable, and, consequently, ought not to be -punished." - -"And I tell you he was placed with me to do what I choose with him. I -choose that he shall sing 'Madame Veto,' and sing it he shall." - -"Contemptible wretch!" said Lorin. "'Madame Veto' is mother to this -child. Would you yourself like your child to be made to sing that you -were one of the canaille?" - -"Me!" cried Simon. "Vile aristocrat of a sergeant!" - -"No names," said Lorin. "I am not Capet; and they shall not make me -sing by force." - -"I will have you arrested, vile _ci-devant_!" - -"You!" said Lorin; "you have me arrested! you had better try to arrest -a Thermopyle." - -"Good, good; he laughs best who laughs last. And now, Capet, pick up my -last, and come and finish your shoe, or by thunder!--" - -"And I," said Lorin, turning deadly pale, and advancing a step forward, -his hands clinched, and his teeth set,-- "I tell you he shall not pick -up your last, he shall not make shoes; do you hear, idiot? Oh, yes! you -have your big sword there, but I am no more afraid of it than I am of -yourself. Just you dare to draw it." - -"Ah! _massacre_," roared Simon, turning pale with rage. - -At this moment two women entered the court. One of them held a paper in -her hand. She addressed herself to the sentinel. - -"Sergeant," cried the sentinel, "it is Tison's daughter, who asks to -see her mother." - -"Let her pass, since the Council of the Temple permit it," said Lorin, -who did not wish to leave for a moment, for fear Simon should avail -himself of his absence and again beat the child. - -The sentinel allowed the two women to pass; but hardly had they -ascended four steps on the dark staircase, when they encountered -Maurice Lindey, who was descending into the court. It was almost dark, -so that he was unable to distinguish their features. Maurice stopped -them. - -"Who are you, citizens?" said he; "and what do you want?" - -"I am Sophie Tison," said one of the women; "I obtained permission to -visit my mother, and have come to see her." - -"Yes," said Maurice; "but this permission was for yourself only, -Citizeness." - -"I brought my friend, that there might be two of us in the midst of the -soldiers, at least." - -"Very good; but your friend cannot go up." - -"As you please, Citizen," said Sophie Tison, pressing the hand of her -friend, who, close against the wall, seemed paralyzed with surprise and -terror. - -"Citizen sentinels," said Maurice, raising his voice and addressing the -sentinels who were stationed on every landing, "allow the Citizen Tison -to pass, but do not permit her friend to pass; she will remain on the -staircase. See that she is treated with all due respect." - -"Yes, Citizen," replied the sentinels. - -"Go up, then," said Maurice. - -The two women then passed on; and Maurice, leaping over the remaining -five or six steps, advanced rapidly into the court. - -"What is all this?" said he to the National Guard; "and what is the -cause of this noise? The cries of a child were heard as far as the -prisoners' antechamber." - -"It is this," said Simon, who, accustomed to the manners of the -municipals, believed, on perceiving Maurice, that he came as an ally; -"this traitor, this spy, this _ci-devant_, this aristocrat, prevents me -from belaboring Capet," and he shook his fist at Lorin. - -"Yes, by Heaven, I did prevent it," said Lorin, drawing his sword; "and -if you again call me _ci-devant_, aristocrat, or traitor, I will run my -sword through your body." - -"A threat!" cried Simon; "guard! guard!" - -"I am the guard," said Lorin; "so you had better not call; for if I -come to you, I will exterminate you." - -"Come here, Citizen Municipal, come here," said Simon, now seriously -alarmed at Lorin's threats. - -"The sergeant is quite right," said the municipal, to whom he had -appealed for assistance; "you are a disgrace to the nation, coward, to -beat a child." - -"And why did he beat him? Do you know the reason, Maurice? Because the -child would not sing 'Madame Veto;' because the child would not insult -his mother." - -"The miserable wretch!" said Maurice. - -"And you also?" said Simon. "Am I surrounded by traitors?" - -"You villain!" cried the municipal, seizing Simon by the throat, and -tearing the last from his hand; "try to prove that Maurice Lindey is a -traitor," and he applied the leather strap vigorously to the shoulders -of the shoemaker. - -"Thanks, sir," said the child, who regarded this scene with the -coolness of a Stoic; "but he will revenge himself upon me." - -"Come, Capet, come, my child," said Lorin; "if he beats you again, call -for help; I will chastise him, the hangman. And now, little Capet, -return to your tower." - -"Why do you call me Capet, even you who protect me? You know very well -that Capet is not my name." - -"Not your name!" said Lorin; "what is your name, then?" - -"I am called Louis Charles de Bourbon. Capet is the name of one of my -ancestors. I know the history of France; my father taught me." - -"And you want to teach a child to mend old shoes, to whom a king has -taught the history of France?" cried Lorin; "it beats everything." - -"You need not be concerned," said Maurice to the child; "I will make my -report." - -"And I mine," said Simon; "and among other things I shall say that -instead of allowing one woman to enter the tower, you permitted two to -pass." - -At this moment the two women went out from the keep. Maurice ran after -them. - -"Well, Citizeness," said he, addressing the one by his side, "have you -seen your mother?" - -Sophie Tison placed herself immediately between the municipal and her -companion. - -"Yes, Citizen, thank you," said she. - -Maurice had wished to see the young girl's friend, or at least to hear -her voice, but she was enveloped in her mantle, and seemed determined -not to utter a single word. He also thought that she trembled. This -appearance of fear excited his suspicion. He reascended the stairs -quickly, and through the glass partition saw the queen endeavoring to -hide something in her pocket which looked like a billet. - -"Ah! ah!" said he, "I have been duped." - -He called his colleague. - -"Citizen Agricola," said he, "enter Marie Antoinette's room, and do not -lose sight of her." - -"Heyday!" said the municipal, "is it because--" - -"Enter, I tell you, and do not lose sight of her for an instant, a -moment, a second." - -The municipal entered the queen's apartment. - -"Call the woman Tison," said he to one of the National Guard. - -Five minutes afterward Tison's wife arrived in high spirits. - -"I have seen my daughter," said she. - -"Where was that?" demanded Maurice. - -"Here, of course, in this antechamber." - -"Well; and did not your daughter ask to see the Austrian?" - -"No." - -"Did she not enter her room?" - -"No." - -"And during the time you were conversing with your daughter, did no one -come out of the prisoners' chamber?" - -"How should I know? I was fully occupied with my daughter, whom I had -not seen for three months." - -"Recollect yourself." - -"Ah, yes; I think I remember." - -"What?" - -"The young girl came out." - -"Marie Thérèse?" - -"Yes." - -"Did she speak to your daughter?" - -"No." - -"Your daughter gave nothing to her?" - -"No." - -"Did she pick up nothing from the ground?" - -"My daughter?" - -"No, the daughter of Marie Antoinette." - -"She picked up her pocket-handkerchief." - -"Oh, woman! what were you thinking of?" cried Maurice. - -And he rushed toward a bell-cord, which he pulled violently. It was an -alarm-bell. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -THE BILLET. - - -The other two municipal guards came up hastily. A detachment of -the post accompanied them. The doors were shut, and two sentinels -intercepted the egress from each chamber. - -"What do you want, sir?" said the queen to Maurice when he entered. "I -was about to retire, when, five minutes since, the citizen municipal -suddenly forced his entrance into my chamber, without informing me what -he desired." - -"Madame," said Maurice, bowing, "it is not my colleague who desires -anything from you, it is myself." - -"You, sir?" demanded Marie Antoinette, looking at Maurice, whose -courteous behavior had caused her to regard him with some favor; "and -what do you desire?" - -"I request that you will be kind enough to show me the letter you were -concealing when I entered just now." - -Madame Royale and Madame Elizabeth trembled. The queen turned very pale. - -"You are mistaken, sir; I concealed nothing." - -"You lie, Austrian!" cried Agricola. - -Maurice quickly placed his hand on the arm of his colleague. - -"One moment, my dear colleague," said he; "leave me to speak to the -citizeness, I am a little bit of a lawyer." - -"Go on then; but do not stand on ceremony with her, _morbleu_!" - -"You have concealed a letter, Citizen," said Maurice, austerely; "now -it is necessary we should see this letter." - -"But what letter?" - -"The letter that Tison's daughter brought you, and which the -citizeness, your daughter" (Maurice alluded to the young princess), -"picked up with her pocket-handkerchief." - -The three females looked at each other with terror. - -"But, Monsieur, this is worse than tyranny," said the queen; "we are -women! women!" - -"Do not mistake," said Maurice, with firmness; "we are neither -judges nor executioners, we are overseers,--that is to say, your -fellow-citizens,--commissioned to guard you. We have our order; to -violate it is treason. Citizeness, I pray you to give me the letter you -have concealed." - -"Gentlemen," said the queen, with much hauteur, "since you are -overseers, search, and deprive us of our rest to-night as usual." - -"God forbid we should lay our hands upon women! I am now going to -inform the Commune, and shall await its orders. But you cannot retire -to bed; you may sleep upon these easy-chairs, if you please, and we -shall guard you. If necessary, they will search you." - -"What is the matter?" said Tison's wife, appearing at the door quite -bewildered. - -"It is this, Citizeness," said Maurice, "that by lending yourself to -treasonable practices, you have debarred yourself from seeing your -daughter any more." - -"From seeing my daughter? What do you tell me then, Citizen," demanded -Tison's wife, who could not yet comprehend why she was not to see her -daughter. - -"I tell you, that your daughter did not come here to see you, but to -bring a letter to the Citizen Capet; and therefore she shall return -here no more." - -"But if she does not come here, I shall not be able to see her, as we -are forbidden to go out." - -"This time you have no one to blame but yourself,--it is your own -fault," said Maurice. - -"Oh!" screamed the poor woman, "my fault! why do you say it is my -fault? Nothing has happened, I assure you. If I thought anything could -have happened, woe to you, Antoinette; you should pay dearly for it," -and the exasperated woman shook her fist at the queen. - -"Threaten no one," said Maurice; "but rather gain by kindness what we -demand, for you are a woman, and the Citizeness Marie Antoinette, who -is herself a mother, will take pity on you. To-morrow your daughter -will be arrested,--to-morrow imprisoned; then, if they discover -anything, and you know that when they choose they always can do so, she -is lost, and also her companion." - -The woman Tison, who had listened to Maurice with increasing terror, -turned wildly toward the queen. - -"You hear, Antoinette? My daughter! It is you who will ruin my child!" - -The queen in her turn appeared bewildered, not by the fury which -sparkled in the eyes of her female jailer, but by her evident despair. -"Come with me, Madame Tison," said she, "I have something to say to -you." - -"Holloa! No cajolery; we are not in your way here," said Maurice's -colleague. "Before the municipality--everything open and above board." - -"Never mind, Citizen Agricola," whispered Maurice, "provided we -discover the truth, it does not matter in what fashion we do so." - -"You are right, Citizen Maurice; but--" - -"Let us pass behind the glazed partition, Citizen Agricola; and if you -agree with me, we will turn our backs, and I am certain the individual -for whom we evince this consideration will not make us repent it." - -The queen heard these words, intended for her to hear, and cast upon -the young man a look of grateful acknowledgment. Maurice carelessly -turned his head, and walked to the other side of the glazed partition. -Agricola followed him. - -"You see this queen," said he to Agricola: "as a queen she is very -culpable, as a woman she is high-minded and dignified. It is well to -destroy crowns; princes are purified by misfortune." - -"By thunder! you speak well, Citizen Maurice; I like to hear you talk, -and your friend Lorin. Is that poetry you recited?" - -Maurice smiled. - -During this conversation, the scene which Maurice had anticipated was -passing on the other side. - -The woman Tison approached the queen. - -"Madame," said the queen, "your despair grieves me. I do not wish -to deprive you of your daughter,--that would be too cruel; but pray -consider, perhaps by doing what these men require, your child will be -lost none the less." - -"Do what they tell you!" cried the woman,--"do what they tell you!" - -"But first, at least, hear what is the matter." - -"What is the matter?" demanded the woman, with almost savage curiosity. - -"Your daughter brought a friend with her." - -"Yes, a work-woman like herself. She did not like to come alone, -because of the soldiers." - -"This friend committed a letter to your daughter; your daughter let it -fall. Marie, who was passing, picked it up. It is, doubtless, a paper -of no consequence, but still one upon which evil-minded people might -put a bad construction. Did not the municipal just tell you, when they -wish that they can always do so?" - -"Well, go on." - -"That is all; you wish me to give up this paper,--do you wish me to -sacrifice a friend, without perhaps benefiting your daughter?" - -"Do what they tell you!" shrieked the woman,--"do what they tell you!" - -"But if this paper implicates your daughter," said the queen; "do try -to understand." - -"My daughter is, like myself, a good patriot," cried the hag. "Thank -God, the Tisons are well known. Do what they tell you!" - -"Good Heavens!" said the queen; "how can I make you understand?" - -"My child, I want them to return me my child," cried Tison's wife, -stamping her feet. "Give me the paper, Antoinette, give me the paper!" - -"There it is, Madame," and the queen tendered a paper to the wretched -creature, which she seized, and held joyfully above her head, crying,-- - -"Come here, come here, citizen municipals. I have the paper; take it, -and give me back my child." - -"You sacrifice our friends, sister," said Elizabeth. - -"No, sister," replied the queen, mournfully; "I only sacrifice -ourselves. The paper implicates no one." - -At the cries of the woman Tison, Maurice and his colleague came toward -her, when she immediately held out the paper to them. They opened it -and read,-- - - "At L'Orient [the east] a friend still watches." - -Maurice had no sooner cast his eyes on this paper than he started. The -hand-writing seemed to him not unknown. - -"My God!" cried he, "can it be that of Geneviève? But no, it is -impossible; I am mad. It resembles hers, certainly; but what can -Geneviève have to do with the queen?" - -He turned round, and observed that Marie Antoinette was watching him -attentively. As for the woman Tison, as she awaited her fate, she -devoured Maurice with her eyes. - -"You have done a good action," said he, to Tison's wife; "and you, -Citizeness, a great one," addressing the queen. - -"Then, sir," replied Marie Antoinette, "follow my example. Burn the -paper, and you will perform a charitable one." - -"You are joking, Austrian," said Agricola. "Burn a paper that may -perhaps enable us to discover a whole covey of aristocrats? Good faith! -no; we are not quite such fools as that." - -"Ah, yes! do burn it; it might compromise my daughter," implored the -woman Tison. - -"I believe you; your daughter and some others," said Agricola, taking -the paper from the hands of Maurice, which the latter, had he been -alone, would most certainly have destroyed. - -Ten minutes afterward, the paper was deposited on the bureau of the -members of the Commune. It was instantly opened and commented upon in -various ways. - -"'At L'Orient--a friend watches.' What the devil can that mean?" said -one. - -"Why," replied a geographer, "at Lorient, that is clear enough. Lorient -is a little town of Brittany, situated between Vannes and Quimper. -Egad! we ought to burn the town, if it be true that it shelters -aristocrats who are watching still over the Austrian." - -"It is all the more dangerous," said another, "because Lorient being a -sea-port, they might establish communication with England." - -"I propose," said a third, "that we send a committee to Lorient, and -that a thorough search of the place be instituted." - -This proposition made the minority smile, but was approved by the -majority; they accordingly resolved that a committee be sent to Lorient -to watch the aristocrats. - -Maurice had been informed of the consultation. - -"I think it may perhaps mean the East," said he; "but I am quite sure -it is not in Brittany." - -The next day the queen, who, as we have previously said, would no more -enter the garden, to avoid passing the door of the apartment where her -husband had been imprisoned, requested permission to ascend the tower -to take the air, with her daughter and Madame Elizabeth. Her wish -was instantly acceded to; but Maurice followed her, and mounting the -stairs, ensconced himself behind a little turret where, concealed, he -awaited the result of the letter of the preceding evening. The queen at -first walked without manifesting any concern, with Madame Elizabeth and -her daughter, then stopped, while the two princesses continued their -promenade, and turning toward the "East," observed intently a house at -the windows of which several persons were visible, one of whom held a -white handkerchief. - -Maurice, on his part, drew a telescope from his pocket, and while he -adjusted it, the queen made a quick movement, as if to request those -at the window to retire; but Maurice had already remarked the head of -a man, with fair hair and pale complexion, whose salutation was so -respectful as almost to border on humility. Behind this young man, for -he appeared to be five, or six, and twenty years of age, stood a woman -partially concealed from his view. Maurice directed his glass toward -her, and thinking that he recognized Geneviève, inadvertently made a -motion which brought him under the notice of the party. Immediately -the female, who also held a telescope in her hand, drew back, dragging -the young man away with her. Was it really Geneviève? Had she also -recognized Maurice? Had this couple only retired at the signal given -them by the queen? Maurice waited a moment to see if the young man -and woman would reappear; but seeing the window remain unoccupied, he -recommended the strictest vigilance to his colleague, Agricola, quickly -descended the staircase, and went and concealed himself at the corner -of the Rue Portefoin, to see if they came out of the house. It was in -vain; no one appeared. He could not resist the suspicion which had -entered his mind from the moment the companion of Tison's daughter had -persisted in maintaining so obstinate a silence. Maurice directed his -course toward the old Rue Saint Jacques, where he arrived, bewildered -by the strangest suspicions, doubts, and fears. When he entered, -Geneviève, attired in a white morning-dress, was seated under an arbor -of jasmine, where she was accustomed to breakfast. She, as usual, -accorded Maurice a friendly greeting, and invited him to take a cup -of chocolate with her. Dixmer on his part, who had in the mean time -arrived, expressed the greatest joy at meeting Maurice at this unwonted -hour; but before he permitted Maurice to take the cup of chocolate -he had accepted, always enthusiastically attached to his trade, he -insisted that his friend the secretary to the section Lepelletier -should come with him and see the manufactory. - -On their way to the workshops Dixmer, taking Maurice's arm and hurrying -him along, observed,-- - -"My dear Maurice, I have important news for you." - -"Political?" asked Maurice, always occupied with one idea. - -"Ah! dear Citizen," said Dixmer, smiling, "do you think we trouble -ourselves about politics? No, no; relating to our business, thank -Heaven! My honored friend, Morand, who, as you know, is a celebrated -chemist, has discovered the secret of staining morocco red in an -unequalled manner,--that is to say, the color remains unalterable,--by -a process never discovered till now. It is this color I want to show -you. Besides, you will see Morand at work; he is quite an artist." - -Maurice did not exactly comprehend how making a red dye constituted an -artist; but nevertheless accompanied Dixmer across the tanyards, and in -a separate sort of office saw the Citizen Morand at work. He had on his -blue spectacles, was in his working-dress, and seemed entirely absorbed -in the intensely interesting process of changing a sheep-skin from -dirty white to purple. He had tucked up his sleeves, and his hands and -arms were red to the elbow. As Dixmer remarked, he had devoted himself -heart and soul to cochineal. - -So entirely was he preoccupied that he merely moved his head to Maurice. - -"Well, Citizen Morand," said Dixmer, "what say we?" - -"We shall gain a hundred thousand francs yearly by this process alone; -but I have not slept for eight days, and these acids have affected my -sight." - -Maurice left Dixmer with Morand and joined Geneviève as he said to -himself, "It must be confessed the trade of municipal is degrading to -the hero! About eight days in the Temple one might fancy one's self an -aristocrat and denounce one's self. Honest Dixmer! Plodding Morand! -Gentle Geneviève! And I, idiot that I was, to have suspected them for a -moment!" - -Geneviève awaited Maurice with a sweet smile calculated most -effectually to dispel every vestige of suspicion. She was as usual -sweet, amiable, and charming. - -The hours passed in Geneviève's society were those only in which -Maurice could be said really to exist. At all other times he was -infected with that fever which might be termed the fever of '93, -by which Paris was separated into two hostile camps, and existence -rendered a perpetual combat. Toward noon, however, he had to part with -Geneviève, and return to the Tower of the Temple. - -At the end of Rue Sainte Avoie he met Lorin, who was bringing down his -guard from duty. He left the ranks and came to meet Maurice, who still -wore upon his countenance the impress of the happiness he had enjoyed -in the society of the lovely Geneviève. - -"Ah!" said Lorin, cordially shaking his friend by the hand,-- - - "In vain you seek your anguish - Within your heart to hide, - I know for whom you languish, - For whom so long you've sighed; - Within your heart, within your eyes, - Love reigns, and triumphs in his prize." - -Maurice put his hand in his pocket in search of his key. This was -the method he adopted to put a stop to his friend's poetical vein. -But Lorin saw the movement, and ran away, laughing. "Apropos," said -he retracing his steps, "you have three days more at the Temple; I -recommend poor little Capet to your care." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -LOVE. - - -In fact Maurice for some time had experienced a strange medley of -happiness and misery. It is always thus at the commencement of the -tender passion. His daily occupation at the section Lepelletier, his -evening visits to the old Rue Saint Jacques, and some occasional visits -to the club of the Thermopyles, filled up his days. - -He did not deceive himself. He well knew that to see Geneviève daily -was to imbibe large draughts of a hopeless love. - -Geneviève was a woman of retired manners and pleasing appearance, -who would frankly tender her hand to a friend, and would innocently -approach his face with her lips, with the confidence of a sister, and -the ignorance of a vestal before whom the words of love appear as -blasphemy. - -Thus in the purest dreams that the first style of Raphael has traced -upon the canvas is a Madonna with smiling lips, chaste eyes, and -heavenly expression. This creation of the divine pupil of Perugino may -help us to portray the likeness of Geneviève. - -In the midst of flowers she imbibed their freshness and perfume; -isolated from the occupation of her husband, and from her husband -himself, she appeared to Maurice each time he saw her like a living -enigma, of which he could not divine the meaning, and dared not ask it. - -One evening when, as usual, he had remained alone with her, they were -both seated at the same window by which he had entered, a few nights -since, with so little ceremony; the perfume of the lilacs in full bloom -floated upon the soft breeze that had succeeded the radiant sunset. -After a long silence, Maurice, having during this silence followed the -intelligent and holy eye of Geneviève as she watched the appearance of -the stars in the azure vault of heaven, ventured to inquire concerning -the great disparity between herself and husband. She so young, and he -already past the middle age; she so refined in manner, while everything -around announced him a man of inferior birth and education; she so -sublime in her thoughts and aspirations, while her husband had not an -idea beyond his manufactory. - -"Here, at the abode of a master-tanner, are harp, piano, and drawings, -which you acknowledge to be your own. How is it that here I meet with -aristocracy which though I detest it in others, I adore in you?" - -Geneviève fixed upon Maurice a look full of candor. - -"Thanks," said she, "for this inquiry; it proves to me that you are a -man of delicacy, and that you have not sought information concerning me -from any one else." - -"Never, Madame," said Maurice. "I have a devoted friend who would die -for me; I have a hundred comrades ready to follow wherever I may lead -them,--but among all these hearts, when a woman is concerned, and above -all, such a woman as Geneviève, I know but one I would trust, and that -one is my own." - -"Thanks, Maurice," said the young woman, "I will myself tell you, then, -all you desire to know." - -"Your maiden name first," said Maurice. "I only know your married one -at present." - -Geneviève detected the selfishness of love in this question, and smiled. - -"Geneviève du Treilly," said she. - -Maurice repeated, "Geneviève du Treilly!" - -"My family," continued Geneviève, "was ruined after the American war, -in which both my father and elder brother had taken part." - -"Gentlemen both?" said Maurice. - -"No, no," said Geneviève, blushing. - -"And yet you said your maiden name was Geneviève du Treilly." - -"Frankly, Monsieur Maurice, my family was rich, but had no claim to -nobility." - -"You do not trust me," said the young man, smiling. - -"Oh, yes! I do," replied Geneviève. "In America my father was connected -with the father of Monsieur Morand. Monsieur Dixmer was managing man -to Monsieur Morand. We were ruined, and Monsieur Morand, knowing that -Monsieur Dixmer was a man of independent fortune, presented him to my -father, who in his turn presented him to me. I saw that my father had -beforehand resolved on my marriage. I understood it was the wish of my -family. I did not love Monsieur Dixmer, neither had I ever loved any -one, but I accepted him. - -"I have now been Dixmer's wife for three years, and I am bound to -say that he has proved to me so good and excellent a husband, that -notwithstanding the difference of taste and the disparity of age you -have remarked, I have never even for a moment experienced the slightest -feeling of regret." - -"But," said Maurice, "when you married Monsieur Dixmer he was not at -the head of this manufactory." - -"No, we lived at Blois. After the 10th of August Monsieur Dixmer -purchased this house and the adjoining workshops; and that I might not -be annoyed by the workmen, and to spare me the sight of many things -repulsive to a person of my habits,--which are, as you observed, -Maurice, a little aristocratic,--he gave me this pavilion, where I -live alone, retired, gratifying my various fancies and desires, and -happy when a friend like yourself, Maurice, comes either to distract or -partake in my reveries." - -And Geneviève tendered her hand to Maurice, which he ardently kissed. -Geneviève blushed slightly. - -"Now, my friend," said the young woman, drawing away her hand, "you -know how I became the wife of Monsieur Dixmer." - -"Yes," said Maurice, regarding Geneviève with great attention; "but you -have not told me how Monsieur Morand came to be associated with your -husband." - -"Oh, that is very simple," said Geneviève. "Monsieur Dixmer had, as -I have told you, some fortune, but still not sufficient to engage -alone in a large concern like this. The son of Monsieur Morand, his -protector, as I have already mentioned,--this friend of my father, you -will remember,--provided half the funds, and as he possesses a good -knowledge of chemistry, he devotes himself to various improvements with -the energy you have remarked, and, thanks to which, the business of -Monsieur Dixmer, who has charge of all the practical part, has extended -immensely." - -"Monsieur Morand is also a great friend of yours, is he not, Madame?" -said Maurice. - -"Monsieur Morand is a noble-hearted being, one of the worthiest men in -existence," gravely replied Geneviève. - -"If he has given you no other proofs," said Maurice, a little piqued at -the importance accorded by Geneviève to the young man, the partner of -her husband, "than dividing the expenses of this establishment with -Monsieur Dixmer, and inventing a new dye for morocco, allow me to say -that you rather over-rate his merits." - -"He has given me many other proofs, sir," said Geneviève. - -"He is young, is he not?" said Maurice. "His green spectacles render it -difficult to tell his age." - -"He is thirty-five." - -"You have known him then a long time?" - -"From infancy." - -Maurice bit his lips; he had always suspected Morand loved Geneviève. - -"Oh!" said Maurice, "that explains his familiarity with you." - -"It seems to me, sir," said Geneviève, smiling, "that this familiarity, -which is hardly even that of a friend, does not need any explanation." - -"Oh, pardon me, Madame, you know all affectionate natures are jealous, -and my friendship was jealous of that you appear to feel for Monsieur -Morand." - -He ceased talking. Geneviève also remained silent. Nothing further was -said that day respecting Morand, and Maurice quitted Geneviève more -than ever in love, for he was jealous. - -However blinded the young man might be by his passion, whatever -turmoil might be in his heart, there were in the recital of Geneviève -many gaps, much hesitation, and many concealments, to which at the -moment he had paid no attention, but which now returned to his memory -and strangely tortured him. The feeling that there was some mystery -about the family could not be dispelled even by the liberty allowed -him by Dixmer of conversing with Geneviève as often and as long as -he pleased, nor by the solitary interview they had together every -evening. Moreover, Maurice had now become a constant and expected guest -at the house, where he not only enjoyed unrestrained intercourse with -Geneviève, who seemed guarded by her angelic purity from any advances -on the part of the young man, but he now escorted her in all the -excursions made from time to time in the quarter in which she lived. -In the midst of this established intimacy one thing surprised him. -The more he sought (perhaps the better to watch his sentiments for -Geneviève) the friendship of Morand, by whose genius, notwithstanding -his prejudice, he felt himself captivated, and whose pleasing manners -won him more and more every day, the greater the inclination evinced -by this whimsical man to avoid him. Of this he complained bitterly to -Geneviève; for he did not doubt that Morand had discerned in him a -rival, and that his conduct proceeded from jealousy. - -"The Citizen Morand hates me," said he one day to Geneviève. - -"You?" said Geneviève, with a look of astonishment. "You?--Monsieur -Morand hates you?" - -"Yes; I am sure of it." - -"And why should he hate you?" - -"Do you wish me to tell you?" cried Maurice. - -"Certainly," replied Geneviève. - -"Well, then, because I--" - -Maurice stopped; he was going to say, "because I love you." - -"I cannot tell you why," replied Maurice, coloring. The fierce -Republican near Geneviève was as timid and as confused as a young girl. - -Geneviève smiled. - -"Say," replied she, "there is no sympathy between you, and I may -perhaps believe you. You are of a sanguine temperament, have a -brilliant intellect; and you are a man of birth and education, while -Morand is a merchant grafted on a chemist. He is timid and retiring. It -is this timidity that deters him from taking the first step toward your -acquaintance." - -"And who asks him to make the first advance toward me? I have made -fifty to him, and he has never responded. No," continued Maurice, -shaking his head; "that cannot be the reason." - -"What is it, then?" said Geneviève. - -Maurice chose to remain silent. - -The day after this conversation with Geneviève, he visited her at -two o'clock in the afternoon, and found her ready dressed to go out. -"Welcome," said she, "you will act as my chevalier." - -"Where are we going, then?" demanded Maurice. - -"I am going to Auteuil. The weather is delightful. I mean to walk part -of the way. Our carriage will convey us to the barrier, where it will -wait for us. We will then walk to Auteuil, and when I have finished my -business there, we will return." - -"Oh!" said Maurice, "what a delightful day you offer me!" - -The two young people went on their journey. Beyond Passy the carriage -put them down, and they continued their journey on foot. - -On arriving at Auteuil, Geneviève stopped. - -"Wait for me," said she, "at the entrance to the park; when I have -finished I will rejoin you." - -"Where are you going then?" demanded Maurice. - -"To a friend's house." - -"Where I cannot accompany you?" - -Geneviève smilingly shook her head. - -"Impossible!" said she. - -Maurice bit his lips. - -"Very well," said he; "I will wait." - -"Ah! what?" said Geneviève. - -"Nothing," replied Maurice. "Shall you be long?" - -"If I had thought it would inconvenience you, Maurice, if I had known -you were engaged," said Geneviève, "I would not have requested you to -do me the slight favor to accompany me to-day. I might have asked--" - -"Monsieur Morand," interrupted Maurice, sharply. - -"No; you are aware Monsieur Morand is at the manufactory at -Rambouillet, and does not return till this evening." - -"Oh, it is to that circumstance that I owe the honor?" - -"Maurice," said Geneviève, softly, "I cannot keep the person I came to -see waiting; but if this puts you to the least inconvenience return to -Paris, only send back the carriage for me." - -"No, no, Madame," replied Maurice, quickly, "I am at your service." -He bowed to Geneviève, who, sighing softly, proceeded on her way, and -entered Auteuil. - -Maurice went to the appointed place, and commenced walking backward -and forward with long impatient strides, cutting off with his cane -like Tarquin all the heads of the weeds, flowers, and thistles, which -he found upon the road; and like all persons whose thoughts are -preoccupied, he continued without pausing to trace and retrace his -footsteps. - -And what occupied his thoughts? The desire to know whether Geneviève -loved him or not. Her manner to him was that of a friend or sister, -but he felt this was no longer sufficient. He loved her with an entire -love. She had become his sole thought by day, his constantly renewed -dream by night. At one time, he only asked to see her again; nothing -could satisfy him now but her love. - -Geneviève was absent for an hour, which to him had appeared an age; he -then saw her approaching him with a smile upon her lips. Maurice, on -the contrary, went to meet her with a frowning brow. - -Geneviève, smiling, took his arm. - -"Here I am," said she; "pardon me, _mon ami_, for having made you wait." - -Maurice only replied by a bow; and they then entered a shady lane, -which, by a winding path, conducted them into the high-road. - -It was one of those delicious evenings in spring when every plant sends -its fragrance on high, when every bird, either seated on the branches, -or skipping from spray to spray, warbles its songs of praise to God; -one of those evenings that seem destined to live forever in our memory. -Maurice was silent, Geneviève pensive. She fondled with one hand the -flowers of a bouquet which she held in the other that rested on the arm -of Maurice. - -"What is the matter with you?" said he, all at once, to Geneviève; "and -what makes you so sad to-day?" - -Geneviève might have answered, My happiness. She regarded him tenderly. - -"But you," said she, "are you not more than usually sad to-day?" - -"I," said Maurice, "have reason to be sad,--I am unhappy; but you--" - -"You unhappy?" - -"Doubtless; do you not perceive sometimes from my tremulous tones how -much I suffer? Does it not often happen, when I am talking with you or -your husband, I am compelled suddenly to seek the air, because I feel -as if my heart would burst?" - -"But," demanded Geneviève, embarrassed, "to what do you attribute this -suffering?" - -"If I were an affected lady," said Maurice, attempting a laugh, "I -should say it was a nervous attack." - -"And at this moment do you suffer?" - -"Much," said Maurice. - -"Let us return, then." - -"What, already, Madame?" - -"Certainly." - -"True," said the young man, "I forgot Monsieur Morand would return from -Rambouillet this evening; and it is fast approaching." Geneviève looked -at him reproachfully. - -"Oh, again!" said she. - -"Why then did you, the other day, favor me with so high a eulogium of -Monsieur Morand? It is your own fault." - -"How long is it since, to people we esteem," demanded Geneviève, "we -may not express our real opinion of an estimable man?" - -"It must be a very lively esteem to cause you to accelerate your pace, -as you at this moment are doing, for fear of being too late by a few -minutes." - -"You are to-day absolutely unjust, Maurice. Have I not passed part of -the day with you?" - -"You are right; and I am indeed too exacting," replied Maurice, giving -way to his impetuosity. "Let us return to meet Monsieur Morand." - -Geneviève felt her displeasure pass from her mind to her heart. - -"Yes," said she; "let us return to Monsieur Morand. He at least is a -friend who never causes me the slightest pain." - -"They are, indeed, valuable friends," said Maurice, choking with -jealousy, "and I, for my part, should like a few such." - -They were now upon the high-road; the horizon crimsoned as the -departing rays of the setting sun glistened upon the gilt moldings of -the dome of the Hôtel des Invalides. A star which on a previous evening -had attracted the attention of Geneviève, sparkled in the azure of -heaven. Geneviève released Maurice's arm with melancholy resignation. - -"Why have you made me suffer?" said she. - -"Ah!" said Maurice, "I am not so clever as some people, and do not know -how to make myself loved." - -"Maurice!" said Geneviève. - -"Oh, Madame, if he is always good, always composed, it is because he -does not suffer." - -Geneviève again placed her white hand on the powerful arm of Maurice. - -"I pray you," said she, in an altered tone, "to speak no more; to speak -no more!" - -"And why?" - -"Because your voice makes me ill." - -"You are displeased with everything about me, even my voice?" - -"Be silent, I conjure you." - -"I will obey you, Madame," and the impetuous young man passed his hand -over his face, damp with perspiration. - -Geneviève saw that he really suffered. People of Maurice's temperament -have griefs of their own, little known or understood by the generality -of mankind. - -"You are my friend, Maurice, a precious friend," said Geneviève, -looking at him kindly; "do not deprive me of your valuable friendship." - -"Oh, you would not long regret it," said Maurice. - -"You are mistaken," said Geneviève, "I should regret it very long, and -forever." - -"Geneviève! Geneviève!" cried Maurice, "have pity upon me." - -Geneviève shuddered. It was the first time Maurice had uttered her name -in these passionate accents. - -"And now," continued Maurice, "since you have divined me, let me tell -you all, Geneviève, for though you should kill me with a look, I have -been silent too long; I will speak, Geneviève." - -"Sir," said the young woman, "I have supplicated you in the name of our -friendship to remain silent; I still pray you to do so, for my sake, if -not for your own. Not another word; in the name of Heaven! not another -word!" - -"Friendship, friendship! if it be a friendship like this you profess -for me, that you feel for Monsieur Morand, I wish for no more of your -friendship,--I, Geneviève, require more than others." - -"Enough," said Madame Dixmer, with the gesture of a queen,--"enough, -Monsieur Lindey; here is our carriage, please to conduct me to my -husband's house." - -Maurice trembled with fever and emotion, when Geneviève, to rejoin the -carriage, which indeed was only a few paces distant, placed her hand on -his arm. - -They both entered the carriage; Geneviève took the front seat, and -Maurice the one opposite. They traversed Paris without either one or -the other having uttered a word. Only, all the way, Geneviève had held -her handkerchief before her eyes. When they entered the building, -Dixmer was occupied in his counting-house, Morand had just returned -from Rambouillet, and was changing his dress. Geneviève held out her -hand to Maurice, as she entered her chamber. - -"Adieu! Maurice, you have wished it." - -Maurice said nothing, but walked directly to the mantel-piece, where -hung a portrait of Geneviève. He ardently kissed it, pressed it to -his heart, replaced it, and went out. Maurice reached home without -knowing how he arrived there; he had passed through Paris without -seeing anything, without hearing anything; all that had happened to -him appeared like a dream; he was unable to account for his actions, -his words, or the sentiments which had induced them. There are moments -when the most serene spirits succumb under the violence of their own -emotions. - -It was, as we have said, rather a race than a return, on the part -of Maurice. He undressed himself without the assistance of his -_valet-de-chambre_, nor did he reply to his cook, who displayed his -supper duly prepared for him, but taking the day's letters from the -table, he read them all, one after the other, without comprehending a -single word. The mists of jealousy, that intoxication of reason, were -not yet dissipated. At ten o'clock Maurice mechanically sought his -bed, as, indeed, he had done everything else since his parting with -Geneviève. - -If Maurice in his cooler moments had been told of this extraordinary -behavior in another, he would not have been able to comprehend it, but -would have considered him mad to have pursued this desperate conduct, -totally unauthorized either by too much reserve or too much "abandon" -on the part of Geneviève. He now only felt that a terrible blow had -been dealt to all his hopes, of which he had never even to himself -rendered an account, and upon which, vague as they were, reposed all -his visions of happiness,--dreams which like an intangible vapor -floated shapelessly toward the horizon, and there disappeared. Thus -it happened, as it nearly always does in such cases, that Maurice, -stunned by this blow, dropped asleep directly he found himself in bed, -where he remained free from all sentiment till the morrow. He was -awakened by the noise of the official opening the door, who came as -usual to unclose the windows which looked upon a large garden, and to -bring some flowers. - -At that time, in the year '93, much attention was paid to the culture -of forced flowers, and Maurice dearly loved all flowers; but now -without even bestowing a glance upon them, he half raised his heavy -head, and supporting it on his hand, endeavored to recall the events -of the preceding evening. Maurice asked himself, without being able -to account for it, the cause of this mad folly. The sole cause was -jealousy of Morand; but the moment was certainly ill-chosen to give -vent to his jealousy of a man when this man was at Rambouillet, and -while enjoying a _tête-à-tête_ with the woman one loves, surrounded by -the most enchanting scenery, on one of the lovely days of spring. - -It was not suspicion of the inmates at the house at Auteuil, where -Geneviève had remained an hour; no, the incessant torment of his life -was the idea that Morand loved Geneviève, and yet--singular phantasy of -the brain, strange combination of caprice--not a gesture, a look, not -even a word from Dixmer's partner had afforded the slightest grounds -for this belief. - -The voice of the _valet-de-chambre_ aroused him from this revery. - -"Citizen," said he, showing him the open letters on the table, "have -you selected those you wish to keep, or shall they all be burned?" - -"Burn what?" said Maurice. - -"The letters the Citizen read last night, before he retired to bed." - -Maurice could not remember having read one. - -"Burn all," said he. - -"Here are to-day's letters, Citizen," said the official. - -He presented a packet of letters to Maurice, and threw the others in -the fire. Maurice took the letters, felt the impression of a seal, and -fancied that he recognized the perfume of a friend, and looking over -his correspondence he found a sealed envelope and hand-writing that -made him tremble. This man, who bravely faced danger, trembled before -the odor of a letter. The official approached him to inquire what was -the matter, but Maurice signified a wish to be alone. - -He turned and returned this letter; he felt a presentiment it contained -misery for him, and started and trembled before unknown misfortune. - -Having collected all his courage he at length opened it, and read as -follows:-- - - Citizen Maurice,--It has become necessary that we should burst these - bonds--bonds which, on your side, affect to exceed the bounds of - friendship. You are a man of honor, Citizen, and now that a night - has passed since the occurrences of yesterday evening, you ought to - comprehend that your presence at our house is no longer desirable. I - leave it to you to excuse yourself in any way you think best to my - husband. On the arrival this day of any letter from you to Monsieur - Dixmer I shall be convinced that I have to regret the loss of a - friend who has unfortunately been most imprudent, and whom all social - propriety will deter me from meeting for the future. Adieu forever. - - Geneviève. - - P.S. The bearer awaits your reply. - -Maurice called; the _valet-de-chambre_ reappeared. - -"Who brought this letter?" - -"A messenger." - -"Is he waiting?" - -"Yes." - -Maurice did not sigh, did not for a moment hesitate, but, partly -dressing, seated himself before his writing-desk, and taking the first -sheet of paper that came to hand (he found it had on it the impression -of a head with the name of the section), he wrote,-- - - "Citizen Dixmer,--I respected you, and I still do so; but I cannot - visit you any longer." - -Maurice considered what reason he could assign for not visiting Dixmer, -and one idea alone presented itself to his mind, that which at this -epoch would have occurred to any one. He thus continued,-- - - "Certain rumors are afloat relative to your lukewarmness in public - affairs. I have no wish to accuse you, and no mission to defend you. - Receive my respects, and feel assured your secrets will remain forever - buried in my heart." - -Maurice did not even revise this letter, written, as we have said, -under the impression of the first idea that presented itself. He did -not doubt the effect it would produce. Dixmer, an excellent patriot, as -Maurice imagined from his conversation at least, would be much grieved -at receiving it, his wife and Monsieur Morand would no doubt influence -him not to reply, and forgetfulness would gradually spread itself -like a dark veil over the happy past, transforming it into a dark and -melancholy future. Maurice signed and sealed his letter, gave it to the -official, and the messenger departed. - -Then a heart-felt sigh escaped the Republican; he took his hat and -gloves and proceeded to the section. - -He hoped, poor Brutus, to recover his stoicism by occupying himself -with public affairs. - -Public affairs were indeed terrible; the 31st of May was preparing. The -"Terreur," which, like a torrent, precipitated itself from the height -of the Montagne, endeavored to carry away the dike opposed to it by the -Girondins, those audacious "Modéréts" who had dared to demand vengeance -for the massacres of September, and to wrestle for an instant to save -the life of the king. - -While Maurice was working with an energy that drove the fever from -his heart to his head, the messenger had re-entered the old Rue Saint -Jacques, filling the dwelling there with terror and astonishment. - -The letter, after passing through Geneviève's hands, was given by her -to Dixmer. - -Dixmer opened and read it, without at first understanding it; he then -communicated the contents to the Citizen Morand, who, becoming as pale -as death, supported his head upon his hand. - -In the situation in which Dixmer, Morand, and their companions found -themselves (a situation totally unknown to Maurice, but which our -readers have penetrated) this letter was like a thunderbolt. - -"Is this an upright, honest man?" asked Dixmer, in great distress. - -"Yes," replied Morand, without the least hesitation. - -"Never mind," said the advocate for extreme measures, "you see we were -very wrong not to kill him." - -"My friend," said Morand, "we struggle against violence, we brand it -with the name of crime. We have acted rightly, whatever may be the -result, in not assassinating this man. I repeat, I believe Maurice to -possess a noble, generous spirit." - -"Yes; but if so noble and generous a spirit belongs to this warm -Republican, perhaps he may regard it in the light of a crime, if he has -made any discovery, not to immolate his own honor, as they say, 'on the -altar of his country.'" - -"But," said Morand, "do you think he knows anything?" - -"Do you not understand? He speaks of secrets buried in his heart. - -"These secrets are evidently those confided to him by me relative to -our contraband transactions. He knows no others." - -"But," said Morand, "this interview at Auteuil? does he suspect -anything? You know he accompanied your wife?" - -"It was I who told Geneviève to take Maurice with her as a protector." - -"Listen," said Morand, "we shall soon see if these surmises be true. -The turn of our battalion to guard the Temple happens on the 2d -of June,--that is to say in eight days. You are captain, Dixmer, -and I lieutenant; if our battalion or even our company receives a -counter-order, like that received the other day by the battalion of -Buttes-des-Moulins, which Santerre has replaced by that of Gravilliers, -all is discovered, and we have only to flee from Paris, or die -fighting. But if all follows in the usual course of things--" - -"We are lost all the same," replied Dixmer. - -"How so?" - -"_Pardieu!_ does not all revolve upon the co-operation of this young -municipal? Was it not he who, without knowing it, was to open the road -for us to the queen?" - -"That is true!" said Morand, confounded. - -"You see, then," said Dixmer, knitting his brows, "that at any price we -must renew our intimacy with this young man." - -"But if he refuse, if he fear to compromise himself?" - -"Listen!" said Dixmer, "I will question Geneviève; she saw him last, -perhaps she may know something more." - -"Dixmer," said Morand, "it is with pain I see you mixing Geneviève with -all our plots; not that I fear any indiscretion on her part. O great -God! the drama we are acting is a dreadful one, and I at once blush and -tremble to place the head of a woman at stake." - -"The head of a woman," said Dixmer, "weighs as heavily as that of a -man, where stratagem, candor, and beauty can do as much and sometimes -even more than force, strength, power, or courage. Geneviève shares -in our convictions and our sympathies. Geneviève shall also share our -fate." - -"Well, my friend," said Morand, "I have said all I ought to say. -Geneviève is in every way worthy of the mission you have given her, -or rather, that she has taken upon herself. It is saints who become -martyrs." - -And he held out his delicate and effeminate hand to Dixmer, who roughly -pressed it between his own. Then Dixmer, recommending Morand and his -companions to watch with increased vigilance, quitted them, and entered -Geneviève's apartments. - -She was seated before a table, bending over a piece of embroidery. She -turned round at the noise of the opening door, and recognized Dixmer. - -"Ah! is it you, _mon ami_?" said she. - -"Yes," said Dixmer, with a placid, smiling countenance. "I have -received a letter from our friend Maurice, which I cannot understand in -the least. Read it, and tell me what you think of it." - -Geneviève took the letter with a hand of which (with all her -self-command) she could not disguise the tremor, and read. Dixmer -followed her eyes as they ran over every line. - -"Well?" said he, when she had finished. - -"Well! I think that Monsieur Maurice Lindey is an honest man, and from -him we have nothing to fear," replied Geneviève, with the greatest -calmness. - -"You think he is ignorant who the persons are you visited at Auteuil?" - -"I am certain that he is." - -"Why then this sudden determination? Did he appear yesterday less -friendly or more excited than usual?" - -"No," said Geneviève; "I believe he was just the same." - -"Consider well what you tell me, Geneviève, for you must understand -your reply will greatly influence our future projects." - -"Wait, then," said she, with an emotion that overthrew all her attempt -at calmness. "Wait--" - -"Well!" said Dixmer, all the muscles of his face slightly contracting; -"collect your thoughts, Geneviève." - -"Yes!" said the young woman, "yes, I remember, yesterday he was not -particularly civil. Monsieur Maurice," continued she, "is a little -tyrannical in his friendship, and," hesitatingly added, "sometimes we -have quarrelled for whole weeks." - -"This is then merely a quarrel?" demanded Dixmer. - -"Most probably." - -"Geneviève, understand this: in our position it is not probability that -will suffice, it is certitude we require." - -"Ah, well, dear, I am certain." - -"This letter, then, can be only a pretext for not visiting us again?" - -"_Mon ami_, how can you wish that I should speak to you about such -things?" - -"Speak, Geneviève, speak; of any other woman I would not ask it." - -"It is a pretext," said Geneviève, looking down. - -"Ah!" said Dixmer. Then after a moment's silence, placing upon his -wife's chair the hand with which he had been striving to compress the -beatings of his heart,-- - -"Will you do me a service?" said he. - -"What service?" said Geneviève, turning around surprised. - -"To prevent even the shadow of danger. Maurice is, perhaps, deeper in -our secrets than we imagine. That which you believe a pretext may, -perhaps, be a reality. Write him a line." - -"I!" said Geneviève, starting. - -"Yes, you. Tell him that you have opened the letter and desire an -explanation. He will then call, you can interrogate him, and will -easily discover what is the matter." - -"Oh, no!" cried Geneviève, "I cannot do as you wish me; I will not do -it." - -"Dear Geneviève, when interests so powerful as those that rest upon -us are at stake, will you recoil before any paltry consideration of -self-love?" - -"I have told you my opinion of Maurice, Monsieur," said Geneviève, "he -is honest and brave, but capricious; and I do not choose to submit to -any authority but that of my husband." - -This answer, returned with so much calmness, and at the same time -firmness, convinced Dixmer that to insist further at this moment would -be worse than useless. He did not add another word, but looked at -Geneviève without seeming to do so, wiped the perspiration from his -forehead, and went out. - -Morand was awaiting his return with great anxiety. Dixmer repeated word -for word all that had been said. - -"Well!" said Morand, "we will wait, and think no more about it; rather -than I would cast a shadow of care on your wife, rather than wound her -self-love, I would renounce--" - -Dixmer placed his hand upon his shoulder. - -"You are mad, sir," said he, looking at him steadily, "or else you do -not know what you are saying." - -"What! Dixmer, do you think--" - -"I think, Chevalier, that you have no more self-command than I -have, to give utterance to sentiments on the impulse of the moment. -Neither you, I, nor Geneviève belong to ourselves, Morand. We are the -chosen defenders of a certain cause, and this cause depends upon its -supporters." - -Morand trembled, and preserved a gloomy and thoughtful silence. They -took several turns round the garden without exchanging a word. Then -Dixmer left Morand. - -"I have some orders to give," said he, in a calm voice. "I must leave -you, Monsieur Morand." - -Morand held out his hand to Dixmer, and looked after him as he turned -away. - -"Poor Dixmer," said he, "I fear much that in all this you risk the -most." - -Dixmer returned to the manufactory, and having issued several orders, -looked over the day-book, and distributed bread and fuel to the poor of -the section, went home, and changed his working dress for his walking -costume immediately on his arrival there. - -An hour afterward Maurice Lindey, while deeply engaged in his readings -and allocutions, was interrupted by the voice of his official, -whispering in his ear,-- - -"Citizen Lindey, some one who, so he pretends at least, has something -of importance to say to you, is waiting at your house." - -Maurice, on entering, was much surprised at meeting the master-tanner, -who had there comfortably installed himself, and was turning over the -newspapers. All the way along he had questioned the domestic, who, of -course, not knowing Dixmer, could afford him no clew to his identity. - -On perceiving Dixmer, Maurice stopped at the threshold of the door, and -blushed in spite of himself. - -Dixmer smilingly arose, and held out his hand. - -"What ails you? and what have you written to me?" he inquired of the -young man. "Indeed, my dear Maurice, I feel it sensibly. You designate -me as 'lukewarm and a false patriot.' Now as you dare not repeat these -accusations to my face, acknowledge you wish to seek a quarrel with me." - -"I will avow anything you please, my dear Dixmer, for your conduct to -me has always been that of a worthy man; but I have nevertheless made a -resolution, and that resolution is irrevocable." - -"But how is that?" said Dixmer, "when according to your own confession -you have nothing to reproach us with, and yet, notwithstanding, you -leave us?" - -"My dear Dixmer, believe me, acting as I now am, and depriving myself -of such a friend, I must be actuated by powerful motives." - -"Yes; but under any circumstances," said Dixmer, affecting to smile, -"these reasons are not those you have written. What you have written to -me is merely a subterfuge." - -Maurice reflected an instant. - -"Listen, Dixmer," said he; "we live in an epoch when a doubt conveyed -in a letter can and must annoy you; this I can well understand. It -would then be acting like a dishonorable man to allow you to remain in -this state of inquietude. Yes, Dixmer, the reasons I gave you were not -the true ones." - -This avowal, which should have cleared the face of the merchant, only -seemed the more to cloud it. - -"But at least tell me the true motive," said Dixmer. - -"I cannot tell you," said Maurice; "and yet I am certain if you knew -it, you would afford me your approval." - -Dixmer still continued to press him. - -"Then you really wish to know it," said Maurice. - -"Yes," replied Dixmer. - -"Well, then," replied Maurice, who felt a sensation of relief as -he approached the truth; "this is the truth. You have a young and -beautiful wife, who is as virtuous as she is beautiful; yet Madame -Dixmer's well-known character cannot prevent my frequent visits to your -house from being misinterpreted." - -Dixmer turned rather pale. - -"Indeed!" said he. "Then, my dear Maurice, the husband should thank you -for the wrong you do the friend?" - -"Understand," said Maurice, "I have not the folly to suppose my -presence can be dangerous to your repose, or that of your wife; but it -might, perhaps, afford subject for calumny, and you are aware the more -absurd the scandal, the easier it gains belief." - -"Absurd!" said Dixmer, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Absurd, as much as you please," said Maurice, "but separate, we shall -not the less be good friends, for we shall have nothing to reproach -ourselves with; while, on the contrary, if near--" - -"Well! What then?" - -"There would be food for scandal." - -"Do you think, Maurice, that I should believe--" - -"Oh, let us say no more," said the young man. - -"But why did you write this instead of telling it to me, Maurice?" - -"Just to avoid the scene of this moment." - -"And are you vexed, Maurice, that I respected you sufficiently to -demand an explanation?" - -"No; on the contrary, I swear I am glad to have seen you once again -before our final separation." - -"Our final separation, Citizen! you whom we esteem so much!" taking -Maurice's hand and pressing it between his own. - -Maurice started. - -"Morand," continued Dixmer, who failed not to notice this start, -"Morand said to me again and again this morning, 'Do all in your power -to bring back Maurice.'" - -"Monsieur," said the young man, frowning and drawing away his hand, "I -did not believe I stood very high in the estimation of Monsieur Morand." - -"Do you doubt it?" said Dixmer. - -"I!" replied Maurice, "I neither believe nor doubt it, and have no -motive to inquire on the subject. When I went to your house it was to -visit yourself and your wife, and not on account of Monsieur Morand." - -"You do not know him, Maurice," said Dixmer; "Morand possesses a noble -soul." - -"I grant it," said Maurice, smiling bitterly. - -"Let us, however, return to the object of my visit," continued Dixmer. - -Maurice bowed, like a man who hears all, but has nothing more to say. - -"You say, then, that these reports have already circulated?" - -"Yes, Citizen." - -"Well, then, let us speak frankly. Why should you pay any attention -to the silly prattling of idle neighbors? Have you not your own clear -conscience, Maurice; and Geneviève, has she not her sense of honor?" - -"I am younger than you," said Maurice, who began to be astonished at -this pertinacity, "and perhaps view things with more susceptibility. -This is why I declare that on the reputation of such a woman as -Geneviève a shadow even should not be permitted to be cast. Permit me, -therefore, my dear Dixmer, to adhere to my former resolution." - -"And now," said Dixmer, "since we are in order for confession, tell me -one thing more." - -"What!" said Maurice, coloring, "what more do you wish me to avow?" - -"That it is neither politics, nor the report of your assiduity at my -house, that induces you to leave us." - -"What is it, then?" - -"The secret you have discovered." - -"What secret?" demanded Maurice, with so _naïve_ an expression of -curiosity, as completely to reassure the tanner. - -"The secret of the smuggling affair, which you discovered the same -evening when our acquaintance commenced in so strange a manner. You -have never forgiven me this fraud, and accuse me of being a bad -Republican because I employ English products in my manufactory." - -"My dear Dixmer, I solemnly declare to you that when I visited at your -house, I had totally forgotten I was in the house of a smuggler." - -"Truly?" - -"Truly." - -"You really, then, had no other reason for abandoning the house than -that you have stated?" - -"Upon my honor." - -"Well," said Dixmer, rising and taking the young man's hand, "I hope -you will re-consider this resolution which has been productive of pain -to us all, and will again return to us as usual." - -Maurice bowed, but made no reply, which was of course equivalent to a -refusal. Dixmer left, annoyed at not having been able to re-establish -an intimacy with this man whom certain circumstances had rendered not -only useful to him but almost indispensable. Maurice was agitated by -a variety of emotions of a contrary nature. Dixmer entreated him to -return. Geneviève would pardon him. Why then should he despond? Lorin -in his place would have selected a crowd of aphorisms from his favorite -authors. But then he had Geneviève's letter, that formal dismissal, -which he had carried with him to the section and placed near his heart; -also the little word received from her the day after he had rescued her -from the cowards who insulted her; and lastly, the obstinate jealousy -entertained by the young man against the detestable Morand, the first -cause of his rupture with Geneviève. - -Maurice remained inflexible in his resolution. But it must be -acknowledged the privation of his daily visits to the old Rue Saint -Jacques formed a sad blank in his existence; and when the hour arrived -at which he had been accustomed to pay his daily visit to the quarter -Saint Victor, he fell into a profound fit of melancholy, and began, -from that moment, to experience every aspect of hope and regret. - -Each morning on awakening he expected to receive a letter from Dixmer, -and acknowledged to himself that he who had so firmly resisted all -personal persuasion, would now at last yield to a letter; each day -he sallied out in hopes of meeting Geneviève, and, beforehand, had -arranged a thousand means of accosting her; each evening he returned -home in hopes of there finding that messenger who had one morning -unwittingly brought him the grief which had now become his constant -companion. - -Often, in his hours of despair, his strong nature rebelled at the idea -of enduring so much torture, without retaliating upon the primary cause -of all his suffering and all his misery, Morand. Then he formed a -project to go and seek some quarrel with Morand; but Dixmer's partner -was so inoffensive and gentlemanly that to insult or provoke him would -be a cowardly proceeding on the part of a Colossus like Maurice. - -It was fortunate that Lorin came to distract the attention of Maurice -from troubles which he obstinately concealed from his friend, though he -did not deny to him their existence. Lorin had used every argument of -theory and practice to secure to its country that heart overwhelmed in -grief by another love. But although the political situation was grave, -and although in another state of mind it might have dragged Maurice -into the centre of the whirlpool, it could not restore to the young -Republican that first activity which had distinguished him as a hero on -the 14th of July and the 10th of August. - -In fact, two systems, for the last ten months in view of each other, -which thus far had only made some light attacks on each other, and -had engaged in a few skirmishes as a prelude, now prepared to meet -body to body, and it was evident that the struggle once begun would -end fatally for one or the other. These two systems, born in the -bosom of the Revolution itself, were those of Moderation, represented -by the Girondins,--that is to say, by Brissot, Pétion, Vergniaud, -Valazé, Lanjuinais, Barbaroux, etc.,--and the Terror, or the Mountain, -represented by Danton, Robespierre, Chénier, Fabre, Marat, Collot -d'Herbois, Hébert, etc. - -After the 10th of August, as after every action, the power appeared -to pass into the hands of the Moderates. A ministry had been formed -from the wreck of the former ministry, and of a new coalition. Roland, -Servien, and Clavières, former ministers, had been recalled; Danton, -Monge, and Le Brun had been nominated afresh. With one exception only, -all these ministers belonged to the Moderate party. Of course when we -say "Moderate" we speak relatively. - -But the 10th of August had had its echo from afar, and the coalition -hastened to march, not to the assistance of Louis XVI. personally, but -of the royalist principle tottering at its basis. Then were heard the -menacing words of Brunswick, and as a terrible realization, Longwy -and Verdun had fallen into the power of the enemy. Then the Terrorist -reaction had taken place; then Danton had dreams of the days of -September, and had realized the bloody dream which displayed to the -enemy all France as a scene of wholesale assassination, and ready to -struggle for her precarious existence with all the energy of despair. -September had saved France, but in saving her had rendered her lawless. -France saved, and the Energetic party having become powerless, the -Moderates regained some strength, and wished to recriminate those -dreadful days. The words "murderer" and "assassin" had been uttered; a -new name had even been added to the national vocabulary,--it was that -of "Septembriseur." - -Danton had bravely accepted it. Like Clovis he had for a moment -inclined his head under the baptism of blood, only to raise it still -more lofty and menacing. Another opportunity to renew the Terror -presented itself; it was the process of the king. Violence and -moderation entered, not altogether to wrestle against persons but -principles. The trial of relative strength was made on the royal -prisoner. Moderation was overcome, and the head of Louis XVI. fell upon -the scaffold. - -As the 10th of August, so the 21st of January had restored to the -coalition all its energy. It was still the same man who opposed them, -but not the same fortune. Dumouriez, arrested in his progress by the -disorder of all the administrations, which prevented the succor of -men or money from reaching him, declared against the Jacobins, whom -he accused of causing this disorganization, adopted the party of the -Girondins, and ruined them in declaring himself their friend. - -Then the Vendée arose; the departments threatened; misfortune producing -treason, and treason misfortune. The Jacobins accused the Moderates, -and wished to strike their death-blow on the 10th of March,--that is -to say, on the eventful evening when our story commenced. But too much -precipitation on the part of their adversaries saved them, and perhaps -also the rain which caused Pétion (that profound anatomist of the -Parisian mind) to remark,-- - -"It rains! there will be nothing to-night." - -But since the 10th of March everything threatened ruin to the -Girondins. Marat was accused and acquitted. Robespierre and Danton were -reconciled, at least as a lion and tiger are reconciled before killing -the bull they both intend to devour; Henriot, the Septembriseur, -nominated Commandant-General to the National Guard; everything presaged -that awful day which would carry away by storm the last obstacle the -Revolution opposed to the Terror. - -Such were the great events in which under any other circumstances -Maurice would have taken that active part for which his powerful -nature and exalted patriotism so fully qualified him. But happily, or -unhappily, for Maurice, neither the exhortations of Lorin, nor the -terrible demonstrations on the streets, had been able to divert his -mind from the one idea that possessed it; and when the 31st of May -arrived, the fierce assailant of the Bastille and the Tuileries was -laid upon his bed, devoured by that fever which destroys the strongest, -and which nevertheless a word can dissipate, a look can heal. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE THIRTY-FIRST OF MAY. - - -During the morning of the 31st of May, when the tocsin and beat of drum -had been sounding since the break of day, the battalion of the Faubourg -Saint Victor entered the Temple. - -When all the usual formalities had been gone through, and the posts -distributed, the municipals on service arrived, bringing with them four -pieces of cannon in addition to those already forming the battery at -the gate of the Temple. - -At the same time Santerre arrived, with his epaulets of yellow wool, -and a coat on which his patriotism was displayed by large spots of -grease. He reviewed the battalion, which was in a proper state, but on -counting the municipals, found only three. - -"Why are there only three municipals?" inquired he; "and who is the bad -citizen who fails us?" - -"The absent citizen, General, is not lukewarm," replied our old -acquaintance, Agricola; "for it is the secretary of the section -Lepelletier, the chief of the brave Thermopyles, the Citizen Maurice -Lindey." - -"Well, well," said Santerre, "I know as well as yourself the patriotism -of the Citizen Maurice Lindey; but that will not deter me, if he is -not here in five minutes, from inscribing his name in the list of the -absent." - -And Santerre passed on to other details. - -A few paces from the general, at the moment he pronounced these words, -a captain of chasseurs and a soldier had stationed themselves, one -leaning against his gun, the other seated on a cannon. - -"Did you hear?" said the captain to the soldier, in a low tone. -"Maurice has not yet arrived." - -"Yes; but rest assured he will arrive, unless there should be a riot." - -"In case he should not come," said the captain, "I will place you -sentinel on the staircase; and as she will probably ascend to the -tower, you will be able to speak a word to her." - -At this moment a man, evidently a municipal from his tricolored scarf, -entered; but this man being a stranger to the captain and the chasseur, -they both regarded him attentively. - -"Citizen General," said the new-comer, addressing Santerre; "I request -you to accept me in place of Citizen Maurice Lindey, who is ill. Here -is the medical certificate; in eight days it will be my turn to mount -guard. I now exchange with him; in eight days he will do duty for me, -as to-day I will for him." - -"Provided the Capets and Capettes live eight days longer," said one of -the municipals. - -Santerre replied by a slight smile to this pleasantry, and turning -toward Maurice's proxy,-- - -"Very good," said he; "sign the register, in lieu of Maurice Lindey, -and state in the column of observations the reason for this exchange." - -The captain and chasseur exchanged looks of delight, mingled with -astonishment. - -"In eight days," said they. - -"Captain Dixmer," cried Santerre, "take your position in the garden -with your company." - -"Come, Morand," said the captain to the chasseur his companion. - -The drum sounded, and the company led by the master-tanner filed off in -the direction prescribed. They piled arms, and the company divided into -groups, which, according to their inclination, walked to and fro. - -Their place of promenade was the same garden where, in the time of -Louis XVI., the royal family came sometimes to take the air. This -garden was naked, barren, and desolate, completely despoiled of trees, -flowers, or verdure of any kind. - -At about five-and-twenty paces, or perhaps rather nearer that portion -of the wall built on the Rue Portefoin, was a species of cottage, which -the foresight of the municipality had established for the convenience -of the National Guard stationed at the Temple, who in days of riot, -when they were not permitted to go out of the grounds, found it an -accommodation to take their meals in this little cottage. The direction -of this little alehouse had been a matter of contention, till at length -concession was made in favor of an excellent patriot, the wife of a -suburban killed on the 10th of August, who bore the name of Plumeau. - -This little cabin, built of planks and mud, rose in the middle of a -flower-bed, of which the bounds may still be recognized by a hedge -of dwarf box-trees. It was composed of a single chamber, twelve feet -square, under which extended a cave, the descent to which was by steps -rudely cut in the earth itself. Here the Widow Plumeau stowed away her -wine and provisions. This department was alternately managed by herself -and daughter, a girl of twelve or fifteen years of age. - -Hardly established at their bivouac, the National Guards separated, -as we have said, some to saunter in the garden, while others chatted -with the hostess. Some amused themselves by criticising the designs -traced upon the walls, which were all meant to be of a patriotic -character,--such as the king pendent with this inscription, "Monsieur -Veto taking an air-bath;" or the king guillotined with this, "Monsieur -Veto spitting in the sack;" while others were giving gastronomical -orders to Madame Plumeau, according to the suggestions of their -different appetites. Among the latter were the captain and the chasseur -whom we have previously remarked. - -"Ah, Captain Dixmer!" said the _cantinière_, "I have some famous Saumur -wine." - -"But, Citizeness Plumeau, in my opinion, at least, the Saumur wine -is nothing without Brie cheese," replied the captain, who, before he -stated this opinion, had carefully looked round, and detected the -absence of his favorite viand. - -"Ah! Captain, it is true; but the last morsel has been consumed." - -"Well," said the captain, "no Brie cheese, no Saumur wine for me; and -remark, Citizeness Plumeau, my order would have been of some amount, as -I had intended to treat all my company." - -"But, Captain, I ask you to wait only five minutes, and I will run and -procure some at the house of the citizen concierge who competes with -me, and who always has it. I shall pay very dear, and you, I am sure, -are too good a patriot not to compensate me." - -"Yes, yes," replied Dixmer; "and in the mean time we will go down into -the vault, and select our own wines." - -"Make yourself at home, Captain, pray do." - -And the Widow Plumeau ran with all her might toward the lodge of the -concierge, while the captain and chasseur, provided with a light, -raised the trap-door, and descended into the cave. - -"Good," said Morand, after an instant's inspection, "the cave extends -in the direction of Rue Portefoin. It is nine or ten feet in depth, and -there is no brickwork." - -"What is the nature of the soil?" inquired Dixmer. - -"Chalk; it is all made earth. These gardens have been turned over many -times. There is nowhere any rock." - -"Be quick," cried Dixmer, "I hear the clogs of our _vivandière_; take -two bottles of wine and let us go up." - -They both appeared at the trap-door as Madame Plumeau entered, carrying -the cheese so strenuously insisted upon by Dixmer, while several -chasseurs followed her, attracted by the favorable appearance of the -said cheese. - -Dixmer did the honors; he offered twenty bottles of wine to his -company, while the Citizen Morand recounted the devotion of Curtius, -the disinterestedness of Fabricius, and the patriotism of Brutus and -Cassius,--histories almost as much appreciated as the Brie cheese and -the Anjou wine offered by Dixmer, which is not saying a little. - -Eleven o'clock struck. At half-past, the sentinels were relieved. - -"Does not the Austrian generally take her walk from twelve to one?" -asked Dixmer of Tison, who passed the cabin. - -"From twelve to one, exactly," and he began to sing. - -His song was received with a shout of laughter from the National Guard. -Dixmer immediately summoned those men in his company whose duty it -was to mount guard from half-past eleven o'clock till half-past one, -told them to hasten their breakfast, and made Morand take arms, in -order to place him, as had been agreed, on the highest story of the -tower, in the same turret behind which Maurice was hidden the day he -had intercepted the signs intended for the queen from the window on Rue -Portefoin. If any one had noticed Morand at the moment he received this -order, simple and expected as it was, he would have seen him grow pale -beneath the masses of his long black hair. - -Suddenly a dull noise shook the courts of the Temple, and sounds were -heard in the distance like the roaring of a hurricane. - -"What is that?" asked Dixmer of Tison. - -"Oh!" replied the jailer, "it is nothing; some little uproar these -rascally Brissotins are making before they go to the guillotine." - -The noise became more and more threatening, the roar of artillery was -heard, and a crowd of people rushed past, near the Temple, shouting,-- - -"Long live the Sections!" "Long live Henriot!" "Down with the -Brissotins!" "Down with the Rolandists!" "Down with Madame Veto!" - -"Good!" said Tison, clapping his hands, "I will go and open the door -for Madame Veto, that without any disturbance she may enjoy the love -the people evince for her." - -He approached the wicket of the turret-keep. - -"Holloa, Tison!" cried a formidable voice. - -"Yes, General," replied he, stopping short. - -"No egress to-day," said Santerre; "the prisoners are not to quit their -chambers." - -The order was peremptory. - -"Good!" said Tison, "so much the less trouble." - -Dixmer and Morand exchanged looks of disappointment; then waiting till -the hour for duty had struck (though nothing could now be attempted), -they both went to walk between the cabin and the wall running toward -Rue Portefoin. Morand began to measure the distance, taking geometrical -steps,--that is to say of three feet. - -"What is the distance?" inquired Dixmer. - -"Sixty to sixty-one feet," replied Morand. - -"How many days will be required?" - -Morand considered, then traced on the ground with a stick some -geometrical signs, which he immediately effaced. - -"Seven days at least," said he. - -"Maurice will be on guard in eight days," murmured Dixmer. "It is, -then, absolutely imperative that within eight days we should be -reconciled to Maurice." - -The half-hour struck; Morand, sighing, resumed his musket, and -conducted by the corporal, went to relieve the sentinel who was -patrolling the platform before the tower. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -DEVOTION. - - -The day following these events,--that is to say the 1st of June,--at -ten o'clock in the morning, Geneviève was seated in her accustomed -place near the window. She asked herself why, for the last three weeks, -the days for her rose so sad; why they passed so slowly; and lastly, -why instead of waiting for the evening with impatience, she now dreaded -its return. - -Her nights above all were wretched,--those nights that used to be so -happy; those nights passed in dreaming of the past and of the future. - -At this moment her eyes fell upon a case of magnificent striped and -crimson carnations, which since the winter she had removed from the -little greenhouse where Maurice had been imprisoned, to bloom in her -own apartment. - -Maurice had taught her to cultivate them in the mahogany bed in which -they were inclosed; she had watered and trimmed them herself so long as -Maurice had been there, for when he came in the evening she delighted -to show him the progress, thanks to their united care, that the flowers -had made during the night. - -But since the cessation of Maurice's visits the poor carnations had -been quite neglected, and for want of requisite care and attention the -opening buds had withered, turned yellow, and fallen down outside the -balustrade. - -Geneviève comprehended, from this sight alone, the reason of her own -melancholy. She said to herself, "It is with flowers as with certain -friendships which we nourish and cultivate with ardor till they bloom -in the heart, and then, in a moment, a suspicion, a caprice, an -unkindness strikes at the root of this friendship, and the heart that -it had revived again contracts, languishes, and dies." The young woman -experienced a sensation of anguish. She examined her inmost thoughts; -the sentiments she had endeavored to combat, and which she had hoped to -conquer, she feared now more than ever would only die with her; then -she felt a moment's despair, for she knew the struggle would become -more and more impossible. She meekly bowed her head, imprinted a kiss -upon the withered flowers, and wept. - -Her husband entered at this moment. He, on his side, was too much -preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice the trying ordeal through -which his young wife was passing, nor did he pay the least attention to -the tell-tale redness of her eyelids. - -It is true Geneviève rose quickly to meet him, and in so doing turned -her face from the window, standing in the dim light. - -"Well?" said she. - -"Well, nothing new; impossible to approach her, impossible to convey -any message to her, impossible even to see her." - -"What!" cried Geneviève, "with all the noise there has been in Paris?" - -"It is this very uproar which has made the guard redouble their -vigilance, from the fear that some might avail themselves of the -general excitement to make an attempt on the Temple; and the very -moment when her Majesty was about to walk upon the platform, an order -was given by Santerre that neither the queen, Madame Royale, nor Madame -Elizabeth should go out to-day." - -"The poor chevalier! he must be sadly disappointed." - -"He was in despair when he saw the chance had thus escaped us, and -turned so pale that I had to drag him away lest he should betray -himself." - -"But," asked Geneviève, timidly, "was there not then at the Temple any -municipal of your acquaintance?" - -"There ought to have been one, but he did not come." - -"Who?" - -"The Citizen Maurice Lindey," said Dixmer, in a tone he endeavored to -render indifferent. - -"And why did he not come?" said Geneviève, in her turn making a similar -effort at self-command. - -"He was ill." - -"He--ill?" - -"Yes, and seriously so. Patriot as you know him to be, he was obliged -to cede his turn to another." - -"This is most unfortunate." - -"But, goodness, Geneviève!" replied Dixmer, "if he had been there, as -matters now stand, it might have been just the same. Unfriendly as we -are at present, he might perhaps have even avoided speaking to me." - -"I think," replied Geneviève, "you exaggerate the unpleasantness of our -situation. Monsieur Maurice may have taken a whim not to come here; may -have some futile reasons to see us no more,--but is not on that account -our enemy. Coolness does not exclude politeness, and I am convinced on -seeing you come to him, he would meet you half-way." - -"Geneviève," replied Dixmer, "what we require from Maurice needs -something more than politeness,--a firm and attached friendship. This -feeling is destroyed; we have nothing further to hope from him." - -And Dixmer heaved a deep sigh, while his usually placid face bore a -troubled expression. - -"But," said Geneviève, hesitatingly, "if you think that Monsieur -Maurice is so necessary to your projects--" - -"It amounts to this," replied Dixmer, "that I despair of being able to -succeed without him." - -"Well, then, why do you not try some new method to regain the Citizen -Lindey?" - -It seemed to her that in speaking of the young man by his surname, her -voice sounded less tender than when she called him by his Christian -name. - -"No," replied Dixmer, shaking his head; "I have done all that I could. -Any new proceeding would appear singular, and necessarily arouse his -suspicions; and then, look you, Geneviève, I see further than you into -this affair. Maurice feels deeply wounded." - -"Wounded!" exclaimed Geneviève, greatly moved. "What would you say? -Speak." - -"You know as well as I do, Geneviève, that in our rupture with the -Citizen Lindey there is more than caprice." - -"To what then do you attribute this rupture?" - -"To pride, perhaps," said Dixmer, quickly. - -"To pride!" - -"Yes; he did us honor, in his opinion at least, this good burgess -of Paris, this demi-aristocrat of the gown,--concealing his -susceptibilities under his patriotism; he conferred honor upon us, -this Republican so powerful in his section, in his club, in his -municipality, by according his friendship to a manufacturer of hides. -Perhaps we have made too few advances; perhaps we have forgotten -ourselves." - -"If we had even been guilty in this respect, I think your last step -would have redeemed all that," replied Geneviève. - -"Yes; supposing the offence came from me; but if, on the contrary, it -proceeded from you?" - -"From me! Do you imagine that I have in any way offended Monsieur -Maurice?" said Geneviève, astonished. - -"Who knows, with a person like him! Did you not yourself at first -accuse him of caprice? I therefore return to my first opinion, -Geneviève; you did very wrong not to write to him." - -"I!" cried Geneviève; "do you think so?" - -"Not only do I think so now, but have done so ever since this rupture -of the last three weeks." - -"And--" asked Geneviève, timidly. - -"I look upon this step as indispensable." - -"No, no! Dixmer; do not exact this of me." - -"You know, Geneviève, I make no exactions of you; I only entreat you. -Well, listen; I beseech you to write the Citizen Maurice." - -"But--" said Geneviève. - -"Hearken!" said Dixmer, interrupting her; "there is between you and -Maurice either some serious cause of quarrel,--for, so far as I am -concerned, he has had no reason to complain of my conduct toward -him,--or some childish disagreement." - -Geneviève made no reply. - -"If this is merely a silly broil, it is folly to render it lasting; and -if you have serious motives for quarrelling, situated as we are, you -ought not even to value your dignity or self-respect. We must not place -in the balance the quarrels of young people against objects of the -highest interest. Make one effort; subdue your own feelings, and write -one word only to Maurice Lindey, and he will return." - -Geneviève reflected a moment. - -"But," said she, "could we not find some means less compromising to -renew friendly intercourse between Monsieur Maurice and yourself?" - -"Compromising, do you call it? It appears to me, on the contrary, to be -the most natural way possible." - -"No; not for me, _mon ami_." - -"You are very obstinate, Geneviève." - -"Allow me to tell you it is the first time, at least, that you have -discovered it." - -Dixmer, who for some time had been crushing his handkerchief between -his hands, now wiped the perspiration from his brow. - -"Yes," said he; "and it is this that increases my astonishment." - -"Good Heaven!" said Geneviève, "is it possible, Dixmer, that you do not -divine the cause of my resistance, and that you wish to force me to -speak?" - -And overcome with contending emotions, her head sunk upon her breast, -and her arms fell listlessly by her sides. Dixmer appeared to make a -strenuous effort to command himself, took Geneviève's hand, compelled -her to raise her head, looked into her eyes, and began to laugh; but in -a manner so forced and unnatural, that had Geneviève been less agitated -at the moment, it must have been evident even to her. - -"I see how it is," said he; "you are in the right, and I was blind. -With all your wit and distinction, my dear Geneviève, you have fallen -into a vulgar notion,--you have been fearful that Maurice might fall in -love with you." - -Geneviève felt as if an icy chill had penetrated to her heart. This -irony on the part of her husband, relative to Maurice's affection for -her,--that love of which, from the knowledge she possessed of the -character of the young man, she could estimate all the violence, and -in which, though only acknowledged with deep remorse, she participated -in the depths of her heart,--this irony petrified her. She felt it was -utterly impossible to reply. - -"I have guessed rightly, have I not?" said Dixmer. "Well, reassure -yourself, Geneviève; I know Maurice to be a fierce Republican, whose -heart contains no other love than love of country." - -"Sir!" exclaimed Geneviève, "are you certain of what you say?" - -"Eh, without doubt," replied Dixmer. "If Maurice loved you, instead of -quarrelling with me he would redouble his attentions and civilities to -one whom it was his interest to deceive. If Maurice loved you, he would -not so easily renounce his title of 'friend of the family,' generally -used to cover these intrigues." - -"Do not, I beseech you," cried Geneviève, "make a jest of these things." - -"I do not jest, Madame; I only tell you Maurice does not love you, that -is all." - -"And I--I," said Geneviève, "tell you that you are mistaken." - -"In that case," replied Dixmer, "Maurice, who has had sufficient -strength to tear himself away rather than make a cuckold of his host, -is an honest man; and as such men are rare, Geneviève, one cannot -do too much to reclaim them when lost. Geneviève, you will write to -Maurice, will you not?" - -"Oh, my God!" cried the young woman, letting her head fall on her -hands, for he to whom she looked for support in a moment of danger had -precipitated instead of restraining her fall. - -Dixmer regarded her for a moment, then forcing a smile,-- - -"Come, darling," said he, "no woman's self-esteem. If Maurice wishes to -recommence a declaration, laugh at the second as you did at the first. -I know you, Geneviève, you are a worthy and noble woman. I can depend -on you." - -"Oh!" exclaimed the young woman, sinking on her knees, "how can one -place confidence in others when one cannot place confidence in himself?" - -Dixmer turned pale, as if all his blood had rushed back to his heart. - -"Geneviève," said he, "I have done very wrong to cause you so much -anguish of mind. I ought to have explained myself at once. Geneviève, -we live in an epoch of self-sacrifice. I have devoted myself to the -queen, our benefactress,--not only my arm, not only my head, but my -happiness. Others will give her their lives; I do more than give her -my life,--I risk my honor; and if that perishes, only one more tear -will fall into the ocean of miseries which is preparing to swallow up -France. But my honor runs no risk under the guardianship of such a -woman as my Geneviève." - -For the first time Dixmer had entirely revealed himself. Geneviève -raised her head, and fixed her beautiful eyes, full of admiration, upon -him; then slowly rose, and presented her forehead to him to kiss. - -"You wish it?" said she. - -Dixmer made a sign in the affirmative. - -"Dictate, then," and she took up a pen. - -"No; it is sufficient to use, not to abuse this worthy young man," said -Dixmer; "and since he will be reconciled himself to us on receipt of -a letter from Geneviève, this letter should be from Geneviève, and not -from Monsieur Dixmer." - -And Dixmer a second time kissed his wife's forehead, thanked her, and -went out. - -Then Geneviève tremblingly wrote,-- - - Citizen Maurice,--You know how much my husband respects you. Have - three weeks of separation, which to us have appeared an age, made you - forget? Come, we await you; your return will be a real fête. - - Geneviève. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE GODDESS REASON. - - -As Maurice had informed General Santerre the preceding evening, he was -seriously ill. - -While he kept his chamber, Lorin in his daily visits had made use -of every argument to induce him to enter into some active pursuit -calculated to divert his mind from its trouble; but Maurice continued -obstinate. There are some maladies we do not desire to heal. On the 1st -of June, Lorin came about one o'clock. - -"Is there anything particular going on to-day," asked Maurice, "that -you are so superb?" - -Indeed, Lorin was splendidly attired. He wore the _bonnet-rouge_, -the _carmagnole_, and the tricolored girdle ornamented with two -instruments, then called the "cruets of the Abbé Maury," but which -before and since have been plumply and plainly termed pistols. - -"In the first place," said Lorin, "it is generally the breaking up of -the ice of the Gironde which is in train, but by beat of drum. At this -moment, for example, they are heating the bullets red on the Place du -Carrousel; then, in particular, there is a grand solemnity to which I -invite you the day after to-morrow." - -"But what is there to-day? You came for me, you say?" - -"Yes; to-day we have the rehearsal." - -"What rehearsal?" - -"Why, the rehearsal of this great solemnity." - -"My dear fellow," said Maurice, "you know that it is now eight days -since I last went out; consequently I am ignorant of everything, and -therefore the more require to be fully informed." - -"What! Have I not told you?" - -"You have told me nothing." - -"First, you already know, we had suppressed God for some time past, and -have replaced him with the 'Supreme Being.'" - -"Yes; I know all that." - -"Well, it seems they have found out something; that the 'Supreme Being' -was a Moderate, a Rolandist, and, in short, a Girondin." - -"No jesting on sacred subjects, Lorin; you know I do not like it." - -"What would you have, my boy? we must keep up with the age. I too like -the ancient God well enough; first, because I was accustomed to him. As -for the 'Supreme Being,' it appears he really has faults, and since he -has been above yonder, everything has been playing at cross-purposes; -at all events, our legislators have decreed his downfall." - -Maurice shrugged his shoulders. - -"Shrug your shoulders as much as you please," said Lorin; "but now we -are going to worship the 'Goddess Reason.'" - -"And are you engaged in all these masquerades?" - -"Ah! _mon ami_, if you knew the Goddess Reason as I know her, you would -be one of her warmest partisans. Listen; I wish you to know her, and -will present you to her." - -"A truce to all this folly. I am out of spirits, you well know." - -"The very thing, then; she will enliven you; she is a nice girl. Ah! -but you know the austere goddess whom the Parisians wish to crown with -laurels, and drive about in a gilded paper-car! It is--guess." - -"How can I guess?" - -"It is Arthémise." - -"Arthémise!" said Maurice, taxing his memory in vain to recollect the -name. - -"Yes; a tall brunette, with whom I formed an acquaintance last year at -the Opera-ball; by the same token, you came to sup with us, and made -her tipsy." - -"Ah! yes," said Maurice, "I remember now. It is she, is it?" - -"She has the best chance. I presented her to the concourse. All the -Thermopyles have promised me their votes. In three days the general -election will take place. To-day we enjoy the preparatory dinner, -to-day we spill the wine of Champagne; perhaps after to-morrow we may -spill blood! But let them spill what they like, Arthémise shall be -goddess, or may the devil carry me away! Come, come, we will help her -on with her tunic." - -"Thanks; but I have always entertained a repugnance for things of this -sort." - -"To robe goddesses? _Peste!_ old fellow, you are difficult to please. -Let me see; if that does not suit you, I will put her tunic on, and you -shall take it off." - -"Lorin, I am ill, and not only out of spirits, but the gayety of others -makes me miserable." - -"Ah, that is it! You frighten me, Maurice; you no longer either laugh -or fight. You surely are not engaged in any plot?" - -"I? Would to God--" - -"You mean, Would to the Goddess Reason!" - -"Leave me, Lorin; I cannot, and will not, go out. I am in bed, and here -let me rest in peace." - -Lorin scratched his ear. - -"Well," said he, "I see how it is." - -"What do you see?" - -"That you wait for the Goddess Reason." - -"By Jove," cried Maurice, "witty friends are great bores. Go, or I -shall load both you and your goddess with curses." - -"Charge! charge!" - -Maurice raised his hand to curse him, when he was interrupted by his -official, who at this moment entered, bearing in his hand a letter for -his brother citizen. - -"Citizen Agesilaus," said Lorin, "you enter at an unfortunate moment. -Your master was just going to be eloquent." - -Maurice let fall his hand, which he listlessly extended for the letter; -but the instant he touched it he started, and eagerly examining both -the seal and hand-writing, grew very pale in the anticipation of bad -tidings, and broke the seal hastily. - -"Oh, our interest is awakened at last," said Lorin, "it seems to me." - -Maurice heard him not; his whole soul was merged in the four lines of -Geneviève. He read and re-read them three or four times over; and then -raising his head, gazed at Lorin like a man quite stupefied. - -"The deuce!" said Lorin; "the intelligence must be wonderful indeed, -which that letter contains." - -Maurice read the letter for the fifth time; a hue of vermilion suffused -his face, his eyes brightened, and a deep sigh relieved his breast; -then forgetting at once his illness and attendant weakness, he leaped -from his bed. - -"My clothes!" cried he to the astonished official,--"my clothes, my -dear Agesilaus. Oh, my poor Lorin--my good Lorin, I expected this -every day, but in truth I did not hope for it. Here, my white trousers -and frilled shirt; please dress my hair and shave me immediately." - -The official hastened to execute Maurice's orders, and dressed and -shaved him in a trice. - -"Oh, I shall again behold her! I shall again behold her!" cried the -young man, "Lorin, I never till this moment knew what happiness meant!" - -"My poor Maurice," said Lorin, "I think you require the visit I -recommended to you." - -"Oh, my dear friend, pardon me; for truly reason has forsaken me." - -"Then I offer you mine," said Lorin, laughing at his own execrable pun. - -The most surprising thing was that Maurice laughed also. His present -happiness had made him so cheerful. - -This was not all. "Wait," said he, cutting some orange blossom from a -tree in full bloom; "present this from me to the worthy Widow Mausole." - -"_A la bonne heure!_" said Lorin; "in consideration of your gallantry, -I pardon you. Then it appears to me you are absolutely in love, and I -always feel profound respect for the unfortunate." - -"Yes, I am in love," said Maurice, and his heart dilated with joy. "I -am in love; and now, since she loves me, I may declare it; for since -she has recalled me, must she not love me, Lorin?" - -"Doubtless," complacently replied the adorer of the Goddess Reason; -"but take care, Maurice, for the fashion in which you take this makes -me fear for you." - - "Often love is but a freak - Of the tyrant men call Cupid. - 'Tis he bewitches when you speak - With any woman, howe'er stupid. - Come, then, with me,--love only Reason; - And so escape Dan Cupid's treason." - -"Bravo, bravo!" cried Maurice, clapping his hands; then taking to his -heels, he descended the steps four at a time, and directed his steps -toward the well-known old Rue Saint Jacques. - -"I believe he applauded me, Agesilaus, didn't he?" asked Lorin. - -"He certainly did, Citizen; and no wonder, for those were very pretty -verses that you repeated." - -"He is worse than I thought him," said Lorin, in his turn descending -the staircase in rather a calmer mood. Arthémise was not Geneviève. - -Hardly had Lorin and his orange blossom arrived at the Rue Saint -Honoré, when a crowd of young citizens, to whom he had been accustomed -to administer either kicks or half-pence, according to his humor, -respectfully followed him,--mistaking him, no doubt, for one of those -virtuous individuals to whom Saint Just had proposed that people should -offer a white robe and a bunch of orange blossoms. - -As the cortège every moment increased in numbers,--for even at this -epoch a virtuous man was a rare sight to behold,--there were several -thousand young citizens present when the bouquet was offered to -Arthémise, a homage which made several other "Reasons" who had joined -the ranks very ill with sick headache next day. It was on the same -evening that the famous distich was circulated through Paris,-- - - "Long life to Goddess Reason-- - The pure, clear dawn of day." - -And as it has come down to us without any knowledge of the author,--a -fact which has powerfully exercised the sagacity of revolutionary -archæologists,--we have almost the audacity to affirm that it was -composed for the fair Arthémise by our friend, Hyacinthe Lorin. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE PRODIGAL CHILD. - - -Maurice could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings. -The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it -retarded his course. It was said everywhere that the Convention was -besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its -representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this -there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, -and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm. But what at this -moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon? What -cared he whether the deputies were or were not able to come out, when -the prohibition did not extend to him? So he quickened his pace, that -was all. While running, he pictured to himself Geneviève waiting at the -little window overlooking the garden, in order to see him; and that -she would perceive him far off; and then her smile, more than ever -charming, would welcome him back again. - -Dixmer also was no doubt informed of this happy return, and would -tender him his coarse, large hand, so frank and loyal in its greeting. -He loved Dixmer; now even his love almost extended to Morand with his -black locks and his green spectacles, behind which he fancied he could -see the glitter of his brilliant but saturnine eyes. - -He loved the whole world, for he was happy, and would willingly have -showered flowers on the heads of all mankind that they might be as -happy as himself. - -But for once he was deceived. Poor Maurice! he deceived himself, as a -man generally does when he reckons according to his wishes. - -Instead of the sweet smile awaiting Maurice, which was to receive him -when he would be seen from afar, Geneviève had determined on meeting -Maurice with the most distant politeness,--a feeble rampart with which -to oppose the torrent that threatened to invade her heart. She had -retired to her chamber on the first floor, and did not intend coming -down till sent for. - -Alas! she also deceived herself. - -Dixmer alone was not deceived; he watched for Maurice through a wired -lattice, and smiled ironically. - -Morand was gravely occupied in dyeing black some tails which are placed -on white cat-skin to imitate ermine. - -Maurice pushed open the little door of the alley, to enter -unceremoniously through the garden; as of old, the door opening rang a -little bell which indicated the arrival of Maurice. - -Geneviève, who had stationed herself behind the closed window, started, -and let fall the curtain she had drawn on one side. - -The first sensation experienced by Maurice on entering his friend's -house was disappointment. Not only was Geneviève absent from the window -on the ground-floor, but on entering the little salon where he had -uttered his last adieu, he found her not, and was compelled to announce -himself, as if an absence of three weeks' duration had transformed him -into a stranger. His heart was oppressed. - -It was Dixmer whom Maurice first saw. He came forward, and embraced him -with exclamations of joy. - -Geneviève then came down. She had tried in vain to restore some color -to her pallid cheek; but before she had proceeded twenty steps the -blood receded to her heart. - -Maurice saw Geneviève appear in the shadow of the door; he advanced -toward her smiling, intending to kiss her hand, and then only perceived -how sadly she was changed. She on her part noticed with anxiety the -attenuated frame of Maurice, and his fevered look of wild excitement. - -"You are here then, sir," said she, in a voice whose emotion she could -not subdue. - -She had determined to address him with perfect indifference. - -"Good-day, Citizen Maurice; why have your visits been so rare of late?" - -This fickleness appeared more strange still to Maurice, and now what a -shadow was cast upon all! - -Dixmer cut short this examination, and put an end to all reciprocal -reproaches by ordering dinner to be served; it was nearly two o'clock. -They passed into the _salle-à-manger_, where Maurice saw a cover was -placed for him. Then the Citizen Morand arrived, dressed in the same -chestnut-colored coat and in the same waistcoat--he always wore his -green spectacles--and white frilled shirt, and had the same long -thick black hair. Maurice felt so well-disposed toward him that he -wondered now when he had Morand before him that he should have ever -felt the least concern about his rivalry at a distance. In short, what -probability was there that Geneviève loved this little chemist? He was -in love, and in consequence a fool to allow such folly to enter into -his head. - -Besides, the moment would have been badly chosen for jealousy. Maurice -carried within his waistcoat pocket Geneviève's last letter, and his -heart, bounding with joy, beat beneath it. - -Geneviève had recovered her serenity. There is this peculiarity in the -organization of women, that the present is able to efface all hues of -the past, and distances all fears for the future. - -Geneviève felt happy, having resumed her self-command: that is to say, -she became calm and dignified, though still kind,--another shade which -Maurice had not the requisite skill to comprehend. Lorin would have -found the explanation in "Parny," in "Bertin," or the "Gentil Bernard." - -The conversation turned upon the Goddess Reason. The fall of the -Girondins, and the new mode of worship by which the kingdom of heaven -had fallen to the lot of the distaff were the prevailing topics of -the day. Dixmer pretended he should not have been sorry to see this -unparalleled honor offered to Geneviève. Maurice felt inclined to -laugh. Geneviève, however, concurred in the opinion of her husband, -while Maurice regarded them both with astonishment, wondering that -patriotism could so far mislead a sensible man like Dixmer and a woman -of so poetical and refined a nature as Geneviève. - -Morand developed the theory of female politicians. He cited Théroigne -de Méricourt, the heroine of the 10th of August, and Madame Roland, the -"Soul" of the Girondins. Then, _en passant_, he launched out against -the "Tricoteuses." These words made Maurice smile. It was, however, a -cruel joke against these female patriots that they were latterly termed -"the female leeches of the guillotine." - -"Ah! Citizen Morand," said Dixmer, "we respect patriotism even when it -is mistaken." - -"As for me," said Maurice, "as far as I know of patriotism, I -always find the women sufficiently good patriots, when not too high -aristocrats." - -"You are quite right," said Morand; "and as for myself, I frankly -confess I consider a woman very contemptible when she affects the -demeanor of a man, and a man a coward, unworthy of the name, when he -insults a woman, even were she his bitterest enemy." - -Morand was gradually drawing Maurice on to delicate ground. Maurice -on his side replied by an affirmative sign. The lists being opened, -Dixmer, like the sounding herald, added,-- - -"One moment, one moment, Citizen Morand; you except, I hope, those -women who are known enemies of the nation?" - -A silence of some moments succeeded this "parry and thrust" to the -response of Morand and the sign of Maurice. Maurice first interrupted -the silence. - -"Let us except no one," said he, sadly; "those females who have been -enemies to the nation are now, it appears to me, sufficiently punished." - -"You allude to the prisoners of the Temple,--to the Austrian, the -sister and daughter of Capet?" cried Dixmer, with a rapidity which -deprived his words of all expression. - -Morand changed color while awaiting the reply of the young Republican, -seeming to sink his nails into his breast in the intensity of his -interest. - -"Just so," said Maurice, "it is of them I am speaking." - -"Who?" said Morand, in stifled tones. "Is what they say, true?" - -"What do they say?" demanded the young man. - -"That the prisoners are cruelly maltreated, sometimes even by those -whose duty it is to protect them." - -"There are individuals," said Maurice, "who do not deserve the name of -men. There are some cowards who, totally deficient in real courage, -retain a desire to torture the vanquished in order to persuade -themselves that they are the conquerors." - -"You are not one of those men, Maurice, I am quite certain," said -Geneviève. - -"Madame," replied Maurice, "I who now speak to you mounted guard near -the scaffold on which perished the late king. My drawn sabre in my -hand, I was prepared to slay any one who attempted to rescue him. -Notwithstanding, on his approach I removed my hat, and turning toward -my men said,-- - -"'Citizens, I here warn you that I shall run my sword through the body -of the first man that insults the king.' - -"And I defy any one to assert that a single shout was heard to proceed -from my company. From my hand first emanated those ten thousand -placards affixed to the walls of Paris after the king's return from -Varennes,-- - - "'Whoever acknowledges the king shall be flogged. Whoever insults the - king shall be hanged.'" - -"Well," continued Maurice, without noticing the deep impression his -words had produced on his listeners,--"well, I have proved to you that -I am a frank, good patriot, that I hate all kings and their partisans. -Yet I declare, notwithstanding my opinion, which is nothing short of a -firm conviction, that, notwithstanding the certainty I feel that the -Austrian is in a great measure the cause of the miseries that desolate -France, never, never shall any man,--let him be who he may, even -Santerre himself,--insult the ex-queen in my presence." - -"Citizen," said Dixmer, shaking his head as if he disapproved of so -much hardihood, "are you aware you ought to be very sure of us before -you make such declarations in our presence?" - -"I make them before you, and would do so before all the world, Dixmer; -and I will add, she may perhaps perish on the same scaffold as her -husband, but I am not one to fear a woman; on the contrary, I have a -kindly regard for all those who are weaker than myself." - -"And the queen, Monsieur Maurice?" demanded Geneviève, timidly; "has -she sometimes evinced her sense of this delicacy, to which she is so -little accustomed?" - -"The prisoner has thanked me several times for my consideration for -her, Madame." - -"Then she must expect your turn to guard with pleasure?" - -"I believe she does, Madame," replied Maurice. - -"Then," said Morand, tremulous as a woman, "since you have confessed -what no one nowadays confesses,--that you have a generous heart,--you -will not surely persecute the children either?" - -"I!" said Maurice; "ask the infamous Simon the weight of the arm of the -municipal before whom he had the audacity to beat the little Capet." - -This answer produced a spontaneous movement at Dixmer's table. All the -guests rose respectfully; Maurice alone remained seated, and had not -the slightest idea that he had elicited this mark of admiration. - -"Why, what on earth is the matter?" said he, astonished. - -"I thought some one called from the manufactory," said Dixmer. - -"No," said Geneviève; "at first I thought so too; but we are mistaken." -And all resumed their seats. - -"Ah! it is you then, Citizen Maurice," said Morand, in a tremulous -voice, "who are the municipal so much talked about, and who so nobly -defended a child." - -"Talked about?" said Maurice, with the utmost _naïveté_. - -"Yours is a noble heart," said Morand, rising from the table. That he -might give way to his feelings, he retired to the manufactory, as if -some pressing business there awaited him. - -"Yes, Citizen," replied Dixmer; "they do speak about it, and it should -be said that all those possessed of brave, generous hearts applaud -without knowing you." - -"And let him remain unknown," said Geneviève. "The glory he would -acquire would be replete with danger." - -Thus in this singular conversation, without knowing it, each had -contributed his word of heroism, devotion, and sensibility. There had -been love and admiration which could not be expressed in words. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE MINERS. - - -At the moment they left the table, Dixmer was told that his notary -awaited him in his study. He excused himself to Maurice; besides, he -was accustomed to leave him thus, and proceeded to attend his man of -business. - -He was negotiating for the purchase of a small house, Rue de la -Corderie, facing the garden of the Temple. It was rather, as to the -rest, a lot than a house that Dixmer was purchasing, for the present -building was in a state of dilapidation; but it was his intention to -rebuild it. - -The bargain had not been delayed with the proprietor; that same morning -the notary had seen him and agreed to pay 19,500 francs. He therefore -brought the agreement for signature, and came to receive the requisite -money for the purchase, as the proprietor would that day clear out the -building that the workmen might commence operations on the morrow. - -The contract signed, Dixmer and Morand accompanied the notary to -the Rue de la Corderie, to view this new acquisition; for they had -purchased without seeing it. - -It was a house situated near where No. 20 now stands,--three stories -in height, and surmounted by a curved roof. The lower part at one time -had been let to a wine-merchant, and contained some most excellent -cellarage. - -The proprietor, above all things, vaunted his cellars; they were the -best part of the house. Dixmer and Morand appeared to attach very -little interest to these cellars, yet both, as if from mere politeness, -descended with the proprietor into what he called his vaults. - -An exception to the general rule, he had not exaggerated. The cellars -were magnificent; one of them extended under the Rue de la Corderie, -and from this cellar they could hear the carriages roll over their -heads. - -Dixmer and Morand did not appear to appreciate this advantage. They -even spoke of filling them up, observing that however convenient they -might be to a wine-merchant, they became perfectly useless to honest -burgesses, who intended to occupy the whole of the house. - -After the cellars they visited the first, second, and third story; from -the third they completely over-looked the garden of the Temple. It was, -as usual, invaded by the National Guard, who enjoyed this privilege, -since the queen never walked there now. - -Dixmer and Morand recognized their friend, the Widow Plumeau, with -her usual activity, doing the honors of her tavern; but doubtless -their anxiety to be in their turn remembered by her was not very -great, as they kept themselves concealed behind the proprietor, while -he expatiated on the advantages of this view, at once so varied and -agreeable. - -The purchaser then wished to see the attics. - -The proprietor, doubtless, was unprepared for this demand, since he -had not got the key; but soothed by the bundle of bills shown him, he -descended to search for it. - -"I was not deceived," said Morand, "and this house will answer our -purpose exactly." - -"And what do you say to the vaults?" - -"That it is an interposition of Providence, which will spare us two -days' labor at least." - -"Do you think that it is in the direction of the cantine?" - -"It inclines a little to the left; but that is of no consequence." - -"But," said Dixmer, "how will you be able to follow your subterranean -line with the certainty of its terminating where you wish?" - -"Rest assured," said Morand; "that is my affair." - -"If we were every day to give a signal from here that we are watching?" - -"But from the platform the queen could not see it; for the attics alone -are as high as the platform, and I am doubtful even about them." - -"Never mind," said Dixmer, "either Maury or Toulan may see it from some -opening, and they will inform the queen." - -And Dixmer tied several knots in a white calico curtain, passing it -backward and forward before the window as if shaken by the wind. - -Then both, as if impatient to visit the attic, awaited the proprietor's -return on the staircase, having first closed the door, not wishing to -afford the worthy man a sight of his waving curtain. - -The garrets, as Morand had foreseen, did not reach the height of the -summit of the tower. This was at once an advantage and disadvantage,--a -disadvantage, because they could not communicate by signs with the -queen; and an advantage, because the very impracticability alone -disarmed all suspicion. The highest houses were naturally the objects -of the strictest surveillance. - -"It is necessary, either by means of Toulan, Maury, or Tison's -daughter, to find some way to tell her to keep upon the watch," -murmured Dixmer. - -"I have thought of that," said Morand. - -They descended; the notary waited in the salon with the contract signed. - -"It is all right," said Dixmer; "the house suits me; so hand over to -the proprietor the sum of 19,500 francs in payment, and let him give a -receipt." - -The proprietor did so, first scrupulously counting the money. - -"You understand, Citizen," said Dixmer, "the principal clause, that -the house must be vacated this evening; that, in short, I must put the -workmen in to-morrow." - -"Well, Citizen, I agree to do so. You can take the keys this evening at -eight o'clock; all will be free." - -"Pardon me," said Dixmer, "but did you not tell me, Citizen Notary, -there was a way out leading into the Rue Portefoin?" - -"Yes, Citizen," said the proprietor; "but I had it closed; for having -only one official, the poor devil had too much fatigue, being obliged -to watch both doors. But it is so built up that at any time it can be -re-opened in two hours at least. Would you wish to convince yourselves, -citizens?" - -"Thanks, it is not necessary," said Dixmer, "I attach no importance to -this way out; it is useless to me." - -They then both left, having for the third time reminded the landlord of -his promise that the apartments should be empty at eight o'clock that -evening. - -At nine o'clock they both returned, followed by five or six men at a -distance, of whom, in the confusion then reigning in Paris, no one took -any notice. They both entered first. The landlord had kept his word; -the house was totally empty. - -They closed the shutters with the greatest care, and with the aid of -a tinder-box, lighted some wax candles which Morand had taken in his -pocket. - -Then one after another the six men entered. These were the ordinary -guests of the master-tanner, the same contrabandists who one evening -wished to kill Maurice, but had now become his friends. - -They closed the doors, and descended into the vault. - -This vault, so contemptuously treated during the day, had become at -night the most important part of the house. - -Having first stopped up every crevice through which a curious eye might -penetrate to the interior, Morand placed a cask upright, and began to -trace with a crayon geometrical lines upon a piece of paper. - -While he was thus engaged, his companions, conducted by Dixmer, left -the house, following the Rue de la Corderie, and at the corner of the -Rue de Beauce stopped before a covered carriage. In this carriage -was a man who silently distributed to each one the instrument of a -pioneer,--to one a spade, to another a mattock, to this one a lever, -to that a pick-axe; each man concealed his tool under his overcoat, -or mantle. The miners retraced the road to the small house, and the -carriage disappeared. - -Morand had finished his calculation. - -He went straight to an angle of the cave. - -"There," said he, "dig!" - -And the work of deliverance immediately commenced. - - * * * * * - -The situation of the unhappy prisoners in the Temple became daily more -serious and hourly more wretched. For an instant the queen, Madame -Elizabeth, and Madame Royale had indulged some hope. The municipals -Toulan and Lepître, touched with compassion for the august prisoners, -had evinced some interest in them. At first little habituated to the -marks of sympathy, the poor women were suspicious; but suspicion ceases -to exist where there is hope. Besides, what now could happen to the -queen, separated from her son by a prison, from her husband by death? -To follow him to the scaffold,--this idea had possessed her for some -time, and she had now become accustomed to it. - -The first time Toulan and Lepître returned on guard, the queen -particularly requested, if they really felt any interest in her -misfortunes, they would describe to her the last moments of the king. -This was putting their sympathy to a sad test. Lepître had assisted at -the execution; he obeyed the order of the queen. - -The queen demanded the journals containing the report of the execution. -Lepître promised to bring them when next on guard; it would be his turn -again in three weeks. In the king's time they had at the Temple four -municipals; the king dead, they had only three,-- one to watch during -the day, two during the night. Toulan and Lepître invented a stratagem, -that they might always keep watch together at night. - -The hours of guard were drawn by lot; they wrote on one ballot "day," -on two others "night." Each drew his ballot from a hat, and chance -decided the night-watch. - -Every time that Toulan and Lepître were on guard they wrote "day" on -three ballots, and presented the hat to the municipal they wished to -oust, and he, thrusting his hand into the improvised urn, necessarily -drew forth a ballot on which was inscribed "day." They then destroyed -the other two, murmuring against the hazard which always decreed them -the most wearisome watch of the two,--that is to say, the night. - -When the queen was sure of her guards she corresponded with the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge. Then an escape was attempted, but the -attempt was detected. The queen and Madame Elizabeth were to flee -disguised as municipal officers, with cards that would be provided for -them. As to the two children,--that is to say, Madame Royale and the -young dauphin,--they had remarked that the man who came to light the -lamps of the Temple was always accompanied by two children, of the same -age apparently as the Princess Royale and the dauphin. It was therefore -arranged that Turgy, of whom we have previously spoken, should dress -himself as the lamp-lighter, and carry away the prince and princess. - -We will mention in a few words who Turgy was. - -Turgy was an old waiter of the king's, introduced at the Temple with -part of the family from the Tuileries, for the king had at first been -permitted a well-appointed table. The first month this consideration -cost the nation thirty or forty thousand francs. - -It may easily be understood this prodigality could not last. The -Commune decreed otherwise. They dismissed the chefs, the cooks, and -scullions; one single man-servant only was retained,--that man was -Turgy. - -He was naturally the medium of communication between the prisoners and -their partisans, for Turgy was permitted to go out, and consequently -was enabled to forward their letters, and introduce the replies. These -billets were generally twisted round the stoppers of the _carafes_ -containing the milk of almonds brought to the queen and Madame -Elizabeth. They were written with lemon-juice, and perfectly illegible -till held near the fire. - -All was prepared for the escape, when one day Tison lighted his pipe -with the paper-stopper of a _carafe_. As the paper burned, the writing -became visible. He instantly extinguished the half-burned paper, and -carried the remaining fragment to the Council of the Temple, when, -being held near the fire, they could only read a few disjointed -words, the other part being burned to ashes. But they recognized the -hand-writing of the queen. Tison, being questioned, mentioned some -slight marks of attention and sympathy he fancied he had observed on -the part of Lepître and Toulan toward the prisoners. The two guards -were immediately denounced to the municipality, and allowed no more to -enter the Temple. - -Turgy remained. - -But suspicion was now excited to the highest degree. He was never left -a single moment alone with the princesses. All communication with the -exterior was now utterly impossible. - -Madame Elizabeth had nevertheless one day given Turgy a little gold -knife to clean, with which she used to cut fruit. Turgy suspected -something, and when wiping the knife drew off the handle, and in the -handle found a letter. - -This letter contained an alphabet of signs. - -He returned the knife to Madame Elizabeth; but a municipal then present -prevented him, and in his turn securing the knife, took the blade and -handle apart; but fortunately the letter was no longer there. The -municipal nevertheless confiscated the knife. - -It was at that time that the indefatigable Chevalier de Maison-Rouge -meditated this second attempt, which they intended to carry into -execution by means of the house which Dixmer had purchased. - -The prisoners, however, had by degrees lost all hope. That day the -queen, terrified by the noise in the streets which reached her ears, -and learning from these cries that they were debating the trial of -the Girondins, the last supporters of moderation, felt dreadfully -depressed. The Girondins dead, the royal family lost their only defence -in the Convention. - -At seven o'clock the supper was served. The municipals examined every -plate as usual, unfolded each napkin successively, searched the bread, -the one with a fork, the other with his fingers, and concluded by -breaking into pieces the macaroons and walnuts, for fear any letter -should reach the prisoners. These precautions being concluded, the -royal family were invited to their meal in these simple words: -- - -"Widow Capet, you may eat." - -The queen shook her head, signifying she was not hungry. But at this -moment Madame Royale advanced, as if to embrace her mother, and -whispered,-- - -"Seat yourself at table, Madame. I fancied Turgy made a sign." - -The queen, tremblingly, raised her head. Turgy was opposite to her. The -napkin laid over his left arm, and with his right hand he touched his -eye. - -She immediately rose, without any further objection, and resumed her -usual place at table. - -The two municipals assisted at the meal, being strictly prohibited from -leaving the princesses alone for an instant with Turgy. - -The feet of the queen and Madame Elizabeth met, and pressed each other -under the table. - -As the queen was seated opposite Turgy, not one of his gestures escaped -her notice; besides, they were all so natural that they neither could -nor did inspire the municipals with any suspicion whatever. - -At the removal of the supper the same precautions were used as before; -the smallest pieces of bread were taken up and examined. After which, -Turgy went out first, the two municipals following; the woman Tison -remained. - -This woman had become ferocious since her separation from her -daughter, of whose fate she was totally ignorant. Every time the queen -lavished a caress on Madame Royale, it threw her into an excess of -rage almost bordering on frenzy; so much so, that the queen, who so -well understood the griefs of a mother, often denied herself this -consolation--now, alas! the only one left her--of pressing her daughter -to her heart. - -Tison came now to seek for his wife, who at first declared she would -not leave till Widow Capet was in bed. - -Madame Elizabeth then wished the queen good-night, and entered her -chamber. - -The queen and princess having also retired, Tison's wife took the -candle and went out. - -The municipals had already thrown themselves upon their beds in the -corridor. - -The moon, pale visitant of the unhappy princesses, shone through the -window of the roof, casting her rays across the foot of the queen's bed. - -For an instant everything remained calm and silent in the chamber. - -Then a door turned softly on its hinges, a shadow passed across the -rays of the moon, and approached the queen,--it was Madame Elizabeth. - -"Did you notice?" said she, in a whisper. - -"Yes," replied the queen. - -"And you understood?" - -"So well that I dare not believe it." - -"Let us see; repeat the signs." - -"First, then, he touched his eye to indicate he had some news for -us; then he passed his napkin from his left to his right, which -meant that they were occupied in our deliverance. Then he put his -hand to his face, to signify that the expected aid would reach us -from the interior, and not from a stranger; then when you asked -him not to forget the milk of almonds to-morrow, he made two knots -in his pocket-handkerchief. Thus it is again the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge,--noble-hearted man that he is." - -"It is he," said Madame Elizabeth. - -"Are you asleep, my child?" demanded the queen. - -"No, _ma mère_," replied Madame Royale. - -"Then pray for you know whom." - -Madame Elizabeth quietly regained her chamber, and for some minutes -during the silence of the night the soft, sweet voice of the youthful -princess might be heard addressing her prayer to God. It was at that -moment, at a signal from Morand, the first stroke of the pick-axe -sounded in the small house at Rue de la Corderie. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -CLOUDS. - - -Aside from the intoxication of renewed visits, Maurice was certainly -much disappointed at the reception of Geneviève, and reckoned upon -solitary interviews to regain the road he had lost, or seemed to have -lost, in her affections. - -But Geneviève had wisely arranged her plan, and did not intend to allow -him an opportunity for a _tête-à-tête_, being conscious of their danger -even from the happiness they afforded her. - -Maurice trusted to the morrow. A kinswoman of Geneviève's, no doubt -previously invited, came to call upon her, and Geneviève had retained -her. This time there was nothing to be said; it could not be the fault -of Geneviève. When leaving, Maurice was requested to escort this -relation to Rue des Fossés Saint Victor, where she resided. Maurice -went away pouting, but Geneviève smiled, and he construed this smile -into a promise. - -Alas! Maurice deceived himself. The next day, the 2d of June, that -terrible day that witnessed the downfall of the Girondins, Maurice -dismissed his friend Lorin, who absolutely wished to carry him off to -the Convention, and put everything aside that he might visit his fair -friend. The Goddess of Liberty had a powerful rival in Geneviève. - -Maurice found Geneviève in her little salon, all grace and amiability, -but near her was a young _femme-de-chambre_ with the tricolored -cockade, engaged in marking pocket-handkerchiefs in the corner of the -window, who never left her place. - -Maurice knitted his brows, and Geneviève, perceiving he was not in -the best temper possible, redoubled her assiduities; but since her -amiability was not carried so far as to dismiss the young official, he -impatiently left an hour earlier than usual. - -All this might have perhaps happened by chance. Maurice took patience. -The political situation, besides, was so terrible that long as it was -since he had interested himself in public affairs, the report reached -even him. It required nothing less than the downfall of a party who had -reigned in France for ten months to withdraw his attention from his -all-engrossing passion for Geneviève. - -The next day witnessed the same management on the part of Geneviève, -and Maurice, having foreseen this, had arranged his plan. So ten -minutes after his arrival, seeing that the young woman, having finished -marking a dozen pocket-handkerchiefs, commenced six dozen of table -napkins, Maurice, we say, drew out his watch, rose, bowed to Geneviève, -and went out without saying one word. - -Still more, as he left, he did not even once look back. - -Geneviève, who had risen to watch him across the garden, remained an -instant speechless, pale, and trembling, then dropped into her chair, -thunderstruck at the effect of her diplomacy. - -At this moment Dixmer entered. - -"Maurice gone?" said he, with astonishment. - -"Yes," stammered Geneviève. - -"But he had only just arrived." - -"He was here a quarter of an hour, or nearly so." - -"Then he will return?" - -"I much doubt it." - -"Leave us, Muguet [lily of the valley]," said Dixmer. - -The _femme-de-chambre_ had assumed the name of the flower from hatred -to her baptismal name of Marie, which was unfortunately that of the -Austrian. - -She rose at the command of her master, and quitted the room. - -"Well, dear Geneviève," said Dixmer, "is peace restored between you and -Maurice?" - -"On the contrary, I think we are cooler than ever." - -"And this time, who is to blame?" said Dixmer. - -"Maurice, without the slightest doubt." - -"Permit me to judge." - -"What!" said Geneviève, blushing, "you cannot guess--" - -"Why he is angry? No." - -"It seems to me, it is some whim about Muguet." - -"Bah! truly; then you must send the girl away. I will not deprive -myself of a friend like Maurice for the sake of a _femme-de-chambre_." - -"Oh!" said Geneviève, "he is not, I think, so angry as to require her -to be sent away; it will suffice to--" - -"What?" - -"To exile her from my chamber." - -"And Maurice is right," said Dixmer; "it is you he comes to visit, -and not Muguet; it is therefore quite unnecessary that she should be -present." - -"But, my dear Dixmer," replied she, regarding her husband with -astonishment. - -"Geneviève," replied Dixmer, "I hoped to have found in you an ally -who would render more easy the task imposed upon me, and find, on the -contrary, that your fears redouble our dangers and difficulties. Four -days since I thought all was settled between us, and now everything -must be done over again. Have I not told you that I confide in you, in -your honor? Have I not told you that it is positively necessary that -Maurice should become our friend, more intimate than before, but less -suspicious than ever? Oh, _mon Dieu!_ these women are an everlasting -obstacle to our projects." - -"But, is there no other way? I have told you before, that for all our -sakes it would be better if Monsieur Maurice returned here no more." - -"Yes, for our sakes, perhaps; but for the sake of her who is far above -us, of her for whom we have promised to sacrifice our lives, fortune, -and happiness, it is necessary that this young man should return. Are -you aware they begin to suspect Turgy, and talk of placing another -servant near the queen?" - -"Well, I will send away Muguet." - -"Gracious Heaven! Geneviève," said Dixmer, with a movement of -impatience very unusual with him, "why do you speak to me thus; -why stifle the ardor of my ideas by your own; why strive to create -difficulties where too many already exist? Geneviève, act like an -honorable, devoted woman; act as you feel you ought to act. I tell you, -to-morrow I go out--to-morrow I take Morand's place as engineer. I -shall not dine with you, but he will; he has something to ask Maurice, -and will explain to you what it is. What he has to request you may -imagine, Geneviève, is a thing of vital import; it is not indeed the -goal to which we march, but the way leading to it. It is the last hope -of that devoted, noble-minded man, our protector, to whom we are bound -to dedicate our lives." - -"And for whom I will freely give mine," cried Geneviève, with -enthusiasm. - -"Well, this man, Geneviève, I cannot tell why, as you must have seen -is not loved by Maurice, by whom, above all things, it is necessary he -should be respected. In short, from the bad temper in which you have -put Maurice to-day, he may perhaps refuse Morand that which it is so -imperative we should obtain at any price. Do I now need to tell you, -Geneviève, to what dread end your petty delicacy and sentimentality are -leading Morand?" - -"Oh, sir!" cried Geneviève, clasping her hands and turning pale, "let -us never mention that!" - -"Then," said Dixmer, pressing his lips to his wife's forehead, "reflect -upon it, and form your resolution;" and he went out. - -"O my God!" murmured Geneviève, with anguish, "with what violence do -they compel me to accept this love toward which my whole soul inclines!" - -The next day, as we have already said, was Sunday. - -It was customary in the family of Dixmer, as in all the bourgeoise -families at that period, that the dinner should be longer and more -ceremonious on that day than on any other. Since their intimacy, -Maurice, having received a general invitation, never omitted to dine -with them on that day. Although they did not dine till two o'clock, -Maurice used to come at noon. - -From the manner of their parting, however, Geneviève almost despaired -of seeing him that Sunday. - -In short, twelve o'clock struck, then half-past, then one. - -It would be impossible to describe what passed in the heart of -Geneviève during this period of anxious expectation. - -She was at first dressed with the greatest simplicity; then, seeing -that he delayed his coming, she, with a feeling of coquetry natural -to the heart of woman, had placed a flower at her side, a flower in -her hair, and still listened, her heart each moment beating faster -and faster. The dinner-hour had almost arrived, and Maurice had not -appeared. - -At ten minutes to two, Geneviève heard the sound of a horse's feet, -that sound she knew so well. - -"Oh!" cried she, "his pride could not wrestle against his love. He -loves me! he loves me!" - -Maurice dismounted, and gave his horse to the gardener, desiring him to -remain where he was. Geneviève saw with anxiety that the gardener did -not lead the horse to the stables. - -Maurice on this day looked superlatively handsome. A splendid black -coat, a white waistcoat, breeches of chamois leather designed for limbs -after the model of Apollo, a white cambric stock, and his waving hair, -displaying a fresh, beaming face, formed altogether a type of manly -beauty. - -He entered. As we have already said, his presence swelled the heart of -Geneviève, who received him joyfully. "Ah!" said she, holding out her -hand, "you have come to dine with us, have you not?" - -"On the contrary, Citizen," said Maurice, coldly, "I have come to ask -your permission to absent myself." - -"To absent yourself?" - -"Yes; the sectional affairs claim my attention. I feared you might -wait, and would accuse me of being wanting in politeness, therefore -came to make my excuses in person." - -Geneviève again felt her heart sink within her. - -"Ah, _mon Dieu_!" cried she, "and Dixmer, who does not dine at home, -counted upon finding you here on his return, and desired me to detain -you." - -"Ah, then, Madame! I comprehend your importunity, it is a command of -your husband's; and I not to guess all this! I shall never cure myself -of conceit." - -"Maurice!" - -"It is for me, Madame, to draw my inference from your actions rather -than your words; it is for me therefore to comprehend that if Dixmer is -absent the greater the reason I should not remain. His absence would -surely add to your constraint." - -"Why so?" timidly inquired Geneviève. - -"Because you appear, since my return, sedulously to avoid me, -notwithstanding I returned for your sake, and yours only; and you well -know, _mon Dieu!_ that ever since my return I have invariably found -some one with you." - -"Then," said Geneviève, "you are still angry, _mon ami_, although I -endeavor to act for the best." - -"No, Geneviève; you would do much better to receive me as before, or -drive me away altogether." - -"Maurice," said Geneviève, tenderly, "understand my situation, consider -my anguish, and do not enact the tyrant over me any longer." - -And the young woman regarded him mournfully. - -Maurice remained silent. - -"What do you require then?" continued she. - -"I require your love, Geneviève; since I now feel I cannot live without -that love." - -"Maurice! have pity on me." - -"Then, Madame, you leave me to die." - -"To die?" - -"Yes, to die, or to forget." - -"You could then forget?" said Geneviève, the tears rushing from her -heart to her eyes. - -"Ah, no, no!" said Maurice, falling on his knees before her; "no, -Geneviève, I may die, perhaps, but forget you, never, never!" - -"And yet," replied Geneviève, with firmness, "that would be the best, -Maurice; for this love is criminal." - -"Have you said this to Monsieur Morand?" said Maurice, recalled to -himself by her sudden frigidity of manner. - -"Monsieur Morand is not a madman like yourself, and has never yet -compelled me to indicate to him how he should conduct himself in the -house of a friend." - -"I wager," said Maurice, smiling ironically, "that if Dixmer dines out -Morand is not absent. Ah, Geneviève, by this means you can always deter -me from loving you; for while Morand is here, forever at your side, not -quitting you even for a single moment," continued he, contemptuously, -"I should not love you, or rather I should not confess that I loved -you." - -"And I," cried Geneviève, driven to extremity by this eternal -suspicion, and seizing the young man's arm with a species of frenzy, -"I swear solemnly--now, Maurice, mark me well, and let it be once for -all--that Morand has never breathed to me a word of love, that he -neither loves me nor ever will love me. I swear this on my honor; I -swear this by the soul of my mother. - -"Alas! alas!" said Maurice, "I wish I could believe you." - -"Oh, believe me, poor foolish youth!" said she, with a smile which, to -any one else than one blind with jealousy, would have been a charming -confession of the state of her heart,--"believe me. Besides, if you -wish to know more, Morand loves a woman in whose presence all others -sink into insignificance, as the flowers of the field fade before the -stars of heaven." - -"And who is this woman who is able to eclipse all other women," -demanded Maurice, "when among the number we find Geneviève?" - -"Do we not always," said Geneviève, smiling, "consider the one we love -as the _chef d'œuvre_ of the creation?" - -"Then," said Maurice, "if you do not love me, Geneviève--" - -The young woman waited with anxiety the end of the sentence. - -"If you do not love me," continued Maurice, "will you at least swear -never to love another?" - -"Ah! that, Maurice, I will swear with all my heart," cried the young -woman, delighted that he had thus compromised with her conscience. - -Maurice seized the hands she was raising to Heaven, and covered them -with ardent kisses. - -"And now," said he, "I will be kind, indulgent, and confiding. I will -even be generous. I wish to see you smile, and myself to be happy." - -"And you will ask me nothing more?" - -"I will endeavor." - -"And now," said Geneviève, "I think it will be useless to hold the -horse any longer. The section will wait." - -"Oh, Geneviève! the whole world might wait, if I could only stay with -you!" - -Steps were heard in the court-yard. - -"They come to tell us that dinner is ready," said Geneviève. They -silently pressed each other's hands. - -It was Morand, who came to tell them they only awaited their presence -at table. He also was in full dress for the Sunday's dinner. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE REQUEST. - - -In the mean time Morand did not a little excite the curiosity of -Maurice. The most refined of fops could not discover a fault in the tie -of his cravat, the folds of his boots, or the texture of his linen; -but it must be allowed his hair and spectacles were always the same. -It then appeared to Maurice, so much was he reassured by the oath -of Geneviève, that he now for the first time viewed these locks and -spectacles in a proper light. - -"The devil!" said Maurice to himself as he went to meet him,--"the -devil take me if I am now ever again jealous of this worthy Citizen -Morand. Put on every day, if you choose, your full-dress coat, or even -make yourself one of cloth of gold, since from this time I promise to -see nothing but your hair and spectacles, and above all, never again to -accuse you of loving Geneviève." - -We can easily understand that the shake of the hand bestowed upon the -Citizen Morand at the conclusion of this soliloquy was more frank and -cordial than usual. Contrary to custom, the party was small, covers -being placed for only three on a narrow table. - -Geneviève was seated nearly opposite Maurice, between himself and the -light, which reflected on her luxuriant black curls, tingeing them with -the blue hue of the raven's wing, and enhancing the brilliancy of her -eyes and complexion. - -Beyond his pigeon-colored suit, Morand appeared to have dismissed -all recollection of the day from his mind,--that brilliant wit which -Maurice had sometimes heard burst fresh from the lips of this singular -man, which would no doubt have been accompanied by flashes from his -eyes, had they not been totally obscured by the green spectacles. - -He uttered a thousand witticisms, but never himself smiled; indeed, -what added piquancy to his witticisms and a strange charm to his -sallies was his own imperturbable gravity. This merchant, who had made -numerous voyages and visited various countries, trading in every sort -of skin, from the skin of the panther to that of the rabbit; this -chemist, with arms dyed with his own chemical preparations,--was as -conversant with Egypt as Herodotus, Africa as Lavaillant, and the Opera -and the boudoir as any fop. - -"But the devil take me, Monsieur Morand," said Maurice, "you are not -only a clever man, but a scholar also." - -"Ah! I have both seen and read much," said Morand; "and then it is -necessary I should prepare myself in some degree for the life of -pleasure I intend to lead when I retire on my fortune. It is time, -Citizen Maurice, it is time." - -"Bah!" said Maurice; "you talk like an old man. What age then are you?" - -Morand turned round, startled by this question, natural as it certainly -was. - -"I am thirty-eight," said he. "Ah! see what it is to be a scholar, as -you term it. It makes one old." - -Geneviève began to laugh, and Maurice joined in; but Morand merely -smiled. - -"You have, then, made several voyages?" demanded Maurice, pressing -Geneviève's foot between his own. - -"Part of my youth," replied Morand, "was passed in a foreign land." - -"And you have seen much?--pardon me, I ought to say, have observed -much; for a man like yourself cannot see without observing," replied -Maurice. - -"_Ma foi!_ yes; seen much?" replied Morand, "I have seen almost -everything." - -"Everything, Citizen," replied Maurice, laughing; "that is saying a -great deal. If you were to search--" - -"Ah, yes! you are right; there are two things I have never seen. It is -true, in our days, these two things are becoming more and more rare." - -"What are they, then?" demanded Maurice. - -"The first," said Morand, gravely, "is a god." - -"Ah!" said Maurice, "but in lieu of a god I shall be able to show you a -goddess, Citizen Morand." - -"How so?" interrupted Geneviève. - -"Yes; a goddess of quite modern creation,--the Goddess Reason. I have a -friend, of whom you have sometimes heard me speak,--my dear and brave -Lorin,--with a heart of gold, whose only fault is that of making verses -and vile puns." - -"Well?" - -"Well, he selected for Paris a Goddess Reason, in good condition, and -in whom they can discover nothing at all objectionable. It is the -Citizeness Arthémise, ex-dancer at the Opera, and at present dealer in -perfumes, Rue Martin. As soon as she is definitely received as goddess, -I will show her to you." - -Morand bowed his head in token of thanks, and continued,-- - -"The other," said he gravely, "is a king." - -"Ah! that is more difficult," said Geneviève; "there are no more of -them," she added, forcing a smile. - -"You should have seen the last," said Maurice; "it would have been -prudent to do so." - -"The result is," said Morand, "I have not the least idea of a crowned -head; it must be very sad?" - -"Very sad, indeed," said Maurice; "I will answer for it,--I who see one -nearly every month." - -"A crowned head?" demanded Geneviève. - -"At least," said Maurice, "one that has borne the weight and miserable -burden of a crown." - -"Ah, yes! the queen," said Morand; "truly, Monsieur Maurice, it must be -a melancholy sight--" - -"Is she as proud and beautiful as they say?" demanded Geneviève. - -"Have you never seen her then, Madame?" demanded Maurice, surprised in -his turn. - -"I? never!" replied the young woman. - -"Indeed!" said Maurice, "that is strange." - -"And why strange?" said Geneviève. "We lived in the country till '91; -since '91 we have resided in the old Rue Saint Jacques, which much -resembles the country, only here they have neither light nor air, and -still less flowers. You are acquainted with my life, Citizen Maurice? -It has always been the same. How do you suppose I could have seen the -queen, when I have had no opportunity whatever of so doing?" - -"And I do not think you will avail yourself of that which -unfortunately, perhaps, may present itself," said Maurice. - -"What do you mean?" demanded Geneviève. - -"The Citizen Maurice," replied Morand, "alludes to a thing no longer a -secret." - -"To what?" demanded Geneviève. - -"To the probable condemnation of Marie Antoinette, and to her death -upon the same scaffold where her husband died. The citizen said, in -short, that you would not avail yourself of the opportunity offered you -of seeing her the day when she will quit the Temple for the Place de la -Révolution." - -"Oh, certainly not!" cried Geneviève, as Morand pronounced these words -with the utmost sang-froid. - -"Then you can only lament," said the impassible chemist; "for the -Austrian is well guarded, and the Republic a fairy that renders -invisible whatever she pleases." - -"I acknowledge, however," said Geneviève, "I have been very desirous to -see this poor woman." - -"Let us see," said Maurice, anxious to gratify all the wishes of -Geneviève; "have you really such an inclination? Then only say the -word. I agree with the Citizen Morand that the Republic is a fairy; but -I, in quality of municipal, am somewhat of a wizard." - -"Could you procure me a sight of the queen, you, Monsieur?" cried -Geneviève. - -"Certainly, I can." - -"And how?" demanded Morand, exchanging a rapid glance with Geneviève, -which escaped the notice of the young man. - -"Nothing more simple," said Maurice. "There are certainly some -municipals of whom they are distrustful; but as for me, I have given -sufficient evidence of my devotion to the cause of liberty to render -me above all suspicion. Besides, admittance to the Temple depends -conjointly on the municipals and the chiefs of the post. Now, the chief -of the post is, just at this moment, my friend Lorin, who appears to -me to be called indubitably to replace General Santerre, seeing that -in three months he has risen from the rank of corporal to that of -adjutant-major. Well, come and see me at the Temple the day I shall be -on guard,--that is to say, next Thursday." - -"Well," said Morand, "I hope now your wishes will be gratified. There -is the whole matter arranged." - -"Oh! no, no," said Geneviève; "indeed, I would not have it thus." - -"And wherefore not?" said Maurice, who only anticipated in this visit -to the Temple an opportunity of seeing Geneviève on a day when he had -expected to be deprived of this happiness. - -"Because," answered Geneviève, "it might perhaps, dear Maurice, expose -you to some unpleasant dispute; and if anything were to happen to you -through gratifying a whim of mine, I should never, while I lived, -forgive myself." - -"You have spoken wisely, Geneviève," said Morand. "Suspicion is at -present very rife; the best patriots even are now suspected. Renounce -this project, which, as you say, is after all a mere caprice of -curiosity." - -"They will say that you are envious, Morand, and that not having -yourself seen either king or queen, you do not wish others to do so. -Come, to end all discussion, join the party." - -"I! good faith! No." - -"It is then no longer the Citizen Dixmer who wishes to visit the -Temple; it is I who entreat both her and you to come there, to divert -a poor prisoner. For the great door once closed upon me, I remain for -twenty-four hours as much a prisoner as the king would be, or a prince -of the blood." And pressing between his own feet the foot of Geneviève, -"Come then," said he, "I entreat you!" - -"What do you say, Morand," said Geneviève, "will you come with me?" - -"It will be losing a day," said Morand, "and will retard by just so -long the time when I expect to retire from business." - -"Then I shall not go," said Geneviève. - -"But why?" demanded Morand. - -"Because I cannot depend upon my husband to escort me; and if you -will not accompany me--you, a respectable man, thirty-eight years of -age--I have not the hardihood to encounter alone all the chasseurs, -artillery-men, and grenadiers, requesting to speak to one of the -municipals only three or four years older than myself." - -"Then," said Morand, "since you deem my presence indispensable, -Citizeness--" - -"Come! come! learned Citizen, be as gallant as if you were simply an -ordinary man, and sacrifice half a day to the wife of your friend," -said Maurice. - -"Well, let it be so," said Morand. - -"Now," said Maurice, "I only require one thing from you,--that is, -discretion. Visiting the Temple is considered a suspicious proceeding, -and should any accident occur in consequence, we should all be -guillotined. The Jacobins do not jest. _Peste!_ you see how they have -treated the Girondins." - -"The devil!" said Morand, "this observation of the Citizen Maurice -requires consideration. This would be a sort of retiring from business -that would not suit me at all." - -"Did you not hear," said Geneviève, smiling, "that the Citizen Maurice -said _all_?" - -"Well, what of that? All?" - -"All together." - -"Yes, without doubt," said Morand, "company is very agreeable; but I -much prefer, fair sentimentalist, to live in your society than to die -in it." - -"What the devil was I thinking of," said Maurice to himself, "when I -imagined this man loved Geneviève?" - -"Then it is all settled," said Geneviève. "I address myself to -you, Morand, thoughtful, absent man that you are,--remember it is -on Thursday next; so do not on the Wednesday evening commence some -chemical experiment that will occupy your time and attention for the -next twenty-four hours, as very frequently happens." - -"You may be perfectly easy on that point," said Morand. "Besides, you -can remind me." - -Geneviève then rose from table, and Maurice followed her example. -Morand was about to leave also, and perhaps to follow them, when one -of the workmen brought the chemist a small vial containing some liquid -which instantly engrossed all his attention. - -"Let us make haste," said Maurice, drawing away Geneviève. - -"Oh, be assured," said she, "he will remain there for an hour at the -very least." - -And the young woman allowed him to take her hand, which he tenderly -pressed between his own. She felt remorse for her treachery, and tried -to compensate for it by her kindness. - -"Do you see," said she to Maurice, crossing the garden and showing him -the carnations, which had been removed into the air with the hope of -reviving them,--"do you see my flowers are all dead?" - -"What killed them?" said Maurice; "your neglect? Poor carnations!" - -"It was not my neglect, but your desertion, kind sir." - -"They required, my little Geneviève, some water, that was all; besides, -my absence should have left you plenty of time." - -"Ah!" said Geneviève, "if flowers were watered with tears, the poor -carnations, as you call them, would not have died." - -Maurice threw his arms round Geneviève, and drawing her to him, before -she had time to prevent him, pressed his lips upon the half-smiling, -half-languishing eye, now fixed upon the drooping, dying flowers. - -Geneviève felt so much self-reproach it made her lenient to others. - -Dixmer returned home late, and on his return found Morand, Maurice, and -Geneviève talking botany in the garden. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE FLOWER-GIRL. - - -At length the anticipated Thursday, the day of Maurice's guard, -arrived. It was now the month of June. The sky was of a deep and -cloudless blue, and against this sheet of blue rose the heavy white -mass of new houses. The coming of the dreadful dog-star was already -foreseen,--that dog represented by the ancients as thirsting with -an unquenchable thirst, and which, to borrow the phraseology of the -plebeian Parisians, licked the pavement very dry. Paris was clean as a -carpet, and perfumes filled the air, mounting from the trees, emanating -from the flowers, circulating and intoxicating with joy, as if to -render the inhabitants of the capital forgetful for a few moments of -that vapor of blood which rose without intermission from the pavement -of their streets. - -It was Maurice's duty to enter the Temple at nine o'clock; his two -colleagues were Mercevault and Agricola. At eight o'clock he was in the -old Rue Saint Jacques, in grand costume as citizen municipal,--that -is to say, with a tricolored scarf tightly fastened round his lithe, -muscular frame. He as usual rode there on horseback, and on his route -won the sincere approbation, admiration, and eulogiums of the fair -patriots who saw him pass. Geneviève was already prepared; she wore a -simple muslin dress, a species of light taffeta mantle, and a small -bonnet ornamented with the tricolored cockade. Thus attired, she was of -dazzling beauty. - -Morand, who, as we have seen, had been earnestly solicited to accompany -them, had, no doubt for fear of being mistaken for an aristocrat, -attired himself in his usual costume,--half-burgess, half-artisan. -He had just entered, and his countenance betrayed great fatigue; he -said he had been at work all night, in order to complete some urgent -business. - -Dixmer had gone out immediately on the return of his friend Morand. - -"Well," demanded Geneviève, "what have you decided on, Maurice; and how -are we to see the queen?" - -"Listen," said Maurice, "I have arranged everything. I shall arrive at -the Temple with you, and then introduce you to my friend Lorin, who -commands the guard; I then take my post, and on the first opportunity -will come for you." - -"But," demanded Morand, "where are we to see the prisoners, and how are -we to see them?" - -"At either their breakfast or their dinner, if that will suit you, -through the glazed partition of the municipals." - -"Perfectly," said Morand. - -Maurice then saw Morand approach a cupboard at the farther end of the -_salle-à-manger_, and drink hastily a glass of pure wine, which rather -surprised him, as Morand was usually very abstemious, his strongest -beverage being water merely colored with wine. - -Geneviève saw that Maurice regarded him with astonishment. - -"Only imagine," said she, "he must be half-dead with fatigue; he has -taken nothing since yesterday morning." - -"Did he not dine here?" asked Maurice. - -"No; he was trying some experiments in the city." - -Geneviève took a useless precaution with respect to Maurice, since -lover-like he was an egotist, and had merely bestowed upon the action -of Morand that superficial attention which an amorous man accords to -everything except the woman whom he loves. - -To his glass of wine Morand added a crust of bread, which he hastily -swallowed. - -"And now," said he, "dear Citizen Maurice, I am quite ready; when you -choose we will depart." - -Maurice, who was stripping the decayed petals from one of the dead -carnations he had plucked in passing, now offered his arm to Geneviève, -saying,-- - -"Let us start." - -On their way Maurice felt so happy that he could scarcely contain -himself; he would have uttered cries of joy had he not restrained -his emotion. What could he desire more? Not only had he acquired the -certainty that she did not love Morand, but also the hope that he -possessed her affection. The glorious sun shone upon the world, the -arm of Geneviève was reposing within his own, while the public criers, -shouting at the top of their voices the triumph of the Jacobins and the -defeat of Brissot and his party, announced that the country was saved. - -There are truly moments in life when the heart of man seems too small -to contain the joy or grief concentrated there. - -"Oh, what a lovely day!" exclaimed Morand. - -Maurice turned round in surprise. This was the first burst of feeling -he had ever heard issue from the lips of this singularly reserved and -absent man. - -"Oh, yes; it is indeed lovely," said Geneviève, pressing closer the arm -of Maurice; "would that it may continue till evening pure and cloudless -as it is now!" - -Maurice applied these words to himself, and his happiness redoubled -each moment. - -Morand at the same time regarded Geneviève through his green -spectacles with a peculiar, grateful expression. Perhaps he also -applied her wish to himself. - -They thus crossed the Petit Pont, the Rue de la Juiverie, and the -Bridge Notre Dame; they then proceeded to the Place de l'Hôtel de -Ville, the Rue Barre-du-Bec, and the Rue Sainte Avoie. As they -progressed, Maurice's step became more and more elastic, while on the -contrary those of his male and female companions waxed slower and -slower. - -They had reached the corner of the Rue des Vieilles-Audriettes, when -all at once a flower-girl impeded their passage, by offering them her -basket filled with flowers. - -"Oh, what magnificent carnations!" cried Maurice. - -"Oh, yes, very beautiful!" said Geneviève; "it seems the cultivator of -these had no preoccupation to distress him, for they are not withered -and dead." - -This speech sank deep into the heart of the young man. - -"Ah! my brave Municipal," said the flower-girl, "purchase a bouquet -for the pretty citizen. She is dressed in white; look at these superb -crimson carnations; white and purple look well together. She will place -the bouquet upon her heart, and as her heart is near to your blue coat, -you will have there the national colors." - -The flower-girl was young and pretty; her compliment was well-turned -and well-chosen, for had it been made expressly for that occasion, -it could not have better applied to the circumstances. Besides, the -flowers were almost symbolical; they were similar to those now dead. - -"I will purchase some," said Maurice, "since they are carnations; all -other flowers I detest." - -"Ah, Maurice," said Geneviève, "it is useless, we have so many of them -in the garden." - -But although her lips uttered the refusal, her eyes expressed a longing -desire to possess them. - -Maurice selected the most beautiful of the bouquets. It was the one the -pretty flower-girl had presented to him. - -It consisted of twenty deep red carnations, emitting an odor at once -sweet and pungent; in the centre, towering above the rest, rose a -magnificent carnation. - -"Here," said Maurice to the seller, throwing on her basket a bill of -five francs, "that is for you." - -"Thanks, my brave Municipal," said the flower-girl, "a thousand thanks." - -And she went toward another couple, trusting the day commenced thus -auspiciously would so continue till its close. During this apparently -simple scene, which had only occupied a few seconds at most, Morand -seemed scarcely able to support himself, and wiped the perspiration -from his pallid brow, while Geneviève also turned pale and trembled. -She took the nosegay which Maurice presented to her, and clasping it in -her lovely hand, held it to her face, less to inhale the odor than to -conceal her emotion. - -The remainder of the journey was pleasant, at least so far as -concerned Maurice. As for Geneviève, her gayety seemed affected, and -Morand evinced his enjoyment in a fashion peculiar to himself,--that -is to say, in smothered sighs or startling bursts of laughter, and -occasionally uttering some formidable witticisms which fell upon the -passers-by like sparks of fire. - -At nine o'clock they reached the Temple. - -Santerre called over the municipals. - -"I am here," said Maurice, leaving Geneviève under the care of Morand. - -"Welcome," said Santerre, holding out his hand to the young man. - -Maurice took care not to refuse the hand thus offered to him. The -friendship of Santerre was certainly most valuable at this epoch. -At sight of this man who had commanded the famous rolling of drums, -Geneviève shuddered, and Morand turned pale. - -"Who is this lovely citizeness?" demanded Santerre of Maurice, "and -what does she here?" - -"She is the wife of the brave Citizen Dixmer; you have heard this -excellent patriot spoken of, Citizen General?" - -"Yes, yes," replied Santerre; "the chief of a tannery, captain of -chasseurs of the legion Victor." - -"The same." - -"Good! good! My faith, she is pretty. And this ugly fellow who has -given her his arm?" - -"That is the Citizen Morand, her husband's partner, and chasseur in -Dixmer's company." - -Santerre approached Geneviève. - -"Good-day, Citizeness," said he. - -Geneviève made an effort. - -"Good-day, Citizen General," replied she, smiling. - -Santerre felt flattered by both title and smile. - -"And what brings you here, fair patriot?" continued Santerre. - -"The citizeness," replied Maurice, "has never seen Widow Capet, and -would like to see her." - -"Yes," said Santerre, "before--" and he made an atrocious gesture. - -"Precisely," replied Maurice, coldly. - -"Very well," said Santerre, "only mind they are not seen entering the -keep: it would be a bad example; in other respects, do as you think -fit." - -Santerre again shook hands with Maurice, made an inclination of his -head to Geneviève in a friendly and protecting manner, and went to -attend to his other duties. - -After a great many evolutions of gendarmes and chasseurs, after some -manœuvring with cannon, the heavy reverberations of which, it was -considered, carried to the environs a salutary admonition, Maurice gave -Geneviève his arm, and followed closely by Morand, advanced toward the -post, at the door of which Lorin was vociferating loudly, commanding -the manœuvres of his battalion. - -"Good!" cried he, "why there is Maurice; _peste!_ with a female too who -appears to me rather agreeable. Does the sly rascal wish to bring her -into competition with my Goddess Reason? If it were so, poor Arthémise!" - -"Hallo! Citizen Adjutant," said the captain. - -"Ah! that's right; attention!" said Lorin; "file to the left, -left--Good-day, Maurice; not so quickly--" - -The drums rolled, the company dispersed to their respective places, and -when each was at his post, Lorin hastened to exchange compliments with -his friend. Maurice presented Lorin to Geneviève and Morand. Then an -explanation commenced as to the purport of their visit. - -"Yes, I understand," said Lorin; "you wish your friends to enter the -keep; that is easily managed. I will go directly and station the -sentinels, then I will order them to admit you and your friends." - -In ten minutes afterward Geneviève and Morand entered behind the three -municipals, and placed themselves behind the glazed partition. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE CRIMSON CARNATION. - - -The queen had just risen. Having been indisposed for two or three days, -she had remained in bed longer than usual; but having heard from her -sister that there had been a splendid sunrise, she made an effort to -quit her couch, and that she might be enabled to breathe the pure air -with her daughter, had requested permission to walk on the platform, -which had been granted her without the slightest difficulty. - -She had also been induced to act thus from another cause. Once, and -it is true once only, from the height of the tower she had seen the -dauphin playing in the garden. But at the first signal of recognition -between the mother and child, Simon interfered, and compelled the boy -to retire immediately. - -Nevertheless, she had seen him; that was a great source of happiness -to her. True, the poor little prisoner was very pale and much changed. -Then he was dressed as a child of the people, in a blouse and coarse -trousers. But his beautiful fair waving curls were still left him, -forming around him a glory which God no doubt intended the infant -martyr to retain in heaven. - -If she could only see him once again, oh, what a cordial to the heart -of the unhappy mother! - -There was yet another motive. - -"My sister," Madame Elizabeth had said to her, "you know we found in -the corridor a straw standing upright in a corner of the wall. In the -language of our signs this desires us to be watchful, as a friend is -coming near us." - -"That is true," replied the queen; who, regarding her sister and child -with pity, would not on their account permit herself to despair of -their ultimate safety. - -The duties of the service accomplished, Maurice was then highest -in authority in the keep of the Temple, since chance had elected -him as guard during the day, and the other municipals, Agricola and -Mercevault, as guards during the night. - -The municipals had left, after laying their _procès-verbal_ before the -Council of the Temple. - -"Ah, Citizen Municipal," said the woman Tison, coming forward to salute -Maurice, "you bring company, then, to see our caged pigeons? It is only -I who am condemned no more to see my poor Sophie." - -"They are friends of mine," said Maurice, "who have never yet seen the -Widow Capet." - -"Ah! well, they will see admirably behind the partition." - -"Assuredly," said Morand. - -"Only," said Geneviève, "we shall seem to be actuated by that cruel -curiosity which induces some persons to mock the misery of unfortunate -prisoners from the outside of an iron grating." - -"Ah! then why not take your friends to the tower walk, since the -woman Capet will take an airing there to-day with her sister and her -daughter; for they have left her a daughter, while I who am not guilty, -have been deprived of mine. Oh, these aristocrats! it will always -be the case; let us do what we will, favor is always shown to them, -Citizen Maurice." - -"But they have taken from her her son," replied he. - -"Ah! if I had a son," murmured the female jailer, "I should lament my -daughter less." - -Geneviève during this time had exchanged looks with Morand several -times. - -"_Mon ami_," said the young woman to Maurice, "the citizen is in -the right. If you could by any means place me in the way of Marie -Antoinette, it would be less repugnant to my feelings than gazing at -her here. It seems to me that this manner of viewing people is at once -humiliating both to them and to us." - -"Kind Geneviève," said Maurice, "you possess true delicacy of mind." - -"Egad! Citizen," said one of Maurice's colleagues who was at that -moment breakfasting in the antechamber on bread and sausages, "if you -were the prisoner, and Capet's wife felt curiosity to see you, she -would not be so very particular about the indulgence of her fancy,--the -jade!" - -Geneviève, with a movement quicker than lightning, threw a rapid glance -toward Morand, to note the effect of these words upon him. In effect, -Morand quivered, a strange phosphorescent light gleamed from under his -eyelids, and his hands were clinched for an instant; but all this was -so momentary that it passed unperceived. - -"What is the name of this municipal?" asked she of Maurice. - -"It is the Citizen Mercevault," replied the young man; and then added, -as if to apologize for his coarseness, "a stone-cutter." - -Mercevault heard it, and cast a sidelong glance at Maurice. - -"Come! come!" said the woman Tison; "finish your sausage and your -half-bottle, that I may clear the table." - -"It is not the fault of the Austrian if I finish them now," grumbled -the municipal; "for if she could have murdered me on the 10th of August -she would have done so; thus the day when she 'sneezes in the sack' I -shall be in the first rank, firm at my post." - -Morand turned as pale as death. - -"Come! Citizen Maurice," said Geneviève, "let us go where you promised -to take us; here it seems as if I were a prisoner. I feel suffocated." - -Maurice conducted Geneviève and Morand out, when the sentinels, -previously instructed by Lorin, allowed them to pass without any -difficulty. They installed themselves in a little passage on the upper -story, so that the moment when the queen, Madame Royale, or Madame -Elizabeth ascended to the gallery, these august personages could not do -otherwise than pass before them. - -As the promenade was fixed for ten o'clock, and they had only a few -minutes to wait, Maurice not only did not quit his friends, but -further, in order that the slightest suspicion might not be excited -by this rather illegal proceeding, having met Agricola, he took that -municipal with him. - -It struck ten. - -"Open!" cried a voice from the base of the tower, which Maurice knew to -be that of General Santerre. - -Immediately the guard assumed arms and closed the iron gratings; the -sentinels also presented arms. There was then heard in all the court a -confused noise of iron, stones, and footsteps, which vividly impressed -both Morand and Geneviève, for Maurice observed them both turn pale. - -"All these precautions to guard three poor women," murmured Geneviève. - -"Yes," said Morand, endeavoring to smile; "if those who tempt them -to escape were now here, and in our place saw what we see, it would -disgust them with their trade." - -"In fact," continued Geneviève, "I begin to think they will never -escape." - -"I hope they never will," said Maurice, inclining over the staircase as -he spoke. - -"Attention," cried he; "here are the prisoners." - -"Name them to me," said Geneviève, "for I do not know any of them." - -"The first two who are ascending are the sister and daughter of Capet. -The last one, preceded by a little dog, is Marie Antoinette." - -Geneviève made a step forward. Morand, on the contrary, instead of -looking at them, pressed himself close against the wall, his lips more -livid and earthy than the stones of the keep. - -Geneviève, with her white robe and bright pure eyes, appeared like an -angel awaiting the prisoners to cheer them on their dark and dreary -road, and to administer in passing a ray of comfort to their desolate -and blighted hearts. - -Madame Elizabeth and Madame Royale pursued their way, having only -thrown a glance of astonishment at the strangers. No doubt the former -imagined they were those whom the signals announced, for turning round -quickly to Madame Royale, she pressed her hand, and while so doing, -dropped her handkerchief, as if to inform the queen. - -"Pay attention, my sister," said she; "I have dropped my handkerchief." - -And she passed on with the young princess. - -The queen, with panting breath accompanied with a short dry cough -indicating ill-health, stooped to pick up the handkerchief which had -fallen at her feet, when her little dog, more agile than its mistress, -seized it, and ran forward with it to Madame Elizabeth. The queen -continued her ascent slowly, and after some steps found herself in her -turn before Geneviève, Morand, and the young municipal. - -"Flowers!" cried she; "oh, how long it is since I have seen any -flowers! How deliciously they smell! You are happy to possess these -flowers, Madame." - -Quick as the idea formed in her mind, prompted by these melancholy -words, Geneviève extended her hand to offer her bouquet to the queen. - -Then Marie Antoinette raised her head, looked at her, and an almost -imperceptible blush passed over her colorless face. - -But by a natural movement, from an habitual passive obedience to -regulation, Maurice put out his hand to arrest the arm of Geneviève. - -The queen then remained hesitating, when, looking at Maurice, she -recognized him as the young municipal who had always spoken to her with -so much firmness, but at the same time tempered with equal respect. - -"Is this forbidden, sir?" said she. - -"No, no, Madame. Geneviève, you can offer your bouquet," said Maurice. - -"Oh, thanks, thanks, sir," said the queen, with grateful -acknowledgments; and bowing with gracious affability to Geneviève, the -queen extended her emaciated hand, and selected at random a single -carnation from the mass of flowers. - -"Take them all, Madame, take them all," timidly said Geneviève. - -"No," said the queen, with a fascinating smile; "this bouquet may come -perhaps from one you love. I will not deprive you of it." - -Geneviève blushed, and at this blush the queen smiled. - -"Move on! Citizen Capet," said Agricola, "you must continue your route." - -The queen bowed, and ascended the steps, but before she disappeared, -turned around and murmured,-- - -"How sweet these carnations smell! and what a beautiful young lady!" - -"She has not seen me," murmured Morand, who, almost kneeling in the -shade of the corridor, had quite escaped the notice of the queen. - -"But you had a good view of her, had you not, Morand? Had not you, -Geneviève?" said Maurice, doubly happy, first from the sight he had -procured his friends, and also that he had afforded ever so slight a -gratification to the unhappy prisoner. - -"Oh, yes, yes!" said Geneviève; "I saw her very well, and were I to -live for a thousand years, I should never forget her." - -"And what do you think of her?" - -"She is charming." - -"And you, Morand." - -Morand clasped his hands, but made no reply. - -"Tell me," said Maurice, laughing, in a whisper to Geneviève, "is it -the queen of whom Morand is enamoured?" - -Geneviève started, but recovering herself instantly, replied -smilingly,-- - -"It really looks like it." - -"You have not yet told me what you think of her, Morand," persisted -Maurice. - -"I thought her very pale," replied he. - -Maurice retook the arm of Geneviève, to descend toward the court. In -the dark staircase it seemed to him that Geneviève kissed his hand. - -"Ha! what does that mean, Geneviève?" - -"It means, Maurice, that I shall never forget that to gratify a whim of -mine you have risked your life." - -"Oh!" said Maurice, "what exaggeration, Geneviève! Between you and me, -you well know that gratitude is not the sentiment I wish to inspire you -with." - -Geneviève pressed his arm softly. - -Morand followed with faltering steps. - -When they reached the court, Lorin came and identified the two -visitors, showing them to the gate. - -Before leaving the Temple, Geneviève made Maurice promise to dine the -next day in the old Rue Saint Jacques. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -SIMON THE CENSOR. - - -When Maurice returned to his post, in a state of transcendent -happiness, he found Tison's wife weeping. - -"What have they done to you now, mother?" asked Maurice. - -"All this makes me furious," replied the female jailer. - -"Why?" - -"Because there is nothing but injustice for poor people in this world." - -"But how?" - -"You are rich, you are a bourgeois, you come here only for a day, and -they permit pretty women to visit you here, who present bouquets to -the Austrian; while I who nestle everlastingly in this dove-cot am not -allowed to see my poor Sophie." - -Maurice took her hand, and slipped into it a bill of ten francs. - -"There, good woman, take that, and do not despair. Goodness! the -Austrian will not last forever." - -"Ten francs," said the female jailer, "that is kind of you; but I would -rather have even a curl-paper from my poor girl's hair." - -As she finished these words, Simon, who was then coming up, heard them, -and saw the female jailer put in her pocket the bill Maurice had given -her. - -We will mention what sort of a temper Simon was in. - -He came from the court where he had encountered Lorin. Now, a decided -antipathy existed between these two men. - -This hatred was less induced by the violent scenes with which our -readers are already familiar than by difference of race, an everlasting -source of detestation, which, however mysterious it may at first -appear, is easily explained. - -Simon was hideous, Lorin handsome; Simon was vulgar, Lorin the very -opposite; Simon was a Republican bully, Lorin one of those ardent -patriots who had sacrificed everything to the Revolution; and then, if -they had on a former occasion come to blows, Simon instinctively felt -that the fist of the fop, no less effectually than that of Maurice, -would have inflicted upon him a plebeian punishment. - -Simon on perceiving Lorin, stopped short, and turned pale. - -"It is still this battalion that mounts guard," growled he. - -"Well," said a gendarme who overheard this apostrophe, "it is as good -as another, it seems to me." - -Simon drew a pencil from his pocket, and pretended to note down -something on a piece of paper almost as black as his hands. - -"Ah!" said Lorin, "you know how to write then, Simon, since you are -tutor to young Capet? Look, citizens, upon my honor he takes notes; he -is Simon the Censor." - -A universal shout of laughter proceeded from the ranks of the young -National Guards, almost all men of education, at the ridiculous title -bestowed upon the wretched cobbler. - -"Very well, very well," said he, grinding his teeth, and turning white -with rage; "they say you have permitted strangers to enter the keep, -and that without the consent of the Commune. Very well, I am going to -draw out the _procès-verbal_ by the municipal." - -"He at least knows how to write," said Lorin; "it is Maurice, Maurice -with the Iron Hand; don't you know him?" - -At this moment Morand and Geneviève went out. - -On seeing this, Simon rushed into the keep, at the very moment, as we -have said, when Maurice, by way of consoling her, presented the woman -Tison with the bill of ten francs. - -Maurice paid no attention to the presence of this miserable wretch, -whom by a natural instinct he always avoided if he by any chance -encountered him, regarding him in the light of a disgusting and -venomous reptile. - -"Ah, well!" said Simon to Tison's wife, who was wiping her eyes with -her apron; "so you wish to bring yourself to the guillotine, Citizen?" - -"I!" said the woman, "what put such a thought into your head?" - -"Why, because you receive money from the municipal for allowing -aristocrats entrance to the Austrian." - -"I!" said the woman Tison; "be silent, you are mad!" - -"This shall be entered in the _procès-verbal_," said Simon, -emphatically. - -"Come, now, they are friends of the Municipal Maurice, one of the best -patriots that ever existed." - -"Conspirators, I tell you. Besides, the Commune shall be informed; it -will judge for itself." - -"What! you mean to lodge information about me then, spy of the police!" - -"Exactly so, if you do not lodge information yourself." - -"Information about what? About what do you wish me to lodge -information?" - -"About what has happened." - -"But nothing has happened." - -"Where were these aristocrats?" - -"There, upon the staircase." - -"When Capet's wife ascended the stairs?" - -"Yes." - -"And they spoke to her?" - -"They exchanged two words." - -"Two words! Besides, there is a perfume of the aristocrat here." - -"It is the scent of carnations." - -"Carnations! what carnations?" - -"Why, the citizen had a bunch of them, which perfumed the whole place." - -"What citizen?" - -"The one who saw the queen pass." - -"Oh, the thing is clear; you say _the queen_! Ma'am Tison; this -consorting with aristocrats will be your ruin! Ah, what is this I am -treading upon?" continued Simon, stooping down. - -"Ah!" said the woman Tison, "it is a flower, a carnation; it must have -fallen from the hand of the Citizeness Dixmer, when Marie Antoinette -took one from her bouquet." - -"The woman Capet took a flower from the Citizen Dixmer's bouquet?" said -Simon. - -"Yes; and it was I who gave her the bouquet," said Maurice, in a loud -and menacing tone, who had been for some moments listening to this -colloquy, and whose patience was nearly exhausted. - -"It is all very well, it is all very well; one sees what one sees, and -one knows what one says," growled Simon, who still held in his hand -the carnation crushed by his huge foot. - -"And I also know one thing," replied Maurice, "which I am now going -to tell you; it is that you have nothing whatever to do in this keep, -and that your honorable post of hangman is down there with the little -Capet, whom I would, for your own sake, recommend you not to chastise -to-day, as I am here to defend him." - -"Do you threaten me? Do you call me hangman?" cried Simon, crushing -the flower in his hand. "Ah! we shall see if it is permitted these -aristocrats--why, what is this?" - -"What?" asked Maurice. - -"That I feel in this carnation? Ah! ah!" - -The eyes of Maurice were transfixed with astonishment as Simon drew -from the calyx of the flower a small paper, rolled with the most -exquisite care, which had been artistically introduced into the centre -of the clustering leaves. - -"My God!" said Maurice, "what can this mean?" - -"We shall know, we shall very soon know," said Simon, approaching the -window. "Ah! you and your friend Lorin told me I did not know how to -read. Well! you shall see." - -Lorin had calumniated Simon; he could read all kinds of print, and -manuscript also when sufficiently large. But the writing in the little -billet was so minute that Simon was obliged to have recourse to his -spectacles. He consequently placed it on the window, while he proceeded -to take an inventory of the contents of his pockets; but while thus -engaged, the Citizen Agricola opened the door of the antechamber -exactly facing the little window, thereby causing a current of air -which blew away the little paper, light as a feather from a bird's -wing, so that when Simon, after a moment's exploration, had discovered -his spectacles, placed them on his nose, and turned himself round, his -labor was lost,--the paper had disappeared. - -"There was a paper here," roared Simon, crimson with rage and -disappointment,--"there was a paper here. Look to yourself, Citizen -Municipal, for it must and shall be found." - -And he descended precipitately, leaving Maurice in a state of -stupefaction. - -Ten minutes afterward three members of the Commune entered the keep. -The queen was still upon the platform, and strict orders had been -issued that she should be kept in total ignorance of all that had just -occurred. The members of the Commune desired to be conducted to her -presence. - -The first object which met their view was the crimson carnation, which -she still held in her hand. They regarded her with surprise, and -approaching her,-- - -"Give us this flower," said the president of the deputation. The queen, -who had not expected this intrusion, started and hesitated. - -"Surrender your flower, Madame," said Maurice, in a sort of alarm, "I -entreat you." - -The queen tendered them the carnation. The president took it and -retired, followed by his colleagues, into a neighboring apartment to -make an examination, and draw up the _procès-verbal_. - -They opened the flower--it was empty. - -Maurice breathed afresh. - -"Wait a moment," said one of the members, "the heart of the carnation -has been removed. The calyx is empty, it is true, but in this calyx -most unquestionably a letter has been concealed." - -"I am quite ready and willing," said Maurice, "to furnish all necessary -explanation; but first of all, I request to be arrested." - -"We shall make a minute of your proposal, but shall not act upon it," -said the president. "You are known as a stanch patriot, Citizen Lindey." - -"And I will answer with my life for the friends I had the imprudence to -bring with me." - -"Answer for no one," replied the procurator. - -A tremendous hubbub was now heard in the court. It was Simon, who -having long and vainly sought for the little billet wafted away by the -wind, went to Santerre and informed him that an attempt had been made -to carry off the queen, with all the accessories which the powers of -his excited imagination could lend to such an event. Santerre was in -great haste; he investigated the Temple, and changed the guard, to the -great disgust of Lorin, who stoutly protested against this offence -offered to his battalion. - -"Ah! vile cobbler," said he to Simon, menacing him with his sabre, "I -have you to thank for this pleasantry; but only wait a little, and I -will pay you back in your own coin." - -"I think rather that the entire nation will pay you," said the -shoemaker, rubbing his hands. - -"Citizen Maurice," said Santerre, "hold yourself at the disposal of the -Commune, who will examine you." - -"I await your orders, Commandant; but I have already said that I desire -to be arrested, and I repeat my request." - -"Wait, wait," murmured Simon, with a malicious smile; "since you are so -bent upon it, we shall try to settle that little matter for you," and -he went to find the woman Tison. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -ARTHÉMISE. - - -They searched during the whole day in the court, in the garden and its -environs, for the little billet which had caused all this tumult, and -which they no longer doubted contained the whole plot. - -They interrogated the queen, after having separated her from her -daughter and sister, but elicited nothing more from her than that she -had, on the staircase, encountered a young woman carrying a bouquet, -and had drawn a single flower from the centre. - -Moreover, she would not have plucked this flower had she not first -obtained the consent of the Municipal Maurice. - -She had nothing more to tell. This was the truth in all its force and -simplicity. - -This was all reported to Maurice when his turn came to be questioned, -and he declared that the deposition of the queen was quite correct. - -"But," said the president, "there was then a plot." - -"Impossible," said Maurice; "I was dining at Madame Dixmer's, and -proposed that she should see the prisoners, hearing her remark she -had never done so; but neither the day nor the manner of so doing was -arranged." - -"But the flowers were purchased," said the president; "the bouquet had -been made beforehand." - -"Not at all; I myself purchased these flowers from a flower-girl, who -offered them to us at the corner of the Rue des Vieilles-Audriettes." - -"But at least this flower-girl presented the bouquet to you?" - -"No, Citizen; I selected it myself from ten or twelve others. -Certainly, I purchased the most beautiful." - -"But was there a possibility of secreting this billet on your road to -the tower?" - -"Impossible, Citizen. I never left Madame Dixmer's side for a moment, -and to perform the operation named on each flower,--for remark that -every flower, according to Simon's account, must have contained a like -billet,--would at least occupy half a day or more." - -"But, in short, could not two prepared billets have been placed in the -flowers?" - -"The prisoner in my presence took one at random, after having declined -the rest." - -"Then, in your opinion, Citizen Lindey, there was not a plot at all?" - -"Oh, there must have been a plot!" replied Maurice, "and I am the -first not only to believe but to affirm it; my friends, however, were -not concerned in it. Nevertheless, as the nation must necessarily be -alarmed, I offer security by surrendering myself prisoner." - -"Not at all," said Santerre; "should we act thus with tried friends -like you? If you surrender yourself prisoner to answer for your -friends, I surrender myself prisoner to answer for you. The thing -is simple. There is no positive accusation. No one will know what -has passed. Let us henceforth act with redoubled vigilance,--you -especially,--and we shall succeed in probing this matter to the bottom, -and at the same time avoid publicity." - -"Thanks, Commandant," said Maurice; "but I shall answer as you would -answer were you in my place. We must not stop here; we must discover -the flower-girl." - -"The flower-girl is far away, but be perfectly easy on that point; she -shall be sought for. As for you, watch your friends, while I will guard -the prison correspondence." - -No one had thought of Simon, but he had formed his own project. - -He arrived toward the conclusion of the sitting, and learned the -decision of the Commune. - -"Ah! then all that is needed is a formal accusation," said he, "to make -sure work. Wait five minutes and I will lay one before you." - -"What is it?" said the president. - -"It is," said Simon, "the courageous Citizeness Tison who accuses -of secret practices that partisan of the aristocracy, Maurice, and -denounces the intrigues of another equally false patriot, one of his -friends named Lorin." - -"Take care, take care, Simon; your zeal for the nation perhaps misleads -you. Maurice and Lorin are tried patriots." - -"That will be seen at the tribunal," replied Simon. - -"Consider well, Simon; this will be a disgraceful proceeding in the -sight of all true patriots." - -"Disgraceful or not, what is that to me? Do I dread disgrace? We shall -at least learn the whole truth about traitors." - -"Then you persist in lodging an accusation in the name of the woman -Tison?" - -"I will accuse them myself this very night to the Cordeliers, and you -too, Citizen President, if you do not at once command the arrest of -that traitor Maurice." - -"Well, so be it," said the president, who, after the manner of those -wretched times, trembled before those who clamored the loudest; "he -shall be arrested." - -While this decision was forming against him, Maurice had returned to -the Temple, where the following billet awaited him,-- - - Our guard being violently broken up, I shall not be able, in all - probability, to see you before to-morrow morning. Come then and - breakfast with me; during that meal you shall give me a true and - particular account of the plots and conspiracies discovered by Simon. - - A pink the culprit was,-- - So honest Simon does depose; - But I shall information seek - This morning from a lovely rose. - - And to-morrow, in my turn, I shall lay before you all Arthémise's - answers to my questions. - - Yours faithfully, - - Lorin. - -Maurice replied,-- - - There is nothing new; so sleep in peace to-night, and breakfast - without me to-morrow, as, on reviewing the incidents of the day, I - find I shall not, in all probability, be able to leave till noon. - - I should like to be a zephyr to waft a kiss to the rose of which you - speak. - - I give you leave to whistle at my prose as much as I do at your verse. - - Yours faithfully, - - Maurice. - - P.S. For the rest, I believe the conspiracy was only a false alarm, - after all. - -Lorin had indeed left at one o'clock with the whole of his battalion, -thanks to the brutal conduct of the shoemaker; he however consoled -himself with a quatrain, and went to visit Arthémise. - -Arthémise was delighted to see Lorin. The weather, as we have said, was -magnificent; she therefore proposed a walk along the quay, to which -Lorin of course assented. They had walked some distance, discoursing -on politics, Lorin recounting his expulsion from the Temple and vainly -endeavoring to divine the cause, when, on reaching the vicinity of Rue -des Barres, they perceived a flower-girl, who, like themselves, was -walking up the right bank of the Seine. - -"Ah, Citizen Lorin!" said Arthémise, "I hope you are going to present -me with a bouquet?" - -"Two, if you wish it," said Lorin; and they both redoubled their speed -to overtake the flower-girl, who walked at a rapid pace. - -On arriving at the Bridge Marie, the young girl stopped, and leaning -over the parapet, emptied the contents of her basket into the river. - -The flowers separated, whirled round for an instant in the air, while -the bouquets, dragged down by their weight, fell more quickly, till at -last both flowers and bouquets floated upon the surface, following the -course of the water. - -"Stop!" said Arthémise, regarding the flower-girl thus strangely -occupied; "it is said--but yes--but no--but if--ah! this is strange." - -The flower-girl placed her finger on her lips, as if to entreat -Arthémise to be silent, and disappeared. - -"Who is this, then?" said Lorin; "do you know this mortal, goddess?" - -"No; I fancied at first--but certainly I am deceived." - -"She, however, made a sign to you," persisted Lorin. - -"But why is she a flower-girl this morning?" said Arthémise to herself. - -"You acknowledge, then, that you know her, Arthémise?" asked Lorin. - -"Yes," replied Arthémise; "she is a flower-girl I sometimes deal with." - -"At all events," said Lorin, "she has a strange method of disposing of -her merchandise." - -And both, after having looked for the last time at the flowers, which -had already reached the wooden bridge and received a fresh impetus from -the arm of the river passing under its arches, continued their route -toward the Rapée, where they anticipated dining _tête-à-tête_. - -This incident was forgotten for the moment; but as it was at least -singular, and of rather a mysterious character, it vividly impressed -Lorin's poetic imagination. - -In the mean time, the accusation brought by Tison's wife against -Maurice and Lorin caused a great tumult at the club of the Jacobins; -and Maurice was informed at the Temple by the Commune that his safety -was endangered by the public indignation. This was a recommendation -to the young municipal to conceal himself if he were guilty; but with -conscious rectitude Maurice remained at the Temple, where he was found -at his post when they came to arrest him, and at the same time to -interrogate him. - -Remaining firm in his resolution not to endanger the safety of his -friends, in whom he felt the most implicit confidence, Maurice was -not the man to sacrifice himself by a ridiculous silence worthy of a -hero of romance, and therefore demanded that the flower-girl should be -arrested. - -It was five o'clock in the evening when Lorin returned home, and heard, -at the same moment, of the arrest of Maurice, and also of the demand -made by him. - -The flower-girl of the Bridge Marie instantly recurred to him like -a sudden revelation. This singular individual casting her flowers -into the Seine; the coincidence of place; the half admission of -Arthémise,--all these facts combined convinced him that this was the -solution of the mystery demanded by Maurice. - -He bounded from his chamber, flew rather than ran down four flights -of stairs, and precipitated himself into the presence of the Goddess -Reason, who was engaged in embroidering golden stars on a robe of blue -gauze. It was her robe of divinity. - -"A truce to the stars, sweetheart," said Lorin; "they have arrested -Maurice this morning, and, in all human probability, this evening I -shall share the same fate." - -"Maurice arrested!" - -"By Heaven, he is! In these times nothing is more common than the -occurrence of such troubles; but they excite little attention because -they come in troops, that is all. Almost all important matters -originate in trifles. Never neglect trifles. Who was that flower-girl -we met this morning, sweetheart?" - -Arthémise started. - -"What flower-girl?" - -"The one who so recklessly cast her flowers into the Seine." - -"Ah, my goodness!" said Arthémise; "is this circumstance, then, so -serious that you return to question me so urgently about it?" - -"So serious, sweetheart, that I entreat you to answer my question -without loss of time." - -"Dear Lorin, I cannot do so." - -"Goddess, with you nothing is impossible." - -"I am in honor bound to keep silence." - -"And I am bound in honor to make you speak." - -"But why do you insist upon it thus?" - -"Why? Zounds! that Maurice may not have his throat cut!" - -"Merciful Heavens! Maurice guillotined!" cried the young woman, much -alarmed. - -"Without speaking of myself; for to tell you the truth my head feels by -no means secure upon my shoulders." - -"Ah! No, no!" said Arthémise, "to speak would be the poor girl's utter -ruin." - -At this moment Lorin's official rushed into the apartment. - -"Ah! Citizen," cried he, "save yourself! save yourself!" - -"And why?" demanded Lorin. - -"Because the gendarmes have arrived; and while they were forcing an -entrance, I gained the next house by the roof, and hastened to prevent -your return." - -Arthémise uttered a heart-rending cry, for she truly loved Lorin. - -"Arthémise," said Lorin, "do you really place the life of a flower-girl -in comparison with that of Maurice and that of your lover? If so, I -declare to you that I no longer regard you as the Goddess Reason, but -shall proclaim you the Goddess Folly." - -"Poor Héloïse!" exclaimed the ex-dancer of the Opera; "if I betray you, -it is not my fault." - -"Well done, my darling!" said Lorin, presenting a paper to Arthémise, -"you have already favored me with her Christian name, oblige me now -with her surname and address." - -"Oh, write it! never, never!" cried Arthémise; "I would rather tell -you." - -"Tell me, then, and rest assured I shall not forget." - -And Arthémise, in an agitated voice, gave the name and address of the -pretended flower-girl to Lorin. - -"She is called Héloïse Tison, and lives, Rue des Nonandières, No. 24." - -At this name, Lorin uttered an exclamation, and fled. He had not -reached the corner of the street when a letter was delivered to -Arthémise. It only contained three lines,-- - - Not a word concerning me, dear friend; the revelation of my name would - infallibly ruin me. Wait till to-morrow. I quit Paris to-night. - - Thine, - - Héloïse. - -"Oh, my God!" cried the future goddess, "if I could only have divined -this I should have waited till to-morrow," and she rushed to the window -to recall Lorin, if there was yet time; but he had disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. - - -We have already said that in a few hours the news of this event had -circulated through Paris. In short, there were at this epoch various -indiscretions easy to comprehend on the part of a government of which -the political schemes were made and unmade in the street. - -The rumor gradually gained ground, till it at length reached the old -Rue Saint Jacques, and two hours after the arrest of Maurice they heard -of his detention. - -Thanks to the activity of Simon, the details of the plot were quickly -reported beyond the Temple; but as every one embellished the original -according to his fancy, the truth was somewhat altered by the time -it reached the master-tanner's. One said a poisoned flower had been -conveyed to the queen, by means of which the Austrian would stupefy -her guards, and thus be enabled to escape from the Temple; it was also -said that certain suspicions were entertained of the fidelity of the -battalion dismissed by Santerre on the preceding evening,--so that -already several victims were consigned to the hatred of the people. - -But the inhabitants of the old Rue Saint Jacques were not, of course, -deceived as to the real nature of the event; and Morand on one side, -and Dixmer on the other, went out immediately, leaving Geneviève a -victim to the most violent despair. - -If this misfortune had befallen Maurice, it was she who had been the -sole cause of it. It was her hand that had conducted the young man -blindfold to the entrance of the dungeon which now enclosed him, and -which, in all human probability, he would quit only for the scaffold. - -But under any circumstances Maurice should not lose his head on account -of his devotion to her wishes. If Maurice were condemned, she would -accuse herself before the tribunal, and would confess all. She would -take all the responsibility upon herself, and at the expense of her -life would save Maurice. And Geneviève, instead of feeling any fear of -death, experienced, on the contrary, a melancholy happiness at the idea -of dying for Maurice. - -She loved the young man, she loved him more than was right in a woman -who belonged not to herself; and to die would be for her the means of -giving back to God her soul, pure and unspotted as she had received it -from him. - -On quitting the house, Dixmer and Morand separated, the former took -the road to the Rue de la Corderie, the latter hastened to the Rue des -Nonandières. Arriving at the end of the Bridge Marie, Morand perceived -that crowd of idlers and common people which in Paris during or after -the occurrence of anything remarkable collects at the place, as crows -assemble on the field of battle. - -At this sight Morand stopped short, a universal tremor shook his frame, -and he leaned for support against the parapet. - -At length, after a few seconds, he regained the almost miraculous power -which under trying circumstances he exercised over his feelings, and -mingling with the various groups, commenced his inquiries, and learned -that a short time before they had taken from the Rue des Nonandières, -No. 24, a young woman, most certainly guilty of the crime of which -she stood then accused, as they surprised her in the act of making -these packets. Morand inquired before what club the poor girl would be -interrogated, and found they had conducted her to the section Mère, -where he immediately followed her. - -The club was thronged, but by making free use of his elbows and fists, -he succeeded in forcing an entrance. The first sight he encountered was -the tall and noble figure of Maurice, standing haughtily in the place -of the accused, and annihilating Simon by his looks. - -"Yes, Citizens," cried Simon, who was concluding his accusation; "the -Citizen Tison accuses the Citizen Lindey and the Citizen Lorin. The -Citizen Lindey mentions a flower-girl, upon whom he endeavors to cast -all the blame; but, as I told you before, the flower-girl will not be -found, and that it is a vile plot formed by a body of aristocrats who -toss back the ball from one to the other, like cowards as they are. -You have seen, besides, that the Citizen Lorin had decamped when his -presence was required; and he will return no more than the flower-girl." - -"Then you have lied, Simon," cried a furious voice; "he will return, -for he is here." - -And Lorin strode into the hall. - -"Room for me!" said he, pushing aside the spectators. "Room for me!" -And he placed himself near Maurice. - -The entrance of Lorin, so natural, and without affectation, yet -combining all the freedom and strength inherent in the character of the -young man, produced an immense effect upon the Tribunes, who instantly -greeted him with cries of applause. - -Maurice contented himself by smiling and holding out his hand to his -friend,--the friend concerning whom he had said to himself, "I shall -not long stand alone at the bench of the accused." - -The spectators gazed with visible interest on these two handsome young -men whom the foul shoemaker of the Temple, like a demon envious of -their youth and beauty, had accused. - -He soon perceived the unfavorable impression he had made, and -determined to strike the last blow. - -"Citizens!" roared he; "I demand that the generous Citizen Tison should -be heard; let her speak, and bring forward her accusation." - -"Citizens," said Lorin, "I demand that the flower-girl who has just -been arrested, and who no doubt will be brought before you, may be -first heard." - -"No, no," said Simon; "it is just some false evidence,--some partisan -of the aristocrats. Besides, the woman Tison is most impatient to -forward the means of justice." - -Meanwhile Lorin took the opportunity to whisper to Maurice. - -"Yes," cried the Tribunes; "the deposition of the woman Tison; let her -testify!" - -"Is the woman Tison in the hall?" demanded the president. - -"Without doubt she is here," cried Simon. "Citizen Tison, answer for -yourself." - -"I am here, President; but if I depose, will they give me back my -daughter?" said the female jailer. - -"Your daughter has nothing at all to do with the affair with which we -are at present engaged," said the president. "Make your deposition -first, and then appeal to the Commune to restore your child." - -"Do you hear?" said Simon; "the citizen president commands you to make -your deposition. Do so at once!" - -"A moment," said the president, turning toward Maurice, astonished at -the calmness of a man generally so impetuous. "One moment. Citizen -Municipal, have you nothing to say first?" - -"No, Citizen President,--except that before Simon attached the words -'traitor and coward' to a man like myself, it would have been better to -have waited till he was more correctly informed." - -"You say that? you say that?" replied Simon, with the sneering accent -peculiar to the plebeian Parisian. - -"I say, Simon," replied Maurice, with more of sorrow than anger, "that -you will be most cruelly punished immediately, when you see what is -about to happen." - -"What is about to happen, I should like to know?" demanded Simon. - -"Citizen President," said Maurice, without deigning to notice the -question of his hideous accuser, "I unite with my friend Lorin in -demanding that the young girl who has just been arrested may be heard -before this poor woman is compelled to speak, who, no doubt, has been -prompted to this deposition." - -"Listen, Citizeness!" said Simon; "listen! They say down there that you -are a false witness?" - -"I a false witness!" cried the woman Tison. "You shall see; you shall -see! Wait!" - -"Citizen," said Maurice, "in pity desire this woman to remain silent." - -"Ah! you are afraid," said Simon,--"you are afraid! Citizen President, -I require the deposition of the woman Tison." - -"Yes! yes! the deposition!" cried the Tribunes. - -"Silence!" cried the president; "the Commune returns." - -At this moment the sound of a carriage was heard outside, amid the -noise of shouts and arms. - -Simon turned uneasily toward the door. - -"Quit the box," said the president to him; "you have nothing more to -tell." Simon descended. - -At this moment some gendarmes entered, with a crowd of curious -idlers, which was soon driven back, and a woman was pushed toward the -judgment-hall. - -"Is it she?" whispered Lorin to Maurice. - -"It is," replied Maurice. "Miserable woman, she is lost!" - -"The flower-girl! the flower-girl!" murmured the Tribunes, whose -curiosity was raised to the highest pitch. "Is this the flower-girl?" - -"I demand, before everything else," roared Simon, "the deposition of -the woman Tison. You commanded her to testify, President, and she has -not yet done so." - -The woman was recalled, and entered upon a dreadful and circumstantial -deposition. The flower-girl, it was true, was alone criminal; but -Maurice and Lorin were her accomplices. - -This denunciation produced an incredible effect upon the public mind; -and now, indeed, Simon was in the ascendant. - -"Gendarmes," said the president, "bring forward the flower-girl." - -"Oh, this is frightful!" said Maurice, concealing his face in his hands. - -The flower-girl was called, and placed before the Tribune, exactly -opposite to Tison's wife, whose testimony had convicted her of a -capital crime. - -She raised her veil. - -"Héloïse!" cried the woman Tison; "my child. You here!" - -"Yes, mother," replied the young woman, gently. - -"And why do you enter between two gendarmes?" - -"Because I am accused, mother." - -"You! Accused, and by whom?" cried the woman, in anguish. - -"By you, mother." - -A frightful silence, like the precursor of death, fell suddenly upon -the noisy assemblage, while the painful feeling excited by this -horrible scene oppressed every heart. - -"Her daughter," was whispered, as if by voices in the distance,--"her -daughter! Unhappy woman!" - -Maurice and Lorin regarded both the accuser and the accused with -sentiments of deep commiseration, mingled with respectful pity for -their unhappy fate. - -Simon, anxious to witness the conclusion of this tragedy, in which -he hoped both Maurice and Lorin would remain actors, endeavored to -withdraw from the attention of the woman Tison, who gazed wildly around. - -"What is your name, Citizeness?" said the president to the young girl, -himself affected at the scene. - -"Héloïse Tison, Citizen." - -"What is your age?" - -"Nineteen years." - -"Where do you reside?" - -"Rue des Nonandières, No. 24." - -"Did you sell the Citizen Lindey, whom you now see in the dock, a -bouquet of carnations this morning?" - -The young girl turned round and looked at Maurice. - -"Yes, Citizen, I did," said she. - -The mother herself gazed at her daughter, her eyes dilated with terror. - -"Are you aware that every carnation contained a billet addressed to the -widow Capet?" - -"I know it," replied the accused. - -A movement of horror and admiration spread itself through the hall. - -"Why did you offer these carnations to the Citizen Maurice?" - -"Because I perceived that he wore the scarf of a municipal, and I -imagined he was going to the Temple." - -"Who are your accomplices?" - -"I have none." - -"What! have you then concocted this plot alone?" - -"If it is a plot, I alone am concerned in it." - -"But did the Citizen Maurice know--" - -"That the flowers contained the billets?" - -"Yes." - -"The Citizen Maurice is a municipal; the Citizen Maurice could converse -with the queen at any hour of the day or the night. The Citizen -Maurice, if he had wished to say anything to the queen, had no occasion -to write; he could speak." - -"And you do not know the Citizen Maurice Lindey?" - -"I had sometimes seen him come to the Temple while I was there with my -poor mother, but I only know him by sight." - -"Do you see, miserable wretch," said Lorin, shaking his fist at Simon, -who, dismayed at the turn of affairs, with his head lowered, was -attempting to sneak away unperceived,--"do you see what you have done?" - -Every one regarded Simon with looks of deep indignation. - -The president continued. - -"Since you made up these bouquets, you of course are aware that each -flower contained a paper, and therefore must know also what was written -upon that paper?" - -"Of course I do." - -"Well, then, tell us what it was?" - -"Citizen," said the young girl, with firmness, "I have told all I -either can, or will, tell." - -"Then you refuse to answer this question?" - -"Yes." - -"Do you know to what you expose yourself?" - -"Yes." - -"You trust perhaps to your youth and beauty?" - -"I trust in God." - -"Citizen Maurice Lindey, Citizen Hyacinthe Lorin," said the president, -"you are free. The Commune recognizes your innocence, and admires your -loyal spirit. Gendarmes, conduct the Citizeness Héloïse to the prison -of the section." - -At these words the woman Tison seemed to awake, and uttering a piercing -cry, attempted to rush forward once more to embrace her daughter, but -was withheld by the guards. - -"I forgive you, mother," said the young girl, as they led her away. - -The woman Tison uttered a savage roar, and fell down as if dead. - -"Noble girl!" murmured Morand, filled at once with grief and -admiration. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -THE CONSPIRACY. - - -Immediately following the events we have just narrated, a last scene -came to fill up the complement of the drama which was unfolding its -sombre turns of fortune. - -The woman Tison, struck as by a thunderbolt at what had occurred, -and totally abandoned by those who had escorted her,--for there is -something revolting even in an involuntary crime, and it certainly -amounts to a great crime when a mother condemns her own daughter to an -ignominious death, were it even from excess of zealous patriotism,--the -woman, we say, after remaining for some time in a state of -insensibility, at length raised her head, looked wildly around, and -finding herself deserted and alone, uttered a loud cry, and rushed -toward the door. - -At this door a few idlers more curious than the rest still remained -congregated together, who dispersed when they beheld her, and pointing -with their fingers, said one to another,-- - -"Do you see that woman? It is she who denounced her daughter." - -The wretched woman uttered a cry of despair, and rushed toward the -Temple. But when she was a third of the way through Rue Michel le -Comte, a man placed himself in front of her, impeding her progress, and -concealing his face in his mantle. - -"Are you content," said he, "now you have killed your child?" - -"Killed my child!" cried the poor mother,--"killed my child! no, no, it -is not possible!" - -"It is so, notwithstanding, for your daughter has been arrested." - -"And where have they taken her?" - -"To the Conciergerie; from there she will be sent to the Revolutionary -Tribunal, and you know what becomes of those who are sent there." - -"Stand aside," said the woman Tison, "and let me pass." - -"Where are you going?" - -"To the Conciergerie." - -"What are you going there for?" - -"To see her again." - -"They will not allow you to enter." - -"They will permit me to lie at the door, to live there, to sleep there. -I will remain there till she comes out, and then at least I shall see -her once more." - -"Suppose some one promised to restore you your child?" - -"What do you say?" - -"I ask you, supposing a man were to promise to give you back your -child, would you do what that man required of you in return?" - -"Anything for my child! anything for my Héloïse!" cried the woman, -wringing her hands in despair,--"Anything! anything! anything!" - -"Listen," said the unknown. "It is God who now punishes you." - -"And for what?" - -"For the tortures you have inflicted so mercilessly on a poor mother as -unhappy as yourself." - -"Of whom do you speak! What do you mean?" - -"You have often driven the unhappy prisoner to the very verge of that -despair where you are yourself at this moment, by your revelations -and brutalities. God now punishes you for all this by conducting this -daughter, whom you love so much, to the scaffold." - -"You said there was some man who could save her. Where is that man; -what does he want; what does he demand?" - -"This man requires that you cease to persecute the queen; that you ask -her pardon for the outrages already committed against her; and that -if at any time you perceive that this woman, who is also a weeping, -despairing mother, by any unforeseen circumstance, or by some miracle -from Heaven, is upon the point of saving herself, instead of opposing -her flight, you do all in your power to aid and abet it." - -"Listen, Citizen," said the woman Tison. "You are the man,--is it not -so?" - -"Well." - -"It is you who promise to save my child?" - -The unknown remained silent. - -"Will you engage to do it? Will you promise; will you swear it? Answer -me." - -"All that a man can do to save a woman, I will do to save your -daughter." - -"He cannot save her!" cried the woman, uttering piercing cries,--"he -cannot save her! When he promised me he lied." - -"Do what you can for the queen, and I will do all in my power for your -daughter." - -"What care I for the queen? She is a mother who has a daughter. But -if they come to cutting off heads, it will not be her daughter's they -will cut off, but her own. They may cut my throat so that they spare my -child. They may lead me to the guillotine, so that they do not harm a -hair of her head, and I will go there singing,-- - - "Ah! ça ira, ça ira, ça ira, - Les aristocrates à la lanterne...." - -And she commenced singing in a frightful voice, then suddenly stopped -short, and burst into a fit of frenzied laughter. - -The man in the mantle himself appeared alarmed at this burst of -madness, and retreated a step or two from her. - -"Ah! you shall not escape me thus," said the woman Tison, in despair, -and retaining her hold of his mantle; "you shall not at one moment -come and say to a mother, 'Do this, and I will rescue your child,' and -afterward say, 'Perhaps.' Will you save her?" - -"Yes." - -"When?" - -"The day she is conducted from the Conciergerie to the scaffold." - -"But why wait--why not to-night? this evening--this moment, even?" - -"Because I cannot do so." - -"Ah! you know you cannot; you well know you cannot!" cried the woman -Tison; "but as for me, I can." - -"What can you do?" - -"I can persecute the prisoner, as you call her; I can watch the queen, -as you term her, aristocrat that you are! and I can enter the prison -any hour of the day or night. All this will I do. And as to her -escaping, we shall see. Yes, we shall very well see--since they will -not save my daughter--if that woman will escape. Head for head. Do -you like that? Madame Veto has been queen; that I know. Héloïse Tison -is only a poor girl; that I know. But under the guillotine we are all -equal." - -"Well, be it so," said the man in the mantle. "But you perform your -part, and I will fulfil mine." - -"Swear!" - -"I swear it." - -"By what do you swear?" - -"Anything you choose." - -"Have you a daughter?" - -"No." - -"Well, then," said the woman, in a disappointed tone, "by what then -will you swear?" - -"Listen. I swear by God." - -"Bah!" exclaimed the woman Tison, "you know very well they have -demolished the old one, and have not yet decided on the new." - -"I swear by the tomb of my father." - -"Swear not by a tomb, for that is prophetic of evil. Oh, my God! my -God! When I think that perhaps in three days I may swear by the tomb of -my child also! My daughter! My poor Héloïse!" cried the woman Tison, -frantically, till at the sound of her voice, raised to a shrill scream, -several windows were opened. - -At sight of the opened windows, another man, who seemed to detach -himself from the wall, advanced toward the first. - -"Nothing can be done with this woman," said the first; "she is mad." - -"No; she is a mother," replied the other, and dragged his companion -away. - -When she saw them leaving her, the woman Tison seemed to come back to -herself. - -"Where are you going?" cried she. "Are you going to rescue Héloïse? -Wait for me then; I will go with you. Wait for me; do wait for me!" - -And the poor wretch followed them, screaming, till at the corner of -the nearest street, she lost sight of them altogether; and not knowing -which way to turn, she remained for an instant undecided, looking on -every side, when seeing in the silence and darkness of the night only -a double symbol of death, she uttered a cry of horror and fell on the -pavement without sense or motion. - -The clock struck ten. - -During this time, and while the same hour was resounding from the -Temple clock, the queen as usual sat in her chamber, between her -daughter and her sister, near a smoky lamp. She was concealed from the -sight of the municipals by Madame Royale, who, pretending to embrace -her, was reading over again a small billet written on the smallest -piece of paper imaginable, and in characters so minute that her eyes, -already nearly blinded by her scalding tears, scarcely retained -strength to decipher it. - -The billet contained the following lines,-- - - "To-morrow, Tuesday, ask permission to walk in the garden; this will - be accorded without objection, as an order has been issued to grant - you this favor whenever you think proper to solicit it. After two or - three turns, feign to feel fatigued, approach the cabin, and ask the - Widow Plumeau to allow you to sit down. Then, in a moment, pretend to - feel worse, and faint away. They will then close all the doors that - they may be able to render you assistance, and you will remain with - Madame Elizabeth and Madame Royale. Immediately the trap-door of the - cellar will open. Precipitate yourself, your sister, and daughter - through this aperture, and you are all three saved." - -"_Mon Dieu!_" said Madame Royale, "does our evil destiny tire in the -pursuit?" - -"If this billet should prove only a trap," said Madame Elizabeth. - -"No, no," said the queen; "these characters have always indicated to me -the presence of a mysterious but equally brave and faithful friend." - -"Is it the Chevalier?" demanded Madame Royale. - -"He himself," replied the queen. - -Madame Elizabeth clasped her hands. - -"Let us each read the billet again very softly," replied the queen, "so -that if one of us forget any particular, another will remember." - -They all three re-read the letter, and had just finished so doing, -when they heard the door of their chamber turn slowly on its hinges. -The two princesses turned round; the queen alone remained stationary, -except that by an almost imperceptible movement she raised her hand to -her hair and hid the billet in her head-dress. It was a municipal who -opened the door. - -"What is your business, Monsieur?" demanded Madame Elizabeth and Madame -Royale, at the same moment. - -"Hum!" said the municipal, "it appears to me that you retire very late -to-night?" - -"Is there, then," said the queen, with her usual dignity, "a new decree -from the Commune, stating the hour at which I am to go to bed?" - -"No, Citizen," said the municipal; "but if necessary they will make -one." - -"In the mean time, Monsieur," said Marie Antoinette, "respect, I do not -say the chamber of a queen, but that of a woman." - -"Truly," growled the municipal, "these aristocrats always speak as if -they were something--" - -But in the mean time, subdued by that dignity, haughty in her -prosperity, but which three years of suffering had calmed down, he -withdrew. - -An instant afterward the lamp was extinguished, and the three females -retired in darkness, as usual. - -The next morning at nine o'clock, the queen, having re-read the letter -before she arose, in order that she might not misconstrue any of the -instructions contained there, tore it into almost invisible fragments. -She then hastily finished her toilet, awoke her sister, and entered the -chamber of the princess. - -A minute afterward she came out, and called the municipals on guard. - -"What do you want, Citizeness?" said one of them, appearing at the -door, while the other did not even discontinue his breakfast to answer -the royal appeal. - -"Sir," said Marie Antoinette, "I have just left my daughter's chamber, -and find her very ill. Her limbs are pained and swollen for want of -exercise; and you know, sir, it is I who have doomed her to this -life of inaction. I received permission to walk in the garden, but -in descending I had necessarily to pass before the door of the room -occupied by my husband in his lifetime. When I made the attempt my -heart failed me, and I had not courage to do so, and have since -limited my walks to the platform. Now, however, I find this exercise -insufficient for my poor child. I therefore entreat you, Citizen -Municipal, to request of General Santerre, in my name, the renewal of -this privilege." - -The queen had pronounced these words in a manner at once so mild, yet -dignified; had so strenuously avoided all allusions to anything that -could wound the feelings of the Republican,--that he who had entered -her presence with his head covered, as for the most part was the custom -of these men, gradually raised his red cap, and when she had finished, -said, bowing respectfully,-- - -"Rest assured, Madame, your request shall be laid before the citizen -general." - -Then on retiring, as if to convince himself he had yielded to justice -rather than weakness. "It is just," said he, "after all; it is only -right." - -"What is just?" demanded the other municipal. - -"That this woman should be permitted to walk in the garden with her -child, who is an invalid." - -"Bah!" said the other, "when she asks to be allowed to walk from the -Temple to the Place de la Révolution, that will be permitted her fast -enough." - -The queen heard these words, and grew pale, but still drew from them -fresh courage for the great attempt she meditated. - -The municipal finished his breakfast, and descended. The queen -requested permission to take hers in her daughter's room, which was -granted. - -Madame Royale, to confirm the statement concerning her ill-health, did -not quit her bed; the queen and Madame Elizabeth remained near her. - -At eleven o'clock Santerre arrived. His coming was, as usual, announced -by the drums beating the march, and by the entrance of a fresh -battalion and other municipals, who came in their turn to relieve those -on guard. - -When Santerre had fully reviewed the battalion leaving, and the one -about to take its place, and had paraded his large heavy-limbed horse -round the court of the Temple, he stood still for a moment. This was -for the purpose of receiving any claims, denunciations, or requests. - -The municipal, availing himself of this halt, approached him. - -"Well, what do you want?" said Santerre, bruskly. - -"Citizen," said the municipal, "I come to entreat on the part of the -queen--" - -"Who is the queen?" interrupted Santerre. - -"True!" said the municipal, astonished at his own mistake. "What have I -said--I must be mad! I came to speak on the part of Madame Veto--" - -"All in good time," said Santerre. "Now I understand you, what have you -to say to me?" - -"The young Veto is ill, it appears, from want of proper air and -exercise." - -"Well, is it necessary again to bring this before the public? The -nation granted her permission to walk in the garden, and she refused -it. Good-morning." - -"That is exactly it. She regrets this now, and requests you will permit -her to do so." - -"There is no difficulty about that. You all hear," said Santerre, "that -Capet's wife will come down to walk in the garden. Now," addressing the -whole battalion, "take care she does not abuse this favor granted her -by the nation, by making her escape over the wall; for if that happens -I will cut off every one of your heads." A roar of laughter followed -this pleasantry of the citizen general. "Now that is settled," said -Santerre, "adieu. I am going to the Commune. It appears that they have -reunited Roland and Barbaroux, and the question under debate is to -deliver them a passport to another world." - -It was this intelligence that had put the citizen general in such good -humor. - -He then galloped away. - -The battalion who were removing the guard followed him; then the -municipals also gave place to those who had received Santerre's -instructions respecting the queen. - -One of the municipals went up to Marie Antoinette and informed her -that the general had granted her request. - -"Oh!" thought she, looking through the window toward heaven, "does -thy wrath abate, Lord? and does thy terrible right hand grow weary of -pressing so heavily upon us?" - -"Thanks, Monsieur," said she to the municipal, with that fascinating -smile which had proved the ruin of Barnave, and turned the heads of so -many of his fellowmen,--"thanks!" - -Then turning round to her little dog, who leaped after her, walking on -his hind-legs, for he well understood from the looks of his mistress -that something unusual was about to take place,-- - -"Come, Jet," said she, "we are going for a walk." - -The little animal began to yelp and jump, and after looking at the -municipal attentively, comprehending, no doubt, that from this man -originated the intelligence which had made his mistress so happy, ran -toward him, and wagging his long and silky tail, ventured even to -caress him. - -This man, who perhaps might be insensible to the prayers of a queen, -could not resist the caresses of a little dog. - -"If only on account of this little beast, you should go out more -frequently, Citizeness Capet. Humanity commands us to take care of -every creature." - -"At what hour shall we go out, sir?" asked the queen. "Do you not think -the sun would do us good?" - -"You may go out when you please," said the municipal; "there has been -no restriction on the subject. If you like to go out at mid-day, as -that is the time they change the sentinels, there will be less bustle -in the court." - -"Then let it be at mid-day," said the queen, pressing her hand to her -side to still the beating of her heart. - -And she looked at this man, who appeared to her less stern than his -associates, and who, perhaps, for kindly yielding to the wishes of the -prisoner might fall a sacrifice to the conspiracy which they meditated. - -But at the moment when compassion was stealing over the heart of the -woman, the soul of the queen was aroused. She thought of the 10th of -August and of the corpses of her faithful friends strewed upon the -floors of the palace; she recalled to memory the 2d of September, and -the head of the Princess Lamballe carried on a pike before her windows; -she remembered the 21st of January when her husband died upon the -scaffold, the noise of drums drowning his feeble voice; finally, she -thought of her son, poor child! whose cries of distress had more than -once reached her ears when she had no power to render him help,--and -her heart became hardened. - -"Alas!" cried she, "misfortune is like the blood of the ancient -Hydras,--it teems with crops of future evils!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -THE LITTLE DOG JET. - - -The municipal left to call his colleagues and to read the -_procès-verbal_ left by the former municipals. - -The queen remained alone with her sister and child. They all three -looked at one another. Then Madame Royale threw her arms round the -queen, and warmly embraced her. Madame Elizabeth approached her sister, -and held out her hand. - -"Let us offer up our prayers to God," said the queen, "but in such a -manner that no one can hear us." - -There are fatal epochs when prayer, that natural hymn of praise which -God has implanted in every human heart, becomes suspicious in the eyes -of men, since prayer is an act of praise and acknowledgment for mercies -received. But in the ideas of her keepers hope and gratitude afforded -subject for inquietude; since the queen could hope only for flight, and -could thank God only for affording her the means of effecting it. - -This mental prayer concluded, all three remained without uttering a -word. - -Eleven o'clock struck, then twelve. At the moment when the last stroke -resounded from the bronze bell, the noise of arms was heard on the -spiral staircase ascending to the queen. - -"They are relieving sentinels," said she; "they come for us." - -She saw her sister and daughter turn very pale. - -"Courage!" said she, trembling herself with emotion. - -"It is noon," cried a voice from below. "Bring down the prisoners." - -"We are here, gentlemen," replied the queen, who, with a sentiment -almost of regret, took a parting glance at the black walls and the -rude appurtenances which had been more or less the companions of her -captivity. - -The first wicket opened, they gained the corridor, which, being dark, -enabled the three captives to conceal their emotions. Before them -frolicked little Jet; but when they arrived at the second,--that is -to say the door from which Marie Antoinette endeavored to turn her -eyes,--the faithful little animal first placed his nose to the ground, -then laid his head upon his paws, and gave utterance to a succession of -plaintive cries which terminated in a prolonged howl. - -The queen passed on quickly, not having strength sufficient to recall -her dog, and supported herself against the wall. - -After advancing a few steps, her limbs refused their office, and she -felt herself compelled to stop. Her sister and daughter approached her, -and for a few moments the three females remained motionless, forming -a melancholy group, the mother resting her face upon the head of her -daughter, when little Jet rejoined them. - -"Well!" cried the voice, "is she coming down or not?" - -"We are coming," said the municipal, who had remained standing, -respecting the queen's grief, so great in its simplicity. - -"Come," said the queen, and again continued to descend. - -When the prisoners had reached the bottom of the winding stair opposite -the last door, under which the sun shed his rays of bright gold, the -rolling of the drum was heard summoning the guard; then a profound -silence, the effect of curiosity, ensued, and the massive door opened, -revolving slowly upon its creaking hinges. - -A woman was seated on the ground, or rather on the corner of the stone -contiguous to this door. It was the woman Tison, whom the queen had -not seen for four and twenty hours, and whose absence at supper the -preceding evening and at their morning's meal had excited her surprise. - -The queen already saw the light, the trees, the garden, and beyond -the barrier which enclosed the garden her eyes eagerly sought the -little hut of the canteen, where her friends doubtless awaited her; -when, at the sound of footsteps, the woman Tison removed her hands, -and the queen beheld a pale and care-worn face beneath a mass of gray -dishevelled locks. - -The change wrought in these few hours was so great that the queen stood -overwhelmed with astonishment. - -Then, with the deliberation peculiar to those deficient in reason, the -woman Tison knelt down before the door, impeding the passage of Marie -Antoinette. - -"What do you want, my good woman?" demanded the queen. - -"He said it was necessary that you should pardon me." - -"Who said so?" demanded the queen. - -"The man in the mantle," replied the woman Tison. - -The queen looked at Madame Elizabeth and her daughter, surprised at -this appeal. - -"Go along, go!" said the municipal; "let the Widow Capet pass; she has -permission to walk in the garden." - -"I know it," said the old woman; "that is why I came to wait for her -here, since they will not allow me to go up; and as I had to ask her -forgiveness, I was obliged to wait for her coming out, to see her." - -"But why then are you not permitted to go up?" demanded the queen. - -The woman began to laugh. - -"Because they pretend that I am mad," said she. - -The queen looked at her and saw indeed that the wild eyes of the -unhappy being reflected a strange light,--that vague light denoting -aberration of intellect. - -"Good Heaven!" said she. "Poor woman! what has happened to you?" - -"Happened! Do you not know?" said the woman; "but if--You know very -well, since it was on your account she was condemned." - -"Who?" - -"Héloïse." - -"Your daughter?" - -"Yes, she, my poor child!" - -"Condemned! by whom; how; why?" - -"Because she sold a bouquet." - -"What bouquet?" - -"A bouquet of carnations. She is not a flower-girl, though," continued -the old woman, as if endeavoring to collect her thoughts; "then how -could she sell the bouquet?" - -The queen shuddered; an invisible link connected this scene with her -present situation. She understood that the time must not be lost in -useless conversation. - -"My good woman," said she, "allow me to pass, I entreat you; you can -tell me all this by-and-by." - -"No, now; you must pardon me, and I must assist you to escape, that he -may save my daughter." - -The queen turned as pale as death. - -"My God!" murmured she, raising her eyes to heaven, then turning toward -the municipal,-- - -"Sir," said she, "have the kindness to remove this woman; you see that -she is mad." - -"Come, come, mother," said the municipal; "decamp!" - -But the woman clung to the wall, still reiterating,-- - -"She must pardon me, that he may save my daughter." - -"But who is he?" - -"The man in the mantle." - -"Sister," said Madame Elizabeth, "try to console her." - -"Oh, willingly," said the queen; "I believe, indeed, that will be the -shortest way;" then turning toward the mad woman,-- - -"What do you desire, good woman?" said she. - -"I wish you to pardon me all the suffering I have caused you by my -unjust behavior; all the accusations I have made against you; and trust -that when you see the man in the mantle, you will command him to save -my daughter; for he will do all that you desire." - -"I do not know whom you mean by the man in the mantle," said the queen; -"but if all that is necessary to your peace of mind is to obtain my -pardon for the offences you imagine you have committed against me, I -freely forgive you, my poor woman, from the depths of my heart, and -trust only that any one I may have offended will as sincerely pardon -me." - -"Oh!" cried the woman Tison, with an indescribable accent of joy, "he -will save my child, since you have forgiven me. Your hand, Madame! your -hand--" - -The queen astonished, and at a loss to comprehend the meaning, -presented her hand to the woman, who seized it, and ardently pressed it -to her lips. - -At this moment the hoarse voice of a hawker was heard in the Rue de -Temple. - -"Here," cried he, "is the judgment and decree condemning Héloïse Tison -to the penalty of death for the crime of conspiracy!" - -Scarcely had these words reached the ears of the woman Tison, than -rising from her knees, with an air of dogged resolution, she extended -her arms to impede the passage of the queen. - -"O God!" cried the queen, who had not lost one word of the hawker's -terrible cry. - -"Condemned to death!" cried the mother; "my child condemned!--my -Héloïse lost! He has not then saved her, and now he cannot save her! -Too late! too late!" - -"Poor woman," said the queen, "believe me, I feel for you." - -"You!" said she, looking at her fiercely with her blood-shot eyes. "You -pity me? Never! never!" - -"You are mistaken. I pity you from my heart; but do pray allow me to -pass." - -The woman burst into a hoarse laugh. - -"Let you pass? No, no! I would have assisted you to escape, because -he promised if I did so and asked your forgiveness he would rescue my -daughter; but since she is condemned to death you shall not escape." - -"Gentlemen!" cried the queen, "help! Do you not see that this woman is -mad?" - -"No, I am not mad; I know well what I am saying!" cried the woman. -"It is the truth,--there was a conspiracy, and Simon discovered all. -It was my poor daughter who sold the bouquet. She confessed it before -the Revolutionary Tribunal--A bouquet of carnations--They had papers -concealed in them." - -"Madame," exclaimed the queen, "in the name of Heaven!" - -The voice of the crier was again heard, repeating,-- - -"This is the judgment and decree condemning the girl Héloïse Tison to -the punishment of death for the crime of conspiracy!" - -"Do you hear it?" screamed the lunatic, around whom the National Guards -had now gathered; "do you hear? Condemned to death; it is you who have -killed my daughter--you, Austrian, you!" - -"Gentlemen," said the queen, "for pity's sake, if you will not release -me from this poor mad creature, allow me at least to return to my -apartments. I cannot support the reproaches of this woman; unjust -though they are, they crush my heart," and she turned away, sighing -deeply. - -"Yes, yes; weep, hypocrite!" cried the maddened wretch; "your bouquet -cost her dear--She might have known it. Thus it is with all those who -serve you. You bring misery, Austrian, everywhere! Your friends are -dead,--your husband and your defenders have all perished,--and now they -will sacrifice my unhappy child! When will your turn come, that no more -may die for you?" And the miserable creature accompanied these last -words with threatening gestures. - -"Unhappy woman!" observed Madame Elizabeth, venturing to speak, "do you -forget that she whom you address is the queen?" - -"The queen!" repeated the maniac, whose madness every moment increased, -"if she is the queen, let her defend my poor girl from the hangmen -who seek her life--Let her show mercy to my poor Héloïse!--Kings show -mercy--Render me back my child, and I will acknowledge you as queen. -Till then, you are only a woman, and a woman who brings misery upon -all, and kills all--" - -"Oh, have pity, Madame!" cried Marie Antoinette; "you see my tears and -distress," and she again made an attempt to pass, no longer from any -hope of escape, but to free herself from this cruel attack. - -"You shall not pass!" roared the old woman. "You want to escape, Madame -Veto--I know it all, the man in the mantle told me; you want to go -and rejoin the Prussians. But you shall not escape," continued she, -clasping the robe of the queen; "I will prevent you. _À la lanterne_, -Madame Veto! To arms, citizens! let us march--" - -And with her arms wrestling, her grizzled locks dishevelled and hanging -over her haggard countenance, her eyes blood-shot, the unfortunate -creature fell to the ground, in her fall tearing the robe she still -held in her hand. - -The queen, terrified, but freed at last from the maniac, was flying -to the side of the garden, when all at once a terrible cry resounded, -mingled with loud barking, and accompanied with a strange uproar, -arousing the National Guards from their stupor, who, attracted by the -uproar, immediately surrounded Marie Antoinette. - -"To arms! to arms! Treason!" shouted a man, whom from his voice the -queen recognized as the shoemaker Simon. - -Near this man, who, sword in hand, guarded the threshold of the cabin, -little Jet was barking furiously. - -"To arms! every one to his post!" cried Simon; "we are betrayed. Compel -the Austrian to turn back. To arms! to arms!" - -An officer ran up, when Simon spoke to him, pointing with enraged -gestures to the interior of the hut. The officer in his turn then cried -"To arms!" - -"Jet! Jet!" called the queen, advancing some steps. - -But the dog only continued to bark more furiously. - -The National Guard ran to arms, and rushed toward the hut, while the -municipals took possession of the queen, her daughter, and sister, and -compelled them to re-enter the wicket, which they closed behind them. - -"Prepare your arms!" cried the municipals to the sentinels. And the -sound of firearms being made ready for action was heard. - -"It is there! it is there!" cried Simon, "under the trap. I saw it -move, I am certain of it. Besides, the Austrian's dog, a good little -animal who was not in the plot, barked at the conspirators, who are no -doubt still in the cellar. Hold! he barks again." - -Indeed, Jet, instigated by Simon's cries and shouts, began to bark -again more strenuously than before. - -The officer seized the ring of the trap, but seeing he was unable to -raise it, two of the gendarmes went to his assistance, but without the -slightest success. - -"You perceive they hold the trap-door from below. Fire through the -trap-door, my friends, fire!" said Simon. - -"Oh!" cried Madame Plumeau, "you will break my bottles." - -"Fire!" repeated Simon, "fire!" - -"Be silent, brawler!" said the officer, "bring some hatchets, and open -the planks. Now let a platoon make ready, and fire into the trap-door -the instant an opening is made." The groaning of planks and a sudden -jerk informed the National Guards that some movement was taking place -in the interior. Directly afterward they heard a motion under ground, -like an iron portcullis being closed. - -"Courage!" cried the officer to the sappers, who worked indefatigably. - -The hatchets severed the planks. Twenty guns were lowered in the -direction of the opening, which enlarged every moment. - -But through the aperture no one could be seen. - -The officer lighted a torch and threw it into the cave. It was empty. - -They then raised the trap-door, which now offered no resistance. -"Follow me!" said the officer, bravely leaping down the steps. - -"Forward! forward!" cried the National Guards, following the example of -their officer. - -"Ah! Madame Plumeau," said Simon, "you lend your cellar to aristocrats!" - -The wall was broken down; the humid soil had been trampled by numerous -feet; and a conduit of three feet wide and five feet high, like the -branch of a trench, plunged in the direction of Rue de la Corderie. -The officer ventured into this opening, resolved to follow these -aristocrats into the bowels of the earth; but when he had advanced -three or four steps he found all farther progress impeded by an iron -grating. - -"Halt!" cried he, to those who were closely pressing behind him; "we -can proceed no farther until this portcullis is removed." - -"Well," said the municipal, who having placed the prisoners in security -anxiously awaited the news,--"well, what have you discovered?" - -"_Parbleu!_" said the officer, reappearing, "it was doubtless a -conspiracy; the aristocrats wanted to carry off the queen during her -walk, and she was probably in collusion with them." - -"Plague take it!" cried the municipal, "send some one for the Citizen -Santerre, and inform the Commune!" - -"Soldiers," said the officer, "remain in this cellar, and if any one -presents himself, kill him!" - -And the officer, having given this order, ascended the winding stair to -make his report. - -"Ah! ah!" said Simon, rubbing his hands, "ah! ah! will they still say -I am a fool? Brave Jet! Jet is a famous patriot; Jet has saved the -Republic. Come here, Jet, come!" - -And the brute who had coaxed the poor little dog, the moment he -approached him, raised his foot and kicked him to a distance of several -feet. - -"I like you, Jet," said he; "ah, you will cut your mistress's throat! -Come here, Jet, come!" - -But this time instead of obeying him, Jet ran away howling, on the road -toward the keep. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -THE MUSCADIN. - - -It was near two o'clock. Lorin was promenading up and down in Maurice's -room, while Agesilaus polished his master's boots in the antechamber, -only for the greater convenience of conversation the door remained -open, and during his walk Lorin often stopped and questioned the -official. - -"And you say, Citizen Agesilaus, that your master left home this -morning?" - -"Oh, upon my soul! yes." - -"At the usual hour?" - -"It might be ten minutes earlier, or ten minutes later, I cannot say -exactly." - -"And you have not seen him since?" - -"No, Citizen." - -Lorin continued his walk, and after three or four turns again stopped -and renewed his questions. - -"Had he his sword with him?" demanded he. - -"When he goes to the section he invariably carries it." - -"Are you sure he has gone to the section?" - -"He told me so, at least." - -"In that case I shall join him," said Lorin; "but in case I miss him, -tell him I have been here, and am coming back." - -"Wait!" said Agesilaus. - -"Why?" - -"I hear his footstep on the staircase." - -Almost at the same moment the door opened, and Maurice entered. Lorin -bestowed a hasty glance upon him, and perceived nothing extraordinary -in his appearance. - -"So you are come at last," said he. "I have been waiting here these two -hours." - -"So much the better," said Maurice, smiling; "that has afforded you -plenty of time to compose distichs and quatrains." - -"Alas! _mon ami_," replied the improvisator, "I do not make them now." - -"Why, is the world coming to an end?" - -"My dear Maurice, I am very unhappy." - -"You unhappy?" - -"Yes, I am miserable. I am suffering from remorse." - -"Remorse?" - -"Oh, by Heaven! yes," said Lorin. "Between you and her I had to -choose!--between you and her I could not hesitate; but, you see, -Arthémise is in despair, for she was her friend." - -"Poor girl!" - -"And it was she who gave me her address--" - -"You would have done much better to have allowed things to take their -natural course." - -"Yes; and at this very moment you would have been condemned in her -stead. Powerfully argued, dear friend. And I came to ask your advice! I -thought you were wiser than that." - -"Never mind, ask away." - -"This poor girl: do you understand? I wish to attempt some means of -saving her. Even if I could only give or receive a blow in her defence, -I feel as if it would do me good." - -"You are mad, Lorin," said Maurice, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Perhaps if I made an appeal to the Revolutionary Tribunal?" - -"It is too late, she is condemned." - -"Truly," said Lorin, "it is dreadful to see this poor girl sacrificed -thus." - -"The more so since it was my safety that has entailed her death. But -after all, Lorin, we have one consolation. She was a conspirator." - -"Goodness!" said Lorin, "does not every one conspire nowadays? She has -done no more, poor girl, than every one else does." - -"Grieve for her neither too much, nor too loudly, my friend," said -Maurice, "for we have to bear our share in this trouble. Believe me, we -are not so fully cleared from the accusation of being her accomplices, -that no stain remains behind. To-day, at the section, I was termed -'Girondin,' by the Captain of the Chasseurs of Saint Leu; and I, at the -same time, found it necessary to convince him by a stroke from my sword -that he was mistaken." - -"Then that was the reason you returned so late?" - -"Just so." - -"But why did you not inform me?" - -"Because in affairs of this nature you cannot restrain yourself, and -the thing had to be concluded immediately, that it might make no noise." - -"And that scum called you 'Girondin,' Maurice,--you, a thoroughbred -Republican?" - -"By Jove, he did! and this will convince you that another adventure of -this nature and we become unpopular; and you well know, Lorin, in these -times unpopular is a synonymous term for _suspected_." - -"I know it well," said Lorin; "and that word appalls the bravest heart; -but never mind--It is repugnant to my feelings to allow this poor -Héloïse to be led to the guillotine without asking her forgiveness." - -"What do you wish to do?" - -"I wish you to remain here; you have nothing to reproach yourself -with, so far as she is concerned. With me, you see, the case is very -different. Since I can do nothing for her, I will meet her on her way. -I wish to go there, Maurice; do you comprehend me? Were she to give me -only a wave of her hand--" - -"I will accompany you then," said Maurice. - -"Impossible, my friend: you are a municipal, secretary to a section, -and you have just been tried, while I have only I been your defender. -They would think you guilty, therefore remain here. As for me, it is -quite another thing. I risk nothing, and therefore go." - -"Go then," said he, "but be prudent." - -Lorin smiled, shook Maurice's hand, and left. - -Maurice opened his window, and waved a sad adieu; but before Lorin -had turned the corner of the street, Maurice could not help gazing -wistfully at him more than once, and each time, as if drawn by magnetic -influence and sympathy. Lorin turned round, looked at him, and smiled. - -At last, when the latter had disappeared at the corner of the quay, -Maurice closed the window, threw himself into a fauteuil, and fell into -one of those dreamy moods which in people of strong mind and vigorous -constitution are often the presentiments of misfortune, as they -resemble the calm which is the precursor of the storm. He was softly -awakened from his revery, or rather state of stupor, by his official, -who, on returning from the execution of some commission, entered with -the sprightly air of a servant anxious to communicate his budget of -news. Seeing his master preoccupied, however, he dared not interrupt -him, and consoled himself by constantly passing and re-passing before -him, without any reasonable cause for so doing. - -"What is it?" at length said Maurice; "speak, if you have anything to -tell me." - -"Ah! Citizen, another desperate conspiracy." - -Maurice merely shrugged his shoulders. - -"A conspiracy enough to make the hair of one's head stand upright," -continued Agesilaus. - -"Indeed!" replied Maurice, like a man accustomed to hear daily of -thirty conspiracies at this epoch. - -"Yes, Citizen," replied Agesilaus; "it drives me to frenzy, you see. -The very thought of it makes a good patriot's flesh creep." - -"Let us hear this conspiracy," said Maurice. - -"The Austrian has all but escaped." - -"Nonsense!" said Maurice, beginning to listen with greater attention. - -"It seems," continued Agesilaus, "that the Widow Capet was in -communication with the girl Tison, who is to be guillotined to-day. She -has not escaped that fate, unfortunate creature!" - -"How had the queen communication with this girl?" demanded Maurice, who -felt the perspiration exuding at every pore. - -"Through a carnation. Can you imagine, Citizen, how they could have -conveyed the plan to her in a carnation?" - -"In a carnation? Who did this?" - -"Monsieur le Chevalier de--wait then! His name is notorious, but as for -me, I forget all these names. A Chevalier de Chateau--what a fool I am! -It is not a Chateau--a Chevalier de Maison." - -"De Maison-Rouge?" - -"That is it." - -"Impossible!" - -"How impossible? when I told you they have found the trap-door, the -subterranean passage, and coaches." - -"On the contrary, you have told me nothing of all this." - -"Well, I am going to tell you, then." - -"Go on, then. If it is a story, it is at least a good one." - -"No, Citizen, it is not a story, very far from it; and in proof of -that, I had it from a citizen porter. The aristocrats had dug a mine, -and this mine commenced at Rue de la Corderie, and terminated in -the cellar of the little cabin belonging to Madame Plumeau, who has -narrowly escaped being arrested as an accomplice. You know her, do you -not?" - -"Yes," replied Maurice; "go on!" - -"Capet's wife was to escape by the subterranean passage. She already -had her foot on the first step, when Simon caught her by her robe-- -But stay, they are beating to arms in the city, and the recall in -the sections. Do you not hear the drum? There! It is said that the -Prussians are at Dammartin, and have reconnoitred as far as the -frontiers." - -In the midst of this maze of words, a medley of truth and falsehood, -probability and impossibility, Maurice seized the guiding thread. -All sprung from the carnation presented before his eyes to the -queen, and purchased by himself from the poor miserable flower-girl. -This carnation contained the plan of a plot which had just come to -light, the details of which, more or less true, had been reported -by Agesilaus. At this moment the noise of the drum came nearer, and -Maurice heard the crier proclaim in the street,-- - -"Tremendous conspiracy discovered at the Temple by the Citizen Simon! -Grand conspiracy in favor of the Widow Capet discovered at the Temple!" - -"Yes, yes," said Maurice; "it is just as I thought. There is some truth -in all this. And Lorin, in the midst of this popular excitement, goes -to offer his hand to this girl and be cut to pieces." - -Maurice snatched up his hat, buckled his sword-belt, and with two -bounds was in the street. - -"Where can he be?" said Maurice to himself. "Probably on the road to -the Conciergerie," and he rushed toward the quay. - -At the extreme end of the Quai de la Mégisserie some pikes and -bayonets, bristling in the midst of the crowd, attracted his attention, -and he fancied in the centre he could distinguish the uniform of a -National Guard, and in the group signs of hostile movements. He ran, -his heart oppressed with the dread of impending misfortune, toward the -assemblage on the banks of the river. - -The National Guard pressed by the company of Marseillais was Lorin. He -was very pale, his lips compressed, his eyes menacing; his hand upon -the handle of his sword, measuring the place best calculated to strike -the blows he fully intended to inflict on his cowardly assailants. - -Within two feet from Lorin stood Simon. He was laughing ferociously, -and pointing him out to the Marseillais and the populace, saying,-- - -"Look at him! look well at him! He is one of those that I drove from -the Temple yesterday for an aristocrat. He is one of those who favored -the correspondence with the carnations. This is an accomplice of the -girl Tison, who will pass here presently. Well, do you see?--he walks -quietly on the quay while his coadjutor goes to the guillotine; and -perhaps she was even more to him than an assistant. She might be his -mistress, and he is here to bid her farewell, or to try to save her!" - -Lorin was not the man to endure more. He drew his sword. At the same -time the crowd opened before a man who charged headlong into the group, -whose broad shoulders had already knocked down two or three spectators -who were preparing to become actors in this scene. - -"Be happy, Simon," said Maurice. "You regretted, no doubt, that I was -not with my friend to enable you to turn your new title of Denunciator -to full account. Denounce! Simon, denounce! I am here." - -"Faith! yes," said Simon, with his hideous sneer; "and your arrival -is very apropos. This," continued he, "is the elegant Maurice Lindey, -who was accused at the same time as the girl Tison, but was acquitted -because he was rich." - -"To the lamp-post with them! to the lamp-post!" cried the Marseillais. - -"Yes, forsooth, you had better make the attempt!" said Maurice, and -advancing a step he pricked one of the foremost of the cut-throats in -the forehead, so that the blood from his wound nearly blinded him. - -"Have at the murderer!" cried the latter. - -The Marseillais lowered their pikes, raised their hatchets, and loaded -their guns, while the frightened crowd dispersed, leaving the two -friends to contend alone against this storm of blows. They regarded -each other with a last sad, yet sublime smile, while calmly awaiting -their destruction from the whirlwind of iron and flame which threatened -them, when all at once the door of the house against which they were -leaning opened, and a swarm of young people, attired in the habits of -those termed "Muscadins," or "Fops," each wearing a sword and brace of -pistols in his girdle, rushed upon the Marseillais, and were instantly -engaged in a terrific contest. - -"Hurrah! hurrah!" cried Maurice and Lorin, simultaneously, animated by -this unexpected relief, without reflecting that to fight in the ranks -of the new-comers was to confirm Simon's accusation,--"Hurrah!" - -But if they were forgetful of their own safety, another thought for -them. A short young man, about five-and-twenty years of age, with blue -eyes, who fought without any intermission, with infinite science and -valor, with a heavy sword which any one would have thought his delicate -and feminine hand incapable of wielding, perceiving that Maurice and -Lorin, instead of escaping by the door which he seemed to have left -open for that purpose, remained fighting by his side, turned to them -and said in a low voice,-- - -"Fly directly through this door; pay no attention to what we do here, -or you will uselessly compromise yourselves." - -Then, seeing the two friends hesitate, he suddenly cried, addressing -himself to Maurice, "Away! no patriots among us, Citizen Lindey; we are -aristocrats here!" - -At these words, united to the audacity which would induce a man -publicly to accuse himself of what at this period must lead to certain -death, the crowd uttered a loud shout. - -But the fair young man and two or three of his friends, without -evincing any symptoms of alarm, pushed Maurice and Lorin into the -alley, and closed the door behind them. They then threw themselves into -the mêlée, which was now considerably augmented by the approach of the -fatal cart. - -Maurice and Lorin, thus miraculously saved, regarded each other in -amazement. The outlet seemed to have been designed for the express -purpose of their escape. They entered a court, and at the end -discovered a small private door which opened into Rue Saint Germain -l'Auxerrois. - -At this moment a detachment of gendarmes issued from Pont-au-Change, -who had soon swept the quay, although, from the cross-street where our -two friends had concealed themselves, they heard for an instant the -noise of an obstinate struggle. These gendarmes preceded the cart which -conducted the hapless Héloïse to the scaffold. - -"Gallop!" cried a voice,--"gallop." - -The cart proceeded at a quick pace, and Lorin saw the unfortunate girl -standing, a smile upon her lips, and calm reliance in her eye, but -was unable to exchange even a gesture with her, as she passed without -seeing him, in the midst of a perfect maelstrom of people, shouting,-- - -"To the guillotine with the aristocrat! to the guillotine!" - -The noise decreased in the distance till it reached the Tuileries. -Then the little door through which Maurice and Lorin had escaped, -again opened, and three or four Muscadins, with their clothes torn and -stained with blood, passed through. It was probably all that remained -of the little troop. The fair young man went through the last. - -"Alas!" said he, "this cause is then accursed!" and casting from him -his sword, notched and bloody, he rushed toward Rue des Lavandières. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -THE CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE. - - -Maurice hastened to return to the section to enter a complaint against -Simon. It is true that before quitting Maurice, Lorin had found a more -expeditious way; this was to collect some Thermopyles to lie in wait -for him, and on his first exit from the Temple to kill him in a pitched -battle. But Maurice strenuously opposed this plan. - -"You are ruined," said he, "if you make use of these means. Crush -Simon, but do it legally. That ought to be an easy thing enough to the -lawyers." - -Consequently, the next morning, Maurice laid a formal complaint before -the section, but was both astonished and annoyed when the president -turned a deaf ear, excusing himself by saying he could not interfere -between two good citizens, each incited by the love of country. - -"Good," said Maurice. "I know now how to act to merit the reputation of -a good citizen. To assemble the people in order to assassinate a man -who displeases you: this you call being 'incited by love of country.' -Well, I agree to Lorin's opinion, which I was wrong to dispute. -After to-day, as you hear, I shall adopt patriotism, and shall first -experiment upon Simon." - -"Citizen Maurice," replied the president, "you are, after all, perhaps -more to blame in this affair than Simon. He discovered a conspiracy, -which it was not his province to do. You saw nothing, although -the discovery formed part of your duty; and more, you have held -communication--accidentally or intentionally, we know not which--with -the enemies of the nation." - -"I?" said Maurice. "Well, this is something new. And with whom, pray, -Citizen President?" - -"With the Citizen Maison-Rouge." - -"I?" said Maurice, stupefied. "I had communication with the Chevalier -de Maison-Rouge? I do not know him--I never--" - -"You have been seen speaking to him." - -"I?" - -"Shaking his hand." - -"I?" - -"Yes." - -"Where? When, Citizen President?" said Maurice, carried away by the -firm conviction of his own innocence. "You have lied!" - -"Your zeal for your country carries you too far, Citizen Maurice;" said -the president, "and you will regret what you have said, when I tell you -I can prove that I have advanced nothing but the truth. Here are three -different reports accusing you." - -"Now," said Maurice, "do you really think me simple enough to believe -in your 'Chevalier de Maison-Rouge'?" - -"And why should you not believe it?" - -"Because it is only the ghost of a conspirator, with whom you always -have a conspiracy ready to amuse your enemies." - -"Read the denunciations." - -"I will read nothing," said Maurice. "I protest I have never seen the -Chevalier,--never spoken to him. Let any one who doubts my word of -honor come and tell me so. I shall know how to answer him." - -The president shrugged his shoulders. Maurice, who did not wish to -be in arrears with any one, did the same. An air of gloomy silence -pervaded the remainder of the sitting. After the meeting was concluded, -the president, a stanch patriot raised to the highest rank in the -district by the votes of his fellow-citizens, approached Maurice, and -said,-- - -"Come, Maurice, I want to speak to you." - -Maurice followed the president, who conducted him into a little cabinet -adjoining that where the sittings were held. On arriving there, he -regarded Maurice for a moment in silence; then placing his hand on his -shoulder,-- - -"Maurice," said he, "I knew and esteemed your father; this makes me -esteem and love you. Believe me, you incur great danger from want of -faith,--the first falling off of a truly revolutionary spirit. Maurice, -my friend, they who lose their faith also lose their fidelity. You -do not believe in the enemies of the nation, therefore you pass near -without seeing them, and become an instrument in their plots without -being aware of it." - -"What, the devil!" said Maurice, "I know, Citizen, I am a man of -feeling, and possess some share of patriotic zeal; but my zeal does -not render me a fanatic. There are twenty pretended conspiracies, to -which the public assign the same name. I demand once for all to face my -accuser." - -"You will not believe in conspirators, Maurice," said the president; -"then tell me, do you believe in the red carnation for which Héloïse -Tison was yesterday guillotined?" - -Maurice started. - -"Do you believe in the subterranean passage drilled under the Temple -garden communicating through the cellar of Citizen Plumeau with a -certain house in the Rue de la Corderie?" - -"No," said Maurice. - -"Then do as Thomas the Apostle did,--go and see." - -"I am not on guard at the Temple, and they would not allow me to enter." - -"Any one may enter the Temple now." - -"How is that?" - -"Read this report, since you are so incredulous. I shall only proceed -by official information." - -"Ah!" said Maurice, reading the report, "has it come to this?" - -"Continue." - -"Are they going to remove Marie Antoinette to the Conciergerie?" - -"They are; and do you think that from a dream, or what you call an -imaginary idea or an idle story, the Committee of Public Safety would -have adopted so grave a measure?" - -"This measure has been adopted; but will never be executed, like many -more I have seen sanctioned and all--" - -"Read to the end," said the president, and he presented him with the -last paper. - -"The receipt of Richard, the jailer of the Conciergerie!" cried Maurice. - -"She has been there these two hours." This time Maurice remained deep -in thought. - -"The Commune, as you know," continued the president, "acts with -profound judgment. It is digging a furrow long and straight in its -course; its measures are not puerile, and it has put in execution the -principle of Cromwell,--'Kings should be struck on the head.' Read this -secret note from the minister of police." - -Maurice read,-- - - "Seeing that we possess the certainty that the _ci-devant_ Chevalier - de Maison-Rouge is in Paris; that he has been seen in several places; - that he has left traces of his appearance in various plots, happily - frustrated,--I request all chiefs of sections to redouble their - vigilance--" - -"Well?" asked the president. - -"I must believe you, Citizen President," said Maurice, and he -continued,-- - - "Description of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge: In height, five feet - three inches; fair hair, blue eyes, straight nose, chestnut-colored - beard, dimpled chin, soft voice, and hands like a female's." - -At this description a strange light burst upon Maurice; he thought -of the young man who commanded the troop of Muscadins, and who on -the preceding evening saved the lives of himself and Lorin, and so -valiantly drew his sword upon the Marseillais in their defence. - -"The deuce!" muttered Maurice, "it must be he; in that case the -accusation that I have been seen speaking to him is not false. But I -cannot remember taking his hand." - -"Maurice," asked the president, "what do you say to all this, now, my -friend?" - -"That I believe what you have said," said Maurice, musing sadly, who -for some time past, without understanding what evil influence saddened -his life, had noticed everything darkening around him. - -"Do not trifle thus with popularity," said the president. "In these -days, Maurice, popularity is life. As for unpopularity, it is to be -suspected of treason; and the Citizen Maurice Lindey ought not to brook -the suspicion of being a traitor." - -Maurice had nothing to reply to sentiments so much in accordance with -his own. He thanked his old friend and left the section. - -"Ah!" murmured he, "there is too much suspicion and battling. Now," -drawing a deep breath,--"now for peace, innocence, and joy; now to -Geneviève," and Maurice took the road to the old Rue Saint Jacques. - -When he reached the abode of the master-tanner, Dixmer and Morand -were supporting Geneviève, who was suffering from a violent attack of -hysterics. Thus, instead of being allowed to enter unceremoniously as -he was accustomed to do, a servant met him in the passage. - -"Announce me, at all events," said he, "and if Dixmer cannot -conveniently receive me, I will retire." - -The domestic entered the little pavilion, while Maurice remained in -the garden. It seemed to him that something strange was going on in -the house, and the workmen, instead of being occupied in their usual -employment, were pacing restlessly about the garden. At length Dixmer -himself appeared. - -"Come in, dear Maurice," said he,--"come in; you are not one of those -against whom the door is closed." - -"What is the matter?" inquired the young man. - -"Geneviève is ill," said Dixmer; "indeed, more than ill,--she is -delirious." - -"Gracious Heaven!" cried the young man, overcome at again encountering -trial and suffering; "what, then, is the matter with her?" - -"You are aware, my friend," said Dixmer, "one never knows anything -concerning the illness of women, especially their husbands." - -Geneviève was lying on a lounge; near her stood Morand, offering her -some salts, which she smelled occasionally. - -"Well?" asked Dixmer. - -"Always the same thing," replied Morand. - -"Héloïse? Héloïse?" murmured the young woman, from between her closed -teeth and white lips. - -"Sophie!" repeated Maurice, in much surprise. - -"Oh, my God! yes," replied Dixmer, greatly affected; "Geneviève most -unfortunately saw the cart pass yesterday conveying the unhappy girl to -the scaffold. Since then she has had five or six attacks of hysterics, -and keeps on continually calling upon Sophie." - -"But the most astonishing thing of all is, that in her she recognized -the girl who sold the carnations, which you already know about," said -Morand. - -"Certainly, I know about them," said Maurice, "since in consequence of -them I very narrowly escaped having my head cut off." - -"Ah! we have heard all that, dear Maurice, and, believe me, we have not -been slightly alarmed; but Morand was at the sitting, and saw you fully -acquitted and liberated." - -"Silence!" said Maurice; "she again speaks." - -"Oh, those empty, unintelligible words!" exclaimed Dixmer. - -"Maurice," murmured Geneviève; "they are going to kill Maurice. Rescue -him, Chevalier,--rescue him!" A profound silence followed these words. - -"Maison-Rouge," again murmured Geneviève; "Maison-Rouge!" - -Maurice felt a slight suspicion, but he could make out nothing clearly, -and was too much affected by the suffering of Geneviève to attend much -to her words. - -"Have you called in a physician?" demanded Maurice. - -"Oh, it will prove nothing," said Dixmer; "a momentary delirium, that -is all," and he shook his wife so violently by the arm that she -revived, and uttering a shrill cry, opened her eyes, which till now had -remained closed. - -"Ah, you are both here, and Maurice with you. Oh, I am so glad to -see you, dear friend; if you knew what I have--" she corrected -herself--"what we have suffered for the last two days." - -"Yes, we are all here," said Maurice; "have no more terror on that -account. But there is one name above all others you must not accustom -yourself to pronounce, seeing that at this moment it does not bear a -very high repute." - -"What name?" quickly demanded Geneviève. - -"The Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -"Have I named the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" inquired Geneviève, -bewildered. - -"Without doubt you have," said Dixmer, with a forced laugh; "but -understand, Maurice, there is nothing surprising in that, since it is -said he was an accomplice with the girl Tison, and that it was he who -concocted the whole plan of escape so happily frustrated yesterday." - -"I do not say there is anything surprising in it," said Maurice; "I -only say he should keep himself well concealed." - -"Who?" demanded Dixmer. - -"Zounds! The Chevalier de Maison-Rouge. The Commune seeks for him; and -their bloodhounds have a fine scent." - -"Provided that, before they arrest him," said Morand, "he has not -accomplished some new enterprise that may succeed better than the last." - -"At all events," said Maurice, "it will not be in favor of the queen." - -"Why not?" demanded Morand. - -"Because she is henceforth shielded from his bold attempts." - -"Where is she then?" inquired Dixmer. - -"At the Conciergerie," replied Maurice; "she was taken there this -evening." - -Dixmer, Geneviève, and Morand uttered a cry which Maurice mistook for -one of surprise. - -"Thus you see," continued he, "adieu to the Chevalier's plans for the -queen. The Conciergerie is more secure than the Temple." - -Morand and Dixmer exchanged looks unperceived by Maurice. - -"Ah!" exclaimed Maurice, "Madame Dixmer has turned faint again." - -"Geneviève!" said Dixmer, "you must go to bed, my child; you suffer." - -Maurice took the hint. He respectfully kissed Geneviève's hand, and -quitted the house. Morand left with him, and accompanied him as far as -the old Rue Saint Jacques, where he parted with him to exchange some -words with a man, a superior sort of domestic, who held a horse ready -saddled and bridled. Maurice was so much occupied with his own thoughts -that he did not even ask the man's name; indeed, he and Morand had not -exchanged a word since they quitted the house together. - -Maurice took the road to Rue des Fossés Saint Victor, and gained the -quay. - -"It is strange," said he, walking on. "Is my mind weakened, or are -these events assuming undue importance? Everything appears to me as -if viewed through a magnifying glass." And to recover his equanimity, -Maurice leaned over the parapet of the bridge and presented his face to -the breeze. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE PATROL. - - -As he lost himself in these reflections, and leaning over the parapet -of the bridge, enjoyed a melancholy pleasure in gazing on the dark -still water, he heard the measured tread of a little troop, like that -of a patrol. Maurice turned round; it was a company of the National -Guard, arrived by the other extremity, and in the obscurity he fancied -he recognized Lorin. It was he, indeed. The instant he saw his friend -Maurice he ran toward him with open arms. - -"Found at last," cried Lorin. "Faith, it is not without some trouble -that we have rejoined you. - - "'But since I find a friend so fond, - My fate assumes an aspect new.' - -This time you will not complain, I hope, for I have given you Racine -instead of Lorin." - -"But what do you do here as patrol?" inquired Maurice, anxiously. - -"I am the chief of the expedition, old fellow; the business is to -establish our blemished reputation upon its original footing." Then -turning toward his company, "Carry arms! Present arms! Shoulder arms!" - -"There, my lads, it is not yet sufficiently dark, so you can talk over -your little affairs while we follow your example." Then turning to -Maurice, "I have heard great news at the section to-day," continued -Lorin. - -"What!" - -"First, that you and I are beginning to be suspected." - -"I know it. What next?" - -"Secondly, that the whole conspiracy of the carnations was conducted by -the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -"I know that also." - -"But this you do not know,--that the conspiracy of the carnations and -that of the subterranean passage are one and the same." - -"Again, I know it." - -"Then let us pass on to the third piece of news. This I am certain you -cannot know. We go this night to capture the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -"To take the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" - -"Yes." - -"Have you then turned gendarme?" - -"No; but I am a patriot. A patriot belongs to his country. Now my -country is horribly ravaged by this Chevalier, who forms plot upon -plot. Well, my country commands me, being a patriot, to free her from -this Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, who distresses her horribly, and I obey -my country." - -"It is all the same," said Maurice; "but it is singular that you should -be charged with this commission." - -"I am not charged; I charge myself, or rather, I should say, I -solicited the commission. It required a brilliant stroke to reinstate -us in our former position; while our re-establishment will not only -prove security for our lives, but still more the right of putting, at -the very first opportunity offered, six inches of steel into the belly -of that hideous Simon." - -"But how are they sure it was the Chevalier who was the instigator of -this subterranean plot?" - -"They are not yet certain, but they presume so." - -"You proceed, then, upon inference?" - -"No; we proceed by certainty." - -"How do you make out all this?" - -"Listen." - -"I am listening." - -"I had scarcely heard the cry 'Grand conspiracy discovered by the -Citizen Simon,'--that beast Simon (the wretch is everywhere),--than -I wished to judge of the truth for myself. Then, they spoke of a -subterranean passage." - -"Does it really exist?" - -"It does; I have seen it; - - "'Seen it with both my eyes; that I call seeing,--' - -There, why do you not hiss?" - -"Because that is Molière; and besides, these events, I must confess, -appear to me rather too serious for pleasantry." - -"What can we jest about, if we do not jest about serious things?" - -"You say, then, that you have seen it?" - -"I repeat that I have seen the subterranean passage. It extends from -the cellar of the Widow Plumeau to a house in the Rue de la Corderie, -No. 12 or 14, I cannot remember which." - -"Really? Have you passed through it, Lorin?" - -"I have, the whole length; and, faith, it is a trench prettily cut, I -assure you; and moreover it was divided by three iron gratings, which -they have been obliged to remove one after the other, but which, in -case these conspirators had succeeded, would have given them time, by -sacrificing two or three of their number, to have placed Madame Widow -Capet in a place of safety. Happily it is not so, and that hideous -Simon discovered all!" - -"But it appears to me," said Maurice, "those who ought to have been -first arrested were the inhabitants of the house in the Rue de la -Corderie." - -"This would have been, had they not found the house perfectly -uninhabited." - -"But at least this house must belong to some one?" - -"Yes, to a new proprietor; but no one knows who. They know the house -changed masters two weeks since, and that is all. The neighbors have -often heard a noise; but the house being very old, they had imagined it -was undergoing thorough repair. As to the late proprietor, he has left -Paris. In the mean time I arrived." - -"'Upon my word!' said I to Santerre, drawing him aside, 'you are in an -awkward situation.' - -"'Indeed we are,' replied he. - -"'This house has been sold, has it not?' - -"'Yes, it was, about a fortnight ago.' - -"'Was it sold in the presence of a notary?' - -"'Yes.' - -"'Then we must search all the notaries in Paris, to discover which of -them sold this house, and then make him produce the agreement, at the -bottom of which will be found the name of the purchaser.' - -"'Well and good!' said Santerre, 'that is capital advice, and coming -too from a man they accuse of not being a good patriot. Lorin! Lorin! I -will re-establish you, or may the foul fiend seize me!' - -"To be brief," continued Lorin, "this was no sooner said than done. The -notary was sought for, the act was found, and upon the agreement the -name and domicile of the culprit were written. Then Santerre took me -aside, and I have engaged to arrest him." - -"Was this man the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" - -"No, only his accomplice,--that is to say, in all probability he was -so." - -"Then how is it you say you are going to arrest the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge?" - -"We are going to arrest them all together." - -"Do you, then, know this Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" - -"Perfectly." - -"Have you seen the description of him?" - -"By thunder! Santerre gave it to me. Five feet two or three inches, -fair hair, blue eyes, straight nose, etc.; besides, I have seen him." - -"When?" - -"This very day." - -"You have seen him?" - -"And so have you." - -Maurice started. - -"The short, fair young man who rescued us this morning,--he who -commanded the troop of Muscadins, and struck so hard." - -"Was that the Chevalier?" demanded Maurice. - -"Himself. They followed and lost him in the environs of the domicile of -our proprietor of the Rue de la Corderie, so that we surmise they live -together." - -"It seems probable." - -"It is certain." - -"But it seems to me, Lorin," added Maurice, "that if this evening you -arrest him who rescued you this very morning, you are much wanting in -gratitude." - -"Go along, then," said Lorin; "why, you don't suppose he saved us for -our own sakes, do you?" - -"For what else, then?" - -"Not at all; they were in ambush to carry off the poor girl, Héloïse -Tison, as she passed to the scaffold. Our cut-throats embarrassed them, -so they fell upon the cut-throats; that was the whole of it. We have -been saved by a _contre-coup_. Now, as the intention is everything, and -there was no intention, I have nothing to accuse myself with on the -score of ingratitude. Besides, do you see, Maurice, the capital point -is necessity; and the necessity is that we should reinstate ourselves -by some brilliant achievement. And then I have promised for you." - -"To whom?" - -"To Santerre; he knows that you command this expedition." - -"How can that be?" - -"'Are you sure of arresting these criminals?' said he to me. - -"'Yes,' I replied; 'if Maurice is with me.' - -"'But are you sure of Maurice? For some time he has been looked upon as -rather lukewarm.' - -"'Those who say so are totally deceived. Maurice is no more lukewarm in -the cause than I am myself.' - -"'And you will answer for his fidelity?' - -"'As for my own.' I then went to your house, but could not find you -at home. I took this road first because it lay in my way, and then I -remembered it was the one you usually frequented; so at last we have -met. Forward! March! - - "'Where Victory leads us still onward we go, - Ever joyfully singing we'll face every foe.'" - -"My dear Lorin, I am in despair. I do not feel the slightest taste for -this expedition. Say that you were not able to find me." - -"Impossible! all our men have seen you." - -"Well, then, say you met me, and I was not willing to join you." - -"Again impossible." - -"But why so?" - -"Because this time you will not only be considered lukewarm, but a -_suspect_; and you well know the fate of _these suspects_. They are -conducted to the Place de la Révolution, and are there invited to -salute the statue of Liberty; only instead of saluting with the hat -they substitute the head." - -"Well, Lorin, I hardly care how soon this fate may befall me; but -without doubt it seems strange to you to hear me say so." - -Lorin opened his eyes wide, and looked at Maurice. - -"Well," said Maurice, "I am weary of life." - -Lorin burst into a roar of laughter. - -"Ah! ah!" said he, "we have had a quarrel with our beloved, and that -fills us with melancholy ideas. Come, my handsome Amadis! let us return -to the man, and from that we shall pass to the citizen. As for me I -am never a better patriot than when I am embroiled with Arthémise. -Apropos, her Divinity the Goddess Reason charged me with a thousand -gracious messages for you." - -"Pray thank her for me. Adieu, Lorin." - -"Adieu! how adieu?" - -"Yes, I am going." - -"Where are you going?" - -"I am going home." - -"Maurice, you will ruin yourself." - -"I laugh at the idea." - -"Maurice, reflect; my friend, reflect!" - -"I have done so." - -"I have not repeated all--" - -"What?" - -"That Santerre said to me." - -"What did he say?" - -"When I asked for you to be chief of this expedition, he said to me, -'Take care!'" - -"'Of whom?' - -"'Of Maurice.'" - -"Of me?" - -"Yes, Maurice; and he also added, 'he often goes into that quarter?'" - -"Into what quarter?" - -"Into that of Maison-Rouge." - -"How?" cried Maurice, "is it here he hides himself?" - -"They fancy so, since it is here his supposed accomplice resides, the -purchaser of the house in the Rue de la Corderie." - -"Faubourg Victor?" demanded Maurice. - -"Yes; Faubourg Victor." - -"And in what street?"-- - -"In the old Rue Saint Jacques." - -"O God!" murmured Maurice, as if struck by a thunderbolt. And he -pressed his hand before his eyes. But after a moment's interval, during -which he had collected all his courage,-- - -"What trade?" said he. - -"A master-tanner." - -"His name?" - -"Dixmer." - -"You are right, Lorin," said Maurice, by a violent effort controlling -his emotion; "I will go with you." - -"And you do well; are you armed?" - -"I always carry my sword." - -"Take also this pair of pistols." - -"And you?" - -"I have my gun. Carry arms! Shoulder arms! Forward! March!" - -The patrol commenced its march, accompanied by Maurice, who walked -near Lorin. They were preceded by a man dressed in gray, who directed -their movements. This was an agent of police. - -From time to time a shadow might be seen emerging from the angles of -the streets or the doors of the houses, who exchanged some words with -the man in gray. This was the inspector. On arriving at the little -street, the man in gray did not hesitate for an instant. He was well -instructed, and entered the street at once. Before the door of the -garden where Maurice had been so nearly garroted, he stopped. - -"It is here," said he. - -"What is here?" demanded Lorin. - -"It is here we shall find the two principals." - -Maurice supported himself against the wall; he felt as if he were -sinking to the ground. - -"Now," said the man in gray, "there are three entrances,--the principal -entrance, this one, and another which leads into a pavilion. I shall -enter with six or eight men through the principal entrance, in the mean -time keep guard here with four or five men, and place three sure men at -the entrance of the pavilion." - -"I will get over the wall," said Maurice, "and watch in the garden." - -"The very thing," said Lorin, "as from the interior you can open the -door to us." - -"Willingly," said Maurice, "but do not clear the passage, or come, -till I call you. All that passes in the interior I shall see from the -garden." - -"You are acquainted with the house, then?" demanded Lorin. - -"Some time back I wished to buy it." - -Lorin proceeded to conceal his men in the corners of the hedges and -angles of the doors, while the agent of police retired with six or -eight National Guards to force his way by the principal entrance. In -an instant the noise of their receding steps ceased in the distance, -without having awakened the least suspicion. Maurice's men were at -their post, and did their best to keep concealed. One would have -declared that everything was perfectly quiet, and that nothing -extraordinary was passing in the old Rue Saint Jacques. Maurice then -began to climb the wall. - -"Listen," said Lorin. - -"To what?" - -"The countersign." - -"Right." - -"'Carnation and Vault.' Stop all those who cannot give these three -words. Permit all to pass who can. This is the password." - -"Thanks," said Maurice, dropping from the top of the wall into the -garden. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -THE PASSWORD. - - -The first blow was terrible. It indeed required all Maurice's -self-command to enable him to conceal from Lorin how powerfully he was -affected by these startling events; but once in the garden, once alone -in the silence of night, his mind became more calm, and his ideas, -instead of running disordered through his brain, became once more under -the control of reason. - -What! this house that Maurice had so often visited with the purest -pleasure; this house which had formed for him a paradise on earth,--was -in reality only a den of sanguinary intrigues. The kind and flattering -receptions bestowed on his ardent friendship resulted then from sheer -hypocrisy; the love of Geneviève from fear. - -The plan of the garden is well-known, our readers having more than once -followed our young folks there. Maurice glided from bush to bush till -he was shaded from the moon's rays by the little conservatory where he -had been imprisoned previous to his first introduction to the house. -This conservatory was opposite the pavilion inhabited by Geneviève. -But this evening, instead of gleaming stationary from her chamber, -the light moved frequently from one window to another. Maurice saw -Geneviève through the curtain, evidently raised by accident, hastily -packing some things in a portmanteau, and with astonishment beheld some -weapons in her hands. He raised himself upon a post to enable him to -see farther into the room. A large fire was blazing on the hearth, -where Geneviève was destroying papers. - -At this moment the door opened and a young man entered the room. -At first Maurice imagined this man was Dixmer. The young woman ran -toward him, seized his hands, and they both stood facing each other -for a moment, evidently influenced by some deep emotion. What this -emotion meant he could not divine, as their words did not reach his -hiding-place. But all at once Maurice measured his height with his eye. - -"This is not Dixmer," murmured he. Indeed, the man who had entered was -small and delicate, while Dixmer was tall and masculine. Jealousy is an -active stimulant, and in a second he had compared the figure of this -man with that of her husband. - -"This is not Dixmer!" murmured he, compelled as it were to repeat it, -to convince himself of the perfidy of Geneviève. - -He approached still nearer to the window, but the nearer he came the -less he saw. His brain was on fire. He stumbled on a ladder; the window -was seven or eight feet high. He seized the ladder, and planting it -firmly against the wall, ascended and placed his eye at an aperture in -the curtain. - -Geneviève's unknown visitor was a fair young man, about twenty-six or -twenty-seven years of age, with blue eyes, and an elegant demeanor; he -retained both the young woman's hands within his own, and was speaking -soothingly, endeavoring fruitlessly to assuage the grief of Geneviève, -which was plainly evinced by the tears which suffused her charming -countenance. A slight noise, accidentally made by Maurice, caused the -young man to turn his face toward the window. Maurice suppressed a cry -of astonishment, he recognized his mysterious deliverer of the Place -du Châtelet. At this moment Geneviève withdrew her hands from those of -the unknown, and went toward the fireplace to ascertain that the papers -were utterly consumed. - -Maurice could no longer command his indignation. All those fierce -passions which torture the heart of man--love, vengeance, and -jealousy--lacerated him with their fangs of fire. He at once threw open -the ill-closed casement, and vaulted into the chamber. At the same -moment two pistols were pressed to his breast. - -Geneviève, who had turned round at the noise, on perceiving Maurice -stood speechless. - -"Sir," said the young Republican, coldly, to him who had a double hold -on his life, "you are the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -"And what if I am?" replied the Chevalier. - -"It is this: you are a brave man, and consequently a cool one, and I -would say two words to you." - -"Say on," said the Chevalier, without lowering his pistols. - -"You can kill me; but you cannot do so before I have uttered a cry, -or rather I will not die without giving an alarm. Should I do so, the -thousand men who surround this house will have reduced it to ashes ere -the lapse of ten minutes; so lower your pistols and listen to what I -have to say to the lady." - -"To Geneviève?" said the Chevalier. - -"To me?" murmured the young woman. - -"Yes, to you." - -Geneviève, pale as a statue, seized Maurice's arm; but he repulsed her -coldly. - -"You know what you affirmed, Madame," said Maurice, with profound -contempt. "I now see that you told the truth. You indeed do not love -Monsieur Morand." - -"Maurice! hear me," said Geneviève. - -"I have nothing to hear, Madame; you have severed with a single stroke -every cord that united my heart with your own. You told me you did not -love Morand, but you did not tell me you loved another." - -"Sir," said the Chevalier, "what say you of Morand; or rather of what -Morand do you speak?" - -"Of Morand the chemist." - -"Morand the chemist stands before you. Morand the chemist is the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -And extending his hand toward the table, he in an instant resumed the -black wig which for so long a period had concealed him from the young -Republican. - -"Ah, yes," said he, with redoubled disdain,--"yes, I understand. It -is not Morand that you love, since Morand does not exist; but the -subterfuge, for all its acuteness, is none the less contemptible." - -The Chevalier made a threatening movement. - -"Sir," said Maurice, "permit me to speak a moment with the lady; join -in the conversation if you like; it will not be long, I assure you." - -Geneviève, with a gesture, asked Maison-Rouge to have patience. - -"Thus, Geneviève, thus," continued Maurice, "you have made me a -laughing-stock to my friends and a curse to my party. You have rendered -me, blind fool that I was, an instrument in all your plots and an easy -tool in your hands. Listen! It was an infamous deed; but you will be -punished, Madame, for in five minutes this man, who is going to kill me -before your eyes, will be lying dead at your feet; or if his life be -spared, it will only be to lose his head upon the scaffold." - -"He die!" cried Geneviève; "he lose his head upon the scaffold! But you -do not know then, Maurice, that he is my protector, and that of my -family; that I will give my life for his; that if he dies I will die; -and that if you are my love, he is my religion!" - -"Ah!" said Maurice, "perhaps you still mean to pretend that you love -me. Really, women are sadly weak and contemptible." - -Then turning to the young Royalist,-- - -"Now, sir," said he, "you must either kill me or die yourself." - -"Why so?" - -"Because, if you do not kill me, I shall arrest you." - -Maurice extended his hand to seize him by the collar. - -"I shall not dispute my life with you," said the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge; and he flung his pistols on a chair. - -"And why do you not dispute your life?" - -"Because my life is not equivalent in value to the remorse I should -experience in feeling that I had killed a brave man, and more than all -since Geneviève loves you." - -"Ah!" cried the young woman, clasping her hands, "you are always kind, -great, loyal, and generous, Armand!" - -Maurice regarded them both, almost stupefied with astonishment. - -"One moment," said the Chevalier, "allow me to return to my chamber. -I give you my word of honor it is not to escape; I wish to conceal a -portrait." - -Maurice turned his eyes quickly toward that of Geneviève; it hung in -its place. Perhaps the Chevalier divined Maurice's thoughts, or perhaps -he wished to try his generosity to the utmost. - -"Come," said he, "I know you are a Republican, but I know also that you -possess a pure and loyal heart. I will trust you to the end. Look!" - -And he drew a miniature from his breast, and displayed it to Maurice. -He beheld before him the portrait of the queen. Maurice bowed his head, -and rested his forehead on his hand. - -"I await your orders, sir," said Maison-Rouge; "if you desire my -arrest, knock at this door when it is time for me to give myself up. I -care not for my life from the moment it is not sustained by the hope of -saving my queen." - -The Chevalier quitted the room without a gesture from Maurice offering -to detain him. - -As he left the chamber Geneviève cast herself at the young man's feet. - -"Pardon, Maurice," sobbed she,--"pardon for all the evil I have done. -Forgive my deception; forgive me, if only on account of my tears and -suffering, for believe me I have wept much and suffered much. My -husband left me this morning; I know not where he is gone, and perhaps -I may see him no more. And now I have only one friend left,--nay more -than friend, a brother,--and you will destroy him. Pardon, Maurice, -pardon!" - -Maurice raised the young woman. - -"What would you?" said he. "There is fatality in all this. Every one -stakes his life in these days; the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge has played -like all the rest, but he has lost the game, and he must therefore pay." - -"That means that he must die, if I understand you rightly?" - -"Yes." - -"He must die; and it is you who tell me this?" - -"It is not I, Geneviève; it is fatality." - -"Fatality has not uttered its last word, since you can save him." - -"At the expense of my word, and consequently of my honor. I comprehend, -Geneviève." - -"Shut your eyes, Maurice; that is all I ask; and as far as a woman may -evince her gratitude I will promise you mine." - -"I should close my eyes to little purpose, Madame; there is a password -given, and without this password no one could go out. Besides, the -house, as I have told you, is surrounded." - -"And you know the word?" - -"Certainly I know it." - -"Maurice!" - -"Well?" - -"Dear friend Maurice, tell me this password; I must know it." - -"Geneviève," cried Maurice, "do you mean to say to me, 'Maurice, for -the love I bear you, sacrifice your word and your honor, betray your -cause, abjure your opinions.' What do you offer me, Geneviève, in -exchange for all this, you who tempt me thus?" - -"Oh, Maurice, save him, save him first! and then ask of me my life." - -"Geneviève," replied Maurice, in a desponding tone, "hear me! I have -one foot on the road to infamy; before I make a final descent I wish at -least to find a sufficient excuse for so doing. Geneviève, swear to me -you do not love the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge!" - -"I love him as a sister and a friend; not otherwise, I swear." - -"Geneviève, do you love me?" - -"Maurice, I do love you; it is true, as God now hears me." - -"If I do what you ask me, will you abandon relatives, friends, country, -and fly with the traitor?" - -"Maurice! Maurice!" - -"She hesitates! Oh, she hesitates!" - -And he turned from her with all the violence of disdain. Geneviève, who -was leaning upon him, feeling suddenly her support give way, fell upon -her knees. - -"Maurice," said she, wringing her hands, "I will swear to do all that -you require of me. Order, and I will obey." - -"You will be mine, Geneviève?" - -"I will." - -"Swear it, by Christ." - -Geneviève extended her arms. - -"My God," cried she, "thou didst pardon one poor woman who had gone -astray; I trust in thy mercy that thou wilt also pardon me." - -And the great tears rained down her cheeks, falling upon her long hair -hanging dishevelled on her bosom. - -"Not thus!" said Maurice, "swear not thus! or I cannot accept that -oath." - -"O Heaven!" replied she, "I swear to devote my life to Maurice, to die -with him, and if requisite, for him, if he will save my friend, my -brother, my protector, the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -"'T is well: he shall be saved," said Maurice. - -And he went toward his chamber. - -"Sir," said he, "resume your costume of the tanner Morand; I return -your parole, you are free. And you, Madame," said he turning to -Geneviève, "this is the password, 'Carnation and Vault.'" And as if -horrified to remain in the chamber where he had pronounced the words -which constituted him a traitor, he opened the window, and sprang from -the room into the garden below. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -THE SEARCH. - - -Maurice had returned to his post in the garden, opposite the window of -Geneviève, only it was now quite dark, she having left her apartment to -enter that of the Chevalier. - -It was time Maurice returned, for scarcely had he reached the corner -of the conservatory when the garden-door opened, and the man in gray -appeared, followed by Lorin, and five or six gendarmes. - -"Well?" asked Lorin. - -"You see I am at my post," said Maurice. - -"And no one has attempted to force past you?" said Lorin. - -"No one," replied Maurice, happy to escape by an evasion, from the way -in which the question was put to him. "No one. And what have you done?" - -"Why, we have acquired the certainty that the Chevalier entered the -house an hour ago, and has not left it since," replied the agent of -police. - -"Do you know his chamber?" said Lorin. - -"His room is only separated from that of Madame Dixmer by a corridor." - -"Ah! ah!" said Lorin. "It appears this Chevalier de Maison-Rouge is a -gallant." - -Maurice felt the hot blood rush to his forehead; he closed his eyes, -yet saw a thousand internal lights. - -"Well, but Citizen Dixmer, what said he to that?" asked Lorin. - -"Why, he thought himself highly honored." - -"Come," said Maurice, in a choking voice; "upon what do we decide?" - -"We have decided," said the police agent, "to arrest him in his -chamber, perhaps in his bed." - -"He does not, then, suspect anything?" - -"Absolutely nothing?" - -"What is the ground plan?" inquired Lorin. - -"We have an exact plan," said the man in gray. "A pavilion situated -at a corner of the garden, there it is; you ascend four steps--do you -see them here?--and find yourself on a landing; to the right is the -apartment of Madame Dixmer,--no doubt it is that of which we see the -window. Facing this window, at the back part, is a door opening on -the corridor, and in this corridor the entrance to the chamber of the -traitor." - -"Well, with so careful a specimen of topography," said Lorin, "we -might, I think, easily find our way blindfold, much more with our eyes -open. Come on!" - -"Are the streets well guarded?" said Maurice, with an interest which -the assistants very naturally attributed to his fear lest the Chevalier -should escape. - -"The streets, the passages, even the crossings," said the man in gray. -"I defy any one to pass who has not the watchword." - -Maurice shuddered; all these precautions being taken, made him fear -that he had uselessly parted with his honor to add to his happiness. - -"Now," said the man in gray, "how many men do you require to secure the -Chevalier?" - -"How many men?" said Lorin. "I hope Maurice and I are sufficient for -that. Are we not, Maurice?" - -"Yes," murmured the municipal, "we are certainly sufficient." - -"Listen!" said the police agent; "no vain boasting. Do you mean to take -him?" - -"Zounds! Do we mean it?" said Lorin; "I should think so! We are -bound to take him, are we not, Maurice?" Lorin laid a stress upon -these words, for as he had truly said, suspicion began to settle -upon them; and it was not wise to allow time for suspicion, which -marched with such rapid strides at this epoch, to assume a firmer -consistence, for Lorin well knew that no one would presume to doubt -the stanch patriotism of any two men who had captured the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge. - -"Well, then," said the police agent, "if you are in earnest, better -take three men than two, and four than three, with you. The Chevalier -invariably sleeps with pistols under his pillow, and his sword on a -table by his side." - -"Deuce take it!" said one of the gendarmes of Lorin's company. "Let -us go in, without standing on ceremony who should enter first. If he -resists, we will cut him to pieces; if he surrender, we will reserve -him for the guillotine." - -"Well said!" exclaimed Lorin; "do we go in by the door or the window?" - -"By the door," said the agent of police; "it may be the key is in the -lock, while if we enter by the window we must break some panes, and -that would make a noise." - -"On for the door, then!" said Lorin; "as long as we enter, it little -matters how. Forward! sword in hand, Maurice." - -Maurice mechanically drew his sword from the scabbard, and the little -troop advanced toward the pavilion. The information of the man in gray -proved perfectly correct; they first found the steps, then the landing, -and at last entered the vestibule. - -"Ah!" cried Lorin, joyfully, "the key is in the door." In short, -extending his hand in the dark, his fingers had encountered the cold -key. - -"Then open it, Citizen Lieutenant," said the man in gray. - -Lorin cautiously turned the key in the lock. The door opened. Maurice -wiped the perspiration from his brow. - -"We shall find him here," said Lorin. - -"Not yet," said the man in gray; "if our chart is correct, this is the -apartment of Citizeness Dixmer." - -"We can soon ascertain that," said Lorin; "light a wax candle; there is -some fire in the grate." - -"Light the torches," said the man in gray, "they are not so soon -extinguished as candles," at the same time taking two torches from the -hand of a gendarme, which he lighted by the dying embers. He placed one -in the hand of Maurice, the other in that of Lorin. "You see," said he, -"I was not deceived; here is the door opening into Citizeness Dixmer's -sleeping apartment, and here the one opening into the corridor." - -"On, for the corridor!" said Lorin. They opened the door at the farther -end, which was not more firmly secured than the first, and found -themselves fronting the door of the Chevalier's chamber. Maurice had -seen this door twenty times before, and never thought of inquiring -where it led to. All his world was centred in the room where he was -received by Geneviève. - -"Oh! oh!" said Lorin, in a low voice, "here we must change our tactics; -no more keys, and the door locked." - -"Are you," asked Maurice, hardly able to articulate, "sure that he is -here?" - -"If our plan is correct, he ought to be here," replied the police -agent; "besides, we shall soon see. Gendarmes, force open the door; -and you, citizens, hold yourselves in readiness, and the instant the -door is opened, dash into the chamber!" - -Four men, selected by the emissary of police, raised the butt-ends -of their muskets, and on a signal from the man who conducted this -enterprise, gave one blow all together, when the door flew into a -thousand fragments. - -"Surrender, or you are a dead man!" cried Lorin, rushing into the -chamber. - -No one replied, and the curtains of the bed were closely drawn. - -"Mind the bed!" said the emissary of police; "at the first movement of -the curtains, fire!" - -"Wait!" said Maurice, "I will open them." - -And no doubt in the hope that the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge might be -concealed behind them, and that it would be his lot to meet the first -stab or pistol shot, Maurice hastily pulled apart the curtains, which, -creaking along the iron rod, left the tenantless bed exposed to view. - -"The devil!" exclaimed Lorin, "there is no one here." - -"He must have escaped," murmured Maurice. - -"Impossible, citizens, impossible!" cried the man in gray. "I tell you -he was seen to enter here an hour ago, and no one has been seen to go -out, and all the outlets from the garden are well guarded." - -Lorin opened the cabinets, the wardrobes, and looked everywhere, even -where it was physically impossible that a man could be concealed. - -"You see, however, that no one is here." - -"No one!" repeated Maurice, with an emotion easily understood,--"you -see no one is here." - -"To the chamber of Madame Dixmer," said the police agent, "perhaps he -may be there?" - -"Oh!" said Maurice, "respect the chamber of a woman." - -"Certainly we will respect it," said Lorin, "and Madame Dixmer also, -but for all that we must visit it." - -"Then," said Maurice, "permit me to pass first." - -"Pass on, then," said Lorin, "you are captain: honor the powers that -be," and leaving two men to guard the apartment, they returned to -that where they had lighted the torches. Maurice approached the door -opening into the chamber of Geneviève. It was the first time he had -ever entered there. His heart beat violently. The key was in the door. -Maurice laid his hand upon the key, but still hesitated. - -"Well," said Lorin, "open!" - -"But," said Maurice, "if Madame Dixmer should be in bed?" - -"We shall look in her bed, under her bed, in the chimney, in the -wardrobes, and then if we find no one there but herself, we shall wish -her good-night," said Lorin. - -"No, not so," said the police agent; "we shall arrest her; Citizeness -Geneviève Dixmer is an aristocrat who has been recognized as an -accomplice of the girl Tison and the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge." - -"Open it yourself, then," said Maurice, "I do not arrest women." The -agent of police looked at Maurice, sideways, and the men murmured among -themselves. - -"Oh, you grumble, do you?" said Lorin; "then you shall have two to -grumble about. I am of Maurice's opinion," and he made a step backward. - -The man in gray seized the key, opened the door, and the soldiers -rushed into the chamber. Two wax lights burned upon a little table, but -the chamber of Geneviève, like that of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, -was uninhabited. - -"Empty!" cried the police agent. - -"Empty!" cried Maurice, turning pale; "where is she, then?" - -Lorin regarded Maurice with astonishment. - -"Let us search," said the agent of police, and closely followed by -the military, he began to rummage the house from the cellars to the -workshops. At length, when their backs were turned, Maurice, who had -followed them impatiently with his eyes, in his turn darted into the -chamber, opening the presses, which had already been opened, and -calling in a voice replete with anxiety, "Geneviève! Geneviève!" But -Geneviève made no reply; the chamber was indeed vacated. Then he began -to search the house in a species of frenzy, out-houses, conservatories, -sheds,--nothing was omitted, but all without success. - -Suddenly a noise was heard, a troop of armed men presented themselves -at the door, exchanged the password with the sentinel, entered the -garden, and dispersed themselves over the house. At the head of this -reinforcement waved the red plume of Santerre. - -"Well!" said he to Lorin, "where is the conspirator?" - -"How! where is the conspirator?" - -"Yes! I asked what have you done with him?" - -"I shall ask you that question. If your detachment had guarded the -outlets properly, ere this he must have been arrested, since he was not -in the house when we entered it." - -"What! do you mean to say," cried the furious general, "that you have -really allowed the Chevalier to escape?" - -"We could not allow him to escape since we have never taken him." - -"Then I can comprehend nothing," said Santerre. - -"Of what?" said Lorin. - -"Of the message you sent me by your envoy." - -"We sent you an envoy!" - -"Yes; a man in a brown coat, with black hair, and green spectacles, -who came from you to inform me you were on the eve of capturing -Maison-Rouge, but that he was defending himself like a lion; upon -hearing which I hastened to your assistance." - -"A man in a brown coat, black hair, and green spectacles?" repeated -Lorin. - -"Yes, with a female on his arm." - -"Young and pretty?" cried Maurice, glancing toward the general. - -"Yes, young and pretty." - -"It was he and Madame Dixmer," said Maurice. - -"What, he!" exclaimed Santerre. "Maison-Rouge! Oh, blockhead that I was -not to have killed them both! Come, Citizen Lindey, we may capture them -yet." - -"But how the devil," asked Lorin, "came you to let them pass?" - -"Zounds!" said Santerre, "I let them pass because they gave the -password." - -"They had the password?" exclaimed Lorin; "then there is surely a -traitor among us!" - -"No, no, Citizen Lorin; you are known, and we well know that there are -no traitors among you." - -Lorin looked around him as if to detect the miscreant, and publicly -proclaim his shame. He encountered the gloomy face and wandering eye of -Maurice. - -"Ah!" murmured he, "what means this?" - -"The man cannot be very far off," said Santerre; "let us search the -environs; perhaps he has fallen in with some patrol who, more wide -awake than we, did not allow themselves to be gulled so easily." - -"Yes, yes; let us search," said Lorin; and, under the pretence of so -doing, he seized Maurice by the arm, and drew him into the garden. - -"Yes, let us search," said the soldiers; "but before we search--" and -one of them flung his still burning torch into an adjacent shed, filled -with bundles of fagots and dried herbs. - -"Come," said Lorin, "come!" - -Maurice offered no resistance. He followed Lorin like a child; they -both ran as far as the bridge without speaking; there they stopped, and -Maurice turned round. The sky was red from the horizon to the Faubourg, -and above the houses ascended innumerable sparks. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -THE FIRE. - - -Maurice shuddered as he extended his hand toward the Rue Saint Jacques. - -"The fire!" said he,--"the fire!" - -"Yes," said Lorin, "the fire; what then?" - -"Gracious Heavens! if she has returned." - -"Who?" - -"Geneviève." - -"Geneviève means Madame Dixmer, does it not?" - -"Yes." - -"There is no danger of her return; she did not go away for that -purpose." - -"Lorin, I must find her. I will have my revenge." - -"Oh, oh!" said Lorin. - - "None can escape thy puissant sceptre, Love. - Thou reign'st on earth and in the heavens above." - -"You will assist me in my search, will you not, Lorin?" - -"Zounds! there will be no difficulty in that." - -"Why so?" - -"Without doubt, if you are so much interested, as to me you appear -to be, in Madame Dixmer's fate, you, being intimate with her, ought, -knowing her, also to know her friends. She has not quitted Paris; her -friends have every motive to stay; she has taken refuge in the house of -some confidential acquaintance, and to-morrow morning you will receive -a billet by some 'Rose,' or some 'Marton,' couched as follows,-- - - "Wouldst see again, my Mars, thy Venus true? - Borrow of Night her scarf of azure hue. - -And requesting you to present yourself at the porter's lodge, such a -number, such a street, and to inquire for Madame Three-stars; that is -all." - -Maurice shrugged his shoulders; he well knew there was no one with whom -Geneviève could take refuge. - -"We shall not find her," said he. - -"Will you permit me to say one thing, Maurice?" - -"What?" - -"That it will be no great misfortune if we should not find her." - -"If we do not, Lorin, I shall die." - -"The devil!" exclaimed the young man; "it was, then, of this love that -you lately so nearly died." - -"Yes," replied Maurice. - -Lorin reflected an instant. "Maurice," said he, "it is now nearly -eleven o'clock; this quarter is deserted; here is a stone seat, -particularly adapted for the reception of two friends. Accord me the -favor of a private interview, as they used to say, under the ancient -régime. I give you my word of honor that I shall speak only in prose." - -They seated themselves upon the bench. - -"Speak!" said Maurice, resting his aching head upon his hand. - -"Without exordium, periphrasis, or commentary, I tell you one thing, -old fellow,--it is this, that we are ruining ourselves, or rather that -you are ruining us." - -"How so?" demanded Maurice. - -"There is, my friend, a decree issued by the Committee of Public -Safety, which declares every man a traitor to his country who enters -into any relationship with the acknowledged enemies of the said -country. Eh! do you know this decree?" - -"To be sure I do," replied Maurice. - -"Well, it seems to me, you are not a vile traitor to your country. What -say you? as Manlius says." - -"Lorin!" - -"Undoubtedly; unless you believe that those idolize their country -who give house-room, bed, and board to Monsieur le Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge, who is not a high Republican, as I suppose, and has not -been accused at any time of having taken part in the days of September." - -"Ah! Lorin," said Maurice, sighing heavily. - -"Still, it appears to me," continued the moralist, "that you have been, -and still are, too intimate with the enemies of your country. Come! -Come, friend Maurice, do not rebel! you are like the whilom Enceladus; -you move a mountain each time you turn yourself." - -Lorin pronounced these words in the kindest manner possible, and -glossed them over with an artifice truly Ciceronian. - -Maurice merely made a gesture of dissent, but the gesture was unheeded, -and Lorin continued,-- - -"If we exist in a greenhouse temperature, a healthy atmosphere, -where, according to botanic rules, the barometer invariably points to -sixteen degrees, I should say, my dear Maurice, that this is elegant, -satisfactory; what though we are occasionally rather aristocratic, we -flourish and do well. But if scorched in a heat of thirty-five or forty -degrees, the sap burns, so that it rises slowly, and from the excess of -heat seems cold; when cold, then comes the blight of suspicion,--you -know this, Maurice,--and once suspected, you possess too much good -sense not to know what we shall be, or rather that ere long we shall -be no more." - -"Well, then," said Maurice, "they can kill me, and there will be an end -of me, for I am weary of my life." - -"For the last quarter of an hour," said Lorin; "indeed scarcely so long -that I should leave you to act according to your own pleasure on this -subject; and then to die now, it is necessary to die a Republican while -you would die an aristocrat." - -"Ah!" said Maurice, whose blood began to boil from impassioned grief, -resulting from the consciousness of his own criminality, "you go too -far, friend Lorin." - -"I shall go farther still, and forewarn you, that if you turn -aristocrat--" - -"You will denounce me?" - -"For shame! No. I will confine you in a cellar, and have you sought -after to the sound of the drum, like something lost; then I will -proclaim that the aristocrats, knowing what you had in reserve for -them, had seized, victimized, and starved you, so that, like Provost -Élie de Beaumont, Monsieur Latude, and others, when found, you will -be publicly crowned with flowers by the ladies of La Halle, and the -ragpickers of Section Victor. Make haste, then, to appear again an -Aristides, else your business is concluded." - -"Lorin! Lorin! I feel that you are right; but I am dragged along. I am -sliding down the precipice. Are you displeased with me, because my fate -drags me onward?" - -"I am not displeased with you, but I shall remonstrate with you. -Call to mind a few of the scenes enacted daily between Pylades and -Orestes,--scenes which prove beyond all doubt that friendship is a -paradox, since these model friends quarrelled without ceasing." - -"Leave me to my fate, Lorin, you had much better do so." - -"I will never abandon you." - -"Then, allow me to love, to be mad, at my ease; to be criminal, -perhaps, for if I again see her, I fear I shall kill her." - -"Or fall upon your knees. Ah, ah, Maurice, Maurice, to love an -aristocrat, I never could have credited it! It is like poor Osselin -with the Marquise de Charny." - -"No more, Lorin, I beseech you." - -"Maurice, I will cure you, or may the Devil take me! I do not wish you -to be drawn in the lottery of Saint Guillotine, as the grocer of the -Rue des Lombards observes. Maurice, you will exasperate me! Maurice, -you will render me bloodthirsty! I feel as if I wanted to set fire to -the isle of Saint Louis! A torch! a firebrand! - - "The toil were idle. Maurice, thy passion dire - Sufficient is Paris to set on fire." - -Maurice smiled in spite of himself. - -"You know," said he, "that it was agreed between us that we should -speak only in prose." - -"But you exasperate me with your folly," said Lorin. "Drink, Maurice, -become a drunkard, do anything, study political economy; but for the -love of Jupiter, let us fall in love with nothing but Liberty!" - -"Or Reason?" - -"Ah! that is true; by the way, the Goddess Reason talks much about you. -She thinks you are a charming mortal." - -"Are you not jealous?" - -"Maurice, to save a friend I feel capable of any sacrifice." - -"Thanks, my poor Lorin, and I truly appreciate your devotion; but the -best way to console me is to leave me to sate my grief. Adieu! Lorin, -go to your Arthémise." - -"And you; where are you going?" - -"I shall return home." - -And Maurice turned toward the bridge. - -"You live, then, in the direction of the old Rue Saint Jacques now?" - -"No; but it pleases me to go that way." - -"To look once again upon the place inhabited by your fair inconstant?" - -"To see if she has not returned where she knows I am awaiting her. Ah, -Geneviève! Geneviève! I could not have believed you capable of so much -deceit!" - -"Maurice, a tyrant who well knew the fair sex, since he died from -having loved them too well, said,-- - - "'Woe to the man who trusts his heart - To woman, changeful as the breeze.'" - -Maurice sighed, and the two friends took the road to the old Rue Saint -Jacques. - -As they approached they heard a great noise, and saw the light -increase; they listened to patriotic chants, which on a brilliant day -in the glorious sunshine, or in the atmosphere of combat, sounded like -hymns of heroism, but which by the red light of an incendiary fire -savored more of the diabolic incantations of drunken cannibals. - -"Oh, my God! my God!" cried Maurice, forgetting that God had been -abolished, as he wiped the perspiration from his face. - -Lorin watched him attentively and muttered,-- - - "Alas! when caught in Cupid's snare, - To Prudence we must bid adieu." - -All the inhabitants of Paris appeared moving toward the theatre of the -events we have just narrated. Maurice was obliged to cross a hedge -formed by the gendarmes, the ranks of the sections, then the impetuous -crowd of this always furious populace, at this epoch easily aroused, -and who ran howling from spectacle to spectacle without intermission. -As they approached, Maurice impatiently hastened his steps; Lorin, with -some trouble, kept close behind him, for he did not like to leave his -friend to himself at such a moment. - -It was nearly all over. The fire had communicated from the shed where -the soldier had flung his torch to the workshops, constructed of -planks so put together as to allow the free circulation of air; the -merchandise was consumed, and the house itself was now in flames. - -"O God!" said Maurice to himself, "if she has returned, should she find -herself in a chamber encircled by the devouring element, waiting for -me, calling on me--" and Maurice, nearly insensible from grief, liked -better to think of the folly of those he loved than of his treason. He -rushed headlong toward the door, of which he caught a glimpse through -the mass of burning flame. Lorin still followed him. He would have -followed him to the infernal regions. The roof was in flames; the fire -had now indeed commenced its work of destruction on the staircase. -Maurice hastened to visit the first floor, the parlor, the chamber -of Geneviève, of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, and the corridors, -calling, in stifled accents, "Geneviève! Geneviève!" - -No one replied. On returning from the search our two friends saw -volumes of flame now entering the door; but not heeding the shouts of -Lorin, who pointed to the window, Maurice passed through the flames, -then ran to the house, crossed, notwithstanding all impediments, a -court-yard strewed with broken furniture, searched the dining-room, -Dixmer's parlor, Morand's laboratory,--all filled with smoke, -fragments, and broken glass. The fire had reached this part of the -house, and the work of destruction would soon be complete. Maurice, -as in the pavilion, did not omit visiting a single chamber, or leave -unexamined even a corridor. He then descended to the cellars; perhaps -Geneviève had taken refuge from the fire there. He found no one. - -"Zounds!" said Lorin; "no one but a salamander could take refuge here, -and it is not that fabulous animal that you are in search of. Let us -go; we can make inquiry in this assemblage. Some one has perhaps seen -her." - -It needed all Lorin's force to drag away Maurice; hope still detained -him there. - -Then they commenced their investigation; they visited the environs, -stopped all the females who passed, searched all the alleys, without -any result. It was now one o'clock in the morning, and Maurice, -notwithstanding his athletic vigor, was overpowered and broken down -with fatigue, and at length desisted from his worse than useless -efforts. - -A carriage passed; Lorin hailed it. - -"Come, bear up, old fellow," said he to Maurice; "we have done all in -the range of human possibility to recover Geneviève. We have broken -our backs, been roasted, and have been cruelly cuffed for her. Cupid, -however exacting he may be, could require no more from a man in love, -and above all, from one who is not. So jump into the carriage, and let -us return home." - -Maurice submitted without making any reply. They arrived at Maurice's -door without either of the friends having uttered a single word. As -Maurice descended from the carriage, they heard a window of his -apartment closed. - -"All right!" said Lorin, "he is waiting; I shall rest easy now. Knock, -however." - -Maurice knocked, the door opened. - -"Good-night!" said Lorin, "wait for me to-morrow morning to go out!" - -"Good-night," said Maurice, mechanically, as the door closed behind -him. Upon the first steps of the staircase he met his official. - -"Ah! Citizen Lindey," he exclaimed, "how much uneasiness you have -caused us!" The word _us_ struck Maurice. - -"You?" said he. - -"Yes, me and the little lady who is waiting for you." - -"The little lady," repeated Maurice, feeling the moment ill-chosen to -remind him of his former loves; "you were right to tell me. I shall -sleep at Lorin's." - -"That is impossible; she was at the window, and saw you alight, and -cried out, 'There he is!'" - -"What care I whether she knows I am here or not? I have no heart for -love. Go upstairs, and tell this woman she is mistaken." - -The official made a movement as if to obey him, then stopped. - -"Ah! Citizen," said he, "you are wrong. The little lady is already very -sad; your message will drive her to despair." - -"But," asked Maurice, "who is this woman?" - -"Citizen, I have not seen her face; it is concealed by her mantle, and -she weeps, that is all I know." - -"She weeps!" exclaimed Maurice. - -"Yes, but very softly, stifling her sobs." - -"She weeps," repeated Maurice; "there is then some one in the world who -loves me sufficiently to feel anxious in my absence?" and he ascended -slowly behind the official. - -"Here he is, Citizen, here he is!" cried the latter, rushing into the -chamber. Maurice entered behind him. - -He then beheld in a corner of the room the trembling form of a woman -whose face was hid in the cushions, and whom he would have thought -dead, but for her convulsive moaning, which made him start. He signed -to his official to leave the room, who went out, closing the door -behind him. Then Maurice ran to the young woman, who raised her head. - -"Geneviève!" cried the young man, "Geneviève here! good Heavens! am I -then mad?" - -"No, you are in possession of your senses, my friend," replied the -young woman. "I promised to be yours if you would save the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge. You have saved him, and I am here; I was awaiting you." - -Maurice mistook the meaning of these words; he recoiled a step, and -looked sadly at the young woman. - -"Geneviève," said he, "you do not love me." - -Geneviève regarded him with tearful eyes; then turning from him, leaned -her head on the pillow of the sofa, and gave free vent to her sobs and -tears. - -"Alas!" said Maurice, "it is evident that you no longer love me; -and not only that you love me no more, Geneviève, but that you must -entertain a feeling of hatred toward me, to experience this despair." - -Maurice had spoken so nobly, yet with so much feeling, that Geneviève -arose and took his hand. - -"_Mon Dieu!_" said she, "and is it ever thus that those we think the -best prove merely egotists?" - -"Egotists, Geneviève! what do you mean?" - -"Can you not then imagine what I suffer? My husband a fugitive, my -brother proscribed, our house in flames, and all this in one night; and -then that dreadful scene between you and the Chevalier was added to the -rest!" - -Maurice listened with delight, for it was impossible even for the -maddest passion not to admit that this accumulation of trouble was more -than sufficient excuse for Geneviève's deep and violent grief. - -"And now you are come, I shall keep you; you shall leave me no more!" - -Geneviève started. - -"Where should I go?" replied she, with bitterness. "Have I an asylum, a -shelter, a protector, save he who has put a price upon his protection? -Oh, rash and foolish that I am! I stepped over the Pont Neuf, Maurice, -and in passing I stopped to gaze at the dark water, dashing angrily -against the corners of the arches; it attracted and fascinated me. -Then said I to myself, there, poor woman, is a shelter for you; there -inviolable repose and oblivion!" - -"Geneviève! Geneviève!" cried Maurice, "you said that? Then you do not -love me?" - -"I said it," replied Geneviève,--"I said it; but I am here." - -Maurice drew a deep breath, and fell at her feet. - -"Geneviève," murmured he, "weep no more! Geneviève, console yourself -for all your grief, since you love me. Tell me, Geneviève, for the sake -of Heaven! that it was not the violence of my menaces that brought -you hither. Assure me that even had you not seen me this evening, on -finding yourself alone, isolated, and without an asylum, you would have -come to me; and accept the oath which I now make you, to annul the one -that I compelled you to take." - -Geneviève looked down upon the young man with an expression of -ineffable gratitude. "Generous!" said she; "Oh, my God! I thank thee, -he is generous." - -"Listen, Geneviève!" said Maurice. "God, whom they have here driven -from their temples, but whom they cannot expel from our hearts, where -he has implanted love, has made this evening in appearance dark and -gloomy, but conceals behind its sombre curtain a silvery cloud. God has -conducted you to me, Geneviève, and speaks to you through me. God is at -length willing to compensate us for all the sufferings we have endured, -for the virtue we have displayed in combating this love, as if this -sentiment so long entertained, and so profound, could be a crime! Weep -no more, Geneviève, weep no more; give me your hand! Do you wish to -live in the house of your brother? Do you wish he should kiss the hem -of your robe, and pass over the threshold of his door without turning -his head? Well, say but the word, make but one sign, and I am gone, and -you are free. But on the other hand, my adored Geneviève, will you call -to mind that I have loved you so ardently that I had almost died of -this love, which it remains with you to render so fatal or so fortunate -to me; that for this love I have been a traitor to my party, and am -become vile and contemptible in my own eyes,--will you now consider all -the happiness which the future has in store for us, the strength and -energy which our youth and love possess to defend this happiness, now -but in the bud, from all who would dare attack it? Ah! Geneviève, what -will you reply? You who are an angel of mercy, will you render a man -so happy that he no longer regrets life, and ceases to desire eternal -felicity? Then, instead of repelling me, smile, my Geneviève; let me -place your hand upon my heart, and incline toward one who worships you -from the inmost recesses of his soul. Geneviève, my love, my life, do -not take back your vow!" - -The heart of the young woman swelled at these words. The fatigue of -her late suffering had worn out her strength, and though her tears no -longer flowed, occasional sobs relieved her overcharged bosom. - -Maurice saw that she no longer had the force to resist, and seized her -in his arms. Then she let her head fall on his shoulder, and her long -hair brushed against her lover's burning cheeks. - -At the same time Maurice felt the heaving of her chest, still disturbed -like the ocean after a storm. - -"You still weep, my Geneviève," continued Maurice, with profound -melancholy,--"you still weep. Oh, reassure yourself! I will never -impose my love on scornful grief, and never soil my lips with a kiss -empoisoned by a single tear of regret." - -He unwound the living girdle of her arms, averted his face, and coldly -turned away. - -But as quick as thought, in a moment of reaction so natural in a woman -who struggles contrary to her own inclination, Geneviève threw her -trembling arms around Maurice's neck, pressed him nervously to her -heart, and laid her cold cheek, still wet with the tears which had -ceased to flow, against the young man's burning one. - -"Ah, Maurice!" murmured Geneviève, "do not abandon me, Maurice; I have -no one left me in the world but you!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -THE MORROW. - - -A beautiful sun beamed across the green window-blinds, gilding the -leaves of three large roses placed in a flower-stand before the window -of Maurice. These flowers, more precious as the season was on the -decline, perfumed with a delicious fragrance the little dining-room of -spotless neatness, where at a table served with every elegancy, but -without profusion, sat Maurice and Geneviève. The door was closed, for -as the table contained all that was requisite, it was understood they -waited on themselves. They heard the official stirring in the adjoining -room. The warmth and life of the last few lovely days entered through -the half-open jalousie, making glitter like emeralds and rubies the -rose-leaves caressed by the rays of the sun. - -Geneviève let fall upon her plate the golden fruit she held in her -hand. She appeared to be deep in thought, and smiling only with her -lips, while her eyes languished with a melancholy expression. She -remained thus silent, abstracted, and happy in the sun of her love, as -the beautiful flowers in the sun of heaven. Soon her eyes sought those -of Maurice, and encountered his gazing upon her. She placed her soft -white arm upon the young man's shoulder, and leaned on his breast with -that faith and confidence far exceeding love. - -Geneviève looked at him without speaking, and blushed as she regarded -him. Maurice slightly inclined his head to imprint a kiss upon the -half-open lips of Geneviève. He bent his head, while she turned pale, -and closed her eyes as the delicate flower conceals its calyx from the -rays of light. They remained dreaming thus, when a sharp ring at the -door-bell suddenly startled them. - -The official entered mysteriously, and closed the door. - -"Here is the Citizen Lorin," said he. - -"Ah! dear Lorin," said Maurice, "I will go and dismiss him. Pardon, -Geneviève." - -Geneviève stopped him. - -"Dismiss your friend, Maurice!" said she, "and such a friend! one who -has consoled, assisted, and sustained you? No; I would no more drive -such a friend from your house than from your heart. Let him come in, -Maurice; let him come in." - -"With your permission?" said Maurice. - -"I wish it," said Geneviève. - -"Ah! you will find that to love you is not enough," cried Maurice, -delighted with her delicacy; "it is necessary to adore you!" - -Geneviève held her blushing face to the young man. He opened the door, -and Lorin entered, smart as usual in his costume of demi-muscadin. On -perceiving Geneviève he manifested great surprise, which was succeeded -by a respectful salute. - -"Come here, Lorin, come here, and look at the lady! You are dethroned, -Lorin. I have now some one I prefer to yourself. I would have given my -life for you; for her,--I tell you nothing new, Lorin,--for her I have -sacrificed my honor." - -"Madame," replied Lorin, in accents of deep emotion, "I shall endeavor -to value Maurice the more, that he has not altogether ceased to care -for me." - -"Sit down, sir," said Geneviève, smiling. - -"Yes, sit down," said Maurice, who, having pressed in his right hand -that of his friend, and in his left that of his mistress, presented the -appearance of a man arrived at the height of human felicity. - -"Then you do not wish to die now; do not wish any longer to kill -yourself?" - -"What do you mean?" asked Geneviève, turning pale. - -"Oh, in good truth!" said Lorin, "man is a most versatile animal, -and philosophers have good cause to despise his levity. Here is -one, would you believe it, Madame, who no longer ago than yesterday -evening wished to leap into the fire, throw himself into the water; -who declared there was no more happiness for him in this world. And -behold him this morning, gay, joyous, with a smile upon his lips, his -countenance resplendent with happiness, life in his heart, seated at a -well-furnished table; it is true he has not eaten much, but that does -not prove he is unhappy." - -"Did he wish to do all this?" said Geneviève. - -"All this, and much more. I will tell you all, some day, but at this -moment I am very hungry; it is all Maurice's fault for making me -yesterday evening run all over the Quarter Saint Jacques. Permit me, -then, to make an attack upon the breakfast, which I perceive you have -neither of you yet touched." - -"That is right," said Maurice, with childish glee; "I have not -breakfasted, nor have you, Geneviève." - -He watched Lorin's eyes as he uttered her name; but Lorin evinced no -surprise. - -"Ah!" said Maurice, "you have already surmised who it is, Lorin." - -"Zounds!" said Lorin, cutting himself a large slice of white and rosy -ham, and not seeming to hear Maurice's remark. - -"I, also, am hungry," said Geneviève, holding her plate. - -"Lorin," said Maurice, "I was ill yesterday." - -"You were worse than ill; you were mad." - -"Well, I think it is you who are suffering at this moment." - -"Why?" - -"You have not yet given us any verses." - -"I will sing you one this moment," said Lorin,-- - - "Phœbus, in the midst of the Graces, - The lyre in his hand still retained, - Till following of Venus the traces, - T was lost, and could not be regained." - -"Always ready with a quatrain," said Maurice, laughing. - -"And you will have to be contented with it, as it is now necessary to -turn our attention to more serious affairs." - -"Has anything new occurred, then?" said Maurice, anxiously. - -"I am ordered on guard at the Conciergerie." - -"At the Conciergerie!" said Geneviève, "near the queen?" - -"Near the queen. I believe so, Madame." - -Geneviève turned pale. Maurice frowned, and made a sign to Lorin, who -cut himself another slice of ham, double the size of the first. The -queen had indeed been removed to the Conciergerie, whither we shall -follow her. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -THE CONCIERGERIE. - - -At a corner of the Pont-au-Change and of the Quai aux Fleurs rose the -remains of the old palace of Saint Louis, called _par excellence_ -the palace, as Rome is called the city, and which still continues to -retain the royal cognomen, when the only kings who inhabit it are the -registrars, the judges, and the pleaders. - -The house of justice was a large and sombre building, exciting -more fear than love for the merciless goddess. There might be seen -united in this narrow space all the instruments and attributes of -human vengeance. The first wards were assigned to those who had been -arraigned for crime; farther on were the halls of judgment, and lower -down the dungeons of the condemned. By the door was a small space where -the red-hot iron stamped its mark of infamy; and about one hundred and -fifty paces from the first another space, far more extensive, where the -last act of the fearful tragedy took place,--that is to say, La Grève, -where they finished the work previously sketched out for them at the -Palace. Justice, as we see, reigned paramount over all. - -All these portions of the edifice joined one with another, -sullen-looking, dark, and gray, pierced by iron-grated windows where -the gaping arches resemble the grated dens extending along the side of -the Quai des Lunettes. This is the Conciergerie. - -This prison contains dens washed by the black mud from the waters of -the Seine; it also possesses mysterious outlets, through which were -formerly conducted to the river those miserable victims whom it was -thought necessary to remove. - -As seen in 1793, the Conciergerie, unwearying _procureur_ for the -scaffold,--the Conciergerie overflowed with occupants, who within an -hour became the victims of the guillotine. At this epoch the old prison -of Saint Louis was literally the Inn of Death. Under the arches some -gates were hung, and at night a red lantern was suspended there, fit -emblem of this abode of misery and despair. - -The evening preceding the day when Lorin, Maurice, and Geneviève were -breakfasting together, a dull rumbling shook the pavement of the quay -and rattled the windows of the prison, then ceased before the arched -gate. The gendarmes knocked with the handles of their swords, the gate -opened, and a carriage entered the court; when the hinges had turned, -and the rusty bolts had creaked, a female descended. - -The gaping wicket opened immediately to receive her, and closed upon -her. Three or four curious heads, protruding to gaze upon the prisoner -by the light of the torches, appeared in mezzo-tinto, then vanished in -the darkness, while vulgar jokes and rude laughter passed between the -men leaving, who could be heard though not seen. - -The person thus brought remained within the first wicket with the -gendarmes; she saw it would be necessary to pass through a second, -but forgot at the same time to raise the foot and lower the head, as -there is a step to ascend and a beam which descends. The prisoner, not -yet well habituated to prison architecture, notwithstanding her long -sojourn there, omitted to stoop, and struck her forehead violently -against the bar. - -"Are you much hurt, Citizeness?" demanded one of the gendarmes. - -"Nothing can hurt me now," she replied tranquilly, and passed on -without uttering a single complaint, although sanguinary traces of the -injury remained upon her brow. - -Shortly the arm-chair of the keeper became visible,--a chair more -venerated by the prisoners than the throne of the king by his -courtiers; for the keeper of a prison is the dispenser of favor, -and all mercy is important to a prisoner, as sometimes the smallest -kindness may change the darkest gloom to a heaven of light. - -The keeper Richard, installed in his arm-chair, felt a due perception -of his own importance. He remained undisturbed even when the rumbling -of the carriage announced a new arrival. He inhaled some snuff, -regarded the prisoner, opened a large register, and looked for a pen -in the little ink-horn of black wood, where the ink, incrusted on the -sides, retained in the centre a mouldy humidity, as in the midst of the -crater of a volcano there always remains some melted matter. - -"Citizen Keeper," said the chief of the escort, "write, and write -quickly, for they are impatiently awaiting us at the Commune." - -"I will not be long," said the porter, at the same time emptying into -the inkstand some drops of wine remaining at the bottom of his glass; -"I am a good hand at this, thank God! Your name and surname, Citizen," -said he, and dipping his pen at the same time into this improvised -ink, he commenced entering the new arrival at the bottom of a page -already nearly filled; while standing behind his chair, Madame Richard, -a female of benevolent aspect, contemplated, with a mixture of -astonishment and respect, this woman, so sad, so noble, and so proud, -whom her husband interrogated. - -"Marie Antoinette Jeanne Josèphe de Lorraine," replied the prisoner, -"Archduchess of Austria and Queen of France." - -"Queen of France!" repeated the keeper, raising himself in astonishment -by the arms of his chair. - -"Queen of France," repeated the prisoner, in the same voice. - -"Otherwise called the Widow Capet," said the chief of the escort. - -"Under which of these names am I to enter her?" demanded the keeper. - -"Whichever you please, only do it quickly," said the chief of the -escort. - -The keeper reseated himself, and with a trembling hand wrote down the -name, surname, and titles given him by the prisoner, inscriptions the -ink of which still appears visible to this day upon the register of -which the revolutionary rats of the Conciergerie have nibbled the leaf -at its most precious part. - -Richard's wife still retained her position behind her husband's chair, -and remained standing with her hands clasped together, commiserating -the situation of the unfortunate being before her. - -"Your age?" continued the keeper. - -"Thirty-seven years and nine months," replied the queen. - -Richard wrote this down, then the description, and finished with the -regular notes and forms. - -"There," said he, "that is completed." - -"Where shall we conduct the prisoner?" said the chief of the escort. - -Richard helped himself to a second pinch of snuff, and looked at his -wife. - -"Indeed," said she, "we did not anticipate this, and have had but brief -notice, so that we hardly know--" - -"You must find out," said the brigadier. - -"There is the council chamber," said Richard's wife. - -"Too large," murmured Richard. - -"The larger the better; we can the more easily place the guards." - -"Go to the council chamber," said Richard. "But it is not habitable at -this moment; it has no bed." - -"True," replied his wife, "I had quite forgotten that." - -"Bah!" said one of the gendarmes, "you can put a bed there to-morrow, -and to-morrow will soon be here." - -"Besides, the citizen could occupy our chamber for one night; could she -not, good man?" said Richard's wife. - -"And what are we to do?" said the keeper. - -"Oh, we can do without a bed for one night; and as the citizen gendarme -observes, 'the night is nearly gone.'" - -"Then," said Richard, "conduct the citizeness to our chamber." - -"And in the mean while you will prepare our receipt?" - -"It shall be ready on your return." - -Richard's wife took the candle from the table, and led the way. - -Marie Antoinette followed without uttering a word, calm and pale as -usual. Two turnkeys, at a sign from Richard's wife, followed them. -The queen was shown her bed, on which the woman hastened to place -clean sheets. The turnkeys installed themselves outside; the door was -double-locked; and Marie Antoinette was left alone. - -How she passed that night no one ever knew, as she passed it in close -communion with her God. On the next day the queen was conducted to -the council chamber, a long four-sided room, the wicket-door of which -opened upon a corridor of the Conciergerie, and which had been divided -in its whole length by a partition which did not reach the height of -the ceiling. - -One of these compartments was occupied by the men on guard. The other -was the chamber of the queen. A window, thickly-grated with small iron -bars, lighted both these cells. A folding-screen, the substitute for a -door, secluded the queen from the guards, and closed the aperture in -the middle. The whole of this room was paved with brick. The walls, at -one period or another, had been covered with gilded wood, where still -hung some shreds of paper fleur-de-lis. A bed was placed opposite the -window, and a single chair near the light. This was all the furniture -the royal prison contained. - -On entering, the queen requested that her books and work might be -brought her. They brought her the "Revolutions of England," which she -had commenced in the Temple, the "Voyage du Jeune Anacharsis," and her -tapestry. - -The gendarmes established themselves in the adjoining compartment. -History has preserved their names, as it has done that of many -others more infamous, associated by destiny in great events, and who -see reflected on themselves a fragment of that light cast by the -thunderbolt which destroys the thrones of kings, perhaps even the kings -themselves. - -They were called Duchesne and Gilbert. - -These two men were selected by the Commune, who knew them to be stanch -patriots. They were to remain at their post in their cell till the -sentence of Marie Antoinette. They hoped by this measure to avoid the -irregularities consequent upon a change of office several times during -the day, and therefore laid the guards under a heavy responsibility. - -The queen first became acquainted with this new regulation from the -conversation of the gendarmes, whose discourse, not being softly -uttered, reached her ears. She experienced at once joy and disquietude; -for if on the one hand she felt that these men ought to be trustworthy -since they had been chosen from a multitude, on the other side she -reflected that her friends might more easily corrupt two known men -at their post than a hundred unknown individuals selected by chance, -passing near her occasionally, and then only for a single day. - -On the first night before she retired one of the gendarmes, according -to his usual custom, began to smoke. The noxious vapor glided -imperceptibly through the apertures of the partition, enveloping the -unfortunate queen, whose misfortunes had irritated instead of deadening -her nerves. She soon felt herself seized with nausea and swimming in -the head; but true to her indomitable system of firmness, she uttered -no complaint. - -During her melancholy vigil, while nothing disturbed the deep silence -of the night, she fancied she heard plaintive cries outside. These -cries were mournful and prolonged; there was about them something -weird and piercing, like the howling of wind in the dark and deserted -corridor when the tempest borrows the human voice to animate the -passions of the elements. - -She soon became aware that the noise that had at first startled her -was the doleful and persevering cry of a dog howling on the quay. She -immediately remembered her poor little Jet, whom she had not thought -of when they removed her from the Temple, and now believed she could -recognize his voice. Indeed, the poor little animal, who by his -mistaken vigilance had ruined his mistress, had unperceived descended -behind her, had followed the carriage as far as the grating of the -Conciergerie, where he continued till he narrowly escaped being cut in -two by the double iron portcullis which closed behind her. - -But the faithful creature had soon returned, and comprehending that -his mistress was confined in this great stone building, he whined and -howled, waiting, within ten feet of the sentinel, a caressing reply. -The queen replied by a heart-broken sigh which reached the ears of her -guards; but as this sigh was not repeated, and no other sound proceeded -from the queen's chamber, they again composed themselves, and relapsed -into their former state of drowsiness. - -At break of day the queen rose and dressed herself, then took her seat -near the window, the light from which, intercepted by the grating of -iron bars, fell with a bluish tint upon her emaciated hands, in which -she held a book. She was apparently reading, but her thoughts were far -away. - -The Gendarme Gilbert half opened the screen, and regarded her in -silence. The queen heard the noise of the screen, but did not turn her -head. She was so seated that the gendarme could see her head bathed in -the morning light. Gilbert made a sign to his comrade to advance and -look through the opening with him. Duchesne approached. - -"Look!" said Gilbert, in a low tone; "how very pale she is; it is -frightful! Those red circles round her eyes denote her suffering. She -has surely been weeping." - -"You well know," said Duchesne, "Capet's widow never weeps. She is too -proud for that." - -"Then she must be ill," said Gilbert, and raising his voice, "Tell me, -Citizen Capet," said he, "are you ill?" - -The queen slowly raised her eyes, and fixed an inquiring look upon the -two men. - -"Did you address me, gentlemen?" demanded she, in a voice full of -sweetness, for she fancied she detected the accent of kindness in him -who had spoken to her. - -"Yes, Citizeness, we spoke to you," replied Gilbert; "we feared you -were ill." - -"Why so?" - -"Because your eyes are so red." - -"And at the same time you are so pale," added Duchesne. - -"Thank you, gentlemen, I am not ill; only I suffered much last night." - -"Ah, yes, your misfortunes!" - -"No, gentlemen, my miseries are always the same; and my religion having -taught me to carry them to the foot of the cross, I do not suffer more -one day than another. No; I am out of sorts because I could not rest -last night." - -"Ah! your new lodging and different bed?" said Duchesne. - -"And then the lodging is not very comfortable," added Gilbert. - -"Ah! it is not that, gentlemen," said the queen, shaking her head. -"Lofty or lowly, it is all the same to me." - -"What is it then?" - -"I ask pardon for telling you; but I have suffered much inconvenience -from the smell of the tobacco which that gentleman is smoking at this -moment." - -Indeed, Gilbert was smoking, which was his habitual occupation. - -"Confound my stupidity!" cried he, much grieved from the kindness with -which the queen had expressed herself. "Why did you not tell me so -before, Citizen?" - -"Because I thought, sir, I had no right to deprive you of any -enjoyment." - -"Well, you shall be incommoded no more,--by me, at least," said -Gilbert, casting away his pipe, which broke upon the tiles, "for I -shall smoke no more." - -He turned round, his companion followed, and he closed the screen. - -"Possibly they may cut off her head, that is an affair of the nation; -but why should we cause her any suffering, poor woman? We are soldiers, -and not hangmen, like Simon." - -"It rather savors of the aristocrat, comrade, what you did just now," -said Duchesne, shaking his head. - -"Whom do you term an aristocrat? Explain yourself!" - -"I call aristocrats all those who annoy the nation, and succor its -enemies." - -"Then, according to your theory, I annoy the nation because I cease -to annoy with my smoking the Widow Capet? Go along, then! As for me," -continued the brave fellow, "I remember my oath to my country, and -the order of my brigadier. As for my order, I know it by heart. Not -to permit the prisoner to escape; not to allow any one to see her; to -resist all correspondence she may endeavor to institute; and to die at -my post,--this is what I promised, and to this will I keep. _Vive la -nation!_" - -"That is what I tell you," said Duchesne. "It is not that I disapprove -of your conduct, but I fear lest you should compromise yourself." - -"Hush! here is some one." - -The queen had not lost one word of this conversation, although carried -on in a low voice. Captivity had rendered her hearing doubly acute. - -The noise which had attracted the attention of the two guards was -the sound of several steps approaching the door. It opened, and two -municipals entered, followed by the keeper and some of the turnkeys. - -"Well," they inquired, "where is the prisoner?" - -"Here she is," replied the two gendarmes. - -"How is she lodged?" - -"You can see." And Gilbert touched the screen. - -"What do you wish?" demanded the queen. - -"It is the visit of the Commune, Citizeness Capet." - -"This man is kind," thought the queen; "and if my friends--" - -"Very good, very good!" said the municipals, pushing Gilbert aside and -entering the queen's chamber; "so much ceremony is not requisite here." - -The queen did not even raise her head; and it might have been believed -from her impassibility that she neither saw nor heard them, but -fancied herself alone. The delegates of the Commune curiously observed -everything around the chamber, sounded the wainscoting, the bed, -shaking the grating of the window which looked upon the court of the -female prisoners, and then having recommended to the gendarmes the -utmost vigilance, took their departure without having addressed a word -to the queen, who on her part seemed not to have been aware of their -presence. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - -LA SALLE DES PAS-PERDUS. - - -Toward the decline of the day on which we have seen the municipals -so carefully inspecting the queen's prison, a man attired in a gray -jacket, his head covered with a mass of black hair, and on his -head one of those hairy bonnets, which then among the people was a -distinguishing mark of the most exaggerated patriotism, was walking -about in the large hall so philosophically termed "La Salle des -Pas-Perdus," and seemed most attentively observing all the goers and -comers forming the general population of this hall,--a population -considerably augmented at this period, when trials had acquired greater -importance, and when the only pleading was to dispute their heads with -the hangman and with Fouquier Tinville their indefatigable purveyor. - -The attitude assumed by this man whose portrait we have just sketched -was in very good taste. Society at this epoch was divided into two -classes,--the lambs and the wolves. The one naturally inspired the -other with fear, since one half of society devoured the other. Our -fierce promenader was rather short, and wielded in his dirty black -hand one of those knotted cudgels then called "constitutions." It -is true the hand that flourished this horrible weapon might have -appeared rather small to any one who might take into his head to act -the inquisitorial part toward this singular personage which he had -arrogated to himself with respect to others; but no one felt the least -inclined to risk it, for this man's aspect was far too terrible. - -Indeed, this man with the cudgel caused much disquietude to several -groups of petty scribes engaged in the discussion of public affairs, -which at this time daily progressed from bad to worse, or from better -to better, according as they were considered from a conservative or -revolutionary point of view. These valorous folks looked askance at -his long black beard, his green eyes surmounted by overhanging, shaggy -eyebrows, and trembled whenever the promenade of the mighty patriot (a -promenade which extended the whole length of the great hall) brought -them in near contact with one another. - -This terror was augmented from the fact that whenever they ventured to -approach him too nearly, or even looked at him too attentively, the man -with the cudgel struck his powerful weapon with its full weight upon -the pavement, smashing the flag-stones upon which it fell, sometimes -with a dull and heavy, sometimes with a sonorous and clashing sound. - -But it was not only these brave men among the scribes, designated -generally as the "rats of the Palace," who experienced this formidable -impression; it was also the various individuals who entered the Salle -des Pas-Perdus by the great door, or through some of its narrow -vomitories, who also quickened their pace on perceiving the man with -the cudgel, who obstinately continued his journey from one end of the -hall to the other, finding each moment some pretext for making his -weapon ring on the pavement. - -If these writers had been less timorous, and the promenaders more -clear-sighted, they would have discovered that our patriot, capricious -like all eccentric or pronounced characters, appeared to evince a -preference for certain flag-stones, those for instance situated a -little distance from the wall on the right, near the centre of the -hall, which emitted a clear and ringing sound. He even finished by -concentrating his anger upon some particular stones in the centre of -the hall. At the same time he so far forgot himself as to stop, and -with his eye seemed to be estimating the distance. - -True, it was a momentary absence of mind only, and he immediately -resumed his former expression, which a gleam of pleasure had replaced -for an instant. - -Almost at the same moment another patriot,--for at this epoch every -one wore his opinions on his forehead, or rather in his dress,--almost -at the same moment, say we, another patriot entered by the door of the -gallery, and without appearing the least in the world to partake of -the fear generated by the former occupant, began to cross the hall at -a pace equal to his own, so that in the centre of the promenade they -encountered each other. - -The new arrival had, like the former, a hairy bonnet, a gray jerkin, -dirty hands, and in one of them a cudgel; indeed, in addition he -carried a sword, which struck against his legs at every step; and -on the whole he appeared a greater subject for terror than his -predecessor. The first had an air of ferocity, the last seemed replete -with sinister cunning. - -Although these two men appeared to belong to the same cause, and -entertained the same opinions, the assembly ventured to watch the -result, not of their meeting, for they were not walking in the same -line, but their approach toward each other. At the first turn they were -disappointed in their expectation, as the patriots contented themselves -with exchanging looks; at the same time the smaller of the two turned -slightly pale,--only from an involuntary movement of the lips it was -evident it was not caused by fear, but by disgust. - -However, at the second turn, as if the patriot had made a violent -effort, his countenance, till now so overcast, cleared up suddenly, and -something like a smile passed over his lips as he inclined slightly to -the left, with the evident intention of stopping the second patriot in -his course. - -Near the centre they joined each other. - -"Why, upon my word, here is the Citizen Simon!" said the first patriot. - -"Himself. But what do you want with the Citizen Simon? And, in the -first place, who are you?" - -"It seems, then, that you do not recognize me?" - -"I do not recognize you, and for an excellent reason,--I never saw you -before." - -"Not recognize me!--when I had the honor to carry the head of the -Princess Lamballe!" - -At these words, pronounced with savage fury, and bursting passionately -from the mouth of the patriot, Simon started. - -"You?" said he, "you?" - -"Ha! that surprises you! I thought that you would remember your friends -better than that, faith! Ah, Citizen! you grieve me." - -"You have done very well," said Simon; "but I did not recognize you." - -"It is a greater privilege to act as guardian to the young Capet; it -brings you more into notice. As for myself, I both know and esteem you." - -"Ah! Thank you." - -"You have no reason--are you taking a walk?" - -"Yes; I am waiting for some one. And you?" - -"I am doing the same." - -"What is your name? I will make mention of you at the club." - -"I am called Théodore." - -"What else?" - -"Nothing else: is not that enough?" - -"Oh, certainly. Who are you waiting for, Citizen Théodore?" - -"A friend to whom I wish to make a fine little denunciation." - -"Indeed! Do tell me." - -"A whole covey of aristocrats." - -"What are their names?" - -"No, indeed; I only tell that to my friend." - -"You are wrong; for here is mine advancing toward us, who, it seems to -me, is sufficiently acquainted with business to settle at once all this -affair." - -"Fouquier Tinville!" cried the first patriot. - -"No one less, friend." - -"That's all right." - -"Yes. Good-day, Citizen Fouquier." - -Fouquier Tinville, calm and pale, opening wide, according to habit, his -large black eyes shaded by his bushy eyebrows, at this moment entered -by a side-door, his register in his hand, and a bundle of papers under -his arm. "Good-day, Simon," said he; "anything new?" - -"Several things. First, a denunciation from Citizen Théodore, who -carried the head of the Princess Lamballe. I will introduce him to you." - -Fouquier fixed his scrutinizing glance upon the patriot, who, -notwithstanding his strong nerves, felt rather uneasy while undergoing -this examination. - -"Théodore!" said he; "and who is Théodore?" - -"I!" said the man in the jerkin. - -"You carried the head of the Princess Lamballe?" said the public -accuser, with an unmistakable expression of doubt. - -"I. Rue Saint Antoine." - -"But I know a person who boasts that he did so," said Fouquier. - -"I know ten," replied the Citizen Théodore, courageously; "but, indeed, -as they all make some claim for having done so, and I ask nothing, at -least I ought to have the preference, I hope." - -This reply excited Simon's laughter, and dispersed the cloud on the -accuser's brow. - -"Right," said he; "and if you did not do it, you ought to have done so. -But leave us now; Simon has some business to transact with me." - -Théodore retired, very little hurt by the frankness of the public -accuser. - -"One moment," cried Simon. "Do not send him away so; let us first hear -his denunciation." - -"Ah!" said Fouquier Tinville, with an absent air, "a denunciation?" - -"Yes; a covey of conspirators," replied Simon. - -"All in good time. Speak; what is the matter now?" - -"Oh! not much; only the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge and some of his -friends." - -Fouquier made a leap backward, while Simon raised his arms toward -heaven. - -"Is this the truth?" they exclaimed, both together. - -"The pure truth; will you take them?" - -"At once. Where are they?" - -"I met the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge in the Rue de la Grande -Tissanderie." - -"You are mistaken; he is not in Paris," replied Fouquier. - -"I tell you I have seen him." - -"Impossible! a hundred men have been sent in pursuit of him; he would -not show himself in the streets of Paris." - -"It was he, by Heaven!" said the patriot. "A tall dark man, as strong -as three and bearded like the pard." - -Fouquier shrugged his shoulders disdainfully. - -"Another blunder," said he; "the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge is short, -pale, and has not the slightest sign of a beard." - -The patriot dropped his weapon with an air of consternation. - -"Never mind, your good intention is taken for the act. Come, Simon, we -must both make haste; they require the register, this is the time for -the carts." - -"Well, there is nothing new; the child is well." The patriot turned his -back that he might not appear indiscreet, but remained in a position -which enabled him to hear. - -"I will go," said he, "lest I should intrude." - -"Adieu!" said Simon. - -"Good-day," said Fouquier. - -"Tell your friend that you were deceived," added Simon. - -"Well, I shall wait," and Théodore removed to a short distance, and -stood resting on his cudgel. - -"So the child goes on well; but how fares he morally?" asked Fouquier. - -"I mould him to my will." - -"He will speak then?" - -"When I choose." - -"Do you think he will testify in the trial of Antoinette?" - -"I do not think it; I am sure of it." - -Théodore was leaning against a pillar, his eyes directed toward the -door. But his eye was wandering, while his ears were erect and -uncovered under the hairy bonnet he wore. Perhaps he saw nothing, but -most assuredly he heard something. - -"Reflect well," said Fouquier, "and do not make what is termed a -blunder of this commission. You feel sure that Capet will speak?" - -"He will say all that I require." - -"Has he told you what we are going to ask him?" - -"He has told me." - -"It is important, Simon, that you should promise this; the child's -evidence is fatal to the mother." - -"Zounds! I count upon that." - -"There will have been nothing equal to it seen since the intimacy -between Nero and Narcissus. Once more, reflect, Simon." - -"One would fancy you took me for a brute, repeating constantly the same -thing. Take this as an example: when I put leather in water it becomes -supple, does it not?" - -"But--I do not know," replied Fouquier. - -"It becomes soft. Well, in my hands the little Capet becomes supple as -the softest leather. I have my own method for that." - -"It may be so," said Fouquier. "Is that all you have to say?" - -"All--I forgot. There is a denunciation." - -"Again? You will overwhelm me with business," said Fouquier. - -"One must serve his country." - -Simon presented a small paper, black as the leather he had just -mentioned, but certainly less supple. Fouquier took it and read the -contents. - -"Again the Citizen Lorin; you have a great hatred to this man." - -"I find him always acting in hostility to the law. He said, 'Adieu, -Madame,' to a woman who saluted him from a window yesterday evening. -To-morrow, I hope to give you a little information concerning another -'suspect;' that Maurice who was Municipal at the Temple when that -affair of the red carnation occurred." - -"Be sure! be sure!" exclaimed Fouquier, smiling at Simon. - -He held out his hand, and then turned away with an abruptness that -evinced little favor toward the shoemaker. - -"What the devil do you wish me to be sure of? Many have been -guillotined for much less." - -"Patience," replied Fouquier, quietly; "everything cannot be done at -the same time," and he passed quickly through the wicket. - -Simon looked round for the Citizen Théodore, to console himself with -him. He was no longer to be seen. - -He had hardly crossed the western iron gate, when Théodore reappeared -at the corner of a writer's hut. The occupant of the hut accompanied -him. - -"At what hour are the iron gates closed?" asked Théodore of this man. - -"At five o'clock." - -"Then what do they do here?" - -"Nothing; the hall remains empty till next day." - -"No rounds, no visits?" - -"No, sir; our barracks are locked." - -The word "sir" made Théodore knit his brows, and look round with -distrust. - -"Are the crowbar and pistols safe in the barracks?" said he. - -"Yes, under the carpet." - -"Return home, then--By the bye, show me again the chamber of the -Tribunal that has not a grated window, and looks upon the court near -the Place Dauphine." - -"To the left, between the pillars under the lantern." - -"Go, now, and have the horses ready at the place assigned!" - -"A glorious chance!--a glorious chance!--depend fully upon me." - -"Now is your time--No one is looking--open your barrack." - -"It is done, sir; I will pray for you." - -"It is not for me you ought to pray. Adieu." - -And the Citizen Théodore, after an eloquent look, glided so adroitly -under the low roof of the barrack, that he disappeared like the shadow -of the writer who closed the door. - -The worthy scribe drew the key from the lock, took some papers under -his arm, and went out of the vast hall with the few employees that -the stroke of five sent rushing from their desks like a rear guard of -belated bees. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - -THE CITIZEN THÉODORE. - - -Night had enveloped in her gray mantle the immense hall, whose sad -echoes had to repeat the severe words of the advocates and the -suppliant ones of the pleaders. - -From afar, in the midst of the obscurity, upright and immovable, a -white column seemed watching, in the centre of the hall, like a phantom -protector over the sacred place. - -The only noise heard in this darkness was the nibbling and galloping -of innumerable rats, which gnawed the papers enclosed in the writer's -huts, after drilling their way through the wood. - -Sometimes the sound of a carriage penetrated as far as this sanctuary -of Themis (as an Academician would say), and the vague clanking of -keys, which appeared to proceed from under the ground; but all this -only reverberated in the distance, and nothing save these distant -sounds ever broke the deep silence, or penetrated the thick darkness -save the glimmering of some far remote light. - -Certainly the man would be seized by bewildering terror who at this -hour would have ventured into the vast hall of the Palace, the exterior -of whose walls was yet stained with the blood of the victims of -September; whose staircases this very day had witnessed the descent of -twenty-five human beings condemned to an ignominious death, and were -separated only by a few feet from the dungeons of the Conciergerie, -peopled with bleached skeletons. - -Nevertheless, in the middle of this frightful night, in the midst of -this almost solemn silence, a low grating noise was heard; the door of -a writer's hut turned upon its creaking hinges, and a shadow, darker -than the shadow of night, glided cautiously out of the barrack. - -Then the fierce patriot we have heard addressed as "sir," but who -called himself Théodore, stepped lightly over the uneven stones. He -held in his right hand a ponderous iron lever, and with his left felt -that his double-barrelled pistol was secure in his belt. - -"I reckoned twelve flag-stones from the stall; and see, here is the end -of the first!" murmured he; and while calculating, he groped with the -point of his foot to discover the chinks which time had rendered more -perceptible. - -"Let me see," said he, stopping; "have I taken my measurement -correctly? Shall I possess strength sufficient; and she--will she have -the courage? Oh, yes, her courage is known to me. Oh, my God! When I -shall take her hand--when I can say, Madame, you are saved!" - -He suddenly paused, as if oppressed by the weight of so great a hope. - -"Ah!" he resumed, "rash and foolish project! others will say, hiding -themselves under their bedclothes, or contenting themselves by -sauntering about disguised as lackeys through the Conciergerie; but -they have not my motive for daring all,--it is, that I not only desire -to serve the queen, but the woman. - -"Well, to work; let us again sum up the whole. - -"To raise the stone is nothing, to leave it open is the danger,--they -may perhaps make the rounds; but yet they never do so. They cannot -suspect anything, for I have no accomplices; and then what time is -needed by an ardor like mine to dart through the dark passage? In three -minutes I am under her chamber; in other five I raise the stone which -is on the hearth. She will hear me working, but has too much firmness -to feel alarmed; on the contrary, she will understand that a deliverer -is near--She is guarded by two men who will doubtless hasten to the -spot-- - -"Well, after all," said the patriot, with a melancholy smile, looking -first at the weapon concealed in his girdle, and then at the one he -held poised in his hand, "a double shot from this pistol, or a couple -of strokes from this iron bar. Poor creatures! they will die like -others not more culpable than themselves." - -And Citizen Théodore resolutely pressed his lever between the chinks of -the flag-stones. - -At this moment a vivid light gleamed like a ray of gold across the -stones, and a noise, repeated by the echoes of the vault, caused the -conspirator to turn, and then with a single bound to conceal himself in -the stall. - -Soon voices, weakened by the distance, and softened by the emotion -experienced by every one at night in a large and desolate building, -reached the ears of Théodore. - -He stooped down, and through an aperture in the stall perceived first -a man in military costume, whose long sabre clanking on the pavement -partly produced the sound which had attracted his attention; then, a -man in a pistachio-colored suit, holding a rule in his hand and a roll -of papers under his arm; thirdly, a man in a large waistcoat of ratteen -and a fur bonnet; and lastly, a fourth, with wooden shoes and a jerkin. - -The iron gate Des Merciers creaked upon its sonorous hinges, rattling -the chain intended to keep it open during the day. - -The four men entered. - -"A round," murmured Théodore. "God be praised! ten minutes later and I -should have been ruined." - -He then with the utmost attention endeavored to recognize the -individuals who composed the round,--indeed, three of them were known -to him. - -He who walked first, clad in the uniform of a general, was Santerre; -the man in the ratteen waistcoat and fur bonnet was Richard the porter, -and the man in clogs and jerkin was in all probability a turnkey. - -But he had never seen the man in the pistachio-colored coat, who held -a rule in his hand and a bundle of papers under his arm. Who or what -could this man be; and what brought, at ten o'clock at night, to the -Salle des Pas-Perdus, the general of the Commune, the keeper of the -Conciergerie, a turnkey, and this other man? The Citizen Théodore knelt -on one knee, holding in one hand his loaded pistol, while with the -other he replaced his bonnet and hair, which his precipitous movement -had deranged too much to look natural. - -Up to this moment the nocturnal visitors had kept silence, or if they -had spoken, their words had not reached the ears of the conspirator; -but when about ten paces from his lurking place Santerre spoke, and his -voice was distinctly heard by the Citizen Théodore. - -"We are now," said he, "in the Salle des Pas-Perdus. It is for you now -to guide us, Citizen Architect, and to endeavor to convince us that -your revelation is no idle story; for you see the Revolution has done -justice to all this folly, and we believe no more in these subterranean -passages than in ghosts. What do you say, Citizen Richard?" added -Santerre, turning toward the man in the fur bonnet and ratteen vest. - -"I have never said there was no subterranean passage under the -Conciergerie," he replied. "Here is Gracchus, who has been turnkey -for ten years, and consequently is as familiar with the whole of -the Conciergerie as he is with the alphabet, and yet he ignores the -existence of the vault of which the Citizen Giraud has spoken. However, -as the Citizen Giraud is the city architect, he ought to know better -than any of us. It is his business." - -Théodore shivered from head to foot on hearing these words. - -"Fortunately," murmured he, "the hall is large, and before they find -what they search for, two days at least must expire." - -But the architect opened his great roll of papers, put on his -spectacles, and knelt down to examine the plan by the flickering light -of the lantern which Gracchus held in his hand. - -"I fear," said Santerre, ironically, "that the Citizen Giraud has been -dreaming." - -"You will see, Citizen General, if I am a dreamer. Wait a little; wait!" - -"You see we are waiting," said Santerre. - -"Good!" said the architect; and he began to calculate. "Twelve and four -make sixteen," said he, "and eight are twenty-four, which, divided by -six, makes four, and then half remains; that is it. I can tell the very -spot; and if I am mistaken by so much as a foot, you may henceforth dub -me an ass." - -The architect pronounced these words with an assurance which curdled -the blood of the Citizen Théodore. - -Santerre regarded the plan with a species of respect, but evidently -admired more than he comprehended it. - -"Now follow what I say." - -"Where?" asked Santerre. - -"Zounds! upon this chart which I have drawn. Here we are! thirteen feet -from the wall is a movable stone I have marked A; do you see it?" - -"Certainly, I see A," said Santerre. "Do you think I do not know how to -read?" - -"Under this stone," continued the architect, "is a staircase; do you -see? It is marked B." - -"B!" said Santerre; "I see B, but I do not see the staircase," and the -general laughed heartily at his own facetiousness. - -"When once the stone is raised, and the foot upon the last step, -count fifty paces, look up, and you will find yourself exactly at the -register-office where the subterraneous passage terminates, passing -under the cell of the queen." - -"Capet's widow, you mean, Citizen Giraud," said Santerre, knitting his -brows. - -"Yes, Capet's widow." - -"But you said 'the queen.'" - -"The force of old habit." - -"You say, then, it may be found under the register-office?" demanded -Richard. - -"Not only under the register-office, but I will tell you also in what -part of the office you will discover it,--under the stove." - -"That is curious," said Gracchus, "for I have noticed that every time I -dropped a log in that place the stone sounded hollow." - -"In short, if we find your statement correct, Citizen Architect, I -shall pronounce geometry a fine thing." - -"Then declare it, Citizen Santerre, for I am now going to conduct you -to the place indicated by the letter A." - -The Citizen Théodore sank his nails into his flesh. - -"When I have seen it," said Santerre,--"when I have seen it! I rather -resemble Saint Thomas." - -"Ah! you said Saint Thomas." - -"Yes, as you said 'the queen,' from mere habit; but they cannot accuse -me of conspiring for him." - -"Nor me for the queen." - -After this retort the architect delicately placed his rule, reckoned -the distance, then stopped, having apparently finished his calculation, -and struck upon a particular stone. - -This was the identical stone struck by the Citizen Théodore in his fit -of frantic rage. - -"It is here, Citizen General," said the architect. - -"You fancy so, Citizen Giraud." - -Our concealed patriot so far forgot himself as to strike his thigh with -his clinched fist, at the same time groaning deeply. - -"I am positive," said Giraud; "and your examination, combined with my -report, will prove to the Convention that I have not been deceived. -Yes, Citizen General," continued the architect, with emphasis, -"this stone opens upon a subterranean passage, terminating at the -register-office, and passing below the cell of the Widow Capet. Let us -raise the stone; descend with me into the vault, and I will convince -you that two men, even one man, could effect a rescue in a single -night, without any one suspecting it." - -A murmur of terror and admiration, elicited by the architect's words, -ran through the group, and faintly reached the Citizen Théodore, who -seemed turned to stone. - -"Look at the danger we run," continued Giraud. "Well, now with a -grating which I shall place in the middle of this underground passage -before it reaches the cell of the Widow Capet, I shall save the -country." - -"Ah, Citizen Giraud!" said Santerre, "that is an idea bordering on the -sublime." - -"Perdition seize you, addle-pated fool!" grumbled the patriot, with -redoubled fury. - -"Now raise the stone," said the architect to the Citizen Gracchus, who -in addition to a lantern carried a crowbar. - -Gracchus set to work, and in a second the stone was raised. - -The vault appeared open, with the staircase lost in its profundity, -while the moist air escaped like a pestilent vapor. - -"Another abortive attempt," murmured the Citizen Théodore. "Alas! -Heaven does not will that she should escape, and her cause must be -accursed!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - -THE CITIZEN GRACCHUS. - - -For an instant the three men remained motionless at the entrance to the -vault, while the turnkey plunged his lantern into the opening without -being able to penetrate its depth. The architect triumphantly exulted -over his companions from the summit of his genius. - -"Well!" said he, at length. - -"Faith! yes," replied Santerre, "here incontestably is the passage. It -only remains to know where it leads to." - -"Yes," repeated Richard, "it remains to know that." - -"Well, then, descend yourself, Citizen Richard, and then you will see -if I have told you the truth." - -"I have something better to do than go in there," said the porter. "We -will return with you and the general to the Conciergerie. There you can -raise the hearthstone, and we shall see." - -"Very well," said Santerre, "we will return." - -"But we must be careful," said the architect; "this stone remaining -unclosed may suggest an idea to some one." - -"Who the devil do you imagine ever comes here at this hour?" said -Santerre. - -"Besides," said Richard, "the hall is deserted, and to leave Gracchus -here is sufficient. Remain here, Citizen Gracchus, and we will return -to you from the other side of the subterranean passage." - -"All right," said Gracchus. - -"Are you armed?" demanded Santerre. - -"I have my sword and this crowbar, Citizen General." - -"Just the thing! keep strict watch; in ten minutes we will be with you." - -And having closed the iron gate, the three took their departure by -the Gallery des Merciers, to repair to the private entrance of the -Conciergerie. - -The turnkey watched their receding footsteps, and followed them with -his eyes as far as he could see, and listened as long as he had -anything to hear; then all relapsed into silence, and supposing himself -in perfect solitude, he placed his lantern on the ground, sat down, -his legs overhanging the depths of the vault, and began to meditate. -Turnkeys meditate sometimes; but people, generally speaking, do not -trouble themselves to find out what is the subject of their meditations. - -All at once, in the midst of his profound revery, he felt a hand press -heavily upon his shoulder. He turned round, and attempted, on seeing a -stranger, to give the alarm, but at the same instant the cold point of -a pistol was pressed to his forehead. - -The accents were arrested in his throat, his arms fell listlessly by -his side, and his eyes assumed the most suppliant expression. - -"Not a word," said the intruder, "or you are a dead man." - -"What do you want, sir?" stammered the turnkey. - -Even in '93, there were moments when, renouncing their idea of -universal equality, they forgot to address each other as "Citizen." - -"I wish," said the Citizen Théodore, "to be allowed to go down there." - -"What for?" - -"Never mind." - -The turnkey regarded the person who had proffered this request with -the most profound astonishment; but in the mean time his interlocutor -fancied he detected in the man's look a ray of intelligence. - -He lowered the pistol. - -"Would you refuse to make your fortune?" - -"I don't know. Hitherto no one has ever made me proposals on the -subject." - -"Well, then, I will begin." - -"You offer to make my fortune?" - -"Yes." - -"What do you mean by a fortune?" - -"Fifty thousand golden francs, for instance. Money is scarce, and fifty -thousand francs now are worth a million. Well, I offer you that sum." - -"To allow you to go down there?" - -"Yes; but on condition that you come with me, and afford me your -assistance in my undertaking." - -"But what are you going to do? In five minutes that vault will be -filled with soldiers, who will arrest you." - -The Citizen Théodore was forcibly struck by this argument. - -"Cannot you prevent the soldiers from descending there?" - -"I have no means of so doing, I know none, and cannot think of any." - -Indeed, it was evident the turnkey was taxing all his mental energies -to discover some means of winning the fifty thousand francs. - -"But," demanded the Citizen Théodore, "could we not enter to-morrow?" - -"Yes; but to-morrow a grate of iron will be placed across the passage, -occupying its whole width; and for the greater security it is arranged -that this partition should be entirely solid, and without even a door." - -"Then we must think of something else," said Théodore. - -"Yes; we must find some other way," said the turnkey. - -It will be seen from the joint manner in which Gracchus expressed -himself, that an alliance had already been struck between himself and -the Citizen Théodore. - -"That will be my concern," said Théodore. "What do you do at the -Conciergerie?" - -"I am a turnkey." - -"What are your duties?" - -"I open the doors and shut them." - -"Do you sleep there?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Do you take your meals there?" - -"Not always. I have my hours of recreation." - -"And then?" - -"I avail myself of them." - -"What to do?" - -"To pay my respects to the mistress of a tavern called Noah's Well, who -has promised to marry me when I am possessed of twelve hundred francs." - -"Where is the tavern Noah's Well?" - -"Near the Rue de la Vieille-Draperie." - -"Very well." - -"Hush, sir." - -The patriot listened. - -"Ah! ah!" said he. - -"Do you hear?" - -"Yes. Voices and footsteps." - -"They are returning." - -"You see very well that we should not have had time." - -This _we_ was becoming more and more pronounced. - -"That is true. You are a brave fellow, Citizen, and are through me -predestined--" - -"To what?" - -"To be rich one day." - -"God grant it!" - -"You then still believe in God?" - -"Sometimes; here and there. To-day, for example--" - -"Well?" - -"I should willingly believe." - -"Believe, then," said the Citizen Théodore, putting ten louis into the -man's hand. - -"The devil!" said he, regarding the gold by the light of the lantern. -"Is it, then, serious?" - -"It could not be more so." - -"What must I do?" - -"Meet me to-morrow at Noah's Well; I will then tell you what I require -of you. What is your name?" - -"Gracchus." - -"Well, Citizen Gracchus, get yourself dismissed from here to-morrow by -the keeper Richard." - -"Dismissed! give up my place!" - -"Do you reckon on remaining a turnkey, with fifty thousand francs?" - -"No, but being a turnkey and poor, I am certain of not being -guillotined." - -"Certain?" - -"Or nearly so; while being free and rich--" - -"You will hide your money, and make love to a spinster instead of to -the mistress of Noah's Well." - -"Well, then, it is settled." - -"To-morrow at the tavern." - -"At what hour?" - -"At six in the evening." - -"Flee quickly; there they are. I tell you to be quick, because, I -presume, you descend and go through the vaults." - -"To-morrow," repeated Théodore, hastening away. - -And not before it was time, for the voices and steps drew near, -and lights were already seen approaching in the obscurity of the -underground passage. Théodore gained the gate which the writer from -whom he had taken the hut had shown him, opened the lock with his -crowbar, reached the window, threw it open, dropped softly into the -street, and found himself upon the pavement of the Republic once again. - -Before quitting the Salle des Pas-Perdus he heard the Citizen Gracchus -again question Richard, and also his reply. - -"The Citizen Architect was quite right; the vault passes below the -chamber of the Widow Capet, and it was dangerous." - -"I well believe it," said Gracchus, who in this instance told the -perfect truth. - -Santerre reappeared at the opening of the staircase. - -"And the workmen, Citizen Architect?" demanded he of Giraud. - -"Before daybreak they will be here; and during the session the grating -will be placed," replied a voice which seemed to proceed from the -bowels of the earth. - -"And you will have saved the country," cried Santerre, half in jest, -half in earnest. - -"You little know the truth of what you say, Citizen General," murmured -Gracchus. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - -THE ROYAL CHILD. - - -In the mean time, as we have seen in the chapter preceding, the queen's -trial was about to take place. - -It was already surmised that by the sacrifice of this illustrious head -the popular hatred, so long displayed in murmurs, would at length be -satisfied. - -The means were not wanting for the completion of this tragedy; and in -the mean time Fouquier Tinville, that fatal accuser, had resolved not -to neglect the new mode of accusation which Simon had promised to place -in his hands. - -The day after he and Simon had met in the Salle des Pas-Perdus, the -noise of arms again startled the prisoners who remained in the Temple. - -These prisoners were Madame Elizabeth, Madame Royale, and the child who -after having been called "Your Majesty" in his cradle, was now styled -simply the "Little Capet." - -General Hanriot, with his tricolored plume, his splendid horse, and -long sword, followed by several of the National Guard, dismounted, and -entered the dungeon where the royal child languished. - -By the general's side walked a registrar of very unprepossessing -appearance, carrying a writing-desk, a large roll of paper, and -flourishing a pen of immoderate length. - -Behind the scribe walked the public accuser. We have seen, we know, and -shall meet again at a later period, this dry, jaundiced, cold man, with -his blood-shot eyes, who made the ferocious Santerre himself tremble, -even when cased in his armor. - -Several National Guards and a lieutenant followed them. - -Simon, smiling hypocritically, and holding his bear-skin bonnet in one -hand and his shoemaker's stirrup in the other, walked before to show -the committee the way. - -They came to a very dirty chamber, spacious and ill-furnished, at the -end of which, seated upon his bed, was the young Louis, in a state of -perfect immobility. - -When we saw the poor child fleeing from the brutal anger of Simon, he -still retained a species of vitality, resenting the unworthy treatment -of the shoemaker of the Temple. He fled, he wept, he prayed; then he -feared and suffered, but still he hoped. - -But now both fear and hope had vanished; without doubt the suffering -still existed, but if it still remained, the infant martyr, whom they -had made pay after so cruel a fashion for his parents' faults, buried -it in the depths of his heart, and veiled it under an appearance -of total insensibility. He did not even raise his head when the -commissioners walked up to him. - -Without further ceremony they instantly installed themselves. The -public accuser seated himself at the head of the bed, Simon at the -foot, the registrar near the window, the National Guard and their -lieutenant on the side and rather in the shade. - -Those among them who regarded the little prisoner with the slightest -interest, or even curiosity, remarked the child's pallor, his -extraordinary stoutness (resulting from his bloated condition), and -his bent legs, the joints of which had already begun to swell. - -"That child is very ill," said the lieutenant, with an assurance that -caused Fouquier to turn round, though already seated and prepared to -question his victim. - -Little Capet raised his eyes to discover who had uttered these words, -and recognized the same young man who had already once before saved -him from Simon's cruelty in the court of the Temple. A sweet and -intelligent glance shot from his deep blue eyes, and that was all. - -"Ah, ah! is that you, Citizen Lorin?" said Simon, thus calling the -attention of Fouquier Tinville to the friend of Maurice. - -"Myself, Citizen Simon," said Lorin, with his usual nonchalance. - -And as Lorin though always ready to face danger was not the man to -seek it uselessly, he availed himself of this circumstance to bow to -Fouquier Tinville, which salutation was politely returned. - -"You observed, I think, Citizen," said the public accuser, "that the -child was ill; are you a doctor?" - -"I have studied medicine, at least, if I am not a medical man." - -"Well, and what do you discover in him?" - -"Symptoms of sickness, do you mean?" asked Lorin. - -"Yes." - -"I find his cheeks and eyes puffed up, his hands thin and white, his -knees swollen; and were I to feel his pulse, I should certainly count -eighty-five or ninety pulsations in a minute." - -The child appeared insensible to the enumeration of his sufferings. - -"And to what might science attribute the condition of the prisoner?" - -Lorin rubbed the tip of his nose, murmuring,-- - - "Phyllis wants to make me speak, - I am not the least inclined. - -"Faith, Citizen!" replied he, "I am not sufficiently acquainted with -little Capet's constitution to reply. However--" - -Simon lent an attentive ear, and laughed in his sleeve to find his -enemy so near committing himself. - -"However," said Lorin, "I think he does not have sufficient exercise." - -"I believe the little scoundrel," said Simon, "does not choose to walk." - -The child remained quite unmoved by this apostrophe of the shoemaker. - -Fouquier Tinville arose, advanced to Lorin, and addressed some words -to him in a low tone. No one heard the words, but it was evident they -assumed the form of interrogatories. - -"Oh, oh! do you believe that, Citizen? It is a serious charge for a -mother--" - -"Under any circumstances, we shall find out. Simon pretends he has -heard him say so, and has engaged to make him acknowledge it." - -"This would be frightful," said Lorin; "but indeed it is possible; the -Austrian is not exempt from sin, and right or wrong, does not concern -me--They have made her out a Messalina: but not content with that, they -wish to make her an Agrippina. I must acknowledge it appears to me -rather hard." - -"This is what has been reported by Simon," said the impassible Fouquier. - -"I do not doubt that Simon has said all this. There are some men who -stick at nothing, even the most impossible accusations. But do you -not find," said Lorin, fixing his eyes steadily on Fouquier,--"do you -not find--you, an intelligent and upright man, possessed with a strong -mind--that to inquire of a child concerning such circumstances as those -which all the most natural and most sacred laws of Nature command us to -respect, is to insult all human nature in the person of a child?" - -The accuser did not frown, but took a note from his pocket and showed -it to Lorin. - -"The Convention enjoins me to investigate," said he; "the rest does not -concern me. I shall investigate." - -"It is just," said Lorin; "and I declare that if this child -acknowledges--" And the young man shook his head, expressive of disgust. - -"Besides," continued Fouquier, "it is not only upon the denunciation of -Simon that we proceed; the accusation is public." - -And Fouquier drew a second paper from his pocket. - -This was a number of the paper entitled "Le Père Duchesne;" which, as -is well known, was written by Hébert. - -The accusation indeed appeared there in full. - -"It is written, and even printed," said Lorin; "but till I hear a -similar accusation proceed from the lips of the child,--mind, I mean -voluntarily, freely, and without menaces,--notwithstanding Simon and -Hébert, I shall disbelieve it, as much as you in reality do yourself." - -Simon impatiently awaited the issue of this conversation. - -The miserable creature was not unaware of the power exercised upon -an intelligent man by the looks which he receives from the crowd, -expressive either of sympathy or subtle hatred. Sometimes this subtle -influence repels, sometimes it attracts, makes the thought flow out and -even draws the person of the man toward that other man of equal or -superior mental calibre whom he recognizes in the crowd. - -But Fouquier Tinville had felt the keen observation of Lorin, and was -anxious to be fully understood by him. - -"The examination is about to commence," said the public accuser. -"Registrar, resume your pen!" - -The registrar, who had just drawn out the preliminaries of the -investigation, was waiting, like Hanriot, Simon, and all the rest, till -the colloquy between Fouquier and Lorin had ceased. - -The child alone appeared perfectly unconscious of the scene in which he -was soon to become the principal actor, and his face, which had for an -instant gleamed with a ray of the highest intelligence, had relapsed -into its listless, apathetic expression. - -"Silence!" cried Hanriot, "the Citizen Fouquier Tinville is going to -interrogate the child." - -"Capet," said the public accuser, "do you know what has become of your -mother?" - -The little Louis turned from an ashy paleness to a brilliant red, but -made no reply. - -"Did you hear me, Capet?" - -He still remained silent. - -"Oh, he hears well enough," said Simon, "only he is like the ape, he -will not reply for fear he should be taken for a man, and so made to -work." - -"Reply, Capet!" said Hanriot; "it is the Commission of the Convention -that interrogates you. You must show obedience to the laws." - -The child turned pale, but did not reply. - -Simon made a frantic gesture of rage. With natures so stupid and brutal -as his, anger becomes an intoxication, attended with all the loathsome -symptoms of alcoholic inebriety. - -"Will you reply, wolf's cub?" showing him the strap. - -"Be quiet, Simon," said Fouquier Tinville; "you have not the right to -speak." - -This expression, which had become habitual to Tinville at the -Revolutionary Tribunal, now escaped him involuntarily. - -"Do you hear, Simon?" said Lorin. "This is the second time you have -been told this in my presence; the first was when you accused Tison's -daughter, whom you had the pleasure of bringing to the scaffold." - -Simon was silent. - -"Does your mother love you, Capet?" asked Fouquier. - -Still the same silence. - -"They say not," continued the accuser. - -Something like a ghastly smile passed over the child's pale lips. - -"But then, I say," roared Simon, "he has told me she loves him too -much!" - -"Look here, Simon," said Lorin, "you are angry that the little Capet -chatters so much when you are together, and remains silent before -company to-day." - -"Oh, if we were alone!" said Simon. - -"Yes, if you were alone; but unfortunately you are not alone. Oh, if -you were, brave Simon, excellent patriot! how you would belabor the -poor child, eh? But you are not alone, and dare not show your rage -before honest men like us who know that the ancients, whom we endeavor -to take for our models, respected all who were weak. You dare not, for -you are not alone; and you are not valiant, my worthy man, when you -have children of five feet six inches to combat." - -"Oh!" muttered Simon, grinding his teeth. - -"Capet," said Fouquier, "have you confided any secrets to Simon?" - -The child never turned round, but his face assumed an expression of -irony impossible to describe. - -"About your mother?" continued Fouquier. - -A look of supreme contempt passed over his countenance. - -"Reply, yes or no!" cried Hanriot. - -"Say yes!" roared Simon, holding his leather stirrup over the child's -head. - -The child shuddered, but made no movement to avoid the blow. Those -present uttered a cry expressive of their disgust. Lorin did more. -Before the wretch could lower his arm he darted forward and seized him -by the wrist. - -"Will you let me go?" roared Simon, purple with rage. - -"Come, there is no harm," said Fouquier, "in a mother loving her child. -Tell us in what way your mother loved you, Capet. It may be useful to -her." - -The young prisoner started at the idea of being useful to his mother. - -"She loves me as a mother loves her son, sir," said he; "there are not -two ways for mothers to love their sons, or sons to love their mothers." - -"And I, little serpent, declare that you have told me your mother--" - -"You have dreamed that," interrupted Lorin, quietly, "you must often -have the nightmare, Simon." - -"Lorin! Lorin!" growled Simon, grinding his teeth. - -"Yes, again, Lorin. There is no way of beating Lorin, since he -chastises the wicked; there is no way to denounce him for what he -did in arresting your arm, as it was done before General Hanriot and -Fouquier Tinville, who approve of it, and they are not lukewarm in the -cause. There is then no way to bring him to the guillotine, as you did -poor Héloïse Tison. It is very grievous, very vexatious, very enraging; -still it is so, my poor Simon!" - -"Later! later!" replied the shoemaker, with his mocking laugh. - -"Yes, dear friend," said Lorin, "I hope with the help of the Supreme -Being--Ah! you expected I was going to say with the help of God! But -I hope with the assistance of the Supreme Being, and my good sword, -to disembowel you first; but move aside, Simon, you prevent me from -seeing." - -"Rascal!" - -"Be silent, you prevent me from hearing," and Lorin silenced him with a -threatening look. - -Simon clinched his black hands and shook his fists, but as Lorin had -told him, he was obliged to confine himself to these manifestations. - -"Now he has begun to speak," said Hanriot, "he will continue no doubt. -Go on, Fouquier!" - -"Will you reply now?" demanded Fouquier. - -The child returned to his former silence. - -"You see, Citizen! you see!" exclaimed Simon. - -"The obstinacy of this child is strange," said Hanriot, troubled in -spite of himself at this royal firmness. - -"He is ill advised," said Lorin. - -"By whom?" demanded Hanriot. - -"By his guardian." - -"Do you accuse me?" cried Simon,--"do you denounce me? Ah! that is -curious--" - -"Let us try gentleness," said Fouquier. Then turning toward the child, -whom one would have supposed to be insensible,-- - -"My child," said he, "reply to the National Commission; do not -aggravate your situation by refusing us any useful information. You -have spoken to the Citizen Simon about your mother,--how you caress her -and love her; how she caresses and loves you?" - -Louis threw a glance around the assembly, which gleamed with hatred -when it rested on Simon, but he did not reply. - -"Do you feel yourself unhappy?" demanded the accuser; "are you -uncomfortably lodged, badly fed, and unkindly treated? Would you wish -more liberty, better food, another prison, another guardian? Would you -like a horse to ride upon, and some companions of your own age?" - -Louis still maintained the profound silence he had only once broken, to -defend his mother. - -The Commission was utterly confounded at so much firmness and -intelligence evinced by a child. - -"Ah, these kings!" said Hanriot, in a low voice, "what a race! They are -like tigers; even the young ones inherit their wickedness." - -"How are we to write the investigation?" asked the registrar, much -embarrassed. - -"There is no charge against Simon; there is nothing to write," said -Lorin; "that will suit him exactly." - -Simon again shook his fist at his implacable enemy. - -Lorin began to laugh. - -"You will not laugh like that the day you will sneeze in the sack," -said Simon, drunk with fury. - -"I do not know whether I shall precede or follow you in the little -ceremony you menace me with," said Lorin; "but this I do know, that -many will laugh when your turn comes. Gods!--I have spoken in the -plural,--gods! you will not be ugly then, Simon; you will be hideous." - -And Lorin retired behind the Commission, with a fresh burst of laughter. - -The Commission, having nothing more to attend to, withdrew. - -As for the poor child, released from his tormentors, he began to sing a -little melancholy ditty which had been a great favorite of his father. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. - -THE BOUQUET OF VIOLETS. - - -As might be foreseen, the felicity of Geneviève and Maurice was not of -long continuance. - -In the tempest which unchains the wind and hurls the thunderbolt, the -nest of the doves is shaken in the tree where they had retired for -shelter. - -Geneviève passed from one terror to another. She no longer feared for -Maison-Rouge, she now trembled for Maurice. - -She knew her husband sufficiently well to feel convinced, the moment -of his disappearance, that he was saved; but sure of his safety, she -thought now of her own. - -She dared not confide her grief to the least timid man of this epoch -when all from desperation were devoid of fear, but it was plainly -evinced by her red eyes and pallid cheeks. - -One day Maurice softly entered, so quietly indeed that Geneviève, -buried in a profound revery, did not notice his entrance. He stopped -upon the threshold and saw Geneviève sitting immovable, her eyes fixed -on vacancy, her hands lying listlessly on her lap, her head hanging -pensively upon her bosom. - -He gazed at her for a moment with an expression of deepest sadness, for -all that was passing in the young girl's heart was suddenly revealed, -as if he had read even to her latest thought. He stepped up to her. - -"You have ceased to care for France, Geneviève; confess it is so. You -fly from the air breathed here, and not without the greatest reluctance -will you even approach the window." - -"Alas!" said Geneviève, "I know I cannot conceal my thoughts from you, -Maurice; you have divined rightly." - -"It is nevertheless a fine country," said the young man; "life is -here important, and well occupied now. This bustling activity of the -Tribune, the clubs, the conspiracies, renders sweeter the hours spent -by our own fireside. One loves it the more ardently, it may be, from -the fear of not being able to love it on the morrow, for on the morrow -one may have ceased to exist." - -Geneviève shook her head. "An ungrateful country to serve," said she. - -"Why so?" - -"Yes; you who have labored so much for the cause of liberty, are you -not to-day more than half suspected?" - -"But you, dear Geneviève," said Maurice, with a look replete with -tenderness, "you a sworn enemy to this liberty,--you who have done so -much against it! You yet sleep, peaceable and inviolate, beneath the -roof of a Republican; and there, you see, is my recompense." - -"Yes," said Geneviève, "but that cannot last long; that which is wrong -cannot endure." - -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean to say that I,--that is to say an aristocrat,--that I who dream -quietly of the defeat of your party and the ruin of your plans; I who -plot, even in your house, the return of the ancient régime; I who, -recognized, would condemn you to death and dishonor, according to your -opinions at least,--I, Maurice, will not remain here as the evil genius -of your house; I will not drag you to the scaffold." - -"And where will you go, Geneviève?" - -"Where shall I go, Maurice? One day when you are out I shall go and -denounce myself, without saying where I come from." - -"Oh!" cried Maurice, wounded to the heart's core, "already ungrateful?" - -"No," cried the young woman, throwing her arms round Maurice's neck; -"it is love, and the most devoted love, I swear. I should not wish my -brother to be taken and slaughtered as a rebel; I do not wish my lover -to be arrested and guillotined as a traitor." - -"And you will do this, Geneviève?" - -"As truly as there is a God in heaven," replied the young woman; -"besides, I not only experience fear but remorse," and she bowed her -head as if remorse were a burden too heavy to be borne. - -"Oh, Geneviève!" said Maurice. - -"You will understand all that I say, all that I feel, Maurice, for you -yourself experience this remorse. You know I gave myself to you while -I belonged to another, and you have taken me without my possessing the -right to dispose of myself." - -"Enough!" said Maurice, "enough!" He knit his brow, and a melancholy -resolution shone in his clear bright eyes. "I will show you, Geneviève, -how entirely I love you," said the young man, "I will prove to you that -no sacrifice is beyond my love. You hate France. Well, so be it. We -will quit France." - -Geneviève clasped her hands, and regarded her lover with enthusiastic -admiration. - -"You will not deceive me, Maurice," murmured she. - -"Have I ever deceived you?" asked Maurice, "and is this the time when, -to obtain you, I have dishonored myself?" - -Geneviève approached her lips to Maurice's, and remained hanging on the -neck of her lover. - -"Yes, you are right," said Geneviève; "it is I who am mistaken. What I -feel is not remorse, perhaps it is a degradation of soul; but you will -comprehend at least I love you far too much to feel any other emotion -than the all-engrossing one, the fear of losing you. Let us go far -away, Maurice, let us go far away where no one can ever reach us." - -"Oh, thanks!" said Maurice, transported with joy. - -"But how can we flee?" said Geneviève, trembling at the hazard. "It is -not so easy to escape nowadays from the poniard of the assassins of -the 2d of September, or the hatchet of the executioners of the 21st of -January." - -"Geneviève," said Maurice, "God will protect us. Listen to me! A good -action which I endeavored to perform, on that very 2d of September -which you have just named, is now about to receive its reward. I wished -to save a poor priest who had studied with me. I went to Danton, and at -his request the Committee of Public Safety signed a passport for the -unfortunate man and his sister. This passport Danton forwarded to me; -but the unfortunate priest, instead of coming to my house for it, as I -had advised him to do, went and shut himself up with the Carmelites, -from whom he was taken and killed." - -"And the passport?" asked Geneviève. - -"I have it now. It is worth a million. It is worth more than that, -Geneviève,--it comprises both life and happiness!" - -"Oh, God be praised!" cried the young woman. - -"Now, my property, as you are aware, consists of an estate managed by -an old servant of the family, a stanch patriot, and strictly loyal, -in whom we may confide. He will send remittances whenever I wish. On -arriving at Boulogne, we will go to his house." - -"Where does he reside then?" - -"At Abbeville." - -"When shall we go, Maurice?" - -"Within an hour." - -"No one need know of our departure." - -"No one will know it. I will run to Lorin; he has a cabriolet and -no horse, while I have a horse and no carriage. We will set out -immediately on my return. Remain you here, Geneviève, and prepare -everything for our departure. We want but little luggage; we can -purchase all that we require in England. I shall give Scævola some -commission that will remove him out of the way. Lorin will explain our -departure to him this evening. By that time we shall be far away." - -"But if we should be arrested upon the road?" - -"Have we not our passport? We shall go to Hubert's house,--that is the -steward's name. Hubert is a member of the town council of Abbeville; -from Abbeville to Boulogne he will accompany us as safeguard. At -Boulogne we will purchase and freight a vessel. I could, besides, -proceed to the Committee, and make them give me a mission to Abbeville. -But no; we shall use no fraud, Geneviève. It is better to risk our -lives to save and secure our happiness." - -"Yes, yes, dear Maurice; and we shall succeed. But how you are perfumed -this morning!" said the young woman, concealing her face on Maurice's -breast. - -"True; I purchased a bunch of violets for you this morning, passing -before the Palace d'Egalité; but on my return, finding you so sad, I -thought of nothing but inquiring into the cause of your distress." - -"Oh, give it to me; I will return it." - -Geneviève inhaled the odor of the bouquet with that intense delight -which persons of nervous organization always experience from the -perfume of flowers. Suddenly her eyes suffused with tears. - -"What is the matter?" asked Maurice. - -"Poor Héloïse!" murmured Geneviève. - -"Ah, yes!" said Maurice, with a sigh; "but let us think of ourselves, -and leave the dead, wherever they may be, to rest in the grave dug by -their devotion. Adieu! I am going." - -"Return quickly." - -"In less than half an hour I shall be here again." - -"But if Lorin is not at home?" - -"What does it matter? his servant knows me. And even in his absence I -can take what I please, as he would do here in mine." - -"Very well." - -"Now, my Geneviève, prepare everything; but, as I have told you, -confine yourself to necessaries. I do not wish our departure to appear -like a removal." - -The young man advanced a step toward the door. - -"Maurice!" said Geneviève. - -He turned round, and saw the young woman extend her arms toward him. - -"Good-by for the present, dear love," said he; "in half an hour I shall -be here." - -Geneviève remained alone, occupied, as we have said, in preparations -for their departure. - -She accomplished her task in feverish haste. As long as she remained in -Paris, the part she was acting appeared to her doubly culpable. Once -out of France, once among strangers, it seemed that her crime--a crime -rather of fatality than her own--would weigh the less heavily on her -conscience. - -She even hoped, isolated and in solitude, she might at last forget the -existence of any other man than Maurice. - -They would fly to England; everything was arranged. There they would -hire a little cottage, standing alone, very retired, shut out from all -eyes; they would change their names, and instead of two names would -have one. - -There they would have two servants who would be perfectly ignorant of -their past. Fortunately, both Geneviève and Maurice spoke English. - -Neither of them left anything to regret in France, save that mother -whom one always regrets, even when she is only a step-mother,--one's -country. Geneviève commenced, then, making preparations for their -voyage, or rather flight. - -She took singular pleasure in selecting from the rest those objects for -which Maurice had evinced any predilection. The coat setting off his -tall figure to advantage, the cravat and waistcoat best suited to his -complexion, the books whose leaves he had most frequently turned. - -She had already made her selection. Clothes, linen, and books, waiting -to be packed, strewed the floor, the chairs, the sofa and the piano. - -Suddenly she heard the key turn in the lock. - -"Why, Scævola has returned," said she; "surely Maurice could not have -met him." - -And she continued her occupation. - -The doors of the salon were open, and she heard Scævola moving in the -antechamber. She held a roll of music in her hand, and was looking for -some string to tie round it. - -"Scævola!" cried she. - -An approaching step sounded in the adjoining room. - -"Scævola!" repeated Geneviève, "do come here, please!" - -"I am here," said a voice. - -At the sound of this voice Geneviève turned quickly round, and uttered -a terrified cry. - -"My husband!" cried she. - -"Himself," said Dixmer, coolly. - -Geneviève was upon a chair, searching for some string in the wardrobe. -She felt her head turn round, and extending her arms, fell backward, -wishing she could precipitate herself into an abyss beneath. - -Dixmer took her in his arms, and carried her to a sofa. - -"What is the matter, my dear? What is it? My presence seems to have -produced a most disagreeable effect upon you." - -"I am dying," murmured Geneviève, turning from him, and pressing both -hands over her eyes that she might shut out the frightful apparition. - -"What!" said Dixmer, "did you believe me dead, my dear, and do you take -me for a ghost?" - -Geneviève looked round her with a bewildered air, when, perceiving the -portrait of Maurice, she glided from the sofa and fell upon her knees, -as if to implore the assistance of this powerless and insensible image, -which still continued to smile. - -The unhappy woman fully comprehended the menaces concealed by Dixmer -under his affected calmness. - -"Oh, my dear child," continued the master-tanner, "it is indeed myself. -Perhaps you thought I was far from Paris; but no, I remained here. The -day after I had left the house, I returned, and found in its stead -a heap of ruins. I inquired after you. No one had seen you. I then -commenced a search for you, and have had much trouble to find you. I -avow that I did not think you were here; however, I had my suspicions. -So, as you see, I came. So here I am; and there are you. And how is -dear Maurice? Indeed, I fear you have suffered much. You so stanch a -Royalist, compelled to seek shelter under the roof of so fanatical a -Republican." - -"My God! my God!" murmured Geneviève, "take pity upon me!" - -"After all, my dear," continued Dixmer, "what serves to console me most -is that you are so comfortably lodged here, and that you do not appear -to have suffered much from the proscription. As for myself, since the -burning of our house, and the ruin of our fortune, I have had my share -of wandering adventures, sometimes living in caves, sometimes in boats, -and sometimes even in the common sewers which empty into the Seine." - -"Sir!" said Geneviève. - -"You have there some beautiful fruit; as for me, I have often gone -without any dessert, not having had any dinner." - -Geneviève, sobbing bitterly, supported her head between her hands. - -"Not," continued Dixmer, "that I was destitute of money. I have, thank -God! generally carried with me thirty thousand francs in gold, which -at this time is worth five hundred thousand francs; but how should -a 'collier,' a 'fisherman,' or a 'rag merchant' draw louis from his -pocket to purchase a morsel of cheese or a sausage. Eh! my God! yes, -Madame, I have successively adopted these three costumes. To-day, the -better to disguise myself, I am dressed as a patriot of the patriots; I -lisp, and I swear. An outlaw cannot conceal himself so easily in Paris -as a young and pretty woman, and I have not the happiness of knowing -an ardent young female Republican who could hide me from every eye." - -"Sir! sir!" cried Geneviève, "have mercy upon me! you see that I am -dying." - -"Anxiety; I can understand you have had much anxiety about me; but -console yourself, you see me now. I have returned, and we shall part no -more, Madame." - -"Oh, you will kill me!" cried Geneviève. - -Dixmer regarded her with a frightful smile. - -"Kill an innocent woman! Oh, Madame, what makes you say so? It must be -that grief for my absence has turned your brain." - -"Sir!" cried Geneviève, "sir, I beseech you to kill me at once, rather -than torture me with these cruel railleries. No, I am not innocent; -yes, I am criminal; yes, I merit death. Kill me, sir, kill me!--" - -"Then you acknowledge that you merit death?" - -"Yes! yes!" - -"And to expiate this I know not what crime of which you accuse -yourself, you will submit to death without complaint?" - -"Strike, sir, I will not utter a cry; and instead of cursing I will -bless the hand that strikes me." - -"No, Madame, I do not wish to strike you; nevertheless in all -probability you will die. Only your death, instead of being as you seem -to fear an ignominious one, shall be most glorious. Thank me, Madame; -while punishing, I will immortalize you." - -"What then will you do, sir?" - -"You will follow the end to which we were tending when interrupted on -our route. In your own eyes and in mine, you will die guilty; in the -eyes of the world you will die a martyr." - -"Oh, my God! you will drive me mad by speaking thus. Where are you -conducting me? Where are you dragging me?" - -"In all probability to death." - -"Let me then offer up one prayer." - -"To whom?" - -"It matters not to you. The moment you deprive me of life, my debt is -cancelled. My debt paid, I owe you nothing." - -"True," said Dixmer, retiring into another room; "I will await you." -And he left her once more alone. - -Geneviève sank on her knees before the portrait, pressing her hands -against her breaking heart. - -"Maurice," said she, in a low tone, "pardon me; I did not expect to be -happy, but I hoped to make you so. Maurice, I am depriving you of a joy -that constituted your life; pardon me for causing your death, my best -beloved." - -Then severing a ringlet from her mass of curls, she bound it round -the bouquet of violets, and placed them beneath the portrait, which -insensible, and speechless as it was, still appeared to assume an -expression of grief at her departure. - -At least so it appeared to the unfortunate Geneviève, as she gazed at -it through her tears. - -"Well, are you ready, Madame?" demanded Dixmer. - -"So soon?" murmured Geneviève. - -"Oh, take your time, Madame," replied Dixmer; "I am in no hurry. -Besides, I dare say Maurice will not be long, and I shall be delighted -to thank him for all his kindness and hospitality toward you." - -Geneviève trembled with terror at the idea of a meeting between her -lover and husband. She automatically raised herself. - -"It is finished, sir," said she, "and I am ready now." - -Dixmer went out first, and the trembling Geneviève followed him with -half-closed eyes, her head turned back to take a last fond look. They -ascended the carriage which was waiting at the door. It rolled away. - -As Geneviève had said, "It was finished." - - - - -CHAPTER XL. - -THE TAVERN OF NOAH'S WELL. - - -This man attired in a jerkin, whom we have seen traversing with long -and rapid strides the Salle des Pas-Perdus; whom we have heard, during -the expedition of the architect Giraud, General Hanriot, and Richard, -conversing with the turnkey left to guard the subterranean passage; -this fierce patriot, who had introduced himself to Simon as having -carried the head of the Princess de Lamballe,--found himself, on the -next evening, about seven o'clock, at the tavern of Noah's Well, -situated, as we have said, at the corner of the Rue de la Vieille -Draperie. - -He was seated at the end of a dirty room, redolent of tobacco and -candles, pretending to devour a plate of fish swimming in melted butter. - -The room where he supped was nearly deserted; two or three habitués -of the house alone remained after the rest, enjoying the privilege to -which their daily visit to the establishment entitled them. - -The tables were for the most part empty; but we ought to remark, in -honor to the tavern of Noah's Well, that the stained tablecloths -denoted the departure of a satisfactory number of satisfied guests. - -The last three successively disappeared, and at about a quarter to -eight our patriot found himself alone. Then, with true aristocratic -disgust, he pushed away the greasy plate, which an instant before he -had appeared to think so delicious, and drew from his pocket a tablet -of Spanish chocolate, which he ate slowly and with a very different -expression to that we have seen him endeavor to give to his countenance. - -From time to time, while eating his chocolate and black bread, he cast -toward a glass door, shaded by a red and white checked curtain, anxious -and impatient glances. Sometimes he interrupted his frugal repast to -listen; in short, evinced an absence of mind sufficient to induce the -mistress of the mansion--seated at her counter, and near the door on -which the patriot so eagerly fixed his eyes--to conclude that she might -without vanity consider herself the object of his preoccupation. - -At length the door-bell sounded in a way that made him start; he -drew the plate again before him, and without attracting the woman's -observation, threw half the contents to a famished-looking dog, and the -remainder to a cat, who treated the dog to some stinging strokes of her -velvet paws. - -The door opened, and a man entered, dressed almost the same as the -patriot, with the exception of the hairy cap, which he had replaced -with the red bonnet. An enormous bunch of keys hung from his girdle, -from which also depended a sword. - -"My soup! my half-pint!" cried the man, entering the public room -without removing his bonnet, but merely saluting the mistress of the -house by a slight inclination of his head. With a sigh of fatigue, -he seated himself at a table adjoining that where our patriot was -discussing his black bread and chocolate. - -The mistress of the tavern, in consequence of the deference she -entertained for the new-comer, rose herself to order the requisite -viands. - -The two men turned their backs to each other,--one to look into the -street, the other toward the end of the room,--not a word was exchanged -between them till the mistress of the tavern had disappeared. - -When the door had closed behind her, by the light from a single candle, -suspended from the end of an iron wire so as to divide the light -equally between the two guests, the man in the bear-skin bonnet--thanks -to the glass placed before him--at length saw that the room was -deserted. - -"Good-evening," said he to his companion, without turning round. - -"Good-evening, sir!" said the new-comer. - -"Well," asked the patriot, with the same affected indifference, "where -are we now?" - -"Well! it is done!" - -"What is done?" - -"As we agreed, I have had some conversation with Father Richard about -the situation. I complained of swimming in the head, dimness of -eyesight,--in short, of general ill-health." - -"What then?" - -"Father Richard called his wife, and she rubbed my temples with -vinegar, and that revived me. Then, as we had arranged between us, I -said that want of fresh air produced this swimming in the head, that I -was of too full a habit, and that the duty at the Conciergerie, which -contains at the present moment four hundred prisoners, was killing me." - -"What did they say to that?" - -"Richard's wife pitied me, but he showed me to the door." - -"It was not enough to show you to the door." - -"But wait! Then his wife, who is a good soul, reproached him with -having no heart, seeing that I was the father of a family." - -"What did he say to that?" - -"He said that she was right; but that the very first condition annexed -to the situation of turnkey was to remain within the prison to which -he was attached; that the Republic did not jest, but would without -ceremony cut the throats of those who grew dizzy in the exercise of -their duty." - -"The devil!" exclaimed the patriot. - -"And he was not far wrong either; for since the Austrian has been -there, it is a perfect hell of surveillance. One would act the spy -there upon his own father." The patriot here gave his plate to the dog -to lick, who was directly bitten by the cat. - -"Go on!" said he, without turning round. - -"At last, sir, I began to groan, and to say that I felt very ill; asked -concerning the infirmary, and said I was certain my children would die -of hunger if my pay was stopped." - -"And Father Richard?" - -"The Father Richard replied that turnkeys had no business with -children." - -"But you had his wife on your side, I suppose?" - -"Fortunately! She made a great to-do with her husband, reproached him -with possessing a bad and hard heart, and Richard finished by saying to -me,-- - -"'Well! Citizen Gracchus, speak to some one of your friends who will -advance you something on your wages, present him to me, and I promise -to accept him as your substitute.' Upon which I left him, saying,-- - -"'Very good, Father Richard, I will directly seek one.'" - -"And you have found one, my brave fellow." - -At this moment the mistress of the establishment entered, bringing the -Citizen Gracchus his soup and half-pint. - -This did not suit either the patriot or Gracchus, who evidently had -still some communications to make to each other. - -"Madame," said the turnkey, "I have received a slight remuneration -from Father Richard to-day, which will permit me to treat myself to -some better fare. So bring me a pork cutlet with cucumbers and a -bottle of Burgundy wine; send your servant to fetch the one from the -pork-butcher's, and bring me the other yourself fresh from the cellar." - -The hostess immediately went to execute his orders. - -"Well," said the patriot, "you are an intelligent fellow." - -"So far intelligent that I do not hide from myself what, -notwithstanding all your fine promises, will be the end of us both. Do -you suspect what it may be?" - -"Yes, perfectly." - -"We both stake our necks." - -"Do not be uneasy about mine." - -"It is not yours, sir, I must confess, that causes me the greatest -uneasiness." - -"It is your own?" - -"Yes." - -"But what if I estimate it at double its worth?" - -"Ah, sir, there is nothing more precious than one's neck!" - -"Not yours." - -"Why not mine?" - -"At this moment at least." - -"What do you mean by that?" - -"I mean to say your neck is not worth a cent, seeing that if I, for -example, were an agent of the Committee of Public Safety, you would be -guillotined to-morrow." - -The turnkey suddenly turned round so abruptly that the dog barked at -him. - -He was as pale as death. - -"Neither turn round nor turn pale about it," said the patriot, "but -finish your soup quietly. I am not an agent, friend. Let me once enter -the Conciergerie, install me in your situation, give me the keys, and -to-morrow I will count out to you fifty thousand francs in gold." - -"Is all this true?" - -"Well, you have excellent security,--my head." - -The turnkey considered for some seconds. - -"Come," said the patriot, who could see him in the glass, "do not -indulge in meditations of evil. If you denounce me, as you will only -have done your duty, you will not receive a sou from the Republic; if -you serve me, and on the contrary are deficient in this same duty to -the Republic, as it is unjust in this world to do anything for nothing, -I will give you fifty thousand francs." - -"I understand perfectly," said the turnkey. "I have every inducement to -do what you require, but I fear the results--" - -"The results! And what have you to fear? I will not denounce you; very -far from it." - -"No doubt." - -"The day after I am duly installed, take a turn through the -Conciergerie, and I will count you twenty-five rolls each containing -two thousand francs. These you can easily dispose of in your two -pockets. With the money I will give you a ticket to leave France. -You go, and wherever you are you will be, if not rich, at least -independent." - -"Well! it is settled, Monsieur, happen what may. I am a poor devil who -never dabbled in politics. France has always got on very well without -me, and will not perish through any fault of mine; if you do a wicked -action so much the worse for you." - -"At all events," said the patriot, "I think I shall never do worse than -they are doing at this moment." - -"Sir, permit me to decline passing an opinion upon the politics of the -National Convention." - -"You are a pattern of philosophy and indifference. When, however, will -you present me to Father Richard?" - -"This evening, if you please." - -"Yes, certainly; but who am I?" - -"My cousin Mardoche." - -"Mardoche, then, let it be; the name pleases me. What trade?" - -"A breeches-maker." - -"Either breeches-maker or tanner. I have that at my fingers' ends." - -"Are you a tanner?" - -"I could be one." - -"True." - -"At what time will you present me?" - -"In half an hour if you like." - -"At nine o'clock then." - -"When shall I have the money?" - -"To-morrow." - -"You must be enormously rich." - -"I am in easy circumstances." - -"A former nobleman? Is it not so?" - -"What does it matter to you?" - -"To possess money, and give it away to run the risk of being -guillotined; surely the former nobility must be great blockheads." - -"What would you have? Your red Republicans have too much sense to leave -any for others." - -"Hush! here is my wine." - -"This evening, in front of the Conciergerie." - -"All right." - -The patriot paid his bill and went out. At the door his stentorian -voice was heard,-- - -"Come, Citizen, quick! make haste with the pork cutlets; my cousin -Gracchus is dying of hunger!" - -"Mardoche is a good fellow," said the turnkey, tasting the wine poured -out for him by the hostess, while she regarded him tenderly. - - - - -CHAPTER XLI. - -THE REGISTRAR OF THE MINISTER OF WAR. - - -The patriot left, but he had not gone far. Through the smoky panes -he kept watch over the turnkey, to discover if he entered into -conversation with any of the agents of the Republican police, one of -the best that ever existed, since one half of society closely watched -the other, less from the desire of promoting the great glory of the -government than for the greater security of their own heads. - -But nothing occurred of what the patriot feared. At a few minutes -before nine the turnkey rose, chucked the hostess under the chin, and -went out. - -The patriot rejoined him at the quay of the Conciergerie, and they -entered the prison together. - -On that same evening the affair was concluded, and Father Richard -accepted Mardoche as a substitute for Gracchus. - -Two hours before this arrangement took place, another scene had been -enacted in a different part of the prison, which, although apparently -of no interest, was possessed of vital importance to the principal -personages of this history. - -The registrar of the Conciergerie, fatigued with his day's labor, was -folding up his papers and preparing to leave, when a man, conducted by -Madame Richard, presented himself in his office. - -"Citizen Registrar," said she, "here is your fellow registrar of the -Minister of War, who comes on the part of the Citizen Minister to -transfer some military entries." - -"Ah, Citizen," said the registrar, "you are too late; I have just put -away all my papers." - -"Dear brother, pardon me," said the new-comer; "but we are really -so overwhelmed with business that we can only achieve our course by -turning our leisure to profit; and our leisure is the time occupied by -others in eating and sleeping." - -"That alters the case, my dear fellow; so make haste, for, as you -observe, it is near supper-time, and I am very hungry. Have you your -documents?" - -"Here they are," said the registrar of the Minister of War, exhibiting -a portfolio of papers which his brother, anxious as he was to leave, -scrutinized with the strictest attention. - -"Oh, they are all right!" said Richard's wife, "and my husband has -already thoroughly inspected them." - -"Never mind, never mind!" said the registrar, continuing his -examination. The registrar of the Minister of War remained like a man -who had expected the strict accomplishment of all due formalities. - -"Perfectly correct," said the registrar of the Conciergerie; "and -you can now commence as soon as you please. Have you many entries to -transfer?" - -"A hundred." - -"That will occupy you for several days." - -"Therefore dear brother, I wish to form a small establishment with -you,--that is to say, if you will permit me." - -"How am I to understand you?" said the registrar of the Conciergerie. - -"I will explain it to you fully, if you will join us at supper this -evening. You say you are hungry?" - -"I do not deny it." - -"Well, you shall see my wife, who is a good housekeeper; and you will -become better acquainted with me, and will acknowledge me for a good -companion." - -"Faith, yes; you strike me as such, my dear brother; yet, -notwithstanding--" - -"Oh, come without ceremony, and partake of some oysters that I will -purchase as I pass the Place du Châtelet, a roasted chicken, and a few -dishes which Madame Durand excels in." - -"You tempt me, my brother," said the registrar of the Conciergerie, -delighted at the bill of fare, to which he was totally unaccustomed -as a registrar paid by the Revolutionary Tribunal at the rate of two -livres in paper money, in reality hardly equal to two francs. - -"Then you will accept my invitation?" - -"Yes, willingly." - -"In that case, to work to-morrow; this evening let us go." - -"All right; let us start." - -"Are you ready?" - -"In an instant, only I must first inform the gendarmes who guard the -Austrian." - -"Why must you tell them?" - -"So that when they know that I am absent, and that there is no one at -the wicket, they may become suspicious of every noise." - -"Ah, that is a very wise precaution, faith!" - -"You understand now?" - -"Perfectly." - -The registrar of the Conciergerie went and knocked at the wicket, which -was opened by one of the gendarmes. - -"Who is there?" - -"I, the registrar, you know. I am going out. Good-evening, Citizen -Gilbert." - -"Good-evening, Citizen Registrar," and the wicket was shut. - -The registrar of the Minister of War had paid the greatest attention -to this scene, and while the door of the queen's prison remained open, -his looks rapidly penetrated to the first compartment, when, seeing the -other gendarme Duchesne seated at table, he felt perfectly assured the -queen had only two guards. - -When the registrar of the Conciergerie returned, his fellow registrar's -face had resumed its expression of stolid indifference. - -As they went out of the Conciergerie two men entered. They were the -Citizen Gracchus and his cousin Mardoche. - -On seeing each other, Cousin Mardoche and the registrar of the Minister -of War each, by a simultaneous movement arising from the same impulse, -pulled over their eyes, the one his hairy bonnet, the other his -broad-brimmed hat. - -"Who are these men?" asked the registrar of the Minister of War. - -"I only know one of them; it is a turnkey named Gracchus." - -"Ah!" said the other, with affected indifference, "do the turnkeys then -go out of the Conciergerie?" - -"They have their day." - -The investigation did not proceed any further, and the new friends took -the road to the Pont-au-Change. At the corner of the Place du Châtelet, -the registrar of the Minister of War, following the programme he had -announced, purchased some oysters, and continued his way by the Quai de -Gèvres. - -The dwelling of this individual was simple. The Citizen Durand -inhabited three little rooms in the Place de Grève, in a house -without any porter. Each tenant had a key of the door in the passage, -and it was agreed that if any one had omitted to take his key, he -should intimate the same by one, two, or three raps with the knocker, -according to the story he inhabited, and any one who was waiting, and -heard the signal, then descended and opened the door; but the Citizen -Durand, having provided himself with his key, had not any occasion to -knock. They ascended two flights of stairs, when the Citizen Durand -drew another key from his pocket, and they both entered. - -The registrar of the Palace found his friend's wife much to his taste. -She was indeed a charming woman; an appearance of profound melancholy -diffused over her countenance stamped it with an expression of deep -interest. It has always been allowed that sadness is seductive in -women, especially pretty women. It attracts all men without exception, -even registrars,--for registrars are but men after all; and what man -possessed with natural feeling would not wish to console a pretty woman -in affliction, and, as the Citizen Dorat remarks, "Change the pale tint -of the white rose to a livelier hue"? - -The two registrars did ample justice to their excellent supper; it was -only Madame Durand who ate nothing. - -In the mean time conversation proceeded. The registrar inquired of his -brother registrar--with a curiosity the more remarkable in these days, -when such frightful dramas were daily enacted--concerning the customs -of the Palace, the days of judgment, and the means of surveillance. - -The registrar of the Palace, delighted at being listened to with so -much deference, replied with the greatest complaisance, spoke of the -manners of the jailers, of Fouquier Tinville, and lastly of Citizen -Sanson, the principal actor in the tragedies daily performed upon the -Place de la Révolution. - -Then in his turn, addressing his colleague and host, he made various -inquiries concerning his vocation and ministry. - -"Oh!" said Durand, "I am not so well informed as yourself, being a -person of much less importance, seeing that I am rather secretary -to the registrar than the incumbent of the place. I do the work of -the registrar-in-chief,--an obscure employment,--laborious for me, -profitable for them; but that is the way with all bureaucracies, not -excepting those of the Revolution. Heaven and earth may perhaps change -one day, but these things never." - -"Well, I will assist you, Citizen," said the registrar of the Palace, -charmed with the excellence of his host's wine, and above all with the -beautiful eyes of Madame Durand. - -"Thanks!" said he to whom this offer had been made, "anything to vary -the habits; and locality is some distraction to a poor employee. I wish -to protract my work at the Conciergerie rather than to hasten it, and -therefore thought if I might every day bring Madame Durand with me to -the office, who is very dull here--" - -"I do not see any inconvenience in that," said the registrar of the -Palace, delighted with the prospect of the charming recreation afforded -him by his colleague. - -"She can dictate the papers," said the Citizen Durand; "and -occasionally when our work is finished, if you have not found this -evening unpleasant, you can return and spend an hour or two with us." - -"Yes; but not too often," replied the registrar of the Palace, -foppishly; "for I declare I shall be scolded if I return later than -usual to a small house in the Rue du Petit Musc." - -"Oh, we shall arrange all that splendidly; shall we not, my dear?" - -Madame Durand, pale and melancholy as usual, raised her eyes toward her -husband, and replied,-- - -"What you wish shall be done." - -Eleven o'clock struck, announcing it was time to retire. The registrar -of the Palace rose and took leave of his new friends, expressing the -great pleasure he felt in making their acquaintance. - -The Citizen Durand conducted his friend to the landing, then re-entered -the apartment. - -"Go, Geneviève, go to bed!" said he. - -The young woman made no reply, but rose directly, took her lamp, -and withdrew to the bedroom on the right. Durand, or rather Dixmer, -watched her departure, remained stationary for a moment with a gloomy, -thoughtful expression of countenance, and then passed into his own -chamber on the opposite side. - - - - -CHAPTER XLII. - -THE TWO BILLETS. - - -From this time the registrar of the Minister of War worked every -evening indefatigably in his colleague's office, while Madame Durand -dictated from the registers previously prepared, which Durand copied -with avidity. - -Durand strictly examined everything, while appearing to notice nothing. -He had remarked that every evening, at nine o'clock, a basket of -provisions, carried by either Richard or his wife, was placed at the -door. - -The instant the registrar said to the gendarme, "I am going, Citizen," -one of the guards, either Gilbert or Duchesne, came out, took the -basket, and carried it to Marie Antoinette. - -During three consecutive evenings, when Durand had remained rather -later at his post, the basket also was left untouched, since it was -only when opening the door to say adieu to the registrar that the -gendarme took in the basket containing the provisions, which a quarter -of an hour afterward was returned empty to the same place by one of the -two guards. - -On the evening of the fourth day, it was the beginning of October, when -after the ordinary sitting the registrar of the Palace had withdrawn, -and Durand, or rather Dixmer, remained alone with his wife; he laid -down his pen, looked around and listened as if his very life was at -stake; he then rose hastily, and running noiselessly toward the door of -the wicket, raised the cloth which covered the contents of the basket, -and in the new bread destined for the prisoner inserted a small silver -case. - -Pale and trembling with that emotion which even men of the strongest -organization feel when they have done an act of the most vital -importance, the moment for which has been long planned and patiently -awaited, he quickly regained his seat, and sank down overpowered, -placing one hand on his forehead, the other on his heart. - -Geneviève regarded him in silence; indeed, since the day her husband -had taken her from Maurice, she had never spoken till he addressed her -first. But this time she first broke silence. - -"Is it to be this evening?" she inquired. - -"No; to-morrow," replied Dixmer. - -He then rose, and having again looked and listened, closed the -registers, and approaching the wicket, knocked at the door. - -"What now?" said Gilbert. - -"Citizen," said he, "I am going." - -"Well," said the gendarme, from the end of the cell, "good-night." - -"Good-night, Citizen Gilbert." - -Durand heard the grinding of the bolts, and knew that the gendarme was -opening the door. He went out. - -In the passage leading from the apartment of Father Richard to the -court, he jostled against a turnkey dressed in a bear-skin bonnet, and -dangling a heavy bunch of keys. - -Dixmer was much alarmed. Perhaps this man, brutal as the generality of -his species, was about to interrogate him, to watch him, and perhaps to -recognize him. He drew his hat over his eyes, while Geneviève concealed -herself, as she best could, in the folds of her cloak. But he was -mistaken. - -"Pardon!" said the turnkey only, although he was the man who had been -nearly overthrown. - -Dixmer trembled at the sound of that sweet soft voice. But the turnkey -was doubtless pressed for time; he glided into the passage, opened -Richard's door, and disappeared. Dixmer continued his road, leading -Geneviève. - -"It is strange," said he, when outside and the gate had closed behind -them, and the freshening breeze had cooled his fevered brow. - -"Oh, yes, 'tis very strange!" murmured Geneviève. - -In former times they would have communicated to each other the cause -of their astonishment, but Dixmer now confined his thoughts to his -own breast, and combated them as an hallucination; while Geneviève -contented herself, on turning the corner of the Pont-au-Change, with -casting a last look at the dark and gloomy Palace, where something like -the phantom of a lost friend awoke in her memory many sweet and bitter -remembrances. - -They both reached La Grève without having exchanged a single word. - -During this time the Gendarme Gilbert had brought in the basket of -provisions intended for the queen. It contained some fruit, a cold -chicken, a bottle of white wine, a carafe of water, and half a loaf. - -Having first raised the napkin, and ascertained that everything was -arranged as usual, he opened the screen. - -"Citizeness," said he, "here is your supper." - -Marie Antoinette divided the bread; but as her fingers pressed it, they -came in contact with the silver. In an instant she comprehended that -the bread contained something unusual. - -When she looked around her the guard had already disappeared. - -The queen remained for an instant motionless, calculating his retiring -footsteps. When she felt certain he was seated by his comrade, and -not till then, she drew the case from its place of concealment. It -contained a billet, which she opened, and read as follows:-- - - "Madame, be ready to-morrow at the hour when you receive this billet, - as to-morrow at this hour a female will be introduced into your - Majesty's prison. This female will exchange dresses with you, and you - will then quit the Conciergerie on the arm of one of your most devoted - servants. - - "Do not be alarmed at any noise that passes in the first compartment; - let neither cries nor groans deter you, only attire yourself quickly - in the dress and mantle of the female who comes to take your Majesty's - place." - -"This is devotion!" murmured the queen. "Thank God, I am not, as it is -said, an object of execration to all!" - -She then re-read the billet, when the second paragraph attracted her -attention,--"Let neither cries nor groans deter you." - -"Oh! that means they will sacrifice my two guards. Poor men, who have -evinced so much kindness and pity toward me! Oh, never!--never!" - -She tore off the blank portion of the letter, and having neither pen -nor ink, pricked on the paper the following words,-- - - I neither can nor will accept the sacrifice of any one's life in - exchange for my own. - - M.A. - -She then replaced the paper in the case, which she concealed in the -other half of the broken bread. - -This operation was just completed when ten o'clock struck; and the -queen, holding the piece of bread in her hand, sadly counted the -strokes which vibrated slowly and distantly, when she heard at one of -the windows opening upon the court termed the women's court a grating -sound, like that produced by a diamond dividing the glass. This noise -was followed by a slight knock upon the window, which was several -times repeated, with the intention of concealing the cough of a man. -Then at the corner of the pane a small roll of paper appeared, which -glided slowly down and fell on the inside of the wall. The queen then -heard the sound of keys jingling and clashing against each other, and -receding footsteps on the pavement. - -She was aware that the window had been perforated at this corner, and -that through this aperture the departing individual had conveyed a -paper which was doubtless a billet. It was now lying on the ground. The -queen fixed her eyes upon it, listening if either of her guards was -approaching, but heard them conversing in a low tone as they usually -did, as if by a tacit agreement not to annoy her with their voices. -Then she rose softly, holding her breath, and secured the paper. Some -minute and hard substance slipped from it, which, falling on the -bricks, sounded like metal. It was the most exquisite file that could -be imagined,--more of the jewel than the tool,--one of those steel -springs, with which the most feeble and uninitiated hand could, in a -quarter of an hour, divide a bar of iron. The paper said:-- - - "Madame, to-morrow, at half-past nine, a man will be conversing with - the gendarmes who guard you, through the window of the women's court. - During this time your Majesty will saw the third bar of your window, - going from the left to the right. Cut slanting. A quarter of an hour - will suffice for your Majesty; and then be prepared to escape through - the window. This advice reaches you from one of your most devoted and - faithful subjects; one who has consecrated his life to your Majesty's - service, and would be happy also to sacrifice it for you." - -"Oh!" murmured the queen, "it must be a snare. But no; this writing -appears familiar to me,--it is the same as at the Temple. It is--it -must be that of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge! God is perhaps willing -that I should escape." - -And the queen fell on her knees, and took refuge in prayer, the only -balm and consolation undenied to the unfortunate prisoner. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII. - -THE PREPARATIONS OF DIXMER. - - -The morrow, prefaced by a sleepless night, at length arrived, -presenting a terrible appearance, and it might, without exaggeration, -be said that the sky was the color of blood. - -Indeed, each day at this epoch and in this year, however beautiful the -sun, had a livid hue. - -The queen slept with difficulty, and it was a sleep without repose. -Hardly had she closed her eyes when she seemed to see blood, when she -seemed to hear shrieks. - -She had dropped asleep with the file in her hand. One part of the day -was devoted by her to prayer, and the guards, seeing her often thus -engaged, did not feel any alarm at what they considered an increase of -religious feeling. - -From time to time, however, she examined the file transmitted to her -by one of her intended deliverers, and compared the fragility of the -instrument with the strength of the bar. - -Fortunately, these bars were only secured in the wall on one -side,--that is to say, at the lower part. - -The upper part was set in a crossbar; the lower part divided, there was -only to pull the bar, and it of course would yield. - -But it was not the physical difficulties which worried the queen. She -perfectly comprehended that the thing was possible, and it was this -very possibility which caused hope, like a blood-red meteor, to dazzle -her eyes. - -She felt that to reach her, her friends must necessarily sacrifice her -guards; and could she at any price consent to the death of the only -individuals who, for a length of time, had evinced any interest in her, -or pity for her? - -On the other hand, beyond these bars which she had been directed -to saw, over the bodies of the two men who would have to die in -endeavoring to prevent her deliverers from reaching her, were life, -liberty, and perhaps vengeance,--three things so sweet, especially to a -woman, that she asked pardon of God for so earnestly desiring them. - -She believed, moreover, that not the slightest suspicion agitated the -minds of her guards; that they had not any idea of a snare (if such a -thing existed) into which it was intended their prisoner should fall. - -These simple men would have betrayed themselves to eyes so much -exercised as those of this woman, habituated to detect evil from having -so severely suffered from it. - -The queen, then, entirely abandoned the idea that these double -overtures were contrived as a trap; but as the fear of being betrayed -into this snare disappeared, the still greater apprehension increased -of bloodshed for her sake, before her very eyes. - -"Strange destiny! sublime sight!" murmured she; "two conspiracies -united to save a poor queen, or rather a poor female prisoner who has -had no means of inducing or encouraging these conspiracies which are -about to take place at the same moment! Who knows? Perhaps there may be -one only. Perhaps it may be a double mine, leading to one and the same -point. - -"If I wished, I might then be saved. - -"But a poor woman sacrificed in my stead!--two men killed before this -woman could reach me! God and the future might perhaps forgive me. -Impossible! impossible!" - -Then passed and repassed in her mind visions of the great devotion of -servants for their masters, and the ancient traditions of the right -exercised by masters over the lives of their retainers,--phantasies -almost effaced from the mind of expiring royalty. - -"Anne of Austria would have accepted this," said she. "Anne of Austria -would have set aside every consideration to the safety of the royal -person. - -"Anne of Austria was of the same blood, and was almost in the same -situation as myself. - -"What madness to have come to France to pursue Anne of Austria's -principles of royalty! Was I not brought hither? Two kings said, It is -important that two royal children who have never seen or loved each -other, who perhaps never may love each other, should be married at the -same altar, to die upon the same scaffold. - -"And then will not my death accelerate that of my poor child, who in -the eyes of my few friends is still king of France? - -"And when my son, like his father, is dead, will not their shades -both smile on me in pity, seeing me, in order to spare some drops of -plebeian blood, stain with my own the remains of the throne of Saint -Louis?" - -In this ever-increasing anguish of thought, this fever of doubt whose -pulsations went on in geometrical progression, and in a tempest of -terror and fear, the unhappy queen continued till the arrival of night. - -She had several times closely scrutinized her guards; but they had -never appeared more composed. - -Never had she been more forcibly struck by the invariable kindness and -attention of these two uneducated men. - -When the darkness of night reigned in the cell; when the steps of the -patrol, the noise of resounding arms, and the barking of dogs awoke -the echoes of the gloomy vaults; when all the horrors of the prison -revealed themselves, gloomy and hopeless,--Marie Antoinette, subdued by -the natural weakness of a woman, rose affrighted. - -"Oh, I will fly! I will fly!" said she. "Yes, yes; I will fly! When he -comes, when he speaks, I will saw the bar. I will await what God and -my deliverers ordain me. I owe myself to my children. They shall not -murder them; or if they slay them, and I am free--oh, then, at least--" - -She did not conclude; her eyes closed, and her deep emotion checked -all utterance. This was a frightful vision to the unfortunate queen, -enclosed with gratings and iron bars. But soon this vision disappeared, -and in its stead another presented itself to her view. Gratings and -bolts had vanished. She saw herself in the midst of a dark, stern, -inflexible army; she orders the fire to consume, the sword to leap from -the scabbard, and vengeance to be taken on a people she will no longer -claim as her own. - -During this time Gilbert and Duchesne were conversing tranquilly, and -preparing their evening repast. - -At this time, also, Dixmer and Geneviève entered the Conciergerie, and -installed themselves in the office as usual. At the end of an hour the -registrar of the Palace, having completed his business, according to -custom took his departure, leaving them alone to themselves. - -Directly the door had closed on his colleague, Dixmer rushed toward the -empty basket placed at the door in exchange for that of the evening. He -seized the bread, broke it, and found the case. The queen's answer was -enclosed within it; he grew pale on reading it. - -Geneviève observed him tear it into a thousand pieces, and throw them -into the mouth of the burning stove. - -"It is well," said he; "all is arranged." - -Then turning toward Geneviève,-- - -"Come here, Madame," said he; "I must speak with you, and must speak -low." Geneviève, motionless and cold as marble, gave a gesture of -assent, and approached him. - -"The time has arrived, Madame; listen to me!" - -"Yes, sir." - -"You prefer a death beneficial to your cause,--a death that will insure -you the blessings of your party and pity from the whole nation,--to an -ignominious and revengeful end of life, do you not?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"I might have killed you on the spot when I found you in the house of -your lover; but a man who, like myself, consecrates his life to a holy -and honorable cause, ought to be able to profit by his own private -griefs by rendering them subservient to this cause. This I have done, -or rather intend to do. I have, as you see, denied myself the pleasure -of doing myself justice, and have also spared your lover." - -Something resembling a fugitive but appalling smile flitted over the -lips of Geneviève. - -"But as for your lover, you who know me should be well aware that I -only bide my time." - -"Monsieur," said Geneviève, "I am ready. Then wherefore all this -prelude?" - -"You are ready?" - -"Yes, I am ready. Kill me, if you choose; you have good cause to do so." - -Dixmer looked at Geneviève, and started in spite of himself. She at -this moment appeared sublimely beautiful; a glory the most brilliant -of all shone around her,--the glory that emanates from love. - -"To continue," said Dixmer, "I have informed the queen; she expects -you, notwithstanding she will in all probability raise numerous -objections. You must overrule them all." - -"Give me your orders, sir, and I will execute them." - -"Immediately," continued Dixmer, "I shall knock at the door; Gilbert -will open it, and with this poniard--" here Dixmer threw open his coat, -and half drawing from its scabbard a double-edged poniard--"with this I -shall kill him." - -Geneviève shuddered. - -Dixmer made a motion with his hand to command her attention. - -"The instant I strike him, dart into the second chamber, that of the -queen. There is, as you are aware, no door, only a screen. You will -exchange clothes with her while I despatch the other soldier. Then I -shall take the queen's arm, and pass through the wicket with her." - -"Very well," said Geneviève, coldly. - -"You understand me?" said Dixmer. "You have been seen each evening in -your black taffeta mantle which conceals your face. Place your mantle -upon her Majesty, and arrange it on her precisely as you have been -accustomed to arrange it on yourself." - -"All shall be done as you desire, sir." - -"It remains now for me to pardon and to thank you, Madame." - -Geneviève shook her head with a scornful smile. - -"I neither want your pardon nor your thanks, sir," said she, extending -her hand. "What I have done, or rather am about to do, would efface -a crime. I have only been guilty of a weakness; and again, this -weakness--recall your own conduct, sir--you all but forced me to -commit. I withdrew myself from him; you drove me back into his arms; -so you are at the same time instigator, judge, and avenger. It remains -for me to pardon you my death; and I do pardon you. It is I who should -thank you for death, since life has become insupportable to me, -separated from the only man I love; since that hour especially when you -severed by your savage vengeance every tie that bound me to him." - -Dixmer drove his nails into his flesh. He strove to reply, but his -voice failed him. - -He moved toward the wicket. - -"Time passes," said he, at last. "Madame, every moment is of -consequence. Are you ready?" - -"I have told you, sir," replied Geneviève, with the calmness and -courage of a martyr, "I await you." - -Dixmer collected his papers, saw that the gates were fast closed, so -that no one could enter the wicket, and then wished to reiterate his -instructions. - -"It is unnecessary, sir," said Geneviève. "I know perfectly all I have -to do." - -"Then, adieu!" and Dixmer extended his hand, as if at this supreme -moment all recrimination was effaced before the grandeur of the -situation and the sublimity of the sacrifice. - -Geneviève, shuddering, touched with the tips of her fingers the -proffered hand of her husband. - -"Place yourself near me, Madame, and the moment I have struck Gilbert, -pass on." - -"I am ready." - -Then Dixmer grasped in his right hand his poniard; with his left he -knocked at the gate. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIV. - -THE PREPARATIONS OF THE CHEVALIER. - - -During the scene described in the preceding chapter as passing at the -door of the register-office leading into the prison of the queen, or -rather into the first compartment occupied by the two gendarmes, other -preparations were taking place on the opposite side,--that is to say, -in the women's court. - -Suddenly a man appeared, like a statue of stone which had detached -itself from the wall. He was followed by two dogs, and was humming the -"Ça ira," a song much in vogue at this period. He held in his hand a -large bunch of keys, which, in passing, he had rattled against the bars -which barricaded the window of the queen. - -The royal prisoner at first started, but recognizing the signal, -immediately opened her window softly to commence her work, with a hand -more experienced than would have been believed; for more than once in -the blacksmith's shop where her royal husband amused himself by passing -part of the day, she had with her delicate fingers handled instruments -similar to that upon which at this moment depended her every chance of -safety and deliverance. - -Directly the man with the keys heard the queen's window open, he -knocked at that of the gendarmes. - -"Ah! ah!" said Gilbert, looking through the window, "here is the -Citizen Mardoche." - -"Himself," said the turnkey. "Well, but it appears you keep strict -watch?" - -"Much as usual, Citizen Key-bearer. It seems to me you do not often -find us at fault?" - -"Ah!" said Mardoche; "and vigilance is more than ever necessary -to-night." - -"Bah!" said Duchesne, who had now approached. - -"Truly." - -"Why, then?" - -"Open the window, and I will tell you all about it." - -Gilbert opened it, and shook hands with Mardoche, who had already made -friends with the two gendarmes. - -"What is it, Citizen Mardoche?" repeated Gilbert. - -"The sitting of the Convention has been rather hot to-day. Have you -read about it?" - -"No. What passed then?" - -"It was first stated that the Citizen Hébert had made a discovery." - -"What?" - -"It is, that the conspirators believed to be dead are found to be -alive, and very much alive indeed." - -"Oh! yes," said Gilbert; "Delessart and Thierry; I have heard speak of -that. They are in England, the scoundrels!" - -"And the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" asked the key-bearer, raising his -voice so that the queen might hear. - -"What, is he in England also?" - -"Not at all," said Mardoche; "he is in France," still speaking in the -same loud key. - -"He has returned, then?" - -"He has never quitted it." - -"Well, he, for one, has good courage," said Duchesne. - -"Indeed, he has." - -"Well, are they going to arrest him?" - -"Certainly; but that is much easier said than done." - -At this moment the queen's file grated so forcibly upon the iron bars -that the turnkey feared it might be heard, notwithstanding all his -efforts to drown the sound. He hastily trod upon the paw of the nearest -of his dogs, which uttered a prolonged howl of pain. - -"Oh, poor beast!" said Gilbert. - -"Bah!" said the turnkey, "he had not put on his clogs. Be quiet, -Girondin; will you be quiet?" - -"Is your dog named Girondin, Citizen Mardoche?" - -"Yes; that is the name I have given him." - -"But pray go on with what you were telling us," said Duchesne, who, -imprisoned himself, took that lively interest in news that all -prisoners feel. - -"I was telling you that in the Citizen Hébert you see a good patriot; -and Hébert has made a motion to return the Austrian to the Temple." - -"And why so?" - -"Faith! because he pretends that she was only withdrawn from the Temple -to remove her from the immediate inspection of the Commune of Paris." - -"Yes; and from the attempts of that cursed Maison-Rouge," said Gilbert; -"it seems too that the subterranean passage still exists." - -"That was the reply the Citizen Sauterre made; but Hébert said, the -instant that was defeated there was no more danger; that at the Temple, -fewer precautions were requisite for the security of Marie Antoinette -than here; and finally, that the Temple was a much more secure place -than the Conciergerie." - -"Faith!" said Gilbert, "for my part, I wish they would remove her again -to the Temple." - -"I understand; you are tired of the confinement?" - -"No; but it makes me melancholy." - -Maison-Rouge coughed loudly, as the noise of the file biting through -the iron bar was distinctly heard. - -"Well, what have they decided on?" said Duchesne, when the turnkey's -cough had subsided. - -"It is settled that she shall remain here, but that her trial shall -take place immediately." - -"Poor woman!" said Gilbert. - -Duchesne, whose sense of hearing was no doubt more acute than that -of his colleague, or his attention less engrossed by the recital of -Mardoche, stooped down to listen on the left side of the compartment. - -The turnkey saw the movement. - -"So you see, Citizen Duchesne," said he, in an animated tone, "the -attempts of the conspirators will become the more desperate from the -fact of their having less time before them for their execution. They -are going to double the guards of the prisons; so look out, Citizen -Gendarme, since the matter in question is nothing less than the -irruption of an armed force into the Conciergerie. They will murder -all, sacrifice every impediment, till they effect an entrance to the -queen,--to the widow of Capet, I mean to say." - -"Ah! bah! How can these conspirators of yours get in?" - -"Disguised as patriots, they will pretend to recommence the 2d of -September, the rascals! and when once the gates are open, good-night!" - -There was an instant's silence, produced by the astonishment of the -guards. - -The turnkey heard with emotions of joy and terror the continued grating -of the file. Nine o'clock struck. - -At the same moment there was a knock at the wicket, but the gendarmes, -preoccupied, did not reply. - -"Well, we shall watch, we shall watch!" said Gilbert. - -"And if necessary, will die at our post like staunch Republicans," -added Duchesne. - -"She must soon be done," said the turnkey to himself, wiping the drops -of perspiration from his face. - -"And you on your side," said Gilbert, "keep on the lookout, I presume? -They would spare you no more than us, were such an event as you have -been talking of to take place." - -"I should think so," said the turnkey. "I pass the night in going the -round; thus I am always on the alert. The rest of you at least relieve -each other, and can sleep every other night." - -At this moment a second summons at the wicket was heard. Mardoche -started; any event, however trifling, might mar the execution of his -project. - -"What is it, then?" demanded he, in spite of himself. - -"Nothing, nothing!" said Gilbert; "it is only the registrar of the -Minister of War. He is going now, and comes to inform me of it." - -"Oh, very well!" said Mardoche. - -The registrar still continued to knock. - -"All right!" cried Gilbert, without leaving the window. "Good-night! -Adieu!" - -"I think he is speaking to you," said Duchesne, turning toward the -door. The voice of the registrar was then heard. - -"Come here, Citizen Gendarme," said he; "I wish to speak to you." - -This voice, which appeared affected by some strong emotion which -deprived it of its natural accent, startled the turnkey, who fancied he -recognized it. - -"What do you want, Citizen Durand?" asked Gilbert. - -"I wish to speak a word with you." - -"Well, you can tell me to-morrow." - -"No, this evening; it must be this evening," replied the same voice. - -"Hah!" murmured the turnkey, "what is about to happen now? It is -Dixmer's voice." - -Sinister and vibrating, this voice seemed to borrow something funereal -from the far-off echoes of the gloomy corridor. - -Duchesne turned round. - -"Well," said Gilbert, "if he wishes it I must go," and he directed his -steps toward the door. - -The turnkey availed himself of this moment when the attention of the -two gendarmes was thus occupied by this unforeseen circumstance. He ran -toward the window of the queen. - -"Is it done?" said he. - -"I have more than half finished," said the queen. - -"Oh, for the love of God!" murmured he; "make haste! make haste!" - -"Hallo! Citizen Mardoche," said Duchesne, "what has become of you?" - -"Here I am," said the turnkey, returning quickly to the window of the -first compartment. - -At that very moment, and as he turned to resume his former station, a -frightful cry resounded through the prison, then an oath, and the ring -of a sword snatched from its scabbard. - -"Villain! brigand!" cried Gilbert, and the sound of a struggle was -heard in the corridor. - -At the same moment the door opened, displaying to the eyes of the -turnkey two shadows struggling in the wicket, and thus affording free -passage to a female, who, pushing aside Duchesne, rushed into the -queen's chamber. - -Duchesne, without noticing the woman, ran to his comrade's assistance. - -The turnkey sprang toward the other window, and beheld the female on -her knees before the queen, praying and supplicating her Majesty to -exchange clothes with her. - -He lowered his burning eyes, endeavoring to gain a clearer view of this -woman whom he feared he had already recognized too well. All at once he -uttered a dreadful cry. - -"Geneviève! Geneviève!" murmured he. - -The queen had dropped the file from her hand, and seemed transfixed -with despair. Here, alas! was another abortive attempt. - -The turnkey seized the bar with both hands, shook it with all his -strength; but the file had not accomplished its work, the bar of iron -would not yield to his efforts. - -Meanwhile Dixmer had hurled Gilbert back into the prison, and would -have entered with him, but Duchesne, leaning against the door, -prevented him. But he was unable to close it, for Dixmer, in despair, -had placed his arm between the gate and the wall. - -In his hand he still retained the poniard, which in the contest, -checked by the buckle of the belt, had glided over the gendarme's -breast, tearing open his coat and lacerating his flesh. - -The two gendarmes encouraged each other to reunite their efforts, at -the same time calling loudly for assistance. - -Dixmer felt his arm must break; he placed his shoulder against the -door, shook it violently, and succeeded in withdrawing his bruised arm. - -The door closed with a great noise; Duchesne pushed the bolts, while -Gilbert turned the key. - -A rapid step was heard in the corridor, then all was over. The two -gendarmes looked at each other, and searched everywhere around them. - -They detected the sound of the assumed turnkey wrenching the bar. - -Gilbert rushed into the queen's chamber, where he found Geneviève -entreating her Majesty on her knees to exchange clothes with her. - -Duchesne seized his gun and ran to the window; he discovered a man -hanging to the bar, which he shook with rage, and tried in vain to -scale. - -He pointed his gun. - -The young man saw it levelled at him. - -"Oh, yes! yes!" cried he, "kill me! kill me!" and sublime in his -despair, he bared his breast to the bullet. - -"Chevalier," said the queen,--"Chevalier, I entreat you to live." - -At the sound of the queen's voice the Chevalier sank upon his knees. -The gun was discharged, but this movement saved him; the ball passed -over his head. Geneviève, imagining her friend was dead, fell upon the -ground without sense or motion. When the smoke disappeared, no one was -seen in the women's court. - -Ten minutes afterward, thirty soldiers, led by two commissioners, -searched the Conciergerie even to its most inaccessible retreats. - -They discovered no one; the registrar had passed, calm and smiling, -before Father Richard's arm-chair. - -As to the turnkey, he had gone out crying, "Alarm! alarm!" - -The sentinel opposed his egress with his bayonet, but his two dogs -seized the soldier by the throat. - -Geneviève alone was arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned. - - - - -CHAPTER XLV. - -THE INQUIRY. - - -We can no longer leave in forgetfulness one of the principal personages -of this history, he who, during the accomplishment of the various -incidents of the preceding chapter had suffered most of all, and whose -anxieties merit the liveliest sympathy on the part of our readers. - -The sun shone gloriously in the Rue de la Monnaie, and the gossips were -discoursing merrily at their doors, as if for the last ten months a -mist of blood had not hung over the city, when Maurice returned home, -bringing, as he had promised, the cabriolet with him. He gave the -bridle of the horse to a shoeblack, on the pavement of Saint Eustache, -and hastily ran upstairs, his heart filled with joy. - -Love is a vivifying sentiment. It animates hearts long deadened to -every other sensation; it peoples the desert; it resuscitates before -the eyes the shade of the beloved one; it causes the voice which sings -in the soul of the lover to display before him the entire creation -illumined by the brilliant rays of hope and happiness,--at the same -time it is egotistical, blinding him who loves to all but the existence -of the beloved object. - -Maurice neither saw these women nor listened to their commentaries; he -saw only Geneviève preparing for a departure which was at last to bring -them durable happiness; he heard only Geneviève singing carelessly her -customary song, and this little song trilled so sweetly in his ear -that he might have sworn he was listening to the varied modulations of -her voice, mingled with the less harmonious sound of closing locks. - -Upon the landing Maurice stopped; the door was half open; it was -generally kept closed, and this circumstance surprised Maurice. He -looked all around, thinking Geneviève was in the corridor. She was not -there. He entered, looked in the antechamber, the dining-room, the -parlor, the bed-chamber; but anteroom, parlor, and bed-chamber were all -empty. He loudly called. No one replied. - -The official, as he knew, had gone out. Maurice imagined that during -his absence Geneviève had perhaps required some cord to fasten her -trunk, or some refreshments to store in the carriage, and had gone out -to purchase them. He thought it imprudent; but although every moment -his anxiety increased, he as yet feared nothing serious. - -Maurice waited for some time, walking up and down the room with long -impatient strides, and occasionally leaning out of the window, which, -half opened, admitted puffs of air charged heavily with rain. - -But soon he believed that he heard a step upon the staircase; he -listened, it was not that of Geneviève; he ran to the landing, looked -over the palisade, and recognized the official, who leisurely mounted -the stairs after the manner of domestics. - -"Scævola!" cried he. - -The official raised his head. - -"Ah! is it you, Citizen?" - -"Yes. Where is the lady?" - -"The lady?" demanded Scævola, with much surprise, as he continued -mounting the stairs. - -"Certainly! Have you seen her below?" - -"No." - -"Go down, then, and ask the porter, and inquire of all the neighbors!" - -Scævola descended. - -"Quicker! quicker!" said his master; "do you not see I am burning with -impatience?" - -After waiting five or six minutes, and Scævola not having made his -appearance, Maurice re-entered the apartment and again leaned out of -the window. He saw Scævola enter several shops, and leave them without -having gained any fresh intelligence. He called him. The official -raised his head, and saw his master impatiently looking from the -window. Maurice signed to him to come up. - -"It is impossible that she has gone out," said Maurice to himself, and -again he called, "Geneviève! Geneviève!" - -All was silent as death; even the solitary chamber appeared no longer -to have an echo. Scævola reappeared. - -"Well?" demanded Maurice. - -"The porter is the only person who has seen her." - -"The porter has seen her; how was that?" - -"He saw her go out." - -"She has gone out, then?" - -"It seems so." - -"Alone! It is impossible Geneviève would go out alone." - -"She was not alone, Citizen; she had a man with her." - -"How! a man with her?" - -"That is what the porter says, at least." - -"Go and seek him. I must find out who this man was." - -Scævola made a step toward the door, then, turning, "Wait," said he, -appearing to reflect. - -"What is it?" said Maurice. "Speak, or you will be the death of me!" - -"Perhaps it was the man who ran after me." - -"What for?" - -"To tell me that you wished the key." - -"What key, stupid! will you not tell me?" - -"The key of your apartment." - -"You gave the key of the apartment to a stranger?" cried Maurice, -seizing the official by the collar with both hands. - -"It was not to a stranger, sir; it was to one of your friends." - -"Ah, yes! to one of my friends. It is Lorin, no doubt. She has gone out -with Lorin," and smiling a ghastly smile Maurice wiped away the drops -of agony which had gathered on his brow. - -"No, sir; no, it was not he. Zounds! I think I should know Monsieur -Lorin." - -"Who was it, then?" - -"You know the man who came here one day?" - -"What day?" - -"The day when you were so sad; and he took you away with him, and you -returned so happy." - -Scævola had remarked all these things. - -Maurice regarded him with a bewildered air; a cold shudder ran through -his body. Then after a long silence: - -"Dixmer!" cried he. - -"By my faith! yes. I think it was he, Citizen." - -Maurice tottered, and fell back upon a chair. - -"Oh, my God!" murmured he. - -When he re-opened his eyes they encountered the violets, forgotten, or -rather left there by Geneviève. - -He rushed toward them, seized and kissed them; then, remarking where -she had placed them,-- - -"There is no longer any doubt," said he, "these violets--It is her last -adieu." - -When Maurice turned round he perceived for the first time that the -trunk was half full, the rest of the linen was on the floor, or in the -half-opened wardrobe. - -The linen which lay upon the floor had no doubt fallen from Geneviève's -hand at the appearance of Dixmer. - -It was all explained now. The scene rose vivid and terrible before -his eyes, between these four walls that had lately witnessed so much -happiness. - -Till now Maurice had remained crushed and heart-broken. Now the -reaction was fearful. His rage bordered on frenzy. - -He rose, closed the window, took from the top of his desk a pair -of pistols, ready loaded for their intended journey, looked to the -priming, and finding all right placed them in his pocket. - -He also furnished himself with two rolls of louis, which -notwithstanding his patriotism he had thought it prudent to conceal at -the bottom of a drawer, and taking his sabre in his hand,-- - -"Scævola," said he, "you are attached to me, I think; you have served -my father and myself for fifteen years." - -"Yes, Citizen," replied the official, terrified at the pallor and -nervous trembling he had never before remarked in his master, who had -always been justly considered one of the most courageous and vigorous -of men,--"yes; what are your orders for me?" - -"Listen! if this lady who lived here--" He stopped; his voice trembled -so much in pronouncing these words that he was unable to proceed. "If -she should return," continued he, after a moment's pause, "receive her, -close the door after her, take this gun, and station yourself upon -the staircase; and for your head, for your life, for your soul, do not -permit a single person to enter here! If any one should try to break -through the door, defend it! Strike! kill! kill! and fear nothing, -Scævola, for I will answer for all." - -The young man's impetuous harangue, his vehement confidence, -electrified Scævola. - -"I will not only kill, but will even suffer death for the Citizeness -Geneviève," said he. - -"Thanks. Now attend! This apartment is odious to me, and I shall not -enter it again until I find her; if she has been able to effect her -escape, if she return, place before the window the Japan vase with the -china-asters, which she loved so much. That is, during the day. At -night, put a lantern. Every time I pass the end of the street I shall -know, and if I see neither vase nor lantern I shall still continue my -researches." - -"Be prudent, sir! Oh, pray be prudent!" continued Scævola. - -His master made no reply, but rushing from the chamber flew down the -staircase as if possessed of wings, and ran toward Lorin's house. - -It would be difficult to paint the astonishment and rage of our worthy -poet when he heard the news; we might as well attempt to indite the -touching elegies with which Orestes inspired Pylades. - -"And you do not know where she is?" he repeated, incessantly. - -"Lost! disappeared!" shrieked Maurice, in accents of despair, "he has -killed her, Lorin! he has killed her!" - -"No, my dear friend; no, Maurice; he has not killed her; it is not -after so many days of reflection that he would be likely to kill a -woman like Geneviève. If he had thought of doing so, he would have done -it on the spot, and have left her corpse there in token of his just -vengeance. No, no; he has taken her away, only too happy at having -regained his lost treasure." - -"You do not know him, Lorin; you do not know him! This man had -something fatal in his look." - -"You are mistaken," said Lorin; "he always struck me as a brave man. He -has taken her as a sacrifice. He will get himself arrested with her; -and they will die together. Ah, there is the danger!" - -These words redoubled Maurice's fury. - -"I will find her! I will find her, or perish in the attempt!" cried he. - -"Oh, as to that, we are certain to find her," said Lorin; "only calm -yourself. They fail in success who do not reflect, and when agitated as -you are, we reflect badly and unwisely." - -"Adieu, Lorin, adieu!" - -"Where are you going, then?" - -"I am going." - -"You will leave me, then? Why is that?" - -"Because this concerns me only. I alone should risk my life to save -Geneviève's." - -"Do you wish to die?" - -"I will face all. I will find out the president of the Committee of -Surveillance. I will speak to Hébert, to Danton, to Robespierre. I will -avow all; but she must be restored to me." - -"Very well," said Lorin; and without adding another word he rose, -adjusted his belt, put on his military cap, and as Maurice had done, -provided himself with a pair of pistols, ready loaded, which he put in -his pocket. - -"Let us go," said he, simply. - -"But you will compromise yourself," said Maurice. - -"Well! what of that?" - -"Where shall we seek her first?" asked Maurice. - -"We will first search in the old quarter, you know,--the old Rue Saint -Jacques; then we will watch for Maison-Rouge, as where he is, doubtless -Dixmer will be also; then we will draw near the houses in the Vieille -Corderie. You know they talk of transferring Marie Antoinette to the -Temple; believe me, men like them will not, till the last moment, -abandon the hope of saving her." - -"Yes," repeated Maurice; "you are right--Maison-Rouge, do you think he -is in Paris?" - -"Dixmer is certainly." - -"It is true, it is true; of course they will be together!" said -Maurice, to whom these vague ideas seemed partially to restore reason. - -The two friends commenced their search immediately, but all in vain. -Paris is large and well adapted for concealment. Never was a pit known -to conceal more obscurely the secret confided to its keeping by crime -or misery. - -A hundred times Maurice and Lorin passed over the Place de Grève, -a hundred times passed the house that contained Geneviève, watched -incessantly by Dixmer, as the priests watch the victim destined for -sacrifice. - -Geneviève on her side, seeing herself destined to perish, like all -generous souls accepted the sacrifice, and only wished to die quietly -and unnoticed; besides, she dreaded less for Dixmer than for the cause -of the queen the publicity that Maurice would not fail to give to his -vengeance. - -She kept, then, a silence as profound as if death had already sealed -her lips. - -In the mean time, without saying anything to Lorin, Maurice had applied -to the members of the terrible Committee of Public Safety; and Lorin, -without speaking to Maurice, had, on his part, determined to adopt -similar proceedings. - -Thus on the same day a red cross was affixed by Fouquier Tinville to -both their names, and the word "Suspects" united them in a sanguinary -embrace. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVI. - -THE SENTENCE. - - -On the twenty-third day of the month of the second year of the French -Republic, one and indivisible, corresponding to the 14th of October, -1793, old style, as it was then called, a curious crowd had since the -morning invaded the galleries of the hall where the revolutionary -sittings were held. - -The passages of the Palace, the avenues of the Conciergerie, were lined -with greedy and impatient spectators, who made over one to another -their reports and passions, as the waves transmit their froth and foam. - -Notwithstanding the curiosity with which each spectator was agitated, -and perhaps even on account of this curiosity, each wave of this sea, -swaying, pressed between two barriers,--the outer barrier which urged -it forward, the inner barrier which urged it backward,--each wave kept, -in this flux and reflux, almost the same position which it had at -first taken. Thus those more conveniently situated, comprehending it -was necessary they should obtain forgiveness for their good fortune, -kept this object in view by transmitting to their neighbors less -comfortably and commodiously placed than themselves, and who in their -turn recounted to others, the first words they heard, and all they saw. - -Near the door of the Tribunal a group of men was collected, rudely -disputing for ten lines of space in width and height,--for ten lines in -breadth sufficed to see between two shoulders the corner of the hall -and the form of the judges; for ten lines in height was sufficient to -overlook the entire hall and see the face of the accused. - -Unfortunately, this entrance to the passage of the hall, this narrow -defile, was almost entirely filled by a man with broad shoulders, and -his arms akimbo, who most effectually excluded the wavering crowd ready -to drop into the hall if this rampart of flesh were to give way. - -This immovable man was young and handsome; and at every push bestowed -on him by the crowd, he shook his head of hair, thick as a lion's mane, -under which gleamed a dark and resolute expression; then, when either -by a look or a movement he had repelled the crowd and resisted their -violent attacks, he fell back into his attentive immobility. - -A hundred times this compact mass had, notwithstanding, striven hard to -overthrow him,--as, from his great height, to see anything behind him -was utterly impossible,--but, as we have said, firm as a rock, he stood -his ground. - -In the mean time, at the other extremity of this human sea, in the -midst of the crushing crowd, another man was forcing a passage, with -a perseverance almost amounting to ferocity. Nothing impeded his -indefatigable exertions,--neither the blows of those he left behind, -the fearful imprecations of those he almost stifled in passing, nor the -wails of the women, for there were many females in this crowd. - -To blows he responded with blows; to imprecations, by a look before -which the most courageous quailed; to complaints, by a carelessness -bordering on disdain. - -At last he arrived behind the powerful young man who, so to speak, -closed the entrance to the hall. In the midst of the general -expectation--for all were anxious to see how the contest between -two such rude antagonists would terminate--he essayed his peculiar -method, which consisted in planting like wedges his elbows between two -spectators, and thus breaking through the thickest of the crowd. - -He was, notwithstanding, a short young man, whose wan face and -emaciated appearance betokened latent illness. - -His elbows had scarcely touched the young man before him, when he, -indignant at the aggression, turned sharply round, at the same moment -raising his clinched fist, which threatened, in falling, to crush the -slender form of the intruder. - -The two antagonists now found themselves face to face, when a cry of -recognition escaped from each. - -"Ah, Citizen Maurice," said the delicate young man, with an accent -of inexpressible anguish, "permit me to pass; only let me see her, I -entreat you; you may kill me afterward." - -Maurice--for it was indeed he--felt himself affected by admiration and -compassion for this ceaseless devotion, this adventurous daring. - -"You here!" murmured he. "How imprudent!" - -"Yes; but I am exhausted--O God! she speaks. Let me see her; let me -hear her!" - -Maurice drew aside, and the young man passed before him, and being at -the head of the crowd there was nothing now to intercept the view of -him who had undergone so many blows, so much buffeting, to attain his -end. - -All this scene, and the murmurs it occasioned, aroused the curiosity of -the judges. - -The accused also turned round, and immediately perceived and recognized -the Chevalier. - -A shudder ran through the queen's frame, seated in the iron arm-chair. -The examination, conducted by the President Harmand, interpreted by -Fouquier Tinville, discussed by Chauveau Lagarde, the counsel for the -queen, lasted as long as the strength of the judges and the accused -permitted. - -During all this time Maurice remained motionless in his place, while -several times already the concourse was renewed both in the hall and -the corridors. - -The Chevalier leaned against a pillar. He was no less pale than the -marble that supported him. - -The day was succeeded by a dark night; some lighted candles on the -tables of the jurors, and some smoky lamps on the walls of the hall -threw a red and sinister expression on the noble face of that woman who -had been the cynosure of all eyes at the splendid fêtes at Versailles. - -She was alone there, replying in brief and dignified language to the -questions of the president, and occasionally addressing some words to -her counsel in a low voice. - -Her white and polished forehead retained all its wonted haughtiness. -She was attired in a black dress, which she had worn ever since her -husband's death. - -The judges retired from the hall. The sitting had terminated. - -"Have I evinced too much contempt for them, sir?" said she, addressing -herself to Chauveau Lagarde. - -"Ah, Madame," replied he, "you are always right when you act like -yourself." - -"How proud she is!" cried a woman among the audience, as if a voice -from the people had replied to the question of the unfortunate queen to -her advocate. - -The queen turned and looked at her. - -"Yes," repeated the woman, "you are proud, Antoinette; and I tell you, -pride has been the ruin of you." - -The queen blushed. The Chevalier turned toward the female who had -uttered these words, and replied softly, "She was queen." - -Maurice seized him by the wrist, saying, in a low tone, "Take care; do -not forget yourself!" - -"Oh, Monsieur Maurice!" replied the Chevalier, "you are a man yourself, -and you know you are speaking to a man. Tell me, oh, tell me! do you -think they will condemn her?" - -"I do not think it," said Maurice; "I am sure of it." - -"What! a woman!" said the Chevalier, with a deep groan. - -"No, a queen," said Maurice; "you have yourself said so." - -The Chevalier in his turn seized Maurice by the wrist, and with a force -of which he appeared incapable compelled him to bend his ear. It was -half-past three in the morning. Many vacuums were visible among the -spectators; and a few lights burning here and there served only to -render darkness visible. In one of the most obscure parts of the hall -were the Chevalier and Maurice, the latter listening to what the former -was telling him. - -"Why are you here? What brings you here?" demanded the Chevalier; "you, -sir, who have not a tiger's heart?" - -"Alas!" said Maurice, "to discover what has become of an unfortunate -woman." - -"Yes, yes," said Maison-Rouge; "she whom her husband forced into the -queen's cell? The female who was arrested before my eyes?" - -"Geneviève?" - -"Yes, Geneviève." - -"Then Geneviève is a prisoner, sacrificed by her husband, killed by -Dixmer? Oh, I comprehend all; I understand all now! Chevalier, tell me -all that has occurred; tell me where she is; tell me where I can find -her! Chevalier, this woman constitutes my life; do you hear me?" - -"I witnessed all. I was there when she was arrested. I was there also -to effect the escape of the queen; but our different projects not -having been communicated to each other, injured instead of assisting -our mutual cause." - -"Why did you not save her, at least--your sister, Geneviève?" - -"How could I when an iron bar divided us? Oh, if you had only been -there, if you had united your efforts with mine, the bar must have -yielded, and both might have been saved!" - -"Geneviève! Geneviève!" murmured Maurice. Then regarding Maison-Rouge -with an indefinable expression of hatred and rage,-- - -"And Dixmer, where is he?" demanded he. - -"I know not; he saved himself, as I did also." - -"Oh!" said Maurice, grinding his teeth, "if ever I meet him--" - -"Yes; I understand. But there is nothing yet to despair about -concerning Geneviève," said Maison-Rouge; "her case is not yet -desperate; but the queen--Oh! stop, Maurice, you are a man of feeling, -an influential man; you have friends--Oh! I pray to you as I would -pray to my God--Maurice, help me to save the queen! Maurice, Geneviève -supplicates you through me!" - -"Pronounce not that name, sir! Who knows but that, like Dixmer, you may -have sacrificed this unhappy woman?" - -"Sir," replied the Chevalier, haughtily, "when I attach myself to a -cause, I know better than to sacrifice any one but myself." - -Maurice was about to reply, when the door of the chamber of debate -opened. - -"Silence, sir! silence!" said the Chevalier, "the judges are -returning," and Maurice felt the hand tremble which Maison-Rouge had -placed upon his arm. "Ah!" murmured the Chevalier, "my heart fails me -now!" - -"Have courage and constrain yourself, or you are lost!" said Maurice. - -The Tribunal re-entered; and the news of its return spread rapidly -through the corridors and galleries. The crowd again congregated in -the hall, and even the dim lights appeared to burn brighter at this -solemn and decisive moment. The queen rose and stood erect, haughty -and immovable, her eyes fixed, her lips closed. The decree was then -read which doomed the queen to death. She heard her sentence without -even turning pale or uttering a sigh; her countenance evinced not the -slightest emotion. Then turning toward the Chevalier, she regarded him -with a long and eloquent look, as if to indicate her gratitude to this -man whom she had ever seen a living statue of devotion, and supported -on the arm of the officer of the gendarmes who commanded the forces, -with a calm and dignified demeanor she quitted the court. - -Maurice drew a deep sigh. "Thank God!" said he, "nothing in this -declaration can compromise Geneviève; there is yet hope." - -"Thank God!" murmured the Chevalier on his side, "it is all finished, -and the struggle at length terminated. I have not strength to go -further." - -"Courage, sir!" said Maurice, in a low voice. - -"I will take courage, sir," replied the Chevalier; and having shaken -hands, they disappeared by different outlets. The queen was reconducted -to the Conciergerie; the large clock struck four as she entered. At the -end of Pont Neuf, Maurice was stopped by Lorin. - -"Halt!" said he; "you do not pass here!" - -"Why?" - -"First, where are you going?" - -"I am going home. I can return there now, since I know what has become -of her." - -"So much the better; but you must not enter there." - -"For what reason?" - -"The reason is, that two hours ago the gendarmes went there to arrest -you." - -"Ah!" cried Maurice. "Well, that is the greater reason why I should go!" - -"Are you mad? And Geneviève?" - -"You are right. But where are we to go?" - -"Zounds! To my house." - -"But I shall ruin you!" - -"The more reason, then, that you should come," said Lorin, dragging -Maurice away with him. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVII. - -THE PRIEST AND THE EXECUTIONER. - - -On leaving the court, the queen had been conducted back to the -Conciergerie. On reaching her chamber she had taken a pair of scissors, -and cut off her long and beautiful ringlets, rendered still more so -from the absence of powder, which she had not used for a year; she -enclosed them in a packet, on which was inscribed, "For my son and -daughter." She then seated herself, or rather sank into a chair, and -worn out with fatigue, the trial having lasted eighteen hours, she fell -asleep. At seven o'clock the noise of the opening screen roused her -suddenly, and turning round, she beheld a man perfectly unknown to her. - -"What do you want?" demanded she. - -He approached and saluted her as respectfully as if she had not been -the queen. - -"I am called Sanson," said he. - -The name was sufficient. The queen slightly shuddered and rose up. - -"You are here early, sir; could you not have made it rather later?" - -"No, Madame," replied Sanson; "I received orders to come." - -As he uttered these words, he advanced still nearer to the queen. At -this moment everything about this man was expressive and terrible. - -"I understand," said the prisoner; "you wish to cut off my hair?" - -"It is necessary, Madame," replied the executioner. - -"I knew it, sir; and I wished to spare you the trouble. My hair is on -the table." - -Sanson followed the direction of the queen's hand. - -"Only," said she, "I should like my hair sent to my children to-night." - -"Madame," said Sanson, "this does not concern me." - -"However, I thought--notwithstanding--" - -"Oh, I get nothing," replied the executioner; "the clothes, the -jewels--unless formally made over to me--all go to La Salpêtrière, -and are allotted to the poor of the hospital. The Committee of Public -Safety has so arranged these things." - -"But, sir," persisted Marie Antoinette, "may I at least depend upon -this packet being forwarded to my children?" - -Sanson remained silent. - -"I will endeavor to send it," said Gilbert. - -The prisoner cast upon him a look of deep gratitude. - -"I came," said Sanson, "to cut off your hair; but since you have done -so, I can, if you wish it, leave you for a moment alone." - -"I entreat you to do so, sir. I wish to collect my scattered thoughts, -and offer up a prayer." - -Sanson bowed and retired, when the queen once more found herself -in solitude. While the condemned knelt on a low chair which served -her as a _prie-dieu_, a scene no less terrible was passing in the -parsonage of the small church of Saint Landry, in the city. The curé -had just got up; the old housekeeper had prepared the humble morning -meal, when a loud summons at the gate was heard. Even in our day, an -unexpected visit to a clergyman is in general the precursor of some -serious event,-- either a baptism, a marriage "in extremis," or a last -confession; but at this epoch the visit of a stranger announced some -matter of far graver import. Indeed, at this period the priest was no -longer the mandatary of God, but rendered his account to man. - -However, the Abbé Girard was of the number of those who had least -cause for fear, as he had sworn to abide by the Constitution,--in him -conscience and probity had spoken louder than either self-love or -religious spirit. No doubt the Abbé Girard admitted the possibility of -improvement in the government, and much regretted the abuses committed -under the name of the Divine will, and had, while retaining his God, -accepted the fraternity of the Republican régime. - -"Go and see, Dame Jacinthe," said he, "who disturbs us at this early -hour; and if the business is of no very pressing nature, say that this -morning I have been sent for to the Conciergerie, and must go there -directly." - -Dame Jacinthe, formerly called Madeleine, had accepted this flowery -appellation in lieu of her own, as the Abbé Girard had taken the title -of citizen instead of that of curé. At the suggestion of her master, -Jacinthe hastened down the steps of the little garden leading to the -entrance gate. She drew back the bolts, when a thin, pale young man, -much agitated, but with a frank and amiable expression, presented -himself before her. - -"Monsieur l'Abbé Girard?" said he. - -Jacinthe, not slow to remark the disordered dress, the neglected beard, -and the nervous tremor of the new-comer, augured unfavorably of him. - -"Citizen," said she; "there is here neither 'Monsieur' nor 'abbé.'" - -"Pardon me, Madame," replied the young man; "I meant to say the Curé of -Saint Landry." - -Jacinthe, notwithstanding her patriotism, was struck by the title -"Madame," with which the Republicans would not have honored an empress. -She, however, replied,-- - -"You cannot see him now; he is repeating his breviary." - -"In that case I will wait," replied the young man. - -"But," said Jacinthe, in whom this obstinate persistence revived her -first unfavorable impression, "you will wait in vain; for he has been -summoned to the Conciergerie, and must go there immediately." - -The young man turned frightfully pale, or rather from pale to livid. - -"It is then true!" murmured he; then raising his voice, "This, Madame, -is the business which brings me to the Citizen Girard." - -And in spite of the old woman he had, while speaking, effected an -entrance; then coolly but firmly closing the bolts, and notwithstanding -the expostulations and even menaces of Dame Jacinthe, he not only -entered the house, but also the chamber of the curé, who on perceiving -him uttered an exclamation of surprise. - -"Forgive me, Monsieur le Curé," immediately said the young man; "I wish -to speak to you on a very serious subject; permit us to be alone." - -The aged priest had experienced deep sorrow, and knew what it was to -endure. He discerned deep and devouring passion in the confusion of the -young man, and intense emotion in his fevered tones. - -"Leave us, Dame Jacinthe!" said he. - -The visitor impatiently followed with his eyes the receding steps of -the housekeeper, who, from being accustomed to the confidence of her -master, hesitated to comply; then when at length the door was closed, -"Monsieur le Curé," said the unknown, "you will first wish to know who -I am. I will tell you. I am a proscribed man, doomed to death, who only -at this moment lives from the power of audacity; I am the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge." - -The abbé started in horror from his arm-chair. - -"Fear nothing!" said the Chevalier, "no one has seen me enter here; and -even those who might have seen me would never know me. I have altered -much these last two months." - -"But what do you wish, Citizen?" asked the curé. - -"You are going this morning to the Conciergerie, are you not?" - -"Yes; the porter has sent for me." - -"Do you know why?" - -"To perform the duties of my sacred office to an invalid, or some dying -person, perhaps even to one condemned." - -"You are right; it is to one condemned." - -The old priest regarded the Chevalier with undisguised astonishment. - -"But do you know who this person is?" demanded Maison-Rouge. - -"No, I do not know." - -"This person is the queen!" - -The abbé uttered an exclamation of grief. - -"The queen! Oh, my God!" - -"Yes, sir; the queen! I made inquiry as to the priest who would attend -her, and learned it was you. I therefore came directly to seek an -interview." - -"But what do you require of me?" asked the priest, alarmed at the wild -accents of the Chevalier. - -"I wish--I wish nothing, sir. I implore, I entreat, I supplicate you!" - -"For what, then?" - -"To allow me to enter with you into the presence of her Majesty?" - -"You are mad!" exclaimed the curé; "you would not only ruin me, but -would sacrifice yourself." - -"Fear nothing." - -"The poor woman is condemned, and that is the end of her." - -"I know it, and it is not to make any attempt to save her that I wish -to see her; it is--But listen to me, my father; you are not listening." - -"I do not listen to you, since what you ask is impossible; I do not -listen to you, since you act like a man bereft of his senses," said the -aged man. "I do not listen to you, because you terrify me." - -"Father, reassure yourself," said the young man, endeavoring to calm -himself; "believe me, Father, I am in my senses. The queen, I know, is -lost; but if I could only for an instant prostrate myself at her feet, -it would save my life. If I do not see her I shall kill myself; and as -you will have caused my despair, you will at the same moment destroy -both body and soul." - -"My son! my son!" replied the priest, "you ask me to sacrifice my -life for you! Old as I am, my existence is still necessary to the -unfortunate; old as I am, to precipitate my own death is to commit -suicide." - -"Do not refuse me, Father," replied the Chevalier; "you must have a -curate, an acolyte; take me, let me go with you." - -The priest tried to maintain his firmness, which was beginning to give -way. - -"No, no!" said he; "this would be a dereliction of duty; I have sworn -to the Constitution, and I am bound heart, soul, and conscience. The -unhappy woman condemned to death is a guilty queen. I would accept -death, if by so doing I could benefit a fellow-creature; but I will not -depart from the path of duty." - -"But," cried the Chevalier, "when I tell you, and again repeat, even -swear to you, I do not want to save the queen; here by the Gospel, by -the crucifix, I swear I do not go to the Conciergerie to prevent her -death!" - -"What is your motive, then?" said the old man, affected by such -undisguised accents of despair. - -"Hearken!" said the Chevalier, whose soul seemed to speak from his -lips; "she was my benefactress; she is attached to me; to see me in her -last moments will I feel sure prove a consolation to her." - -"And this is all that you desire?" demanded the curé, yielding to these -irresistible accents. - -"Absolutely all." - -"And you have woven no plot to attempt to rescue the condemned?" - -"None. I am a Christian, Father; and if there rests in my heart a -shadow of deceit; if I entertain any hope of her life, or try in any -way to save it,--may God visit me with eternal damnation!" - -"No, no!" said the curé; "I can promise nothing," as the innumerable -dangers attendant on an act so imprudent returned to his mind. - -"Now listen to me, Father!" said the Chevalier, in a voice hoarse with -emotion; "I have spoken like a submissive child; I have not uttered one -bitter word or uncharitable sentiment; no menace has escaped my lips. -Yet now my head whirls; fever burns in my veins; now despair gnaws my -heart; now I am armed. Behold! here is my dagger." And the young man -drew from his bosom a polished blade which threw a livid reflection on -his trembling hand. The curé drew back quickly. - -"Fear nothing," said the Chevalier, with a mournful smile; "others, -knowing you to be so strict an observer of your word, would have -terrified you into an oath. But no! I have supplicated, and I still -continue to supplicate, with hands clasped, my forehead in the dust, -that I may see her for a single moment. Look! here is your guarantee!" -And he drew from his pocket a billet which he presented to Girard, who -opened it and read as follows:-- - - I, René, Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, declare by God and my honor, that - I have by threats of death compelled the worthy curé of Saint Landry - to convey me to the Conciergerie, notwithstanding his refusal and - great repugnance to do so. In proof of which I have signed-- - - Maison-Rouge. - -"It is well," said the priest; "but swear to me once again that you -will be guilty of no imprudence. It is not sufficient that my life is -saved, I am answerable also for yours." - -"Think not of that," said the Chevalier. "Then you consent?" - -"I must, since you so absolutely insist. You can wait outside, and when -she comes to the wicket you will see her." - -The Chevalier seized the hand of the old priest and kissed it with all -the ardor and respect he would have kissed the crucifix. - -"Oh!" murmured the Chevalier, "she shall die at least like a queen, and -the hand of the executioner shall never touch her!" - - - - -CHAPTER XLVIII. - -THE CART. - - -Immediately after having obtained this permission from the curé of -Saint Landry, Maison-Rouge withdrew into a cabinet, the door of which, -being half opened, he had recognized as the priest's dressing-room. -There his long beard and mustachios speedily disappeared under the -stroke of the razor; and then only he was fully aware of his frightful -pallor and altered appearance. It was terrible to behold. He re-entered -perfectly calm, and seemed to have forgotten that notwithstanding the -absence of his beard and mustachios, he might still probably be known -at the Conciergerie. He followed the abbé, whom, during his momentary -absence, two officials were seeking; and with the cool audacity which -disarms suspicion, entered the iron gate at this time opening into -the court of the Palace. He was, like the Abbé Girard, dressed in -black,--sacerdotal habits at that period being abolished. - -In the register-office they found about fifty persons assembled; -some employed about the prison, some deputies, some commissaries, -all waiting in the expectation of seeing the queen pass; there might -be some mandataries and many idlers. Maison-Rouge's heart beat so -violently when he found himself opposite the wicket that he heard not -even the parley that ensued between the abbé, the gendarmes, and the -porter. Only a man with a pair of scissors in his hand and a piece of -stuff newly cut pushed against Maison-Rouge upon the threshold. He -turned round and recognized the executioner. - -"What do you want, Citizen?" demanded Sanson. - -The Chevalier endeavored to repress the shudder which, in spite of -himself, ran through his veins. - -"You see, Citizen Sanson," replied the Chevalier, "that I accompany the -curé of Saint Landry." - -"Oh, very well!" said the executioner, drawing himself on one side, and -giving orders to his assistant. - -During this time Maison-Rouge had passed into the interior of the -office, and from there into the compartment inhabited by the two -gendarmes. - -These men were overcome by contending emotions. Proud and haughty as -she had been to others, she had ever been gentle and condescending to -them. They seemed more like her servants than her guards. - -In his present position the Chevalier could not obtain a view of the -queen,--the screen was closed. It had been opened to give entrance to -the curé, but directly closed behind him. When the Chevalier entered, -the conversation had already commenced. - -"Sir," said the queen, in a clear and firm voice, "since you have sworn -allegiance to the Republic--in whose name they have condemned me to -death--I have no confidence in you. We do not even worship the same -God!" - -"Madame," said Girard, struck by this disdainful profession of faith, -"a Christian about to die should dismiss all hatred from her heart, and -ought not to repulse her God, under whatever form he may be presented -to her." - -Maison-Rouge advanced a step to open the screen, hoping that when she -saw him, and knew what brought him, she would change her opinion in -regard to the curé; but the gendarmes detected the movement. - -"But," said Maison-Rouge, "I am the acolyte of the curé--" - -"Then, since she refuses the curé," said Duchesne, "she does not -require you." - -"But still, perhaps she may accept me," said he, raising his voice; -"it is impossible she would refuse me." But Marie Antoinette was too -much engrossed by the sentiment which agitated her either to hear or -recognize the Chevalier's voice. - -"Go, sir!" continued she; "leave me!" addressing Girard; "since at this -time we in France live under the régime of liberty, I claim the right -to die according to my own fashion." - -Girard offered some resistance. - -"Leave me, sir!" said she. "I desire you to leave me." - -Girard endeavored to speak. - -"I will not hear you; leave me!" said she, with the gesture of Marie -Thérèse. - -Girard went out. - -Maison-Rouge essayed to gain a glimpse of her through the opening in -the screen; but the prisoner had turned her back. The executioner's -assistant crossed before the curé; he came in holding a cord in his -hand. The two gendarmes pushed the Chevalier toward the door; amazed, -despairing, and utterly bewildered, before he had been able to utter -a cry or make the slightest movement to effect his purpose, he found -himself with the curé in the corridor of the turnkey. This corridor -brought them again into the register-office, where the news of the -queen's refusal had already circulated, and where the Austrian pride of -Marie Antoinette was to some the pretext of the coarsest invectives, -and to others the subject of secret admiration. - -"Go!" said Richard to the abbé, "return home, since she repulses you, -and let her die as she likes." - -"Well, she is in the right," said Richard's wife, "and I would act in -the same way." - -"Then you would do wrong, Madame," said the curé. - -"Be silent," said the keeper, opening his eyes very wide; "what does it -concern you? Go, Abbé, go!" - -"No," said Girard, "no; I will, notwithstanding all, accompany her; one -word, only one word, if she will listen, might bring her back to duty; -besides, I am sent by the order of the Commune, and I must discharge my -office." - -"Send back your sexton, then," brutally observed the adjutant-major, -commandant of the armed forces. He was a former actor at the Comédie -Française, named Grammont. The eyes of the Chevalier flashed lightning, -as he mechanically thrust his hand into his breast, where Girard knew -he had the poniard. He checked him with a suppliant look. - -"Spare my life," said he, in a low voice; "you see that your cause is -ruined; do not destroy yourself with her. I will mention you to her on -the route; I swear to you I will tell her you risked your life that you -might see her once more on earth." - -These words calmed the effervescence of the young man, and the ordinary -reaction taking place, he sank into a state of quiescence. This man of -heroic mind, of marvellous power, had arrived at the termination of -both strength and will, and glided irresolute, or rather exhausted and -vanquished, into a state of torpor that might have been imagined to be -the precursor of death. - -"Yes, I believe," said he, "it should be thus: the cross for Jesus, the -scaffold for her,--gods and kings drink deep of the chalice presented -to them by men." This thought produced resignation; and now, totally -prostrated, he allowed himself to be pushed without offering any -resistance, except an occasional involuntary groan, to the outer gate, -passive as Ophelia when, devoted to death, she found herself borne away -by the remorseless waves. - -At the bottom of the gates and at the doors of the Conciergerie, a -crowd was assembled, which unless once seen it was impossible to -describe. Impatience ruled every passion; and each passion spoke its -own language; and these combined formed an immense and prolonged -uproar, as if the whole noise and the entire population of Paris were -on this occasion concentrated in the quarter of the Palais de Justice. - -In front of this crowd the whole army was encamped, with guns intended -to guard the procession, and also to secure the privilege of those who -came to witness the last act of the tragedy. - -It would have been vain to attempt to pierce this deep rampart, -increasing gradually, since the condemnation of the queen was now known -not only at Paris, but by the patriots of the faubourgs. - -Maison-Rouge, expelled from the Conciergerie, naturally found himself -in the first rank among the soldiers, who instantly demanded who he -was. He replied, "he was the vicar of the Abbé Girard, but having bound -himself by the same oath, he, like the curé, had been dismissed and -refused by the queen;" on which the soldiers, in their turn, pushed -him into the first row of spectators, where he was again compelled to -repeat what he had previously told them. - -Then the cry arose, "He has just left!" "He has seen her!" "What did -she say?" "What did she do?" "Is she as haughty as usual?" "Is she cast -down?" "Does she weep?" The Chevalier replied to all these questions -in a feeble but sweet and affable tone; as if this voice was the last -manifestation of life suspended on his lips. His answer was couched -in the language of truth and simplicity. It contained an eulogium on -the firmness of Marie Antoinette; and that which he recounted with the -simplicity and faith of an evangelist cast sorrow and remorse over many -hearts. - -When he spoke of the little dauphin, and of Madame Royale; of this -queen without a throne; of this wife without a husband; this mother -bereft of her children; this woman alone and abandoned, without a -friend, surrounded by executioners,--more than one face here and -there assumed a sad expression, and more than one tear of regret was -clandestinely wiped from eyes a moment before animated by hatred. - -The Palace clock struck eleven. All murmuring at this moment ceased. -One hundred thousand human beings counted these strokes, echoed by the -pulsations of their own hearts. - -When the last vibration had ceased and died away in the distance, a -loud noise was heard within the gates, and at the same time a cart, -advancing from the side of the Quai aux Fleurs, broke through the -crowd, then the guards, and drew up at the bottom of the steps. - -The queen soon appeared at the top of the staircase. Looks expressive -of all kinds of passion were bent upon her; the mob stood in breathless -expectation. The queen's hair was cut short; the greater portion had -turned gray during her captivity, and this shade of silver rendered -still more delicate the mother-of-pearl pallor which at this moment -lent an almost angelic beauty to this daughter of the Cæsars. She -was attired in a white robe, and her hands were fastened behind -her back. When she appeared with the Abbé Girard on her right, who -notwithstanding all opposition would still accompany her, and the -executioner on her left, both dressed in black, there ran throughout -the crowd a murmur, of which God alone, who reads all hearts, could -comprehend and sum up the truth. - -A man passed between the executioner and Marie Antoinette; it was -Grammont. He conducted her to the fatal car. The queen recoiled. - -"Mount!" cried Grammont. - -This word was distinctly heard by all. Emotion held every breath -suspended on the lips of the spectators. A blush suffused the face of -the queen, mounting even to the roots of her hair, but it immediately -disappeared, and her face resumed its former death-like hue. - -"Why a car for me," said she, "when the king had a carriage to convey -him to the scaffold?" - -The Abbé Girard advanced, and addressed a few words to her in a low -tone; doubtless he condemned this last utterance of royal pride. The -queen remained silent, but tottered so much that Sanson held out his -arms to support her; but she recovered her self-possession before he -could touch her. She then descended the staircase, while the assistants -placed a foot-board behind the car. The queen entered first; the abbé -followed her. - -When the car was in motion it caused a great movement in the -assemblage; and the soldiers at the same time, ignorant of its cause, -united their efforts to push back the crowd, and consequently, a -large space was cleared between the people and the vehicle of death, -when suddenly a mournful howling was heard. The queen started, and -instantly rose, looking around her. She then saw her little dog, which -had been lost for two months, and which, unable to follow her into -the Conciergerie, regardless of kicks, blows, and thrusts, now rushed -toward the car; but almost directly poor Jet, emaciated, starving, and -bruised, disappeared under the horses' feet. The queen followed him -with her eyes; she could not speak, for her voice was drowned in the -noise; she could not point her finger toward him, for her hands were -tied; and had she been able to do either, who would have regarded her? -Having closed her eyes for an instant, she soon revived. He was in the -arms of a pale young man, who, standing on a cannon, was conspicuous -above the crowd, and whose natural stature seemed enlarged from the -unspeakable elevation of the sentiments with which he was animated, -while he saluted the queen and pointed to heaven. Marie Antoinette -looked upward and smiled sweetly. - -The Chevalier uttered a groan, as if this smile had broken his heart; -and as the fatal car turned toward the Pont-au-Change, he fell back -among the crowd, and disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIX. - -THE SCAFFOLD. - - -Upon the Place de la Révolution, leaning against a lamp-post, two men -were waiting. Of those who followed with the crowd, some were carried -to the Place du Palais, others to the Place de la Révolution, while the -rest spread, impatient and tumultuous, over the whole road separating -the two places. They were waiting until the queen should reach the -instrument of punishment, which, defaced by the sun and storm, worn -by the hand of the executioner, and, most horrible! blunted by too -frequent contact with its victims, reared its head with a sinister -pride over the subjacent mass, like a queen ruling her people. The -two men, arm-in-arm, and speaking by fits and starts, with pale lips -and contracted brows, were Lorin and Maurice. Lost in the crowd, but -not in a way calculated to excite suspicion, they continued in a low -tone their conversation, which was perhaps not the least interesting -one then circulating among the various groups which, like an electric -chain, a living sea, was agitated from the Pont-au-Change to the Pont -de la Révolution. - -The idea we have expressed regarding the scaffold seemed to have struck -them both. - -"See," said Maurice, "how the hideous monster rears her red arms; might -it not be said that she calls us, and grins at us through her wicket as -if it was her horrid mouth?" - -"I," said Lorin, "must confess I do not belong to the school of poetry -which sees everything blood-color. I see everything _couleur-de-rose_, -and even at the foot of that dreadful machine I should sing and hope -still. '_Dum spiro spero._'" - -"You hope when they murder women?" - -"Maurice," said Lorin, "child of the Revolution, do not deny your -mother! Ah! Maurice, remain a stanch and loyal patriot. She who is -condemned to die is unlike all other women; she is the evil genius of -France." - -"Oh, it is not she that I regret; it is not for her I weep!" cried -Maurice. - -"Yes; I understand, it is Geneviève." - -"Ah!" said Maurice, "there is one thought that drives me mad! It is -that Geneviève is in the hands of those purveyors to the guillotine, -Hébert and Fouquier Tinville,--in the hands of the men who sent here -the poor Héloïse, and are now sending the proud Marie Antoinette." - -"Well!" said Lorin, "it is this very fact that inspires me with hope. -When the rage of the people has feasted on two tyrants it will be -satiated for some time at least,--like the boa-constrictor, which -requires three months to digest what he has devoured. Then the popular -rage will swallow no more; and as is said by the prophets of the -faubourg, 'the lesser morsels will be no longer palatable.'" - -"Lorin! Lorin!" said Maurice, "I am more positive than you, and I -say it in a whisper, but am ready to repeat it aloud,--Lorin, I hate -the new queen who seems destined to succeed the Austrian, whom she -destroys. It is a sad queen whose purple is daily dyed in blood, and to -whom Sanson is prime minister." - -"Bah! we shall escape her." - -"I do not think so," said Maurice, shaking his head; "to avoid being -arrested at your house we have no resource but to live in the street." - -"Bah! we can quit Paris; there is nothing to prevent us. We need not -complain. My uncle will await us at Saint Omer; money, passport, -nothing will be wanting. There exists not the gendarme who shall arrest -us; what do you think? We remain in Paris because we choose to do so." - -"No; that is not correct, excellent friend, devoted and faithful as you -are-- You remain because I wish to continue here." - -"And you wish to remain to discover Geneviève. Well! nothing is more -simple, just, or natural. You think she is in prison; nothing more -probable. You wish to keep watch over her, and on that account we -cannot quit Paris." - -Maurice drew a deep sigh; it was evident his thoughts were wandering. - -"Do you remember the death of Louis XVI?" said he. "I can see him -yet, pale with pride and emotion. I was then one of the chiefs of -this crowd, in whose folds I conceal myself to-day. I was greater at -the foot of the scaffold than the king upon it had ever been. What a -change, Lorin! and when one thinks that nine short months have sufficed -to work this change!" - -"Nine months of love, Maurice-- Love ruined Troy!" - -Maurice sighed; his wandering thoughts now took another direction. - -"Poor Maison-Rouge," said he; "this is a sad day for him!" - -"Alas!" said Lorin, "shall I tell you what appears to me the most -melancholy thing about revolutions?" - -"Yes," said Maurice. - -"It is that one often has for friends those we should prefer as -enemies; and for enemies those we would wish--" - -"There is one thing I can hardly believe," interrupted Maurice. - -"What?" - -"It is that he will not invent some project, though the most hopeless, -to save the queen." - -"What! one man stronger than a hundred thousand!" - -"I said, 'though the most hopeless.' I know that to save Geneviève--" -Lorin frowned. - -"I again tell you, Maurice," said he, "you are wild! No; even were it -possible for you to save Geneviève, you would not become a bad citizen. -But enough of this, Maurice; they are listening to us. Look how the -heads undulate; see! there is Sanson's valet raising himself from under -his basket, and looking in the distance. The Austrian arrives." - -In short, as if to accompany this undulation which Lorin had remarked, -a shuddering, prolonged and increasing, pervaded the crowd. It was one -of those hurricanes which commence with a whistle and terminate with a -bellow. Maurice raised himself by the help of the lamp-post, and looked -toward the Rue Saint Honoré. - -"Yes," said he shuddering; "there she is." And another machine now made -its appearance, almost as revolting as the guillotine. It was the fatal -car. - -On the right and left glittered the arms of the escort; while in front -marched Grammont, replying with flashes of his sabre to the shouts -and cries of some fanatics. But ever as the cart advanced these cries -subsided under the haughty courage of the condemned. - -Never had a countenance commanded more respect; never had Marie -Antoinette looked more the queen. Her proud courage struck terror into -those around her. - -Indifferent to the exhortations of the Abbé Girard, who despite of her -opposition accompanied her, her face moved neither to the right nor -left; her deep thought was as immutable as her look; even the jolting -motion of the cart upon the uneven pavement did not by its violence -disturb the rigidity of her demeanor. She might have been taken for a -marble statue conveyed in the car, had it not been for her brilliant -eyes, and her hair waving in the wind. - -A silence equal to that of the desert fell suddenly upon the three -hundred thousand spectators of this scene, witnessed by the heavens for -the first time by the light of the sun. - -In the place where Maurice and Lorin were standing they heard the -creaking of the axles and the snorting of the horses. - -The car stopped at the foot of the scaffold. - -The queen, who doubtless was not thinking of this moment, recalled -herself, and understood it all; she threw a haughty glance upon the -crowd, and again beheld the pale young man she had previously seen -standing on the cannon. He was now mounted on a wall, and repeated -the respectful salutation he had before offered her as she left the -Conciergerie. He then disappeared. Many persons seeing him, it was -soon reported, from his being dressed in black, that a priest was in -attendance on Marie Antoinette, to give her absolution ere she ascended -the scaffold. - -Further than that no one disturbed the Chevalier. In moments of highest -concern, certain things are treated with marked deference. - -The queen cautiously descended the steps from the car, supported by -Sanson, who to the last moment, in accomplishing the task to which he -himself appeared to be condemned, treated her with the greatest respect. - -As the queen walked toward the steps of the scaffold some of the -horses reared, and several of the foot-guards and soldiers appeared -to oscillate and lose their equilibrium; then a shadow was seen to -glide under the scaffold; but tranquillity was almost instantaneously -re-established, since no one was willing to quit his place at this -solemn moment,--no one was willing to lose the minutest detail of the -dreadful tragedy about to be accomplished. All eyes were directed -toward the condemned. - -The queen was already on the platform of the scaffold. The priest still -continued to address her; an assistant moved her gently forward, while -another removed the scarf from her shoulders. - -Marie Antoinette felt the touch of the infamous hand upon her neck, -and making a sudden movement trod upon Sanson's foot, who, without her -having seen him, was engaged in fixing her to the fatal plank. Sanson -drew back his foot. - -"Excuse me, sir," said the queen; "I did not do it intentionally." - -These were the last words pronounced by the daughter of the Cæsars, the -queen of France, the widow of Louis XVI. - -As the clock of the Tuileries struck a quarter after twelve, the queen -was launched into eternity. - -A terrible cry--a cry comprising at once joy, terror, sorrow, triumph, -expiation--rose like a storm, drowning a feeble burst of lamentation -which at the same moment issued from beneath the scaffold. - -The gendarmes heard it notwithstanding, feeble as it was, and advanced -some steps in front. The crowd, now less compact, expanded like a -river whose dike has been enlarged, threw down the fence, dispersed -the guards, and rushed like the returning tide to beat the foot of the -scaffold, which was already shaking. - -All wished for a nearer view of the remains of that royalty which they -believed, root and branch, forever exterminated in France. - -But the gendarmes had another object in view,--they sought the shadow -which had repassed their lines, and glided beneath the scaffold. - -Two of them returned leading between them by the collar a pale young -man, whose hand held a blood-stained handkerchief, which he pressed to -his heart; he was followed by a little spaniel howling piteously. - -"Death to the aristocrat! death to the noble!" cried some men of the -people; "he has dipped his handkerchief in the Austrian's blood,--to -death with him!" - -"Good Heavens!" said Maurice to Lorin, "do you recognize him? Do you -recognize him?" - -"Death to the royalist!" repeated the madmen; "take away the -handkerchief he wishes to preserve as a relic! wrest it from him! tear -it from him!" - -A haughty smile flitted across the young man's lips, he tore open his -shirt, bared his breast, and dropped the handkerchief. - -"Gentlemen," said he, "this blood is not the queen's, but my own. Let -me die in peace;" and a deep, gushing wound appeared widely gaping -under the left breast. The crowd uttered one cry and retired. The young -man sank slowly upon his knees, and gazed upon the scaffold as a martyr -looks upon the altar. - -"Maison-Rouge!" whispered Lorin to Maurice. - -"Adieu!" murmured the young man, bowing his head with an angelic -smile,--"adieu! or rather, _au revoir_!" and he expired in the midst of -the stupefied guards. - -"There is still this expedient, Lorin," said Maurice, "before becoming -an unworthy citizen." - -The little spaniel turned toward the corpse, terrified and howling -lamentably. - -"Why, there is Jet," said a man, holding a large club in his -hand,--"why, there is Jet; come here, old fellow." - -The dog advanced toward him, but was scarcely within arm's length of -the man who had called him, when the brutal wretch raised his club and -dashed out his brains, at the same time bursting into a hoarse laugh. - -"Cowardly wretch!" cried Maurice. - -"Silence!" whispered Lorin, "or we are lost. It is Simon." - - - - -CHAPTER L. - -THE VISIT TO THE DOMICILE. - - -Lorin and Maurice returned to their home; but the latter, in order not -to compromise his friend too openly, usually absented himself during -the day, and returned at night. - -In the midst of these events, being present at the removal of the -prisoners to the Conciergerie, he watched daily for the sight -of Geneviève, not having been yet able to discover her place of -imprisonment. Lorin, since his visit to Fouquier Tinville, had -succeeded in convincing Maurice that on the first ostensible act he was -lost, and would then have sacrificed himself without having benefited -Geneviève; and Maurice, who would willingly have thrown himself into -prison in the hope of being united to his mistress, became prudent from -the fear of being separated from her forever. - -He went every morning from the Carmelites to Port Libre, from the -Madelonnettes to Saint Lazare, from La Force to the Luxembourg; he -stationed himself before the prisons to watch the cars as they came out -to convey the accused to the Revolutionary Tribunal. Then when he had -scanned the victims, he proceeded to the other prisons to prosecute -this hopeless search, for he soon became aware that the activity of ten -men would prove inadequate to keep watch over the thirty-three prisons -which Paris could boast of at this period. He therefore contented -himself by going daily to the Tribunal, there to await the appearance -of Geneviève. - -He was already beginning to despair. Indeed, what hope was there for a -person arrested and condemned? Sometimes the Tribunal, whose sittings -commenced at ten o'clock, had condemned twenty or thirty people by four -o'clock: those first condemned had six hours to live, but the last, -sentenced at a quarter to four, fell at half-past beneath the axe. To -resign himself to such a fate for Geneviève, would be to grow weary in -his battle against destiny. - -Oh, if he had known beforehand of the imprisonment of Geneviève, how -Maurice would have baffled the blind, human justice of this epoch; how -easily and promptly would he have torn Geneviève from prison! Never -were escapes more easy; and it may be said, never were they so rare. -All the nobles, once placed in prison, installed themselves there as -in a château, and died at leisure. To fly was like evading a duel; the -women even blushed at liberty acquired at this price. - -But Maurice would not have shown himself so scrupulous. To kill the -dogs, to bribe a door-keeper, what more simple? Geneviève was not one -of those splendid names calculated to attract general attention. She -would not dishonor herself by flying, and besides--when could she be -disgraced! - -Oh, how bitterly he thought of the gardens of Port Libre, so easy -to scale; the chambers of Madelonnettes, so easy of access to the -street; the low walls of the Luxembourg, and the dark corridors of the -Carmelites, where a resolute man could so easily penetrate by opening a -window. - -But was Geneviève in one of these prisons? - -Then, devoured by doubt, and worn out with anxiety, he loaded Dixmer -with imprecations; he threatened, and nourished his hatred against -this man, whose cowardly vengeance concealed itself under an apparent -devotion to the royal cause. - -"I shall find him out too," thought Maurice; "for if he wishes to save -the unhappy woman, he will show himself; if he wishes to ruin her, he -will insult her. I shall find him out, the scoundrel! and it will be an -evil day for him!" - -On the morning of the day when the events occurred which we are about -to relate, Maurice went out early to take his usual station at the -Revolutionary Tribunal, leaving Lorin asleep. - -Lorin was suddenly awakened by a loud noise at the door, the voices -of women and the butt-ends of guns. He threw around him the startled -glance of a surprised man who wished to convince himself that nothing -that could compromise him was in view. Four sectionaries, two -gendarmes, and a commissary entered at the same moment. This visit was -sufficiently significant, and Lorin hastened to dress himself. - -"Do you come to arrest me?" said he. - -"Yes, Citizen Lorin." - -"What for?" - -"Because you are suspected." - -"Ah, all right!" - -The commissary scribbled some words at the bottom of the warrant for -arrest. - -"Where is your friend?" he inquired. - -"What friend?" - -"The Citizen Maurice Lindey." - -"At home, probably." - -"No; he lodges here." - -"He! go along! Search, and if you find--" - -"Here is the denunciation," interrupted the commissary, "it is plain -enough;" offering Lorin a paper in vile writing and enigmatical -orthography. It stated that every morning the Citizen Lindey, suspected -and ordered for arrest, was seen going out of the Citizen Lorin's -house. The denunciation was signed "Simon." - -"Why," said Lorin, "the cobbler will lose his custom if he follows two -trades at the same time,--a spy and boot-mender. He is a Cæsar, this -Monsieur Simon," and he burst into a fit of laughter. - -"The Citizen Maurice, where is he?" asked the commissary. "We summon -you to deliver him up." - -"When I tell you he is not here!" - -The commissary passed into the chamber adjoining, then ascended to -the loft where Lorin's official slept, and at last opened a lower -apartment, but found no trace of Maurice. But upon the dining-room -table a recently written letter attracted the attention of the -commissary. It was from Maurice, who had deposited it there on leaving -in the morning without awakening his friend. - - "I go to the Tribunal," said Maurice; "take breakfast without me. I - shall not return till night." - -"Citizens," said Lorin, "however anxious I may feel to obey your -commands, I cannot follow you undressed. Allow my official to assist -me." - -"Aristocrat," said a voice, "do you require assistance to put on your -breeches?" - -"Oh, goodness! yes," said Lorin; "I resemble the Citizen -Dagobert,--mind, I did not say king." - -"Well, dress," said the commissary; "but make haste!" - -The official came down to help his master to dress. However, it was not -exactly that Lorin required a _valet-de-chambre_; it was that nothing -might escape the notice of the official, and that consequently he might -detail everything to Maurice. - -"Now, gentlemen,--pardon, Citizens. Now, Citizens, I am ready, and will -follow you; but permit me, I beg, to carry with me the last volume of -'Lettres à Émilie,' by Monsieur Demoustier, which has just appeared, -and I have not read. It will enliven the hours of my captivity." - -"Your captivity?" said Simon, sharply, now become municipal in his -turn, and entering, followed by four sectionaries, "that will not last -long. You figure in the trial of the woman who wanted to assist the -Austrian to escape. They try her to-day; and to-morrow, when you have -given your testimony, your turn will come." - -"Cobbler," said Lorin, "you stitch your soles too quickly." - -"Yes; but what a nice stroke from the leather-cutting knife!" replied -Simon; "you will see, you will see, my fine grenadier!" - -Lorin shrugged his shoulders. - -"Well," said he, "let us go; I am waiting for you." - -As each one turned round to descend the staircase Lorin bestowed on the -municipal Simon so vigorous a kick that he sent him rolling and howling -down the entire flight of stairs. The sectionaries could not restrain -their laughter. Lorin put his hands in his pockets. - -"In the exercise of my functions!" cried Simon, livid with rage. - -"Zounds!" said Lorin, "are we not all here in the exercise of our -functions?" - -He got into the carriage, and was conducted by the commissary to the -Palais de Justice. - - - - -CHAPTER LI. - -LORIN. - - -If for the second time the reader is willing to follow us to the -Revolutionary Tribunal, we shall find Maurice in the same place where -we have already seen him, only now infinitely more pale and agitated. - -At the moment our scene again opens upon the lugubrious theatre, -whither we are led by a tissue of events rather than by our own -inclinations, the jury were deliberating; a cause had just been tried. -Two of the accused had already, by one of those insolent anticipations -by which they ridiculed the judges, attired themselves for the -scaffold, and were conversing with their counsel, whose words somewhat -resembled those of a physician who despairs of the life of his patient. - -The people of the Tribune were this day in a ferocious mood, calculated -to excite the severity of the jury placed under the immediate -surveillance of the gossips and inhabitants of the suburbs. The juries -under these circumstances became more excited and energetic, resembling -an actor who redoubles his efforts beneath the eyes of a censorious -public. - -Since ten in the morning five condemnations had already taken place -under the decisions of these harsh and insatiable juries. - -The two individuals who now found themselves on the bench of the -accused awaited the decisive moment when "yes" or "no" would return -them to life or doom them to death. - -The audience, rendered savage by the daily occurrence of these -spectacles, now become their favorite pastime, prepared them by -exclamations and anticipations for the awful moment. - -"There! there! look at the tall one!" said a beldam, who, not having -a bonnet, wore a tricolored cockade as large as a hand on her -head,--"there! is he not pale? One would swear he was already dead." - -The condemned regarded the woman with a contemptuous smile. - -"What do you say?" replied her neighbor; "why, he is smiling." - -"Yes; on the wrong side of his mouth." - -One of the men looked at his watch. - -"What is the time?" inquired his companion. - -"A quarter to one. This has lasted three quarters of an hour." - -"The same as at Domfront, that unfortunate town, where you arrive at -noon, and are hung in an hour." - -"And the short one! the short one!" cried another person, "will he not -be ugly when he sneezes in the sack?" - -"Bah! it is done so quickly, you will barely have time to perceive it." - -"Then we will demand the head from Sanson; one has a right to see it." - -"Look! what a beautiful blue coat he has on. It is rather a pleasant -thing that the poor can shorten the rich and well-dressed people." - -Indeed, as the executioner had told the queen, the poor inherited the -spoils of each victim; they were carried to La Salpêtrière, immediately -after the execution, and distributed among the indigent; and there -even the clothes of the unfortunate queen had been conveyed. - -Maurice heard this whirlwind of words without paying any attention; -for he was at this moment occupied by one engrossing thought, to the -exclusion of all else. For several days his heart beat only at certain -moments, and by fits and starts, as from time to time hope or fear -appeared to suspend all vital action, and these perpetual oscillations -to bruise the most tender sensibilities of his soul. - -The jury returned to their places; and as had been fully anticipated, -the president pronounced the condemnation of the two accused, who were -directly removed, walking with a firm step and erect bearing,--for at -this epoch every one learned to die boldly. - -The solemn and sinister voice of the usher was again heard. - -"The public prosecutor against the Citizeness Geneviève Dixmer." - -A shudder ran through Maurice's frame, and a cold sweat bedewed his -brow. The little door by which the accused entered suddenly opened, -and Geneviève appeared. She was dressed in white; her ringlets were -tastefully arranged, instead of being cut short, hanging in long masses -of clustering curls. Doubtless, to the last moment poor Geneviève -wished to appear beautiful to her lover, who might perchance be able to -see her. - -Maurice beheld Geneviève, and felt that all the strength he had -collected was inadequate to this occasion, notwithstanding he had -expected this blow, since for twelve days he had not omitted a single -sitting, and three times already had the name of Geneviève proceeded -from the mouth of the public prosecutor, and reached his ear. But -there are certain griefs and miseries so profound that it is quite -impossible to sound the depths of the abyss. - -All those who witnessed the appearance of this young female, so lovely, -so pale and innocent, uttered a simultaneous cry; some of fury,--for -at this period there existed a class of people who detested everything -bordering on superiority of beauty, riches, or of birth,--others of -admiration, and some of pity. Geneviève, doubtless, among all these -cries had recognized one cry, amid all these voices had distinguished -one voice, for she turned in the direction of Maurice, while the -president, looking up at her from time to time, turned over the law -papers of the accused. - -At the first glance she discovered Maurice, concealed as his features -were under the broad brim of his hat; and turning round with a sweet -smile, and a gesture still more engaging, she pressed her rosy but -trembling hands upon her lips, and depositing her whole soul with her -breath, she gave wings to a last kiss, which only one in this vast -crowd had the right to appropriate to himself. - -A murmur of interest ran through the hall. Geneviève, recalled, turned -toward her judges, but stopping suddenly in the midst of this movement, -her eyes dilated, and became fixed with an undefinable expression of -horror toward one point of the hall. - -Maurice in vain raised himself on his toes; he saw nothing, or rather -something of more consequence recalled his attention to the scene that -was being enacted,--that is to say, to the Tribunal. - -Fouquier Tinville had commenced reading the act of accusation. This act -stated that Geneviève Dixmer was the wife of an obstinate conspirator -suspected of having assisted the ex-Chevalier de Maison-Rouge in -his successive attempts to rescue the queen. She had, besides, -been surprised at the feet of the queen, entreating her to exchange -garments with her, and offering to die in her stead. This absurd -fanaticism, continued the act, merited, no doubt, the admiration of the -counter-revolutionists; but in our day every French citizen owes his -life to the nation; it is therefore double treason to sacrifice it to -the enemies of France. - -Geneviève, when asked if she acknowledged that she had knelt before the -queen, as stated by the two gendarmes Gilbert and Duchesne, and had -entreated her to exchange vestments, simply replied, "Yes." - -"Then," said the president, "inform us of your plan, and what hope you -entertained of its success." - -Geneviève smiled. - -"A woman might conceive hopes," said she, "but a woman could not form a -plan like this of which I am the victim." - -"How came you there, then?" - -"Not of my own accord. I was compelled." - -"Who compelled you?" demanded the public prosecutor. - -"Those who menaced me with death if I did not obey;" and again the -agitated look of the young woman was centred on that part of the hall -invisible to Maurice. - -"But to escape from this death which menaced you, did you not know that -you faced that death which must result from your condemnation?" - -"When I consented, the knife was at my throat, while the guillotine was -only in perspective. I succumbed under present violence." - -"Why did you not call for assistance? All good citizens would have -defended you." - -"Alas! sir," said Geneviève, in a voice at once so sad and sweet that -it caused Maurice's heart to beat tumultuously, "I had no one near me." - -Commiseration succeeded to interest, as interest had succeeded to -curiosity. Many heads were lowered, some to conceal their tears, many -to allow them to flow freely. - -Just then Maurice perceived on his left an immovable head and an -inflexible countenance. It was Dixmer, standing dark, gloomy, and -implacable, never for a moment losing sight of Geneviève or of the -Tribunal. - -The blood rushed to the young man's temples; rage mounted from his -heart to his forehead, filling his whole being with intense desire for -vengeance. He darted at Dixmer a look so replete with burning hate, so -condensed and powerful, that he, as if attracted by the electric fluid, -turned his head toward his enemy. Their glances encountered like two -flashes. - -"Tell us the names of your instigators," said the president. - -"There was only one, sir." - -"Who?" - -"My husband." - -"Do you know where he is?" - -"Yes." - -"Inform us of his retreat." - -"He has been brutal, but I will not be cowardly. It is not for me to -tell you his retreat, but for you to find him." - -Maurice looked at Dixmer. He never moved. One idea flashed through the -young man's brain. It was to denounce him at the same time that he -denounced himself; but he quickly suppressed the thought. - -"No," said he; "it is not thus that he should die." - -"Then you refuse to assist us in our search?" said the president. - -"I think, sir, I could not do so without rendering myself as -contemptible in the eyes of others as he is in mine." - -"Are there any witnesses?" demanded the president. - -"There is one," replied the usher. - -"Call the witness." - -"Maximilien-Jean Lorin!" shouted the usher. - -"Lorin!" cried Maurice, "Oh, my God! what has happened?" - -This scene took place the same day that Lorin had been arrested, and -Maurice was in utter ignorance of the fact. - -"Lorin!" murmured Geneviève, looking round with anxious solicitude. - -"Why does not the witness answer to the call?" demanded the president. - -"Citizen President," said Fouquier Tinville, "upon a recent -denunciation the witness was arrested at his own house; he will be -brought directly." - -Maurice started. - -"There is another still more important witness," continued Fouquier; -"but we have not yet been able to find him." - -Dixmer turned toward Maurice smiling. Perhaps the same idea flitted -through the mind of the husband which had before entered that of the -lover. - -Geneviève, pale and horror-stricken, uttered a low groan. - -At this moment Lorin entered, followed by two gendarmes. - -After him, and by the same door, Simon appeared, who came to take his -seat in the judgment-hall, according to his custom in that locality. - -"Your name and surname?" inquired the president. - -"Maximilien-Jean Lorin." - -"Your condition in life?" - -"Independent." - -"You will not remain so long," muttered Simon, shaking his fist at him. - -"Are you related to the prisoner at the bar?" - -"No; but I have the honor of being one of her friends." - -"Are you aware that she conspired to carry off the queen?" - -"How could I be aware of it?" - -"She might have confided in you?" - -"In me! a member of the section of the Thermopyles? A likely story!" - -"Notwithstanding, you have sometimes been seen with her." - -"I might have been seen with her often." - -"Did you know that she was an aristocrat?" - -"I knew her as the wife of a master-tanner." - -"But her husband did not in reality follow the business which he -pretended to." - -"Of that I am ignorant; her husband was not one of my friends." - -"Tell us what you know of this husband." - -"Oh, very willingly. He is a villain, who--" - -"Monsieur Lorin," said Geneviève, "for pity's sake!" - -Lorin continued unmoved. - -"He is a villain, who has sacrificed his wife, the poor woman before -you, not so much to his political opinions as to his private hatred. -Faugh! I look upon the brute as lower and more degraded even than -Simon." - -Dixmer became livid with rage. Simon wished to speak, but a gesture -from the president imposed silence. - -"You appear to know the whole history, Citizen Lorin," said Fouquier; -"continue your testimony." - -"Pardon me, Citizen Fouquier," said Lorin, rising; "I know nothing -more." He bowed and reseated himself. - -"Citizen Lorin," said Fouquier, "it is your bounden duty to enlighten -this Tribunal." - -"It has received all the light that I can give it. As to this poor -woman, I repeat she has only acted under compulsion. Look at her! does -she look like a conspirator? What she has done she was compelled to do. -That is all." - -"You think so?" - -"I am sure of it." - -"In the name of the law," said Fouquier, "I require that the witness -Lorin shall be placed before this Tribunal as an accomplice of this -woman." - -Maurice groaned, while Geneviève buried her face in her hands. - -Simon screamed out in a transport of joy, "Citizen Prosecutor, you are -the savior of your country!" - -As to Lorin, he leaped over the balustrade without making any reply, -and seating himself near to Geneviève, took her hand, and respectfully -kissed it, saying, "Good-day, Madame," with a coolness which -electrified the assembly; "how do you do?" - -Then he took his seat on the bench of the accused. - - - - -CHAPTER LII. - -SEQUEL TO THE PRECEDING. - - -All this scene had passed before Maurice like a fantastic vision. -Leaning upon the handle of his sword, which he had never quitted, he -saw his friends precipitated one after another into that gulf which -never yields back its victims; and this fatal sight so affected him -that he asked himself why he, the companion of these unfortunates, -should still cling to the brink of the precipice, and not surrender -himself to the giddiness which was dragging him with them. - -In leaping the balustrade Lorin saw the dark and sneering features of -Dixmer. - -When, as we have said, he had placed himself near Geneviève, she -whispered in his ear. - -"_Mon Dieu!_" said she, "do you know that Maurice is here?" - -"Where?" - -"Do not look round directly; one look might prove his ruin." - -"Calm yourself." - -"Behind us, near the door. What a trial for him if we are condemned!" - -Lorin regarded the young woman with tender sympathy. - -"We shall be," said he. "I conjure you not to doubt it. The deception -would be too cruel if you were to permit yourself to hope." - -"Oh, my God!" said Geneviève, "pity our poor friend, who will remain -alone in the world!" - -Lorin then turned round toward Maurice, and Geneviève also could not -refrain from glancing at him. - -His eyes were fixed upon them both, and one hand was placed upon his -heart. - -"There is one way to save you," said Lorin. - -"Are you sure?" said Geneviève, her eyes sparkling with joy. - -"Oh, of that one I am sure," replied Lorin. - -"Oh, if you can save me how I will bless you!" - -"But this way--" replied the young man. - -Geneviève read his hesitation in his eyes. - -"You have also seen _him_?" said she. - -"Yes; I have seen him. Will you be saved? Let him, in his turn, -take his seat in the iron arm-chair, and you will be safe." Dixmer, -doubtless from Lorin's look and the expression of his countenance, -divined what he uttered. He at first turned pale, but soon recovered -his gloomy composure and satanic smile. - -"Impossible!" said Geneviève; "I can no longer hate him." - -"Say that he knows your generous nature, and defies you." - -"No doubt; for he is sure of him, of me, of us all." - -"Geneviève! Geneviève! I am less perfect than you. Let me bring him -here! Let him perish!" - -"No, Lorin, I conjure you. Nothing in common with that man, not even -death. It seems to me I should be unfaithful to Maurice were I to die -with Dixmer." - -"But you will not die." - -"How can I live when Maurice is to die?" - -"Ah!" said Lorin, "Maurice has reason to love you; you are an angel, -and heaven is the angels' home. Poor dear Maurice!" - -In the mean time Simon, who could not overhear the conversation -between the accused, devoured their looks instead of their words. - -"Citizen Gendarme," said he, "prevent those conspirators from -continuing their plots against the Republic, even in the Revolutionary -Tribunal." - -"You know, Citizen Simon," replied the gendarme, "that here they -conspire no more, and if they do so it will not be for long. These -citizens are only conversing together; and since the law does not -forbid them to do so in the car, why should it be forbidden at the -Tribunal?" - -This gendarme was Gilbert, who, having recognized the prisoner taken -in the queen's chamber, avowed with his ordinary honesty the interest -which he could not help according to her courage and devotion. - -The president having consulted the court, at the request of Fouquier -Tinville commenced his questions. - -"Accused Lorin," demanded he, "of what nature was your acquaintance -with the citizen Madame Dixmer?" - -"Of what nature, Citizen President?" - - "The pure flame of friendship bound us one to another; - As a sister she loved me, and I her as a brother." - -"Citizen Lorin," said Fouquier Tinville, "your poetry is out of season -here, and the rhythm is bad." - -"Why so?" - -"You have one syllable too many." - -"Cut it off! cut it off! Citizen Prosecutor! that is your trade, you -know." - -The imperturbable countenance of Fouquier Tinville assumed a pallid hue -at this horrible pleasantry. - -"And in what light," demanded the president, "did the Citizen Dixmer -view this liaison of a professed Republican with his wife?" - -"As to that I can tell you nothing, declaring that I was never -acquainted with the Citizen Dixmer, and never had any desire to be so." - -"But," resumed Fouquier Tinville, "you did not tell us that your friend -Maurice Lindey formed the link of this pure friendship between yourself -and the accused?" - -"If I did not say so," replied Lorin, "it was because it seemed to -me wrong to speak of it; and I think that you might even follow my -example." - -"The citizen jurors," said Fouquier Tinville, "will appreciate this -singular alliance between an aristocrat and two Republicans, and at the -very moment when this aristocrat is convicted of the blackest plot that -could be concocted against the nation." - -"How should I know anything concerning this plot you speak of?" -demanded Lorin, disgusted by the brutal stupidity of the argument. - -"You were acquainted with this woman; you were her friend; you term -yourself her brother; you speak of her as your sister,--and you were -not cognizant of her proceedings? Is it then probable, as you have -yourself remarked," continued the president, "that she would have -committed alone this act imputed to her?" - -"She did not commit it alone," replied Lorin, repeating the technical -words used by the president; "since, as she has told you, and I have -told you, and now repeat, her husband compelled her." - -"Then how is it that you are not acquainted with the husband," said -Fouquier Tinville, "since the husband was united with the wife?" - -It remained only for Lorin to recount the first disappearance of -Dixmer; to mention the amours of Geneviève and his friend; and, in -short, to relate the manner in which Dixmer had carried off and -concealed his wife in some impenetrable retreat,--it needed only this -to exculpate himself from all connivance, and to elucidate the whole -mystery. But for this he must betray the secrets of his two friends; to -do this would be to put Geneviève to shame before five hundred people. -Lorin shook his head, as if saying "no" to himself. - -"Well?" demanded the president, "what do you reply to the public -prosecutor?" - -"That his logic is crushing," said Lorin; "and I am now convinced of -one thing which I never even suspected before." - -"What is that?" - -"That I am, as it appears, one of the most frightful conspirators that -has ever been seen." - -This declaration elicited a roar of laughter; even the jury could not -refrain, so ludicrous was the young man's manner in enunciating these -words. - -Fouquier felt the ridicule; and since with his usual indefatigable -perseverance he had managed to know all the secrets of the accused as -well as they did themselves, he could not help feeling toward Lorin a -sentiment of pity mingled with admiration. - -"Come, Citizen Lorin," said he, "speak in your own defence. The -Tribunal will lend a willing ear. We are acquainted with your previous -conduct, and it has always been that of a stanch Republican." - -Simon essayed to speak; but the president made him a signal to remain -silent. - -"Speak, Citizen Lorin!" said he; "we are all attention;" but Lorin only -shook his head. - -"This silence is confession," said the president. - -"Not so," said Lorin; "silence is silence, that is all." - -"Once more," said Fouquier Tinville; "will you speak?" - -Lorin turned toward the audience to encounter the eyes of Maurice, and -to learn from them what course he would wish him to pursue; but Maurice -made no sign to him to speak, and Lorin maintained his former silence. -This was self-condemnation. - -All that followed was quickly executed. Fouquier summed up his -accusation; the president reviewed the evidence; the jury retired, and -unanimously returned a verdict of "guilty" against Lorin and Geneviève. - -The president condemned them both to suffer the penalty of death. - -Two o'clock sounded from the great clock of the Palace. - -The president had just time sufficient to pronounce the condemnation as -the clock struck. - -Maurice heard the two with a sense of confusion and utter bewilderment. - -When the vibration had ceased, his strength was utterly exhausted. The -gendarmes led away Geneviève and Lorin, who had offered her his arm. - -Both saluted Maurice, but in different ways. Lorin smiled; but -Geneviève, pale and fainting, wafted him a last kiss upon her fingers, -bathed in tears. - -She had till the last moment clung to the hope of life, and now wept, -not the loss of her life, but of her love, which must perish with her. - -Maurice, half mad, had not replied to his friends' farewell. He rose, -pale and bewildered, from the bench on which he had fallen. His friends -had disappeared. - -He felt only one sentiment alive within him. It was the hatred which -was gnawing at his heart. - -He threw a last look around him and recognized Dixmer, who was leaving -with the rest of the spectators, and at that moment stooped to pass -under the arched door of the passage. - -With the rapidity of a steel spring when it unbends, Maurice sprang -from bench to bench, and reached the door. - -Dixmer had already passed through, and descended into the darkened -corridor. Maurice followed behind him. At the moment Dixmer planted -his foot on the pavement of the grand hall, Maurice tapped him on the -shoulder. - - - - -CHAPTER LIII. - -THE DUEL. - - -At this epoch it was always a serious thing to feel a touch upon the -shoulder. Dixmer turned, and recognized Maurice. - -"Ah! good-day, Citizen Republican," said Dixmer, without evincing any -other emotion than an almost imperceptible start, which he immediately -repressed. - -"Good-day, Citizen Coward," replied Maurice. "You were waiting for me, -were you not?" - -"That is to say," replied Dixmer, "that, on the contrary, I had ceased -to expect you." - -"Why was that?" - -"Because I expected you sooner." - -"I still arrive too soon for you, assassin!" added Maurice, with a -murmured growl rather than a voice, since it resembled the grumbling -of a storm gathered in his heart, his looks being like the lightning's -flashes. - -"You fling fire from your eyes, Citizen," replied Dixmer. "We shall be -recognized, and followed." - -"Yes; and you fear to be arrested, do you not? You dread lest you might -be conducted to the scaffold where you send others. Let them arrest -us, so much the better; for it seems to me that the life of one guilty -wretch was due to national justice." - -"As there is one name the less on the list of people of honor. Is it -not so--since yours has disappeared?" - -"Well, we shall speak about all that again, I hope; but, in the mean -time, you are avenged--miserably avenged--upon a woman. Why, since you -have waited for me elsewhere, did you not do so at my house, when you -stole away Geneviève?" - -"You were the first thief, I believe." - -"Neither by your wit nor your words have I ever known you, sir. I know -you better by your actions,--witness the day when you wanted to murder -me. That day your true nature spoke." - -"And I have more than once regretted that I did not listen to it," -answered Dixmer, coolly. - -"Well," said Maurice, touching his sword, "I offer you your revenge." - -"To-morrow, if you like, but not to-day." - -"And why to-morrow?" - -"Or this evening." - -"Why not directly?" - -"Because I am engaged till five o'clock." - -"Another hideous project!" said Maurice; "another ambush!" - -"Really, Monsieur Maurice, you are rather ungrateful!" replied Dixmer. -"In truth you are. Here, for six months, I have allowed you to make -love to my wife; for six months have permitted your meetings, and have -not noticed your smiles. Never man, you must confess, has evinced so -little of the tiger in his composition as myself." - -"That is to say, you thought I might be useful, and you could mould me -to your purpose." - -"Without doubt," returned Dixmer, calmly, who ruled his own passion as -much as Maurice was carried away by his. "Without doubt; while you were -betraying your Republic, and were selling it to me for a look from my -wife; while you were dishonoring yourselves,--you by your treason, she -by her adulterous love,--I remained the sage and hero. I waited, and I -triumphed." - -"Horrible!" said Maurice. - -"Is it not? Yes; you appreciate your own conduct fully, sir. It is -horrible!--it is infamous!" - -"You deceive yourself, sir; the conduct I term horrible and infamous -is that of the man to whom the honor of a woman had been confided, who -had sworn to guard this honor pure and unsullied, and who, instead of -keeping his word and oath, employed her beauty as a shameful bait to -ensnare a feeble heart. It was your sacred duty beyond all others to -protect this woman, and instead of protecting her, you have sold her." - -"What I had to do, sir," replied Dixmer, "I will tell you. I had to -save my friend who united with me in this sacred cause. Even as I have -sacrificed my property to this cause, so have I sacrificed my honor. -As for me, I have completely forgotten, completely effaced myself. Now -my friend is no more; he has died by the poniard. My queen is no more; -she has died ignominiously on the scaffold. Now! now! I can think of -revenge." - -"Say of assassination." - -"One cannot assassinate an adulteress; when she is killed, she is but -punished for her crime." - -"This sin you imposed upon her, therefore it was rendered lawful." - -"You think so?" said Dixmer, with a sardonic smile. "Judge from her -remorse if she believes she has acted lawfully." - -"Those who punish strike openly. You, you do not punish; for while -striking you fly, and while casting her head to the guillotine you -conceal yourself." - -"I fly! I hide myself! when did you see that, poor idiot that you -are?" demanded Dixmer. "Is it concealing myself to be present at her -condemnation? Is it flying when I go into the Salle des Morts to fling -her my last adieu?" - -"You are going to see her again,--to fling her a last adieu?" cried -Maurice. - -"Decidedly you are not expert at revenge, Citizen," replied Dixmer, -shrugging his shoulders. "Thus, in my situation you would abandon these -events to their strength alone, these circumstances to their natural -course; thus, for example, the adulterous woman having merited death, -the moment she has received the punishment of death I am quits with -her, or rather she is quits with me. No, Citizen Maurice; I know better -than that. I have discovered a way to return this woman all the evil -she has done me. She loves you, and will die far from you; she detests -me, and I will be near her. There!" said he, drawing a pocket-book -from his pocket, "do you see this? It contains a card signed by the -registrar of the Palace. With this card I can gain near access to the -condemned. I will penetrate to Geneviève; I will call her 'Adulteress!' -I shall see her curls fall under the hand of the vile executioner, -and as they are severed she shall still hear my voice hissing, -'Adulteress!' I will even accompany her to the fatal car, and as she -plants her foot upon the scaffold, the last sound that greets her ear -shall be the word 'Adulteress!'" - -"Take care! she will not have strength to support so much cowardice; -she will denounce you." - -"No," cried Dixmer, "she hates me too much for that. If she had wished -to denounce me she would have done so when her friend urged her so -softly. If she did not denounce me to save her life, she will not do -so that I may die with her; for she well knows in that case I should -retard her execution for a day. She well knows that if she denounces -me, I shall go with her not only to the lowest step of the Palace, but -even to the scaffold; she well knows that instead of leaving her at the -foot of the ladder, I shall ascend into the car with her, and that, -seated by her side, the whole length of the road I shall constantly -repeat the one dreadful word 'Adulteress;' that even on the scaffold I -shall continue to do so till the moment she sinks into eternity and the -accusation falls with her." - -Dixmer was frightful in this state of anger and hatred. He seized -Maurice by the hand and shook it with a force unknown to the young -man, upon whom this had acted with a contrary effect; as Dixmer became -excited, Maurice grew calm. - -"Listen!" said the young man, "in your vengeance you have omitted one -thing." - -"What?" - -"That you will be able to tell her, 'On leaving the Tribunal, I have -seen your lover, and have killed him.'" - -"On the contrary, I prefer telling her that you live, and will suffer -for the remainder of your days from the spectacle of her death." - -"You shall kill me, notwithstanding," said Maurice; "or," added he, -turning round and finding himself nearly master of his position, "I -will kill you!" - -And pale with emotion, and excited by fury, finding his strength -redoubled from the restraint he had imposed upon his feelings while -listening to the unfolding of Dixmer's horrible project, he seized him -by the throat and drew him backward toward a stair which led to the -high bank of the river. At the contact with his hand, Dixmer, in his -turn, felt hatred rush over him like hot lava. - -"You need not compel me by force, I will follow." - -"Come, then. You are armed." - -"I will follow you." - -"No, go first; but I give you notice, at the least sign or gesture I -will cleave your skull with my sword." - -"You know I am a stranger to fear," said Dixmer, with a smile rendered -frightful from his pallor. - -"Fear of my sword," said Maurice, "no; but fear of losing your revenge; -and now that we are face to face you may bid it adieu." - -They had, indeed, arrived at the water's brink; and had any one seen -and followed them, he could not have arrived in time to prevent the -duel from taking place, since an equal desire for vengeance now -animated both. While speaking, they had descended the short stair -leading to the Palace square, and gained the nearly deserted quay; for -as the condemnations continued, seeing it was two o'clock at least, the -crowd still filled the judgment-hall, the corridors, and the courts. - -They appeared equally to thirst for each other's blood. - -They plunged under one of those arches leading from the cells of the -Conciergerie to the river; at this time drained, but then foul and -saturated with blood, serving more than once as a means of conveyance -for the corpses, which floated far away from the dungeons, leaving no -trace behind. - -Maurice placed himself between Dixmer and the water. - -"I decidedly think I shall kill you, Maurice," said Dixmer, "you -tremble so much." - -"And I, Dixmer," said Maurice, taking his sword in hand and carefully -enclosing him so as to cut off all retreat,--"I, on the contrary, -believe that I shall kill you; and having killed you, shall remove from -your pocket-book the pass signed by the registrar of the Palace. Nay, -you need not button your coat; my sword shall open it, I will be bound, -were it even formed of brass like the cuirasses of old." - -"And this paper," roared Dixmer, "you will take it, will you?" - -"Yes," said Maurice; "I will use the pass. With this talisman I will -secure an entrance to Geneviève. I will sit next her in the car; I will -murmur in her ear while her life remains, 'I love thee;' and when the -last stroke has fallen, I will murmur still, 'I loved thee.'" - -Dixmer made a movement with his left hand to take the pass from his -pocket, and together with the pocket-book to cast it into the river, -when rapid as a thunderbolt, and trenchant as a hatchet, Maurice's -sword fell upon his hand, nearly severing it from the wrist. The -wounded man uttered a cry, and shaking his mutilated limb, flung -himself furiously on his antagonist. - -Then in the obscurity of this gloomy vault the deadly combat commenced. -The two men, enclosed in a space so narrow that the sword strokes -could not diverge from the line of the body, slid upon the humid -pavement, and with difficulty supported themselves by the sides of the -arch; the impatience of the combatants caused them to redouble their -blows. Dixmer, who, as he felt his life-blood flow, was aware that his -strength diminished, charged Maurice so furiously that the latter was -compelled to step backward; in so doing he lost his footing, and his -enemy's sword grazed his breast. But by a movement rapid as thought, -kneeling as he was, he raised the blade with his left arm and turned -the point toward Dixmer, who, maddened with rage, darted forward, and -impelled by the inclining ground, fell on the sword, the point of which -entered his body. He uttered a fearful imprecation, and the two bodies -rolled to the outside of the arch. - -One only rose. It was Maurice,--Maurice covered with blood, but with -the blood of his enemy. - -He drew his sword toward him, and as he drew it the remnant of life -which still agitated with a nervous shuddering the limbs of Dixmer, -ceased. - -Then, when assured that he was dead, Maurice stooped toward the corpse, -opened the dead man's coat, withdrew the pass, and hurried away -directly. - -But on looking at himself he felt assured that in his present state he -should not proceed far without being arrested. He was literally covered -with blood. - -He approached the water's edge, and bending toward the river, washed -his hands and coat. He then rapidly ascended the steps, casting a -last look toward the arch, from whence a red, smoking stream issued, -advancing slowly toward the river. - -On approaching the Palace he opened the pocket-book, and there found -the pass signed by the registrar. - -"Thanks, just God!" murmured he, and he rapidly mounted the steps -leading to the Salle des Morts. - -It struck three. - - - - -CHAPTER LIV. - -THE SALLE DES MORTS. - - -It will be remembered that the registrar of the Palace had opened his -jailer's book to Dixmer, and had also entered into an arrangement with -him which the presence of Geneviève rendered peculiarly agreeable. -This man, it may be imagined, was terribly alarmed when the news of -Dixmer's plot was communicated to him. He would doubtless be considered -as nothing less than an accomplice of Dixmer, his false colleague, -and would therefore be condemned to die with the wretched Geneviève. -Fouquier Tinville had summoned him to appear before him. - -It may easily be understood that this poor man would have some trouble -to prove himself innocent in the eyes of the public prosecutor; he had, -however, succeeded in so doing, thanks to Geneviève, whose declaration -had clearly established his utter ignorance of the plot of her husband. -He had succeeded, thanks to Dixmer's flight, and above all from the -interest excited in Fouquier Tinville, who wished to preserve his -administration free from all stain. - -"Citizen," said he, flinging himself upon his knees before Fouquier, -"pardon me, for I have been deceived." - -"Citizen," replied the public prosecutor, "an employee of the nation -who in these days permits himself to be deceived deserves to be -guillotined." - -"I may have been a blockhead, Citizen," replied the registrar, who was -longing to call Fouquier Tinville "Monseigneur." - -"Blockhead or not," replied the rigid prosecutor, "no one should allow -his love for the Republic to sleep. The spies of the Capitol were only -geese, yet they were sufficiently awake to save Rome." - -The registrar looked upon this argument as totally unanswerable; he -groaned, and remained waiting. - -"I pardon you," said Fouquier Tinville. "I will go so far as to defend -you, since I do not wish one of my employees to be even suspected; but -you will bear in mind that at the least word that reaches my ears, the -least revival of this affair, you shall go to the scaffold." - -It is scarcely necessary to say with what anxiety this man sought the -newspapers, always in haste to tell what they know, and sometimes more -than they can certify, even should they cause the heads of ten men to -fall by the guillotine. - -He sought Dixmer everywhere, to recommend him to keep his own counsel; -but Dixmer had very naturally changed his apartments, and was nowhere -to be found. - -Geneviève had been placed on the bench of the accused, and had already, -in her testimony, declared that neither herself nor husband had any -accomplices; and he thanked the poor woman with his eyes as she passed -before him on her way to the Tribunal. - -When she had passed, and he was returning to the office to fetch some -law papers for Fouquier Tinville, he all at once saw Dixmer approaching -him with a calm and quiet step. - -This vision petrified him. - -"Oh!" said he, as if he had seen a spectre. - -"Do you not know me?" said the new-comer. - -"Of course, I do. You are the Citizen Durand, or rather the Citizen -Dixmer." - -"Just so." - -"But are you a dead man, Citizen?" - -"Not yet, as you see." - -"I mean to say that they will arrest you." - -"Who wants to arrest me?--no one knows me." - -"But I know you; and it only needs one word from me to send you to the -guillotine." - -"And two words from me to send you there with me." - -"It is shameful of you to say that." - -"No; it is logic." - -"But what is your business? Make haste,--speak quickly; for the less -time we are together the less danger we incur from each other." - -"My wife is about to be condemned, is it not so?" - -"I greatly fear for her, poor woman!" - -"Well, I wish to see her once more, to bid her adieu." - -"Where?" - -"In the Salle des Morts." - -"Would you dare to enter there?" - -"Why not?" - -"Oh!" said the registrar, like a man whose hair stood on end at the -very thought. - -"There must be some way," continued Dixmer. - -"To enter the Salle des Morts? Without doubt there is." - -"How?" - -"To procure a pass." - -"And where are these passes to be procured?" - -The registrar turned frightfully pale, and stammered, "Where are they -to be procured, you ask?" - -"I inquire where are they to be procured?" replied Dixmer; "the -question is plain enough, I think." - -"They are procured--here." - -"Ah! true; and who usually signs them?" - -"The registrar." - -"But you are the registrar?" - -"Certainly I am." - -"Oh, how lucky that is!" said Dixmer, seating himself, "you will sign -me a pass." - -The registrar made one bound. - -"Do you ask for my head, Citizen?" said he. - -"No; I ask you for a pass, that is all." - -"I shall have you arrested, unhappy man!" said he, summoning all his -energy. - -"Do," said Dixmer; "and the next moment I will denounce you as an -accomplice, and instead of leaving me to go alone to the famous hall, -you shall accompany me." - -The registrar turned ghastly pale. - -"Villain!" said he. - -"There is no villany in that," said Dixmer; "I wish to speak to my -wife, and all I require of you is a pass to enable me to do so." - -"Is it then so imperative that you should speak to her?" - -"It seems so, since I risk my head to do so." - -This appeared very plausible to the registrar, and Dixmer immediately -perceived that he was relenting. - -"Rest assured," said he, "no one shall know anything. The devil! why -surely sometimes a similar case to mine must present itself to your -notice!" - -"Very rarely; it is by no means a common occurrence. But, let me see; -let us arrange it in another way." - -"If it is possible, I should ask nothing better." - -"Nothing is more possible. Enter by the door of the condemned; there a -card is not required. Then, when you have spoken to your wife, call -me, and I will let you out." - -"Not a bad idea," said Dixmer; "but unfortunately there is a story -current in the city." - -"What story?" - -"The history of a poor hunchback who mistook the door, thinking to -enter the archives, but instead of so doing found himself in the hall -of which we are now speaking. Only since he had entered by the door of -the condemned instead of the large door, as he had no pass to prove his -identity, once there he was not permitted to go out. They strenuously -maintained that since he entered the door with the other condemned, -he was condemned likewise. In vain he protested, swore, appealed; no -one believed him, no one came to his assistance, no one helped him to -get out. So that, notwithstanding his protestations, his oaths, and -supplications, the executioner first cut off his hair, and afterward -his head. Is this anecdote true, Citizen Registrar! You ought to know -better than any one else." - -"Alas! yes; it is too true," said the registrar, trembling. - -"You must see then that with such a precedent I should be a fool to -enter this cut-throat place without a pass." - -"But I shall be there, I tell you." - -"But if you should happen to be called away; if you should be otherwise -engaged; if you should forget!" - -Dixmer laid particular stress on these last words, "if you should -forget." - -"But since I promise you--" - -"No; besides it would compromise you. They would see you speaking to -me; and, in short, it does not suit me. I therefore prefer a pass." - -"Impossible!" - -"Then, dear sir, I will speak; and we shall both take a ride together -to the Place de la Révolution." - -The registrar, bewildered, stupefied, half-dead with terror, signed a -pass for a "citizen." - -Dixmer rose and went out precipitately to take his station in the -judgment-hall, where we have already seen him. The rest is known to us. - -At the same moment the registrar, to avoid all accusation of -connivance, went and seated himself near Fouquier Tinville, leaving the -management of the office to his head clerk. - - * * * * * - -At ten minutes to three, Maurice, furnished with the pass, crossing a -hedge of turnkeys and gendarmes, arrived without interruption at the -fatal door. - -When we say fatal, we exaggerate, for there were two doors,--the -principal one by which those possessing passes entered and returned; -and the door of the condemned, by which no one departed except to the -scaffold. - -The place that Maurice entered was divided into two compartments. One -of these was set apart for those employed in registering the name -of the arrivals; the other, furnished only with wooden benches, was -appropriated for the reception of those who were arrested and those who -were condemned, which amounted to pretty nearly the same thing. - -The hall was very dark, lighted only from the panes of the partition -which divided it from the register-office. - -A female dressed in white, in a half-fainting attitude, lay in a -corner, supported against the wall. - -A man was standing in front of her, from time to time shaking his head. -His arms were crossed upon his breast, and he hesitated to speak to -her, as if fearful of restoring her to the consciousness she appeared -to have lost. - -Around these two individuals several condemned persons were scattered -promiscuously,--some giving vent to their feelings in sobs and groans, -others joining in patriotic songs, while the remainder walked rapidly -up and down, as if to chase away the thoughts which devoured them. - -This was indeed the antechamber of death, and the furniture rendered -it worthy of the name. Here were seen half-opened coffins filled with -straw, seeming as if to invite the living to their beds of repose, the -receptacles provided for the ashes of the dead. - -There was a large closet opposite the partition. A prisoner, prompted -by curiosity, opened it, but recoiled horror-struck. It contained the -blood-stained garments of those executed on the preceding evening; long -tresses of hair hanging here and there, the executioner's perquisites, -who sold them to the relatives when not enjoined by the authorities to -burn these precious relics. - -Maurice, trembling with emotion, had hardly opened the door, when the -whole tableau at once presented itself to his view. He advanced three -steps into the hall, and fell at Geneviève's feet. The unfortunate -woman uttered a cry, which Maurice stifled on her lips. - -Lorin, weeping, pressed his friend in his arms; these were the first -tears he had shed. - -Strange that all these unhappy individuals, assembled to die together, -scarcely looked at the touching tableau presented to their view by -their unfortunate fellow-creatures! Every one suffered too much himself -to take part in the miseries of others. - -The three friends remained for a moment united in a silent embrace, -happy, almost joyous. Lorin was the first of the ill-fated group to -disengage himself. - -"Are you, then, condemned also?" said he to Maurice. - -"Yes," replied he. - -"Oh, happiness!" murmured Geneviève. - -But the joy of those who have only one hour to live cannot last even -as long as their lives. Maurice, having contemplated Geneviève with -looks of ardent and profound affection, and having thanked her for -the expression, at once so egotistical and so tender, which had just -escaped her, turned toward Lorin. - -"Now," said he, taking Geneviève's hands within his own, "let us talk -together." - -"Yes," said Lorin; "let us converse while the time remains to us. It is -only right so to do. What do you wish to say to me, Maurice?" - -"You have been arrested for my sake, condemned on account of her. As -for Geneviève and me, we are paying our debt; it is not fair, at the -same time, that you should be made to pay also." - -"I do not understand you." - -"Lorin, you are free." - -"I free? You are mad!" said Lorin. - -"No, I am not mad; I repeat that you are free. See, here is a pass. -They will inquire who you are; you are employed at the registrar-office -of the Carmelites, and are going to speak to the registrar of the -Palace; you have, from motives of curiosity, requested a pass from -him to see the condemned; you have seen them, and are now leaving, -perfectly satisfied with your visit." - -"This is a joke, is it not?" - -"No, indeed, my friend; here is the pass, take advantage of it. You -are not a lover, like myself; you do not need to die that you may be -enabled to pass a few more minutes in the society of the well-beloved -of your heart, and not to lose a second of eternity with her." - -"But, Maurice," replied Lorin, "if one might be able to get out -from here--a circumstance I swear to you I could not have believed -possible--why do you not first save the lady? As to yourself, we will -consider afterward about that." - -"Impossible!" said Maurice, with a frightful oppression at his heart, -"this card is for a man, not for a lady; besides, Geneviève would -not depart, and leave me here, to live herself, while knowing that I -remained to die." - -"If she would not, then why should I? Do you imagine I possess less -courage than a woman?" - -"No, dear friend; I know and acknowledge your bravery, but nothing can -excuse your obstinacy in this case. Then profit by this moment, and -allow us the supreme felicity of knowing and feeling that you are free -and happy." - -"Happy!" exclaimed Lorin; "you are facetious, surely? Happy without -you, eh? What the devil am I to do in this world without you; in Paris, -without my usual avocations? Never to see you again, never to weary you -more with my doggerel rhymes,--ah, good faith, no!" - -"Lorin, my friend--" - -"Exactly; it is because I am your friend that I persist in my -opinion. With the prospect of recovering you both, were I a prisoner -as I now am, I would tear down the walls; but to save myself, and -go out from here alone into the streets, my head bowed down with -a feeling resembling remorse, and a continual cry in my ears: -'Maurice!--Geneviève!' To pass into certain quarters and before certain -houses where I have seen your persons, but shall now only recognize -your shadows; to come at last to such an extremity of despair as to -execrate this dear Paris that I have loved so well; ah, by my faith, -no! And I find there was good reason for proscribing kings, were it -only on account of King Dagobert." - -"And what relation has King Dagobert with what concerns us?" - -"What? Did not this frightful tyrant say to the great Éloi, 'The best -company must part?' Ah, well! I am a Republican, and I say that nothing -should make us quit good company, not even the guillotine; I feel very -comfortable here, and here I will remain." - -"My poor friend! my poor friend!" said Maurice. - -Geneviève said nothing, but looked at them with eyes bathed in tears. - -"You regret to lose your life, then?" said Lorin. - -"Yes, on her account." - -"I am not in the least sorry at losing mine, not even on account of -the Goddess Reason, who, I had forgotten to tell you, has latterly -behaved most shamefully to me; who will not take the trouble even -to console herself, like the other Arthémise of old. I shall go to -my death perfectly cool and rather facetious. I will amuse all the -beggarly wretches who follow the car. I will repeat a pretty quatrain -to Monsieur Sanson, and wish the company good-night,--that is to -say--wait!--" Lorin interrupted himself. "Ah! to be sure," said he, "I -will go out. I well knew that I loved no one, but I forgot that I hated -some one. The time, Maurice, the time?" - -"Half-past three." - -"I have time, Heaven! there is time." - -"Certainly," cried Maurice; "there are nine more accused persons still -to be tried, this will not terminate before five o'clock; we have -therefore nearly two hours' respite." - -"That is all that I require; give me your pass, and lend me twenty -sous." - -"_Mon Dieu!_ what are you going to do?" murmured Geneviève. Maurice -pressed his hand. The all-important thing for him was that Lorin was -going out. - -"I have my own plan," said Lorin. - -Maurice drew his purse from his pocket, and placed it in his friend's -hand. - -"Now, the pass, for the love of God!--I ought to say for the love of -the Supreme Being." - -Maurice gave him the pass. - -Lorin kissed Geneviève's hand, and availing himself of the moment when -a fresh batch of the condemned were ushered in, he leaped the benches, -and presented himself before the principal entrance. - -"Eh!" said the gendarme, "here is one, it appears to me, trying to -escape." - -Lorin drew himself up and presented his pass. - -"Hold, Citizen Gendarme," said he, "and learn to know people better." - -The gendarme recognized the signature of the registrar, but belonging -to a class of functionaries rather wanting in confidence, and as at -this moment the registrar himself came down from the Tribunal with a -nervous shudder, which had not left him since he had so imprudently -hazarded his signature,-- - -"Citizen Registrar," said he, "here is a pass bearing your signature, -with which this person wishes to leave the Salle des Morts, is it all -right?" - -The registrar turned pale with fright, and feeling convinced that if -he turned his eyes in that direction it would only be to encounter the -terrible look of Dixmer, hastily seized the card and replied,-- - -"Yes, yes; it is my signature." - -"Then," cried Lorin, "if it is your signature, return it to me." - -"No;" said the registrar, tearing it into a thousand pieces; "these -cards can be available only once." - -Lorin remained for a moment irresolute. - -"So much the worse," said he; "but above all things it is necessary I -should kill him;" and he passed through the office. - -Maurice had followed Lorin with an emotion easy to comprehend. When he -had disappeared, Maurice returned, saying with an exultation nearly -amounting to joy, "He is saved! Geneviève; the card is destroyed, -therefore he cannot enter. Besides, even if he were able to gain -admission, the sitting of the Tribunal will have terminated. At five -o'clock, he will return; but we shall have ceased to live." - -Geneviève shuddered, and breathed a deep sigh. - -"Oh, press me in your arms," said she, "and let us separate no more! -Why is it not possible, oh, my God! for one blow to annihilate us both, -that together we might breathe our last sigh?" - -Then retiring into the depth of the gloomy hall, Geneviève placed -herself near Maurice, and twined her arms round his neck. Thus they -remained, rendered by the strength of their love insensible to the -surrounding scene, almost to the approach of death itself. - -Half an hour passed thus. - - - - -CHAPTER LV. - -WHY LORIN WENT OUT. - - -Suddenly a loud noise was heard; the gendarmes entered by the lower -door, behind them appearing Sanson and his assistants, the latter -carrying rolls of cord. - -"Oh, my love!" said Geneviève, "the fatal moment has arrived, and I -feel that my senses are leaving me!" - -"There you are wrong," said the cheering voice of Lorin. - - "That you are wrong is plain, you see; - For what is death but to be free?" - -"Lorin!" cried Maurice, in despair. - -"They are not good, are they? I have adopted your opinion since -yesterday; I can only make contemptible--" - -"Ah! that is the question. You are returned, unhappy man, you are -returned!" - -"I considered that was our agreement. But listen, as what I have to say -to you will also interest the lady." - -"My God! my God!" - -"Allow me to speak, or I shall not have time to tell you all. I wished -to go out that I might purchase a knife in the Rue de la Baullerie." - -"What did you want with a knife?" - -"I wished to despatch this nice Monsieur Dixmer." - -Geneviève shuddered. - -"Ah!" said Maurice, "I comprehend." - -"I purchased it. Listen attentively to what I said to myself, and -you will understand your friend has a mind for logic; indeed, I -begin to think I should have been a mathematician instead of a poet. -Unfortunately, it is now too late. This is the way I reasoned: Monsieur -Dixmer has compromised his wife; Monsieur Dixmer was present at her -trial; and Monsieur Dixmer will not deprive himself of the pleasure of -seeing her pass in the fatal car; especially as we accompany her. I -will then look out for him among the foremost of the spectators. I will -glide near him, and say, 'Good-day, Monsieur Dixmer;' and I will plunge -my knife into his heart." - -"Lorin!" cried Geneviève. - -"Compose yourself, dear friend; Providence had arranged all. Picture to -yourselves the spectators, instead of remaining stationary in front of -the Palace, according to their usual custom, made a half-turn to the -right, and lined the quay. 'Oh!' said I to myself, 'it is doubtless a -dog drowned. Why should not Dixmer be there? Even a dog drowning will -serve to pass away the time.' I approached the parapet, and beheld all -along the high bank a crowd of people who, throwing their arms aloft -into the air, and uttering loud exclamations, stooped down to gaze at -something on the ground. I joined them, and also looked down. There was -something!--Guess what it was." - -"Dixmer!" said Maurice, in a gloomy tone. - -"Yes. How could you guess that? Yes; it was Dixmer, killed by a ghastly -wound. The unfortunate wretch had no doubt committed suicide in -expiation of his guilt." - -"Ah," said Maurice, with a sad smile, "do you think so?" - -Geneviève let her head droop between her hands. She was too feeble to -support these successive emotions. - -"Yes; I thought so, from his blood-stained sword being found near him; -unless, indeed--he had met some one." - -Maurice, without reply, availing himself of the moment when Geneviève, -overpowered by emotion, did not observe him, opened his coat and -displayed to Lorin his waistcoat and shirt stained with blood. - -"Ah! that alters the case," said Lorin, as he held out his hand to -Maurice. "Now," said he, whispering in his ear, "they have not searched -me, seeing that I entered in Sanson's suite. I have still the knife, if -the guillotine is too revolting to your feelings." - -Maurice seized the weapon with a joyful expression. - -"No," said he, "she would suffer too much," and he returned the knife -to Lorin. - -"You are right," said Lorin; "long live Monsieur Guillotine! Why, what -is it, after all? A fillip on the neck, according to Danton. And what -signifies a fillip?" - -And he flung his knife in the midst of a group of the condemned, one of -whom immediately seized and buried it in his breast. He was dead in an -instant. - -At the same moment Geneviève awoke, and uttered a piercing cry. She -felt the pressure of the executioner's hand upon her shoulder. - - - - -CHAPTER LVI. - -LONG LIVE SIMON! - - -At the sound of this cry Maurice understood that the struggle was -about to commence. The influence of love may be able to exalt the soul -to heroism,--it may, against natural instinct, impel a human being -to desire death, but it had not in this instance extinguished the -repugnance to pain. It was evident that Geneviève resigned herself -the more patiently to death since Maurice was to die with her; but -resignation does not exclude suffering, and to quit this world is not -only to fall into the abyss termed unknown, but also to suffer in the -descent. - -Maurice, at a glance, embraced the entire scene, and thought of what -would follow. - -In the centre of the hall lay the suicide, from whose breast the -gendarme had just torn the weapon of destruction, fearing, probably, it -might be used by some of the others. - -Around him were several individuals mute with despair and scarcely -heeding him, inscribing in their pocket-books some disconnected -words, or pressing one another's hands; some repeating, without any -intermission, a cherished name, or bathing with tears a portrait, a -ring, or tress of hair; some venting imprecations against tyranny, -a state of affairs cursed by all, ay sometimes even by the tyrants -themselves. In the midst of these unfortunates, Sanson, oppressed less -from his fifty years than his melancholy office,--Sanson, as mild, -and as much their consoler as his terrible vocation permitted him to -be, to this one offered advice, to that one some sad consolation or -encouragement, finding some Christian responses to their accents of -despair as well as to their bravado. - -"Citizeness," said he to Geneviève, "I must remove your scarf, and cut -off your hair, if you please." - -Geneviève began to tremble. - -"Come, dear lady," said Lorin, softly, "take courage!" - -"May I remove the lady's hair?" asked Maurice. - -"Oh, yes," cried Geneviève; "I entreat you to permit him to do so, -Monsieur Sanson." - -"He may," said the old man, turning away his head. - -Maurice first took off his necktie, and Geneviève, stooping, fell on -her knees before the young man, presenting her charming head, appearing -more beautiful in her grief than she had ever been in her days of -sunshine and happiness. - -When Maurice had completed the funereal operation, his hands were so -tremulous and his countenance betrayed so much grief that Geneviève -exclaimed,-- - -"Ah! I am courageous, Maurice." - -Sanson turned round. - -"Is it not so, sir?" said Geneviève; "am I not courageous?" - -"Certainly, Citizen," replied the executioner, in a perturbed voice, -"for yours is true courage." - -In the mean time the first assistant had glanced over the list -forwarded by Fouquier Tinville. - -"Fourteen," said he. - -Sanson counted the condemned. - -"Fifteen, including the dead," said he; "why, how is this?" - -Lorin and Geneviève counted after him, both struck by the same thought. - -"You say there are only fourteen condemned, and that we are fifteen?" -said she. - -"Yes; the Citizen Fouquier Tinville must have made a mistake." - -"Ah! you spoke falsely, then," said Geneviève, turning to Maurice; "you -were not condemned." - -"And why wait for to-morrow, when you die to-day?" said Maurice. - -"My love," said she, smiling, "you reassure me; I am now convinced that -it is easy to die." - -"Lorin," said Maurice, "now for the last time--no one here can -recognize you--say that you came to bid me adieu; say that you have -been shut in by mistake; call the gendarme who saw you go out. I am the -true criminal who ought to die. But you, my friend, we beseech you to -live to love our memory. There is yet time, Lorin; we entreat you!" - -Geneviève joined her hands in an attitude of prayer. Lorin took both -her hands and kissed them. - -"I have said no, and I mean no," said Lorin, in a firm voice; "say no -more on the subject, or I shall think I am a bore to you." - -"Fourteen," repeated Sanson, "and here are fifteen;" then elevating his -voice, "Is there any one here who can protest against this?" said he; -"is there any one here who can prove he is here by mistake?" - -Perhaps some lips half-opened at this question, but closed again -without uttering a single word; since those who felt inclined to lie -were ashamed to do so, and those who would not lie were determined not -to speak. - -A silence of several minutes ensued, during which the assistants -continued their mournful office. - -"Citizens, we are ready," said old Sanson, in his deep and solemn -voice. He was answered only by sobs and groans. - -"Well!" said Lorin, "so be it! - - No death is nobler, none more high, - Than for our native land to die. - -Yes, to die for our native land; but decidedly I begin to think we do -not die for her, but for the pleasure of those who witness our deaths. -Faith! Maurice, I have adopted your opinion. I am disgusted with the -Republic!" - -"The call!" said a commissary, at the door. - -Several gendarmes entered the hall, closing up the issues, thus placing -themselves between life and the condemned, as if to prevent them from -returning to it. - -The death-roll was called. - -Maurice, who had witnessed the trial of the condemned man who had -destroyed himself, when his name was called answered in his stead. They -then found that, excepting the dead man, the number was correct. - -The corpse was removed from the hall; but if the man's identity had -been established, and he had been recognized as one condemned, he would -have been guillotined with the rest, though already dead. - -The survivors were pushed toward the outlet, in order that as each -passed before the wicket his hands might be tied behind his back. -For the space of ten minutes not a word was exchanged between these -unfortunates; the executioners alone seemed endowed with life or motion. - -Maurice, Geneviève, and Lorin, not being any longer able to retain -their hold of each other, crowded together that they might not be -separated. - -When the condemned were removed from the Conciergerie into the court, -the scene became truly appalling. Several grew faint at the sight of -the carts, and the turnkeys were compelled to assist them to mount the -steps of these vehicles of death. Behind the still closed doors was -heard the confused murmur of the crowd; and it might be inferred from -the sound that the concourse was immense. - -Geneviève courageously ascended the car; Maurice at her side sustained -her; he sprang in rapidly after her. - -Lorin did not hurry himself, but carefully selected his seat at the -left of Maurice. - -The doors opened, and foremost in the crowd stood Simon. The two -friends immediately recognized him; indeed, the recognition was mutual. -He was standing upon a fence near which the cars must pass, for there -were three of them. The car containing our three friends moved first. - -"Ah! good-day to you, my brave grenadier!" said Simon to Lorin; "you -are going to try the effect of my leather-cutting machine, I suppose?" - -"Yes," said Lorin; "and I will be careful not to notch it, that it may -be ready when your turn comes." - -The two remaining cars followed the direction of the first. And -now commenced a terrific tempest of cries, shouts, groans, and -maledictions, surrounding and following the condemned. - -"Courage! Geneviève, take courage!" murmured Maurice. - -"Oh!" replied the young woman, "I do not wish for life since I die with -you. I regret only that my hands are tied, so that I cannot embrace you -before I die." - -"Lorin," said Maurice, "feel in my waistcoat pocket, there you will -find a knife." - -"Zounds!" said Lorin, "a penknife is the very thing needed; I should be -ashamed to die, garroted like a calf." - -Maurice placed his pocket on a level with his friend's hands; Lorin -found the knife, which between them they succeeded in opening. Maurice -then placed it between his teeth, and severed the cord which bound -Lorin's hands, who, the moment they were free, performed the same -office for Maurice. - -"Make haste!" said the young man; "Geneviève is fainting." - -In fact, to accomplish this operation Maurice had for a moment turned -from Geneviève, when, as if all her strength had been derived from him, -her eyes closed, and her head sank upon her breast. - -"Geneviève, open your eyes, my love," said Maurice; "we have only a few -minutes more to see each other in this world." - -"The cords wound me," murmured the young woman. - -Maurice unbound them. She immediately re-opened her eyes, and rose, -radiant with almost celestial beauty. She threw one fair arm around -Maurice's neck, and with the other hand took that of Lorin; and thus, -all three standing in the cart, with two more victims lying at their -feet wrapped in the stupor of anticipated death, they gazed toward -heaven with a look of ardent gratitude for having been permitted to -support and console each other, while those who had outraged and -insulted them previously were now perfectly silent. The scaffold was in -sight. Maurice and Lorin beheld it. Geneviève did not; she saw naught -but her lover. The car stopped. - -"I love thee!" said Maurice to Geneviève; "I love thee!" - -"The woman first! the woman first!" shouted a thousand voices. - -"Thanks, good people," said Maurice; "who then can call you cruel?" - -He took Geneviève within his arms, pressed his lips fondly upon hers, -and delivered her to Sanson. - -"Courage!" cried Lorin; "courage!" - -"I have it!" said Geneviève; "I have it!" - -"I love thee!" murmured Maurice; "I love thee!" - -They were no longer victims about to be slaughtered, but friends making -a festival of death. - -"Adieu!" cried Geneviève to Lorin. - -"Farewell, till we meet again!" replied he. - -And Geneviève disappeared under the fatal drop. - -"After you," said Lorin. - -"After you," replied Maurice. - -"Hark! she calls you." - -At this moment Geneviève uttered her last cry. - -"Come!" said she. - -A furious uproar took place in the crowd. The fair and graceful head -had fallen. - -Maurice rushed forward. - -"It is exactly correct," said Lorin; "let us follow logic. Do you hear -me, Maurice?" - -"Yes." - -"She loved you, and they have murdered her first; you are not -condemned, and therefore die the second; and I, who have done nothing, -being the greatest criminal of the three, die the last. - - And thus you see how passing clear - Logic makes everything appear. - -Good faith! Citizen Sanson, I promised you a quatrain; but you must be -content with a distich." - -"I did love thee!" murmured Maurice, lying on the fatal plank, and -smiling at the head of his beloved,--"I did lo--" The knife cut short -the last word. - -"Now for my turn!" cried Lorin, bounding on the scaffold, "and be -quick, or I shall lose my head! Citizen Sanson, I owe you two verses, -instead of which I offer you a pun." - -Sanson placed him in his turn. - -"Let us see," said Lorin,--"it is the fashion to cry long live -something, when dying. Once it was, 'Vive le Roi,' but now there is -no king; next the cry was, 'Vive la Liberté,' but there is no more -liberty. Faith, Long live Simon! say I, who unites us all three." - -And the head of the generous and noble-hearted young man fell near -those of Maurice and Geneviève. - - -THE END. - - - - - - - - - - -THE - -Romances of Alexandre Dumas. - -ROMANCES OF THE REIGN OF HENRY II. - - I. The Two Dianas 3 vols. - II. The Page of the Duke of Savoy 2 vols. - - -THE VALOIS ROMANCES. - - I. Marguerite de Valois 2 vols. - II. La Dame de Monsoreau 2 vols. - III. The Forty-Five 2 vols. - - -THE D'ARTAGNAN ROMANCES. - - I. The Three Musketeers 2 vols. - II. Twenty Years After 2 vols. - III. The Vicomte de Bragelonne; or, Ten Years Later 6 vols. - - -THE REGENCY ROMANCES. - - I. Le Chevalier D'Harmental 1 vol. - II. The Regent's Daughter 1 vol. - - -A ROMANCE OF THE REIGN OF LOUIS XV. - - Olympe de Clèves 2 vols. - - -THE MARIE ANTOINETTE ROMANCES. - - I. 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Put up in box. - - -ROMANCES OF THE COURT OF HENRY II. - - The Two Dianas 3 " - The Page of the Duke of Savoy 2 " - - -THE REGENCY ROMANCES. - - The Chevalier D'Harmental 1 vol. - ⁂ Sometimes called "The Conspirators." - The Regent's Daughter 1 " - - -HISTORICAL ROMANCES. - - The Black Tulip 1 vol. - (Scene, Holland: Time, 1672.) - - Olympe de Clèves 2 vols. - (Reign of Louis XV.) - -The above ten volumes put up in box under the title of "Historical and -Regency Romances." - - -THE NAPOLEON ROMANCES. - - The Companions of Jehu 2 vols. - The Whites and the Blues 2 " - ⁂ This story has also been issued under the title of "The First Republic." - The She-Wolves of Machecoul } - The Corsican Brothers } 2 vols. - ⁂ "The She-Wolves of Machecoul" has also been issued under the title - of "The Last Vendée." - -The set of six volumes put up in box, with twenty-four illustrations, -including historical portraits and original pictures by E. Van Muyden, -Felix Oudart, E.H. Garrett, and F.T. 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Per volume, decorated cloth, gilt top, - $1.50; plain cloth, gilt top $1.25; half calf or half morocco, extra, - gilt top, $3.00. - -In preparing this new and very handsome edition of Hugo's Romances no -expense has been spared that would produce a really beautiful set of -Hugo's world-famous works _in type which it is a pleasure to read, -and in volumes which can easily and comfortably be held in the hand_. -Important chapters and passages omitted in other editions are included. - - -LIST OF STORIES. - - Les Miserables 5 vols. - Notre-Dame 2 " - Ninety-Three 1 vol. - The Man Who Laughs 2 vols. - Toilers of the Sea 2 " - Hans of Iceland 1 vol. - Bug-Jargal; Claude Gueux } - The Last Day of a Condemned } 1 " - - -_Any Story sold separately._ - - - BULWER. The Novels of Edward Bulwer Lytton (Lord Lytton). With 40 - frontispieces, by Edmund H. Garrett, etched by W.H.W. Bicknell. 40 - vols. 12mo. Per volume, decorated cloth, gilt top, $1.50; plain cloth, - gilt top, $1.25; half calf or half morocco, extra, gilt top, $3.00. - - -Special Advantages of this Edition. - -The volumes are of _convenient size_, easy to hold in the hand. - -_The type, made expressly for this edition, is clear and beautiful._ - -The paper is of extra quality, affording an important adjunct to the -printers' careful and beautiful work, the type being set and the -volumes printed at the University Press, Cambridge. - -The exquisite frontispieces are etched in the finest manner from -_drawings made especially for this edition by Edmund H. Garrett_. - -The whole combines to produce _a perfect library edition_, complete in -forty volumes, at a very moderate price. - - -LIST OF THE VOLUMES. - - -THE CAXTON NOVELS. - - The Caxtons 2 vols. - My Novel 4 " - What will he do with It? 3 " - - -NOVELS OF LIFE AND MANNERS. - - Pelham } - Falkland } 2 vols. - The Disowned 2 " - Paul Clifford 2 " - Godolphin 1 vol. - Ernest Maltravers 1 " - Alice 1 " - Night and Morning 2 vols. - Lucretia 1 vol. - Kenelm Chillingly } - The Coming Race } 2 vols. - The Parisians 2 " - - -ROMANCES. - - Eugene Aram 1 vol. - The Pilgrims of the Rhine } - Zicci } 1 " - Zanoni 1 " - A Strange Story } - The Haunted and the Haunters } 2 vols. - - -HISTORICAL ROMANCES. - - Devereux 2 vols. - The Last Days of Pompeii 1 vol. - Rienzi, the Last of the Roman Tribunes 2 vols. - The Last of the Barons 2 " - Leila and Calderon } - Pausanias, the Spartan } 1 vol. - Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings 2 vols. - - -_Any Story can be supplied separately._ - - - WARREN. Ten Thousand a Year. By Samuel Warren. With a Portrait of the - author, beautifully etched by F.T. Stuart. 3 vols. 12mo. Decorated - cloth, gilt top, $4.50; plain cloth, gilt top, $3.75; half calf or - half morocco, extra, gilt top, $9.00. - -A new and choicely printed edition of this celebrated English novel, -including the author's valuable notes. - -The story has always been deservedly popular, has been widely read for -nearly fifty years in England and America, and translated in France -and Germany; the present edition, in clear, readable type, with choice -presswork and paper, has been accepted as the only adequate library -edition. - - - GEORGE SAND. The Choice Works of the Great French Novelist. - - 1. François the Waif (_François le Champi_). Translated from the - French by Jane Minot Sedgwick. Printed at the De Vinne Press. With - a frontispiece especially drawn and etched for this edition by the - eminent French artist, E. Abot. - - 2. The Devil's Pool (_La Mare au Diable_). Translated from the French - by Jane Minot Sedgwick and Ellery Sedgwick. Printed at the De Vinne - Press. With frontispiece drawn and etched by E. Abot. - - 3. Fadette (_La Petite Fadette_). Translated from the French by Jane - Minot Sedgwick. Printed at the De Vinne Press. With frontispiece, - embodying an original design and a portrait of George Sand, drawn and - etched by E. Abot. - - 4. The Master Mosaic Workers (_Les Maîtres Mosaïstes_). Translated - from the French by Charlotte C. Johnston. Printed at the University - Press. With a portrait of Titian, etched by W.H.W. Bicknell. - -Limited Edition. Seven hundred and fifty numbered sets on Windsor -hand-made paper. 4 vols. 16mo. Boards, gilt top, $6.00 _net_. - - The noblest mind of our epoch.--_Edmond About._ - - Studies of rustic life, of which "La Petite Fadette," "François le - Champi," and "La Mare au Diable" are the chief, and which some of - her admirers regard as her greatest works.--_George Saintsbury, in - Chambers's Cyclopædia._ - - - LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, Publishers, - 254 Washington Street, Boston. - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LE CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE *** - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. - - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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- margin-right: 10%; -} - - - -.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} - -.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} - -.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} - -.br {border-right: solid 2px;} - -.bbox {border: solid 2px;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.u {text-decoration: underline;} - - - - -.caption {text-align: center;} - - - - - - - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - - - - - - - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -@media handheld { - .hidehand {display: none; visibility: hidden;} -} - - - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<section class='pg-boilerplate pgheader' id='pg-header' lang='en'> -<h2 id='pg-header-heading' title=''>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Le chevalier de Maison-Rouge by Alexandre Dumas</h2> - -<div>This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online -at <a class="reference external" href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not located in the United States, -you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located -before using this eBook.</div> - - -<div class='container' id='pg-machine-header'> -<p><strong>Title:</strong> Le chevalier de Maison-Rouge</p> -<div id='pg-header-authlist'> -<p><strong>Author:</strong> Alexandre Dumas</p> -</div> - -<p><strong>Release Date:</strong> August 6, 2023 [eBook #71356]</p> -<p><strong>Language:</strong> English</p> -<p><strong>Credits:</strong> Aaron Adrignola, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</p> -</div> -<div id='pg-start-separator'> -<span>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LE CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE ***</span> -</div> -</section> - - - - - - - - - -<p class="ph4">THE MARIE ANTOINETTE ROMANCES.</p> - -<p class="ph3">LE CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE.</p> - - - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="pic" /> -</p> - - -<p class="caption">"OH, HOW LONG IT IS SINCE I HAVE SEEN ANY FLOWERS!"<br /> - -<i>Drawn and etched by E. Abot.</i><br /> - - -<span class="smcap">Chevalier de Maison-Rouge.</span> -</p> - - - - - - - -<p class="ph3" style="margin-top:5em;">LE</p> - -<p class="ph1">CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE.</p> - -<p class="ph4" style="margin-top:5em;">BY</p> - -<p class="ph3">ALEXANDRE DUMAS.</p> - -<p class="ph4" style="margin-top:10em;">BOSTON:<br /> -LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.</p> - -<p class="ph5">1897.</p> - - - - - - -<p class="ph5" style="margin-top:10em;"><i>Copyright, 1890, 1894</i>,<br /> -<span class="smcap">By Little, Brown, and Company</span>.</p> - -<p class="ph5"><span class="smcap">University Press:</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A.</span></p> - - - - - -<p class="ph2">INTRODUCTORY NOTE.</p> - - -<p>The "Chevalier de Maison-Rouge," though it deals with events subsequent -to those covered by the earlier stories of the Marie Antoinette cycle, -was written at an earlier date. In it we are introduced to a new set of -personages, and see no more of the characters whose fortunes furnish -the fictitious as distinguished from the historical interest of the -earlier stories.</p> - -<p>The months which elapsed between the execution of the King and the -appearance in the Place de la Révolution of the ill-fated Marie -Antoinette were thickly strewn with tragedy, particularly after the -final conflict between the Gironde and the Mountain, and the decisive -victory of the latter, resulting in the undisputed supremacy of the -band of men in whom we now see the personification of the Reign of -Terror.</p> - -<p>Those portions of the narrative which describe the life of the queen at -the Temple, and subsequently in the Conciergerie, are founded strictly -upon fact. Of the treatment accorded to the little Dauphin by Simon, -who is given much prominence in the story, it need only be said that it -falls far short of the truth as it is to be found in numberless memoirs -and documents. There is nothing in all history more touching and -heart-rending than the fate of this innocent child, who was literally -done to death by sheer brutality in less than two years; nor is there -any one of the excesses committed by the extreme revolutionists which -has done more to cause posterity to fail to realize the vast benefits -which mankind owes to the Revolution, in the face of the unnamable -horrors which were perpetrated in its name.</p> - -<p>The noble answer of Marie Antoinette to the unnatural charges brought -against her by Hébert (not Simon) was actually made at her trial.</p> - -<p>There is no direct historical authority for the various attempts herein -detailed to effect the escape of the Queen, although rumors of such -were circulating unceasingly. The titular hero of the book is not an -historical personage, nor are Maurice Lindey and Lorin; but the latter -are faithful representatives of a by no means small class of sincere -and devoted republicans who turned aside with shrinking horror from -the atrocities of the Terror.</p> - -<p>The mutual heroism of Maurice and Lorin in the final catastrophe -reminds us of the similar conduct of Gaston in the "Regent's Daughter" -when he fails to reach Nantes with the reprieve until the head of one -of his comrades had fallen. Nor can one avoid a thought of Sydney -Carton laying down his life for Charles Darnay, in Charles Dickens's -"Tale of Two Cities," wherein the horrors of the Terror are so vividly -pictured.</p> - -<p>One must go far to seek for a more touching and pathetic love-episode -than that of Maurice and Geneviève, whose sinning, if sinning it was, -was forced upon them by the cold and unscrupulous Dixmer in the pursuit -of his one unchangeable idea.</p> - -<p>On the 16th of October, 1793, the daughter of the Cæsars lost her life -through the instrumentality of the machine which we saw Cagliostro -exhibit to her in a glass of water at the Château de Taverney more than -twenty years before. Then she was in the bloom of youth and beauty, a -young queen coming to reign over a people who had just begun to realize -their wrongs and their power. To-day she is a woman of thirty-eight, -prematurely aged, but bearing about her still the noble dignity of her -ancient race, and proving anew, as Charles I. had proved, and as her -own husband had proved, that the near approach of death brings forth -the noblest qualities in those of royal lineage.</p> - -<p>We cannot better end this brief note than by quoting the characteristic -but powerful apostrophe of Carlyle in his essay upon the "Diamond -Necklace."</p> - -<p>"Beautiful Highborn, thou wert so foully hurled low! For if thy being -came to thee out of old Hapsburg dynasties, came it not also (like my -own) out of Heaven? <i>Sunt lachrymæ rerum, et mentem mortalia tangunt.</i> -Oh, is there a man's heart that thinks without pity of those long -months and years of slow-wasting ignominy: of thy birth, soft-cradled -in imperial Schönbrunn, the winds of Heaven not to visit thy face -too roughly, thy foot to light on softness, thy eye on splendor: -and then of thy death, or hundred deaths, to which the guillotine -and Fouquier-Tinville's judgment bar was but the merciful end? Look -<i>there</i>, O man born of woman! The bloom of that fair face is wasted, -the hair is gray with care: the brightness of those eyes is quenched, -their lids hang drooping, the face is stony pale, as of one living in -death. Mean weeds, which her own hand has mended, attire the Queen of -the World. The death-hurdle, where thou sittest pale, motionless, which -only curses environ, has to stop; a people, drunk with vengeance, will -drink it again in full draught, looking at thee there. Far as the eye -reaches, a multitudinous sea of maniac heads: the air deaf with their -triumph yell! The living-dead must shudder with yet one other pang: -her startled blood yet again suffuses with the hue of agony that pale -face which she hides with her hands. There is, then, no heart to say, -God pity thee? O think not of these: think of <span class="smcap">HIM</span> whom thou -worshippest, the Crucified,—who also treading the wine-press <i>alone</i>, -fronted sorrow still deeper: and triumphed over it, and made it holy: -and built of it a Sanctuary of Sorrow for thee and all the wretched! -Thy path of thorns is nigh ended. One long last look at the Tuileries, -where thy step was once so light,—where thy children shall not dwell. -The head is on the block: the axe rushes—Dumb lies the World: that -wild-yelling World and all its madness is behind thee."</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">LIST OF CHARACTERS.</p> - - - - -<table summary="characters" width="50%"> -<tr> -<td colspan="2" align="center">Period, 1793. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Marie Antoinette</span>,</td> -<td>}</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">The Dauphin</span>,</td> -<td>} prisoners at the Temple.</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Madame Royale</span>,</td> -<td>}</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">The Princess Elizabeth</span>,</td> -<td>}</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td></td> -<td></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td></td> -<td></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Chevalier de Maison-Rouge</span>,</td> -<td>}</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">M. Dixmer</span>,</td> -<td>}engaged in an attempt to rescue the Queen.</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Geneviève</span>, his wife,</td> -<td>}</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Sophie Tison</span>,</td> -<td>}</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Lieutenant Maurice Lindey</span>, a patriot, </td> -<td>in love with Geneviève.</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Maximilien-Jean Lorin</span>, -</td> -<td> his friend. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Santerre</span>, -</td> -<td>Commandant of the Parisian National Guard. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Simon</span>, -</td> -<td>a cobbler. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">President Harmand</span>, -</td> -<td>of the Revolutionary Tribunal. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Fouquier-Tinville</span>, -</td> -<td>the public accuser. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">M. Giraud</span>, -</td> -<td>the city architect. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Chauveau Lagarde</span>, -</td> -<td>counsel for the Queen. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Jean Paul Marot</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Robespierre</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Danton</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Chénier</span>, -</td> -<td>} Montagnards. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Hébert</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Fabre d'Églantine</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Collot d'Herbois</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Robert Lindet</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">MM. Vergniaud</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Féraud</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Brissot</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <span class="smcap">Louvet</span>, -</td> -<td>}Girondins. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Pétion</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Valazé</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Lanjuinais</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Barbaroux</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">MM. Roland</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Servien</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Clavières</span>, -</td> -<td>}of the French Ministry, August, 1793. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Le Brun</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td>and <span class="smcap">Monge</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Generals Dumouriez</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Miacrinski</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Steingel</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Neuilly</span>, -</td> -<td>}officers commanding the French armies on the frontiers. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Valence</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Dampierre</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Miranda</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Henriot</span>, -</td> -<td>Commandant-General of the National Guard. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Citizen Devaux</span>, -</td> -<td>of the National Guard. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Citizens Tonlan</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Lepître</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Agricola</span>, -</td> -<td>}of the Municipal Guard. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Mercevault</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Grammont</span>, -</td> -<td>Adjutant-Major. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Tison</span>, -</td> -<td>employed at the Temple Prison. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Madame Tison</span>, -</td> -<td>his wife. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Arthémise</span>, -</td> -<td>ex-dancer at the opera. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Abbé Girard.</span> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Dame Jacinthe</span>, -</td> -<td>his servant. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Turgy</span>, -</td> -<td>an old waiter of Louis XVI., attending the royal family at the Temple. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Muguet</span>, -</td> -<td><i>femme-de-chambre</i> of Dixmer. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Madame Plumeau</span>, -</td> -<td>hostess of an alehouse near the Temple. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Agesilaus</span>, -</td> -<td>servant to Maurice Lindey. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Aristide</span>, -</td> -<td>concierge at Maurice's house. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Gracchus</span>, -</td> -<td>a turnkey at the Conciergerie. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Richard</span>, -</td> -<td>jailer at the Conciergerie. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Madame Richard</span>, -</td> -<td>his wife. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Duchesse</span>, -</td> -<td>}Gendarmes at the Conciergerie. -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Gilbert</span>, -</td> -<td>} -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Sanson</span>, -</td> -<td>the executioner. -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - - - - - - - -<p class="ph2">CONTENTS.</p> - - -<table summary="toc" width="45%"> -<tr><td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Chapter</span></td><td> </td><td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Page</span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Enrolled Volunteers</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Unknown</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Rue des Fossés Saint Victor</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Manners of the Times</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">What Sort of Man the Citizen Maurice -Lindey was</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Temple</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Oath of the Gamester</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Geneviève</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Supper</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Simon the Shoemaker</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Billet</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Love</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Thirty-First of May</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Devotion</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_148">148</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Goddess Reason</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Prodigal Child</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Miners</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Clouds</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Request</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Flower-Girl</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_200">200</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Crimson Carnation</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">XXII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Simon the Censor</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">XXIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Arthémise</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Mother and Daughter</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">XXV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Conspiracy</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">XXVI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Little Dog Jet</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">XXVII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Muscadin</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">XXVIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Chevalier de Maison-Rouge</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_273">273</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">XXIX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Patrol</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">XXX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Password</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_292">292</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">XXXI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Search</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_300">300</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">XXXII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Fire</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_309">309</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">XXXIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Morrow</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_322">322</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">XXXIV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Conciergerie</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_326">326</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">XXXV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">La Salle des Pas-Perdus</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">XXXVI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Citizen Théodore</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_347">347</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">XXXVII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Citizen Gracchus</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_355">355</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">XXXVIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Royal Child</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_361">361</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">XXXIX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Bouquet of Violets</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_372">372</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XL">XL.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Tavern of Noah's Well</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_384">384</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">XLI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Registrar of the Minister of War</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_392">392</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">XLII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Two Billets</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_399">399</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">XLIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Preparations of Dixmer</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_405">405</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">XLIV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Preparations of the Chevalier</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_412">412</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">XLV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Inquiry</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_420">420</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">XLVI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Sentence</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_429">429</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII">XLVII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Priest and the Executioner</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_437">437</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVIII">XLVIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Cart</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_445">445</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIX">XLIX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Scaffold</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_453">453</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_L">L.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Visit to the Domicile</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_461">461</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LI">LI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Lorin</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_466">466</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LII">LII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Sequel to the Preceding</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_475">475</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIII">LIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Duel</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_482">482</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIV">LIV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Salle des Morts</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_490">490</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LV">LV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Why Lorin went out</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_502">502</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVI">LVI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Long Live Simon!</span></td> <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_505">505</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">LE<br /> - -CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE ENROLLED VOLUNTEERS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was on the evening of the 10th of March, 1793, ten o'clock was -striking from Notre Dame, and each stroke sounding, emitted a sad and -monotonous vibration. Night had fallen on Paris, not boisterous and -stormy, but cold, damp, and foggy. Paris itself at that time was not -the Paris of our day, glittering at night with thousands of reflected -lights,—the Paris of busy promenades, of lively chat, with its riotous -suburbs, the scene of audacious quarrels, and daring crime,— but a -fearful, timid, busy city, whose few and scattered inhabitants, even -in crossing from one street to another, ran concealing themselves in -the darkness of the alleys, and ensconcing themselves behind their -portes-cochères, like wild beasts tracked by the hunters to their lair.</p> - -<p>As we have previously said, it was the evening of the 10th of March, -1793. A few remarks upon the critical situation of the country, which -had produced the changed aspect of the capital, before we commence -stating the events the recital of which form the subject of this -history.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> - -<p>France, by the death of Louis XVI., had become at variance with all -Europe. To the three enemies she had first combated,—that is to say, -Prussia, the Empire, and Piedmont,—were now joined England, Holland, -and Spain. Sweden and Denmark alone preserved their old neutrality, -occupied as they were besides in beholding Catharine II. devastating -Poland.</p> - -<p>The state of affairs was truly frightful. France, more respected as a -physical power, but less esteemed as a moral one, since the massacres -of September and the execution of the 21st of January, was literally -blockaded, like a simple town, by the whole of Europe. England was -on our coasts, Spain upon the Pyrenees, Piedmont and Austria on the -Alps, Holland and Prussia to the north of the Pays-Bas, and with one -accord from the Upper Rhine to the Scheldt two hundred and fifty -thousand combatants marched against the Republic. Our generals were -repulsed in every direction. Miacrinski had been obliged to abandon -Aix-la-Chapelle, and draw back upon Liege; Steingel and Neuilly were -driven back upon Limbourg; while Miranda, who besieged Maestricht, fell -back upon Tongres. Valence and Dampierre, reduced to beat a retreat, -did so with a loss of half their number. More than ten thousand -deserters had already abandoned the army, and cleverly scattered -themselves in the interior. At last the Convention, having no hope -except in Dumouriez, despatched courier after courier, commanding him -to quit the borders of the Biesboos (where he was preparing to embark -for Holland), and return to take the command of the army of the Meuse.</p> - -<p>Sensitive at heart, like an animate body, France felt at Paris—that is -to say, at its core—each and every blow levelled at it by invasion, -revolt, or treason, even from quarters the most distant. Each victory -was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> a riot of joy; every defeat an insurrection of terror. It is -therefore easy to comprehend what tumult was produced by the news of -these successive losses which we had just experienced.</p> - -<p>On the preceding evening, the 9th of March, they had had at the -Convention a sitting more stormy than usual; all the officers had -received orders to join their regiments at the same time, and Danton, -that audacious proposer of improbable things (but which nevertheless -were accomplished),—Danton mounting the tribune, cried out, "Soldiers -are wanting, say you? Offer Paris an opportunity of saving France. -Demand from her thirty thousand men, send them to Dumouriez; and -not only is France saved, but Belgium is secured, and Holland is -conquered." This proposition had been received with shouts of -enthusiasm, registers had been opened in all the sections, calling -on them to assemble in the evening. Places of public amusement were -closed to avoid all distraction, and the black flag was hoisted at the -Hôtel de Ville, in token of distress. Before midnight, five and thirty -thousand names were inscribed on the registers; only this evening, as -it had before occurred in September, in every section, while inscribing -their names, the enrolled Volunteers had demanded that before their -departure the traitors might be punished.</p> - -<p>The traitors were in fact the "contre-revolutionists,"—the hidden -conspirators who from within menaced the Revolution, thus menaced from -without. But as may be easily understood, the word "traitor" extended -to all those to whom the extreme parties who at this period tore -France wished to apply it. The traitors were the weaker party; as the -Girondins were the weakest, the Montagnards decided that the Girondins -must be the traitors.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the next day, which was the 10th of March, all the Montagnard -deputies were present at the sitting. The Jacobins, armed, filled -the tribunes, after having turned out the women; the mayor presented -himself with the Council of the Commune, confirming the report of -the Commissioners of the Convention respecting the devotedness of -the citizens, but repeating the wish, unanimously expressed the -preceding evening, for a Tribunal Extraordinary appointed to judge -the traitors. The report of the Committee was instantly demanded with -loud vociferations. The Committee met immediately, and in five minutes -afterward Robert Lindet declared that a Tribunal would be formed, -composed of nine judges (independent of all forms, and acquiring proof -by every means), divided into two permanent sections, and prosecuting, -by order of the Convention or directly, all those who were found guilty -in any way of attempting to mislead the people.</p> - -<p>This was a sweeping clause, and the Girondins, understanding it as -their death-warrant, rose <i>en masse</i>. Death, cried they, rather than -submit to the establishment of this Venetian inquisition.</p> - -<p>The Montagnards, in reply to this apostrophe, demanded to put the -matter to the vote in loud tones. "Yes," exclaimed Féraud, "let us -vote to make known to the world the men who are willing to assassinate -innocence under the mask of the law." They voted at length; and against -all expectation the majority decided—(1) that they would have juries; -(2) that these juries should be of equal numbers in the departments; -(3) that they should be nominated by the Convention. At the moment -when these three propositions were approved, loud cries were heard; -but the Convention, accustomed to receive occasional visits from the -populace, inquired their wishes, and were informed in reply that it -was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> merely a deputation of enrolled Volunteers, who, having dined at -the Halle-au-Blé, demanded to be permitted to display their military -tactics before the Convention.</p> - -<p>The doors were opened immediately, and six hundred men, armed with -swords, pistols, and pikes, apparently half-intoxicated, filed off amid -shouts of applause, and loudly demanded the death of the traitors. -"Yes," replied Collot d' Herbois, addressing them, "yes, my friends, we -will save you—you and liberty—notwithstanding their intrigues." These -words were followed by an angry glance toward the Girondins, which -plainly intimated they were not yet beyond reach of danger. In short, -the sitting of the Convention terminated, the Montagnards scattered -themselves among other clubs, running first to the Cordeliers and then -to the Jacobins, proposing to place the traitors beyond the reach of -the law by cutting their throats that very night.</p> - -<p>The wife of Louvet resided in the Rue Saint Honoré, near the Jacobins. -She, hearing these vociferations, descended, entered the club, and -heard this proposition; then quickly retraced her steps, and warned -her husband of the impending danger. Louvet, hastily arming himself, -ran from door to door to alarm his friends, but found them all absent; -then fortunately ascertaining from one of the servants they had gone -to Pétion's house, he followed them there. He found them quietly -deliberating over a decree which ought to be presented on the morrow, -and which by a chance majority they hoped to pass. He related what had -occurred, communicated his fears, informed them of the plot devised -against them by the Cordeliers and Jacobins, and concluded by urging -them on their side to pursue some active and energetic measure.</p> - -<p>Then Pétion rose, calm and self-possessed as usual,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> walked to the -window, opened it, looked at the sky, and then extended his hand, which -he drew in covered with moisture. "It rains," said he; "there will be -nothing to-night."</p> - -<p>Through this half-opened window the last vibration of the clock was -heard striking ten.</p> - -<p>Such were the occurrences of the 10th of March and the evening -preceding it,—occurrences which, in this gloomy obscurity and -menacing silence, rendered the abodes destined to shelter the living -like sepulchres peopled by the dead. In fact, long patrols of the -National Guard, preceded by men marching with fixed bayonets, troops -of citizens, armed at hazard, pushing against each other, gendarmes -closely examining each doorway, and strictly scrutinizing every -narrow alley,—these were the sole inhabitants who ventured to expose -themselves in the streets. Every one instinctively understood that some -unusual and terrible plot was in progress.</p> - -<p>The cold and drizzling rain, which had tended so much to reassure -Pétion, had considerably augmented the ill-humor and trouble of these -inspectors, whose every meeting resembled preparation for combat, and -who, after recognizing each other with looks of defiance, exchanged the -word of command slowly and with a very bad grace. One would have said -on seeing them separate and return to their several posts, that they -mutually feared an attack from behind.</p> - -<p>On the same evening, when Paris was a prey to one of these panics -(so often renewed that they ought, in some measure, to have become -habitual),—the evening on which the massacre of the lukewarm -revolutionists was secretly debated, who after having voted (with -reservation for the most part) the death of the king, recoiled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> -to-day before the death of the queen, a prisoner in the Temple, with -her children and her sister-in-law,—a woman, enveloped in a mantle -of lilac printed cotton with black spots, her head almost buried in -her hood, glided along the houses in the Rue Saint Honoré, seeking -concealment under a door-porch, or in the angle of a wall, every time -a patrol appeared, remaining motionless as a statue and holding her -breath till he had passed, and once more pursuing her anxious course -with increased rapidity, till some danger of a similar nature again -compelled her to seek refuge in silence and immobility.</p> - -<p>She had already (thanks to the precautions she had taken) travelled -over with impunity part of the Rue Saint Honoré, when at the corner of -the Rue de Grenelle she suddenly encountered, not a body of patrol, -but a small troop of our brave enrolled Volunteers, who, having dined -at the Halle-au-Blé, found their patriotism considerably increased by -the numerous toasts they had drunk to their future victories. The poor -woman uttered a cry, and made a futile attempt to escape by the Rue du -Coq.</p> - -<p>"Ah, ah, Citizen!" cried the chief of the Volunteers (for already, with -the need of command natural to man, these worthy patriots had elected -their chief), "Ah, where are you going?"</p> - -<p>The fugitive made no reply, but continued her rapid movement.</p> - -<p>"What sport!" said the chief; "it is a man disguised, an aristocrat who -thinks to save himself."</p> - -<p>The sound of two or three guns escaping from hands rather too unsteady -to be depended upon, announced to the poor woman that her haste was a -fatal mistake.</p> - -<p>"No, no," cried she, stopping short, and retracing her steps; "no, -Citizen; you are mistaken. I am not a man."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then advance at command," said the chief, "and reply to my questions. -Where are you hastening to, charming belle of the night?"</p> - -<p>"But, Citizen, I am not going anywhere. I am returning."</p> - -<p>"Oh! returning, are you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"It is rather a late return for a respectable woman, Citizeness?"</p> - -<p>"I am returning from visiting a sick relative."</p> - -<p>"Poor little kitten!" said the chief, making a motion with his hand, -before which the horrified woman quickly recoiled, "where is your -passport?"</p> - -<p>"My passport! What is that, Citizen? What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Have you not read the decree of the Commune?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"You have heard it proclaimed, then?"</p> - -<p>"Alas, no! What, then, said this decree, in the name of God?"</p> - -<p>"In the first place, we no longer say 'God'; we only speak of the -'Supreme Being' now."</p> - -<p>"Pardon my error. It is an old custom."</p> - -<p>"Bad habit—the habit of the aristocracy."</p> - -<p>"I will endeavor to correct myself, Citizen; but you said—"</p> - -<p>"I said that the decree of the Commune prohibited any one to go out, -after ten at night, without a civic pass. Now, have you this civic -pass?"</p> - -<p>"Alas! no."</p> - -<p>"You have forgotten it at your relative's?"</p> - -<p>"I was ignorant of the necessity of taking it with me on going out."</p> - -<p>"Then come with us to the first post; there you can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> explain all -prettily to the captain; and if he feels perfectly satisfied with your -explanation, he will depute two men to conduct you in safety to your -abode, else you will be detained for further information. File left! -forward! quick march!"</p> - -<p>From the cry of terror which escaped the poor prisoner, the chief of -the enrolled Volunteers understood how much the unfortunate woman -dreaded this interview.</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh!" said he, "I am quite certain we hold distinguished game. -Forward, forward—to the route, my little <i>ci-devant</i>."</p> - -<p>And the chief seizing the arm of the captive, placed it within his own, -and dragged her, notwithstanding her cries and tears, toward the post -of the Palais Egalité.</p> - -<p>They were already at the top of the barrier of Sergents, when suddenly -a tall young man, closely wrapped in a mantle, turned the corner of -the Rue des Petits-Champs at the very moment when the prisoner was -endeavoring, by renewing her supplications, to regain her liberty. But -without listening the chief dragged her brutally forward. The woman -uttered a cry of grief mingled with terror. The young man saw the -struggle, heard the cry, and bounding from the opposite side of the -street, found himself facing the little troop.</p> - -<p>"What is all this? What are you doing to this woman?" demanded he of -the person who appeared to be the chief.</p> - -<p>"Before you question me, you had better attend to your own business."</p> - -<p>"Who is this woman; and what do you want with her?" repeated the young -man, in a still more imperative tone than at first.</p> - -<p>"But who are you, that you interrogate us?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<p>The young man opened his cloak, when an epaulet was visible, glistening -on his military costume.</p> - -<p>"I am an officer," said he, "as you can see."</p> - -<p>"Officer! In what?"</p> - -<p>"In the Civic Guard."</p> - -<p>"Well, what of that?" replied one of the troop. "What do we know here -of the officers of the Civic Guard?"</p> - -<p>"What is that he says?" asked another man, in a drawling and ironical -tone peculiar to a man of the people, or rather of the Parisian -populace, when beginning to be angry.</p> - -<p>"He says," replied the young man, "that if the epaulet cannot command -respect for the officer, the sword shall command respect for the -epaulet."</p> - -<p>At the same time, making a retrograde movement, the unknown defender of -the young woman had disengaged his arm from the folds of his mantle, -and drawn from beneath it, sparkling by the glimmer of a lamp, a -large infantry sabre. Then with a rapid movement which displayed his -familiarity with similar scenes of violence, he seized the chief of the -Volunteers by the collar of his jacket, and placing the point of the -sabre to his throat, "Now," said he, "let us speak like friends."</p> - -<p>"But, Citizen," said the chief, endeavoring to free himself.</p> - -<p>"I warn you, that at the slightest movement made, either by you or any -of your men, I pass my sabre through your body."</p> - -<p>During this time two men belonging to the troop retained their hold of -the woman.</p> - -<p>"You have asked who I am," continued the young man, "which you had -no right to do, since you do not command a regular patrol. However, -I will inform you. My<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> name is Maurice Lindey; I commanded a body of -artillery-men on the 10th of August, am now lieutenant in the National -Guards, and secretary to the section of Brothers and Friends. Is that -sufficient?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Citizen Lieutenant," replied the chief, still menaced with the -blade, the point of which he felt pressing more and more, "this is -quite another thing. If you are really what you say,—that is, a good -patriot—"</p> - -<p>"There, I knew we should soon understand each other," said the officer. -"Now, in your turn, answer me: why did this woman call out, and what -are you doing with her?"</p> - -<p>"We are taking her to the guard-house."</p> - -<p>"And why are you taking her there?"</p> - -<p>"Because she has no civic pass, and the last decree of the Commune -ordered the arrest of any and every individual appearing in the streets -of Paris without one, after ten o'clock at night. Do you forget the -country is in danger, and that the black flag floats over the Hôtel de -Ville?"</p> - -<p>"The black flag floats over the Hôtel de Ville, and the country is in -danger, because two hundred thousand slaves march against France," -replied the officer, "and not because a woman runs through the streets -of Paris after ten o'clock at night. But never mind, citizens. There is -a decree of the Commune, it is true, and you only did your duty; and -if you had answered me at once, our explanation might have been a much -shorter and probably a less stormy one. It is well to be a patriot, -but equally so to be polite; and the first officer whom the citizens -ought to respect is he, it seems to me, whom they themselves appointed. -In the mean time, take the woman with you, if you please. You are at -liberty to depart."</p> - -<p>"Oh! Citizen," cried the woman, who had listened to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> the whole of -this debate with the most intense anxiety,—"Oh! Citizen," she cried, -seizing the arm of Maurice, "do not abandon me to the mercy of these -rude and half-drunken men."</p> - -<p>"Well, then," said Maurice, "take my arm, and I will conduct you with -them as far as the Poste."</p> - -<p>"To the Poste!" exclaimed the terrified woman, "and why to the Poste, -when I have injured no one?"</p> - -<p>"You are taken to the Poste," replied Maurice, "not because you have -done any one wrong, or because you are considered capable of so doing, -but on account of the decree issued by the Commune, forbidding any one -to go out without a pass, and you have none."</p> - -<p>"But, Monsieur, I was ignorant of the law."</p> - -<p>"Citizen, you will find at the Poste brave and honorable men, who will -fully appreciate your reasons, and from whom you have nothing to fear."</p> - -<p>"Monsieur," said the young woman, pressing Maurice's arm, "it is no -longer insult that I fear, it is death; if they conduct me to the -Poste, I am lost."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE UNKNOWN.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was in this voice an accent of so much terror, mingled with -superiority, that Maurice was startled. Like a stroke of electricity, -this vibrating voice had touched his heart. He turned toward the -enrolled Volunteers, who were talking among themselves. Humiliated -at having been held in check by a single individual, they were now -consulting together with the visible intention of regaining their lost -ground. They were eight against one; three were armed with guns, the -remainder with pistols and pikes. Maurice wore only his sabre. The -contest could not be an equal one. Even the woman comprehended this, as -she held down her head and uttered a deep sigh.</p> - -<p>As to Maurice, with his brows knit, his lip disdainfully curled, and -his sabre drawn from its scabbard, he stood irresolute, fluctuating -between the sentiments of a man and a citizen,—the one urging him to -protect the woman, the other counselling him to give her up. All at -once, at the corner of the Rue des Bons-Enfans, he saw the reflection -of several muskets, and heard also the measured tread of a patrol, who, -perceiving a crowd, halted within a few paces of the group, and through -the corporal demanded, "Who goes there?"</p> - -<p>"A friend," said Maurice. "A friend! Advance, Lorin!"</p> - -<p>He to whom this order was addressed, placed himself at the head of his -eight men, and quickly approached.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Is it you, Maurice?" said the corporal. "Ah, libertine! what are you -doing in the streets at this hour?"</p> - -<p>"You see, I come from the section of Brothers and Friends."</p> - -<p>"Yes; to visit that of sisters and friends. We know all about that.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Ah, listen, ma belle,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">When the dusk midnight hour</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The church-bell shall toll,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I will haste to thy bower;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To thy side I will steal,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Spite of bolts and of bars,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And my love will reveal</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Neath the light of the stars.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Is it not so, eh?"</p> - -<p>"No, friend, you are mistaken. I was on my way home when I discovered -this citizen struggling in the hands of these citizen Volunteers, and -ran up to inquire why they wished to detain her."</p> - -<p>"It is just like you," said Lorin.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"For all the world knows that the fair sex so dear</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Has ever a friend in the French cavalier."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Then turning toward the Volunteers, "Why did you stop this woman?" -inquired the poetical corporal.</p> - -<p>"I have already told the lieutenant," replied the chief of the little -troop, "because she had no pass."</p> - -<p>"Bah! bah!" said Lorin, "a great crime, certainly."</p> - -<p>"Are you then ignorant of the decree of the Commune?" demanded the -chief of the Volunteers.</p> - -<p>"Yes; but there is another clause which annuls that."</p> - -<p>"Which?"</p> - -<p>"Listen:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"On Pindus and Parnassus, it is decreed by Love,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">That Beauty's witching face,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">That Youth and fairy Grace,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Without a pass, by day or night, may through the city rove.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>What do you say to this decree, Citizen? it is gallant, it seems to me."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but it does not appear to me peremptory. In the first place it -has not appeared in the 'Moniteur;' then we are neither upon Pindus nor -Parnassus; it is not yet day; and lastly, the citizeness is perhaps -neither graceful, young, nor fair."</p> - -<p>"I wager the contrary," said Lorin. "Prove that I am in the right, -Citizeness; remove your hood that all may judge if you come under the -conditions of the decree."</p> - -<p>"Monsieur," said the young woman, pressing closer to Maurice, "having -saved me from your enemies, protect me now from your friends, I beseech -you."</p> - -<p>"You see," said the chief, "how she hides herself. In my opinion she is -a spy of the aristocrats,—some street-walker."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Monsieur!" said the young woman, stepping before Maurice, and -discovering a face radiant with youth, rank, and beauty, visible by the -light of the lamp, "do I look like what they have termed me?"</p> - -<p>Maurice was dazzled. He had never even dreamed of beauty equal to that -he had caught sight of for a moment, and only for a moment, since the -unknown had again concealed her face in the hood as rapidly as she had -unveiled it. "Lorin," said Maurice, in a whisper, "claim the prisoner, -that you may conduct her to your post; you have a right to do so as -chief of patrol."</p> - -<p>"Very good," said the young corporal, "I understand with half a word."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then, addressing himself to the unknown, "Let us go, ma belle," -continued he; "since you will not afford us the proof that you are -within the conditions of the decree, you must follow us."</p> - -<p>"Why follow you?" said the chief of the enrolled Volunteers.</p> - -<p>"Certainly. We shall conduct the citizeness to the post of the Hôtel de -Ville, where we are on guard, and there she will be examined."</p> - -<p>"Not so, not so," said the chief of the first troop; "she belongs to -us, and we will keep her."</p> - -<p>"Citizens, citizens," said Lorin, "you will make me angry!"</p> - -<p>"Angry, or not angry, <i>morbleu</i>, it is equally the same to us. We are -true soldiers of the Republic, and while you patrol the streets, we go -to shed our blood on the frontier."</p> - -<p>"Take care you do not shed it by the way, citizens, which is very -likely to occur, if you are not rather more polite than you are at -present."</p> - -<p>"Politeness is a virtue appertaining to the aristocracy, and we belong -to the lower orders," replied the chief.</p> - -<p>"Do not speak of these things before Madame," said Lorin, "perhaps she -is an Englishwoman. Do not be angry at the supposition, my beautiful -bird of the night," added he, gallantly, turning toward the unknown. -"Doubtless you are conversant with the poets, and one of them tells us -'that England is a swan's nest situated in the midst of a large pond.'"</p> - -<p>"Ah! you betray yourself," said the chief of the enrolled; "you avow -yourself a creature of Pitt, in the pay of England. A—"</p> - -<p>"Silence," said Lorin; "you do not understand poetry; therefore I must -speak to you in prose. We are National<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> Guards, affable and patient -fellows enough, but still children of Paris,—that is to say, if we are -provoked we strike rather hard."</p> - -<p>"Madame," said Maurice, "from what you have now witnessed you can -easily imagine what will soon follow. In five minutes ten or twelve -men will be cutting one another's throats for you. Is the cause your -defenders have embraced worthy of the blood they are about to shed?"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur," replied the unknown, clasping her hands, "I can only assure -you that if you permit me to be arrested, the result to myself will be -dreadful, but to others fatal; and that rather than you should abandon -me, I would beseech you to pierce me through the heart with the weapon -you hold in your hand, and cast my corpse into the Seine."</p> - -<p>"Madame," replied Maurice, "I will take all the responsibility upon -myself;" and letting drop the hand of the lovely <i>incognita</i> which he -held in his own,—</p> - -<p>"Citizens," said he, addressing himself to the National Guard, "as an -officer, as a patriot, and a Frenchman, I command you to protect this -woman. And, Lorin, if any of these <i>canaille</i> say one word, put them to -the bayonet."</p> - -<p>"Carry arms!" cried Lorin.</p> - -<p>"God of mercy!" cried the unknown, enveloping her head still closer in -her hood, and supporting herself against a post, "O God! protect him!"</p> - -<p>The Volunteers directly placed themselves on the defensive, and one -among them fired his pistol, the ball passing through the hat of -Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Charge bayonets!" cried Lorin.</p> - -<p>Then, in the darkness of night, a scene of struggling and confusion -ensued, during which one or two shots were heard, followed by cries, -imprecations, and blasphemies; but no one appeared, because, as we have -said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> a massacre was secretly debated, and it was believed that it had -commenced. Two or three windows only were opened for an instant, but -were immediately closed. Less in number, and worse armed, the enrolled -Volunteers were in an instant defeated. Two were badly wounded and four -others pinned against the wall, each with a bayonet at his breast.</p> - -<p>"There," said Lorin, "I hope now you will remain as quiet as lambs. As -for you, Citizen Maurice, I order you to conduct this woman to the post -of the Hôtel de Ville. You understand you are answerable for her."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Maurice. Then, in a low tone, "And the password?" added he.</p> - -<p>"The devil!" said Lorin, rubbing his ear, "the password; it is—"</p> - -<p>"Do not fear I shall make a bad use of it."</p> - -<p>"Faith," said Lorin; "make what use you like of it, that is your -concern."</p> - -<p>"Tell me then," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"I will tell you all in good time, but let us first dispose of these -tipsy fellows. Then, before we part, I shall not be sorry to give you a -few words of advice."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will wait."</p> - -<p>Lorin then turned to his National Guards, who still kept the enrolled -Volunteers in subjection.</p> - -<p>"Now," said he, to the latter, "have you had sufficient?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, dog of a Girondin," replied the chief.</p> - -<p>"You deceive yourself, my friend," said Lorin, coolly; "we are better -sans-culottes than yourselves, seeing that we belong to the club of -Thermopyles, of whose patriotism no one, I hope, entertains a doubt. -Let these citizens go," continued Lorin, "they resist no longer."</p> - -<p>"It is not the less true that if this woman is an object of -suspicion—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>"If she was a suspicious character she would have made her escape -during this skirmish, and not, as you see she has done, waited till it -had terminated."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said one of the Volunteers, "What the Citizen Thermopyle -observes is quite true."</p> - -<p>"Besides, we shall know, since my friend is going to conduct her to the -Poste, while we go and drink to the health of the nation."</p> - -<p>"Are we going to drink?" said the chief.</p> - -<p>"Certainly, I am very thirsty, and I know a pretty little cabaret at -the corner of the Rue Thomas du Louvre."</p> - -<p>"Why did you not say so at once, Citizen? We are sorry to have doubted -your patriotism; and to prove it, let us, in the name of the nation and -the law, embrace each other as friends."</p> - -<p>"Let us embrace," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>And the enrolled Volunteers and the National Guards embraced with warm -enthusiasm. At this period the French people were as anxious to embrace -as to behead one another.</p> - -<p>"Let us now go," cried the two united troops, "to the corner of the Rue -Thomas du Louvre."</p> - -<p>"And we," said one of the wounded, in a plaintive voice, "do you intend -to abandon us here?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, well! yes," said Lorin, "abandon the heroes who have fallen -bravely fighting for their country against patriots—it is true -by mistake, but still true for all that; we will send you some -wheelbarrows. Meanwhile you can sing the Marseillaise, it will divert -you."</p> - -<p>Then approaching Maurice, who was waiting for him, with the unknown, at -the corner of the Rue du Coq, while the National Guards and enrolled -Volunteers arm-in-arm retraced their steps toward the square of the -Palais-Egalité,—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Maurice," said he, "I promised you some counsel, and it is this. -Be persuaded to accompany us, rather than compromise yourself by -protecting this young woman, who, it is true, is very charming, and on -that account not the less to be suspected; for charming women who run -about the streets of Paris at midnight—"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the young woman, "judge me not from appearances, I implore -you."</p> - -<p>"In the first place, you say <i>sir</i>, and that is a great fault. Do you -understand, Citizeness, what I say?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I do, Citizen; but allow your friend to accomplish his kind -action."</p> - -<p>"In what way?"</p> - -<p>"By conducting me home, and protecting me on my road."</p> - -<p>"Maurice, Maurice," said Lorin, "consider well what you are about; you -will compromise yourself terribly."</p> - -<p>"I know it well," said the young man; "but what would you have me do? -If I leave the poor woman, she will be stopped at every step by the -patrols."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, yes! while with you, sir,—while with you, Citizen, I meant -to say, I shall be safe."</p> - -<p>"You hear," said Lorin, "safe! She then runs great danger?"</p> - -<p>"My dear Lorin," said Maurice, "let us be just. She must be either a -good compatriot or an aristocrat. If she is an aristocrat, we have -erred in protecting her; if she is a good patriot, it is our duty to -preserve her."</p> - -<p>"Your pardon, friend; I am sorry for Aristotle, but your logic is at -fault. See what he says:—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Iris my reason steals away,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And yet she tells me to be wise;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Oh, lady! I can only say,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Then turn away those glorious eyes."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Lorin," said Maurice, "a truce to Dorat, to Parny, and to -Gentil-Bernard, I pray you. Speak seriously; will you, or will you not, -give me the password?"</p> - -<p>"That is to say, Maurice, you place me in this dilemma,—I must either -sacrifice my duty to my friend, or my friend to my duty; but I fear, -Maurice, my duty will fall the sacrifice."</p> - -<p>"Decide, then, for one or the other, my friend; but in the name of -Heaven, decide quickly."</p> - -<p>"You will not abuse it?"</p> - -<p>"I promise you."</p> - -<p>"That is not sufficient; swear!"</p> - -<p>"Upon what?"</p> - -<p>"Swear upon the altar of your country."</p> - -<p>Lorin pulled off his hat, presenting to Maurice the side with the -cockade, and Maurice, finding the affair very simple, took, without -smiling, the oath required upon this improvised altar.</p> - -<p>"Now, then," said Lorin, "this is the password—France and Lutèce; -perhaps you would say, France and Lucrèce; but let that pass, it is -Roman all the same."</p> - -<p>"Fair Citizeness," said Maurice, "I am now at your service. Thanks, -Lorin."</p> - -<p>"<i>Bon voyage</i>," cried Lorin, replacing on his head "the altar of his -country," and faithful to his Anacreontic taste, departed singing:—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"Eleonora, Eleonora!</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Now I've taught you how to love,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Tell your passionate adorer</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Does the lesson weary prove?"</span><br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE RUE DES FOSSES SAINT VICTOR.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Maurice</span> finding himself alone with the young woman felt for the -moment deeply embarrassed. The fear of being duped, attracted by her -marvellous beauty, troubled his conscience as a pure and exalted -Republican, and caused him to hesitate when about to offer her the -support of his arm.</p> - -<p>"Where are you going, Citizeness?" said he.</p> - -<p>"Alas, sir, a long way from here," replied she.</p> - -<p>"But how far?"</p> - -<p>"By the side of the Jardin des Plantes."</p> - -<p>"It is some distance; let us proceed on our way."</p> - -<p>"Ah, sir!" said the unknown; "I plainly perceive I am a burden to you; -but indeed it is no ordinary danger that I incur. Were it not so, -believe me, I should not abuse your generosity."</p> - -<p>"But, Madame," said Maurice, who during this <i>tête-à-tête</i> had totally -forgotten the language imposed by the Republican vocabulary, and -returned to the language of a gentleman, "how is it, in all conscience, -that at this hour you are found in the streets of Paris, where, with -the exception of ourselves, you do not see a solitary individual?"</p> - -<p>"I have told you, sir; I have been paying a visit to the Faubourg du -Roule. Leaving home at mid-day, and knowing nothing of what had taken -place, I returned in equal ignorance, all my time having been spent in -deep retirement."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes," murmured Maurice, "in some retired house, the resort of the -aristocrats. Confess, Citizeness, that, while outwardly demanding my -protection, you laugh in your sleeve at my egregious folly."</p> - -<p>"Why should I act thus?"</p> - -<p>"You are aware that a Republican is your guide. Well, this Republican -betrays his cause, that is all."</p> - -<p>"But, Citizen," quickly rejoined the unknown, "I, as well as you, love -the Republic; you labor under a mistake concerning me."</p> - -<p>"Then, Citizeness, if you are a good patriot, you can have no cause for -concealment. Where do you come from?"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur, excuse me."</p> - -<p>There was in this "monsieur" so much sweetness and modesty of -expression, that Maurice believed it to be founded on some sentiment -concealed.</p> - -<p>"Surely," said he, "this woman is returning from some assignation."</p> - -<p>At this moment, without knowing why, he felt deeply oppressed at this -thought, and for a short time he remained silent.</p> - -<p>When these two nocturnal promenaders had reached the Rue de la -Verrerie, after having encountered three or four patrols, who, thanks -to the password, allowed them free passage, the last watchman appeared -somewhat suspicious. Maurice found it necessary to give his name and -residence.</p> - -<p>"That is all that is required from you," said the officer; "but the -citizeness, who is she?"</p> - -<p>"The sister of my wife."</p> - -<p>The officer permitted them to pass.</p> - -<p>"You are then married, sir?" murmured the unknown.</p> - -<p>"No, Madame; why do you think so?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then," said she, laughing, "you had better have said I was your wife."</p> - -<p>"Madame," said Maurice, "the name of wife is rather too sacred to be -lightly bestowed. I have not the honor of your acquaintance."</p> - -<p>The unknown in her turn felt an oppression of the heart, and remained -silent and confused. At this moment they crossed the Bridge Marie. The -young woman quickened her pace as they approached the end of their -journey. They crossed the Bridge de la Tournelle.</p> - -<p>"We are now, I believe, in your quarter," said Maurice, planting his -foot on the Quai Saint Bernard.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen," replied the young woman; "but it is precisely here I -most require your kind assistance."</p> - -<p>"Really, Madame," said Maurice, "you forbid me to be indiscreet, yet do -all in your power to excite my curiosity. This is not generous. Grant -me your confidence. I have merited it, I think. Will you not do me the -honor to tell me to whom I speak?"</p> - -<p>"You speak, sir," said the unknown, smiling, "to a woman whom you have -saved from the greatest danger she has ever encountered; to one who -owes you a debt of everlasting gratitude."</p> - -<p>"I do not require so much, Madame; be less grateful, and pending the -second we shall yet be together, tell me your name."</p> - -<p>"Impossible!"</p> - -<p>"You would have told it nevertheless to the first sectionary, if you -had been taken to the station."</p> - -<p>"No, never!" exclaimed the unknown.</p> - -<p>"But in that case you would have gone to prison."</p> - -<p>"I had considered all that."</p> - -<p>"And prison at this moment—"</p> - -<p>"Means the scaffold; I know all that."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And you would have preferred the scaffold?"</p> - -<p>"To treason,—to discover my name would be treason."</p> - -<p>"I said truly, you compel me to act a singular part for a Republican!"</p> - -<p>"You act the part of a truly generous man. You find a poor woman -subjected to insult; you do not contemn her because she might be 'one -of the people,' but that she may be exempted from fresh annoyances, to -save her from shipwreck, you reconduct her to the miserable quarter she -inhabits."</p> - -<p>"As far as appearances go, you state the matter correctly, and I might -have credited you, had I never either seen you or heard you speak; but -your beauty and mode of expression stamp you as a woman of distinction, -and it is just this distinction, in opposition to your costume and this -miserable quarter, which proves to me that your absence from home at -this unseasonable hour conceals some mystery. You are silent. We will -speak no more. Are we far from your house, Madame?"</p> - -<p>At this moment they entered the Rue des Fossés Saint Victor.</p> - -<p>"You see that small dark building," said the unknown to Maurice, -pointing toward a house situated beyond the walls of the Jardin des -Plantes. "When we reach there you must quit me."</p> - -<p>"Very well, Madame, issue your orders; I am here only to obey."</p> - -<p>"You are angry."</p> - -<p>"I angry?—not the least in the world; besides, what does it matter to -you?"</p> - -<p>"It matters much, since I have yet a favor to ask of you."</p> - -<p>"What is that?"</p> - -<p>"A kind and frank adieu,—the farewell of a friend."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The farewell of a friend! Oh, Madame, you do me too great an honor. A -singular friend, not to know the name of his friend, who even conceals -from him where she resides, no doubt from the fear of being too much -troubled with his company."</p> - -<p>The young woman hung down her head, but did not reply to this sarcasm.</p> - -<p>"As to the rest, Madame," continued Maurice, "if I have discovered a -secret, I did so involuntarily, and without any effort on my part to do -so."</p> - -<p>"I have now reached my destination, sir," said the unknown.</p> - -<p>They were opposite the old Rue Saint Jacques, lined with tall -dark-looking houses, intersected by obscure narrow alleys, leading to -streets occupied by manufactories and tanyards, as within two steps ran -the little river De Bièvre.</p> - -<p>"Here!" said Maurice, "is it here that you live?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Impossible!"</p> - -<p>"It is so, nevertheless. And now, adieu! my brave chevalier, my -generous protector, adieu!"</p> - -<p>"Adieu! Madame," said Maurice, with slight irony of tone, "but first -again assure me you run no further risk of danger."</p> - -<p>"None whatever."</p> - -<p>"In that case I will leave you."</p> - -<p>Maurice then bowed coldly and retired a few paces. The unknown remained -standing for an instant in the same place.</p> - -<p>"I do not like to take my leave of you thus," said she. "Come, Monsieur -Maurice, your hand."</p> - -<p>Maurice approached, and held out his hand, and then felt the young -woman slip a ring on his finger.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, Citizen! what have you done? Do you not perceive that you have -lost one of your rings?"</p> - -<p>"Sir, you wrong me much."</p> - -<p>"The crime of ingratitude is wanting in me; is it not so, Madame?"</p> - -<p>"Come, I beseech you, sir—my friend, do not leave me thus. What do you -wish to know? What do you ask?"</p> - -<p>"Payment—is it not so?" said the young man, bitterly.</p> - -<p>"No," said the unknown, with a bewitching expression; "but forgive me -the secrecy I am obliged to preserve toward you."</p> - -<p>Maurice, seeing in the obscurity those beautiful eyes wet with -tears, feeling the pressure of that soft hand reposing between his -own, hearing the accents of that persuasive voice, which had almost -descended to the depths of prayer, felt his anger all at once yield to -admiration.</p> - -<p>"What do I ask?" said he. "To see you again."</p> - -<p>"Impossible! utterly impossible."</p> - -<p>"If only for once—one hour, a minute, a second."</p> - -<p>"I tell you it is impossible."</p> - -<p>"Do you tell me seriously," said Maurice, "that I shall never see you -again!"</p> - -<p>"Never," said the unknown, in a desponding tone.</p> - -<p>"Madame," said Maurice, "you certainly jest with me." Then, raising his -noble head, he shook his hanging curls like a man wishing to escape -from some power which, in spite of himself, still bound him. The -unknown regarded him with an undefinable expression. It was evident she -had not altogether escaped the sentiment she had inspired.</p> - -<p>"Listen," said she, after a moment's silence, inter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>rupted only by a -sigh, which Maurice had in vain endeavored to suppress. "Swear to me, -upon your honor, to shut your eyes the moment I desire you to do so, -and to keep them closed while you count sixty. Mind, upon your honor."</p> - -<p>"If I swear, what will happen to me?"</p> - -<p>"It will happen that I will prove my gratitude to you in a manner that -I faithfully promise you I will never again to any other person, should -he even do more for me than you have done, which would be no easy -matter."</p> - -<p>"But, at least, am I not to know—"</p> - -<p>"No; trust to me. You will see—"</p> - -<p>"In truth, Madame, I know not whether you are angel or demon."</p> - -<p>"Will you swear it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I swear to do as you desire me."</p> - -<p>"Whatever occurs, you will not open your eyes—whatever happens. You -understand? even if you should feel yourself struck with a poniard."</p> - -<p>"You bewilder me. My word of honor required with so much urgency?"</p> - -<p>"Swear, then, Monsieur. It appears to me that you run no great risk in -so doing."</p> - -<p>"Well, I swear," said Maurice, "whatever may happen," closing his eyes.</p> - -<p>He hesitated.</p> - -<p>"Let me see you only once more—only once more," said he. "I entreat -you."</p> - -<p>The young woman let fall her hood, with a smile not quite free from -coquetry, when, by the light of the moon, which at this moment shed -its lustre between two clouds, he again beheld, for the second time, -the raven hair hanging in masses of shining curls, the beautifully -arched and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> pencilled eyebrows overshadowing the almond-shaped eyes, so -soft and languishing, an exquisitely formed nose, and lips fresh and -brilliant as coral.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you are beautiful, lovely, divine!" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Shut your eyes," said the unknown.</p> - -<p>Maurice obeyed.</p> - -<p>The young woman took both his hands within her own, and placed him in -the desired position.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he felt a warm perfume pervade his face, and lips slightly -touch his mouth, leaving between his lips the disputed ring.</p> - -<p>All passed rapid as thought. Maurice experienced a sensation almost -amounting to pain, so deep was it and unexpected, penetrating to his -very inmost soul.</p> - -<p>He made a brusque movement, and extended his arms before him.</p> - -<p>"Your oath!" said a voice, already in the distance.</p> - -<p>Maurice clasped his hands over his eyes the more strenuously to resist -the strong inclination he felt to perjure himself. He counted no more; -he thought no more, but remained tottering, his nerves totally unstrung.</p> - -<p>In about an instant he heard a noise like that of a door closing a -few paces distant from him; then again everything was silent. Then he -removed his hand, and opened his eyes, looking round about him like a -man just awakened from a deep sleep, and might, perhaps, have fancied -all that had occurred a passing dream, had he not held between his lips -the identical ring, proving that the adventure, however incredible, was -an incontestable reality.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">MANNERS OF THE TIMES.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Maurice came to himself, he looked around, but saw only the -gloomy, dirty alleys extending to his right and left. He essayed to -find out exactly where he was, that he might recognize it again; but -his mind was disturbed, the night was dark, and the moon, which for a -moment had appeared to light up the lovely face of the fair unknown, -had again retired behind the clouds. The young man, after a moment of -cruel incertitude, retraced his steps toward his own house, situated in -the Rue de Roule.</p> - -<p>Arriving at the Rue Sainte Avoie, Maurice was much surprised at the -number of patrols in motion in that quarter of the Temple.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter now, Sergeant?" inquired he, of the chief of -patrol, who, all on the alert, had just been thoroughly searching the -Rue des Fontaines.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" said the sergeant. "It is this, <i>mon officier</i>. It was -intended this night to carry off the woman Capet, and the whole nest -besides."</p> - -<p>"How was that?"</p> - -<p>"A band of Royalists had, I do not know how, procured the password, and -introduced themselves into the Temple in the costume of chasseurs of -the National Guard. Fortunately, he who represented the corporal, when -speaking to the officer on guard, addressed him as 'Monsieur.' He sold -himself,—the aristocrat!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The devil!" said Maurice; "and have they not arrested the -conspirators?"</p> - -<p>"No. The Royalists reached the street, and dispersed."</p> - -<p>"And is there any hope of capturing any of these fellows?"</p> - -<p>"There is only one among the number of sufficient importance to -arrest,—that is the chief, a very slight man, who had been introduced -among the men on guard by one of the municipals of the service. We gave -the villain chase, but he found a door behind, and fled through the -Madelonnettes."</p> - -<p>Under any other circumstances, Maurice would have remained for the -rest of the night with the patriots who guarded the safety of the -Republic; but since one short hour, love of country was no longer his -sole engrossing thought. He continued his way, and the tidings he had -just learned were soon banished from his mind by the recent stirring -events in which he had himself taken so active a part. Besides, these -pretended attempts at rescue had become very frequent, and the patriots -themselves were aware that under certain circumstances politicians made -use of them to advance their own ends; therefore, this news caused our -young Republican no great disquietude.</p> - -<p>On returning home, Maurice found his "official" (at this epoch they -had no longer servants),—Maurice, say we, found his official waiting, -but who, while waiting, had fallen asleep, and while sleeping snored -uneasily. He awoke him, and with all due regard for his fellow-man, -made him pull off his boots, then dismissed him, that he might not -interrupt his cogitations, and jumping into bed, it being very late, -and he also having youth on his side, slept soundly, notwithstanding -the preoccupation of his thoughts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> - -<p>The next day he discovered a letter on his <i>table-de-nuit</i>. This letter -was written in a clear, elegant hand, but unknown to him. He looked -at the seal. Engraved on it was the single English word, "Nothing." -The letter merely contained these words, "Thank you. Everlasting -gratitude in exchange for everlasting forgetfulness." Maurice summoned -his domestic (the true patriot never rang, the bell denoted servility; -indeed, many officials only entered the service of their masters on -this express condition).</p> - -<p>The official of Maurice had received, nearly thirty years before, at -the baptismal font, the name of John; but in '92 he was, by private -authority, rebaptized (John savoring of Aristocracy and Deism), and now -called himself "Scævola."</p> - -<p>"Scævola," demanded Maurice, "do you know where this letter came from?"</p> - -<p>"No, Citizen."</p> - -<p>"Who brought it to you?"</p> - -<p>"The concierge."</p> - -<p>"And who brought it to him?"</p> - -<p>"A messenger, no doubt, since it has no post-mark."</p> - -<p>"Go down, and request the concierge to walk up."</p> - -<p>The concierge complied, because it was Maurice who made the request, -and he was much beloved by all the officials with whom he was concerned -in any way; but at the same time the concierge declared that had it -been any other tenant, he should have asked him to walk down.</p> - -<p>The concierge was called Aristide.</p> - -<p>Maurice interrogated him. It was a stranger who had brought the letter, -about eight in the morning. The young man multiplied his questions, and -varied them in every possible shape, but could elicit nothing further.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -Maurice requested his acceptance of six francs, also desiring, if this -stranger again presented himself, that he would follow him, without -appearing to do so, and inform him (Maurice) where he went.</p> - -<p>We hasten to say, that, much to the satisfaction of Aristide, who felt -himself rather insulted by this proposition, the man returned no more.</p> - -<p>Maurice remained alone, crushing the letter with vexation; he drew the -ring from his finger, and placed it with the crumpled letter upon the -<i>table-de-nuit</i>, then turned toward the wall, with the foolish idea of -sleeping afresh; but at the end of an hour Maurice, relinquishing his -attempted coolness, kissed the ring and re-read the letter. The ring -was a splendid sapphire; the letter, as we have said, was a charming -little billet, displaying its aristocracy in every line.</p> - -<p>As Maurice re-read and examined it, the door opened. Maurice hastily -replaced the ring on his finger, and concealed the note under his -pillow. Was this the modesty of newly awakened love; or was it the -shame of a patriot, who would not wish it to be known that he was in -relation with people imprudent enough to write such a billet, of which -the perfume alone was sufficient to compromise both the hand that -penned it and the hand that received it?</p> - -<p>He who entered was a young man attired as a patriot, but a patriot -of surpassing elegance. His jacket was composed of fine cloth, his -breeches of cashmere, and his stockings of fine striped silk. As to -his bonnet, it might have shamed from the elegance of its form and -splendid purple color even those of the Trojan Paris himself. Added -to all this, he carried in his belt a pair of pistols of the royal -manufacture of Versailles, and a short sabre like those of the pupils -of Champ-de-Mars.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ah! thou sleepest, Brutus," said the new-comer, "and the country is in -danger. <i>Fi, donc!</i>"</p> - -<p>"No, Lorin," said Maurice, laughing, "I do not sleep, I dream."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I understand, of Eucharis."</p> - -<p>"Well, as for me, I cannot understand."</p> - -<p>"Bah!"</p> - -<p>"Of whom do you speak? Who is this Eucharis?"</p> - -<p>"Why the woman—"</p> - -<p>"What woman?"</p> - -<p>"The woman of the Rue Saint Honoré,—the woman of the patrol, the -unknown, the woman for whom you and I risked our heads last night."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes," said Maurice, who knew perfectly well what his friend would -say, and only feigned ignorance, "the unknown."</p> - -<p>"Well, who was she?"</p> - -<p>"I know nothing about her."</p> - -<p>"Was she pretty?"</p> - -<p>"Pshaw!" said Maurice, pouting his lips disdainfully.</p> - -<p>"A poor woman forgotten in some love adventure.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Yes; weak creatures that we are,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Tis Love that ever tortures man."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Possibly," said Maurice, to whom such an idea was at this moment -peculiarly repugnant, and who would have much preferred finding the -unknown to be even a conspirator rather than a light woman.</p> - -<p>"And where does she live?"</p> - -<p>"I know nothing concerning her."</p> - -<p>"Come, now; you know nothing, that's impossible!"</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"You escorted her back."</p> - -<p>"She escaped from me at the Bridge Marie—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Escaped from you!" cried Lorin, with a roar of laughter; "a woman -escape from you!</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Say, can the trembling dove elude</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The vulture,—tyrant of the air;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The fawn, on whom the tiger rude</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Springs from his solitary lair."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Lorin," said Maurice, "I wish you would accustom yourself to speak -like other people. You annoy me horribly with your atrocious poetry."</p> - -<p>"To speak like other people, indeed! Now, it appears to me I speak -better than most people. I speak as the Citizen Demoustier, both in -prose and poetry. As for my poetry, <i>mon cher</i>, I know a certain Emilie -who does not consider it so bad. But to return to yours."</p> - -<p>"My poetry!"</p> - -<p>"No; your Emilie."</p> - -<p>"Have I an Emilie?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, ah! your gazelle may have turned tigress, and shown her teeth in a -manner that may not have pleased you, although in love."</p> - -<p>"I in love?" said Maurice, shaking his head.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you in love.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Deadly are the bolts of Jove,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But deadlier far the shafts of love."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Lorin," said Maurice, arming himself with a pipe-key which lay upon -the table; "I swear that if you will spout verses I will whistle."</p> - -<p>"Then let us talk politics; besides, that brought me here. Have you -heard the news?"</p> - -<p>"I know that Widow Capet wished to escape."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is nothing!"</p> - -<p>"What more is there, then?"</p> - -<p>"The famous Chevalier de Maison-Rouge is in Paris!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Is that true?" said Maurice, raising himself to a sitting posture. -"When did he come?"</p> - -<p>"Yesterday evening."</p> - -<p>"But how?"</p> - -<p>"Disguised as a chasseur of the National Guard. A woman who is thought -to be an aristocrat, disguised as a woman of the people, took him -the clothes to the barrier gate; an instant afterward they came in -arm-in-arm. It was not till after they had passed that the suspicion of -the sentinel was excited. He had seen the woman pass with a bundle and -repass accompanied by a soldier, when it suddenly struck him something -was wrong, and he ran after them. They had disappeared in a hôtel of -the Rue Saint Honoré, where the door was opened as if by magic. The -hôtel had a second point of egress, leading on to the Champs Elysées. -<i>Bon soir</i> to the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge and his companion; they had -both vanished. Our rulers will demolish the hôtel and guillotine the -proprietor, but that will not deter the chevalier from renewing the -attempt which has hitherto failed; it is four months since his first -failure, and yesterday was his second."</p> - -<p>"Is he not arrested?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Ah! well. Yes, <i>mon cher</i>, as well attempt to stop Proteus, arrest -Proteus; you know the trouble Aristæus had to accomplish it,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"'Pastor Aristæus, fugiens Peneïa Tempe.'"</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Take care," said Maurice, carrying the key to his mouth.</p> - -<p>"Take care yourself, for this time you will not whistle at me, but at -Virgil."</p> - -<p>"That is very true, and as long as you do not translate him I have -nothing to say. Now, to return to the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We agree that he is a brave man."</p> - -<p>"The fact is, that to undertake such things he must possess immense -courage."</p> - -<p>"Or intense adoration."</p> - -<p>"Do you believe, then, in the love of the chevalier for the queen?"</p> - -<p>"I do not believe it. I only mention what report says. Besides, she -has turned the brains of so many others, that this would not be at all -surprising. She once fascinated Barnave, they say."</p> - -<p>"Never mind; the chevalier must have had confederates even in the -Temple."</p> - -<p>"Very possibly,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Love breaks through bars,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And laughs at bolts."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Lorin!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! it is true."</p> - -<p>"Then you think like the rest?"</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"Because according to your account the queen must have had already two -hundred lovers."</p> - -<p>"Two, three, four hundred. She is quite handsome enough for that. I do -not say that she loves them; but in short, they love her. All the world -beholds the sun, but the sun does not see all the world."</p> - -<p>"You say, then, that the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge—"</p> - -<p>"I say they are on his track at this moment, and if he escapes this -time the bloodhounds of the Republic, he will be a cunning fox."</p> - -<p>"And what does the Commune in all this affair?"</p> - -<p>"The Commune is about to issue a decree, by which every house (like -an open register) must display on the front the name of every -inhabitant, both male and female.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> This is realizing the dream of the -ancients,—why should there not be a window in every breast, that all -the world may see what passes there?"</p> - -<p>"An excellent idea that," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"To place windows in men's breasts?"</p> - -<p>"No; but to place a list of names on every door."</p> - -<p>Maurice felt, in fact, that this might be the means of assisting him to -discover the unknown, or at least afford him some clew whereby he might -be able to trace her.</p> - -<p>"Is it not so?" said Lorin. "I have already betted this measure -will secure us a batch of five hundred aristocrats. By the bye, we -have received this morning, at our club, a deputation of enrolled -Volunteers; they arrived conducted by our adversaries of last night, -whom I had not abandoned till dead drunk,—they came, I tell you, with -garlands of flowers and immortal crowns."</p> - -<p>"Indeed," replied Maurice, laughing; "and how many were there?"</p> - -<p>"They were thirty, and were shaved, wearing bouquets in their -button-holes.</p> - -<p>"'Citizens of the Club of Thermopyles,' said the orator, 'as true -patriots, we wish the union of Frenchmen not to be interrupted by any -misunderstanding; we therefore come to fraternize with you anew.'"</p> - -<p>"Well, what then?"</p> - -<p>"Then we again fraternized, and in this reiteration, as Diafoirus -expresses himself, we raised an altar to the country, with the table of -the secretary and two carafes in which the nosegays were deposited. As -you were the hero of the feat, you were three times summoned to appear, -that you might be crowned; but as you did not reply, seeing you were -not present, and it was necessary to crown something, they crowned the -bust of Washington. This was the order of the ceremony."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> - -<p>As Lorin concluded this statement, which at this epoch had nothing of -burlesque, a noise was heard proceeding from the street; and drums, -first heard in the distance, now approached nearer and nearer. This, at -that period, was the common way of issuing general orders.</p> - -<p>"What is all that?" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"The proclamation of the decree of the Commune," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"I will run to the station," said Maurice, leaping from his bed, and -calling his servant to assist him.</p> - -<p>"I will return home and go to bed," said Lorin. "I had not two hours' -sleep last night, thanks to those outrageous Volunteers. If they only -fight a little, let me sleep; but if they fight much, come and fetch -me."</p> - -<p>"But why are you so smart to-day?" said Maurice, eyeing him all over as -he rose to withdraw.</p> - -<p>"Because on my way here I am obliged to pass the 'Rue Béthisy,' and in -the Rue Béthisy, on the third flat, is a window which always opens when -I pass."</p> - -<p>"Then you do not fear being taken for a fop?"</p> - -<p>"I a fop! I am, on the contrary, known for a French sans-culotte. But -one must make some sacrifice to the softer sex. The worship of the -country does not exclude that of love; indeed, one commands the other:—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Our Republicans profess</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">We should follow ancient lore;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Beauty we prize none the less,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">That we love our freedom more.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Dare to whistle to that, and I denounce you as an aristocrat. Adieu, -<i>mon ami</i>."</p> - -<p>Lorin held out his hand to Maurice, which the young secretary cordially -shook, and went out thinking of a sonnet to Chloris.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></p> - -<p class="center">WHAT SORT OF MAN THE CITIZEN MAURICE LINDEY WAS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">While</span> Maurice Lindey, having dressed quickly, proceeds to the section -of the Rue Lepelletier, of which, as we already know, he was secretary, -we will endeavor to lay before the public the antecedents of this young -man, introduced upon the scene by one of those impulses so familiar to -powerful and generous natures.</p> - -<p>The young man had spoken the plain truth the preceding evening, when -in reply he had said his name was Maurice Lindey, resident in the Rue -du Roule. He might have added he was a child of that half aristocracy -accorded to the gentlemen of the robe. His ancestors, for two hundred -years, had distinguished themselves by that invariable parliamentary -opposition which had rendered so illustrious the names of Molé and -Maupeou. His father, honest Lindey, who had passed his life grumbling -against despotism, when on the fourteenth of July, '89, the Bastille -had fallen by the hands of the people, died from sudden fright and the -shock of seeing despotism replaced by a liberty militant, leaving his -only son independent in fortune and republican in principle.</p> - -<p>The Revolution which had closely followed this great event found -Maurice in all the vigor and maturity of manhood befitting a champion -about to enter the lists; his republican education improved by his -assiduous attendance of the clubs, and by his reading all the pamphlets -of that period. God alone knows how many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> Maurice had read. Deep and -rational contempt for the hierarchy, philosophical consideration of the -elements which form the social body, absolute denial of all nobility -which is not personal, impartial appreciation of the past, ardor for -new ideas, a sympathy with the people which was blended with a belief -in aristocratic organizations,—such were the morals, not of the hero -we should have chosen, but of him whom the journal from which we draw -our facts has given us as the hero of our narrative.</p> - -<p>As to his personal appearance he was in height five feet eight inches, -from twenty-five to twenty-six years of age, and muscular as Hercules. -His beauty was of the cast characteristic of the Frank,—that is to -say, fair complexion, blue eyes, curling chestnut hair, rosy cheeks, -and ivory teeth.</p> - -<p>After the portrait of the man comes the position of the citizen. -Maurice, not rich, but still independent, bore a name much respected, -and above all popular. Maurice, known by his liberal education and -principles still more liberal than his education,—Maurice placed -himself, so to speak, at the head of a party composed of all the young -citizen-patriots. It was well that with the sans-culottes he passed for -rather lukewarm, and with the sectionaries as rather foppish. But the -sans-culottes no longer remembered his lukewarmness when they saw him -snap in twain the knotted cudgels, and the sectionaries pardoned his -elegance when he one day scientifically planted a blow between two eyes -that had been for some time watching him in an offensive manner.</p> - -<p>And now for the physical, moral, and civic combined. Maurice had -assisted at the taking of the Bastille; he had been on the expedition -to Versailles, had fought like a lion on the 10th of August; and in -this memorable journey, it is only justice to observe, he had killed -as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> many patriots as Swiss,—not being more willing to tolerate an -assassin in a blouse than an enemy to the Republic in a red coat. It -was he who in order to exhort the defenders of the chȃteau to surrender -themselves, and to prevent the shedding of blood, threw himself -before the mouth of a cannon which a Parisian artillery-man was about -to discharge; it was he who by a window first entered the Louvre, -regardless of the firing of five hundred Swiss and as many gentlemen -in ambush; and when he perceived the signal of surrender, his avenging -sword had already cut through more than ten uniforms. Then, seeing his -friends leisurely massacring some prisoners, who having thrown down -their arms and clasping their hands supplicated for life, he furiously -attacked these friends, which gained for him a reputation worthy of -the good days of Rome and of Greece. War declared, Maurice enrolled -himself, and departed for the frontier in the rank of lieutenant, with -the first 1500 volunteers the city sent against the invaders, which -volunteers were each day to be followed by 1500 others.</p> - -<p>At the first battle in which he assisted—that is to say at -Jemappes—he was struck by a ball, which after having divided the -muscles of his shoulder lodged against the bone. The representative -of the people knew Maurice, and sent him back to Paris for surgical -treatment.</p> - -<p>For a whole month, consumed by fever, he tossed upon his bed of -suffering; but in January was able to resume his command, if not by -name, at least in fact, of the club of Thermopyles,—that is to say -of one hundred young men of the Parisian citizens, armed to oppose -any attempt in favor of the tyrant Capet. And yet more, Maurice, with -contracted brows, dilated eyes, and pale face, his heart filled with a -strange mixture of moral hatred and physical pity, assisted, sword in -hand, at the execution of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> king, and perhaps he alone of all that -throng remained silent when the head of the son of Saint Louis fell -on the scaffold; and then Maurice only raised on high his redoubtable -sabre, while his friends, loudly shouting <i>Vive la liberté</i>, omitted to -notice that on this occasion at least one voice did not unite itself -with their own.</p> - -<p>This was the individual who on the morning of the 14th of March bent -his steps toward the Rue Lepelletier, and of whose stormy career our -history will furnish further details.</p> - -<p>Toward 10 o'clock, Maurice reached the section of which he was the -secretary. The commotion was great. The question in agitation was, to -vote an address to the Convention in order to repress the conspiracies -of the Girondins. They impatiently awaited the arrival of Maurice.</p> - -<p>The only subject talked about was the return of the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge, the audacity with which this arch-conspirator had for the -second time entered Paris, where he well knew a price was now fixed on -his head.</p> - -<p>To this circumstance was attributed the attempt made the preceding -evening on the Temple, and each one expressed his hatred and -indignation against the traitors and aristocrats.</p> - -<p>Contrary to the general expectation, Maurice appeared preoccupied and -silent, wrote down the proclamation, finished his employment in three -hours, demanded if the sitting had terminated, and receiving an answer -in the affirmative, took his hat, and proceeded toward the Rue Saint -Honoré.</p> - -<p>Arrived there, Paris appeared quite different to him. He revisited -the corner of the Rue du Coq, where during the night he had first -seen the lovely unknown struggling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> in the hands of soldiers. Thence -he proceeded to the Pont Marie, the same road he had travelled by her -side, stopping where the different patrols had stopped them, repeating -in the same places (as if they had preserved an echo of their words) -the sentences exchanged between them; only it was now one o'clock -in the afternoon, and the sun, shining brilliantly upon this walk, -reminded him at every step of the occurrences of the past night.</p> - -<p>Maurice crossed the bridges, and entered directly the Rue Victor, as it -was then called.</p> - -<p>"Poor woman," murmured Maurice, "she did not reflect yesterday that the -duration of the night was only twelve hours, and that her secret would -not in all probability last longer than the night. By the light of the -sun, I will endeavor to find the door through which she vanished, and -who knows but I may perhaps even see her at a window?"</p> - -<p>He then entered the old Rue Saint Jacques, and placed himself in the -same spot as the unknown had placed him on the preceding evening. For -an instant he closed his eyes, perhaps foolishly expecting the kiss he -had then received would again impress his lips. But he felt nothing but -the remembrance; 'tis true that burned yet.</p> - -<p>Maurice opened his eyes and saw two little streets, one to the right, -the other to the left. They were muddy, dirty, and badly paved, -furnished with barriers, cut by little bridges thrown over a kennel. -There might be seen the beams of arches, nooks, corners, and twenty -doors propped up, fast falling into decay. Here was hard labor in all -its misery, here was misery in all its hideousness. Here and there was -a garden enclosed by a fence, others by palisades of poles, some by -walls;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> skins were hanging in the out-houses, diffusing around that -disgusting odor always arising from a tanyard.</p> - -<p>Maurice's search lasted for nearly two hours, during which he found -nothing, and divined nothing, and ten times he had retraced his steps -to consider where he was. But all his efforts were in vain, his search -was a fruitless one, as all trace of the young woman seemed to have -been effaced by the fog and rain of the previous night.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Maurice, "I must be in a dream. This filthy place could -not for an instant have afforded refuge for my beautiful fairy of last -night."</p> - -<p>There was, in this wild Republican, more real poetry than in his friend -of the Anacreontic quatrains, since he clung to this idea, fearful to -sully, even in thought, the spotless purity of the unknown. But all -hope had now forsaken him.</p> - -<p>"Adieu," said he; "mysterious beauty, you have treated me like a child -and a fool. Would she have led me here if she really lived in this -wretched locality? No; she would only pass as a swan over the infected -marsh, and like a bird in the air leave no trace behind."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE TEMPLE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> same day and the same hour, when Maurice, disappointed and unhappy, -repassed the Bridge de la Tournelle, several municipals, accompanied by -Santerre, Commandant of the Parisian National Guard, made a visit of -inquiry to the Temple, which had been transformed into a prison, since -the 13th of August, 1792.</p> - -<p>The visit was made especially to a portion of the third story, -consisting of an antechamber and three rooms. One of these chambers was -occupied by two females, a young girl, and a child of nine years old, -all dressed in mourning. The elder of the females was about seven or -eight and thirty. She was seated at a table reading.</p> - -<p>The second, whose age appeared twenty-eight or twenty-nine, was engaged -on a piece of tapestry.</p> - -<p>The young girl, who was about fourteen, was seated near the child, who, -ill and in bed, closed his eyes as if asleep, although that was utterly -impossible, owing to the noise made by the municipals. While some moved -the beds, others examined their clothes and linen; the rest, when -their search was concluded, remained rudely staring at the unfortunate -prisoners, who never even raised their eyes,—the one from her book, -the other from her embroidery, and the third from her brother.</p> - -<p>The eldest of these women was tall, handsome, and very pale. She -appeared to concentrate all her attention on her book, although in all -probability her eyes read, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> not her mind. One of the municipals -approached her, brutally snatched away her book, and flung it into the -middle of the room. The prisoner stretched her hand across the table, -took up another book, and continued to read.</p> - -<p>The Montagnard made a furious gesture, as if he would take away the -second, as he had the first; but at this attempt, which startled the -prisoner at her embroidery near the window, the young girl sprang -forward, and encircling the reader's head with her arms, weeping, -exclaimed, "My poor mother! my poor mother!" and then embraced her. As -she did so the prisoner placed her mouth to her ear, and whispered: -"Marie, there is a letter concealed in the stove; remove it."</p> - -<p>"Come! come!" said the municipal, brutally dragging the young girl -toward him, and separating her from her mother, "shall you soon have -finished embracing?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the girl, "has the Convention decreed that children shall -not embrace their mothers?"</p> - -<p>"No; but it has decreed that traitors, aristocrats, and <i>ci-devants</i> -shall be punished. That is why I am here to interrogate you. Answer, -Antoinette."</p> - -<p>She who was thus grossly accosted did not even deign to look at her -examiner, but turned her head aside, while a flush passed over her -face, pale with grief and furrowed with tears.</p> - -<p>"It is impossible," said he, "that you are ignorant of the attempt last -night. Whence came it?"</p> - -<p>The prisoners still maintained silence.</p> - -<p>"Answer, Antoinette," said Santerre, approaching her, without remarking -the almost frenzied horror which had seized the young woman at sight of -this man, who, on the morning of the 21st of January, conducted Louis -XVI. from the Temple to the scaffold. "Reply. They were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> conspiring -last night against the Republic, and seeking your escape from the -captivity in which you are kept till you receive that punishment of -your crimes which the will of the people may inflict upon you. Tell me, -do you know who are the conspirators?"</p> - -<p>Marie started at the harsh tone of that voice, which she endeavored to -fly from by removing her chair to the greatest distance possible, but -replied no more to this question than to the former ones, paid no more -deference to Santerre than she had done to the municipal.</p> - -<p>"You are then determined not to reply?" said Santerre, stamping his -foot furiously.</p> - -<p>The prisoner took up a third volume from the table, Santerre turned -himself away. The brutal power of this man who commanded 80,000 men, -who had only need of a gesture to drown the voice of the dying Louis -XVI., was defeated by the dignity of a poor prisoner, whose head he -could cause to fall, but whose will he could not bend.</p> - -<p>"And you, Elizabeth," said he, addressing the other lady, who at that -instant ceased from her embroidery to join her hands in prayer, not to -these men, but to God, "will you reply?"</p> - -<p>"I do not know what you ask," said she; "therefore I cannot reply."</p> - -<p>"<i>Morbleu!</i> Citizen Capet," said Santerre, impatiently, "I think what -I say is sufficiently clear too. I again tell you, that yesterday an -attempt was made for your escape; and you certainly must know the -culprits."</p> - -<p>"Having no communication with those outside, Monsieur, we cannot -possibly tell what people do, either for or against us."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said the municipal; "we will now hear what your nephew -will say."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - -<p>And he approached the bed of the young dauphin. At this menace, Marie -Antoinette suddenly rose.</p> - -<p>"Monsieur," said she, "my son is ill, and now asleep—do not wake him."</p> - -<p>"Reply then."</p> - -<p>"I know nothing."</p> - -<p>The municipal walked straight to the bed of the little prisoner, who, -as we have said, feigned sleep.</p> - -<p>"Come, wake up, Capet," said he, shaking him roughly.</p> - -<p>The child opened his eyes and smiled.</p> - -<p>The municipals then surrounded his bed.</p> - -<p>The queen, agitated with fear and grief, made a sign to her daughter, -who, profiting by this moment, glided from the apartment into the room -adjoining, opened the mouth of the stove, drew out a letter and burned -it; then, reentering the room, reassured her mother with a glance.</p> - -<p>"What do you want with me?" asked the sick child.</p> - -<p>"To inquire if you heard nothing during the night?"</p> - -<p>"No; I was asleep."</p> - -<p>"You are very fond of sleep, it seems."</p> - -<p>"Yes; for when I sleep I dream."</p> - -<p>"And what do you dream?"</p> - -<p>"That I again see my father, whom you killed."</p> - -<p>"Then you heard nothing!" said Santerre, quickly.</p> - -<p>"Nothing."</p> - -<p>"These wolf's cubs are, in truth, well-agreed with the she-wolf," said -the municipal, furious with rage. "There has been, notwithstanding, a -plot."</p> - -<p>The queen smiled.</p> - -<p>"She defies us, the Austrian!" cried the municipal. "Well, since it is -thus, let us execute in all its rigor the decree of the Commune. Get -up, Capet."</p> - -<p>"What would you do?" said the queen, forgetting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> herself. "Do you not -see my son is ill, and suffering from fever? Do you wish to kill him?"</p> - -<p>"Your son," said the municipal, "is the cause of constant alarm to the -Council of the Temple; he is the point at which all the conspirators -aim, and flatter themselves they shall carry you all off together. -Well, let them come. Tison—call Tison."</p> - -<p>Tison was a species of journeyman, charged with all the heavy household -work in the prison. He appeared. He was a man of forty years old, -much sunburnt, of a rude and ferocious aspect, with matted black hair -overhanging his eyebrows.</p> - -<p>"Tison," said Santerre, "who came yesterday to bring the prisoners' -food?"</p> - -<p>Tison gave the name.</p> - -<p>"And their linen, who brought it to them?"</p> - -<p>"My daughter."</p> - -<p>"Then your daughter is a laundress?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly."</p> - -<p>"And you gave her the washing of the prisoners?"</p> - -<p>"Why not? She might as well gain that as another; it is no longer the -tyrant's money, but belongs to the nation, who pays for them."</p> - -<p>"You were told to examine the linen with the greatest attention."</p> - -<p>"Well, do I ever fail in my duty? In proof of which, they had yesterday -a handkerchief tied in two knots. I took it to the Council, who ordered -my wife to undo the knots, iron, and return it to Madame Capet, without -saying anything about it."</p> - -<p>At this remark of two knots being tied in the pocket-handkerchief, the -queen trembled, the pupils of her eyes dilated, and she and Madame -Elizabeth exchanged hasty glances.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Tison," said Santerre, "your daughter is a person of whose patriotism -no one can entertain a doubt; but when she leaves the Temple to-day she -returns there no more."</p> - -<p>"Ah, <i>mon Dieu</i>!" said Tison, terrified, "what are you saying to me? -Shall I not see my daughter except when I go out?"</p> - -<p>"You shall go out no more," said Santerre.</p> - -<p>Tison looked wildly around, without allowing his eye to remain fixed -on any particular object, and suddenly exclaimed, "I am not to go -out; that is it, is it? Well, then, I will go out altogether. Give me -my dismissal. I am neither traitor nor aristocrat, that I should be -detained in prison. I tell you I will go out."</p> - -<p>"Citizen," said Santerre, "obey the orders of the Commune, and be -silent; or I tell you it may be all the worse for you. Remain here and -watch all that passes. There is an eye on you. I warn you."</p> - -<p>During this time the queen, who thought herself for a moment forgotten, -recovered by degrees, and replaced her son in his bed.</p> - -<p>"Desire your wife to come up," said the municipal to Tison.</p> - -<p>He obeyed without a word. The threats of Santerre had rendered him as -meek as a lamb.</p> - -<p>Tison's wife came up.</p> - -<p>"Come here, Citizeness," said Santerre; "we are going into the -antechamber; during that time, search all the prisoners."</p> - -<p>"Listen, wife," said Tison; "they are not going to permit our daughter -to come to the Temple any more."</p> - -<p>"What! they will not permit our daughter to come here! Then we shall -see her no more?"</p> - -<p>Tison mournfully shook his head.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What do you say to this?"</p> - -<p>"I say we shall make a report to the Council of the Temple, and the -Council will decide it. In the mean time—"</p> - -<p>"In the mean time I will see my daughter again."</p> - -<p>"Silence," said Santerre, "you were brought here for the purpose of -searching the prisoners; search them, then, and afterward we shall -see—"</p> - -<p>"But—now—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh!" said Santerre, knitting his brows, "you are contaminated, it -appears to me."</p> - -<p>"Do as the Citizen General tells you, wife," Tison said; "afterward, we -shall see."</p> - -<p>And Tison regarded Santerre with a humble smile.</p> - -<p>"Very well," said the woman; "go, then, I am ready to search."</p> - -<p>The men went out.</p> - -<p>"My dear Madame Tison," said the queen, "you know—"</p> - -<p>"I only know, Citizeness Capet," said the horrible woman, gnashing her -teeth, "that you are the cause of all the misery of the people; and -also that I have reason to suspect you, and you know it."</p> - -<p>Four men waited at the door, to assist Tison's wife, if the queen -offered any resistance.</p> - -<p>The search commenced on the queen.</p> - -<p>There was found on her person a handkerchief tied in three knots, which -unfortunately appeared a reply to the one spoken of by Tison; a pencil, -a scapulary, and some sealing-wax.</p> - -<p>"Ah! I knew it," said Tison's wife; "I have often told the municipals -she wrote, the Austrian! The other day I found a lump of sealing-wax in -the socket of the candlestick."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ah, Madame," said the queen, in a supplicating tone, "only show the -scapulary, I entreat you."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the woman, "I feel pity for you, who have felt so much pity -for me to take my daughter from me."</p> - -<p>Madame Elizabeth and Madame Royale had nothing found upon them.</p> - -<p>The woman Tison recalled the municipals, who entered, Santerre at their -head. She showed them the articles found upon the queen, which, as they -passed from hand to hand, afforded subject for an infinite variety of -conjectures; but the handkerchief tied in three knots excited, above -all, the imagination of these persecutors of the royal race.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Santerre, "we are going to read the decree of the -Convention to you."</p> - -<p>"What decree?" demanded the queen.</p> - -<p>"The decree which orders you to be separated from your son."</p> - -<p>"Is it, then, true that this decree exists?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; the Convention has too much regard for the health of a child -confided to its guardianship, to leave him in the care of a mother so -depraved."</p> - -<p>The eyes of the queen flashed lightning.</p> - -<p>"But make some accusation at least, tigers that you are."</p> - -<p>"That is not at all difficult," said a municipal; and he pronounced one -of those infamous accusations brought by Suetonius against Agrippina.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" cried the queen, standing, pale with indignation, "I appeal from -it to the heart of every mother."</p> - -<p>"That is all very fine," said a municipal; "but we have already been -here two hours, and cannot lose the whole day. Get up, Capet, and -follow us."</p> - -<p>"Never, never!" cried the queen, rushing between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> the municipals and -the young Louis, and preparing to defend the approach to his bed, as a -tigress the entrance to her den. "Never will I permit you to carry away -my child!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Messieurs," said Madame Elizabeth, clasping her hands in the most -touching attitude of prayer, "Messieurs, in the name of Heaven, have -pity on us two mothers."</p> - -<p>"Then speak," said Santerre; "state the names, avow the project of your -accomplices; explain what they wished to intimate by the knots made in -the pocket-handkerchief brought with your linen by Tison's daughter, -and the meaning of those tied in the handkerchief found in your pocket, -and on these conditions I will leave you your child."</p> - -<p>A look from Madame Elizabeth seemed to implore the queen to submit to -this dreadful sacrifice.</p> - -<p>But quietly brushing from her eye a tear which sparkled like a diamond, -"Adieu, my son!" cried she; "never forget your father who is in heaven, -or your mother who will soon join him there, and never omit to repeat -morning and evening the prayer I have taught you. Adieu! my son."</p> - -<p>She gave him a last kiss; then rising calm and inflexible, "I know -nothing, Messieurs," said she, "do as you please."</p> - -<p>But the queen must have required more fortitude than is contained in -the heart of a woman, and above all of a mother. She fell back fainting -upon a chair, while they carried away the child, who with fast flowing -tears held out his arms, but uttered not a single word or cry.</p> - -<p>The door closed behind the municipals who carried away the royal child, -and the three women remained alone. There was for a moment the deep -silence of despair, interrupted only by occasional sobs.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - -<p>The queen first broke silence.</p> - -<p>"My daughter," said she, "that letter?"</p> - -<p>"I burned it, as you desired me, mother."</p> - -<p>"Without reading it?"</p> - -<p>"Without reading it."</p> - -<p>"Adieu, then, to the last ray of hope, divine hope!" murmured Madame -Elizabeth.</p> - -<p>"You are right, my sister, you are right; it is almost beyond -endurance." Then turning toward her daughter, "But you at least saw the -hand-writing, Marie?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mother, for a moment."</p> - -<p>The queen rose, went to the door to make sure she was not observed; -then drawing a pin from her hair, approached the wall, and from a chink -drew out a small paper folded like a letter, and showing it to Madame -Royale, "collect your thoughts before you reply, my child," said she; -"was the writing the same as this?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, mother!" cried the princess; "I recognize it!"</p> - -<p>"God be praised, then!" cried the queen, falling with fervor on her -knees. "If he could write since this morning, he is safe. Thanks, O -God! thanks! So noble a friend deserves thy miraculous preservation."</p> - -<p>"Of whom do you speak, mother?" demanded Madame Royale. "Who is this -friend? Tell me his name, that I may commend him to God in my prayers."</p> - -<p>"You are right, my child; never forget it. This name, for it is the -name of a gentleman replete with honor and courage, one not devoted -to us through ambition, for he has only revealed himself since our -misfortunes. He has never seen the queen of France, or rather the queen -of France has never seen him, and he devotes his life to her defence. -Perhaps he will be recompensed as all virtue is now recompensed, by a -dreadful death. But—if he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> dies.—Oh! I shall still think of him in -heaven. He is called—"</p> - -<p>The queen looked uneasily around, then lowering her voice, "He is -called the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge. Pray for him."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE OATH OF THE GAMESTER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> attempted abduction however doubtful might be the fact, since if -it had any reality it had failed in its very commencement, had excited -the anger of some, and the interest of others. What afforded strong -probability to the existence of such a project was the fact that the -Committee for General Security learned that three weeks, or a month -before, a number of emigrants had entered France from different parts -of the frontier. It was evident that these people who thus risked -their lives did not do so without design, and this design was in all -probability to co-operate in carrying off the royal family.</p> - -<p>Already, upon the proposition of the Conventionalist Usselin, the -terrible decree had been promulgated, which condemned to death all -emigrants convicted of having returned to France; all Frenchmen -convicted of having intended to emigrate; every individual convicted of -having assisted in their flight, or in their return, either a female or -male emigrant; and lastly, all citizens convicted of having afforded -shelter to an emigrant. With this dreadful law commenced the "Reign of -Terror." All that was wanting was the law for suspected persons. The -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge was an enemy far too active and audacious -for his return to Paris, and his appearance in the Temple, not to call -forth the gravest measures. More severe inspections than had previously -taken place were made in a number of suspected houses; but with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -exception of some female emigrants who allowed themselves to be taken, -and some old men who did not care enough for their few remaining days -to dispute with the executioner, their researches produced no other -result.</p> - -<p>The sections, as may be imagined, were after this event much occupied -for several days, and consequently the secretary of the section -Lepelletier, one of the most influential in Paris, had little time to -think of his unknown fair one. At first, as he had resolved on quitting -the old Rue Saint Jacques, he had tried to forget her, but, as his -friend Lorin had observed to him,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Alas! endeavoring to forget</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But makes us recollect the more."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Maurice, however, neither said nor confessed anything. He buried in -his heart all the details of that adventure which he had been able to -conceal from the scrutiny of his friend. But Lorin, who knew Maurice to -be of a joyous and hilarious nature, and now saw him constantly sad and -thoughtful, seeking solitude, doubted not, to use his own expression, -that the rogue Cupid had passed that way. It is remarkable, that, -during its eighteen centuries of monarchy, France had had few years so -mythological as the year of our Lord 1793.</p> - -<p>In the mean time the chevalier was not taken, and he was no more spoken -of. The widowed queen, cruelly robbed of her child, contented herself -by weeping, in company with her sister and daughter. The young dauphin -was consigned to the care of "Simon the Shoemaker," and entered upon -that course of martyrdom which, in the short space of two years, was to -reunite him with his father and mother. There was a moment's calm. The -Montagnard volcano rested before devouring the Girondins.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice felt the weight of this calm, as the heaviness of the -atmosphere is felt in stormy weather, and not knowing how to dispose -of his leisure, abandoned himself entirely to the ardor of a sentiment -which if not actually love itself bordered closely upon it. He re-read -his letter, again kissed his beautiful sapphire ring, and resolved -(notwithstanding his oath) to make one more attempt, promising himself -this should indeed be the last. The young man had first thought he -would go to the section of the Jardin des Plantes, and there make -inquiry from the secretary, his colleague. But the first idea (and we -may add, which he still retained) that the beautiful unknown was mixed -up in some political plot, still restrained him, as the thought that -any indiscretion on his part might be the means of sending this lovely -woman to the Place de la Révolution, and her head to the block, caused -his blood to curdle and freeze in his veins. He therefore determined on -seeking this adventure alone, and without any further information.</p> - -<p>His plan, besides, was very simple. The catalogue of names inscribed -on each door would certainly afford him some clew, and then by -interrogating the porters he might be able to solve the mystery. In -his capacity of secretary of the Rue Lepelletier, he possessed full -and entire right to make all inquiries. Besides, Maurice, ignorant of -the name of the unknown, was able to judge of it by analogy. It was -impossible so lovely a creature should not possess a name in harmony -with her form, some name appertaining to sylph, fairy, or angel, since -her arrival on earth must have been hailed as that of a superior and -supernatural being. This name would then most infallibly guide him.</p> - -<p>Maurice then dressed himself in a coat of dark brown cloth, adorned his -head with the <i>bonnet-rouge</i> worn on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> great occasions, and set out on -his voyage of discovery alone. He had in his hand one of those knotted -cudgels called a <i>constitution</i>, which wielded by his vigorous hand -was powerful as the club of Hercules, and in his pocket he placed his -commission as secretary of the section Lepelletier. These were at once -his physical security and his moral guarantee.</p> - -<p>He prepared himself to review afresh the Rue Saint Victor, the old Rue -Saint Jacques, reading by the light of the declining day all those -names (inscribed by hands more or less practised) upon the panels of -every door.</p> - -<p>Maurice had reached the hundredth house, and consequently read the -hundredth list, and nothing had yet occurred to induce him to imagine -that he was in the least degree upon the trail of the unknown, as he -had fully made up his mind that no name could be hers which did not -belong to the class he had imagined, when a good-natured shoemaker, -noticing the anxiety and impatience depicted on the young man's -countenance, came out with his strap of leather and his punch, and -looking at Maurice over his spectacles,—</p> - -<p>"Do you wish any information respecting the tenants of this house, -Citizen?" said he; "if so, I shall be happy to give it to you."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Citizen," stammered Maurice; "I am looking for the name of a -friend."</p> - -<p>"Tell me the name, Citizen; I know everybody in this quarter. Where -does this friend live?"</p> - -<p>"He lived, I think, in the old Rue Saint Jacques; but I fear he has -removed."</p> - -<p>"But how is he named? I must know that."</p> - -<p>Maurice taken thus unawares hesitated for a moment, then pronounced the -first name that presented itself to his memory.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> - -<p>"René," said he.</p> - -<p>"And what trade?"</p> - -<p>Maurice was surrounded by tanneries.</p> - -<p>"A journeyman-tanner," said he.</p> - -<p>"In that case," said a burgess, who stopped and regarded Maurice with -a certain good-nature, not totally exempt from distrust, "you should -address yourself to his master."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said the door-keeper; "you are quite right, the masters -know the names of their workmen; here is Citizen Dixmer, who is manager -of a tannery, and has more than fifty workmen in his yard, he can -perhaps tell you." Maurice turned round and saw a burgess of commanding -figure and mild countenance, the richness of whose attire denoted -opulence.</p> - -<p>"Only as the citizen porter observes, it is necessary I should know the -family name."</p> - -<p>"The one I said,—René."</p> - -<p>"René is his baptismal name; it is the family name I require. All my -workmen sign their family name."</p> - -<p>"Upon my word," said Maurice, growing impatient under this species of -interrogation, "the family name? I do not know it."</p> - -<p>"What," said the burgess, with a smile, in which Maurice thought he -discerned more irony than he wished to appear,—"what, not know the -surname of your friend!"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"In that case, it is not probable you will find him," and the burgess, -gravely bowing to Maurice, walked a short distance and entered a house -in the old Rue Saint Jacques.</p> - -<p>"The fact is, that if you do not know his surname," said the porter—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, I do not know it," said Maurice, who would not have been sorry -to find some occasion to vent his ill-temper, and was at the moment -much inclined to seek a quarrel. "What have you to say to that?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, Citizen, nothing at all; only since you do not know the -name of your friend, it is as Citizen Dixmer said more than probable -you will not find him," and the citizen porter went into his lodge, -shrugging his shoulders. Maurice felt a great inclination to thrash -this porter, but he was an old man, and his infirmities saved him. -Had the porter been twenty years younger, Maurice would have given -a scandalous illustration of the principle,—equal in law, unequal -in physical force. Besides, the day was drawing to a close, and he -had only a few moments of daylight left. He availed himself of it by -returning to the first street, then to the second, examined every door, -searched in every nook, looked under every palisade, climbed each wall, -threw a glance into the interior of every gateway, looked through the -keyholes, knocked at some deserted warehouses without receiving any -reply, till at length nearly two hours had elapsed in this useless -investigation.</p> - -<p>Nine o'clock struck; no more noise was heard, no movement seen in this -deserted quarter, whose life seemed to have retired with the light of -day. Maurice in despair made a retrograde movement, when all at once, -at the winding of a narrow alley, he discerned a light. He immediately -ventured into the dark passage, without remarking that at that very -moment a curious head, which for the last quarter of an hour (from the -midst of a clump of trees, rising above the wall) had followed all his -movements, then disappeared suddenly behind this wall. A short time -after this head had disappeared, three men came out from a small door -in this same wall, went into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> the alley where Maurice had preceded -them, while a fourth, for greater security, locked the door of entrance -into the alley. At the end of the alley, Maurice discovered a court; -it was on the opposite side of this court that the light was burning. -He knocked at the door of a poor, solitary house, but at the first -sound the light was extinguished. He redoubled his efforts, but no one -answered his call; he saw they were determined to make no reply, so -comprehending that it was only a useless waste of time, he crossed the -court and re-entered the alley. At this moment the door of the house -turned softly on its hinges, three men came out, and then the sound of -a whistle was heard.</p> - -<p>Maurice turned round, and saw three shadows within a short distance. -He saw in the darkness also (his eyes having become accustomed to this -obscurity) the reflection of three glittering blades. He knew that he -was hemmed in. He would have brandished his club, but the alley was -so narrow that it touched the wall on either side. At the same moment -he was stunned by a violent blow on the head. This was an unforeseen -assault made upon him by the four men who entered through the door in -the wall. Seven men at the same time threw themselves upon Maurice, and -notwithstanding a desperate resistance, overpowered him, and succeeded -in binding his hands and bandaging his eyes.</p> - -<p>Maurice had not even uttered a cry, or called for aid. Strength and -true courage are self-reliant, and are ashamed of extraneous aid. -Besides, Maurice had often heard that no one would enter this deserted -quarter. Maurice was thus, as we have said, thrown down and bound, but -had not uttered a single complaint. He had reflected as to what would -follow,—that as they had bandaged his eyes they did not intend to kill -him directly. At Maurice's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> age respite becomes hope. He recovered his -presence of mind, and listened patiently.</p> - -<p>"Who are you?" demanded a voice, still breathless from the late -struggle.</p> - -<p>"I am a man they are murdering," replied Maurice.</p> - -<p>"What is more, you are a dead man if you speak loud, or call for -assistance, or even utter the least cry."</p> - -<p>"If I had wished to cry, I need not have waited till now."</p> - -<p>"Are you ready to answer my questions?"</p> - -<p>"Let me hear them first; I shall then see whether I ought to reply."</p> - -<p>"Who sent you here?"</p> - -<p>"No one."</p> - -<p>"You came then of your own accord?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"You lie!"</p> - -<p>Maurice made a desperate effort to disengage his hands, but it was in -vain.</p> - -<p>"I never lie," said he.</p> - -<p>"In either case, whether you came of your own accord or were sent, you -are a spy."</p> - -<p>"And you are cowards!"</p> - -<p>"We cowards!"</p> - -<p>"You are seven or eight against one man bound, and you insult that man. -Cowards! cowards! cowards!"</p> - -<p>This violence on the part of Maurice, instead of enraging his -adversaries, appeared to produce a contrary effect. It was even a proof -that the young man was not what they had laid to his charge; a true spy -would have trembled, and begged for mercy.</p> - -<p>"There is nothing insulting in that," said a voice, milder yet firmer -than any that had previously been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> heard; "in the times we live in, one -may be a spy without being a dishonest man, only it is at the risk of -one's life."</p> - -<p>"If that is your opinion, you are welcome to question me, I will answer -you faithfully."</p> - -<p>"What are you doing in this quarter?"</p> - -<p>"Looking for a woman."</p> - -<p>This excuse was received with a murmur of incredulity; the murmur -increased and became a storm.</p> - -<p>"You lie!" replied the same voice. "There is no woman in the matter, -and we know what we mean by 'woman;' there is no woman to pursue in -this quarter. Avow your project, or die."</p> - -<p>"Come," said Maurice, "you will not kill me for pleasure, unless you -are downright ruffians."</p> - -<p>Maurice made a second effort, more violent and unexpected than the -first, to disengage his hands from the cord which bound them, when -suddenly a cold sensation, sharp and painful, shot through his breast.</p> - -<p>Despite himself, Maurice fell back a step.</p> - -<p>"Ah! you felt that," said one of the men. "Well, there are eight inches -like the inch with which you have just become acquainted."</p> - -<p>"Complete your work, then," said Maurice, resignedly; "it will at least -soon be over."</p> - -<p>"Come now, who are you?" asked the voice which was at once mild and -commanding.</p> - -<p>"Do you wish to know my name?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, your name."</p> - -<p>"Maurice Lindey."</p> - -<p>"What!" exclaimed a voice, "Maurice Lindey, the revolu—the patriot? -Maurice Lindey, secretary of the Lepelletier section?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<p>These words were pronounced with so much heat that Maurice saw clearly -that they were decisive. To reply was in a manner to fix irrevocably -his fate.</p> - -<p>Maurice was incapable of cowardice. He drew himself up like a Spartan, -and said in a firm voice,—</p> - -<p>"Yes, Maurice Lindey; yes, Maurice Lindey, the secretary of the section -Lepelletier; yes, Maurice Lindey, the patriot, the revolutionist, the -Jacobin; Maurice Lindey, in short, whose brightest day on earth will be -that on which he will die for liberty."</p> - -<p>A death-like silence followed this reply.</p> - -<p>Maurice presented his breast, expecting every moment that the blade, -whose point he had already felt, would be plunged into his heart.</p> - -<p>"Is your statement really true?" asked a voice which betrayed some -emotion; "come, young man, do not lie."</p> - -<p>"Search my pocket," said Maurice, "and you will find my commission. -Look at my shirt-bosom, and if my blood has not effaced them, you will -there see embroidered my initials, <i>M</i> and <i>L</i>."</p> - -<p>Maurice at once felt himself lifted by strong arms which bore him a -short distance. He heard first one door open, then another; but the -second was narrower than the first, for his bearers could scarcely pass -through with him.</p> - -<p>The murmurs and whispers continued.</p> - -<p>"I am lost," thought Maurice. "They are going to tie a stone round my -neck and throw me into some hole of the Bièvre."</p> - -<p>But in another moment he felt that the men ascended some steps, where -the air was warmer, and where they placed him on a seat. He heard a -double door shut and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> the steps withdraw. He believed that he was left -alone. He listened as intently as a man can whose life depends upon a -word, and he believed that he heard that same voice whose tones had -already struck him as mixing mildness with command, say to the others,—</p> - -<p>"Let us deliberate."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">GENEVIÈVE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">A quarter</span> of an hour elapsed, which seemed a century to Maurice. -Nothing more natural; young, handsome, vigorous, supported in his -strength by a hundred devoted friends, in combination with whom he -sometimes dreamed of the accomplishment of great achievements, he found -himself all at once without the least preparation in peril of losing -his life in an ignominious den of assassins.</p> - -<p>He understood that they had shut him up in some chamber; but was he -watched?</p> - -<p>Again he struggled to break his bonds. His muscles of steel swelled and -contracted; the cord cut into his flesh, but did not break.</p> - -<p>The most terrible thing was that his hands were fastened behind his -back so that he could not remove the bandage from his eyes. If he could -only see, he might escape.</p> - -<p>As he had made these attempts to free himself without opposition, -without anything stirring around him, he concluded that he was alone. -The ground under his feet was soft and soundless, might be gravel or -perhaps clay. An acrid and pungent smell announced the presence of -vegetable matter. Maurice fancied he was in a greenhouse, or some place -very like it. He took a step or two, hit the wall, turned, and groping -with his hands, felt some garden-tools. He uttered an exclamation of -joy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<p>With unparalleled exertion he examined these tools, one after the -other. His flight now became a question of time. If chance, or -Providence, granted him five minutes, and if among these tools he found -a sharp instrument, he was saved.</p> - -<p>He found a spade. From the way in which Maurice was bound, it required -a great struggle to raise the spade a sufficient height for his -purpose. He at length succeeded, and upon the blade of the spade which -he supported against the wall with his back, he at last cut, or rather -wore away, the cord which confined his wrists. The operation was -tedious, the iron cut slowly. The perspiration streamed from his face; -he heard a noise as of some one approaching; with a tremendous effort -the cord, half-severed, broke. He could not help giving a cry of joy; -now at least he was sure to die in defending himself.</p> - -<p>Maurice tore the bandage from his eyes.</p> - -<p>He had not been mistaken; he found himself not in a greenhouse, but -in a kind of pavilion used as a receptacle for the more delicate -plants unable to outlive the winter in the open air. In a corner the -gardening implements were stowed away, one of which had been the means -of rendering him so important a service. Facing him was a window; he -rushed toward it; it was grated, and a man armed with a carbine placed -sentinel before it.</p> - -<p>On the other side of the garden, about thirty paces distant, rose a -small turret, fellow to the one where Maurice remained prisoner. The -blind was down, but through the blind a light was visible.</p> - -<p>He approached the door and listened; another sentinel paced to and fro -before this door. These were the footsteps he had heard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> - -<p>But from the end of the corridor a confusion of voices resounded. The -deliberation had evidently degenerated into disputation. Maurice could -not hear distinctly what was said; some words, however, reached him, -and amid these words—as if for them only the distance was short—he -distinguished plainly, Spy! Poniard! Death!</p> - -<p>Maurice redoubled his attention; a door opened, and he heard more -distinctly.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said one voice, "he is assuredly a spy; he has discovered -something, and is certainly sent to take us and our secret unawares. In -freeing him we run the risk of his denouncing us."</p> - -<p>"But his word," said a voice.</p> - -<p>"His word—he will give it only to betray us. Is he a gentleman that we -should trust his word?"</p> - -<p>Maurice ground his teeth at the idea which some folks still retained, -that only a gentleman could keep his oath.</p> - -<p>"But he does not know us; how can he denounce us?"</p> - -<p>"No; he certainly does not know us nor our occupation, but he knows the -address, and will return; next time he will be well accompanied."</p> - -<p>This argument appeared conclusive.</p> - -<p>"Then," said the voice which several times already had struck Maurice -as belonging to the chief, "it is decided."</p> - -<p>"Yes, a hundred times yes; I do not comprehend you with your -magnanimity. My good sir, if the Committee for the Public Safety caught -us, you would see if they acted toward us with so much ceremony."</p> - -<p>"You persist, then, in your decision, gentlemen?"</p> - -<p>"Without doubt, and you are not, we hope, going to oppose it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have only one voice, gentlemen; it has been in favor of his -liberation: you possess six, and they all vote for his death. Let it, -then, be death."</p> - -<p>Maurice felt the blood freeze in his veins.</p> - -<p>"Of course he will howl," said a voice; "have you removed Madame -Dixmer?"</p> - -<p>"Madame Dixmer!" murmured Maurice; "I begin now to comprehend. I am in -the house of the master-tanner who spoke to me in the old Rue Saint -Jacques, and who went away laughing because I was unable to tell him -the name of my friend. But how can it be to his interest to assassinate -me?"</p> - -<p>Looking round, Maurice perceived an iron stake with a handle of -ash-tree wood.</p> - -<p>"In any case," said he, "before they assassinate me, I will kill more -than one of them."</p> - -<p>And he sprang to secure this harmless instrument, which, in his hand, -was to become a formidable weapon. He then retired behind the door, -and so placed himself that he could see without being seen. His heart -beat so tumultuously that in the deep silence its palpitations might be -heard. Suddenly Maurice shuddered from head to foot. A voice had said,—</p> - -<p>"If you act according to my advice, you will break a pane, and through -the bars kill him with a shot from a carbine."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, no!—not an explosion," said another voice, "that might betray -us. Besides, Dixmer, there is your wife."</p> - -<p>"I have just looked at her through the blind; she suspects nothing—she -is reading."</p> - -<p>"Dixmer, you shall decide for us. Do you advocate a shot from the -carbine, or a stroke from the poniard?"</p> - -<p>"Avoid firearms as much as possible—the poniard."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then let it be the poniard. Come!"</p> - -<p>"Come!" repeated five or six voices, together.</p> - -<p>Maurice was a child of the Revolution, with a heart of flint, and in -mind, like many others at that epoch, an atheist. But at the word -"Come!" pronounced behind the door, which alone separated him from -death, he remembered the sign of the cross, which his mother had taught -him when an infant he said his prayers at her knee.</p> - -<p>Steps approached, stopped; then the key turned in the lock, and the -door slowly opened.</p> - -<p>During this fleeting moment, Maurice had said to himself,—</p> - -<p>"If I do not strike at once, I am a dead man. If I throw myself upon -the assassins, I take them unawares—gain first the garden, then the -street, and am saved!"</p> - -<p>Immediately, with the spring of a lion, and uttering a fierce cry which -savored more of menace than terror, he threw down the first two men, -who believing him bound and blindfolded were quite unprepared for such -an assault, scattered the others, took a tremendous leap over them, -thanks to his iron muscles, saw at the end of the corridor a door -leading into the garden wide open, rushed toward it, cleared at a bound -six steps, found himself in the garden, and guessing his whereabouts as -nearly as possible, rushed toward the gate. It was secured by a lock -and a couple of bolts. Maurice drew back the bolts, tried to open the -lock; but it had no key.</p> - -<p>In the mean time his pursuers, who had reached the steps, perceived him.</p> - -<p>"There he is!" cried they; "fire upon him, Dixmer, fire! Kill him—kill -him!"</p> - -<p>Maurice uttered a groan; he was enclosed in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> garden; he measured -the walls with his eye—they were ten feet in height.</p> - -<p>All this passed in a moment. The assassins rushed forward in pursuit.</p> - -<p>Maurice was about thirty paces in advance; he looked about him with -the air of a condemned man who seeks the shadow of a chance to save -himself. He perceived the turret, the blind, and behind the blind the -light.</p> - -<p>He made but one bound,—a bound of six feet,—seized the blind, tore it -down, passed through the window, smashing it, and alighted in a chamber -where a lady sat reading.</p> - -<p>The lady rose terrified, calling for help.</p> - -<p>"Stand aside, Geneviève; stand aside!" cried the voice of Dixmer, -"stand aside that I may kill him!"</p> - -<p>And Maurice saw the carbine levelled at him.</p> - -<p>But scarcely had the woman looked at him than she uttered a frightful -cry, and instead of standing aside, as desired by her husband, rushed -between him and the barrel of the gun.</p> - -<p>This movement concentrated all Maurice's attention on the generous -woman, whose first impulse was to protect him from danger and death.</p> - -<p>In his turn he uttered a cry of astonishment.</p> - -<p>It was the unknown whom he had so eagerly sought.</p> - -<p>"You!" he exclaimed, "you—"</p> - -<p>"Silence!" cried she.</p> - -<p>Then, turning toward the assassins, who, variously armed, approached -the window,—</p> - -<p>"Ah! you will not kill him!" cried she.</p> - -<p>"He is a spy," said Dixmer, whose usually placid countenance had -assumed an expression of stern resolution,—"he is a spy, and therefore -must die."</p> - -<p>"A spy—he!" said Geneviève; "he a spy! Come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> here, Dixmer; I need only -say one word to prove that you are strangely deceived."</p> - -<p>Dixmer and Geneviève approached the window, and in a low voice she -uttered a few words.</p> - -<p>The master-tanner raised his head quickly.</p> - -<p>"He!" said he.</p> - -<p>"He himself," said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"You are certain, quite certain?"</p> - -<p>This time the young woman did not reply, but smiling held out her hand -to Maurice.</p> - -<p>The features of Dixmer now assumed a singular expression of coolness -and gentleness. He rested the butt-end of his musket on the ground.</p> - -<p>"This is quite another thing," said he.</p> - -<p>Then making a sign to his companions to follow, he stepped aside with -them, and after saying a few words, they disappeared.</p> - -<p>"Conceal that ring," murmured Geneviève; "it is known by every one -here."</p> - -<p>Maurice quickly drew the ring from his finger, and slipped it into his -waistcoat-pocket.</p> - -<p>A moment afterward the door of the pavilion opened, and Dixmer, -unarmed, advanced toward Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Citizen," said he, "that I did not know sooner the -obligation I am under to you. My wife, while retaining a grateful -remembrance of the service you rendered her on the 10th of March, had -forgotten your name. We were therefore completely in ignorance with -whom we were concerned; otherwise, believe me, we should not for a -moment have entertained suspicion either of your honor or intentions. I -therefore again ask your pardon."</p> - -<p>Maurice was bewildered; with the greatest difficulty he preserved his -equilibrium; he felt his head turn round,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> and was near falling. He -supported himself against the mantel-piece.</p> - -<p>"Why on earth did you wish to kill me?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"This is the secret, Citizen," said Dixmer; "I confide it to your -keeping. I am, as you already know, a tanner, and principal in this -concern. The greater part of the acids I employ in the preparation -of my skins are prohibited goods. Now the smugglers have received -intelligence of an information laid before the counsel-general. I -feared you were an informer. My smugglers were more alarmed than myself -at your <i>bonnet-rouge</i> and formidable appearance, and I do not conceal -from you that your death was resolved upon."</p> - -<p>"<i>Pardieu!</i> and well I know it," said Maurice; "you tell me no news. I -heard your consultation, and have seen your carbine."</p> - -<p>"I have already apologized," said Dixmer, in a tone of marked kindness. -"You must understand that, thanks to the unsettled state of the times, -myself and partner, Monsieur Morand, are likely to realize an immense -fortune. We have the furnishing of the military bags, and finish from -fifteen hundred to two thousand each day. Owing to this blessed state -of things in which we live, the municipality are much occupied, and -have not time strictly to examine our accounts, so that it must be -confessed we fish a little in troubled waters; the more so because, -as I have already told you, the preparatory materials we procure by -smuggling allow us to gain two hundred per cent."</p> - -<p>"The devil!" said Maurice, "that appears to me an honest living enough, -and I can now understand your dread lest a denunciation on my part -should put an end to it; but now you know me, you fear me no longer. Is -it not so?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now," said Dixmer, "I do not even ask your word of honor." Then, -placing his hand on his shoulder and smiling, "As it is only between -friends," said he, "may I inquire what brought you here, young man? But -of course, if you wish to keep it secret, you are perfectly at liberty -to do so."</p> - -<p>"I have already told you, I believe," murmured Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Yes, a woman," said the burgess; "I know there was something about a -woman."</p> - -<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i> excuse me, Citizen, I am aware some sort of explanation -is due to you. Well, then, I sought a female, who the other evening, -disguised, told me she resided in this quarter. I neither know her -name, position, or place of abode. I only know I am madly in love with -her, that she is short—"</p> - -<p>Geneviève was tall.</p> - -<p>"That she is fair, and of a lively temperament."</p> - -<p>Geneviève was a brunette, with large pensive eyes.</p> - -<p>"A grisette, in short," continued Maurice; "so to please her, I assumed -the popular dress."</p> - -<p>"That explains all," said Dixmer, with a faith which a sly wink did not -belie.</p> - -<p>Geneviève colored, and feeling herself blush, turned away.</p> - -<p>"Poor Citizen Lindey," said Dixmer, laughing; "what a miserable evening -we have caused you to pass! and you are about the last I would wish to -injure, so excellent a patriot, a brother; but, in short, I believed -some confounded spy had usurped your name."</p> - -<p>"Let us say no more on the subject," said Maurice, who knew it was time -for him to withdraw; "put me on my road, and let us forget—"</p> - -<p>"Put you on your road!" exclaimed Dixmer; "let you leave us! no indeed, -not yet. I give—or rather my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> partner and myself give—a supper -to-night to those brave fellows who wished so much to slaughter you a -little while ago. I reckon upon your supping with them, that you may -see they are not such devils as they appear to be."</p> - -<p>"But," said Maurice, overjoyed at the thought of being for a few hours -near Geneviève, "I do not know really if I ought to accept—"</p> - -<p>"If you ought to accept!" said Dixmer; "I know you ought; these are -good and stanch patriots like yourself. Besides, I shall not consider -that you have forgiven me unless we break bread together."</p> - -<p>Geneviève uttered not a word. Maurice was in torment.</p> - -<p>"The fact is," stammered Maurice, "I fear I may be a constraint upon -you, Citizen—this dress—my ungentlemanly appearance—"</p> - -<p>Geneviève looked timidly toward him.</p> - -<p>"We invite you in all kindness," said she.</p> - -<p>"I accept your invitation, Citizen," said he, bowing.</p> - -<p>"I will go and secure our companions," said Dixmer; "in the mean time, -warm yourself, my dear sir."</p> - -<p>He went out. Maurice and Geneviève remained alone.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Monsieur!" said the young woman, in an accent to which she in vain -tried to convey a tone of reproach, "you have failed in your word; you -have been exceedingly indiscreet."</p> - -<p>"Madame," cried Maurice, "have I in any way compromised you? Ah! in -that case, pardon me; I will retire, and never—"</p> - -<p>"Goodness!" said she, rising, "you are wounded in the breast; your -shirt is stained with blood."</p> - -<p>Indeed, upon the fine, white shirt of Maurice—a shirt forming a -strange contrast to his coarser clothes—a large red spot of blood had -spread itself, and had dried there.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do not be under any alarm, Madame," said the young man, "one of the -smugglers pricked me with his poniard."</p> - -<p>Geneviève turned pale, and taking his hand,—</p> - -<p>"Forgive me," said she, "the wrong that has been done you; you saved my -life, and I have nearly caused your death."</p> - -<p>"Am I not sufficiently recompensed in finding you? You cannot for a -moment imagine it was for another that I sought."</p> - -<p>"Come with me," said Geneviève, interrupting him; "I will find you some -clean linen. Our guests must not see you thus; it would be too great a -reproach to them."</p> - -<p>"I am a great trouble to you, Madame, I fear," said Maurice, sighing.</p> - -<p>"Not at all; I only do my duty; and," she added, "I do it with much -pleasure."</p> - -<p>Geneviève then conducted Maurice to a large dressing-room, arranged -with an air of elegance he had not expected to find in the house -of a master-tanner. It is true this master-tanner appeared to be a -millionnaire. She then opened the wardrobes.</p> - -<p>"Help yourself," said she; "you are at home." She withdrew.</p> - -<p>When Maurice came out, he found Dixmer had returned.</p> - -<p>"Come! come!" said he, "to table; we only wait for you."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE SUPPER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Maurice entered with Dixmer and Geneviève into the dining-room, -situated in the part of the house where they had first conducted him, -the supper was ready but the room vacant. He saw all the guests enter -successively. They were six in number, men of agreeable exterior, for -the most part young and fashionably dressed; two or three even wore the -blouse and red bonnet.</p> - -<p>Dixmer introduced Maurice, naming his titles and qualifications. Then, -turning toward Maurice,—</p> - -<p>"You see," said he, "Citizen Lindey, all those who assist me in -my trade. Thanks to the times in which we live, thanks to the -revolutionary principles which have effaced all distinction, we all -live upon the same footing of sacred equality. Every day we assemble -twice at the same table, and I am happy you have been induced to -partake of our family repast. Come! to table—citizens, to table."</p> - -<p>"And—Monsieur Morand," said Geneviève, timidly, "do we not wait for -him?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, true!" said Dixmer. "This citizen of whom I have already spoken, -Citizen Lindey, is my partner. He conducts, if I may so express myself, -the moral part of the establishment. He attends to the writing, keeps -the cash, superintends the factories, pays and receives the money, -and, in short, works harder than any of us. The result is that he is -sometimes rather late. I will go and tell him we are waiting."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this moment the door opened, and the Citizen Morand entered.</p> - -<p>He was a short man, dark, with bushy eyebrows, and wore green -spectacles—like a man whose eyes are fatigued from excess of -work—concealing his black eyes, but not effectually obstructing their -scintillating gleams. At the first words he uttered, Maurice recognized -that mild, yet commanding voice engaged in his behalf when endeavoring -to save him from becoming a victim to that terrible discussion. He was -habited in a brown coat, with large buttons, a white waistcoat; and his -fine cambric shirt-frill was often during dinner smoothed by a hand -which Maurice, no doubt from its being that of a tradesman, admired -much for its beauty and delicacy of appearance.</p> - -<p>They all took their seats. Morand was placed on Geneviève's right -hand, Maurice on her left. Dixmer sat opposite his wife. The rest of -the guests seated themselves promiscuously round an oblong table. -The supper was excellent. Dixmer had a capital appetite, and did the -honors of the table with much politeness. The workmen, or those who -pretended to be such, under this example became excellent companions. -The Citizen Morand spoke little, and ate still less; drank scarcely -anything, and rarely smiled. Maurice, perhaps from the reminiscences -his voice awakened, felt for him immediately a lively sympathy, only he -was in doubt as to his age; and this rather annoyed him, as sometimes -he imagined him to be a man of forty or forty-five years, and sometimes -to be quite young.</p> - -<p>Dixmer, on placing himself at table, felt obliged to offer some -explanation to his guests for the admission of a stranger into -their little circle. He acquitted himself like an artless man, one -unaccustomed to deceit; but the guests, as it seemed, were not hard to -manage on this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> point; for, notwithstanding the awkwardness displayed -by the manufacturer of hides in the introduction of the young man, they -all appeared perfectly satisfied.</p> - -<p>Maurice regarded him with astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Upon my honor," said he to himself, "I shall really soon think that -I myself am deceived. Is that the same man who, with flaming eyes and -threatening voice, pursued me, gun in hand, and absolutely wished to -kill me three quarters of an hour since? Then I should have taken him -for either a hero or an assassin. Goodness! how the love of hides does -transform a man."</p> - -<p>While making these observations Maurice experienced a strange feeling -of joy and grief, and felt unable to analyze his own emotions. He -at length found himself near his beautiful unknown, whom he had so -ardently sought. As he had dreamed, she bore a charming name; he was -intoxicated with the happiness of finding himself at her side; he drank -in her every word; and at each sound of her voice the most secret -chords of his heart vibrated; but he was deeply wounded by all he saw.</p> - -<p>Geneviève was exactly what he had pictured her; the dream of a stormy -night, reality had not destroyed. Here was an elegant woman, of sad -demeanor but refined mind, affording another instance of what had so -frequently occurred during the latter years preceding this present -celebrated year '93. Here was a young woman of distinction compelled, -from the ruin into which the nobility was ever falling, deeper and -deeper, to ally herself to a commoner engaged in commerce. Dixmer -appeared a trusty man. He was incontestably rich, and his manners to -Geneviève were those of a man making every endeavor to render a woman -happy. But could kindness, riches, or excellent intentions compensate -her for what she had sacrificed, or remove the immense distance -existing between husband<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> and wife, between a refined, distinguished, -charming girl, and a vulgar-looking tradesman? With what could -Geneviève fill up this abyss? Alas! Maurice now guessed too well. With -love! And he therefore returned to that opinion of the young woman -he had formed on the evening of their first meeting,—that she was -returning from some love affair.</p> - -<p>The idea of Geneviève loving any one was torture to Maurice. He -sighed, and deeply regretted having exposed himself to the temptation -of imbibing a still larger dose of that poison termed love. At other -moments, while listening to that ductile voice, so soft and harmonious, -examining that pure and open countenance which evinced no fear that he -should read every secret of her soul, he arrived at the conclusion that -it was utterly impossible that this matchless creature could descend to -deceit; and then he found a bitter pleasure in remembering that this -lovely woman belonged solely to this good citizen, with his honest -smile and vulgar pleasantries, and would never be to him more than a -passing acquaintance.</p> - -<p>They conversed of course on politics. How could it be otherwise at an -epoch when politics were mixed up with everything. Political subjects -were even painted on the plates, political designs covered the walls, -and politics were daily proclaimed in the streets. All at once, one of -the guests who had hitherto preserved silence inquired concerning the -prisoners of the Temple.</p> - -<p>Maurice started, in spite of himself, at the ring of that voice. He -recognized the voice of the man who, a strenuous advocate for extreme -measures, had first struck him with his dagger, and then advocated -his death. Nevertheless, this man, an honest tanner, and head of the -manufactory, at least so Dixmer represented him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> soon incited the -good humor of Maurice by the expression of ideas the most patriotic, -and principles the most revolutionary. The young man, under certain -circumstances, was not inimical to these extreme measures, so much in -fashion at this period, of which Danton was the apostle and hero. In -this man's place, from the effect of whose voice and weapon he felt -himself still smarting, he would not have attempted to assassinate -the man he believed to be a spy, but would rather have locked him in -the garden, and there, equally armed, sword to sword, have fought -him without mercy, without pity. This is what Maurice would have -done; but he comprehended soon that this was too much to expect of a -journeyman-tanner.</p> - -<p>This man of extreme measures, who appeared to possess in his political -ideas the same violent system as in his private conduct, then spoke of -the Temple, and expressed surprise that the prisoners were confided to -the guardianship of a permanent council liable to be corrupted, and to -municipals whose fidelity had already been more than once tempted.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the Citizen Morand; "but it must be remembered that on -every occasion, up to the present time, the municipals have fully -justified the confidence reposed in them by the nation, and history -will record that the Citizen Robespierre alone has merited the title of -'Incorruptible.'"</p> - -<p>"Without doubt, without doubt," replied the interlocutor; "but because -a thing has not yet happened, it would be absurd to suppose it never -can happen. As for the National Guard," continued the foreman of the -manufactory, "well, the companies of the different sections are placed, -each in their turn, on duty at the Temple, and that indifferently. -Will you not admit that there might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> be, in a company of twenty or -five-and-twenty men, a band of seven or eight determined characters, -who some fine night might slaughter the sentinels and carry off the -prisoners?"</p> - -<p>"Bah!" said Maurice; "you see, Citizen, this would be a foolish -expedient. In fact the thing was tried three weeks or a month ago, and -did not succeed."</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Morand; "because one of those aristocrats who composed -the patrol had the imprudence in speaking to let fall the word -'Monsieur,' I do not know to whom."</p> - -<p>"And then," said Maurice, who wished to prove that the police of the -Republic did their duty, "because the entrance of the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge into Paris was already known—"</p> - -<p>"Bah!" cried Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"They knew that Maison-Rouge had entered Paris?" coldly demanded -Morand; "and did they know by what means he entered?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" said Morand, leaning forward to look at Maurice, "I should -be curious to know that, as up to the present moment no one can speak -positively. But you, Citizen, you, secretary of one of the principal -sections in Paris, ought to be better informed."</p> - -<p>"Doubtless; therefore, what I am about to tell you is the true -statement of facts."</p> - -<p>All the guests and even Geneviève appeared prepared to pay the greatest -attention to this recital.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Maurice, "the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge came from Vendée, -it appears; he had traversed all France with his usual good fortune. -Arrived during the day at the Barrière du Roule, he waited till nine -o'clock at night. At that hour a woman, disguised as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> woman of the -people, went out through the barrier, carrying to the chevalier a -costume of chasseur of the National Guard. Ten minutes afterward she -re-entered with him; but the sentinel, who had seen her go out alone, -felt rather suspicious when he saw her return with a companion. He gave -the alarm to the post; the post turned out, when the two culprits, -knowing they were pursued, flung themselves into a hôtel where a second -door opened into the Champs Elysées.</p> - -<p>"It seems that a patrol devoted to the tyrants waited for the chevalier -at the corner of the Rue Bar-du-Bec. You are acquainted with the rest."</p> - -<p>"Ah, ah!" said Morand; "this is very strange."</p> - -<p>"But positively true," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it has an air of truth; but the female, do you know what became -of her?"</p> - -<p>"No; she has disappeared, and they are quite ignorant who she is, or -what she is."</p> - -<p>The partner of Citizen Dixmer, and Citizen Dixmer himself, appeared to -breathe more freely.</p> - -<p>Geneviève had listened to the whole of this recital, pale, silent, and -immovable.</p> - -<p>"But," said Morand, with his usual coolness, "who can say that the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge made one of the patrol who gave the alarm at -the Temple?"</p> - -<p>"A municipal, one of my friends, that day on duty at the Temple. He -recognized him."</p> - -<p>"He knew him from description?"</p> - -<p>"He had seen him before."</p> - -<p>"And what sort of man, personally, is this Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?"</p> - -<p>"A man of five or six and twenty, short, fair, and of a pleasing -countenance, with magnificent eyes and superb teeth."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was a profound silence.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Morand, "if your friend the municipal recognized this -pretended Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, why did he not arrest him?"</p> - -<p>"In the first place, not knowing of his arrival at Paris, he feared -being the dupe of a resemblance; and then my friend, being rather -lukewarm, acted as the lukewarm generally act,—gave him the benefit of -his doubt, and let him alone."</p> - -<p>"You would not have acted thus, Citizen?" said Dixmer, laughing -boisterously.</p> - -<p>"No," said Maurice; "I confess it, I would rather find myself deceived -than allow so dangerous a man as the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge to -escape."</p> - -<p>"And what would you have done, then, Monsieur?" timidly inquired -Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"What would I have done, Citizeness?" said Maurice. "Oh, by Jove! I -would have made short work of it. I would have had every door in the -Temple shut. I would have walked straight up to the patrol, have placed -my hand on his collar, and said to him, 'Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, -I arrest you as a traitor to the nation;' and my hand once upon his -collar, I would not soon release him, I can tell you."</p> - -<p>"And what would have happened then?" asked Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"It would have happened that he and his accomplices would have been -arrested, and that very hour would have been guillotined; that is all."</p> - -<p>Geneviève shuddered, and darted on her neighbor a look of affright. -But the Citizen Morand did not appear to notice this glance, and -phlegmatically emptied his glass.</p> - -<p>"The Citizen Lindey is right," said he; "there was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> nothing else to do; -but, unfortunately, it was not done."</p> - -<p>"And," demanded Geneviève, "do you know what has become of the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?"</p> - -<p>"Bah!" said Dixmer, "in all probability he did not wish to remain -longer, and finding his attempt abortive, quitted Paris immediately."</p> - -<p>"And perhaps even France," added Morand.</p> - -<p>"Not at all, not at all," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"What! has he had the imprudence to remain in Paris?" asked Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"He has not stirred."</p> - -<p>A movement of general astonishment followed this assertion which -Maurice had stated with so much confidence.</p> - -<p>"This is only a supposition, Citizen, on your part," said -Morand,—"merely a supposition, that is all."</p> - -<p>"No; I affirm it as a positive fact."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Geneviève; "I acknowledge, for my part, I cannot believe it -is as you say; it would be such an unpardonable imprudence."</p> - -<p>"You are a woman, Citizen; and can comprehend, then, what would -outweigh, with a man of such a character as the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge, all considerations of personal security?"</p> - -<p>"And what can outweigh the dread of losing one's life in a manner so -dreadful?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, Citizeness!" answered Maurice, "love."</p> - -<p>"Love!" repeated Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Certainly. Do you not know, then, that the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge -is enamored of Marie Antoinette?"</p> - -<p>Two or three incredulous laughs were faintly heard. Dixmer looked at -Maurice as if he sought to penetrate the very depths of his soul. -Geneviève felt the tears<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> suffuse her eyes, and a shuddering she could -not conceal from Maurice ran through her frame. The Citizen Morand -spilled some wine from his glass, which he was then in the act of -putting to his lips. His paleness would have alarmed Maurice, had not -all the young man's attention been at the time centred on Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"You are moved, Citizeness," murmured Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Did you not say I should understand this because I was a woman? Well, -we women feel for such devotion even if opposed to our principles."</p> - -<p>"And that of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge is the height of devotion, -as it is said he has never even spoken to the queen."</p> - -<p>"Ah! there now, Citizen Lindey," said the man of extreme measures; "it -seems to me, permit me to observe, that you are very indulgent to the -Chevalier—"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur," said Maurice, perhaps intentionally making use of a word -which had ceased to be in vogue, "I love all brave and courageous -natures, which does not prevent my fighting them when I meet them in -the ranks of my enemies. I do not despair of one day encountering the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"And—" said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"If I meet him—well, I shall fight him."</p> - -<p>The supper was finished. Geneviève set the example of retiring, by -herself rising from table. At this moment the clock struck.</p> - -<p>"Midnight!" said Morand, coolly.</p> - -<p>"Midnight," exclaimed Maurice,—"midnight already?"</p> - -<p>"That exclamation affords me much pleasure," said Dixmer; "it proves -you are not wearied, and induces me to hope we may see you again. It is -the door of a true patriot which opens to receive you; and, I trust, -ere long, you will find it that of a sincere friend."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice bowed, and turning toward Geneviève,—</p> - -<p>"Will the Citizeness also permit me to repeat my visit?" demanded he.</p> - -<p>"I do more than permit, I request you to do so. Adieu, Citizen," and -Geneviève retired.</p> - -<p>Maurice took leave of all the guests, particularly saluting Morand, -with whom he was much pleased; pressed Dixmer's hand, and went away -bewildered, but on the whole more joyful than sad, from the various and -unexpected events of the evening.</p> - -<p>"Unfortunate encounter, unfortunate encounter!" said the young woman, -after Maurice's departure, and then burst into tears in the presence of -her husband, who had conducted her to her room.</p> - -<p>"Bah!" said Dixmer, "the Citizen Lindey, a known patriot, secretary -to a section, admired, worshipped, and highly popular, is, on the -contrary, a great acquisition to a poor tanner who has contraband -merchandise on his premises."</p> - -<p>"Do you think so, <i>mon ami</i>?" asked Geneviève, timidly.</p> - -<p>"I think it is a warrant of patriotism, a seal of absolution, placed -upon our house; and I think, after this evening, that the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge himself would be safe at our house."</p> - -<p>And Dixmer kissed his wife with an affection more paternal than -conjugal, and left her in the little pavilion set apart for her special -benefit, passing himself into another part of the building, which he -inhabited with the guests we have seen assembled round his table.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></p> - -<p class="center">SIMON THE SHOEMAKER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> month of May had commenced. A bright clear day expanded the lungs -tired of inhaling the icy fogs of winter, and the rays of the sun, warm -and exhilarating, shone upon the black walls of the Temple. At the -wicket of the interior, which separated the tower from the gardens, the -soldiers of the post were smoking and laughing. But, notwithstanding -the beauty of the day, and the offer made to the prisoners to descend -and walk in the garden, the three females refused to do so; as, since -the execution of her husband, the queen had obstinately secluded -herself in her chamber, not wishing to pass the door of the apartment -lately occupied by the king on the second story. When by any chance she -took the air, since the fatal occurrence of the 21st of January, she -did so on the platform of the tower, where even the battlements were -inclosed with shutters.</p> - -<p>The National Guards on duty, who knew the three females had received -permission to go out, waited in vain all day, expecting them to turn -the authority to some account. Toward five o'clock a man descended, and -approached the sergeant in command of the post.</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah! is that you, Father Tison?" said the sergeant, who appeared to -be a right merry fellow.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is I, Citizen; I bring you, on the part of the municipal -Maurice Lindey, your friend, who is now up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>stairs, this permission, -granted by the Council of the Temple to my daughter, to pay a visit to -her mother this evening."</p> - -<p>"And you are going out just as your daughter is coming in? Unnatural -father!" said the sergeant.</p> - -<p>"I am going much against my inclination, Citizen Sergeant. I also -hoped to see my poor child, whom I have not seen for two months, and -to embrace her this evening. I am going out now. This service, this -damned service, compels me to go out. It is necessary I should go to -the Commune to make my report. A fiacre is waiting for me at the door, -with two gendarmes, and it is exactly the time when my poor Sophie will -arrive."</p> - -<p>"Unhappy parent!" said the sergeant.</p> - -<p>"And, Citizen Sergeant, when my child comes to see her poor mother, who -is dying to see her, you will allow her to pass?"</p> - -<p>"The order is correct," replied the sergeant, whom the reader has no -doubt recognized as our friend Lorin; "so I have nothing to say against -it; when your daughter comes, she may pass."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, brave Thermopyle! thanks," said Tison; and he went out to make -his report to the Commune, murmuring, "My poor wife, how happy she will -be!"</p> - -<p>"Do you know, Sergeant," said one of the National Guard, seeing -Tison depart, and overhearing the last words,—"do you know there is -something in these things that makes my blood run cold?"</p> - -<p>"What things, Citizen Devaux?" demanded Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Why," replied the compassionate National Guard, "to see this man, -with his surly face and heart of stone, this pitiless guardian of the -queen, go out with his eyes full of tears, partly of joy, partly of -grief, thinking that his wife will see his daughter, and he shall not. -It does<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> not do to reflect upon it too much, Sergeant; it is really -grievous."</p> - -<p>"Doubtless that is why he does not reflect upon it himself, this man -who goes out with tears in his eyes, as you term it."</p> - -<p>"Upon what should he reflect?"</p> - -<p>"That it is three months since this woman he so brutally uses has -seen her child. He does not think of her grief, only of his own; that -is all. It is true this woman was queen," continued the sergeant, in -an ironical tone rather difficult of comprehension; "and one is not -obliged to feel the same respect for a queen as for the wife of a -journeyman."</p> - -<p>"Notwithstanding, all this is very sad," said Devaux.</p> - -<p>"Sad, but necessary," said Lorin. "The best way then, is, as you say, -not to think of it," and he began to sing—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Where the branches met</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">On a rocky stone</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">There I found Nicette,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Seated all alone."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Lorin was in the midst of his pastoral ditty, when suddenly a loud -noise was heard from the left side of the post, composed of oaths, -menaces, and tears.</p> - -<p>"What is that?" demanded Devaux.</p> - -<p>"It sounded like the voice of a child," said Lorin, listening.</p> - -<p>"In fact," said the National Guard, "it is a poor little one they are -beating. Truly they ought only to send here those who have no children."</p> - -<p>"Will you sing?" said a hoarse and drunken voice.</p> - -<p>And the voice sung in example—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Madame Veto promised</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">That all our heads should fall—"</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No," said the child, "I will not sing."</p> - -<p>"Will you sing?"</p> - -<p>And the voice recommenced—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Madame Veto promised—"</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"No! no!" said the child. "No, no, no!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! little beggar," said the hoarse voice; and the noise of a lash -whirring through the air was distinctly heard. The infant screamed with -agony.</p> - -<p>"Ah! <i>sacre bleu!</i>" said Lorin; "it is that rascally Simon beating the -little Capet."</p> - -<p>Several of the National Guards shrugged their shoulders. Two or three -tried to smile. Devaux rose and went out.</p> - -<p>"I said truly," murmured he, "that parents should never enter here."</p> - -<p>All at once a low door opened, and the royal child, chased by the whip -of his guardian made a flying leap into the court, when something hard -struck his leg, and fell on the ground behind him.</p> - -<p>He stumbled, and fell upon his knee.</p> - -<p>"Bring me my last, little monster, or else—"</p> - -<p>The child rose and shook his head, in token of refusal.</p> - -<p>"Ah! this is it, is it?" cried the same voice. "Wait, you shall see," -and the shoemaker Simon rushed from his hut as a wild beast from its -den.</p> - -<p>"Hallo! hallo!" cried Lorin, frowning. "Where are you going so fast, -Master Simon?"</p> - -<p>"To chastise this little wolf's cub," said the shoemaker.</p> - -<p>"To chastise him, for what?"</p> - -<p>"For what?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Because the little beggar will neither sing like a good patriot, nor -work like a good citizen."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, what have you to do with that?" demanded Lorin. "Did the nation -confide Capet to you that you might teach him to sing?"</p> - -<p>"And what business have you to interfere, I should like to know, -Citizen Sergeant?" said Simon, astonished.</p> - -<p>"I interfere, as it becomes every man of feeling to do. It is unworthy -of a man to see a child beaten, and to suffer him to be beaten."</p> - -<p>"Bah! the son of a tyrant."</p> - -<p>"He is a child; and the child has not participated in the crimes of the -father. The child is not culpable, and, consequently, ought not to be -punished."</p> - -<p>"And I tell you he was placed with me to do what I choose with him. I -choose that he shall sing 'Madame Veto,' and sing it he shall."</p> - -<p>"Contemptible wretch!" said Lorin. "'Madame Veto' is mother to this -child. Would you yourself like your child to be made to sing that you -were one of the canaille?"</p> - -<p>"Me!" cried Simon. "Vile aristocrat of a sergeant!"</p> - -<p>"No names," said Lorin. "I am not Capet; and they shall not make me -sing by force."</p> - -<p>"I will have you arrested, vile <i>ci-devant</i>!"</p> - -<p>"You!" said Lorin; "you have me arrested! you had better try to arrest -a Thermopyle."</p> - -<p>"Good, good; he laughs best who laughs last. And now, Capet, pick up my -last, and come and finish your shoe, or by thunder!—"</p> - -<p>"And I," said Lorin, turning deadly pale, and advancing a step forward, -his hands clinched, and his teeth set,— "I tell you he shall not pick -up your last, he shall not make shoes; do you hear, idiot? Oh, yes! you -have your big sword there, but I am no more afraid of it than I am of -yourself. Just you dare to draw it."</p> - -<p>"Ah! <i>massacre</i>," roared Simon, turning pale with rage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this moment two women entered the court. One of them held a paper in -her hand. She addressed herself to the sentinel.</p> - -<p>"Sergeant," cried the sentinel, "it is Tison's daughter, who asks to -see her mother."</p> - -<p>"Let her pass, since the Council of the Temple permit it," said Lorin, -who did not wish to leave for a moment, for fear Simon should avail -himself of his absence and again beat the child.</p> - -<p>The sentinel allowed the two women to pass; but hardly had they -ascended four steps on the dark staircase, when they encountered -Maurice Lindey, who was descending into the court. It was almost dark, -so that he was unable to distinguish their features. Maurice stopped -them.</p> - -<p>"Who are you, citizens?" said he; "and what do you want?"</p> - -<p>"I am Sophie Tison," said one of the women; "I obtained permission to -visit my mother, and have come to see her."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Maurice; "but this permission was for yourself only, -Citizeness."</p> - -<p>"I brought my friend, that there might be two of us in the midst of the -soldiers, at least."</p> - -<p>"Very good; but your friend cannot go up."</p> - -<p>"As you please, Citizen," said Sophie Tison, pressing the hand of her -friend, who, close against the wall, seemed paralyzed with surprise and -terror.</p> - -<p>"Citizen sentinels," said Maurice, raising his voice and addressing the -sentinels who were stationed on every landing, "allow the Citizen Tison -to pass, but do not permit her friend to pass; she will remain on the -staircase. See that she is treated with all due respect."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen," replied the sentinels.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Go up, then," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>The two women then passed on; and Maurice, leaping over the remaining -five or six steps, advanced rapidly into the court.</p> - -<p>"What is all this?" said he to the National Guard; "and what is the -cause of this noise? The cries of a child were heard as far as the -prisoners' antechamber."</p> - -<p>"It is this," said Simon, who, accustomed to the manners of the -municipals, believed, on perceiving Maurice, that he came as an ally; -"this traitor, this spy, this <i>ci-devant</i>, this aristocrat, prevents me -from belaboring Capet," and he shook his fist at Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Yes, by Heaven, I did prevent it," said Lorin, drawing his sword; "and -if you again call me <i>ci-devant</i>, aristocrat, or traitor, I will run my -sword through your body."</p> - -<p>"A threat!" cried Simon; "guard! guard!"</p> - -<p>"I am the guard," said Lorin; "so you had better not call; for if I -come to you, I will exterminate you."</p> - -<p>"Come here, Citizen Municipal, come here," said Simon, now seriously -alarmed at Lorin's threats.</p> - -<p>"The sergeant is quite right," said the municipal, to whom he had -appealed for assistance; "you are a disgrace to the nation, coward, to -beat a child."</p> - -<p>"And why did he beat him? Do you know the reason, Maurice? Because the -child would not sing 'Madame Veto;' because the child would not insult -his mother."</p> - -<p>"The miserable wretch!" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"And you also?" said Simon. "Am I surrounded by traitors?"</p> - -<p>"You villain!" cried the municipal, seizing Simon by the throat, and -tearing the last from his hand; "try to prove that Maurice Lindey is a -traitor," and he applied the leather strap vigorously to the shoulders -of the shoemaker.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Thanks, sir," said the child, who regarded this scene with the -coolness of a Stoic; "but he will revenge himself upon me."</p> - -<p>"Come, Capet, come, my child," said Lorin; "if he beats you again, call -for help; I will chastise him, the hangman. And now, little Capet, -return to your tower."</p> - -<p>"Why do you call me Capet, even you who protect me? You know very well -that Capet is not my name."</p> - -<p>"Not your name!" said Lorin; "what is your name, then?"</p> - -<p>"I am called Louis Charles de Bourbon. Capet is the name of one of my -ancestors. I know the history of France; my father taught me."</p> - -<p>"And you want to teach a child to mend old shoes, to whom a king has -taught the history of France?" cried Lorin; "it beats everything."</p> - -<p>"You need not be concerned," said Maurice to the child; "I will make my -report."</p> - -<p>"And I mine," said Simon; "and among other things I shall say that -instead of allowing one woman to enter the tower, you permitted two to -pass."</p> - -<p>At this moment the two women went out from the keep. Maurice ran after -them.</p> - -<p>"Well, Citizeness," said he, addressing the one by his side, "have you -seen your mother?"</p> - -<p>Sophie Tison placed herself immediately between the municipal and her -companion.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen, thank you," said she.</p> - -<p>Maurice had wished to see the young girl's friend, or at least to hear -her voice, but she was enveloped in her mantle, and seemed determined -not to utter a single word. He also thought that she trembled. This -appearance of fear excited his suspicion. He reascended the stairs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -quickly, and through the glass partition saw the queen endeavoring to -hide something in her pocket which looked like a billet.</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" said he, "I have been duped."</p> - -<p>He called his colleague.</p> - -<p>"Citizen Agricola," said he, "enter Marie Antoinette's room, and do not -lose sight of her."</p> - -<p>"Heyday!" said the municipal, "is it because—"</p> - -<p>"Enter, I tell you, and do not lose sight of her for an instant, a -moment, a second."</p> - -<p>The municipal entered the queen's apartment.</p> - -<p>"Call the woman Tison," said he to one of the National Guard.</p> - -<p>Five minutes afterward Tison's wife arrived in high spirits.</p> - -<p>"I have seen my daughter," said she.</p> - -<p>"Where was that?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Here, of course, in this antechamber."</p> - -<p>"Well; and did not your daughter ask to see the Austrian?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Did she not enter her room?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"And during the time you were conversing with your daughter, did no one -come out of the prisoners' chamber?"</p> - -<p>"How should I know? I was fully occupied with my daughter, whom I had -not seen for three months."</p> - -<p>"Recollect yourself."</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes; I think I remember."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"The young girl came out."</p> - -<p>"Marie Thérèse?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Did she speak to your daughter?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Your daughter gave nothing to her?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Did she pick up nothing from the ground?"</p> - -<p>"My daughter?"</p> - -<p>"No, the daughter of Marie Antoinette."</p> - -<p>"She picked up her pocket-handkerchief."</p> - -<p>"Oh, woman! what were you thinking of?" cried Maurice.</p> - -<p>And he rushed toward a bell-cord, which he pulled violently. It was an -alarm-bell.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE BILLET.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> other two municipal guards came up hastily. A detachment of -the post accompanied them. The doors were shut, and two sentinels -intercepted the egress from each chamber.</p> - -<p>"What do you want, sir?" said the queen to Maurice when he entered. "I -was about to retire, when, five minutes since, the citizen municipal -suddenly forced his entrance into my chamber, without informing me what -he desired."</p> - -<p>"Madame," said Maurice, bowing, "it is not my colleague who desires -anything from you, it is myself."</p> - -<p>"You, sir?" demanded Marie Antoinette, looking at Maurice, whose -courteous behavior had caused her to regard him with some favor; "and -what do you desire?"</p> - -<p>"I request that you will be kind enough to show me the letter you were -concealing when I entered just now."</p> - -<p>Madame Royale and Madame Elizabeth trembled. The queen turned very pale.</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken, sir; I concealed nothing."</p> - -<p>"You lie, Austrian!" cried Agricola.</p> - -<p>Maurice quickly placed his hand on the arm of his colleague.</p> - -<p>"One moment, my dear colleague," said he; "leave me to speak to the -citizeness, I am a little bit of a lawyer."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Go on then; but do not stand on ceremony with her, <i>morbleu</i>!"</p> - -<p>"You have concealed a letter, Citizen," said Maurice, austerely; "now -it is necessary we should see this letter."</p> - -<p>"But what letter?"</p> - -<p>"The letter that Tison's daughter brought you, and which the -citizeness, your daughter" (Maurice alluded to the young princess), -"picked up with her pocket-handkerchief."</p> - -<p>The three females looked at each other with terror.</p> - -<p>"But, Monsieur, this is worse than tyranny," said the queen; "we are -women! women!"</p> - -<p>"Do not mistake," said Maurice, with firmness; "we are neither -judges nor executioners, we are overseers,—that is to say, your -fellow-citizens,—commissioned to guard you. We have our order; to -violate it is treason. Citizeness, I pray you to give me the letter you -have concealed."</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," said the queen, with much hauteur, "since you are -overseers, search, and deprive us of our rest to-night as usual."</p> - -<p>"God forbid we should lay our hands upon women! I am now going to -inform the Commune, and shall await its orders. But you cannot retire -to bed; you may sleep upon these easy-chairs, if you please, and we -shall guard you. If necessary, they will search you."</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" said Tison's wife, appearing at the door quite -bewildered.</p> - -<p>"It is this, Citizeness," said Maurice, "that by lending yourself to -treasonable practices, you have debarred yourself from seeing your -daughter any more."</p> - -<p>"From seeing my daughter? What do you tell me then, Citizen," demanded -Tison's wife, who could not yet comprehend why she was not to see her -daughter.</p> - -<p>"I tell you, that your daughter did not come here to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> see you, but to -bring a letter to the Citizen Capet; and therefore she shall return -here no more."</p> - -<p>"But if she does not come here, I shall not be able to see her, as we -are forbidden to go out."</p> - -<p>"This time you have no one to blame but yourself,—it is your own -fault," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" screamed the poor woman, "my fault! why do you say it is my -fault? Nothing has happened, I assure you. If I thought anything could -have happened, woe to you, Antoinette; you should pay dearly for it," -and the exasperated woman shook her fist at the queen.</p> - -<p>"Threaten no one," said Maurice; "but rather gain by kindness what we -demand, for you are a woman, and the Citizeness Marie Antoinette, who -is herself a mother, will take pity on you. To-morrow your daughter -will be arrested,—to-morrow imprisoned; then, if they discover -anything, and you know that when they choose they always can do so, she -is lost, and also her companion."</p> - -<p>The woman Tison, who had listened to Maurice with increasing terror, -turned wildly toward the queen.</p> - -<p>"You hear, Antoinette? My daughter! It is you who will ruin my child!"</p> - -<p>The queen in her turn appeared bewildered, not by the fury which -sparkled in the eyes of her female jailer, but by her evident despair. -"Come with me, Madame Tison," said she, "I have something to say to -you."</p> - -<p>"Holloa! No cajolery; we are not in your way here," said Maurice's -colleague. "Before the municipality—everything open and above board."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, Citizen Agricola," whispered Maurice, "provided we -discover the truth, it does not matter in what fashion we do so."</p> - -<p>"You are right, Citizen Maurice; but—"</p> - -<p>"Let us pass behind the glazed partition, Citizen Agri<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>cola; and if you -agree with me, we will turn our backs, and I am certain the individual -for whom we evince this consideration will not make us repent it."</p> - -<p>The queen heard these words, intended for her to hear, and cast upon -the young man a look of grateful acknowledgment. Maurice carelessly -turned his head, and walked to the other side of the glazed partition. -Agricola followed him.</p> - -<p>"You see this queen," said he to Agricola: "as a queen she is very -culpable, as a woman she is high-minded and dignified. It is well to -destroy crowns; princes are purified by misfortune."</p> - -<p>"By thunder! you speak well, Citizen Maurice; I like to hear you talk, -and your friend Lorin. Is that poetry you recited?"</p> - -<p>Maurice smiled.</p> - -<p>During this conversation, the scene which Maurice had anticipated was -passing on the other side.</p> - -<p>The woman Tison approached the queen.</p> - -<p>"Madame," said the queen, "your despair grieves me. I do not wish -to deprive you of your daughter,—that would be too cruel; but pray -consider, perhaps by doing what these men require, your child will be -lost none the less."</p> - -<p>"Do what they tell you!" cried the woman,—"do what they tell you!"</p> - -<p>"But first, at least, hear what is the matter."</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" demanded the woman, with almost savage curiosity.</p> - -<p>"Your daughter brought a friend with her."</p> - -<p>"Yes, a work-woman like herself. She did not like to come alone, -because of the soldiers."</p> - -<p>"This friend committed a letter to your daughter; your daughter let it -fall. Marie, who was passing, picked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> it up. It is, doubtless, a paper -of no consequence, but still one upon which evil-minded people might -put a bad construction. Did not the municipal just tell you, when they -wish that they can always do so?"</p> - -<p>"Well, go on."</p> - -<p>"That is all; you wish me to give up this paper,—do you wish me to -sacrifice a friend, without perhaps benefiting your daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Do what they tell you!" shrieked the woman,—"do what they tell you!"</p> - -<p>"But if this paper implicates your daughter," said the queen; "do try -to understand."</p> - -<p>"My daughter is, like myself, a good patriot," cried the hag. "Thank -God, the Tisons are well known. Do what they tell you!"</p> - -<p>"Good Heavens!" said the queen; "how can I make you understand?"</p> - -<p>"My child, I want them to return me my child," cried Tison's wife, -stamping her feet. "Give me the paper, Antoinette, give me the paper!"</p> - -<p>"There it is, Madame," and the queen tendered a paper to the wretched -creature, which she seized, and held joyfully above her head, crying,—</p> - -<p>"Come here, come here, citizen municipals. I have the paper; take it, -and give me back my child."</p> - -<p>"You sacrifice our friends, sister," said Elizabeth.</p> - -<p>"No, sister," replied the queen, mournfully; "I only sacrifice -ourselves. The paper implicates no one."</p> - -<p>At the cries of the woman Tison, Maurice and his colleague came toward -her, when she immediately held out the paper to them. They opened it -and read,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"At L'Orient [the east] a friend still watches."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Maurice had no sooner cast his eyes on this paper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> than he started. The -hand-writing seemed to him not unknown.</p> - -<p>"My God!" cried he, "can it be that of Geneviève? But no, it is -impossible; I am mad. It resembles hers, certainly; but what can -Geneviève have to do with the queen?"</p> - -<p>He turned round, and observed that Marie Antoinette was watching him -attentively. As for the woman Tison, as she awaited her fate, she -devoured Maurice with her eyes.</p> - -<p>"You have done a good action," said he, to Tison's wife; "and you, -Citizeness, a great one," addressing the queen.</p> - -<p>"Then, sir," replied Marie Antoinette, "follow my example. Burn the -paper, and you will perform a charitable one."</p> - -<p>"You are joking, Austrian," said Agricola. "Burn a paper that may -perhaps enable us to discover a whole covey of aristocrats? Good faith! -no; we are not quite such fools as that."</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes! do burn it; it might compromise my daughter," implored the -woman Tison.</p> - -<p>"I believe you; your daughter and some others," said Agricola, taking -the paper from the hands of Maurice, which the latter, had he been -alone, would most certainly have destroyed.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes afterward, the paper was deposited on the bureau of the -members of the Commune. It was instantly opened and commented upon in -various ways.</p> - -<p>"'At L'Orient—a friend watches.' What the devil can that mean?" said -one.</p> - -<p>"Why," replied a geographer, "at Lorient, that is clear enough. Lorient -is a little town of Brittany, situated between Vannes and Quimper. -Egad! we ought to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> burn the town, if it be true that it shelters -aristocrats who are watching still over the Austrian."</p> - -<p>"It is all the more dangerous," said another, "because Lorient being a -sea-port, they might establish communication with England."</p> - -<p>"I propose," said a third, "that we send a committee to Lorient, and -that a thorough search of the place be instituted."</p> - -<p>This proposition made the minority smile, but was approved by the -majority; they accordingly resolved that a committee be sent to Lorient -to watch the aristocrats.</p> - -<p>Maurice had been informed of the consultation.</p> - -<p>"I think it may perhaps mean the East," said he; "but I am quite sure -it is not in Brittany."</p> - -<p>The next day the queen, who, as we have previously said, would no more -enter the garden, to avoid passing the door of the apartment where her -husband had been imprisoned, requested permission to ascend the tower -to take the air, with her daughter and Madame Elizabeth. Her wish -was instantly acceded to; but Maurice followed her, and mounting the -stairs, ensconced himself behind a little turret where, concealed, he -awaited the result of the letter of the preceding evening. The queen at -first walked without manifesting any concern, with Madame Elizabeth and -her daughter, then stopped, while the two princesses continued their -promenade, and turning toward the "East," observed intently a house at -the windows of which several persons were visible, one of whom held a -white handkerchief.</p> - -<p>Maurice, on his part, drew a telescope from his pocket, and while he -adjusted it, the queen made a quick movement, as if to request those -at the window to retire; but Maurice had already remarked the head of -a man, with fair hair and pale complexion, whose salutation was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> so -respectful as almost to border on humility. Behind this young man, for -he appeared to be five, or six, and twenty years of age, stood a woman -partially concealed from his view. Maurice directed his glass toward -her, and thinking that he recognized Geneviève, inadvertently made a -motion which brought him under the notice of the party. Immediately -the female, who also held a telescope in her hand, drew back, dragging -the young man away with her. Was it really Geneviève? Had she also -recognized Maurice? Had this couple only retired at the signal given -them by the queen? Maurice waited a moment to see if the young man -and woman would reappear; but seeing the window remain unoccupied, he -recommended the strictest vigilance to his colleague, Agricola, quickly -descended the staircase, and went and concealed himself at the corner -of the Rue Portefoin, to see if they came out of the house. It was in -vain; no one appeared. He could not resist the suspicion which had -entered his mind from the moment the companion of Tison's daughter had -persisted in maintaining so obstinate a silence. Maurice directed his -course toward the old Rue Saint Jacques, where he arrived, bewildered -by the strangest suspicions, doubts, and fears. When he entered, -Geneviève, attired in a white morning-dress, was seated under an arbor -of jasmine, where she was accustomed to breakfast. She, as usual, -accorded Maurice a friendly greeting, and invited him to take a cup -of chocolate with her. Dixmer on his part, who had in the mean time -arrived, expressed the greatest joy at meeting Maurice at this unwonted -hour; but before he permitted Maurice to take the cup of chocolate -he had accepted, always enthusiastically attached to his trade, he -insisted that his friend the secretary to the section Lepelletier -should come with him and see the manufactory.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> - -<p>On their way to the workshops Dixmer, taking Maurice's arm and hurrying -him along, observed,—</p> - -<p>"My dear Maurice, I have important news for you."</p> - -<p>"Political?" asked Maurice, always occupied with one idea.</p> - -<p>"Ah! dear Citizen," said Dixmer, smiling, "do you think we trouble -ourselves about politics? No, no; relating to our business, thank -Heaven! My honored friend, Morand, who, as you know, is a celebrated -chemist, has discovered the secret of staining morocco red in an -unequalled manner,—that is to say, the color remains unalterable,—by -a process never discovered till now. It is this color I want to show -you. Besides, you will see Morand at work; he is quite an artist."</p> - -<p>Maurice did not exactly comprehend how making a red dye constituted an -artist; but nevertheless accompanied Dixmer across the tanyards, and in -a separate sort of office saw the Citizen Morand at work. He had on his -blue spectacles, was in his working-dress, and seemed entirely absorbed -in the intensely interesting process of changing a sheep-skin from -dirty white to purple. He had tucked up his sleeves, and his hands and -arms were red to the elbow. As Dixmer remarked, he had devoted himself -heart and soul to cochineal.</p> - -<p>So entirely was he preoccupied that he merely moved his head to Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Well, Citizen Morand," said Dixmer, "what say we?"</p> - -<p>"We shall gain a hundred thousand francs yearly by this process alone; -but I have not slept for eight days, and these acids have affected my -sight."</p> - -<p>Maurice left Dixmer with Morand and joined Geneviève as he said to -himself, "It must be confessed the trade of municipal is degrading to -the hero! About eight days in the Temple one might fancy one's self an -aristocrat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> and denounce one's self. Honest Dixmer! Plodding Morand! -Gentle Geneviève! And I, idiot that I was, to have suspected them for a -moment!"</p> - -<p>Geneviève awaited Maurice with a sweet smile calculated most -effectually to dispel every vestige of suspicion. She was as usual -sweet, amiable, and charming.</p> - -<p>The hours passed in Geneviève's society were those only in which -Maurice could be said really to exist. At all other times he was -infected with that fever which might be termed the fever of '93, -by which Paris was separated into two hostile camps, and existence -rendered a perpetual combat. Toward noon, however, he had to part with -Geneviève, and return to the Tower of the Temple.</p> - -<p>At the end of Rue Sainte Avoie he met Lorin, who was bringing down his -guard from duty. He left the ranks and came to meet Maurice, who still -wore upon his countenance the impress of the happiness he had enjoyed -in the society of the lovely Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Lorin, cordially shaking his friend by the hand,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"In vain you seek your anguish</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Within your heart to hide,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I know for whom you languish,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For whom so long you've sighed;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Within your heart, within your eyes,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Love reigns, and triumphs in his prize."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Maurice put his hand in his pocket in search of his key. This was -the method he adopted to put a stop to his friend's poetical vein. -But Lorin saw the movement, and ran away, laughing. "Apropos," said -he retracing his steps, "you have three days more at the Temple; I -recommend poor little Capet to your care."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">LOVE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">In</span> fact Maurice for some time had experienced a strange medley of -happiness and misery. It is always thus at the commencement of the -tender passion. His daily occupation at the section Lepelletier, his -evening visits to the old Rue Saint Jacques, and some occasional visits -to the club of the Thermopyles, filled up his days.</p> - -<p>He did not deceive himself. He well knew that to see Geneviève daily -was to imbibe large draughts of a hopeless love.</p> - -<p>Geneviève was a woman of retired manners and pleasing appearance, -who would frankly tender her hand to a friend, and would innocently -approach his face with her lips, with the confidence of a sister, and -the ignorance of a vestal before whom the words of love appear as -blasphemy.</p> - -<p>Thus in the purest dreams that the first style of Raphael has traced -upon the canvas is a Madonna with smiling lips, chaste eyes, and -heavenly expression. This creation of the divine pupil of Perugino may -help us to portray the likeness of Geneviève.</p> - -<p>In the midst of flowers she imbibed their freshness and perfume; -isolated from the occupation of her husband, and from her husband -himself, she appeared to Maurice each time he saw her like a living -enigma, of which he could not divine the meaning, and dared not ask it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> - -<p>One evening when, as usual, he had remained alone with her, they were -both seated at the same window by which he had entered, a few nights -since, with so little ceremony; the perfume of the lilacs in full bloom -floated upon the soft breeze that had succeeded the radiant sunset. -After a long silence, Maurice, having during this silence followed the -intelligent and holy eye of Geneviève as she watched the appearance of -the stars in the azure vault of heaven, ventured to inquire concerning -the great disparity between herself and husband. She so young, and he -already past the middle age; she so refined in manner, while everything -around announced him a man of inferior birth and education; she so -sublime in her thoughts and aspirations, while her husband had not an -idea beyond his manufactory.</p> - -<p>"Here, at the abode of a master-tanner, are harp, piano, and drawings, -which you acknowledge to be your own. How is it that here I meet with -aristocracy which though I detest it in others, I adore in you?"</p> - -<p>Geneviève fixed upon Maurice a look full of candor.</p> - -<p>"Thanks," said she, "for this inquiry; it proves to me that you are a -man of delicacy, and that you have not sought information concerning me -from any one else."</p> - -<p>"Never, Madame," said Maurice. "I have a devoted friend who would die -for me; I have a hundred comrades ready to follow wherever I may lead -them,—but among all these hearts, when a woman is concerned, and above -all, such a woman as Geneviève, I know but one I would trust, and that -one is my own."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Maurice," said the young woman, "I will myself tell you, then, -all you desire to know."</p> - -<p>"Your maiden name first," said Maurice. "I only know your married one -at present."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> - -<p>Geneviève detected the selfishness of love in this question, and smiled.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève du Treilly," said she.</p> - -<p>Maurice repeated, "Geneviève du Treilly!"</p> - -<p>"My family," continued Geneviève, "was ruined after the American war, -in which both my father and elder brother had taken part."</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen both?" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"No, no," said Geneviève, blushing.</p> - -<p>"And yet you said your maiden name was Geneviève du Treilly."</p> - -<p>"Frankly, Monsieur Maurice, my family was rich, but had no claim to -nobility."</p> - -<p>"You do not trust me," said the young man, smiling.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! I do," replied Geneviève. "In America my father was connected -with the father of Monsieur Morand. Monsieur Dixmer was managing man -to Monsieur Morand. We were ruined, and Monsieur Morand, knowing that -Monsieur Dixmer was a man of independent fortune, presented him to my -father, who in his turn presented him to me. I saw that my father had -beforehand resolved on my marriage. I understood it was the wish of my -family. I did not love Monsieur Dixmer, neither had I ever loved any -one, but I accepted him.</p> - -<p>"I have now been Dixmer's wife for three years, and I am bound to -say that he has proved to me so good and excellent a husband, that -notwithstanding the difference of taste and the disparity of age you -have remarked, I have never even for a moment experienced the slightest -feeling of regret."</p> - -<p>"But," said Maurice, "when you married Monsieur Dixmer he was not at -the head of this manufactory."</p> - -<p>"No, we lived at Blois. After the 10th of August<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> Monsieur Dixmer -purchased this house and the adjoining workshops; and that I might not -be annoyed by the workmen, and to spare me the sight of many things -repulsive to a person of my habits,—which are, as you observed, -Maurice, a little aristocratic,—he gave me this pavilion, where I -live alone, retired, gratifying my various fancies and desires, and -happy when a friend like yourself, Maurice, comes either to distract or -partake in my reveries."</p> - -<p>And Geneviève tendered her hand to Maurice, which he ardently kissed. -Geneviève blushed slightly.</p> - -<p>"Now, my friend," said the young woman, drawing away her hand, "you -know how I became the wife of Monsieur Dixmer."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Maurice, regarding Geneviève with great attention; "but you -have not told me how Monsieur Morand came to be associated with your -husband."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is very simple," said Geneviève. "Monsieur Dixmer had, as -I have told you, some fortune, but still not sufficient to engage -alone in a large concern like this. The son of Monsieur Morand, his -protector, as I have already mentioned,—this friend of my father, you -will remember,—provided half the funds, and as he possesses a good -knowledge of chemistry, he devotes himself to various improvements with -the energy you have remarked, and, thanks to which, the business of -Monsieur Dixmer, who has charge of all the practical part, has extended -immensely."</p> - -<p>"Monsieur Morand is also a great friend of yours, is he not, Madame?" -said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Monsieur Morand is a noble-hearted being, one of the worthiest men in -existence," gravely replied Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"If he has given you no other proofs," said Maurice, a little piqued at -the importance accorded by Geneviève to the young man, the partner of -her husband, "than divid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>ing the expenses of this establishment with -Monsieur Dixmer, and inventing a new dye for morocco, allow me to say -that you rather over-rate his merits."</p> - -<p>"He has given me many other proofs, sir," said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"He is young, is he not?" said Maurice. "His green spectacles render it -difficult to tell his age."</p> - -<p>"He is thirty-five."</p> - -<p>"You have known him then a long time?"</p> - -<p>"From infancy."</p> - -<p>Maurice bit his lips; he had always suspected Morand loved Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Maurice, "that explains his familiarity with you."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me, sir," said Geneviève, smiling, "that this familiarity, -which is hardly even that of a friend, does not need any explanation."</p> - -<p>"Oh, pardon me, Madame, you know all affectionate natures are jealous, -and my friendship was jealous of that you appear to feel for Monsieur -Morand."</p> - -<p>He ceased talking. Geneviève also remained silent. Nothing further was -said that day respecting Morand, and Maurice quitted Geneviève more -than ever in love, for he was jealous.</p> - -<p>However blinded the young man might be by his passion, whatever -turmoil might be in his heart, there were in the recital of Geneviève -many gaps, much hesitation, and many concealments, to which at the -moment he had paid no attention, but which now returned to his memory -and strangely tortured him. The feeling that there was some mystery -about the family could not be dispelled even by the liberty allowed -him by Dixmer of conversing with Geneviève as often and as long as -he pleased, nor by the solitary interview they had together<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> every -evening. Moreover, Maurice had now become a constant and expected guest -at the house, where he not only enjoyed unrestrained intercourse with -Geneviève, who seemed guarded by her angelic purity from any advances -on the part of the young man, but he now escorted her in all the -excursions made from time to time in the quarter in which she lived. -In the midst of this established intimacy one thing surprised him. -The more he sought (perhaps the better to watch his sentiments for -Geneviève) the friendship of Morand, by whose genius, notwithstanding -his prejudice, he felt himself captivated, and whose pleasing manners -won him more and more every day, the greater the inclination evinced -by this whimsical man to avoid him. Of this he complained bitterly to -Geneviève; for he did not doubt that Morand had discerned in him a -rival, and that his conduct proceeded from jealousy.</p> - -<p>"The Citizen Morand hates me," said he one day to Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"You?" said Geneviève, with a look of astonishment. "You?—Monsieur -Morand hates you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I am sure of it."</p> - -<p>"And why should he hate you?"</p> - -<p>"Do you wish me to tell you?" cried Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," replied Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, because I—"</p> - -<p>Maurice stopped; he was going to say, "because I love you."</p> - -<p>"I cannot tell you why," replied Maurice, coloring. The fierce -Republican near Geneviève was as timid and as confused as a young girl.</p> - -<p>Geneviève smiled.</p> - -<p>"Say," replied she, "there is no sympathy between you, and I may -perhaps believe you. You are of a sanguine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> temperament, have a -brilliant intellect; and you are a man of birth and education, while -Morand is a merchant grafted on a chemist. He is timid and retiring. It -is this timidity that deters him from taking the first step toward your -acquaintance."</p> - -<p>"And who asks him to make the first advance toward me? I have made -fifty to him, and he has never responded. No," continued Maurice, -shaking his head; "that cannot be the reason."</p> - -<p>"What is it, then?" said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>Maurice chose to remain silent.</p> - -<p>The day after this conversation with Geneviève, he visited her at -two o'clock in the afternoon, and found her ready dressed to go out. -"Welcome," said she, "you will act as my chevalier."</p> - -<p>"Where are we going, then?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"I am going to Auteuil. The weather is delightful. I mean to walk part -of the way. Our carriage will convey us to the barrier, where it will -wait for us. We will then walk to Auteuil, and when I have finished my -business there, we will return."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Maurice, "what a delightful day you offer me!"</p> - -<p>The two young people went on their journey. Beyond Passy the carriage -put them down, and they continued their journey on foot.</p> - -<p>On arriving at Auteuil, Geneviève stopped.</p> - -<p>"Wait for me," said she, "at the entrance to the park; when I have -finished I will rejoin you."</p> - -<p>"Where are you going then?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"To a friend's house."</p> - -<p>"Where I cannot accompany you?"</p> - -<p>Geneviève smilingly shook her head.</p> - -<p>"Impossible!" said she.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice bit his lips.</p> - -<p>"Very well," said he; "I will wait."</p> - -<p>"Ah! what?" said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Nothing," replied Maurice. "Shall you be long?"</p> - -<p>"If I had thought it would inconvenience you, Maurice, if I had known -you were engaged," said Geneviève, "I would not have requested you to -do me the slight favor to accompany me to-day. I might have asked—"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur Morand," interrupted Maurice, sharply.</p> - -<p>"No; you are aware Monsieur Morand is at the manufactory at -Rambouillet, and does not return till this evening."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it is to that circumstance that I owe the honor?"</p> - -<p>"Maurice," said Geneviève, softly, "I cannot keep the person I came to -see waiting; but if this puts you to the least inconvenience return to -Paris, only send back the carriage for me."</p> - -<p>"No, no, Madame," replied Maurice, quickly, "I am at your service." -He bowed to Geneviève, who, sighing softly, proceeded on her way, and -entered Auteuil.</p> - -<p>Maurice went to the appointed place, and commenced walking backward -and forward with long impatient strides, cutting off with his cane -like Tarquin all the heads of the weeds, flowers, and thistles, which -he found upon the road; and like all persons whose thoughts are -preoccupied, he continued without pausing to trace and retrace his -footsteps.</p> - -<p>And what occupied his thoughts? The desire to know whether Geneviève -loved him or not. Her manner to him was that of a friend or sister, -but he felt this was no longer sufficient. He loved her with an entire -love. She had become his sole thought by day, his constantly re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>newed -dream by night. At one time, he only asked to see her again; nothing -could satisfy him now but her love.</p> - -<p>Geneviève was absent for an hour, which to him had appeared an age; he -then saw her approaching him with a smile upon her lips. Maurice, on -the contrary, went to meet her with a frowning brow.</p> - -<p>Geneviève, smiling, took his arm.</p> - -<p>"Here I am," said she; "pardon me, <i>mon ami</i>, for having made you wait."</p> - -<p>Maurice only replied by a bow; and they then entered a shady lane, -which, by a winding path, conducted them into the high-road.</p> - -<p>It was one of those delicious evenings in spring when every plant sends -its fragrance on high, when every bird, either seated on the branches, -or skipping from spray to spray, warbles its songs of praise to God; -one of those evenings that seem destined to live forever in our memory. -Maurice was silent, Geneviève pensive. She fondled with one hand the -flowers of a bouquet which she held in the other that rested on the arm -of Maurice.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter with you?" said he, all at once, to Geneviève; "and -what makes you so sad to-day?"</p> - -<p>Geneviève might have answered, My happiness. She regarded him tenderly.</p> - -<p>"But you," said she, "are you not more than usually sad to-day?"</p> - -<p>"I," said Maurice, "have reason to be sad,—I am unhappy; but you—"</p> - -<p>"You unhappy?"</p> - -<p>"Doubtless; do you not perceive sometimes from my tremulous tones how -much I suffer? Does it not often happen, when I am talking with you or -your husband, I am compelled suddenly to seek the air, because I feel -as if my heart would burst?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But," demanded Geneviève, embarrassed, "to what do you attribute this -suffering?"</p> - -<p>"If I were an affected lady," said Maurice, attempting a laugh, "I -should say it was a nervous attack."</p> - -<p>"And at this moment do you suffer?"</p> - -<p>"Much," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Let us return, then."</p> - -<p>"What, already, Madame?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly."</p> - -<p>"True," said the young man, "I forgot Monsieur Morand would return from -Rambouillet this evening; and it is fast approaching." Geneviève looked -at him reproachfully.</p> - -<p>"Oh, again!" said she.</p> - -<p>"Why then did you, the other day, favor me with so high a eulogium of -Monsieur Morand? It is your own fault."</p> - -<p>"How long is it since, to people we esteem," demanded Geneviève, "we -may not express our real opinion of an estimable man?"</p> - -<p>"It must be a very lively esteem to cause you to accelerate your pace, -as you at this moment are doing, for fear of being too late by a few -minutes."</p> - -<p>"You are to-day absolutely unjust, Maurice. Have I not passed part of -the day with you?"</p> - -<p>"You are right; and I am indeed too exacting," replied Maurice, giving -way to his impetuosity. "Let us return to meet Monsieur Morand."</p> - -<p>Geneviève felt her displeasure pass from her mind to her heart.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said she; "let us return to Monsieur Morand. He at least is a -friend who never causes me the slightest pain."</p> - -<p>"They are, indeed, valuable friends," said Maurice,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> choking with -jealousy, "and I, for my part, should like a few such."</p> - -<p>They were now upon the high-road; the horizon crimsoned as the -departing rays of the setting sun glistened upon the gilt moldings of -the dome of the Hôtel des Invalides. A star which on a previous evening -had attracted the attention of Geneviève, sparkled in the azure of -heaven. Geneviève released Maurice's arm with melancholy resignation.</p> - -<p>"Why have you made me suffer?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Maurice, "I am not so clever as some people, and do not know -how to make myself loved."</p> - -<p>"Maurice!" said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Madame, if he is always good, always composed, it is because he -does not suffer."</p> - -<p>Geneviève again placed her white hand on the powerful arm of Maurice.</p> - -<p>"I pray you," said she, in an altered tone, "to speak no more; to speak -no more!"</p> - -<p>"And why?"</p> - -<p>"Because your voice makes me ill."</p> - -<p>"You are displeased with everything about me, even my voice?"</p> - -<p>"Be silent, I conjure you."</p> - -<p>"I will obey you, Madame," and the impetuous young man passed his hand -over his face, damp with perspiration.</p> - -<p>Geneviève saw that he really suffered. People of Maurice's temperament -have griefs of their own, little known or understood by the generality -of mankind.</p> - -<p>"You are my friend, Maurice, a precious friend," said Geneviève, -looking at him kindly; "do not deprive me of your valuable friendship."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you would not long regret it," said Maurice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are mistaken," said Geneviève, "I should regret it very long, and -forever."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève! Geneviève!" cried Maurice, "have pity upon me."</p> - -<p>Geneviève shuddered. It was the first time Maurice had uttered her name -in these passionate accents.</p> - -<p>"And now," continued Maurice, "since you have divined me, let me tell -you all, Geneviève, for though you should kill me with a look, I have -been silent too long; I will speak, Geneviève."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the young woman, "I have supplicated you in the name of our -friendship to remain silent; I still pray you to do so, for my sake, if -not for your own. Not another word; in the name of Heaven! not another -word!"</p> - -<p>"Friendship, friendship! if it be a friendship like this you profess -for me, that you feel for Monsieur Morand, I wish for no more of your -friendship,—I, Geneviève, require more than others."</p> - -<p>"Enough," said Madame Dixmer, with the gesture of a queen,—"enough, -Monsieur Lindey; here is our carriage, please to conduct me to my -husband's house."</p> - -<p>Maurice trembled with fever and emotion, when Geneviève, to rejoin the -carriage, which indeed was only a few paces distant, placed her hand on -his arm.</p> - -<p>They both entered the carriage; Geneviève took the front seat, and -Maurice the one opposite. They traversed Paris without either one or -the other having uttered a word. Only, all the way, Geneviève had held -her handkerchief before her eyes. When they entered the building, -Dixmer was occupied in his counting-house, Morand had just returned -from Rambouillet, and was changing his dress. Geneviève held out her -hand to Maurice, as she entered her chamber.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Adieu! Maurice, you have wished it."</p> - -<p>Maurice said nothing, but walked directly to the mantel-piece, where -hung a portrait of Geneviève. He ardently kissed it, pressed it to -his heart, replaced it, and went out. Maurice reached home without -knowing how he arrived there; he had passed through Paris without -seeing anything, without hearing anything; all that had happened to -him appeared like a dream; he was unable to account for his actions, -his words, or the sentiments which had induced them. There are moments -when the most serene spirits succumb under the violence of their own -emotions.</p> - -<p>It was, as we have said, rather a race than a return, on the part -of Maurice. He undressed himself without the assistance of his -<i>valet-de-chambre</i>, nor did he reply to his cook, who displayed his -supper duly prepared for him, but taking the day's letters from the -table, he read them all, one after the other, without comprehending a -single word. The mists of jealousy, that intoxication of reason, were -not yet dissipated. At ten o'clock Maurice mechanically sought his -bed, as, indeed, he had done everything else since his parting with -Geneviève.</p> - -<p>If Maurice in his cooler moments had been told of this extraordinary -behavior in another, he would not have been able to comprehend it, but -would have considered him mad to have pursued this desperate conduct, -totally unauthorized either by too much reserve or too much "abandon" -on the part of Geneviève. He now only felt that a terrible blow had -been dealt to all his hopes, of which he had never even to himself -rendered an account, and upon which, vague as they were, reposed all -his visions of happiness,—dreams which like an intangible vapor -floated shapelessly toward the horizon, and there disappeared. Thus -it happened, as it nearly always does in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> such cases, that Maurice, -stunned by this blow, dropped asleep directly he found himself in bed, -where he remained free from all sentiment till the morrow. He was -awakened by the noise of the official opening the door, who came as -usual to unclose the windows which looked upon a large garden, and to -bring some flowers.</p> - -<p>At that time, in the year '93, much attention was paid to the culture -of forced flowers, and Maurice dearly loved all flowers; but now -without even bestowing a glance upon them, he half raised his heavy -head, and supporting it on his hand, endeavored to recall the events -of the preceding evening. Maurice asked himself, without being able -to account for it, the cause of this mad folly. The sole cause was -jealousy of Morand; but the moment was certainly ill-chosen to give -vent to his jealousy of a man when this man was at Rambouillet, and -while enjoying a <i>tête-à-tête</i> with the woman one loves, surrounded by -the most enchanting scenery, on one of the lovely days of spring.</p> - -<p>It was not suspicion of the inmates at the house at Auteuil, where -Geneviève had remained an hour; no, the incessant torment of his life -was the idea that Morand loved Geneviève, and yet—singular phantasy of -the brain, strange combination of caprice—not a gesture, a look, not -even a word from Dixmer's partner had afforded the slightest grounds -for this belief.</p> - -<p>The voice of the <i>valet-de-chambre</i> aroused him from this revery.</p> - -<p>"Citizen," said he, showing him the open letters on the table, "have -you selected those you wish to keep, or shall they all be burned?"</p> - -<p>"Burn what?" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"The letters the Citizen read last night, before he retired to bed."</p> - -<p>Maurice could not remember having read one.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Burn all," said he.</p> - -<p>"Here are to-day's letters, Citizen," said the official.</p> - -<p>He presented a packet of letters to Maurice, and threw the others in -the fire. Maurice took the letters, felt the impression of a seal, and -fancied that he recognized the perfume of a friend, and looking over -his correspondence he found a sealed envelope and hand-writing that -made him tremble. This man, who bravely faced danger, trembled before -the odor of a letter. The official approached him to inquire what was -the matter, but Maurice signified a wish to be alone.</p> - -<p>He turned and returned this letter; he felt a presentiment it contained -misery for him, and started and trembled before unknown misfortune.</p> - -<p>Having collected all his courage he at length opened it, and read as -follows:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Citizen Maurice</span>,—It has become necessary that we should -burst these bonds—bonds which, on your side, affect to exceed the -bounds of friendship. You are a man of honor, Citizen, and now that a -night has passed since the occurrences of yesterday evening, you ought -to comprehend that your presence at our house is no longer desirable. -I leave it to you to excuse yourself in any way you think best to my -husband. On the arrival this day of any letter from you to Monsieur -Dixmer I shall be convinced that I have to regret the loss of a -friend who has unfortunately been most imprudent, and whom all social -propriety will deter me from meeting for the future. Adieu forever.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Geneviève.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>P.S. The bearer awaits your reply.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Maurice called; the <i>valet-de-chambre</i> reappeared.</p> - -<p>"Who brought this letter?"</p> - -<p>"A messenger."</p> - -<p>"Is he waiting?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice did not sigh, did not for a moment hesitate, but, partly -dressing, seated himself before his writing-desk, and taking the first -sheet of paper that came to hand (he found it had on it the impression -of a head with the name of the section), he wrote,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Citizen Dixmer</span>,—I respected you, and I still do so; but I -cannot visit you any longer."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Maurice considered what reason he could assign for not visiting Dixmer, -and one idea alone presented itself to his mind, that which at this -epoch would have occurred to any one. He thus continued,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Certain rumors are afloat relative to your lukewarmness in public -affairs. I have no wish to accuse you, and no mission to defend you. -Receive my respects, and feel assured your secrets will remain forever -buried in my heart."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Maurice did not even revise this letter, written, as we have said, -under the impression of the first idea that presented itself. He did -not doubt the effect it would produce. Dixmer, an excellent patriot, as -Maurice imagined from his conversation at least, would be much grieved -at receiving it, his wife and Monsieur Morand would no doubt influence -him not to reply, and forgetfulness would gradually spread itself -like a dark veil over the happy past, transforming it into a dark and -melancholy future. Maurice signed and sealed his letter, gave it to the -official, and the messenger departed.</p> - -<p>Then a heart-felt sigh escaped the Republican; he took his hat and -gloves and proceeded to the section.</p> - -<p>He hoped, poor Brutus, to recover his stoicism by occupying himself -with public affairs.</p> - -<p>Public affairs were indeed terrible; the 31st of May was preparing. The -"Terreur," which, like a torrent, pre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>cipitated itself from the height -of the Montagne, endeavored to carry away the dike opposed to it by the -Girondins, those audacious "Modéréts" who had dared to demand vengeance -for the massacres of September, and to wrestle for an instant to save -the life of the king.</p> - -<p>While Maurice was working with an energy that drove the fever from -his heart to his head, the messenger had re-entered the old Rue Saint -Jacques, filling the dwelling there with terror and astonishment.</p> - -<p>The letter, after passing through Geneviève's hands, was given by her -to Dixmer.</p> - -<p>Dixmer opened and read it, without at first understanding it; he then -communicated the contents to the Citizen Morand, who, becoming as pale -as death, supported his head upon his hand.</p> - -<p>In the situation in which Dixmer, Morand, and their companions found -themselves (a situation totally unknown to Maurice, but which our -readers have penetrated) this letter was like a thunderbolt.</p> - -<p>"Is this an upright, honest man?" asked Dixmer, in great distress.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Morand, without the least hesitation.</p> - -<p>"Never mind," said the advocate for extreme measures, "you see we were -very wrong not to kill him."</p> - -<p>"My friend," said Morand, "we struggle against violence, we brand it -with the name of crime. We have acted rightly, whatever may be the -result, in not assassinating this man. I repeat, I believe Maurice to -possess a noble, generous spirit."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but if so noble and generous a spirit belongs to this warm -Republican, perhaps he may regard it in the light of a crime, if he has -made any discovery, not to immolate his own honor, as they say, 'on the -altar of his country.'"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But," said Morand, "do you think he knows anything?"</p> - -<p>"Do you not understand? He speaks of secrets buried in his heart.</p> - -<p>"These secrets are evidently those confided to him by me relative to -our contraband transactions. He knows no others."</p> - -<p>"But," said Morand, "this interview at Auteuil? does he suspect -anything? You know he accompanied your wife?"</p> - -<p>"It was I who told Geneviève to take Maurice with her as a protector."</p> - -<p>"Listen," said Morand, "we shall soon see if these surmises be true. -The turn of our battalion to guard the Temple happens on the 2d -of June,—that is to say in eight days. You are captain, Dixmer, -and I lieutenant; if our battalion or even our company receives a -counter-order, like that received the other day by the battalion of -Buttes-des-Moulins, which Santerre has replaced by that of Gravilliers, -all is discovered, and we have only to flee from Paris, or die -fighting. But if all follows in the usual course of things—"</p> - -<p>"We are lost all the same," replied Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"How so?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Pardieu!</i> does not all revolve upon the co-operation of this young -municipal? Was it not he who, without knowing it, was to open the road -for us to the queen?"</p> - -<p>"That is true!" said Morand, confounded.</p> - -<p>"You see, then," said Dixmer, knitting his brows, "that at any price we -must renew our intimacy with this young man."</p> - -<p>"But if he refuse, if he fear to compromise himself?"</p> - -<p>"Listen!" said Dixmer, "I will question Geneviève; she saw him last, -perhaps she may know something more."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Dixmer," said Morand, "it is with pain I see you mixing Geneviève with -all our plots; not that I fear any indiscretion on her part. O great -God! the drama we are acting is a dreadful one, and I at once blush and -tremble to place the head of a woman at stake."</p> - -<p>"The head of a woman," said Dixmer, "weighs as heavily as that of a -man, where stratagem, candor, and beauty can do as much and sometimes -even more than force, strength, power, or courage. Geneviève shares -in our convictions and our sympathies. Geneviève shall also share our -fate."</p> - -<p>"Well, my friend," said Morand, "I have said all I ought to say. -Geneviève is in every way worthy of the mission you have given her, -or rather, that she has taken upon herself. It is saints who become -martyrs."</p> - -<p>And he held out his delicate and effeminate hand to Dixmer, who roughly -pressed it between his own. Then Dixmer, recommending Morand and his -companions to watch with increased vigilance, quitted them, and entered -Geneviève's apartments.</p> - -<p>She was seated before a table, bending over a piece of embroidery. She -turned round at the noise of the opening door, and recognized Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Ah! is it you, <i>mon ami</i>?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Dixmer, with a placid, smiling countenance. "I have -received a letter from our friend Maurice, which I cannot understand in -the least. Read it, and tell me what you think of it."</p> - -<p>Geneviève took the letter with a hand of which (with all her -self-command) she could not disguise the tremor, and read. Dixmer -followed her eyes as they ran over every line.</p> - -<p>"Well?" said he, when she had finished.</p> - -<p>"Well! I think that Monsieur Maurice Lindey is an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> honest man, and from -him we have nothing to fear," replied Geneviève, with the greatest -calmness.</p> - -<p>"You think he is ignorant who the persons are you visited at Auteuil?"</p> - -<p>"I am certain that he is."</p> - -<p>"Why then this sudden determination? Did he appear yesterday less -friendly or more excited than usual?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Geneviève; "I believe he was just the same."</p> - -<p>"Consider well what you tell me, Geneviève, for you must understand -your reply will greatly influence our future projects."</p> - -<p>"Wait, then," said she, with an emotion that overthrew all her attempt -at calmness. "Wait—"</p> - -<p>"Well!" said Dixmer, all the muscles of his face slightly contracting; -"collect your thoughts, Geneviève."</p> - -<p>"Yes!" said the young woman, "yes, I remember, yesterday he was not -particularly civil. Monsieur Maurice," continued she, "is a little -tyrannical in his friendship, and," hesitatingly added, "sometimes we -have quarrelled for whole weeks."</p> - -<p>"This is then merely a quarrel?" demanded Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Most probably."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève, understand this: in our position it is not probability that -will suffice, it is certitude we require."</p> - -<p>"Ah, well, dear, I am certain."</p> - -<p>"This letter, then, can be only a pretext for not visiting us again?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Mon ami</i>, how can you wish that I should speak to you about such -things?"</p> - -<p>"Speak, Geneviève, speak; of any other woman I would not ask it."</p> - -<p>"It is a pretext," said Geneviève, looking down.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Dixmer. Then after a moment's silence, placing upon his -wife's chair the hand with which he had been striving to compress the -beatings of his heart,—</p> - -<p>"Will you do me a service?" said he.</p> - -<p>"What service?" said Geneviève, turning around surprised.</p> - -<p>"To prevent even the shadow of danger. Maurice is, perhaps, deeper in -our secrets than we imagine. That which you believe a pretext may, -perhaps, be a reality. Write him a line."</p> - -<p>"I!" said Geneviève, starting.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you. Tell him that you have opened the letter and desire an -explanation. He will then call, you can interrogate him, and will -easily discover what is the matter."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no!" cried Geneviève, "I cannot do as you wish me; I will not do -it."</p> - -<p>"Dear Geneviève, when interests so powerful as those that rest upon -us are at stake, will you recoil before any paltry consideration of -self-love?"</p> - -<p>"I have told you my opinion of Maurice, Monsieur," said Geneviève, "he -is honest and brave, but capricious; and I do not choose to submit to -any authority but that of my husband."</p> - -<p>This answer, returned with so much calmness, and at the same time -firmness, convinced Dixmer that to insist further at this moment would -be worse than useless. He did not add another word, but looked at -Geneviève without seeming to do so, wiped the perspiration from his -forehead, and went out.</p> - -<p>Morand was awaiting his return with great anxiety. Dixmer repeated word -for word all that had been said.</p> - -<p>"Well!" said Morand, "we will wait, and think no more about it; rather -than I would cast a shadow of care<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> on your wife, rather than wound her -self-love, I would renounce—"</p> - -<p>Dixmer placed his hand upon his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"You are mad, sir," said he, looking at him steadily, "or else you do -not know what you are saying."</p> - -<p>"What! Dixmer, do you think—"</p> - -<p>"I think, Chevalier, that you have no more self-command than I -have, to give utterance to sentiments on the impulse of the moment. -Neither you, I, nor Geneviève belong to ourselves, Morand. We are the -chosen defenders of a certain cause, and this cause depends upon its -supporters."</p> - -<p>Morand trembled, and preserved a gloomy and thoughtful silence. They -took several turns round the garden without exchanging a word. Then -Dixmer left Morand.</p> - -<p>"I have some orders to give," said he, in a calm voice. "I must leave -you, Monsieur Morand."</p> - -<p>Morand held out his hand to Dixmer, and looked after him as he turned -away.</p> - -<p>"Poor Dixmer," said he, "I fear much that in all this you risk the -most."</p> - -<p>Dixmer returned to the manufactory, and having issued several orders, -looked over the day-book, and distributed bread and fuel to the poor of -the section, went home, and changed his working dress for his walking -costume immediately on his arrival there.</p> - -<p>An hour afterward Maurice Lindey, while deeply engaged in his readings -and allocutions, was interrupted by the voice of his official, -whispering in his ear,—</p> - -<p>"Citizen Lindey, some one who, so he pretends at least, has something -of importance to say to you, is waiting at your house."</p> - -<p>Maurice, on entering, was much surprised at meeting the master-tanner, -who had there comfortably installed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> himself, and was turning over the -newspapers. All the way along he had questioned the domestic, who, of -course, not knowing Dixmer, could afford him no clew to his identity.</p> - -<p>On perceiving Dixmer, Maurice stopped at the threshold of the door, and -blushed in spite of himself.</p> - -<p>Dixmer smilingly arose, and held out his hand.</p> - -<p>"What ails you? and what have you written to me?" he inquired of the -young man. "Indeed, my dear Maurice, I feel it sensibly. You designate -me as 'lukewarm and a false patriot.' Now as you dare not repeat these -accusations to my face, acknowledge you wish to seek a quarrel with me."</p> - -<p>"I will avow anything you please, my dear Dixmer, for your conduct to -me has always been that of a worthy man; but I have nevertheless made a -resolution, and that resolution is irrevocable."</p> - -<p>"But how is that?" said Dixmer, "when according to your own confession -you have nothing to reproach us with, and yet, notwithstanding, you -leave us?"</p> - -<p>"My dear Dixmer, believe me, acting as I now am, and depriving myself -of such a friend, I must be actuated by powerful motives."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but under any circumstances," said Dixmer, affecting to smile, -"these reasons are not those you have written. What you have written to -me is merely a subterfuge."</p> - -<p>Maurice reflected an instant.</p> - -<p>"Listen, Dixmer," said he; "we live in an epoch when a doubt conveyed -in a letter can and must annoy you; this I can well understand. It -would then be acting like a dishonorable man to allow you to remain in -this state of inquietude. Yes, Dixmer, the reasons I gave you were not -the true ones."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> - -<p>This avowal, which should have cleared the face of the merchant, only -seemed the more to cloud it.</p> - -<p>"But at least tell me the true motive," said Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"I cannot tell you," said Maurice; "and yet I am certain if you knew -it, you would afford me your approval."</p> - -<p>Dixmer still continued to press him.</p> - -<p>"Then you really wish to know it," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Well, then," replied Maurice, who felt a sensation of relief as -he approached the truth; "this is the truth. You have a young and -beautiful wife, who is as virtuous as she is beautiful; yet Madame -Dixmer's well-known character cannot prevent my frequent visits to your -house from being misinterpreted."</p> - -<p>Dixmer turned rather pale.</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" said he. "Then, my dear Maurice, the husband should thank you -for the wrong you do the friend?"</p> - -<p>"Understand," said Maurice, "I have not the folly to suppose my -presence can be dangerous to your repose, or that of your wife; but it -might, perhaps, afford subject for calumny, and you are aware the more -absurd the scandal, the easier it gains belief."</p> - -<p>"Absurd!" said Dixmer, shrugging his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Absurd, as much as you please," said Maurice, "but separate, we shall -not the less be good friends, for we shall have nothing to reproach -ourselves with; while, on the contrary, if near—"</p> - -<p>"Well! What then?"</p> - -<p>"There would be food for scandal."</p> - -<p>"Do you think, Maurice, that I should believe—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, let us say no more," said the young man.</p> - -<p>"But why did you write this instead of telling it to me, Maurice?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Just to avoid the scene of this moment."</p> - -<p>"And are you vexed, Maurice, that I respected you sufficiently to -demand an explanation?"</p> - -<p>"No; on the contrary, I swear I am glad to have seen you once again -before our final separation."</p> - -<p>"Our final separation, Citizen! you whom we esteem so much!" taking -Maurice's hand and pressing it between his own.</p> - -<p>Maurice started.</p> - -<p>"Morand," continued Dixmer, who failed not to notice this start, -"Morand said to me again and again this morning, 'Do all in your power -to bring back Maurice.'"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur," said the young man, frowning and drawing away his hand, "I -did not believe I stood very high in the estimation of Monsieur Morand."</p> - -<p>"Do you doubt it?" said Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"I!" replied Maurice, "I neither believe nor doubt it, and have no -motive to inquire on the subject. When I went to your house it was to -visit yourself and your wife, and not on account of Monsieur Morand."</p> - -<p>"You do not know him, Maurice," said Dixmer; "Morand possesses a noble -soul."</p> - -<p>"I grant it," said Maurice, smiling bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Let us, however, return to the object of my visit," continued Dixmer.</p> - -<p>Maurice bowed, like a man who hears all, but has nothing more to say.</p> - -<p>"You say, then, that these reports have already circulated?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, let us speak frankly. Why should you pay any attention -to the silly prattling of idle neighbors? Have you not your own clear -conscience, Maurice; and Geneviève, has she not her sense of honor?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am younger than you," said Maurice, who began to be astonished at -this pertinacity, "and perhaps view things with more susceptibility. -This is why I declare that on the reputation of such a woman as -Geneviève a shadow even should not be permitted to be cast. Permit me, -therefore, my dear Dixmer, to adhere to my former resolution."</p> - -<p>"And now," said Dixmer, "since we are in order for confession, tell me -one thing more."</p> - -<p>"What!" said Maurice, coloring, "what more do you wish me to avow?"</p> - -<p>"That it is neither politics, nor the report of your assiduity at my -house, that induces you to leave us."</p> - -<p>"What is it, then?"</p> - -<p>"The secret you have discovered."</p> - -<p>"What secret?" demanded Maurice, with so <i>naïve</i> an expression of -curiosity, as completely to reassure the tanner.</p> - -<p>"The secret of the smuggling affair, which you discovered the same -evening when our acquaintance commenced in so strange a manner. You -have never forgiven me this fraud, and accuse me of being a bad -Republican because I employ English products in my manufactory."</p> - -<p>"My dear Dixmer, I solemnly declare to you that when I visited at your -house, I had totally forgotten I was in the house of a smuggler."</p> - -<p>"Truly?"</p> - -<p>"Truly."</p> - -<p>"You really, then, had no other reason for abandoning the house than -that you have stated?"</p> - -<p>"Upon my honor."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Dixmer, rising and taking the young man's hand, "I hope -you will re-consider this resolution<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> which has been productive of pain -to us all, and will again return to us as usual."</p> - -<p>Maurice bowed, but made no reply, which was of course equivalent to a -refusal. Dixmer left, annoyed at not having been able to re-establish -an intimacy with this man whom certain circumstances had rendered not -only useful to him but almost indispensable. Maurice was agitated by -a variety of emotions of a contrary nature. Dixmer entreated him to -return. Geneviève would pardon him. Why then should he despond? Lorin -in his place would have selected a crowd of aphorisms from his favorite -authors. But then he had Geneviève's letter, that formal dismissal, -which he had carried with him to the section and placed near his heart; -also the little word received from her the day after he had rescued her -from the cowards who insulted her; and lastly, the obstinate jealousy -entertained by the young man against the detestable Morand, the first -cause of his rupture with Geneviève.</p> - -<p>Maurice remained inflexible in his resolution. But it must be -acknowledged the privation of his daily visits to the old Rue Saint -Jacques formed a sad blank in his existence; and when the hour arrived -at which he had been accustomed to pay his daily visit to the quarter -Saint Victor, he fell into a profound fit of melancholy, and began, -from that moment, to experience every aspect of hope and regret.</p> - -<p>Each morning on awakening he expected to receive a letter from Dixmer, -and acknowledged to himself that he who had so firmly resisted all -personal persuasion, would now at last yield to a letter; each day -he sallied out in hopes of meeting Geneviève, and, beforehand, had -arranged a thousand means of accosting her; each evening he returned -home in hopes of there finding that messenger<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> who had one morning -unwittingly brought him the grief which had now become his constant -companion.</p> - -<p>Often, in his hours of despair, his strong nature rebelled at the idea -of enduring so much torture, without retaliating upon the primary cause -of all his suffering and all his misery, Morand. Then he formed a -project to go and seek some quarrel with Morand; but Dixmer's partner -was so inoffensive and gentlemanly that to insult or provoke him would -be a cowardly proceeding on the part of a Colossus like Maurice.</p> - -<p>It was fortunate that Lorin came to distract the attention of Maurice -from troubles which he obstinately concealed from his friend, though he -did not deny to him their existence. Lorin had used every argument of -theory and practice to secure to its country that heart overwhelmed in -grief by another love. But although the political situation was grave, -and although in another state of mind it might have dragged Maurice -into the centre of the whirlpool, it could not restore to the young -Republican that first activity which had distinguished him as a hero on -the 14th of July and the 10th of August.</p> - -<p>In fact, two systems, for the last ten months in view of each other, -which thus far had only made some light attacks on each other, and -had engaged in a few skirmishes as a prelude, now prepared to meet -body to body, and it was evident that the struggle once begun would -end fatally for one or the other. These two systems, born in the -bosom of the Revolution itself, were those of Moderation, represented -by the Girondins,—that is to say, by Brissot, Pétion, Vergniaud, -Valazé, Lanjuinais, Barbaroux, etc.,—and the Terror, or the Mountain, -represented by Danton, Robespierre, Chénier, Fabre, Marat, Collot -d'Herbois, Hébert, etc.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the 10th of August, as after every action, the power appeared -to pass into the hands of the Moderates. A ministry had been formed -from the wreck of the former ministry, and of a new coalition. Roland, -Servien, and Clavières, former ministers, had been recalled; Danton, -Monge, and Le Brun had been nominated afresh. With one exception only, -all these ministers belonged to the Moderate party. Of course when we -say "Moderate" we speak relatively.</p> - -<p>But the 10th of August had had its echo from afar, and the coalition -hastened to march, not to the assistance of Louis XVI. personally, but -of the royalist principle tottering at its basis. Then were heard the -menacing words of Brunswick, and as a terrible realization, Longwy -and Verdun had fallen into the power of the enemy. Then the Terrorist -reaction had taken place; then Danton had dreams of the days of -September, and had realized the bloody dream which displayed to the -enemy all France as a scene of wholesale assassination, and ready to -struggle for her precarious existence with all the energy of despair. -September had saved France, but in saving her had rendered her lawless. -France saved, and the Energetic party having become powerless, the -Moderates regained some strength, and wished to recriminate those -dreadful days. The words "murderer" and "assassin" had been uttered; a -new name had even been added to the national vocabulary,—it was that -of "Septembriseur."</p> - -<p>Danton had bravely accepted it. Like Clovis he had for a moment -inclined his head under the baptism of blood, only to raise it still -more lofty and menacing. Another opportunity to renew the Terror -presented itself; it was the process of the king. Violence and -moderation entered, not altogether to wrestle against persons but -principles. The trial of relative strength was made on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> the royal -prisoner. Moderation was overcome, and the head of Louis XVI. fell upon -the scaffold.</p> - -<p>As the 10th of August, so the 21st of January had restored to the -coalition all its energy. It was still the same man who opposed them, -but not the same fortune. Dumouriez, arrested in his progress by the -disorder of all the administrations, which prevented the succor of -men or money from reaching him, declared against the Jacobins, whom -he accused of causing this disorganization, adopted the party of the -Girondins, and ruined them in declaring himself their friend.</p> - -<p>Then the Vendée arose; the departments threatened; misfortune producing -treason, and treason misfortune. The Jacobins accused the Moderates, -and wished to strike their death-blow on the 10th of March,—that is -to say, on the eventful evening when our story commenced. But too much -precipitation on the part of their adversaries saved them, and perhaps -also the rain which caused Pétion (that profound anatomist of the -Parisian mind) to remark,—</p> - -<p>"It rains! there will be nothing to-night."</p> - -<p>But since the 10th of March everything threatened ruin to the -Girondins. Marat was accused and acquitted. Robespierre and Danton were -reconciled, at least as a lion and tiger are reconciled before killing -the bull they both intend to devour; Henriot, the Septembriseur, -nominated Commandant-General to the National Guard; everything presaged -that awful day which would carry away by storm the last obstacle the -Revolution opposed to the Terror.</p> - -<p>Such were the great events in which under any other circumstances -Maurice would have taken that active part for which his powerful -nature and exalted patriotism so fully qualified him. But happily, or -unhappily, for Mau<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>rice, neither the exhortations of Lorin, nor the -terrible demonstrations on the streets, had been able to divert his -mind from the one idea that possessed it; and when the 31st of May -arrived, the fierce assailant of the Bastille and the Tuileries was -laid upon his bed, devoured by that fever which destroys the strongest, -and which nevertheless a word can dissipate, a look can heal.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE THIRTY-FIRST OF MAY.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> the morning of the 31st of May, when the tocsin and beat of drum -had been sounding since the break of day, the battalion of the Faubourg -Saint Victor entered the Temple.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> all the usual formalities had been gone through, and the posts -distributed, the municipals on service arrived, bringing with them four -pieces of cannon in addition to those already forming the battery at -the gate of the Temple.</p> - -<p>At the same time Santerre arrived, with his epaulets of yellow wool, -and a coat on which his patriotism was displayed by large spots of -grease. He reviewed the battalion, which was in a proper state, but on -counting the municipals, found only three.</p> - -<p>"Why are there only three municipals?" inquired he; "and who is the bad -citizen who fails us?"</p> - -<p>"The absent citizen, General, is not lukewarm," replied our old -acquaintance, Agricola; "for it is the secretary of the section -Lepelletier, the chief of the brave Thermopyles, the Citizen Maurice -Lindey."</p> - -<p>"Well, well," said Santerre, "I know as well as yourself the patriotism -of the Citizen Maurice Lindey; but that will not deter me, if he is -not here in five minutes, from inscribing his name in the list of the -absent."</p> - -<p>And Santerre passed on to other details.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> - -<p>A few paces from the general, at the moment he pronounced these words, -a captain of chasseurs and a soldier had stationed themselves, one -leaning against his gun, the other seated on a cannon.</p> - -<p>"Did you hear?" said the captain to the soldier, in a low tone. -"Maurice has not yet arrived."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but rest assured he will arrive, unless there should be a riot."</p> - -<p>"In case he should not come," said the captain, "I will place you -sentinel on the staircase; and as she will probably ascend to the -tower, you will be able to speak a word to her."</p> - -<p>At this moment a man, evidently a municipal from his tricolored scarf, -entered; but this man being a stranger to the captain and the chasseur, -they both regarded him attentively.</p> - -<p>"Citizen General," said the new-comer, addressing Santerre; "I request -you to accept me in place of Citizen Maurice Lindey, who is ill. Here -is the medical certificate; in eight days it will be my turn to mount -guard. I now exchange with him; in eight days he will do duty for me, -as to-day I will for him."</p> - -<p>"Provided the Capets and Capettes live eight days longer," said one of -the municipals.</p> - -<p>Santerre replied by a slight smile to this pleasantry, and turning -toward Maurice's proxy,—</p> - -<p>"Very good," said he; "sign the register, in lieu of Maurice Lindey, -and state in the column of observations the reason for this exchange."</p> - -<p>The captain and chasseur exchanged looks of delight, mingled with -astonishment.</p> - -<p>"In eight days," said they.</p> - -<p>"Captain Dixmer," cried Santerre, "take your position in the garden -with your company."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come, Morand," said the captain to the chasseur his companion.</p> - -<p>The drum sounded, and the company led by the master-tanner filed off in -the direction prescribed. They piled arms, and the company divided into -groups, which, according to their inclination, walked to and fro.</p> - -<p>Their place of promenade was the same garden where, in the time of -Louis XVI., the royal family came sometimes to take the air. This -garden was naked, barren, and desolate, completely despoiled of trees, -flowers, or verdure of any kind.</p> - -<p>At about five-and-twenty paces, or perhaps rather nearer that portion -of the wall built on the Rue Portefoin, was a species of cottage, which -the foresight of the municipality had established for the convenience -of the National Guard stationed at the Temple, who in days of riot, -when they were not permitted to go out of the grounds, found it an -accommodation to take their meals in this little cottage. The direction -of this little alehouse had been a matter of contention, till at length -concession was made in favor of an excellent patriot, the wife of a -suburban killed on the 10th of August, who bore the name of Plumeau.</p> - -<p>This little cabin, built of planks and mud, rose in the middle of a -flower-bed, of which the bounds may still be recognized by a hedge -of dwarf box-trees. It was composed of a single chamber, twelve feet -square, under which extended a cave, the descent to which was by steps -rudely cut in the earth itself. Here the Widow Plumeau stowed away her -wine and provisions. This department was alternately managed by herself -and daughter, a girl of twelve or fifteen years of age.</p> - -<p>Hardly established at their bivouac, the National Guards separated, -as we have said, some to saunter in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> the garden, while others chatted -with the hostess. Some amused themselves by criticising the designs -traced upon the walls, which were all meant to be of a patriotic -character,—such as the king pendent with this inscription, "Monsieur -Veto taking an air-bath;" or the king guillotined with this, "Monsieur -Veto spitting in the sack;" while others were giving gastronomical -orders to Madame Plumeau, according to the suggestions of their -different appetites. Among the latter were the captain and the chasseur -whom we have previously remarked.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Captain Dixmer!" said the <i>cantinière</i>, "I have some famous Saumur -wine."</p> - -<p>"But, Citizeness Plumeau, in my opinion, at least, the Saumur wine -is nothing without Brie cheese," replied the captain, who, before he -stated this opinion, had carefully looked round, and detected the -absence of his favorite viand.</p> - -<p>"Ah! Captain, it is true; but the last morsel has been consumed."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the captain, "no Brie cheese, no Saumur wine for me; and -remark, Citizeness Plumeau, my order would have been of some amount, as -I had intended to treat all my company."</p> - -<p>"But, Captain, I ask you to wait only five minutes, and I will run and -procure some at the house of the citizen concierge who competes with -me, and who always has it. I shall pay very dear, and you, I am sure, -are too good a patriot not to compensate me."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," replied Dixmer; "and in the mean time we will go down into -the vault, and select our own wines."</p> - -<p>"Make yourself at home, Captain, pray do."</p> - -<p>And the Widow Plumeau ran with all her might toward the lodge of the -concierge, while the captain and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> chasseur, provided with a light, -raised the trap-door, and descended into the cave.</p> - -<p>"Good," said Morand, after an instant's inspection, "the cave extends -in the direction of Rue Portefoin. It is nine or ten feet in depth, and -there is no brickwork."</p> - -<p>"What is the nature of the soil?" inquired Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Chalk; it is all made earth. These gardens have been turned over many -times. There is nowhere any rock."</p> - -<p>"Be quick," cried Dixmer, "I hear the clogs of our <i>vivandière</i>; take -two bottles of wine and let us go up."</p> - -<p>They both appeared at the trap-door as Madame Plumeau entered, carrying -the cheese so strenuously insisted upon by Dixmer, while several -chasseurs followed her, attracted by the favorable appearance of the -said cheese.</p> - -<p>Dixmer did the honors; he offered twenty bottles of wine to his -company, while the Citizen Morand recounted the devotion of Curtius, -the disinterestedness of Fabricius, and the patriotism of Brutus and -Cassius,—histories almost as much appreciated as the Brie cheese and -the Anjou wine offered by Dixmer, which is not saying a little.</p> - -<p>Eleven o'clock struck. At half-past, the sentinels were relieved.</p> - -<p>"Does not the Austrian generally take her walk from twelve to one?" -asked Dixmer of Tison, who passed the cabin.</p> - -<p>"From twelve to one, exactly," and he began to sing.</p> - -<p>His song was received with a shout of laughter from the National Guard. -Dixmer immediately summoned those men in his company whose duty it -was to mount guard from half-past eleven o'clock till half-past one, -told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> them to hasten their breakfast, and made Morand take arms, in -order to place him, as had been agreed, on the highest story of the -tower, in the same turret behind which Maurice was hidden the day he -had intercepted the signs intended for the queen from the window on Rue -Portefoin. If any one had noticed Morand at the moment he received this -order, simple and expected as it was, he would have seen him grow pale -beneath the masses of his long black hair.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a dull noise shook the courts of the Temple, and sounds were -heard in the distance like the roaring of a hurricane.</p> - -<p>"What is that?" asked Dixmer of Tison.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" replied the jailer, "it is nothing; some little uproar these -rascally Brissotins are making before they go to the guillotine."</p> - -<p>The noise became more and more threatening, the roar of artillery was -heard, and a crowd of people rushed past, near the Temple, shouting,—</p> - -<p>"Long live the Sections!" "Long live Henriot!" "Down with the -Brissotins!" "Down with the Rolandists!" "Down with Madame Veto!"</p> - -<p>"Good!" said Tison, clapping his hands, "I will go and open the door -for Madame Veto, that without any disturbance she may enjoy the love -the people evince for her."</p> - -<p>He approached the wicket of the turret-keep.</p> - -<p>"Holloa, Tison!" cried a formidable voice.</p> - -<p>"Yes, General," replied he, stopping short.</p> - -<p>"No egress to-day," said Santerre; "the prisoners are not to quit their -chambers."</p> - -<p>The order was peremptory.</p> - -<p>"Good!" said Tison, "so much the less trouble."</p> - -<p>Dixmer and Morand exchanged looks of disappointment;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> then waiting till -the hour for duty had struck (though nothing could now be attempted), -they both went to walk between the cabin and the wall running toward -Rue Portefoin. Morand began to measure the distance, taking geometrical -steps,—that is to say of three feet.</p> - -<p>"What is the distance?" inquired Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Sixty to sixty-one feet," replied Morand.</p> - -<p>"How many days will be required?"</p> - -<p>Morand considered, then traced on the ground with a stick some -geometrical signs, which he immediately effaced.</p> - -<p>"Seven days at least," said he.</p> - -<p>"Maurice will be on guard in eight days," murmured Dixmer. "It is, -then, absolutely imperative that within eight days we should be -reconciled to Maurice."</p> - -<p>The half-hour struck; Morand, sighing, resumed his musket, and -conducted by the corporal, went to relieve the sentinel who was -patrolling the platform before the tower.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">DEVOTION.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> day following these events,—that is to say the 1st of June,—at -ten o'clock in the morning, Geneviève was seated in her accustomed -place near the window. She asked herself why, for the last three weeks, -the days for her rose so sad; why they passed so slowly; and lastly, -why instead of waiting for the evening with impatience, she now dreaded -its return.</p> - -<p>Her nights above all were wretched,—those nights that used to be so -happy; those nights passed in dreaming of the past and of the future.</p> - -<p>At this moment her eyes fell upon a case of magnificent striped and -crimson carnations, which since the winter she had removed from the -little greenhouse where Maurice had been imprisoned, to bloom in her -own apartment.</p> - -<p>Maurice had taught her to cultivate them in the mahogany bed in which -they were inclosed; she had watered and trimmed them herself so long as -Maurice had been there, for when he came in the evening she delighted -to show him the progress, thanks to their united care, that the flowers -had made during the night.</p> - -<p>But since the cessation of Maurice's visits the poor carnations had -been quite neglected, and for want of requisite care and attention the -opening buds had withered, turned yellow, and fallen down outside the -balustrade.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> - -<p>Geneviève comprehended, from this sight alone, the reason of her own -melancholy. She said to herself, "It is with flowers as with certain -friendships which we nourish and cultivate with ardor till they bloom -in the heart, and then, in a moment, a suspicion, a caprice, an -unkindness strikes at the root of this friendship, and the heart that -it had revived again contracts, languishes, and dies." The young woman -experienced a sensation of anguish. She examined her inmost thoughts; -the sentiments she had endeavored to combat, and which she had hoped to -conquer, she feared now more than ever would only die with her; then -she felt a moment's despair, for she knew the struggle would become -more and more impossible. She meekly bowed her head, imprinted a kiss -upon the withered flowers, and wept.</p> - -<p>Her husband entered at this moment. He, on his side, was too much -preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice the trying ordeal through -which his young wife was passing, nor did he pay the least attention to -the tell-tale redness of her eyelids.</p> - -<p>It is true Geneviève rose quickly to meet him, and in so doing turned -her face from the window, standing in the dim light.</p> - -<p>"Well?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Well, nothing new; impossible to approach her, impossible to convey -any message to her, impossible even to see her."</p> - -<p>"What!" cried Geneviève, "with all the noise there has been in Paris?"</p> - -<p>"It is this very uproar which has made the guard redouble their -vigilance, from the fear that some might avail themselves of the -general excitement to make an attempt on the Temple; and the very -moment when her Majesty was about to walk upon the platform, an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> order -was given by Santerre that neither the queen, Madame Royale, nor Madame -Elizabeth should go out to-day."</p> - -<p>"The poor chevalier! he must be sadly disappointed."</p> - -<p>"He was in despair when he saw the chance had thus escaped us, and -turned so pale that I had to drag him away lest he should betray -himself."</p> - -<p>"But," asked Geneviève, timidly, "was there not then at the Temple any -municipal of your acquaintance?"</p> - -<p>"There ought to have been one, but he did not come."</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"The Citizen Maurice Lindey," said Dixmer, in a tone he endeavored to -render indifferent.</p> - -<p>"And why did he not come?" said Geneviève, in her turn making a similar -effort at self-command.</p> - -<p>"He was ill."</p> - -<p>"He—ill?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and seriously so. Patriot as you know him to be, he was obliged -to cede his turn to another."</p> - -<p>"This is most unfortunate."</p> - -<p>"But, goodness, Geneviève!" replied Dixmer, "if he had been there, as -matters now stand, it might have been just the same. Unfriendly as we -are at present, he might perhaps have even avoided speaking to me."</p> - -<p>"I think," replied Geneviève, "you exaggerate the unpleasantness of our -situation. Monsieur Maurice may have taken a whim not to come here; may -have some futile reasons to see us no more,—but is not on that account -our enemy. Coolness does not exclude politeness, and I am convinced on -seeing you come to him, he would meet you half-way."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève," replied Dixmer, "what we require from Maurice needs -something more than politeness,—a firm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> and attached friendship. This -feeling is destroyed; we have nothing further to hope from him."</p> - -<p>And Dixmer heaved a deep sigh, while his usually placid face bore a -troubled expression.</p> - -<p>"But," said Geneviève, hesitatingly, "if you think that Monsieur -Maurice is so necessary to your projects—"</p> - -<p>"It amounts to this," replied Dixmer, "that I despair of being able to -succeed without him."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, why do you not try some new method to regain the Citizen -Lindey?"</p> - -<p>It seemed to her that in speaking of the young man by his surname, her -voice sounded less tender than when she called him by his Christian -name.</p> - -<p>"No," replied Dixmer, shaking his head; "I have done all that I could. -Any new proceeding would appear singular, and necessarily arouse his -suspicions; and then, look you, Geneviève, I see further than you into -this affair. Maurice feels deeply wounded."</p> - -<p>"Wounded!" exclaimed Geneviève, greatly moved. "What would you say? -Speak."</p> - -<p>"You know as well as I do, Geneviève, that in our rupture with the -Citizen Lindey there is more than caprice."</p> - -<p>"To what then do you attribute this rupture?"</p> - -<p>"To pride, perhaps," said Dixmer, quickly.</p> - -<p>"To pride!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; he did us honor, in his opinion at least, this good burgess -of Paris, this demi-aristocrat of the gown,—concealing his -susceptibilities under his patriotism; he conferred honor upon us, -this Republican so powerful in his section, in his club, in his -municipality, by according his friendship to a manufacturer of hides. -Perhaps we have made too few advances; perhaps we have forgotten -ourselves."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - -<p>"If we had even been guilty in this respect, I think your last step -would have redeemed all that," replied Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Yes; supposing the offence came from me; but if, on the contrary, it -proceeded from you?"</p> - -<p>"From me! Do you imagine that I have in any way offended Monsieur -Maurice?" said Geneviève, astonished.</p> - -<p>"Who knows, with a person like him! Did you not yourself at first -accuse him of caprice? I therefore return to my first opinion, -Geneviève; you did very wrong not to write to him."</p> - -<p>"I!" cried Geneviève; "do you think so?"</p> - -<p>"Not only do I think so now, but have done so ever since this rupture -of the last three weeks."</p> - -<p>"And—" asked Geneviève, timidly.</p> - -<p>"I look upon this step as indispensable."</p> - -<p>"No, no! Dixmer; do not exact this of me."</p> - -<p>"You know, Geneviève, I make no exactions of you; I only entreat you. -Well, listen; I beseech you to write the Citizen Maurice."</p> - -<p>"But—" said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Hearken!" said Dixmer, interrupting her; "there is between you and -Maurice either some serious cause of quarrel,—for, so far as I am -concerned, he has had no reason to complain of my conduct toward -him,—or some childish disagreement."</p> - -<p>Geneviève made no reply.</p> - -<p>"If this is merely a silly broil, it is folly to render it lasting; and -if you have serious motives for quarrelling, situated as we are, you -ought not even to value your dignity or self-respect. We must not place -in the balance the quarrels of young people against objects of the -highest interest. Make one effort; subdue your own feelings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> and write -one word only to Maurice Lindey, and he will return."</p> - -<p>Geneviève reflected a moment.</p> - -<p>"But," said she, "could we not find some means less compromising to -renew friendly intercourse between Monsieur Maurice and yourself?"</p> - -<p>"Compromising, do you call it? It appears to me, on the contrary, to be -the most natural way possible."</p> - -<p>"No; not for me, <i>mon ami</i>."</p> - -<p>"You are very obstinate, Geneviève."</p> - -<p>"Allow me to tell you it is the first time, at least, that you have -discovered it."</p> - -<p>Dixmer, who for some time had been crushing his handkerchief between -his hands, now wiped the perspiration from his brow.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said he; "and it is this that increases my astonishment."</p> - -<p>"Good Heaven!" said Geneviève, "is it possible, Dixmer, that you do not -divine the cause of my resistance, and that you wish to force me to -speak?"</p> - -<p>And overcome with contending emotions, her head sunk upon her breast, -and her arms fell listlessly by her sides. Dixmer appeared to make a -strenuous effort to command himself, took Geneviève's hand, compelled -her to raise her head, looked into her eyes, and began to laugh; but in -a manner so forced and unnatural, that had Geneviève been less agitated -at the moment, it must have been evident even to her.</p> - -<p>"I see how it is," said he; "you are in the right, and I was blind. -With all your wit and distinction, my dear Geneviève, you have fallen -into a vulgar notion,—you have been fearful that Maurice might fall in -love with you."</p> - -<p>Geneviève felt as if an icy chill had penetrated to her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> heart. This -irony on the part of her husband, relative to Maurice's affection for -her,—that love of which, from the knowledge she possessed of the -character of the young man, she could estimate all the violence, and -in which, though only acknowledged with deep remorse, she participated -in the depths of her heart,—this irony petrified her. She felt it was -utterly impossible to reply.</p> - -<p>"I have guessed rightly, have I not?" said Dixmer. "Well, reassure -yourself, Geneviève; I know Maurice to be a fierce Republican, whose -heart contains no other love than love of country."</p> - -<p>"Sir!" exclaimed Geneviève, "are you certain of what you say?"</p> - -<p>"Eh, without doubt," replied Dixmer. "If Maurice loved you, instead of -quarrelling with me he would redouble his attentions and civilities to -one whom it was his interest to deceive. If Maurice loved you, he would -not so easily renounce his title of 'friend of the family,' generally -used to cover these intrigues."</p> - -<p>"Do not, I beseech you," cried Geneviève, "make a jest of these things."</p> - -<p>"I do not jest, Madame; I only tell you Maurice does not love you, that -is all."</p> - -<p>"And I—I," said Geneviève, "tell you that you are mistaken."</p> - -<p>"In that case," replied Dixmer, "Maurice, who has had sufficient -strength to tear himself away rather than make a cuckold of his host, -is an honest man; and as such men are rare, Geneviève, one cannot -do too much to reclaim them when lost. Geneviève, you will write to -Maurice, will you not?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, my God!" cried the young woman, letting her head fall on her -hands, for he to whom she looked for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> support in a moment of danger had -precipitated instead of restraining her fall.</p> - -<p>Dixmer regarded her for a moment, then forcing a smile,—</p> - -<p>"Come, darling," said he, "no woman's self-esteem. If Maurice wishes to -recommence a declaration, laugh at the second as you did at the first. -I know you, Geneviève, you are a worthy and noble woman. I can depend -on you."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" exclaimed the young woman, sinking on her knees, "how can one -place confidence in others when one cannot place confidence in himself?"</p> - -<p>Dixmer turned pale, as if all his blood had rushed back to his heart.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève," said he, "I have done very wrong to cause you so much -anguish of mind. I ought to have explained myself at once. Geneviève, -we live in an epoch of self-sacrifice. I have devoted myself to the -queen, our benefactress,—not only my arm, not only my head, but my -happiness. Others will give her their lives; I do more than give her -my life,—I risk my honor; and if that perishes, only one more tear -will fall into the ocean of miseries which is preparing to swallow up -France. But my honor runs no risk under the guardianship of such a -woman as my Geneviève."</p> - -<p>For the first time Dixmer had entirely revealed himself. Geneviève -raised her head, and fixed her beautiful eyes, full of admiration, upon -him; then slowly rose, and presented her forehead to him to kiss.</p> - -<p>"You wish it?" said she.</p> - -<p>Dixmer made a sign in the affirmative.</p> - -<p>"Dictate, then," and she took up a pen.</p> - -<p>"No; it is sufficient to use, not to abuse this worthy young man," said -Dixmer; "and since he will be recon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>ciled himself to us on receipt of -a letter from Geneviève, this letter should be from Geneviève, and not -from Monsieur Dixmer."</p> - -<p>And Dixmer a second time kissed his wife's forehead, thanked her, and -went out.</p> - -<p>Then Geneviève tremblingly wrote,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Citizen Maurice</span>,—You know how much my husband respects you. -Have three weeks of separation, which to us have appeared an age, made -you forget? Come, we await you; your return will be a real fête.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Geneviève.</span><br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE GODDESS REASON.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> Maurice had informed General Santerre the preceding evening, he was -seriously ill.</p> - -<p>While he kept his chamber, Lorin in his daily visits had made use -of every argument to induce him to enter into some active pursuit -calculated to divert his mind from its trouble; but Maurice continued -obstinate. There are some maladies we do not desire to heal. On the 1st -of June, Lorin came about one o'clock.</p> - -<p>"Is there anything particular going on to-day," asked Maurice, "that -you are so superb?"</p> - -<p>Indeed, Lorin was splendidly attired. He wore the <i>bonnet-rouge</i>, -the <i>carmagnole</i>, and the tricolored girdle ornamented with two -instruments, then called the "cruets of the Abbé Maury," but which -before and since have been plumply and plainly termed pistols.</p> - -<p>"In the first place," said Lorin, "it is generally the breaking up of -the ice of the Gironde which is in train, but by beat of drum. At this -moment, for example, they are heating the bullets red on the Place du -Carrousel; then, in particular, there is a grand solemnity to which I -invite you the day after to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"But what is there to-day? You came for me, you say?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; to-day we have the rehearsal."</p> - -<p>"What rehearsal?"</p> - -<p>"Why, the rehearsal of this great solemnity."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My dear fellow," said Maurice, "you know that it is now eight days -since I last went out; consequently I am ignorant of everything, and -therefore the more require to be fully informed."</p> - -<p>"What! Have I not told you?"</p> - -<p>"You have told me nothing."</p> - -<p>"First, you already know, we had suppressed God for some time past, and -have replaced him with the 'Supreme Being.'"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I know all that."</p> - -<p>"Well, it seems they have found out something; that the 'Supreme Being' -was a Moderate, a Rolandist, and, in short, a Girondin."</p> - -<p>"No jesting on sacred subjects, Lorin; you know I do not like it."</p> - -<p>"What would you have, my boy? we must keep up with the age. I too like -the ancient God well enough; first, because I was accustomed to him. As -for the 'Supreme Being,' it appears he really has faults, and since he -has been above yonder, everything has been playing at cross-purposes; -at all events, our legislators have decreed his downfall."</p> - -<p>Maurice shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Shrug your shoulders as much as you please," said Lorin; "but now we -are going to worship the 'Goddess Reason.'"</p> - -<p>"And are you engaged in all these masquerades?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! <i>mon ami</i>, if you knew the Goddess Reason as I know her, you would -be one of her warmest partisans. Listen; I wish you to know her, and -will present you to her."</p> - -<p>"A truce to all this folly. I am out of spirits, you well know."</p> - -<p>"The very thing, then; she will enliven you; she is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> nice girl. Ah! -but you know the austere goddess whom the Parisians wish to crown with -laurels, and drive about in a gilded paper-car! It is—guess."</p> - -<p>"How can I guess?"</p> - -<p>"It is Arthémise."</p> - -<p>"Arthémise!" said Maurice, taxing his memory in vain to recollect the -name.</p> - -<p>"Yes; a tall brunette, with whom I formed an acquaintance last year at -the Opera-ball; by the same token, you came to sup with us, and made -her tipsy."</p> - -<p>"Ah! yes," said Maurice, "I remember now. It is she, is it?"</p> - -<p>"She has the best chance. I presented her to the concourse. All the -Thermopyles have promised me their votes. In three days the general -election will take place. To-day we enjoy the preparatory dinner, -to-day we spill the wine of Champagne; perhaps after to-morrow we may -spill blood! But let them spill what they like, Arthémise shall be -goddess, or may the devil carry me away! Come, come, we will help her -on with her tunic."</p> - -<p>"Thanks; but I have always entertained a repugnance for things of this -sort."</p> - -<p>"To robe goddesses? <i>Peste!</i> old fellow, you are difficult to please. -Let me see; if that does not suit you, I will put her tunic on, and you -shall take it off."</p> - -<p>"Lorin, I am ill, and not only out of spirits, but the gayety of others -makes me miserable."</p> - -<p>"Ah, that is it! You frighten me, Maurice; you no longer either laugh -or fight. You surely are not engaged in any plot?"</p> - -<p>"I? Would to God—"</p> - -<p>"You mean, Would to the Goddess Reason!"</p> - -<p>"Leave me, Lorin; I cannot, and will not, go out. I am in bed, and here -let me rest in peace."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> - -<p>Lorin scratched his ear.</p> - -<p>"Well," said he, "I see how it is."</p> - -<p>"What do you see?"</p> - -<p>"That you wait for the Goddess Reason."</p> - -<p>"By Jove," cried Maurice, "witty friends are great bores. Go, or I -shall load both you and your goddess with curses."</p> - -<p>"Charge! charge!"</p> - -<p>Maurice raised his hand to curse him, when he was interrupted by his -official, who at this moment entered, bearing in his hand a letter for -his brother citizen.</p> - -<p>"Citizen Agesilaus," said Lorin, "you enter at an unfortunate moment. -Your master was just going to be eloquent."</p> - -<p>Maurice let fall his hand, which he listlessly extended for the letter; -but the instant he touched it he started, and eagerly examining both -the seal and hand-writing, grew very pale in the anticipation of bad -tidings, and broke the seal hastily.</p> - -<p>"Oh, our interest is awakened at last," said Lorin, "it seems to me."</p> - -<p>Maurice heard him not; his whole soul was merged in the four lines of -Geneviève. He read and re-read them three or four times over; and then -raising his head, gazed at Lorin like a man quite stupefied.</p> - -<p>"The deuce!" said Lorin; "the intelligence must be wonderful indeed, -which that letter contains."</p> - -<p>Maurice read the letter for the fifth time; a hue of vermilion suffused -his face, his eyes brightened, and a deep sigh relieved his breast; -then forgetting at once his illness and attendant weakness, he leaped -from his bed.</p> - -<p>"My clothes!" cried he to the astonished official,—"my clothes, my -dear Agesilaus. Oh, my poor Lorin—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>my good Lorin, I expected this -every day, but in truth I did not hope for it. Here, my white trousers -and frilled shirt; please dress my hair and shave me immediately."</p> - -<p>The official hastened to execute Maurice's orders, and dressed and -shaved him in a trice.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I shall again behold her! I shall again behold her!" cried the -young man, "Lorin, I never till this moment knew what happiness meant!"</p> - -<p>"My poor Maurice," said Lorin, "I think you require the visit I -recommended to you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, my dear friend, pardon me; for truly reason has forsaken me."</p> - -<p>"Then I offer you mine," said Lorin, laughing at his own execrable pun.</p> - -<p>The most surprising thing was that Maurice laughed also. His present -happiness had made him so cheerful.</p> - -<p>This was not all. "Wait," said he, cutting some orange blossom from a -tree in full bloom; "present this from me to the worthy Widow Mausole."</p> - -<p>"<i>A la bonne heure!</i>" said Lorin; "in consideration of your gallantry, -I pardon you. Then it appears to me you are absolutely in love, and I -always feel profound respect for the unfortunate."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am in love," said Maurice, and his heart dilated with joy. "I -am in love; and now, since she loves me, I may declare it; for since -she has recalled me, must she not love me, Lorin?"</p> - -<p>"Doubtless," complacently replied the adorer of the Goddess Reason; -"but take care, Maurice, for the fashion in which you take this makes -me fear for you."</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Often love is but a freak</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Of the tyrant men call Cupid.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Tis he bewitches when you speak</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">With any woman, howe'er stupid.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Come, then, with me,—love only Reason;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And so escape Dan Cupid's treason."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Bravo, bravo!" cried Maurice, clapping his hands; then taking to his -heels, he descended the steps four at a time, and directed his steps -toward the well-known old Rue Saint Jacques.</p> - -<p>"I believe he applauded me, Agesilaus, didn't he?" asked Lorin.</p> - -<p>"He certainly did, Citizen; and no wonder, for those were very pretty -verses that you repeated."</p> - -<p>"He is worse than I thought him," said Lorin, in his turn descending -the staircase in rather a calmer mood. Arthémise was not Geneviève.</p> - -<p>Hardly had Lorin and his orange blossom arrived at the Rue Saint -Honoré, when a crowd of young citizens, to whom he had been accustomed -to administer either kicks or half-pence, according to his humor, -respectfully followed him,—mistaking him, no doubt, for one of those -virtuous individuals to whom Saint Just had proposed that people should -offer a white robe and a bunch of orange blossoms.</p> - -<p>As the cortège every moment increased in numbers,—for even at this -epoch a virtuous man was a rare sight to behold,—there were several -thousand young citizens present when the bouquet was offered to -Arthémise, a homage which made several other "Reasons" who had joined -the ranks very ill with sick headache next day. It was on the same -evening that the famous distich was circulated through Paris,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Long life to Goddess Reason—</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The pure, clear dawn of day."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>And as it has come down to us without any knowledge of the author,—a -fact which has powerfully exercised the sagacity of revolutionary -archæologists,—we have almost the audacity to affirm that it was -composed for the fair Arthémise by our friend, Hyacinthe Lorin.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE PRODIGAL CHILD.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Maurice</span> could not have been quicker, had he even possessed wings. -The streets were crowded, but Maurice only remarked the crowd as it -retarded his course. It was said everywhere that the Convention was -besieged; that the majesty of the people was offended through its -representatives, whom they prevented from coming out; and of this -there seemed some probability, as the ring of the tocsin was heard, -and the thunder of the cannon sounding an alarm. But what at this -moment, to Maurice, mattered either the tocsin or the cannon? What -cared he whether the deputies were or were not able to come out, when -the prohibition did not extend to him? So he quickened his pace, that -was all. While running, he pictured to himself Geneviève waiting at the -little window overlooking the garden, in order to see him; and that -she would perceive him far off; and then her smile, more than ever -charming, would welcome him back again.</p> - -<p>Dixmer also was no doubt informed of this happy return, and would -tender him his coarse, large hand, so frank and loyal in its greeting. -He loved Dixmer; now even his love almost extended to Morand with his -black locks and his green spectacles, behind which he fancied he could -see the glitter of his brilliant but saturnine eyes.</p> - -<p>He loved the whole world, for he was happy, and would willingly have -showered flowers on the heads of all mankind that they might be as -happy as himself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> - -<p>But for once he was deceived. Poor Maurice! he deceived himself, as a -man generally does when he reckons according to his wishes.</p> - -<p>Instead of the sweet smile awaiting Maurice, which was to receive him -when he would be seen from afar, Geneviève had determined on meeting -Maurice with the most distant politeness,—a feeble rampart with which -to oppose the torrent that threatened to invade her heart. She had -retired to her chamber on the first floor, and did not intend coming -down till sent for.</p> - -<p>Alas! she also deceived herself.</p> - -<p>Dixmer alone was not deceived; he watched for Maurice through a wired -lattice, and smiled ironically.</p> - -<p>Morand was gravely occupied in dyeing black some tails which are placed -on white cat-skin to imitate ermine.</p> - -<p>Maurice pushed open the little door of the alley, to enter -unceremoniously through the garden; as of old, the door opening rang a -little bell which indicated the arrival of Maurice.</p> - -<p>Geneviève, who had stationed herself behind the closed window, started, -and let fall the curtain she had drawn on one side.</p> - -<p>The first sensation experienced by Maurice on entering his friend's -house was disappointment. Not only was Geneviève absent from the window -on the ground-floor, but on entering the little salon where he had -uttered his last adieu, he found her not, and was compelled to announce -himself, as if an absence of three weeks' duration had transformed him -into a stranger. His heart was oppressed.</p> - -<p>It was Dixmer whom Maurice first saw. He came forward, and embraced him -with exclamations of joy.</p> - -<p>Geneviève then came down. She had tried in vain to restore some color -to her pallid cheek; but before she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> had proceeded twenty steps the -blood receded to her heart.</p> - -<p>Maurice saw Geneviève appear in the shadow of the door; he advanced -toward her smiling, intending to kiss her hand, and then only perceived -how sadly she was changed. She on her part noticed with anxiety the -attenuated frame of Maurice, and his fevered look of wild excitement.</p> - -<p>"You are here then, sir," said she, in a voice whose emotion she could -not subdue.</p> - -<p>She had determined to address him with perfect indifference.</p> - -<p>"Good-day, Citizen Maurice; why have your visits been so rare of late?"</p> - -<p>This fickleness appeared more strange still to Maurice, and now what a -shadow was cast upon all!</p> - -<p>Dixmer cut short this examination, and put an end to all reciprocal -reproaches by ordering dinner to be served; it was nearly two o'clock. -They passed into the <i>salle-à-manger</i>, where Maurice saw a cover was -placed for him. Then the Citizen Morand arrived, dressed in the same -chestnut-colored coat and in the same waistcoat—he always wore his -green spectacles—and white frilled shirt, and had the same long -thick black hair. Maurice felt so well-disposed toward him that he -wondered now when he had Morand before him that he should have ever -felt the least concern about his rivalry at a distance. In short, what -probability was there that Geneviève loved this little chemist? He was -in love, and in consequence a fool to allow such folly to enter into -his head.</p> - -<p>Besides, the moment would have been badly chosen for jealousy. Maurice -carried within his waistcoat pocket Geneviève's last letter, and his -heart, bounding with joy, beat beneath it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> - -<p>Geneviève had recovered her serenity. There is this peculiarity in the -organization of women, that the present is able to efface all hues of -the past, and distances all fears for the future.</p> - -<p>Geneviève felt happy, having resumed her self-command: that is to say, -she became calm and dignified, though still kind,—another shade which -Maurice had not the requisite skill to comprehend. Lorin would have -found the explanation in "Parny," in "Bertin," or the "Gentil Bernard."</p> - -<p>The conversation turned upon the Goddess Reason. The fall of the -Girondins, and the new mode of worship by which the kingdom of heaven -had fallen to the lot of the distaff were the prevailing topics of -the day. Dixmer pretended he should not have been sorry to see this -unparalleled honor offered to Geneviève. Maurice felt inclined to -laugh. Geneviève, however, concurred in the opinion of her husband, -while Maurice regarded them both with astonishment, wondering that -patriotism could so far mislead a sensible man like Dixmer and a woman -of so poetical and refined a nature as Geneviève.</p> - -<p>Morand developed the theory of female politicians. He cited Théroigne -de Méricourt, the heroine of the 10th of August, and Madame Roland, the -"Soul" of the Girondins. Then, <i>en passant</i>, he launched out against -the "Tricoteuses." These words made Maurice smile. It was, however, a -cruel joke against these female patriots that they were latterly termed -"the female leeches of the guillotine."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Citizen Morand," said Dixmer, "we respect patriotism even when it -is mistaken."</p> - -<p>"As for me," said Maurice, "as far as I know of patriotism, I -always find the women sufficiently good patriots, when not too high -aristocrats."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are quite right," said Morand; "and as for myself, I frankly -confess I consider a woman very contemptible when she affects the -demeanor of a man, and a man a coward, unworthy of the name, when he -insults a woman, even were she his bitterest enemy."</p> - -<p>Morand was gradually drawing Maurice on to delicate ground. Maurice -on his side replied by an affirmative sign. The lists being opened, -Dixmer, like the sounding herald, added,—</p> - -<p>"One moment, one moment, Citizen Morand; you except, I hope, those -women who are known enemies of the nation?"</p> - -<p>A silence of some moments succeeded this "parry and thrust" to the -response of Morand and the sign of Maurice. Maurice first interrupted -the silence.</p> - -<p>"Let us except no one," said he, sadly; "those females who have been -enemies to the nation are now, it appears to me, sufficiently punished."</p> - -<p>"You allude to the prisoners of the Temple,—to the Austrian, the -sister and daughter of Capet?" cried Dixmer, with a rapidity which -deprived his words of all expression.</p> - -<p>Morand changed color while awaiting the reply of the young Republican, -seeming to sink his nails into his breast in the intensity of his -interest.</p> - -<p>"Just so," said Maurice, "it is of them I am speaking."</p> - -<p>"Who?" said Morand, in stifled tones. "Is what they say, true?"</p> - -<p>"What do they say?" demanded the young man.</p> - -<p>"That the prisoners are cruelly maltreated, sometimes even by those -whose duty it is to protect them."</p> - -<p>"There are individuals," said Maurice, "who do not deserve the name of -men. There are some cowards who, totally deficient in real courage, -retain a desire to torture<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> the vanquished in order to persuade -themselves that they are the conquerors."</p> - -<p>"You are not one of those men, Maurice, I am quite certain," said -Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Madame," replied Maurice, "I who now speak to you mounted guard near -the scaffold on which perished the late king. My drawn sabre in my -hand, I was prepared to slay any one who attempted to rescue him. -Notwithstanding, on his approach I removed my hat, and turning toward -my men said,—</p> - -<p>"'Citizens, I here warn you that I shall run my sword through the body -of the first man that insults the king.'</p> - -<p>"And I defy any one to assert that a single shout was heard to proceed -from my company. From my hand first emanated those ten thousand -placards affixed to the walls of Paris after the king's return from -Varennes,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"'Whoever acknowledges the king shall be flogged. Whoever insults the -king shall be hanged.'"</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Well," continued Maurice, without noticing the deep impression his -words had produced on his listeners,—"well, I have proved to you that -I am a frank, good patriot, that I hate all kings and their partisans. -Yet I declare, notwithstanding my opinion, which is nothing short of a -firm conviction, that, notwithstanding the certainty I feel that the -Austrian is in a great measure the cause of the miseries that desolate -France, never, never shall any man,—let him be who he may, even -Santerre himself,—insult the ex-queen in my presence."</p> - -<p>"Citizen," said Dixmer, shaking his head as if he disapproved of so -much hardihood, "are you aware you ought to be very sure of us before -you make such declarations in our presence?"</p> - -<p>"I make them before you, and would do so before all the world, Dixmer; -and I will add, she may perhaps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> perish on the same scaffold as her -husband, but I am not one to fear a woman; on the contrary, I have a -kindly regard for all those who are weaker than myself."</p> - -<p>"And the queen, Monsieur Maurice?" demanded Geneviève, timidly; "has -she sometimes evinced her sense of this delicacy, to which she is so -little accustomed?"</p> - -<p>"The prisoner has thanked me several times for my consideration for -her, Madame."</p> - -<p>"Then she must expect your turn to guard with pleasure?"</p> - -<p>"I believe she does, Madame," replied Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Morand, tremulous as a woman, "since you have confessed -what no one nowadays confesses,—that you have a generous heart,—you -will not surely persecute the children either?"</p> - -<p>"I!" said Maurice; "ask the infamous Simon the weight of the arm of the -municipal before whom he had the audacity to beat the little Capet."</p> - -<p>This answer produced a spontaneous movement at Dixmer's table. All the -guests rose respectfully; Maurice alone remained seated, and had not -the slightest idea that he had elicited this mark of admiration.</p> - -<p>"Why, what on earth is the matter?" said he, astonished.</p> - -<p>"I thought some one called from the manufactory," said Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"No," said Geneviève; "at first I thought so too; but we are mistaken." -And all resumed their seats.</p> - -<p>"Ah! it is you then, Citizen Maurice," said Morand, in a tremulous -voice, "who are the municipal so much talked about, and who so nobly -defended a child."</p> - -<p>"Talked about?" said Maurice, with the utmost <i>naïveté</i>.</p> - -<p>"Yours is a noble heart," said Morand, rising from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> the table. That he -might give way to his feelings, he retired to the manufactory, as if -some pressing business there awaited him.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen," replied Dixmer; "they do speak about it, and it should -be said that all those possessed of brave, generous hearts applaud -without knowing you."</p> - -<p>"And let him remain unknown," said Geneviève. "The glory he would -acquire would be replete with danger."</p> - -<p>Thus in this singular conversation, without knowing it, each had -contributed his word of heroism, devotion, and sensibility. There had -been love and admiration which could not be expressed in words.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE MINERS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">At</span> the moment they left the table, Dixmer was told that his notary -awaited him in his study. He excused himself to Maurice; besides, he -was accustomed to leave him thus, and proceeded to attend his man of -business.</p> - -<p>He was negotiating for the purchase of a small house, Rue de la -Corderie, facing the garden of the Temple. It was rather, as to the -rest, a lot than a house that Dixmer was purchasing, for the present -building was in a state of dilapidation; but it was his intention to -rebuild it.</p> - -<p>The bargain had not been delayed with the proprietor; that same morning -the notary had seen him and agreed to pay 19,500 francs. He therefore -brought the agreement for signature, and came to receive the requisite -money for the purchase, as the proprietor would that day clear out the -building that the workmen might commence operations on the morrow.</p> - -<p>The contract signed, Dixmer and Morand accompanied the notary to -the Rue de la Corderie, to view this new acquisition; for they had -purchased without seeing it.</p> - -<p>It was a house situated near where No. 20 now stands,—three stories -in height, and surmounted by a curved roof. The lower part at one time -had been let to a wine-merchant, and contained some most excellent -cellarage.</p> - -<p>The proprietor, above all things, vaunted his cellars; they were the -best part of the house. Dixmer and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> Morand appeared to attach very -little interest to these cellars, yet both, as if from mere politeness, -descended with the proprietor into what he called his vaults.</p> - -<p>An exception to the general rule, he had not exaggerated. The cellars -were magnificent; one of them extended under the Rue de la Corderie, -and from this cellar they could hear the carriages roll over their -heads.</p> - -<p>Dixmer and Morand did not appear to appreciate this advantage. They -even spoke of filling them up, observing that however convenient they -might be to a wine-merchant, they became perfectly useless to honest -burgesses, who intended to occupy the whole of the house.</p> - -<p>After the cellars they visited the first, second, and third story; from -the third they completely over-looked the garden of the Temple. It was, -as usual, invaded by the National Guard, who enjoyed this privilege, -since the queen never walked there now.</p> - -<p>Dixmer and Morand recognized their friend, the Widow Plumeau, with -her usual activity, doing the honors of her tavern; but doubtless -their anxiety to be in their turn remembered by her was not very -great, as they kept themselves concealed behind the proprietor, while -he expatiated on the advantages of this view, at once so varied and -agreeable.</p> - -<p>The purchaser then wished to see the attics.</p> - -<p>The proprietor, doubtless, was unprepared for this demand, since he -had not got the key; but soothed by the bundle of bills shown him, he -descended to search for it.</p> - -<p>"I was not deceived," said Morand, "and this house will answer our -purpose exactly."</p> - -<p>"And what do you say to the vaults?"</p> - -<p>"That it is an interposition of Providence, which will spare us two -days' labor at least."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do you think that it is in the direction of the cantine?"</p> - -<p>"It inclines a little to the left; but that is of no consequence."</p> - -<p>"But," said Dixmer, "how will you be able to follow your subterranean -line with the certainty of its terminating where you wish?"</p> - -<p>"Rest assured," said Morand; "that is my affair."</p> - -<p>"If we were every day to give a signal from here that we are watching?"</p> - -<p>"But from the platform the queen could not see it; for the attics alone -are as high as the platform, and I am doubtful even about them."</p> - -<p>"Never mind," said Dixmer, "either Maury or Toulan may see it from some -opening, and they will inform the queen."</p> - -<p>And Dixmer tied several knots in a white calico curtain, passing it -backward and forward before the window as if shaken by the wind.</p> - -<p>Then both, as if impatient to visit the attic, awaited the proprietor's -return on the staircase, having first closed the door, not wishing to -afford the worthy man a sight of his waving curtain.</p> - -<p>The garrets, as Morand had foreseen, did not reach the height of the -summit of the tower. This was at once an advantage and disadvantage,—a -disadvantage, because they could not communicate by signs with the -queen; and an advantage, because the very impracticability alone -disarmed all suspicion. The highest houses were naturally the objects -of the strictest surveillance.</p> - -<p>"It is necessary, either by means of Toulan, Maury, or Tison's -daughter, to find some way to tell her to keep upon the watch," -murmured Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"I have thought of that," said Morand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> - -<p>They descended; the notary waited in the salon with the contract signed.</p> - -<p>"It is all right," said Dixmer; "the house suits me; so hand over to -the proprietor the sum of 19,500 francs in payment, and let him give a -receipt."</p> - -<p>The proprietor did so, first scrupulously counting the money.</p> - -<p>"You understand, Citizen," said Dixmer, "the principal clause, that -the house must be vacated this evening; that, in short, I must put the -workmen in to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Well, Citizen, I agree to do so. You can take the keys this evening at -eight o'clock; all will be free."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me," said Dixmer, "but did you not tell me, Citizen Notary, -there was a way out leading into the Rue Portefoin?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen," said the proprietor; "but I had it closed; for having -only one official, the poor devil had too much fatigue, being obliged -to watch both doors. But it is so built up that at any time it can be -re-opened in two hours at least. Would you wish to convince yourselves, -citizens?"</p> - -<p>"Thanks, it is not necessary," said Dixmer, "I attach no importance to -this way out; it is useless to me."</p> - -<p>They then both left, having for the third time reminded the landlord of -his promise that the apartments should be empty at eight o'clock that -evening.</p> - -<p>At nine o'clock they both returned, followed by five or six men at a -distance, of whom, in the confusion then reigning in Paris, no one took -any notice. They both entered first. The landlord had kept his word; -the house was totally empty.</p> - -<p>They closed the shutters with the greatest care, and with the aid of -a tinder-box, lighted some wax candles which Morand had taken in his -pocket.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then one after another the six men entered. These were the ordinary -guests of the master-tanner, the same contrabandists who one evening -wished to kill Maurice, but had now become his friends.</p> - -<p>They closed the doors, and descended into the vault.</p> - -<p>This vault, so contemptuously treated during the day, had become at -night the most important part of the house.</p> - -<p>Having first stopped up every crevice through which a curious eye might -penetrate to the interior, Morand placed a cask upright, and began to -trace with a crayon geometrical lines upon a piece of paper.</p> - -<p>While he was thus engaged, his companions, conducted by Dixmer, left -the house, following the Rue de la Corderie, and at the corner of the -Rue de Beauce stopped before a covered carriage. In this carriage -was a man who silently distributed to each one the instrument of a -pioneer,—to one a spade, to another a mattock, to this one a lever, -to that a pick-axe; each man concealed his tool under his overcoat, -or mantle. The miners retraced the road to the small house, and the -carriage disappeared.</p> - -<p>Morand had finished his calculation.</p> - -<p>He went straight to an angle of the cave.</p> - -<p>"There," said he, "dig!"</p> - -<p>And the work of deliverance immediately commenced.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The situation of the unhappy prisoners in the Temple became daily more -serious and hourly more wretched. For an instant the queen, Madame -Elizabeth, and Madame Royale had indulged some hope. The municipals -Toulan and Lepître, touched with compassion for the august prisoners, -had evinced some interest in them. At first little habituated to the -marks of sympathy, the poor women were suspicious; but suspicion ceases -to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> exist where there is hope. Besides, what now could happen to the -queen, separated from her son by a prison, from her husband by death? -To follow him to the scaffold,—this idea had possessed her for some -time, and she had now become accustomed to it.</p> - -<p>The first time Toulan and Lepître returned on guard, the queen -particularly requested, if they really felt any interest in her -misfortunes, they would describe to her the last moments of the king. -This was putting their sympathy to a sad test. Lepître had assisted at -the execution; he obeyed the order of the queen.</p> - -<p>The queen demanded the journals containing the report of the execution. -Lepître promised to bring them when next on guard; it would be his turn -again in three weeks. In the king's time they had at the Temple four -municipals; the king dead, they had only three,— one to watch during -the day, two during the night. Toulan and Lepître invented a stratagem, -that they might always keep watch together at night.</p> - -<p>The hours of guard were drawn by lot; they wrote on one ballot "day," -on two others "night." Each drew his ballot from a hat, and chance -decided the night-watch.</p> - -<p>Every time that Toulan and Lepître were on guard they wrote "day" on -three ballots, and presented the hat to the municipal they wished to -oust, and he, thrusting his hand into the improvised urn, necessarily -drew forth a ballot on which was inscribed "day." They then destroyed -the other two, murmuring against the hazard which always decreed them -the most wearisome watch of the two,—that is to say, the night.</p> - -<p>When the queen was sure of her guards she corresponded with the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge. Then an escape was attempted, but the -attempt was detected. The queen and Madame Elizabeth were to flee -disguised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> as municipal officers, with cards that would be provided for -them. As to the two children,—that is to say, Madame Royale and the -young dauphin,—they had remarked that the man who came to light the -lamps of the Temple was always accompanied by two children, of the same -age apparently as the Princess Royale and the dauphin. It was therefore -arranged that Turgy, of whom we have previously spoken, should dress -himself as the lamp-lighter, and carry away the prince and princess.</p> - -<p>We will mention in a few words who Turgy was.</p> - -<p>Turgy was an old waiter of the king's, introduced at the Temple with -part of the family from the Tuileries, for the king had at first been -permitted a well-appointed table. The first month this consideration -cost the nation thirty or forty thousand francs.</p> - -<p>It may easily be understood this prodigality could not last. The -Commune decreed otherwise. They dismissed the chefs, the cooks, and -scullions; one single man-servant only was retained,—that man was -Turgy.</p> - -<p>He was naturally the medium of communication between the prisoners and -their partisans, for Turgy was permitted to go out, and consequently -was enabled to forward their letters, and introduce the replies. These -billets were generally twisted round the stoppers of the <i>carafes</i> -containing the milk of almonds brought to the queen and Madame -Elizabeth. They were written with lemon-juice, and perfectly illegible -till held near the fire.</p> - -<p>All was prepared for the escape, when one day Tison lighted his pipe -with the paper-stopper of a <i>carafe</i>. As the paper burned, the writing -became visible. He instantly extinguished the half-burned paper, and -carried the remaining fragment to the Council of the Temple, when, -being held near the fire, they could only read a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> few disjointed -words, the other part being burned to ashes. But they recognized the -hand-writing of the queen. Tison, being questioned, mentioned some -slight marks of attention and sympathy he fancied he had observed on -the part of Lepître and Toulan toward the prisoners. The two guards -were immediately denounced to the municipality, and allowed no more to -enter the Temple.</p> - -<p>Turgy remained.</p> - -<p>But suspicion was now excited to the highest degree. He was never left -a single moment alone with the princesses. All communication with the -exterior was now utterly impossible.</p> - -<p>Madame Elizabeth had nevertheless one day given Turgy a little gold -knife to clean, with which she used to cut fruit. Turgy suspected -something, and when wiping the knife drew off the handle, and in the -handle found a letter.</p> - -<p>This letter contained an alphabet of signs.</p> - -<p>He returned the knife to Madame Elizabeth; but a municipal then present -prevented him, and in his turn securing the knife, took the blade and -handle apart; but fortunately the letter was no longer there. The -municipal nevertheless confiscated the knife.</p> - -<p>It was at that time that the indefatigable Chevalier de Maison-Rouge -meditated this second attempt, which they intended to carry into -execution by means of the house which Dixmer had purchased.</p> - -<p>The prisoners, however, had by degrees lost all hope. That day the -queen, terrified by the noise in the streets which reached her ears, -and learning from these cries that they were debating the trial of -the Girondins, the last supporters of moderation, felt dreadfully -depressed. The Girondins dead, the royal family lost their only defence -in the Convention.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> - -<p>At seven o'clock the supper was served. The municipals examined every -plate as usual, unfolded each napkin successively, searched the bread, -the one with a fork, the other with his fingers, and concluded by -breaking into pieces the macaroons and walnuts, for fear any letter -should reach the prisoners. These precautions being concluded, the -royal family were invited to their meal in these simple words: —</p> - -<p>"Widow Capet, you may eat."</p> - -<p>The queen shook her head, signifying she was not hungry. But at this -moment Madame Royale advanced, as if to embrace her mother, and -whispered,—</p> - -<p>"Seat yourself at table, Madame. I fancied Turgy made a sign."</p> - -<p>The queen, tremblingly, raised her head. Turgy was opposite to her. The -napkin laid over his left arm, and with his right hand he touched his -eye.</p> - -<p>She immediately rose, without any further objection, and resumed her -usual place at table.</p> - -<p>The two municipals assisted at the meal, being strictly prohibited from -leaving the princesses alone for an instant with Turgy.</p> - -<p>The feet of the queen and Madame Elizabeth met, and pressed each other -under the table.</p> - -<p>As the queen was seated opposite Turgy, not one of his gestures escaped -her notice; besides, they were all so natural that they neither could -nor did inspire the municipals with any suspicion whatever.</p> - -<p>At the removal of the supper the same precautions were used as before; -the smallest pieces of bread were taken up and examined. After which, -Turgy went out first, the two municipals following; the woman Tison -remained.</p> - -<p>This woman had become ferocious since her separation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> from her -daughter, of whose fate she was totally ignorant. Every time the queen -lavished a caress on Madame Royale, it threw her into an excess of -rage almost bordering on frenzy; so much so, that the queen, who so -well understood the griefs of a mother, often denied herself this -consolation—now, alas! the only one left her—of pressing her daughter -to her heart.</p> - -<p>Tison came now to seek for his wife, who at first declared she would -not leave till Widow Capet was in bed.</p> - -<p>Madame Elizabeth then wished the queen good-night, and entered her -chamber.</p> - -<p>The queen and princess having also retired, Tison's wife took the -candle and went out.</p> - -<p>The municipals had already thrown themselves upon their beds in the -corridor.</p> - -<p>The moon, pale visitant of the unhappy princesses, shone through the -window of the roof, casting her rays across the foot of the queen's bed.</p> - -<p>For an instant everything remained calm and silent in the chamber.</p> - -<p>Then a door turned softly on its hinges, a shadow passed across the -rays of the moon, and approached the queen,—it was Madame Elizabeth.</p> - -<p>"Did you notice?" said she, in a whisper.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied the queen.</p> - -<p>"And you understood?"</p> - -<p>"So well that I dare not believe it."</p> - -<p>"Let us see; repeat the signs."</p> - -<p>"First, then, he touched his eye to indicate he had some news for -us; then he passed his napkin from his left to his right, which -meant that they were occupied in our deliverance. Then he put his -hand to his face, to signify that the expected aid would reach us -from the in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>terior, and not from a stranger; then when you asked -him not to forget the milk of almonds to-morrow, he made two knots -in his pocket-handkerchief. Thus it is again the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge,—noble-hearted man that he is."</p> - -<p>"It is he," said Madame Elizabeth.</p> - -<p>"Are you asleep, my child?" demanded the queen.</p> - -<p>"No, <i>ma mère</i>," replied Madame Royale.</p> - -<p>"Then pray for you know whom."</p> - -<p>Madame Elizabeth quietly regained her chamber, and for some minutes -during the silence of the night the soft, sweet voice of the youthful -princess might be heard addressing her prayer to God. It was at that -moment, at a signal from Morand, the first stroke of the pick-axe -sounded in the small house at Rue de la Corderie.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">CLOUDS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Aside</span> from the intoxication of renewed visits, Maurice was certainly -much disappointed at the reception of Geneviève, and reckoned upon -solitary interviews to regain the road he had lost, or seemed to have -lost, in her affections.</p> - -<p>But Geneviève had wisely arranged her plan, and did not intend to allow -him an opportunity for a <i>tête-à-tête</i>, being conscious of their danger -even from the happiness they afforded her.</p> - -<p>Maurice trusted to the morrow. A kinswoman of Geneviève's, no doubt -previously invited, came to call upon her, and Geneviève had retained -her. This time there was nothing to be said; it could not be the fault -of Geneviève. When leaving, Maurice was requested to escort this -relation to Rue des Fossés Saint Victor, where she resided. Maurice -went away pouting, but Geneviève smiled, and he construed this smile -into a promise.</p> - -<p>Alas! Maurice deceived himself. The next day, the 2d of June, that -terrible day that witnessed the downfall of the Girondins, Maurice -dismissed his friend Lorin, who absolutely wished to carry him off to -the Convention, and put everything aside that he might visit his fair -friend. The Goddess of Liberty had a powerful rival in Geneviève.</p> - -<p>Maurice found Geneviève in her little salon, all grace and amiability, -but near her was a young <i>femme-de-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>chambre</i> with the tricolored -cockade, engaged in marking pocket-handkerchiefs in the corner of the -window, who never left her place.</p> - -<p>Maurice knitted his brows, and Geneviève, perceiving he was not in -the best temper possible, redoubled her assiduities; but since her -amiability was not carried so far as to dismiss the young official, he -impatiently left an hour earlier than usual.</p> - -<p>All this might have perhaps happened by chance. Maurice took patience. -The political situation, besides, was so terrible that long as it was -since he had interested himself in public affairs, the report reached -even him. It required nothing less than the downfall of a party who had -reigned in France for ten months to withdraw his attention from his -all-engrossing passion for Geneviève.</p> - -<p>The next day witnessed the same management on the part of Geneviève, -and Maurice, having foreseen this, had arranged his plan. So ten -minutes after his arrival, seeing that the young woman, having finished -marking a dozen pocket-handkerchiefs, commenced six dozen of table -napkins, Maurice, we say, drew out his watch, rose, bowed to Geneviève, -and went out without saying one word.</p> - -<p>Still more, as he left, he did not even once look back.</p> - -<p>Geneviève, who had risen to watch him across the garden, remained an -instant speechless, pale, and trembling, then dropped into her chair, -thunderstruck at the effect of her diplomacy.</p> - -<p>At this moment Dixmer entered.</p> - -<p>"Maurice gone?" said he, with astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Yes," stammered Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"But he had only just arrived."</p> - -<p>"He was here a quarter of an hour, or nearly so."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then he will return?"</p> - -<p>"I much doubt it."</p> - -<p>"Leave us, Muguet [lily of the valley]," said Dixmer.</p> - -<p>The <i>femme-de-chambre</i> had assumed the name of the flower from hatred -to her baptismal name of Marie, which was unfortunately that of the -Austrian.</p> - -<p>She rose at the command of her master, and quitted the room.</p> - -<p>"Well, dear Geneviève," said Dixmer, "is peace restored between you and -Maurice?"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, I think we are cooler than ever."</p> - -<p>"And this time, who is to blame?" said Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Maurice, without the slightest doubt."</p> - -<p>"Permit me to judge."</p> - -<p>"What!" said Geneviève, blushing, "you cannot guess—"</p> - -<p>"Why he is angry? No."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me, it is some whim about Muguet."</p> - -<p>"Bah! truly; then you must send the girl away. I will not deprive -myself of a friend like Maurice for the sake of a <i>femme-de-chambre</i>."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Geneviève, "he is not, I think, so angry as to require her -to be sent away; it will suffice to—"</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"To exile her from my chamber."</p> - -<p>"And Maurice is right," said Dixmer; "it is you he comes to visit, -and not Muguet; it is therefore quite unnecessary that she should be -present."</p> - -<p>"But, my dear Dixmer," replied she, regarding her husband with -astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève," replied Dixmer, "I hoped to have found in you an ally -who would render more easy the task imposed upon me, and find, on the -contrary, that your fears redouble our dangers and difficulties. Four -days since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> I thought all was settled between us, and now everything -must be done over again. Have I not told you that I confide in you, in -your honor? Have I not told you that it is positively necessary that -Maurice should become our friend, more intimate than before, but less -suspicious than ever? Oh, <i>mon Dieu!</i> these women are an everlasting -obstacle to our projects."</p> - -<p>"But, is there no other way? I have told you before, that for all our -sakes it would be better if Monsieur Maurice returned here no more."</p> - -<p>"Yes, for our sakes, perhaps; but for the sake of her who is far above -us, of her for whom we have promised to sacrifice our lives, fortune, -and happiness, it is necessary that this young man should return. Are -you aware they begin to suspect Turgy, and talk of placing another -servant near the queen?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I will send away Muguet."</p> - -<p>"Gracious Heaven! Geneviève," said Dixmer, with a movement of -impatience very unusual with him, "why do you speak to me thus; -why stifle the ardor of my ideas by your own; why strive to create -difficulties where too many already exist? Geneviève, act like an -honorable, devoted woman; act as you feel you ought to act. I tell you, -to-morrow I go out—to-morrow I take Morand's place as engineer. I -shall not dine with you, but he will; he has something to ask Maurice, -and will explain to you what it is. What he has to request you may -imagine, Geneviève, is a thing of vital import; it is not indeed the -goal to which we march, but the way leading to it. It is the last hope -of that devoted, noble-minded man, our protector, to whom we are bound -to dedicate our lives."</p> - -<p>"And for whom I will freely give mine," cried Geneviève, with -enthusiasm.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, this man, Geneviève, I cannot tell why, as you must have seen -is not loved by Maurice, by whom, above all things, it is necessary he -should be respected. In short, from the bad temper in which you have -put Maurice to-day, he may perhaps refuse Morand that which it is so -imperative we should obtain at any price. Do I now need to tell you, -Geneviève, to what dread end your petty delicacy and sentimentality are -leading Morand?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, sir!" cried Geneviève, clasping her hands and turning pale, "let -us never mention that!"</p> - -<p>"Then," said Dixmer, pressing his lips to his wife's forehead, "reflect -upon it, and form your resolution;" and he went out.</p> - -<p>"O my God!" murmured Geneviève, with anguish, "with what violence do -they compel me to accept this love toward which my whole soul inclines!"</p> - -<p>The next day, as we have already said, was Sunday.</p> - -<p>It was customary in the family of Dixmer, as in all the bourgeoise -families at that period, that the dinner should be longer and more -ceremonious on that day than on any other. Since their intimacy, -Maurice, having received a general invitation, never omitted to dine -with them on that day. Although they did not dine till two o'clock, -Maurice used to come at noon.</p> - -<p>From the manner of their parting, however, Geneviève almost despaired -of seeing him that Sunday.</p> - -<p>In short, twelve o'clock struck, then half-past, then one.</p> - -<p>It would be impossible to describe what passed in the heart of -Geneviève during this period of anxious expectation.</p> - -<p>She was at first dressed with the greatest simplicity; then, seeing -that he delayed his coming, she, with a feeling of coquetry natural -to the heart of woman, had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> placed a flower at her side, a flower in -her hair, and still listened, her heart each moment beating faster -and faster. The dinner-hour had almost arrived, and Maurice had not -appeared.</p> - -<p>At ten minutes to two, Geneviève heard the sound of a horse's feet, -that sound she knew so well.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" cried she, "his pride could not wrestle against his love. He -loves me! he loves me!"</p> - -<p>Maurice dismounted, and gave his horse to the gardener, desiring him to -remain where he was. Geneviève saw with anxiety that the gardener did -not lead the horse to the stables.</p> - -<p>Maurice on this day looked superlatively handsome. A splendid black -coat, a white waistcoat, breeches of chamois leather designed for limbs -after the model of Apollo, a white cambric stock, and his waving hair, -displaying a fresh, beaming face, formed altogether a type of manly -beauty.</p> - -<p>He entered. As we have already said, his presence swelled the heart of -Geneviève, who received him joyfully. "Ah!" said she, holding out her -hand, "you have come to dine with us, have you not?"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, Citizen," said Maurice, coldly, "I have come to ask -your permission to absent myself."</p> - -<p>"To absent yourself?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; the sectional affairs claim my attention. I feared you might -wait, and would accuse me of being wanting in politeness, therefore -came to make my excuses in person."</p> - -<p>Geneviève again felt her heart sink within her.</p> - -<p>"Ah, <i>mon Dieu</i>!" cried she, "and Dixmer, who does not dine at home, -counted upon finding you here on his return, and desired me to detain -you."</p> - -<p>"Ah, then, Madame! I comprehend your importunity,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> it is a command of -your husband's; and I not to guess all this! I shall never cure myself -of conceit."</p> - -<p>"Maurice!"</p> - -<p>"It is for me, Madame, to draw my inference from your actions rather -than your words; it is for me therefore to comprehend that if Dixmer is -absent the greater the reason I should not remain. His absence would -surely add to your constraint."</p> - -<p>"Why so?" timidly inquired Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Because you appear, since my return, sedulously to avoid me, -notwithstanding I returned for your sake, and yours only; and you well -know, <i>mon Dieu!</i> that ever since my return I have invariably found -some one with you."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Geneviève, "you are still angry, <i>mon ami</i>, although I -endeavor to act for the best."</p> - -<p>"No, Geneviève; you would do much better to receive me as before, or -drive me away altogether."</p> - -<p>"Maurice," said Geneviève, tenderly, "understand my situation, consider -my anguish, and do not enact the tyrant over me any longer."</p> - -<p>And the young woman regarded him mournfully.</p> - -<p>Maurice remained silent.</p> - -<p>"What do you require then?" continued she.</p> - -<p>"I require your love, Geneviève; since I now feel I cannot live without -that love."</p> - -<p>"Maurice! have pity on me."</p> - -<p>"Then, Madame, you leave me to die."</p> - -<p>"To die?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, to die, or to forget."</p> - -<p>"You could then forget?" said Geneviève, the tears rushing from her -heart to her eyes.</p> - -<p>"Ah, no, no!" said Maurice, falling on his knees before her; "no, -Geneviève, I may die, perhaps, but forget you, never, never!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And yet," replied Geneviève, with firmness, "that would be the best, -Maurice; for this love is criminal."</p> - -<p>"Have you said this to Monsieur Morand?" said Maurice, recalled to -himself by her sudden frigidity of manner.</p> - -<p>"Monsieur Morand is not a madman like yourself, and has never yet -compelled me to indicate to him how he should conduct himself in the -house of a friend."</p> - -<p>"I wager," said Maurice, smiling ironically, "that if Dixmer dines out -Morand is not absent. Ah, Geneviève, by this means you can always deter -me from loving you; for while Morand is here, forever at your side, not -quitting you even for a single moment," continued he, contemptuously, -"I should not love you, or rather I should not confess that I loved -you."</p> - -<p>"And I," cried Geneviève, driven to extremity by this eternal -suspicion, and seizing the young man's arm with a species of frenzy, -"I swear solemnly—now, Maurice, mark me well, and let it be once for -all—that Morand has never breathed to me a word of love, that he -neither loves me nor ever will love me. I swear this on my honor; I -swear this by the soul of my mother.</p> - -<p>"Alas! alas!" said Maurice, "I wish I could believe you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, believe me, poor foolish youth!" said she, with a smile which, to -any one else than one blind with jealousy, would have been a charming -confession of the state of her heart,—"believe me. Besides, if you -wish to know more, Morand loves a woman in whose presence all others -sink into insignificance, as the flowers of the field fade before the -stars of heaven."</p> - -<p>"And who is this woman who is able to eclipse all other women," -demanded Maurice, "when among the number we find Geneviève?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do we not always," said Geneviève, smiling, "consider the one we love -as the <i>chef d'œuvre</i> of the creation?"</p> - -<p>"Then," said Maurice, "if you do not love me, Geneviève—"</p> - -<p>The young woman waited with anxiety the end of the sentence.</p> - -<p>"If you do not love me," continued Maurice, "will you at least swear -never to love another?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! that, Maurice, I will swear with all my heart," cried the young -woman, delighted that he had thus compromised with her conscience.</p> - -<p>Maurice seized the hands she was raising to Heaven, and covered them -with ardent kisses.</p> - -<p>"And now," said he, "I will be kind, indulgent, and confiding. I will -even be generous. I wish to see you smile, and myself to be happy."</p> - -<p>"And you will ask me nothing more?"</p> - -<p>"I will endeavor."</p> - -<p>"And now," said Geneviève, "I think it will be useless to hold the -horse any longer. The section will wait."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Geneviève! the whole world might wait, if I could only stay with -you!"</p> - -<p>Steps were heard in the court-yard.</p> - -<p>"They come to tell us that dinner is ready," said Geneviève. They -silently pressed each other's hands.</p> - -<p>It was Morand, who came to tell them they only awaited their presence -at table. He also was in full dress for the Sunday's dinner.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE REQUEST.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the mean time Morand did not a little excite the curiosity of -Maurice. The most refined of fops could not discover a fault in the tie -of his cravat, the folds of his boots, or the texture of his linen; -but it must be allowed his hair and spectacles were always the same. -It then appeared to Maurice, so much was he reassured by the oath -of Geneviève, that he now for the first time viewed these locks and -spectacles in a proper light.</p> - -<p>"The devil!" said Maurice to himself as he went to meet him,—"the -devil take me if I am now ever again jealous of this worthy Citizen -Morand. Put on every day, if you choose, your full-dress coat, or even -make yourself one of cloth of gold, since from this time I promise to -see nothing but your hair and spectacles, and above all, never again to -accuse you of loving Geneviève."</p> - -<p>We can easily understand that the shake of the hand bestowed upon the -Citizen Morand at the conclusion of this soliloquy was more frank and -cordial than usual. Contrary to custom, the party was small, covers -being placed for only three on a narrow table.</p> - -<p>Geneviève was seated nearly opposite Maurice, between himself and the -light, which reflected on her luxuriant black curls, tingeing them with -the blue hue of the raven's wing, and enhancing the brilliancy of her -eyes and complexion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - -<p>Beyond his pigeon-colored suit, Morand appeared to have dismissed -all recollection of the day from his mind,—that brilliant wit which -Maurice had sometimes heard burst fresh from the lips of this singular -man, which would no doubt have been accompanied by flashes from his -eyes, had they not been totally obscured by the green spectacles.</p> - -<p>He uttered a thousand witticisms, but never himself smiled; indeed, -what added piquancy to his witticisms and a strange charm to his -sallies was his own imperturbable gravity. This merchant, who had made -numerous voyages and visited various countries, trading in every sort -of skin, from the skin of the panther to that of the rabbit; this -chemist, with arms dyed with his own chemical preparations,—was as -conversant with Egypt as Herodotus, Africa as Lavaillant, and the Opera -and the boudoir as any fop.</p> - -<p>"But the devil take me, Monsieur Morand," said Maurice, "you are not -only a clever man, but a scholar also."</p> - -<p>"Ah! I have both seen and read much," said Morand; "and then it is -necessary I should prepare myself in some degree for the life of -pleasure I intend to lead when I retire on my fortune. It is time, -Citizen Maurice, it is time."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" said Maurice; "you talk like an old man. What age then are you?"</p> - -<p>Morand turned round, startled by this question, natural as it certainly -was.</p> - -<p>"I am thirty-eight," said he. "Ah! see what it is to be a scholar, as -you term it. It makes one old."</p> - -<p>Geneviève began to laugh, and Maurice joined in; but Morand merely -smiled.</p> - -<p>"You have, then, made several voyages?" demanded Maurice, pressing -Geneviève's foot between his own.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Part of my youth," replied Morand, "was passed in a foreign land."</p> - -<p>"And you have seen much?—pardon me, I ought to say, have observed -much; for a man like yourself cannot see without observing," replied -Maurice.</p> - -<p>"<i>Ma foi!</i> yes; seen much?" replied Morand, "I have seen almost -everything."</p> - -<p>"Everything, Citizen," replied Maurice, laughing; "that is saying a -great deal. If you were to search—"</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes! you are right; there are two things I have never seen. It is -true, in our days, these two things are becoming more and more rare."</p> - -<p>"What are they, then?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"The first," said Morand, gravely, "is a god."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Maurice, "but in lieu of a god I shall be able to show you a -goddess, Citizen Morand."</p> - -<p>"How so?" interrupted Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Yes; a goddess of quite modern creation,—the Goddess Reason. I have a -friend, of whom you have sometimes heard me speak,—my dear and brave -Lorin,—with a heart of gold, whose only fault is that of making verses -and vile puns."</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"Well, he selected for Paris a Goddess Reason, in good condition, and -in whom they can discover nothing at all objectionable. It is the -Citizeness Arthémise, ex-dancer at the Opera, and at present dealer in -perfumes, Rue Martin. As soon as she is definitely received as goddess, -I will show her to you."</p> - -<p>Morand bowed his head in token of thanks, and continued,—</p> - -<p>"The other," said he gravely, "is a king."</p> - -<p>"Ah! that is more difficult," said Geneviève; "there are no more of -them," she added, forcing a smile.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You should have seen the last," said Maurice; "it would have been -prudent to do so."</p> - -<p>"The result is," said Morand, "I have not the least idea of a crowned -head; it must be very sad?"</p> - -<p>"Very sad, indeed," said Maurice; "I will answer for it,—I who see one -nearly every month."</p> - -<p>"A crowned head?" demanded Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"At least," said Maurice, "one that has borne the weight and miserable -burden of a crown."</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes! the queen," said Morand; "truly, Monsieur Maurice, it must be -a melancholy sight—"</p> - -<p>"Is she as proud and beautiful as they say?" demanded Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Have you never seen her then, Madame?" demanded Maurice, surprised in -his turn.</p> - -<p>"I? never!" replied the young woman.</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" said Maurice, "that is strange."</p> - -<p>"And why strange?" said Geneviève. "We lived in the country till '91; -since '91 we have resided in the old Rue Saint Jacques, which much -resembles the country, only here they have neither light nor air, and -still less flowers. You are acquainted with my life, Citizen Maurice? -It has always been the same. How do you suppose I could have seen the -queen, when I have had no opportunity whatever of so doing?"</p> - -<p>"And I do not think you will avail yourself of that which -unfortunately, perhaps, may present itself," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"The Citizen Maurice," replied Morand, "alludes to a thing no longer a -secret."</p> - -<p>"To what?" demanded Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"To the probable condemnation of Marie Antoinette, and to her death -upon the same scaffold where her hus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>band died. The citizen said, in -short, that you would not avail yourself of the opportunity offered you -of seeing her the day when she will quit the Temple for the Place de la -Révolution."</p> - -<p>"Oh, certainly not!" cried Geneviève, as Morand pronounced these words -with the utmost sang-froid.</p> - -<p>"Then you can only lament," said the impassible chemist; "for the -Austrian is well guarded, and the Republic a fairy that renders -invisible whatever she pleases."</p> - -<p>"I acknowledge, however," said Geneviève, "I have been very desirous to -see this poor woman."</p> - -<p>"Let us see," said Maurice, anxious to gratify all the wishes of -Geneviève; "have you really such an inclination? Then only say the -word. I agree with the Citizen Morand that the Republic is a fairy; but -I, in quality of municipal, am somewhat of a wizard."</p> - -<p>"Could you procure me a sight of the queen, you, Monsieur?" cried -Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Certainly, I can."</p> - -<p>"And how?" demanded Morand, exchanging a rapid glance with Geneviève, -which escaped the notice of the young man.</p> - -<p>"Nothing more simple," said Maurice. "There are certainly some -municipals of whom they are distrustful; but as for me, I have given -sufficient evidence of my devotion to the cause of liberty to render -me above all suspicion. Besides, admittance to the Temple depends -conjointly on the municipals and the chiefs of the post. Now, the chief -of the post is, just at this moment, my friend Lorin, who appears to -me to be called indubitably to replace General Santerre, seeing that -in three months he has risen from the rank of corporal to that of -adjutant-major. Well, come and see me at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> Temple the day I shall be -on guard,—that is to say, next Thursday."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Morand, "I hope now your wishes will be gratified. There -is the whole matter arranged."</p> - -<p>"Oh! no, no," said Geneviève; "indeed, I would not have it thus."</p> - -<p>"And wherefore not?" said Maurice, who only anticipated in this visit -to the Temple an opportunity of seeing Geneviève on a day when he had -expected to be deprived of this happiness.</p> - -<p>"Because," answered Geneviève, "it might perhaps, dear Maurice, expose -you to some unpleasant dispute; and if anything were to happen to you -through gratifying a whim of mine, I should never, while I lived, -forgive myself."</p> - -<p>"You have spoken wisely, Geneviève," said Morand. "Suspicion is at -present very rife; the best patriots even are now suspected. Renounce -this project, which, as you say, is after all a mere caprice of -curiosity."</p> - -<p>"They will say that you are envious, Morand, and that not having -yourself seen either king or queen, you do not wish others to do so. -Come, to end all discussion, join the party."</p> - -<p>"I! good faith! No."</p> - -<p>"It is then no longer the Citizen Dixmer who wishes to visit the -Temple; it is I who entreat both her and you to come there, to divert -a poor prisoner. For the great door once closed upon me, I remain for -twenty-four hours as much a prisoner as the king would be, or a prince -of the blood." And pressing between his own feet the foot of Geneviève, -"Come then," said he, "I entreat you!"</p> - -<p>"What do you say, Morand," said Geneviève, "will you come with me?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It will be losing a day," said Morand, "and will retard by just so -long the time when I expect to retire from business."</p> - -<p>"Then I shall not go," said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"But why?" demanded Morand.</p> - -<p>"Because I cannot depend upon my husband to escort me; and if you -will not accompany me—you, a respectable man, thirty-eight years of -age—I have not the hardihood to encounter alone all the chasseurs, -artillery-men, and grenadiers, requesting to speak to one of the -municipals only three or four years older than myself."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Morand, "since you deem my presence indispensable, -Citizeness—"</p> - -<p>"Come! come! learned Citizen, be as gallant as if you were simply an -ordinary man, and sacrifice half a day to the wife of your friend," -said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Well, let it be so," said Morand.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Maurice, "I only require one thing from you,—that is, -discretion. Visiting the Temple is considered a suspicious proceeding, -and should any accident occur in consequence, we should all be -guillotined. The Jacobins do not jest. <i>Peste!</i> you see how they have -treated the Girondins."</p> - -<p>"The devil!" said Morand, "this observation of the Citizen Maurice -requires consideration. This would be a sort of retiring from business -that would not suit me at all."</p> - -<p>"Did you not hear," said Geneviève, smiling, "that the Citizen Maurice -said <i>all</i>?"</p> - -<p>"Well, what of that? All?"</p> - -<p>"All together."</p> - -<p>"Yes, without doubt," said Morand, "company is very agreeable; but I -much prefer, fair sentimentalist, to live in your society than to die -in it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What the devil was I thinking of," said Maurice to himself, "when I -imagined this man loved Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"Then it is all settled," said Geneviève. "I address myself to -you, Morand, thoughtful, absent man that you are,—remember it is -on Thursday next; so do not on the Wednesday evening commence some -chemical experiment that will occupy your time and attention for the -next twenty-four hours, as very frequently happens."</p> - -<p>"You may be perfectly easy on that point," said Morand. "Besides, you -can remind me."</p> - -<p>Geneviève then rose from table, and Maurice followed her example. -Morand was about to leave also, and perhaps to follow them, when one -of the workmen brought the chemist a small vial containing some liquid -which instantly engrossed all his attention.</p> - -<p>"Let us make haste," said Maurice, drawing away Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Oh, be assured," said she, "he will remain there for an hour at the -very least."</p> - -<p>And the young woman allowed him to take her hand, which he tenderly -pressed between his own. She felt remorse for her treachery, and tried -to compensate for it by her kindness.</p> - -<p>"Do you see," said she to Maurice, crossing the garden and showing him -the carnations, which had been removed into the air with the hope of -reviving them,—"do you see my flowers are all dead?"</p> - -<p>"What killed them?" said Maurice; "your neglect? Poor carnations!"</p> - -<p>"It was not my neglect, but your desertion, kind sir."</p> - -<p>"They required, my little Geneviève, some water, that was all; besides, -my absence should have left you plenty of time."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Geneviève, "if flowers were watered with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> tears, the poor -carnations, as you call them, would not have died."</p> - -<p>Maurice threw his arms round Geneviève, and drawing her to him, before -she had time to prevent him, pressed his lips upon the half-smiling, -half-languishing eye, now fixed upon the drooping, dying flowers.</p> - -<p>Geneviève felt so much self-reproach it made her lenient to others.</p> - -<p>Dixmer returned home late, and on his return found Morand, Maurice, and -Geneviève talking botany in the garden.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE FLOWER-GIRL.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">At</span> length the anticipated Thursday, the day of Maurice's guard, -arrived. It was now the month of June. The sky was of a deep and -cloudless blue, and against this sheet of blue rose the heavy white -mass of new houses. The coming of the dreadful dog-star was already -foreseen,—that dog represented by the ancients as thirsting with -an unquenchable thirst, and which, to borrow the phraseology of the -plebeian Parisians, licked the pavement very dry. Paris was clean as a -carpet, and perfumes filled the air, mounting from the trees, emanating -from the flowers, circulating and intoxicating with joy, as if to -render the inhabitants of the capital forgetful for a few moments of -that vapor of blood which rose without intermission from the pavement -of their streets.</p> - -<p>It was Maurice's duty to enter the Temple at nine o'clock; his two -colleagues were Mercevault and Agricola. At eight o'clock he was in the -old Rue Saint Jacques, in grand costume as citizen municipal,—that -is to say, with a tricolored scarf tightly fastened round his lithe, -muscular frame. He as usual rode there on horseback, and on his route -won the sincere approbation, admiration, and eulogiums of the fair -patriots who saw him pass. Geneviève was already prepared; she wore a -simple muslin dress, a species of light taffeta mantle, and a small -bonnet ornamented with the tricolored cockade. Thus attired, she was of -dazzling beauty.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> - -<p>Morand, who, as we have seen, had been earnestly solicited to accompany -them, had, no doubt for fear of being mistaken for an aristocrat, -attired himself in his usual costume,—half-burgess, half-artisan. -He had just entered, and his countenance betrayed great fatigue; he -said he had been at work all night, in order to complete some urgent -business.</p> - -<p>Dixmer had gone out immediately on the return of his friend Morand.</p> - -<p>"Well," demanded Geneviève, "what have you decided on, Maurice; and how -are we to see the queen?"</p> - -<p>"Listen," said Maurice, "I have arranged everything. I shall arrive at -the Temple with you, and then introduce you to my friend Lorin, who -commands the guard; I then take my post, and on the first opportunity -will come for you."</p> - -<p>"But," demanded Morand, "where are we to see the prisoners, and how are -we to see them?"</p> - -<p>"At either their breakfast or their dinner, if that will suit you, -through the glazed partition of the municipals."</p> - -<p>"Perfectly," said Morand.</p> - -<p>Maurice then saw Morand approach a cupboard at the farther end of the -<i>salle-à-manger</i>, and drink hastily a glass of pure wine, which rather -surprised him, as Morand was usually very abstemious, his strongest -beverage being water merely colored with wine.</p> - -<p>Geneviève saw that Maurice regarded him with astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Only imagine," said she, "he must be half-dead with fatigue; he has -taken nothing since yesterday morning."</p> - -<p>"Did he not dine here?" asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>"No; he was trying some experiments in the city."</p> - -<p>Geneviève took a useless precaution with respect to Maurice, since -lover-like he was an egotist, and had merely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> bestowed upon the action -of Morand that superficial attention which an amorous man accords to -everything except the woman whom he loves.</p> - -<p>To his glass of wine Morand added a crust of bread, which he hastily -swallowed.</p> - -<p>"And now," said he, "dear Citizen Maurice, I am quite ready; when you -choose we will depart."</p> - -<p>Maurice, who was stripping the decayed petals from one of the dead -carnations he had plucked in passing, now offered his arm to Geneviève, -saying,—</p> - -<p>"Let us start."</p> - -<p>On their way Maurice felt so happy that he could scarcely contain -himself; he would have uttered cries of joy had he not restrained -his emotion. What could he desire more? Not only had he acquired the -certainty that she did not love Morand, but also the hope that he -possessed her affection. The glorious sun shone upon the world, the -arm of Geneviève was reposing within his own, while the public criers, -shouting at the top of their voices the triumph of the Jacobins and the -defeat of Brissot and his party, announced that the country was saved.</p> - -<p>There are truly moments in life when the heart of man seems too small -to contain the joy or grief concentrated there.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what a lovely day!" exclaimed Morand.</p> - -<p>Maurice turned round in surprise. This was the first burst of feeling -he had ever heard issue from the lips of this singularly reserved and -absent man.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes; it is indeed lovely," said Geneviève, pressing closer the arm -of Maurice; "would that it may continue till evening pure and cloudless -as it is now!"</p> - -<p>Maurice applied these words to himself, and his happiness redoubled -each moment.</p> - -<p>Morand at the same time regarded Geneviève through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> his green -spectacles with a peculiar, grateful expression. Perhaps he also -applied her wish to himself.</p> - -<p>They thus crossed the Petit Pont, the Rue de la Juiverie, and the -Bridge Notre Dame; they then proceeded to the Place de l'Hôtel de -Ville, the Rue Barre-du-Bec, and the Rue Sainte Avoie. As they -progressed, Maurice's step became more and more elastic, while on the -contrary those of his male and female companions waxed slower and -slower.</p> - -<p>They had reached the corner of the Rue des Vieilles-Audriettes, when -all at once a flower-girl impeded their passage, by offering them her -basket filled with flowers.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what magnificent carnations!" cried Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, very beautiful!" said Geneviève; "it seems the cultivator of -these had no preoccupation to distress him, for they are not withered -and dead."</p> - -<p>This speech sank deep into the heart of the young man.</p> - -<p>"Ah! my brave Municipal," said the flower-girl, "purchase a bouquet -for the pretty citizen. She is dressed in white; look at these superb -crimson carnations; white and purple look well together. She will place -the bouquet upon her heart, and as her heart is near to your blue coat, -you will have there the national colors."</p> - -<p>The flower-girl was young and pretty; her compliment was well-turned -and well-chosen, for had it been made expressly for that occasion, -it could not have better applied to the circumstances. Besides, the -flowers were almost symbolical; they were similar to those now dead.</p> - -<p>"I will purchase some," said Maurice, "since they are carnations; all -other flowers I detest."</p> - -<p>"Ah, Maurice," said Geneviève, "it is useless, we have so many of them -in the garden."</p> - -<p>But although her lips uttered the refusal, her eyes expressed a longing -desire to possess them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice selected the most beautiful of the bouquets. It was the one the -pretty flower-girl had presented to him.</p> - -<p>It consisted of twenty deep red carnations, emitting an odor at once -sweet and pungent; in the centre, towering above the rest, rose a -magnificent carnation.</p> - -<p>"Here," said Maurice to the seller, throwing on her basket a bill of -five francs, "that is for you."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, my brave Municipal," said the flower-girl, "a thousand thanks."</p> - -<p>And she went toward another couple, trusting the day commenced thus -auspiciously would so continue till its close. During this apparently -simple scene, which had only occupied a few seconds at most, Morand -seemed scarcely able to support himself, and wiped the perspiration -from his pallid brow, while Geneviève also turned pale and trembled. -She took the nosegay which Maurice presented to her, and clasping it in -her lovely hand, held it to her face, less to inhale the odor than to -conceal her emotion.</p> - -<p>The remainder of the journey was pleasant, at least so far as -concerned Maurice. As for Geneviève, her gayety seemed affected, and -Morand evinced his enjoyment in a fashion peculiar to himself,—that -is to say, in smothered sighs or startling bursts of laughter, and -occasionally uttering some formidable witticisms which fell upon the -passers-by like sparks of fire.</p> - -<p>At nine o'clock they reached the Temple.</p> - -<p>Santerre called over the municipals.</p> - -<p>"I am here," said Maurice, leaving Geneviève under the care of Morand.</p> - -<p>"Welcome," said Santerre, holding out his hand to the young man.</p> - -<p>Maurice took care not to refuse the hand thus offered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> to him. The -friendship of Santerre was certainly most valuable at this epoch. -At sight of this man who had commanded the famous rolling of drums, -Geneviève shuddered, and Morand turned pale.</p> - -<p>"Who is this lovely citizeness?" demanded Santerre of Maurice, "and -what does she here?"</p> - -<p>"She is the wife of the brave Citizen Dixmer; you have heard this -excellent patriot spoken of, Citizen General?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," replied Santerre; "the chief of a tannery, captain of -chasseurs of the legion Victor."</p> - -<p>"The same."</p> - -<p>"Good! good! My faith, she is pretty. And this ugly fellow who has -given her his arm?"</p> - -<p>"That is the Citizen Morand, her husband's partner, and chasseur in -Dixmer's company."</p> - -<p>Santerre approached Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Good-day, Citizeness," said he.</p> - -<p>Geneviève made an effort.</p> - -<p>"Good-day, Citizen General," replied she, smiling.</p> - -<p>Santerre felt flattered by both title and smile.</p> - -<p>"And what brings you here, fair patriot?" continued Santerre.</p> - -<p>"The citizeness," replied Maurice, "has never seen Widow Capet, and -would like to see her."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Santerre, "before—" and he made an atrocious gesture.</p> - -<p>"Precisely," replied Maurice, coldly.</p> - -<p>"Very well," said Santerre, "only mind they are not seen entering the -keep: it would be a bad example; in other respects, do as you think -fit."</p> - -<p>Santerre again shook hands with Maurice, made an inclination of his -head to Geneviève in a friendly and protecting manner, and went to -attend to his other duties.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<p>After a great many evolutions of gendarmes and chasseurs, after some -manœuvring with cannon, the heavy reverberations of which, it was -considered, carried to the environs a salutary admonition, Maurice gave -Geneviève his arm, and followed closely by Morand, advanced toward the -post, at the door of which Lorin was vociferating loudly, commanding -the manœuvres of his battalion.</p> - -<p>"Good!" cried he, "why there is Maurice; <i>peste!</i> with a female too who -appears to me rather agreeable. Does the sly rascal wish to bring her -into competition with my Goddess Reason? If it were so, poor Arthémise!"</p> - -<p>"Hallo! Citizen Adjutant," said the captain.</p> - -<p>"Ah! that's right; attention!" said Lorin; "file to the left, -left—Good-day, Maurice; not so quickly—"</p> - -<p>The drums rolled, the company dispersed to their respective places, and -when each was at his post, Lorin hastened to exchange compliments with -his friend. Maurice presented Lorin to Geneviève and Morand. Then an -explanation commenced as to the purport of their visit.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I understand," said Lorin; "you wish your friends to enter the -keep; that is easily managed. I will go directly and station the -sentinels, then I will order them to admit you and your friends."</p> - -<p>In ten minutes afterward Geneviève and Morand entered behind the three -municipals, and placed themselves behind the glazed partition.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE CRIMSON CARNATION.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> queen had just risen. Having been indisposed for two or three days, -she had remained in bed longer than usual; but having heard from her -sister that there had been a splendid sunrise, she made an effort to -quit her couch, and that she might be enabled to breathe the pure air -with her daughter, had requested permission to walk on the platform, -which had been granted her without the slightest difficulty.</p> - -<p>She had also been induced to act thus from another cause. Once, and -it is true once only, from the height of the tower she had seen the -dauphin playing in the garden. But at the first signal of recognition -between the mother and child, Simon interfered, and compelled the boy -to retire immediately.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, she had seen him; that was a great source of happiness -to her. True, the poor little prisoner was very pale and much changed. -Then he was dressed as a child of the people, in a blouse and coarse -trousers. But his beautiful fair waving curls were still left him, -forming around him a glory which God no doubt intended the infant -martyr to retain in heaven.</p> - -<p>If she could only see him once again, oh, what a cordial to the heart -of the unhappy mother!</p> - -<p>There was yet another motive.</p> - -<p>"My sister," Madame Elizabeth had said to her, "you know we found in -the corridor a straw standing upright<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> in a corner of the wall. In the -language of our signs this desires us to be watchful, as a friend is -coming near us."</p> - -<p>"That is true," replied the queen; who, regarding her sister and child -with pity, would not on their account permit herself to despair of -their ultimate safety.</p> - -<p>The duties of the service accomplished, Maurice was then highest -in authority in the keep of the Temple, since chance had elected -him as guard during the day, and the other municipals, Agricola and -Mercevault, as guards during the night.</p> - -<p>The municipals had left, after laying their <i>procès-verbal</i> before the -Council of the Temple.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Citizen Municipal," said the woman Tison, coming forward to salute -Maurice, "you bring company, then, to see our caged pigeons? It is only -I who am condemned no more to see my poor Sophie."</p> - -<p>"They are friends of mine," said Maurice, "who have never yet seen the -Widow Capet."</p> - -<p>"Ah! well, they will see admirably behind the partition."</p> - -<p>"Assuredly," said Morand.</p> - -<p>"Only," said Geneviève, "we shall seem to be actuated by that cruel -curiosity which induces some persons to mock the misery of unfortunate -prisoners from the outside of an iron grating."</p> - -<p>"Ah! then why not take your friends to the tower walk, since the -woman Capet will take an airing there to-day with her sister and her -daughter; for they have left her a daughter, while I who am not guilty, -have been deprived of mine. Oh, these aristocrats! it will always -be the case; let us do what we will, favor is always shown to them, -Citizen Maurice."</p> - -<p>"But they have taken from her her son," replied he.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ah! if I had a son," murmured the female jailer, "I should lament my -daughter less."</p> - -<p>Geneviève during this time had exchanged looks with Morand several -times.</p> - -<p>"<i>Mon ami</i>," said the young woman to Maurice, "the citizen is in -the right. If you could by any means place me in the way of Marie -Antoinette, it would be less repugnant to my feelings than gazing at -her here. It seems to me that this manner of viewing people is at once -humiliating both to them and to us."</p> - -<p>"Kind Geneviève," said Maurice, "you possess true delicacy of mind."</p> - -<p>"Egad! Citizen," said one of Maurice's colleagues who was at that -moment breakfasting in the antechamber on bread and sausages, "if you -were the prisoner, and Capet's wife felt curiosity to see you, she -would not be so very particular about the indulgence of her fancy,—the -jade!"</p> - -<p>Geneviève, with a movement quicker than lightning, threw a rapid glance -toward Morand, to note the effect of these words upon him. In effect, -Morand quivered, a strange phosphorescent light gleamed from under his -eyelids, and his hands were clinched for an instant; but all this was -so momentary that it passed unperceived.</p> - -<p>"What is the name of this municipal?" asked she of Maurice.</p> - -<p>"It is the Citizen Mercevault," replied the young man; and then added, -as if to apologize for his coarseness, "a stone-cutter."</p> - -<p>Mercevault heard it, and cast a sidelong glance at Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Come! come!" said the woman Tison; "finish your sausage and your -half-bottle, that I may clear the table."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is not the fault of the Austrian if I finish them now," grumbled -the municipal; "for if she could have murdered me on the 10th of August -she would have done so; thus the day when she 'sneezes in the sack' I -shall be in the first rank, firm at my post."</p> - -<p>Morand turned as pale as death.</p> - -<p>"Come! Citizen Maurice," said Geneviève, "let us go where you promised -to take us; here it seems as if I were a prisoner. I feel suffocated."</p> - -<p>Maurice conducted Geneviève and Morand out, when the sentinels, -previously instructed by Lorin, allowed them to pass without any -difficulty. They installed themselves in a little passage on the upper -story, so that the moment when the queen, Madame Royale, or Madame -Elizabeth ascended to the gallery, these august personages could not do -otherwise than pass before them.</p> - -<p>As the promenade was fixed for ten o'clock, and they had only a few -minutes to wait, Maurice not only did not quit his friends, but -further, in order that the slightest suspicion might not be excited -by this rather illegal proceeding, having met Agricola, he took that -municipal with him.</p> - -<p>It struck ten.</p> - -<p>"Open!" cried a voice from the base of the tower, which Maurice knew to -be that of General Santerre.</p> - -<p>Immediately the guard assumed arms and closed the iron gratings; the -sentinels also presented arms. There was then heard in all the court a -confused noise of iron, stones, and footsteps, which vividly impressed -both Morand and Geneviève, for Maurice observed them both turn pale.</p> - -<p>"All these precautions to guard three poor women," murmured Geneviève.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes," said Morand, endeavoring to smile; "if those who tempt them -to escape were now here, and in our place saw what we see, it would -disgust them with their trade."</p> - -<p>"In fact," continued Geneviève, "I begin to think they will never -escape."</p> - -<p>"I hope they never will," said Maurice, inclining over the staircase as -he spoke.</p> - -<p>"Attention," cried he; "here are the prisoners."</p> - -<p>"Name them to me," said Geneviève, "for I do not know any of them."</p> - -<p>"The first two who are ascending are the sister and daughter of Capet. -The last one, preceded by a little dog, is Marie Antoinette."</p> - -<p>Geneviève made a step forward. Morand, on the contrary, instead of -looking at them, pressed himself close against the wall, his lips more -livid and earthy than the stones of the keep.</p> - -<p>Geneviève, with her white robe and bright pure eyes, appeared like an -angel awaiting the prisoners to cheer them on their dark and dreary -road, and to administer in passing a ray of comfort to their desolate -and blighted hearts.</p> - -<p>Madame Elizabeth and Madame Royale pursued their way, having only -thrown a glance of astonishment at the strangers. No doubt the former -imagined they were those whom the signals announced, for turning round -quickly to Madame Royale, she pressed her hand, and while so doing, -dropped her handkerchief, as if to inform the queen.</p> - -<p>"Pay attention, my sister," said she; "I have dropped my handkerchief."</p> - -<p>And she passed on with the young princess.</p> - -<p>The queen, with panting breath accompanied with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> short dry cough -indicating ill-health, stooped to pick up the handkerchief which had -fallen at her feet, when her little dog, more agile than its mistress, -seized it, and ran forward with it to Madame Elizabeth. The queen -continued her ascent slowly, and after some steps found herself in her -turn before Geneviève, Morand, and the young municipal.</p> - -<p>"Flowers!" cried she; "oh, how long it is since I have seen any -flowers! How deliciously they smell! You are happy to possess these -flowers, Madame."</p> - -<p>Quick as the idea formed in her mind, prompted by these melancholy -words, Geneviève extended her hand to offer her bouquet to the queen.</p> - -<p>Then Marie Antoinette raised her head, looked at her, and an almost -imperceptible blush passed over her colorless face.</p> - -<p>But by a natural movement, from an habitual passive obedience to -regulation, Maurice put out his hand to arrest the arm of Geneviève.</p> - -<p>The queen then remained hesitating, when, looking at Maurice, she -recognized him as the young municipal who had always spoken to her with -so much firmness, but at the same time tempered with equal respect.</p> - -<p>"Is this forbidden, sir?" said she.</p> - -<p>"No, no, Madame. Geneviève, you can offer your bouquet," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Oh, thanks, thanks, sir," said the queen, with grateful -acknowledgments; and bowing with gracious affability to Geneviève, the -queen extended her emaciated hand, and selected at random a single -carnation from the mass of flowers.</p> - -<p>"Take them all, Madame, take them all," timidly said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"No," said the queen, with a fascinating smile; "this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> bouquet may come -perhaps from one you love. I will not deprive you of it."</p> - -<p>Geneviève blushed, and at this blush the queen smiled.</p> - -<p>"Move on! Citizen Capet," said Agricola, "you must continue your route."</p> - -<p>The queen bowed, and ascended the steps, but before she disappeared, -turned around and murmured,—</p> - -<p>"How sweet these carnations smell! and what a beautiful young lady!"</p> - -<p>"She has not seen me," murmured Morand, who, almost kneeling in the -shade of the corridor, had quite escaped the notice of the queen.</p> - -<p>"But you had a good view of her, had you not, Morand? Had not you, -Geneviève?" said Maurice, doubly happy, first from the sight he had -procured his friends, and also that he had afforded ever so slight a -gratification to the unhappy prisoner.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, yes!" said Geneviève; "I saw her very well, and were I to -live for a thousand years, I should never forget her."</p> - -<p>"And what do you think of her?"</p> - -<p>"She is charming."</p> - -<p>"And you, Morand."</p> - -<p>Morand clasped his hands, but made no reply.</p> - -<p>"Tell me," said Maurice, laughing, in a whisper to Geneviève, "is it -the queen of whom Morand is enamoured?"</p> - -<p>Geneviève started, but recovering herself instantly, replied -smilingly,—</p> - -<p>"It really looks like it."</p> - -<p>"You have not yet told me what you think of her, Morand," persisted -Maurice.</p> - -<p>"I thought her very pale," replied he.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice retook the arm of Geneviève, to descend toward the court. In -the dark staircase it seemed to him that Geneviève kissed his hand.</p> - -<p>"Ha! what does that mean, Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"It means, Maurice, that I shall never forget that to gratify a whim of -mine you have risked your life."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Maurice, "what exaggeration, Geneviève! Between you and me, -you well know that gratitude is not the sentiment I wish to inspire you -with."</p> - -<p>Geneviève pressed his arm softly.</p> - -<p>Morand followed with faltering steps.</p> - -<p>When they reached the court, Lorin came and identified the two -visitors, showing them to the gate.</p> - -<p>Before leaving the Temple, Geneviève made Maurice promise to dine the -next day in the old Rue Saint Jacques.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">SIMON THE CENSOR.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Maurice returned to his post, in a state of transcendent -happiness, he found Tison's wife weeping.</p> - -<p>"What have they done to you now, mother?" asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>"All this makes me furious," replied the female jailer.</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"Because there is nothing but injustice for poor people in this world."</p> - -<p>"But how?"</p> - -<p>"You are rich, you are a bourgeois, you come here only for a day, and -they permit pretty women to visit you here, who present bouquets to -the Austrian; while I who nestle everlastingly in this dove-cot am not -allowed to see my poor Sophie."</p> - -<p>Maurice took her hand, and slipped into it a bill of ten francs.</p> - -<p>"There, good woman, take that, and do not despair. Goodness! the -Austrian will not last forever."</p> - -<p>"Ten francs," said the female jailer, "that is kind of you; but I would -rather have even a curl-paper from my poor girl's hair."</p> - -<p>As she finished these words, Simon, who was then coming up, heard them, -and saw the female jailer put in her pocket the bill Maurice had given -her.</p> - -<p>We will mention what sort of a temper Simon was in.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> - -<p>He came from the court where he had encountered Lorin. Now, a decided -antipathy existed between these two men.</p> - -<p>This hatred was less induced by the violent scenes with which our -readers are already familiar than by difference of race, an everlasting -source of detestation, which, however mysterious it may at first -appear, is easily explained.</p> - -<p>Simon was hideous, Lorin handsome; Simon was vulgar, Lorin the very -opposite; Simon was a Republican bully, Lorin one of those ardent -patriots who had sacrificed everything to the Revolution; and then, if -they had on a former occasion come to blows, Simon instinctively felt -that the fist of the fop, no less effectually than that of Maurice, -would have inflicted upon him a plebeian punishment.</p> - -<p>Simon on perceiving Lorin, stopped short, and turned pale.</p> - -<p>"It is still this battalion that mounts guard," growled he.</p> - -<p>"Well," said a gendarme who overheard this apostrophe, "it is as good -as another, it seems to me."</p> - -<p>Simon drew a pencil from his pocket, and pretended to note down -something on a piece of paper almost as black as his hands.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Lorin, "you know how to write then, Simon, since you are -tutor to young Capet? Look, citizens, upon my honor he takes notes; he -is Simon the Censor."</p> - -<p>A universal shout of laughter proceeded from the ranks of the young -National Guards, almost all men of education, at the ridiculous title -bestowed upon the wretched cobbler.</p> - -<p>"Very well, very well," said he, grinding his teeth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> and turning white -with rage; "they say you have permitted strangers to enter the keep, -and that without the consent of the Commune. Very well, I am going to -draw out the <i>procès-verbal</i> by the municipal."</p> - -<p>"He at least knows how to write," said Lorin; "it is Maurice, Maurice -with the Iron Hand; don't you know him?"</p> - -<p>At this moment Morand and Geneviève went out.</p> - -<p>On seeing this, Simon rushed into the keep, at the very moment, as we -have said, when Maurice, by way of consoling her, presented the woman -Tison with the bill of ten francs.</p> - -<p>Maurice paid no attention to the presence of this miserable wretch, -whom by a natural instinct he always avoided if he by any chance -encountered him, regarding him in the light of a disgusting and -venomous reptile.</p> - -<p>"Ah, well!" said Simon to Tison's wife, who was wiping her eyes with -her apron; "so you wish to bring yourself to the guillotine, Citizen?"</p> - -<p>"I!" said the woman, "what put such a thought into your head?"</p> - -<p>"Why, because you receive money from the municipal for allowing -aristocrats entrance to the Austrian."</p> - -<p>"I!" said the woman Tison; "be silent, you are mad!"</p> - -<p>"This shall be entered in the <i>procès-verbal</i>," said Simon, -emphatically.</p> - -<p>"Come, now, they are friends of the Municipal Maurice, one of the best -patriots that ever existed."</p> - -<p>"Conspirators, I tell you. Besides, the Commune shall be informed; it -will judge for itself."</p> - -<p>"What! you mean to lodge information about me then, spy of the police!"</p> - -<p>"Exactly so, if you do not lodge information yourself."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Information about what? About what do you wish me to lodge -information?"</p> - -<p>"About what has happened."</p> - -<p>"But nothing has happened."</p> - -<p>"Where were these aristocrats?"</p> - -<p>"There, upon the staircase."</p> - -<p>"When Capet's wife ascended the stairs?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"And they spoke to her?"</p> - -<p>"They exchanged two words."</p> - -<p>"Two words! Besides, there is a perfume of the aristocrat here."</p> - -<p>"It is the scent of carnations."</p> - -<p>"Carnations! what carnations?"</p> - -<p>"Why, the citizen had a bunch of them, which perfumed the whole place."</p> - -<p>"What citizen?"</p> - -<p>"The one who saw the queen pass."</p> - -<p>"Oh, the thing is clear; you say <i>the queen</i>! Ma'am Tison; this -consorting with aristocrats will be your ruin! Ah, what is this I am -treading upon?" continued Simon, stooping down.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said the woman Tison, "it is a flower, a carnation; it must have -fallen from the hand of the Citizeness Dixmer, when Marie Antoinette -took one from her bouquet."</p> - -<p>"The woman Capet took a flower from the Citizen Dixmer's bouquet?" said -Simon.</p> - -<p>"Yes; and it was I who gave her the bouquet," said Maurice, in a loud -and menacing tone, who had been for some moments listening to this -colloquy, and whose patience was nearly exhausted.</p> - -<p>"It is all very well, it is all very well; one sees what one sees, and -one knows what one says," growled Simon,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> who still held in his hand -the carnation crushed by his huge foot.</p> - -<p>"And I also know one thing," replied Maurice, "which I am now going -to tell you; it is that you have nothing whatever to do in this keep, -and that your honorable post of hangman is down there with the little -Capet, whom I would, for your own sake, recommend you not to chastise -to-day, as I am here to defend him."</p> - -<p>"Do you threaten me? Do you call me hangman?" cried Simon, crushing -the flower in his hand. "Ah! we shall see if it is permitted these -aristocrats—why, what is this?"</p> - -<p>"What?" asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>"That I feel in this carnation? Ah! ah!"</p> - -<p>The eyes of Maurice were transfixed with astonishment as Simon drew -from the calyx of the flower a small paper, rolled with the most -exquisite care, which had been artistically introduced into the centre -of the clustering leaves.</p> - -<p>"My God!" said Maurice, "what can this mean?"</p> - -<p>"We shall know, we shall very soon know," said Simon, approaching the -window. "Ah! you and your friend Lorin told me I did not know how to -read. Well! you shall see."</p> - -<p>Lorin had calumniated Simon; he could read all kinds of print, and -manuscript also when sufficiently large. But the writing in the little -billet was so minute that Simon was obliged to have recourse to his -spectacles. He consequently placed it on the window, while he proceeded -to take an inventory of the contents of his pockets; but while thus -engaged, the Citizen Agricola opened the door of the antechamber -exactly facing the little window, thereby causing a current of air -which blew away the little paper, light as a feather from a bird's -wing, so that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> when Simon, after a moment's exploration, had discovered -his spectacles, placed them on his nose, and turned himself round, his -labor was lost,—the paper had disappeared.</p> - -<p>"There was a paper here," roared Simon, crimson with rage and -disappointment,—"there was a paper here. Look to yourself, Citizen -Municipal, for it must and shall be found."</p> - -<p>And he descended precipitately, leaving Maurice in a state of -stupefaction.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes afterward three members of the Commune entered the keep. -The queen was still upon the platform, and strict orders had been -issued that she should be kept in total ignorance of all that had just -occurred. The members of the Commune desired to be conducted to her -presence.</p> - -<p>The first object which met their view was the crimson carnation, which -she still held in her hand. They regarded her with surprise, and -approaching her,—</p> - -<p>"Give us this flower," said the president of the deputation. The queen, -who had not expected this intrusion, started and hesitated.</p> - -<p>"Surrender your flower, Madame," said Maurice, in a sort of alarm, "I -entreat you."</p> - -<p>The queen tendered them the carnation. The president took it and -retired, followed by his colleagues, into a neighboring apartment to -make an examination, and draw up the <i>procès-verbal</i>.</p> - -<p>They opened the flower—it was empty.</p> - -<p>Maurice breathed afresh.</p> - -<p>"Wait a moment," said one of the members, "the heart of the carnation -has been removed. The calyx is empty, it is true, but in this calyx -most unquestionably a letter has been concealed."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am quite ready and willing," said Maurice, "to furnish all necessary -explanation; but first of all, I request to be arrested."</p> - -<p>"We shall make a minute of your proposal, but shall not act upon it," -said the president. "You are known as a stanch patriot, Citizen Lindey."</p> - -<p>"And I will answer with my life for the friends I had the imprudence to -bring with me."</p> - -<p>"Answer for no one," replied the procurator.</p> - -<p>A tremendous hubbub was now heard in the court. It was Simon, who -having long and vainly sought for the little billet wafted away by the -wind, went to Santerre and informed him that an attempt had been made -to carry off the queen, with all the accessories which the powers of -his excited imagination could lend to such an event. Santerre was in -great haste; he investigated the Temple, and changed the guard, to the -great disgust of Lorin, who stoutly protested against this offence -offered to his battalion.</p> - -<p>"Ah! vile cobbler," said he to Simon, menacing him with his sabre, "I -have you to thank for this pleasantry; but only wait a little, and I -will pay you back in your own coin."</p> - -<p>"I think rather that the entire nation will pay you," said the -shoemaker, rubbing his hands.</p> - -<p>"Citizen Maurice," said Santerre, "hold yourself at the disposal of the -Commune, who will examine you."</p> - -<p>"I await your orders, Commandant; but I have already said that I desire -to be arrested, and I repeat my request."</p> - -<p>"Wait, wait," murmured Simon, with a malicious smile; "since you are so -bent upon it, we shall try to settle that little matter for you," and -he went to find the woman Tison.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">ARTHÉMISE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">They</span> searched during the whole day in the court, in the garden and its -environs, for the little billet which had caused all this tumult, and -which they no longer doubted contained the whole plot.</p> - -<p>They interrogated the queen, after having separated her from her -daughter and sister, but elicited nothing more from her than that she -had, on the staircase, encountered a young woman carrying a bouquet, -and had drawn a single flower from the centre.</p> - -<p>Moreover, she would not have plucked this flower had she not first -obtained the consent of the Municipal Maurice.</p> - -<p>She had nothing more to tell. This was the truth in all its force and -simplicity.</p> - -<p>This was all reported to Maurice when his turn came to be questioned, -and he declared that the deposition of the queen was quite correct.</p> - -<p>"But," said the president, "there was then a plot."</p> - -<p>"Impossible," said Maurice; "I was dining at Madame Dixmer's, and -proposed that she should see the prisoners, hearing her remark she -had never done so; but neither the day nor the manner of so doing was -arranged."</p> - -<p>"But the flowers were purchased," said the president; "the bouquet had -been made beforehand."</p> - -<p>"Not at all; I myself purchased these flowers from a flower-girl, who -offered them to us at the corner of the Rue des Vieilles-Audriettes."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But at least this flower-girl presented the bouquet to you?"</p> - -<p>"No, Citizen; I selected it myself from ten or twelve others. -Certainly, I purchased the most beautiful."</p> - -<p>"But was there a possibility of secreting this billet on your road to -the tower?"</p> - -<p>"Impossible, Citizen. I never left Madame Dixmer's side for a moment, -and to perform the operation named on each flower,—for remark that -every flower, according to Simon's account, must have contained a like -billet,—would at least occupy half a day or more."</p> - -<p>"But, in short, could not two prepared billets have been placed in the -flowers?"</p> - -<p>"The prisoner in my presence took one at random, after having declined -the rest."</p> - -<p>"Then, in your opinion, Citizen Lindey, there was not a plot at all?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, there must have been a plot!" replied Maurice, "and I am the -first not only to believe but to affirm it; my friends, however, were -not concerned in it. Nevertheless, as the nation must necessarily be -alarmed, I offer security by surrendering myself prisoner."</p> - -<p>"Not at all," said Santerre; "should we act thus with tried friends -like you? If you surrender yourself prisoner to answer for your -friends, I surrender myself prisoner to answer for you. The thing -is simple. There is no positive accusation. No one will know what -has passed. Let us henceforth act with redoubled vigilance,—you -especially,—and we shall succeed in probing this matter to the bottom, -and at the same time avoid publicity."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Commandant," said Maurice; "but I shall answer as you would -answer were you in my place. We must not stop here; we must discover -the flower-girl."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The flower-girl is far away, but be perfectly easy on that point; she -shall be sought for. As for you, watch your friends, while I will guard -the prison correspondence."</p> - -<p>No one had thought of Simon, but he had formed his own project.</p> - -<p>He arrived toward the conclusion of the sitting, and learned the -decision of the Commune.</p> - -<p>"Ah! then all that is needed is a formal accusation," said he, "to make -sure work. Wait five minutes and I will lay one before you."</p> - -<p>"What is it?" said the president.</p> - -<p>"It is," said Simon, "the courageous Citizeness Tison who accuses -of secret practices that partisan of the aristocracy, Maurice, and -denounces the intrigues of another equally false patriot, one of his -friends named Lorin."</p> - -<p>"Take care, take care, Simon; your zeal for the nation perhaps misleads -you. Maurice and Lorin are tried patriots."</p> - -<p>"That will be seen at the tribunal," replied Simon.</p> - -<p>"Consider well, Simon; this will be a disgraceful proceeding in the -sight of all true patriots."</p> - -<p>"Disgraceful or not, what is that to me? Do I dread disgrace? We shall -at least learn the whole truth about traitors."</p> - -<p>"Then you persist in lodging an accusation in the name of the woman -Tison?"</p> - -<p>"I will accuse them myself this very night to the Cordeliers, and you -too, Citizen President, if you do not at once command the arrest of -that traitor Maurice."</p> - -<p>"Well, so be it," said the president, who, after the manner of those -wretched times, trembled before those who clamored the loudest; "he -shall be arrested."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> - -<p>While this decision was forming against him, Maurice had returned to -the Temple, where the following billet awaited him,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Our guard being violently broken up, I shall not be able, in all -probability, to see you before to-morrow morning. Come then and -breakfast with me; during that meal you shall give me a true and -particular account of the plots and conspiracies discovered by Simon.</p> - -<p> -A pink the culprit was,—<br /> -So honest Simon does depose;<br /> -But I shall information seek<br /> -This morning from a lovely rose.<br /> -</p> - -<p>And to-morrow, in my turn, I shall lay before you all Arthémise's -answers to my questions.</p> - -<p> -Yours faithfully,<br /> -<br /> -<span class="smcap">Lorin</span>.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>Maurice replied,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>There is nothing new; so sleep in peace to-night, and breakfast -without me to-morrow, as, on reviewing the incidents of the day, I -find I shall not, in all probability, be able to leave till noon.</p> - -<p>I should like to be a zephyr to waft a kiss to the rose of which you -speak.</p> - -<p>I give you leave to whistle at my prose as much as I do at your verse.</p> - -<p> -Yours faithfully,<br /> -<br /> -<span class="smcap">Maurice</span>.<br /> -</p> - -<p>P.S. For the rest, I believe the conspiracy was only a false alarm, -after all.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Lorin had indeed left at one o'clock with the whole of his battalion, -thanks to the brutal conduct of the shoemaker; he however consoled -himself with a quatrain, and went to visit Arthémise.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> - -<p>Arthémise was delighted to see Lorin. The weather, as we have said, was -magnificent; she therefore proposed a walk along the quay, to which -Lorin of course assented. They had walked some distance, discoursing -on politics, Lorin recounting his expulsion from the Temple and vainly -endeavoring to divine the cause, when, on reaching the vicinity of Rue -des Barres, they perceived a flower-girl, who, like themselves, was -walking up the right bank of the Seine.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Citizen Lorin!" said Arthémise, "I hope you are going to present -me with a bouquet?"</p> - -<p>"Two, if you wish it," said Lorin; and they both redoubled their speed -to overtake the flower-girl, who walked at a rapid pace.</p> - -<p>On arriving at the Bridge Marie, the young girl stopped, and leaning -over the parapet, emptied the contents of her basket into the river.</p> - -<p>The flowers separated, whirled round for an instant in the air, while -the bouquets, dragged down by their weight, fell more quickly, till at -last both flowers and bouquets floated upon the surface, following the -course of the water.</p> - -<p>"Stop!" said Arthémise, regarding the flower-girl thus strangely -occupied; "it is said—but yes—but no—but if—ah! this is strange."</p> - -<p>The flower-girl placed her finger on her lips, as if to entreat -Arthémise to be silent, and disappeared.</p> - -<p>"Who is this, then?" said Lorin; "do you know this mortal, goddess?"</p> - -<p>"No; I fancied at first—but certainly I am deceived."</p> - -<p>"She, however, made a sign to you," persisted Lorin.</p> - -<p>"But why is she a flower-girl this morning?" said Arthémise to herself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You acknowledge, then, that you know her, Arthémise?" asked Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Arthémise; "she is a flower-girl I sometimes deal with."</p> - -<p>"At all events," said Lorin, "she has a strange method of disposing of -her merchandise."</p> - -<p>And both, after having looked for the last time at the flowers, which -had already reached the wooden bridge and received a fresh impetus from -the arm of the river passing under its arches, continued their route -toward the Rapée, where they anticipated dining <i>tête-à-tête</i>.</p> - -<p>This incident was forgotten for the moment; but as it was at least -singular, and of rather a mysterious character, it vividly impressed -Lorin's poetic imagination.</p> - -<p>In the mean time, the accusation brought by Tison's wife against -Maurice and Lorin caused a great tumult at the club of the Jacobins; -and Maurice was informed at the Temple by the Commune that his safety -was endangered by the public indignation. This was a recommendation -to the young municipal to conceal himself if he were guilty; but with -conscious rectitude Maurice remained at the Temple, where he was found -at his post when they came to arrest him, and at the same time to -interrogate him.</p> - -<p>Remaining firm in his resolution not to endanger the safety of his -friends, in whom he felt the most implicit confidence, Maurice was -not the man to sacrifice himself by a ridiculous silence worthy of a -hero of romance, and therefore demanded that the flower-girl should be -arrested.</p> - -<p>It was five o'clock in the evening when Lorin returned home, and heard, -at the same moment, of the arrest of Maurice, and also of the demand -made by him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> - -<p>The flower-girl of the Bridge Marie instantly recurred to him like -a sudden revelation. This singular individual casting her flowers -into the Seine; the coincidence of place; the half admission of -Arthémise,—all these facts combined convinced him that this was the -solution of the mystery demanded by Maurice.</p> - -<p>He bounded from his chamber, flew rather than ran down four flights -of stairs, and precipitated himself into the presence of the Goddess -Reason, who was engaged in embroidering golden stars on a robe of blue -gauze. It was her robe of divinity.</p> - -<p>"A truce to the stars, sweetheart," said Lorin; "they have arrested -Maurice this morning, and, in all human probability, this evening I -shall share the same fate."</p> - -<p>"Maurice arrested!"</p> - -<p>"By Heaven, he is! In these times nothing is more common than the -occurrence of such troubles; but they excite little attention because -they come in troops, that is all. Almost all important matters -originate in trifles. Never neglect trifles. Who was that flower-girl -we met this morning, sweetheart?"</p> - -<p>Arthémise started.</p> - -<p>"What flower-girl?"</p> - -<p>"The one who so recklessly cast her flowers into the Seine."</p> - -<p>"Ah, my goodness!" said Arthémise; "is this circumstance, then, so -serious that you return to question me so urgently about it?"</p> - -<p>"So serious, sweetheart, that I entreat you to answer my question -without loss of time."</p> - -<p>"Dear Lorin, I cannot do so."</p> - -<p>"Goddess, with you nothing is impossible."</p> - -<p>"I am in honor bound to keep silence."</p> - -<p>"And I am bound in honor to make you speak."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But why do you insist upon it thus?"</p> - -<p>"Why? Zounds! that Maurice may not have his throat cut!"</p> - -<p>"Merciful Heavens! Maurice guillotined!" cried the young woman, much -alarmed.</p> - -<p>"Without speaking of myself; for to tell you the truth my head feels by -no means secure upon my shoulders."</p> - -<p>"Ah! No, no!" said Arthémise, "to speak would be the poor girl's utter -ruin."</p> - -<p>At this moment Lorin's official rushed into the apartment.</p> - -<p>"Ah! Citizen," cried he, "save yourself! save yourself!"</p> - -<p>"And why?" demanded Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Because the gendarmes have arrived; and while they were forcing an -entrance, I gained the next house by the roof, and hastened to prevent -your return."</p> - -<p>Arthémise uttered a heart-rending cry, for she truly loved Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Arthémise," said Lorin, "do you really place the life of a flower-girl -in comparison with that of Maurice and that of your lover? If so, I -declare to you that I no longer regard you as the Goddess Reason, but -shall proclaim you the Goddess Folly."</p> - -<p>"Poor Héloïse!" exclaimed the ex-dancer of the Opera; "if I betray you, -it is not my fault."</p> - -<p>"Well done, my darling!" said Lorin, presenting a paper to Arthémise, -"you have already favored me with her Christian name, oblige me now -with her surname and address."</p> - -<p>"Oh, write it! never, never!" cried Arthémise; "I would rather tell -you."</p> - -<p>"Tell me, then, and rest assured I shall not forget."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> - -<p>And Arthémise, in an agitated voice, gave the name and address of the -pretended flower-girl to Lorin.</p> - -<p>"She is called Héloïse Tison, and lives, Rue des Nonandières, No. 24."</p> - -<p>At this name, Lorin uttered an exclamation, and fled. He had not -reached the corner of the street when a letter was delivered to -Arthémise. It only contained three lines,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Not a word concerning me, dear friend; the revelation of my name would -infallibly ruin me. Wait till to-morrow. I quit Paris to-night.</p> - -<p> -Thine,<br /> -<br /> -<span class="smcap">Héloïse</span>.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Oh, my God!" cried the future goddess, "if I could only have divined -this I should have waited till to-morrow," and she rushed to the window -to recall Lorin, if there was yet time; but he had disappeared.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> have already said that in a few hours the news of this event had -circulated through Paris. In short, there were at this epoch various -indiscretions easy to comprehend on the part of a government of which -the political schemes were made and unmade in the street.</p> - -<p>The rumor gradually gained ground, till it at length reached the old -Rue Saint Jacques, and two hours after the arrest of Maurice they heard -of his detention.</p> - -<p>Thanks to the activity of Simon, the details of the plot were quickly -reported beyond the Temple; but as every one embellished the original -according to his fancy, the truth was somewhat altered by the time -it reached the master-tanner's. One said a poisoned flower had been -conveyed to the queen, by means of which the Austrian would stupefy -her guards, and thus be enabled to escape from the Temple; it was also -said that certain suspicions were entertained of the fidelity of the -battalion dismissed by Santerre on the preceding evening,—so that -already several victims were consigned to the hatred of the people.</p> - -<p>But the inhabitants of the old Rue Saint Jacques were not, of course, -deceived as to the real nature of the event; and Morand on one side, -and Dixmer on the other, went out immediately, leaving Geneviève a -victim to the most violent despair.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> - -<p>If this misfortune had befallen Maurice, it was she who had been the -sole cause of it. It was her hand that had conducted the young man -blindfold to the entrance of the dungeon which now enclosed him, and -which, in all human probability, he would quit only for the scaffold.</p> - -<p>But under any circumstances Maurice should not lose his head on account -of his devotion to her wishes. If Maurice were condemned, she would -accuse herself before the tribunal, and would confess all. She would -take all the responsibility upon herself, and at the expense of her -life would save Maurice. And Geneviève, instead of feeling any fear of -death, experienced, on the contrary, a melancholy happiness at the idea -of dying for Maurice.</p> - -<p>She loved the young man, she loved him more than was right in a woman -who belonged not to herself; and to die would be for her the means of -giving back to God her soul, pure and unspotted as she had received it -from him.</p> - -<p>On quitting the house, Dixmer and Morand separated, the former took -the road to the Rue de la Corderie, the latter hastened to the Rue des -Nonandières. Arriving at the end of the Bridge Marie, Morand perceived -that crowd of idlers and common people which in Paris during or after -the occurrence of anything remarkable collects at the place, as crows -assemble on the field of battle.</p> - -<p>At this sight Morand stopped short, a universal tremor shook his frame, -and he leaned for support against the parapet.</p> - -<p>At length, after a few seconds, he regained the almost miraculous power -which under trying circumstances he exercised over his feelings, and -mingling with the various groups, commenced his inquiries, and learned -that a short time before they had taken from the Rue des Nonandières,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> -No. 24, a young woman, most certainly guilty of the crime of which -she stood then accused, as they surprised her in the act of making -these packets. Morand inquired before what club the poor girl would be -interrogated, and found they had conducted her to the section Mère, -where he immediately followed her.</p> - -<p>The club was thronged, but by making free use of his elbows and fists, -he succeeded in forcing an entrance. The first sight he encountered was -the tall and noble figure of Maurice, standing haughtily in the place -of the accused, and annihilating Simon by his looks.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizens," cried Simon, who was concluding his accusation; "the -Citizen Tison accuses the Citizen Lindey and the Citizen Lorin. The -Citizen Lindey mentions a flower-girl, upon whom he endeavors to cast -all the blame; but, as I told you before, the flower-girl will not be -found, and that it is a vile plot formed by a body of aristocrats who -toss back the ball from one to the other, like cowards as they are. -You have seen, besides, that the Citizen Lorin had decamped when his -presence was required; and he will return no more than the flower-girl."</p> - -<p>"Then you have lied, Simon," cried a furious voice; "he will return, -for he is here."</p> - -<p>And Lorin strode into the hall.</p> - -<p>"Room for me!" said he, pushing aside the spectators. "Room for me!" -And he placed himself near Maurice.</p> - -<p>The entrance of Lorin, so natural, and without affectation, yet -combining all the freedom and strength inherent in the character of the -young man, produced an immense effect upon the Tribunes, who instantly -greeted him with cries of applause.</p> - -<p>Maurice contented himself by smiling and holding out his hand to his -friend,—the friend concerning whom he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> had said to himself, "I shall -not long stand alone at the bench of the accused."</p> - -<p>The spectators gazed with visible interest on these two handsome young -men whom the foul shoemaker of the Temple, like a demon envious of -their youth and beauty, had accused.</p> - -<p>He soon perceived the unfavorable impression he had made, and -determined to strike the last blow.</p> - -<p>"Citizens!" roared he; "I demand that the generous Citizen Tison should -be heard; let her speak, and bring forward her accusation."</p> - -<p>"Citizens," said Lorin, "I demand that the flower-girl who has just -been arrested, and who no doubt will be brought before you, may be -first heard."</p> - -<p>"No, no," said Simon; "it is just some false evidence,—some partisan -of the aristocrats. Besides, the woman Tison is most impatient to -forward the means of justice."</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Lorin took the opportunity to whisper to Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Yes," cried the Tribunes; "the deposition of the woman Tison; let her -testify!"</p> - -<p>"Is the woman Tison in the hall?" demanded the president.</p> - -<p>"Without doubt she is here," cried Simon. "Citizen Tison, answer for -yourself."</p> - -<p>"I am here, President; but if I depose, will they give me back my -daughter?" said the female jailer.</p> - -<p>"Your daughter has nothing at all to do with the affair with which we -are at present engaged," said the president. "Make your deposition -first, and then appeal to the Commune to restore your child."</p> - -<p>"Do you hear?" said Simon; "the citizen president commands you to make -your deposition. Do so at once!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> - -<p>"A moment," said the president, turning toward Maurice, astonished at -the calmness of a man generally so impetuous. "One moment. Citizen -Municipal, have you nothing to say first?"</p> - -<p>"No, Citizen President,—except that before Simon attached the words -'traitor and coward' to a man like myself, it would have been better to -have waited till he was more correctly informed."</p> - -<p>"You say that? you say that?" replied Simon, with the sneering accent -peculiar to the plebeian Parisian.</p> - -<p>"I say, Simon," replied Maurice, with more of sorrow than anger, "that -you will be most cruelly punished immediately, when you see what is -about to happen."</p> - -<p>"What is about to happen, I should like to know?" demanded Simon.</p> - -<p>"Citizen President," said Maurice, without deigning to notice the -question of his hideous accuser, "I unite with my friend Lorin in -demanding that the young girl who has just been arrested may be heard -before this poor woman is compelled to speak, who, no doubt, has been -prompted to this deposition."</p> - -<p>"Listen, Citizeness!" said Simon; "listen! They say down there that you -are a false witness?"</p> - -<p>"I a false witness!" cried the woman Tison. "You shall see; you shall -see! Wait!"</p> - -<p>"Citizen," said Maurice, "in pity desire this woman to remain silent."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you are afraid," said Simon,—"you are afraid! Citizen President, -I require the deposition of the woman Tison."</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes! the deposition!" cried the Tribunes.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" cried the president; "the Commune returns."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this moment the sound of a carriage was heard outside, amid the -noise of shouts and arms.</p> - -<p>Simon turned uneasily toward the door.</p> - -<p>"Quit the box," said the president to him; "you have nothing more to -tell." Simon descended.</p> - -<p>At this moment some gendarmes entered, with a crowd of curious -idlers, which was soon driven back, and a woman was pushed toward the -judgment-hall.</p> - -<p>"Is it she?" whispered Lorin to Maurice.</p> - -<p>"It is," replied Maurice. "Miserable woman, she is lost!"</p> - -<p>"The flower-girl! the flower-girl!" murmured the Tribunes, whose -curiosity was raised to the highest pitch. "Is this the flower-girl?"</p> - -<p>"I demand, before everything else," roared Simon, "the deposition of -the woman Tison. You commanded her to testify, President, and she has -not yet done so."</p> - -<p>The woman was recalled, and entered upon a dreadful and circumstantial -deposition. The flower-girl, it was true, was alone criminal; but -Maurice and Lorin were her accomplices.</p> - -<p>This denunciation produced an incredible effect upon the public mind; -and now, indeed, Simon was in the ascendant.</p> - -<p>"Gendarmes," said the president, "bring forward the flower-girl."</p> - -<p>"Oh, this is frightful!" said Maurice, concealing his face in his hands.</p> - -<p>The flower-girl was called, and placed before the Tribune, exactly -opposite to Tison's wife, whose testimony had convicted her of a -capital crime.</p> - -<p>She raised her veil.</p> - -<p>"Héloïse!" cried the woman Tison; "my child. You here!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, mother," replied the young woman, gently.</p> - -<p>"And why do you enter between two gendarmes?"</p> - -<p>"Because I am accused, mother."</p> - -<p>"You! Accused, and by whom?" cried the woman, in anguish.</p> - -<p>"By you, mother."</p> - -<p>A frightful silence, like the precursor of death, fell suddenly upon -the noisy assemblage, while the painful feeling excited by this -horrible scene oppressed every heart.</p> - -<p>"Her daughter," was whispered, as if by voices in the distance,—"her -daughter! Unhappy woman!"</p> - -<p>Maurice and Lorin regarded both the accuser and the accused with -sentiments of deep commiseration, mingled with respectful pity for -their unhappy fate.</p> - -<p>Simon, anxious to witness the conclusion of this tragedy, in which -he hoped both Maurice and Lorin would remain actors, endeavored to -withdraw from the attention of the woman Tison, who gazed wildly around.</p> - -<p>"What is your name, Citizeness?" said the president to the young girl, -himself affected at the scene.</p> - -<p>"Héloïse Tison, Citizen."</p> - -<p>"What is your age?"</p> - -<p>"Nineteen years."</p> - -<p>"Where do you reside?"</p> - -<p>"Rue des Nonandières, No. 24."</p> - -<p>"Did you sell the Citizen Lindey, whom you now see in the dock, a -bouquet of carnations this morning?"</p> - -<p>The young girl turned round and looked at Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen, I did," said she.</p> - -<p>The mother herself gazed at her daughter, her eyes dilated with terror.</p> - -<p>"Are you aware that every carnation contained a billet addressed to the -widow Capet?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I know it," replied the accused.</p> - -<p>A movement of horror and admiration spread itself through the hall.</p> - -<p>"Why did you offer these carnations to the Citizen Maurice?"</p> - -<p>"Because I perceived that he wore the scarf of a municipal, and I -imagined he was going to the Temple."</p> - -<p>"Who are your accomplices?"</p> - -<p>"I have none."</p> - -<p>"What! have you then concocted this plot alone?"</p> - -<p>"If it is a plot, I alone am concerned in it."</p> - -<p>"But did the Citizen Maurice know—"</p> - -<p>"That the flowers contained the billets?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"The Citizen Maurice is a municipal; the Citizen Maurice could converse -with the queen at any hour of the day or the night. The Citizen -Maurice, if he had wished to say anything to the queen, had no occasion -to write; he could speak."</p> - -<p>"And you do not know the Citizen Maurice Lindey?"</p> - -<p>"I had sometimes seen him come to the Temple while I was there with my -poor mother, but I only know him by sight."</p> - -<p>"Do you see, miserable wretch," said Lorin, shaking his fist at Simon, -who, dismayed at the turn of affairs, with his head lowered, was -attempting to sneak away unperceived,—"do you see what you have done?"</p> - -<p>Every one regarded Simon with looks of deep indignation.</p> - -<p>The president continued.</p> - -<p>"Since you made up these bouquets, you of course are aware that each -flower contained a paper, and therefore must know also what was written -upon that paper?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I do."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, then, tell us what it was?"</p> - -<p>"Citizen," said the young girl, with firmness, "I have told all I -either can, or will, tell."</p> - -<p>"Then you refuse to answer this question?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Do you know to what you expose yourself?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"You trust perhaps to your youth and beauty?"</p> - -<p>"I trust in God."</p> - -<p>"Citizen Maurice Lindey, Citizen Hyacinthe Lorin," said the president, -"you are free. The Commune recognizes your innocence, and admires your -loyal spirit. Gendarmes, conduct the Citizeness Héloïse to the prison -of the section."</p> - -<p>At these words the woman Tison seemed to awake, and uttering a piercing -cry, attempted to rush forward once more to embrace her daughter, but -was withheld by the guards.</p> - -<p>"I forgive you, mother," said the young girl, as they led her away.</p> - -<p>The woman Tison uttered a savage roar, and fell down as if dead.</p> - -<p>"Noble girl!" murmured Morand, filled at once with grief and -admiration.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE CONSPIRACY.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Immediately</span> following the events we have just narrated, a last scene -came to fill up the complement of the drama which was unfolding its -sombre turns of fortune.</p> - -<p>The woman Tison, struck as by a thunderbolt at what had occurred, -and totally abandoned by those who had escorted her,—for there is -something revolting even in an involuntary crime, and it certainly -amounts to a great crime when a mother condemns her own daughter to an -ignominious death, were it even from excess of zealous patriotism,—the -woman, we say, after remaining for some time in a state of -insensibility, at length raised her head, looked wildly around, and -finding herself deserted and alone, uttered a loud cry, and rushed -toward the door.</p> - -<p>At this door a few idlers more curious than the rest still remained -congregated together, who dispersed when they beheld her, and pointing -with their fingers, said one to another,—</p> - -<p>"Do you see that woman? It is she who denounced her daughter."</p> - -<p>The wretched woman uttered a cry of despair, and rushed toward the -Temple. But when she was a third of the way through Rue Michel le -Comte, a man placed himself in front of her, impeding her progress, and -concealing his face in his mantle.</p> - -<p>"Are you content," said he, "now you have killed your child?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Killed my child!" cried the poor mother,—"killed my child! no, no, it -is not possible!"</p> - -<p>"It is so, notwithstanding, for your daughter has been arrested."</p> - -<p>"And where have they taken her?"</p> - -<p>"To the Conciergerie; from there she will be sent to the Revolutionary -Tribunal, and you know what becomes of those who are sent there."</p> - -<p>"Stand aside," said the woman Tison, "and let me pass."</p> - -<p>"Where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"To the Conciergerie."</p> - -<p>"What are you going there for?"</p> - -<p>"To see her again."</p> - -<p>"They will not allow you to enter."</p> - -<p>"They will permit me to lie at the door, to live there, to sleep there. -I will remain there till she comes out, and then at least I shall see -her once more."</p> - -<p>"Suppose some one promised to restore you your child?"</p> - -<p>"What do you say?"</p> - -<p>"I ask you, supposing a man were to promise to give you back your -child, would you do what that man required of you in return?"</p> - -<p>"Anything for my child! anything for my Héloïse!" cried the woman, -wringing her hands in despair,—"Anything! anything! anything!"</p> - -<p>"Listen," said the unknown. "It is God who now punishes you."</p> - -<p>"And for what?"</p> - -<p>"For the tortures you have inflicted so mercilessly on a poor mother as -unhappy as yourself."</p> - -<p>"Of whom do you speak! What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"You have often driven the unhappy prisoner to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> very verge of that -despair where you are yourself at this moment, by your revelations -and brutalities. God now punishes you for all this by conducting this -daughter, whom you love so much, to the scaffold."</p> - -<p>"You said there was some man who could save her. Where is that man; -what does he want; what does he demand?"</p> - -<p>"This man requires that you cease to persecute the queen; that you ask -her pardon for the outrages already committed against her; and that -if at any time you perceive that this woman, who is also a weeping, -despairing mother, by any unforeseen circumstance, or by some miracle -from Heaven, is upon the point of saving herself, instead of opposing -her flight, you do all in your power to aid and abet it."</p> - -<p>"Listen, Citizen," said the woman Tison. "You are the man,—is it not -so?"</p> - -<p>"Well."</p> - -<p>"It is you who promise to save my child?"</p> - -<p>The unknown remained silent.</p> - -<p>"Will you engage to do it? Will you promise; will you swear it? Answer -me."</p> - -<p>"All that a man can do to save a woman, I will do to save your -daughter."</p> - -<p>"He cannot save her!" cried the woman, uttering piercing cries,—"he -cannot save her! When he promised me he lied."</p> - -<p>"Do what you can for the queen, and I will do all in my power for your -daughter."</p> - -<p>"What care I for the queen? She is a mother who has a daughter. But -if they come to cutting off heads, it will not be her daughter's they -will cut off, but her own. They may cut my throat so that they spare my -child. They may lead me to the guillotine, so that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> do not harm a -hair of her head, and I will go there singing,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Ah! ça ira, ça ira, ça ira,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Les aristocrates à la lanterne...."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>And she commenced singing in a frightful voice, then suddenly stopped -short, and burst into a fit of frenzied laughter.</p> - -<p>The man in the mantle himself appeared alarmed at this burst of -madness, and retreated a step or two from her.</p> - -<p>"Ah! you shall not escape me thus," said the woman Tison, in despair, -and retaining her hold of his mantle; "you shall not at one moment -come and say to a mother, 'Do this, and I will rescue your child,' and -afterward say, 'Perhaps.' Will you save her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"The day she is conducted from the Conciergerie to the scaffold."</p> - -<p>"But why wait—why not to-night? this evening—this moment, even?"</p> - -<p>"Because I cannot do so."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you know you cannot; you well know you cannot!" cried the woman -Tison; "but as for me, I can."</p> - -<p>"What can you do?"</p> - -<p>"I can persecute the prisoner, as you call her; I can watch the queen, -as you term her, aristocrat that you are! and I can enter the prison -any hour of the day or night. All this will I do. And as to her -escaping, we shall see. Yes, we shall very well see—since they will -not save my daughter—if that woman will escape. Head for head. Do -you like that? Madame Veto has been queen; that I know. Héloïse Tison -is only a poor girl; that I know. But under the guillotine we are all -equal."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, be it so," said the man in the mantle. "But you perform your -part, and I will fulfil mine."</p> - -<p>"Swear!"</p> - -<p>"I swear it."</p> - -<p>"By what do you swear?"</p> - -<p>"Anything you choose."</p> - -<p>"Have you a daughter?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Well, then," said the woman, in a disappointed tone, "by what then -will you swear?"</p> - -<p>"Listen. I swear by God."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" exclaimed the woman Tison, "you know very well they have -demolished the old one, and have not yet decided on the new."</p> - -<p>"I swear by the tomb of my father."</p> - -<p>"Swear not by a tomb, for that is prophetic of evil. Oh, my God! my -God! When I think that perhaps in three days I may swear by the tomb of -my child also! My daughter! My poor Héloïse!" cried the woman Tison, -frantically, till at the sound of her voice, raised to a shrill scream, -several windows were opened.</p> - -<p>At sight of the opened windows, another man, who seemed to detach -himself from the wall, advanced toward the first.</p> - -<p>"Nothing can be done with this woman," said the first; "she is mad."</p> - -<p>"No; she is a mother," replied the other, and dragged his companion -away.</p> - -<p>When she saw them leaving her, the woman Tison seemed to come back to -herself.</p> - -<p>"Where are you going?" cried she. "Are you going to rescue Héloïse? -Wait for me then; I will go with you. Wait for me; do wait for me!"</p> - -<p>And the poor wretch followed them, screaming, till at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> the corner of -the nearest street, she lost sight of them altogether; and not knowing -which way to turn, she remained for an instant undecided, looking on -every side, when seeing in the silence and darkness of the night only -a double symbol of death, she uttered a cry of horror and fell on the -pavement without sense or motion.</p> - -<p>The clock struck ten.</p> - -<p>During this time, and while the same hour was resounding from the -Temple clock, the queen as usual sat in her chamber, between her -daughter and her sister, near a smoky lamp. She was concealed from the -sight of the municipals by Madame Royale, who, pretending to embrace -her, was reading over again a small billet written on the smallest -piece of paper imaginable, and in characters so minute that her eyes, -already nearly blinded by her scalding tears, scarcely retained -strength to decipher it.</p> - -<p>The billet contained the following lines,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"To-morrow, Tuesday, ask permission to walk in the garden; this will -be accorded without objection, as an order has been issued to grant -you this favor whenever you think proper to solicit it. After two or -three turns, feign to feel fatigued, approach the cabin, and ask the -Widow Plumeau to allow you to sit down. Then, in a moment, pretend to -feel worse, and faint away. They will then close all the doors that -they may be able to render you assistance, and you will remain with -Madame Elizabeth and Madame Royale. Immediately the trap-door of the -cellar will open. Precipitate yourself, your sister, and daughter -through this aperture, and you are all three saved."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i>" said Madame Royale, "does our evil destiny tire in the -pursuit?"</p> - -<p>"If this billet should prove only a trap," said Madame Elizabeth.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, no," said the queen; "these characters have always indicated to me -the presence of a mysterious but equally brave and faithful friend."</p> - -<p>"Is it the Chevalier?" demanded Madame Royale.</p> - -<p>"He himself," replied the queen.</p> - -<p>Madame Elizabeth clasped her hands.</p> - -<p>"Let us each read the billet again very softly," replied the queen, "so -that if one of us forget any particular, another will remember."</p> - -<p>They all three re-read the letter, and had just finished so doing, -when they heard the door of their chamber turn slowly on its hinges. -The two princesses turned round; the queen alone remained stationary, -except that by an almost imperceptible movement she raised her hand to -her hair and hid the billet in her head-dress. It was a municipal who -opened the door.</p> - -<p>"What is your business, Monsieur?" demanded Madame Elizabeth and Madame -Royale, at the same moment.</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said the municipal, "it appears to me that you retire very late -to-night?"</p> - -<p>"Is there, then," said the queen, with her usual dignity, "a new decree -from the Commune, stating the hour at which I am to go to bed?"</p> - -<p>"No, Citizen," said the municipal; "but if necessary they will make -one."</p> - -<p>"In the mean time, Monsieur," said Marie Antoinette, "respect, I do not -say the chamber of a queen, but that of a woman."</p> - -<p>"Truly," growled the municipal, "these aristocrats always speak as if -they were something—"</p> - -<p>But in the mean time, subdued by that dignity, haughty in her -prosperity, but which three years of suffering had calmed down, he -withdrew.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> - -<p>An instant afterward the lamp was extinguished, and the three females -retired in darkness, as usual.</p> - -<p>The next morning at nine o'clock, the queen, having re-read the letter -before she arose, in order that she might not misconstrue any of the -instructions contained there, tore it into almost invisible fragments. -She then hastily finished her toilet, awoke her sister, and entered the -chamber of the princess.</p> - -<p>A minute afterward she came out, and called the municipals on guard.</p> - -<p>"What do you want, Citizeness?" said one of them, appearing at the -door, while the other did not even discontinue his breakfast to answer -the royal appeal.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Marie Antoinette, "I have just left my daughter's chamber, -and find her very ill. Her limbs are pained and swollen for want of -exercise; and you know, sir, it is I who have doomed her to this -life of inaction. I received permission to walk in the garden, but -in descending I had necessarily to pass before the door of the room -occupied by my husband in his lifetime. When I made the attempt my -heart failed me, and I had not courage to do so, and have since -limited my walks to the platform. Now, however, I find this exercise -insufficient for my poor child. I therefore entreat you, Citizen -Municipal, to request of General Santerre, in my name, the renewal of -this privilege."</p> - -<p>The queen had pronounced these words in a manner at once so mild, yet -dignified; had so strenuously avoided all allusions to anything that -could wound the feelings of the Republican,—that he who had entered -her presence with his head covered, as for the most part was the custom -of these men, gradually raised his red cap, and when she had finished, -said, bowing respectfully,—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Rest assured, Madame, your request shall be laid before the citizen -general."</p> - -<p>Then on retiring, as if to convince himself he had yielded to justice -rather than weakness. "It is just," said he, "after all; it is only -right."</p> - -<p>"What is just?" demanded the other municipal.</p> - -<p>"That this woman should be permitted to walk in the garden with her -child, who is an invalid."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" said the other, "when she asks to be allowed to walk from the -Temple to the Place de la Révolution, that will be permitted her fast -enough."</p> - -<p>The queen heard these words, and grew pale, but still drew from them -fresh courage for the great attempt she meditated.</p> - -<p>The municipal finished his breakfast, and descended. The queen -requested permission to take hers in her daughter's room, which was -granted.</p> - -<p>Madame Royale, to confirm the statement concerning her ill-health, did -not quit her bed; the queen and Madame Elizabeth remained near her.</p> - -<p>At eleven o'clock Santerre arrived. His coming was, as usual, announced -by the drums beating the march, and by the entrance of a fresh -battalion and other municipals, who came in their turn to relieve those -on guard.</p> - -<p>When Santerre had fully reviewed the battalion leaving, and the one -about to take its place, and had paraded his large heavy-limbed horse -round the court of the Temple, he stood still for a moment. This was -for the purpose of receiving any claims, denunciations, or requests.</p> - -<p>The municipal, availing himself of this halt, approached him.</p> - -<p>"Well, what do you want?" said Santerre, bruskly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Citizen," said the municipal, "I come to entreat on the part of the -queen—"</p> - -<p>"Who is the queen?" interrupted Santerre.</p> - -<p>"True!" said the municipal, astonished at his own mistake. "What have I -said—I must be mad! I came to speak on the part of Madame Veto—"</p> - -<p>"All in good time," said Santerre. "Now I understand you, what have you -to say to me?"</p> - -<p>"The young Veto is ill, it appears, from want of proper air and -exercise."</p> - -<p>"Well, is it necessary again to bring this before the public? The -nation granted her permission to walk in the garden, and she refused -it. Good-morning."</p> - -<p>"That is exactly it. She regrets this now, and requests you will permit -her to do so."</p> - -<p>"There is no difficulty about that. You all hear," said Santerre, "that -Capet's wife will come down to walk in the garden. Now," addressing the -whole battalion, "take care she does not abuse this favor granted her -by the nation, by making her escape over the wall; for if that happens -I will cut off every one of your heads." A roar of laughter followed -this pleasantry of the citizen general. "Now that is settled," said -Santerre, "adieu. I am going to the Commune. It appears that they have -reunited Roland and Barbaroux, and the question under debate is to -deliver them a passport to another world."</p> - -<p>It was this intelligence that had put the citizen general in such good -humor.</p> - -<p>He then galloped away.</p> - -<p>The battalion who were removing the guard followed him; then the -municipals also gave place to those who had received Santerre's -instructions respecting the queen.</p> - -<p>One of the municipals went up to Marie Antoinette<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> and informed her -that the general had granted her request.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" thought she, looking through the window toward heaven, "does -thy wrath abate, Lord? and does thy terrible right hand grow weary of -pressing so heavily upon us?"</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Monsieur," said she to the municipal, with that fascinating -smile which had proved the ruin of Barnave, and turned the heads of so -many of his fellowmen,—"thanks!"</p> - -<p>Then turning round to her little dog, who leaped after her, walking on -his hind-legs, for he well understood from the looks of his mistress -that something unusual was about to take place,—</p> - -<p>"Come, Jet," said she, "we are going for a walk."</p> - -<p>The little animal began to yelp and jump, and after looking at the -municipal attentively, comprehending, no doubt, that from this man -originated the intelligence which had made his mistress so happy, ran -toward him, and wagging his long and silky tail, ventured even to -caress him.</p> - -<p>This man, who perhaps might be insensible to the prayers of a queen, -could not resist the caresses of a little dog.</p> - -<p>"If only on account of this little beast, you should go out more -frequently, Citizeness Capet. Humanity commands us to take care of -every creature."</p> - -<p>"At what hour shall we go out, sir?" asked the queen. "Do you not think -the sun would do us good?"</p> - -<p>"You may go out when you please," said the municipal; "there has been -no restriction on the subject. If you like to go out at mid-day, as -that is the time they change the sentinels, there will be less bustle -in the court."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then let it be at mid-day," said the queen, pressing her hand to her -side to still the beating of her heart.</p> - -<p>And she looked at this man, who appeared to her less stern than his -associates, and who, perhaps, for kindly yielding to the wishes of the -prisoner might fall a sacrifice to the conspiracy which they meditated.</p> - -<p>But at the moment when compassion was stealing over the heart of the -woman, the soul of the queen was aroused. She thought of the 10th of -August and of the corpses of her faithful friends strewed upon the -floors of the palace; she recalled to memory the 2d of September, and -the head of the Princess Lamballe carried on a pike before her windows; -she remembered the 21st of January when her husband died upon the -scaffold, the noise of drums drowning his feeble voice; finally, she -thought of her son, poor child! whose cries of distress had more than -once reached her ears when she had no power to render him help,—and -her heart became hardened.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" cried she, "misfortune is like the blood of the ancient -Hydras,—it teems with crops of future evils!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE LITTLE DOG JET.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> municipal left to call his colleagues and to read the -<i>procès-verbal</i> left by the former municipals.</p> - -<p>The queen remained alone with her sister and child. They all three -looked at one another. Then Madame Royale threw her arms round the -queen, and warmly embraced her. Madame Elizabeth approached her sister, -and held out her hand.</p> - -<p>"Let us offer up our prayers to God," said the queen, "but in such a -manner that no one can hear us."</p> - -<p>There are fatal epochs when prayer, that natural hymn of praise which -God has implanted in every human heart, becomes suspicious in the eyes -of men, since prayer is an act of praise and acknowledgment for mercies -received. But in the ideas of her keepers hope and gratitude afforded -subject for inquietude; since the queen could hope only for flight, and -could thank God only for affording her the means of effecting it.</p> - -<p>This mental prayer concluded, all three remained without uttering a -word.</p> - -<p>Eleven o'clock struck, then twelve. At the moment when the last stroke -resounded from the bronze bell, the noise of arms was heard on the -spiral staircase ascending to the queen.</p> - -<p>"They are relieving sentinels," said she; "they come for us."</p> - -<p>She saw her sister and daughter turn very pale.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Courage!" said she, trembling herself with emotion.</p> - -<p>"It is noon," cried a voice from below. "Bring down the prisoners."</p> - -<p>"We are here, gentlemen," replied the queen, who, with a sentiment -almost of regret, took a parting glance at the black walls and the -rude appurtenances which had been more or less the companions of her -captivity.</p> - -<p>The first wicket opened, they gained the corridor, which, being dark, -enabled the three captives to conceal their emotions. Before them -frolicked little Jet; but when they arrived at the second,—that is -to say the door from which Marie Antoinette endeavored to turn her -eyes,—the faithful little animal first placed his nose to the ground, -then laid his head upon his paws, and gave utterance to a succession of -plaintive cries which terminated in a prolonged howl.</p> - -<p>The queen passed on quickly, not having strength sufficient to recall -her dog, and supported herself against the wall.</p> - -<p>After advancing a few steps, her limbs refused their office, and she -felt herself compelled to stop. Her sister and daughter approached her, -and for a few moments the three females remained motionless, forming -a melancholy group, the mother resting her face upon the head of her -daughter, when little Jet rejoined them.</p> - -<p>"Well!" cried the voice, "is she coming down or not?"</p> - -<p>"We are coming," said the municipal, who had remained standing, -respecting the queen's grief, so great in its simplicity.</p> - -<p>"Come," said the queen, and again continued to descend.</p> - -<p>When the prisoners had reached the bottom of the winding stair opposite -the last door, under which the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> sun shed his rays of bright gold, the -rolling of the drum was heard summoning the guard; then a profound -silence, the effect of curiosity, ensued, and the massive door opened, -revolving slowly upon its creaking hinges.</p> - -<p>A woman was seated on the ground, or rather on the corner of the stone -contiguous to this door. It was the woman Tison, whom the queen had -not seen for four and twenty hours, and whose absence at supper the -preceding evening and at their morning's meal had excited her surprise.</p> - -<p>The queen already saw the light, the trees, the garden, and beyond -the barrier which enclosed the garden her eyes eagerly sought the -little hut of the canteen, where her friends doubtless awaited her; -when, at the sound of footsteps, the woman Tison removed her hands, -and the queen beheld a pale and care-worn face beneath a mass of gray -dishevelled locks.</p> - -<p>The change wrought in these few hours was so great that the queen stood -overwhelmed with astonishment.</p> - -<p>Then, with the deliberation peculiar to those deficient in reason, the -woman Tison knelt down before the door, impeding the passage of Marie -Antoinette.</p> - -<p>"What do you want, my good woman?" demanded the queen.</p> - -<p>"He said it was necessary that you should pardon me."</p> - -<p>"Who said so?" demanded the queen.</p> - -<p>"The man in the mantle," replied the woman Tison.</p> - -<p>The queen looked at Madame Elizabeth and her daughter, surprised at -this appeal.</p> - -<p>"Go along, go!" said the municipal; "let the Widow Capet pass; she has -permission to walk in the garden."</p> - -<p>"I know it," said the old woman; "that is why I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> came to wait for her -here, since they will not allow me to go up; and as I had to ask her -forgiveness, I was obliged to wait for her coming out, to see her."</p> - -<p>"But why then are you not permitted to go up?" demanded the queen.</p> - -<p>The woman began to laugh.</p> - -<p>"Because they pretend that I am mad," said she.</p> - -<p>The queen looked at her and saw indeed that the wild eyes of the -unhappy being reflected a strange light,—that vague light denoting -aberration of intellect.</p> - -<p>"Good Heaven!" said she. "Poor woman! what has happened to you?"</p> - -<p>"Happened! Do you not know?" said the woman; "but if—You know very -well, since it was on your account she was condemned."</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"Héloïse."</p> - -<p>"Your daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, she, my poor child!"</p> - -<p>"Condemned! by whom; how; why?"</p> - -<p>"Because she sold a bouquet."</p> - -<p>"What bouquet?"</p> - -<p>"A bouquet of carnations. She is not a flower-girl, though," continued -the old woman, as if endeavoring to collect her thoughts; "then how -could she sell the bouquet?"</p> - -<p>The queen shuddered; an invisible link connected this scene with her -present situation. She understood that the time must not be lost in -useless conversation.</p> - -<p>"My good woman," said she, "allow me to pass, I entreat you; you can -tell me all this by-and-by."</p> - -<p>"No, now; you must pardon me, and I must assist you to escape, that he -may save my daughter."</p> - -<p>The queen turned as pale as death.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My God!" murmured she, raising her eyes to heaven, then turning toward -the municipal,—</p> - -<p>"Sir," said she, "have the kindness to remove this woman; you see that -she is mad."</p> - -<p>"Come, come, mother," said the municipal; "decamp!"</p> - -<p>But the woman clung to the wall, still reiterating,—</p> - -<p>"She must pardon me, that he may save my daughter."</p> - -<p>"But who is he?"</p> - -<p>"The man in the mantle."</p> - -<p>"Sister," said Madame Elizabeth, "try to console her."</p> - -<p>"Oh, willingly," said the queen; "I believe, indeed, that will be the -shortest way;" then turning toward the mad woman,—</p> - -<p>"What do you desire, good woman?" said she.</p> - -<p>"I wish you to pardon me all the suffering I have caused you by my -unjust behavior; all the accusations I have made against you; and trust -that when you see the man in the mantle, you will command him to save -my daughter; for he will do all that you desire."</p> - -<p>"I do not know whom you mean by the man in the mantle," said the queen; -"but if all that is necessary to your peace of mind is to obtain my -pardon for the offences you imagine you have committed against me, I -freely forgive you, my poor woman, from the depths of my heart, and -trust only that any one I may have offended will as sincerely pardon -me."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" cried the woman Tison, with an indescribable accent of joy, "he -will save my child, since you have forgiven me. Your hand, Madame! your -hand—"</p> - -<p>The queen astonished, and at a loss to comprehend the meaning, -presented her hand to the woman, who seized it, and ardently pressed it -to her lips.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this moment the hoarse voice of a hawker was heard in the Rue de -Temple.</p> - -<p>"Here," cried he, "is the judgment and decree condemning Héloïse Tison -to the penalty of death for the crime of conspiracy!"</p> - -<p>Scarcely had these words reached the ears of the woman Tison, than -rising from her knees, with an air of dogged resolution, she extended -her arms to impede the passage of the queen.</p> - -<p>"O God!" cried the queen, who had not lost one word of the hawker's -terrible cry.</p> - -<p>"Condemned to death!" cried the mother; "my child condemned!—my -Héloïse lost! He has not then saved her, and now he cannot save her! -Too late! too late!"</p> - -<p>"Poor woman," said the queen, "believe me, I feel for you."</p> - -<p>"You!" said she, looking at her fiercely with her blood-shot eyes. "You -pity me? Never! never!"</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken. I pity you from my heart; but do pray allow me to -pass."</p> - -<p>The woman burst into a hoarse laugh.</p> - -<p>"Let you pass? No, no! I would have assisted you to escape, because -he promised if I did so and asked your forgiveness he would rescue my -daughter; but since she is condemned to death you shall not escape."</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen!" cried the queen, "help! Do you not see that this woman is -mad?"</p> - -<p>"No, I am not mad; I know well what I am saying!" cried the woman. -"It is the truth,—there was a conspiracy, and Simon discovered all. -It was my poor daughter who sold the bouquet. She confessed it before -the Revolutionary Tribunal—A bouquet of carnations—They had papers -concealed in them."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Madame," exclaimed the queen, "in the name of Heaven!"</p> - -<p>The voice of the crier was again heard, repeating,—</p> - -<p>"This is the judgment and decree condemning the girl Héloïse Tison to -the punishment of death for the crime of conspiracy!"</p> - -<p>"Do you hear it?" screamed the lunatic, around whom the National Guards -had now gathered; "do you hear? Condemned to death; it is you who have -killed my daughter—you, Austrian, you!"</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," said the queen, "for pity's sake, if you will not release -me from this poor mad creature, allow me at least to return to my -apartments. I cannot support the reproaches of this woman; unjust -though they are, they crush my heart," and she turned away, sighing -deeply.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes; weep, hypocrite!" cried the maddened wretch; "your bouquet -cost her dear—She might have known it. Thus it is with all those who -serve you. You bring misery, Austrian, everywhere! Your friends are -dead,—your husband and your defenders have all perished,—and now they -will sacrifice my unhappy child! When will your turn come, that no more -may die for you?" And the miserable creature accompanied these last -words with threatening gestures.</p> - -<p>"Unhappy woman!" observed Madame Elizabeth, venturing to speak, "do you -forget that she whom you address is the queen?"</p> - -<p>"The queen!" repeated the maniac, whose madness every moment increased, -"if she is the queen, let her defend my poor girl from the hangmen -who seek her life—Let her show mercy to my poor Héloïse!—Kings show -mercy—Render me back my child, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> I will acknowledge you as queen. -Till then, you are only a woman, and a woman who brings misery upon -all, and kills all—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, have pity, Madame!" cried Marie Antoinette; "you see my tears and -distress," and she again made an attempt to pass, no longer from any -hope of escape, but to free herself from this cruel attack.</p> - -<p>"You shall not pass!" roared the old woman. "You want to escape, Madame -Veto—I know it all, the man in the mantle told me; you want to go -and rejoin the Prussians. But you shall not escape," continued she, -clasping the robe of the queen; "I will prevent you. <i>À la lanterne</i>, -Madame Veto! To arms, citizens! let us march—"</p> - -<p>And with her arms wrestling, her grizzled locks dishevelled and hanging -over her haggard countenance, her eyes blood-shot, the unfortunate -creature fell to the ground, in her fall tearing the robe she still -held in her hand.</p> - -<p>The queen, terrified, but freed at last from the maniac, was flying -to the side of the garden, when all at once a terrible cry resounded, -mingled with loud barking, and accompanied with a strange uproar, -arousing the National Guards from their stupor, who, attracted by the -uproar, immediately surrounded Marie Antoinette.</p> - -<p>"To arms! to arms! Treason!" shouted a man, whom from his voice the -queen recognized as the shoemaker Simon.</p> - -<p>Near this man, who, sword in hand, guarded the threshold of the cabin, -little Jet was barking furiously.</p> - -<p>"To arms! every one to his post!" cried Simon; "we are betrayed. Compel -the Austrian to turn back. To arms! to arms!"</p> - -<p>An officer ran up, when Simon spoke to him, pointing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> with enraged -gestures to the interior of the hut. The officer in his turn then cried -"To arms!"</p> - -<p>"Jet! Jet!" called the queen, advancing some steps.</p> - -<p>But the dog only continued to bark more furiously.</p> - -<p>The National Guard ran to arms, and rushed toward the hut, while the -municipals took possession of the queen, her daughter, and sister, and -compelled them to re-enter the wicket, which they closed behind them.</p> - -<p>"Prepare your arms!" cried the municipals to the sentinels. And the -sound of firearms being made ready for action was heard.</p> - -<p>"It is there! it is there!" cried Simon, "under the trap. I saw it -move, I am certain of it. Besides, the Austrian's dog, a good little -animal who was not in the plot, barked at the conspirators, who are no -doubt still in the cellar. Hold! he barks again."</p> - -<p>Indeed, Jet, instigated by Simon's cries and shouts, began to bark -again more strenuously than before.</p> - -<p>The officer seized the ring of the trap, but seeing he was unable to -raise it, two of the gendarmes went to his assistance, but without the -slightest success.</p> - -<p>"You perceive they hold the trap-door from below. Fire through the -trap-door, my friends, fire!" said Simon.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" cried Madame Plumeau, "you will break my bottles."</p> - -<p>"Fire!" repeated Simon, "fire!"</p> - -<p>"Be silent, brawler!" said the officer, "bring some hatchets, and open -the planks. Now let a platoon make ready, and fire into the trap-door -the instant an opening is made." The groaning of planks and a sudden -jerk informed the National Guards that some movement was taking place -in the interior. Directly afterward they heard a motion under ground, -like an iron portcullis being closed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Courage!" cried the officer to the sappers, who worked indefatigably.</p> - -<p>The hatchets severed the planks. Twenty guns were lowered in the -direction of the opening, which enlarged every moment.</p> - -<p>But through the aperture no one could be seen.</p> - -<p>The officer lighted a torch and threw it into the cave. It was empty.</p> - -<p>They then raised the trap-door, which now offered no resistance. -"Follow me!" said the officer, bravely leaping down the steps.</p> - -<p>"Forward! forward!" cried the National Guards, following the example of -their officer.</p> - -<p>"Ah! Madame Plumeau," said Simon, "you lend your cellar to aristocrats!"</p> - -<p>The wall was broken down; the humid soil had been trampled by numerous -feet; and a conduit of three feet wide and five feet high, like the -branch of a trench, plunged in the direction of Rue de la Corderie. -The officer ventured into this opening, resolved to follow these -aristocrats into the bowels of the earth; but when he had advanced -three or four steps he found all farther progress impeded by an iron -grating.</p> - -<p>"Halt!" cried he, to those who were closely pressing behind him; "we -can proceed no farther until this portcullis is removed."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the municipal, who having placed the prisoners in security -anxiously awaited the news,—"well, what have you discovered?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Parbleu!</i>" said the officer, reappearing, "it was doubtless a -conspiracy; the aristocrats wanted to carry off the queen during her -walk, and she was probably in collusion with them."</p> - -<p>"Plague take it!" cried the municipal, "send<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> some one for the Citizen -Santerre, and inform the Commune!"</p> - -<p>"Soldiers," said the officer, "remain in this cellar, and if any one -presents himself, kill him!"</p> - -<p>And the officer, having given this order, ascended the winding stair to -make his report.</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" said Simon, rubbing his hands, "ah! ah! will they still say -I am a fool? Brave Jet! Jet is a famous patriot; Jet has saved the -Republic. Come here, Jet, come!"</p> - -<p>And the brute who had coaxed the poor little dog, the moment he -approached him, raised his foot and kicked him to a distance of several -feet.</p> - -<p>"I like you, Jet," said he; "ah, you will cut your mistress's throat! -Come here, Jet, come!"</p> - -<p>But this time instead of obeying him, Jet ran away howling, on the road -toward the keep.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE MUSCADIN.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was near two o'clock. Lorin was promenading up and down in Maurice's -room, while Agesilaus polished his master's boots in the antechamber, -only for the greater convenience of conversation the door remained -open, and during his walk Lorin often stopped and questioned the -official.</p> - -<p>"And you say, Citizen Agesilaus, that your master left home this -morning?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, upon my soul! yes."</p> - -<p>"At the usual hour?"</p> - -<p>"It might be ten minutes earlier, or ten minutes later, I cannot say -exactly."</p> - -<p>"And you have not seen him since?"</p> - -<p>"No, Citizen."</p> - -<p>Lorin continued his walk, and after three or four turns again stopped -and renewed his questions.</p> - -<p>"Had he his sword with him?" demanded he.</p> - -<p>"When he goes to the section he invariably carries it."</p> - -<p>"Are you sure he has gone to the section?"</p> - -<p>"He told me so, at least."</p> - -<p>"In that case I shall join him," said Lorin; "but in case I miss him, -tell him I have been here, and am coming back."</p> - -<p>"Wait!" said Agesilaus.</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"I hear his footstep on the staircase."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> - -<p>Almost at the same moment the door opened, and Maurice entered. Lorin -bestowed a hasty glance upon him, and perceived nothing extraordinary -in his appearance.</p> - -<p>"So you are come at last," said he. "I have been waiting here these two -hours."</p> - -<p>"So much the better," said Maurice, smiling; "that has afforded you -plenty of time to compose distichs and quatrains."</p> - -<p>"Alas! <i>mon ami</i>," replied the improvisator, "I do not make them now."</p> - -<p>"Why, is the world coming to an end?"</p> - -<p>"My dear Maurice, I am very unhappy."</p> - -<p>"You unhappy?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am miserable. I am suffering from remorse."</p> - -<p>"Remorse?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, by Heaven! yes," said Lorin. "Between you and her I had to -choose!—between you and her I could not hesitate; but, you see, -Arthémise is in despair, for she was her friend."</p> - -<p>"Poor girl!"</p> - -<p>"And it was she who gave me her address—"</p> - -<p>"You would have done much better to have allowed things to take their -natural course."</p> - -<p>"Yes; and at this very moment you would have been condemned in her -stead. Powerfully argued, dear friend. And I came to ask your advice! I -thought you were wiser than that."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, ask away."</p> - -<p>"This poor girl: do you understand? I wish to attempt some means of -saving her. Even if I could only give or receive a blow in her defence, -I feel as if it would do me good."</p> - -<p>"You are mad, Lorin," said Maurice, shrugging his shoulders.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Perhaps if I made an appeal to the Revolutionary Tribunal?"</p> - -<p>"It is too late, she is condemned."</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Lorin, "it is dreadful to see this poor girl sacrificed -thus."</p> - -<p>"The more so since it was my safety that has entailed her death. But -after all, Lorin, we have one consolation. She was a conspirator."</p> - -<p>"Goodness!" said Lorin, "does not every one conspire nowadays? She has -done no more, poor girl, than every one else does."</p> - -<p>"Grieve for her neither too much, nor too loudly, my friend," said -Maurice, "for we have to bear our share in this trouble. Believe me, we -are not so fully cleared from the accusation of being her accomplices, -that no stain remains behind. To-day, at the section, I was termed -'Girondin,' by the Captain of the Chasseurs of Saint Leu; and I, at the -same time, found it necessary to convince him by a stroke from my sword -that he was mistaken."</p> - -<p>"Then that was the reason you returned so late?"</p> - -<p>"Just so."</p> - -<p>"But why did you not inform me?"</p> - -<p>"Because in affairs of this nature you cannot restrain yourself, and -the thing had to be concluded immediately, that it might make no noise."</p> - -<p>"And that scum called you 'Girondin,' Maurice,—you, a thoroughbred -Republican?"</p> - -<p>"By Jove, he did! and this will convince you that another adventure of -this nature and we become unpopular; and you well know, Lorin, in these -times unpopular is a synonymous term for <i>suspected</i>."</p> - -<p>"I know it well," said Lorin; "and that word appalls the bravest heart; -but never mind—It is repugnant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> to my feelings to allow this poor -Héloïse to be led to the guillotine without asking her forgiveness."</p> - -<p>"What do you wish to do?"</p> - -<p>"I wish you to remain here; you have nothing to reproach yourself -with, so far as she is concerned. With me, you see, the case is very -different. Since I can do nothing for her, I will meet her on her way. -I wish to go there, Maurice; do you comprehend me? Were she to give me -only a wave of her hand—"</p> - -<p>"I will accompany you then," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Impossible, my friend: you are a municipal, secretary to a section, -and you have just been tried, while I have only I been your defender. -They would think you guilty, therefore remain here. As for me, it is -quite another thing. I risk nothing, and therefore go."</p> - -<p>"Go then," said he, "but be prudent."</p> - -<p>Lorin smiled, shook Maurice's hand, and left.</p> - -<p>Maurice opened his window, and waved a sad adieu; but before Lorin -had turned the corner of the street, Maurice could not help gazing -wistfully at him more than once, and each time, as if drawn by magnetic -influence and sympathy. Lorin turned round, looked at him, and smiled.</p> - -<p>At last, when the latter had disappeared at the corner of the quay, -Maurice closed the window, threw himself into a fauteuil, and fell into -one of those dreamy moods which in people of strong mind and vigorous -constitution are often the presentiments of misfortune, as they -resemble the calm which is the precursor of the storm. He was softly -awakened from his revery, or rather state of stupor, by his official, -who, on returning from the execution of some commission, entered with -the sprightly air of a servant anxious to communicate his budget of -news. Seeing his master preoccupied, however, he dared not in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>terrupt -him, and consoled himself by constantly passing and re-passing before -him, without any reasonable cause for so doing.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" at length said Maurice; "speak, if you have anything to -tell me."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Citizen, another desperate conspiracy."</p> - -<p>Maurice merely shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"A conspiracy enough to make the hair of one's head stand upright," -continued Agesilaus.</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" replied Maurice, like a man accustomed to hear daily of -thirty conspiracies at this epoch.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen," replied Agesilaus; "it drives me to frenzy, you see. -The very thought of it makes a good patriot's flesh creep."</p> - -<p>"Let us hear this conspiracy," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"The Austrian has all but escaped."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense!" said Maurice, beginning to listen with greater attention.</p> - -<p>"It seems," continued Agesilaus, "that the Widow Capet was in -communication with the girl Tison, who is to be guillotined to-day. She -has not escaped that fate, unfortunate creature!"</p> - -<p>"How had the queen communication with this girl?" demanded Maurice, who -felt the perspiration exuding at every pore.</p> - -<p>"Through a carnation. Can you imagine, Citizen, how they could have -conveyed the plan to her in a carnation?"</p> - -<p>"In a carnation? Who did this?"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur le Chevalier de—wait then! His name is notorious, but as for -me, I forget all these names. A Chevalier de Chateau—what a fool I am! -It is not a Chateau—a Chevalier de Maison."</p> - -<p>"De Maison-Rouge?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is it."</p> - -<p>"Impossible!"</p> - -<p>"How impossible? when I told you they have found the trap-door, the -subterranean passage, and coaches."</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, you have told me nothing of all this."</p> - -<p>"Well, I am going to tell you, then."</p> - -<p>"Go on, then. If it is a story, it is at least a good one."</p> - -<p>"No, Citizen, it is not a story, very far from it; and in proof of -that, I had it from a citizen porter. The aristocrats had dug a mine, -and this mine commenced at Rue de la Corderie, and terminated in -the cellar of the little cabin belonging to Madame Plumeau, who has -narrowly escaped being arrested as an accomplice. You know her, do you -not?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Maurice; "go on!"</p> - -<p>"Capet's wife was to escape by the subterranean passage. She already -had her foot on the first step, when Simon caught her by her robe— -But stay, they are beating to arms in the city, and the recall in -the sections. Do you not hear the drum? There! It is said that the -Prussians are at Dammartin, and have reconnoitred as far as the -frontiers."</p> - -<p>In the midst of this maze of words, a medley of truth and falsehood, -probability and impossibility, Maurice seized the guiding thread. -All sprung from the carnation presented before his eyes to the -queen, and purchased by himself from the poor miserable flower-girl. -This carnation contained the plan of a plot which had just come to -light, the details of which, more or less true, had been reported -by Agesilaus. At this moment the noise of the drum came nearer, and -Maurice heard the crier proclaim in the street,—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Tremendous conspiracy discovered at the Temple by the Citizen Simon! -Grand conspiracy in favor of the Widow Capet discovered at the Temple!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," said Maurice; "it is just as I thought. There is some truth -in all this. And Lorin, in the midst of this popular excitement, goes -to offer his hand to this girl and be cut to pieces."</p> - -<p>Maurice snatched up his hat, buckled his sword-belt, and with two -bounds was in the street.</p> - -<p>"Where can he be?" said Maurice to himself. "Probably on the road to -the Conciergerie," and he rushed toward the quay.</p> - -<p>At the extreme end of the Quai de la Mégisserie some pikes and -bayonets, bristling in the midst of the crowd, attracted his attention, -and he fancied in the centre he could distinguish the uniform of a -National Guard, and in the group signs of hostile movements. He ran, -his heart oppressed with the dread of impending misfortune, toward the -assemblage on the banks of the river.</p> - -<p>The National Guard pressed by the company of Marseillais was Lorin. He -was very pale, his lips compressed, his eyes menacing; his hand upon -the handle of his sword, measuring the place best calculated to strike -the blows he fully intended to inflict on his cowardly assailants.</p> - -<p>Within two feet from Lorin stood Simon. He was laughing ferociously, -and pointing him out to the Marseillais and the populace, saying,—</p> - -<p>"Look at him! look well at him! He is one of those that I drove from -the Temple yesterday for an aristocrat. He is one of those who favored -the correspondence with the carnations. This is an accomplice of the -girl Tison, who will pass here presently. Well, do you see?—he walks -quietly on the quay while his coadjutor goes to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> the guillotine; and -perhaps she was even more to him than an assistant. She might be his -mistress, and he is here to bid her farewell, or to try to save her!"</p> - -<p>Lorin was not the man to endure more. He drew his sword. At the same -time the crowd opened before a man who charged headlong into the group, -whose broad shoulders had already knocked down two or three spectators -who were preparing to become actors in this scene.</p> - -<p>"Be happy, Simon," said Maurice. "You regretted, no doubt, that I was -not with my friend to enable you to turn your new title of Denunciator -to full account. Denounce! Simon, denounce! I am here."</p> - -<p>"Faith! yes," said Simon, with his hideous sneer; "and your arrival -is very apropos. This," continued he, "is the elegant Maurice Lindey, -who was accused at the same time as the girl Tison, but was acquitted -because he was rich."</p> - -<p>"To the lamp-post with them! to the lamp-post!" cried the Marseillais.</p> - -<p>"Yes, forsooth, you had better make the attempt!" said Maurice, and -advancing a step he pricked one of the foremost of the cut-throats in -the forehead, so that the blood from his wound nearly blinded him.</p> - -<p>"Have at the murderer!" cried the latter.</p> - -<p>The Marseillais lowered their pikes, raised their hatchets, and loaded -their guns, while the frightened crowd dispersed, leaving the two -friends to contend alone against this storm of blows. They regarded -each other with a last sad, yet sublime smile, while calmly awaiting -their destruction from the whirlwind of iron and flame which threatened -them, when all at once the door of the house against which they were -leaning opened, and a swarm of young people, attired in the habits of -those termed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> "Muscadins," or "Fops," each wearing a sword and brace of -pistols in his girdle, rushed upon the Marseillais, and were instantly -engaged in a terrific contest.</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! hurrah!" cried Maurice and Lorin, simultaneously, animated by -this unexpected relief, without reflecting that to fight in the ranks -of the new-comers was to confirm Simon's accusation,—"Hurrah!"</p> - -<p>But if they were forgetful of their own safety, another thought for -them. A short young man, about five-and-twenty years of age, with blue -eyes, who fought without any intermission, with infinite science and -valor, with a heavy sword which any one would have thought his delicate -and feminine hand incapable of wielding, perceiving that Maurice and -Lorin, instead of escaping by the door which he seemed to have left -open for that purpose, remained fighting by his side, turned to them -and said in a low voice,—</p> - -<p>"Fly directly through this door; pay no attention to what we do here, -or you will uselessly compromise yourselves."</p> - -<p>Then, seeing the two friends hesitate, he suddenly cried, addressing -himself to Maurice, "Away! no patriots among us, Citizen Lindey; we are -aristocrats here!"</p> - -<p>At these words, united to the audacity which would induce a man -publicly to accuse himself of what at this period must lead to certain -death, the crowd uttered a loud shout.</p> - -<p>But the fair young man and two or three of his friends, without -evincing any symptoms of alarm, pushed Maurice and Lorin into the -alley, and closed the door behind them. They then threw themselves into -the mêlée, which was now considerably augmented by the approach of the -fatal cart.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice and Lorin, thus miraculously saved, regarded each other in -amazement. The outlet seemed to have been designed for the express -purpose of their escape. They entered a court, and at the end -discovered a small private door which opened into Rue Saint Germain -l'Auxerrois.</p> - -<p>At this moment a detachment of gendarmes issued from Pont-au-Change, -who had soon swept the quay, although, from the cross-street where our -two friends had concealed themselves, they heard for an instant the -noise of an obstinate struggle. These gendarmes preceded the cart which -conducted the hapless Héloïse to the scaffold.</p> - -<p>"Gallop!" cried a voice,—"gallop."</p> - -<p>The cart proceeded at a quick pace, and Lorin saw the unfortunate girl -standing, a smile upon her lips, and calm reliance in her eye, but -was unable to exchange even a gesture with her, as she passed without -seeing him, in the midst of a perfect maelstrom of people, shouting,—</p> - -<p>"To the guillotine with the aristocrat! to the guillotine!"</p> - -<p>The noise decreased in the distance till it reached the Tuileries. -Then the little door through which Maurice and Lorin had escaped, -again opened, and three or four Muscadins, with their clothes torn and -stained with blood, passed through. It was probably all that remained -of the little troop. The fair young man went through the last.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said he, "this cause is then accursed!" and casting from him -his sword, notched and bloody, he rushed toward Rue des Lavandières.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Maurice</span> hastened to return to the section to enter a complaint against -Simon. It is true that before quitting Maurice, Lorin had found a more -expeditious way; this was to collect some Thermopyles to lie in wait -for him, and on his first exit from the Temple to kill him in a pitched -battle. But Maurice strenuously opposed this plan.</p> - -<p>"You are ruined," said he, "if you make use of these means. Crush -Simon, but do it legally. That ought to be an easy thing enough to the -lawyers."</p> - -<p>Consequently, the next morning, Maurice laid a formal complaint before -the section, but was both astonished and annoyed when the president -turned a deaf ear, excusing himself by saying he could not interfere -between two good citizens, each incited by the love of country.</p> - -<p>"Good," said Maurice. "I know now how to act to merit the reputation of -a good citizen. To assemble the people in order to assassinate a man -who displeases you: this you call being 'incited by love of country.' -Well, I agree to Lorin's opinion, which I was wrong to dispute. -After to-day, as you hear, I shall adopt patriotism, and shall first -experiment upon Simon."</p> - -<p>"Citizen Maurice," replied the president, "you are, after all, perhaps -more to blame in this affair than Simon. He discovered a conspiracy, -which it was not his province to do. You saw nothing, although -the discovery formed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> part of your duty; and more, you have held -communication—accidentally or intentionally, we know not which—with -the enemies of the nation."</p> - -<p>"I?" said Maurice. "Well, this is something new. And with whom, pray, -Citizen President?"</p> - -<p>"With the Citizen Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"I?" said Maurice, stupefied. "I had communication with the Chevalier -de Maison-Rouge? I do not know him—I never—"</p> - -<p>"You have been seen speaking to him."</p> - -<p>"I?"</p> - -<p>"Shaking his hand."</p> - -<p>"I?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Where? When, Citizen President?" said Maurice, carried away by the -firm conviction of his own innocence. "You have lied!"</p> - -<p>"Your zeal for your country carries you too far, Citizen Maurice;" said -the president, "and you will regret what you have said, when I tell you -I can prove that I have advanced nothing but the truth. Here are three -different reports accusing you."</p> - -<p>"Now," said Maurice, "do you really think me simple enough to believe -in your 'Chevalier de Maison-Rouge'?"</p> - -<p>"And why should you not believe it?"</p> - -<p>"Because it is only the ghost of a conspirator, with whom you always -have a conspiracy ready to amuse your enemies."</p> - -<p>"Read the denunciations."</p> - -<p>"I will read nothing," said Maurice. "I protest I have never seen the -Chevalier,—never spoken to him. Let any one who doubts my word of -honor come and tell me so. I shall know how to answer him."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> - -<p>The president shrugged his shoulders. Maurice, who did not wish to -be in arrears with any one, did the same. An air of gloomy silence -pervaded the remainder of the sitting. After the meeting was concluded, -the president, a stanch patriot raised to the highest rank in the -district by the votes of his fellow-citizens, approached Maurice, and -said,—</p> - -<p>"Come, Maurice, I want to speak to you."</p> - -<p>Maurice followed the president, who conducted him into a little cabinet -adjoining that where the sittings were held. On arriving there, he -regarded Maurice for a moment in silence; then placing his hand on his -shoulder,—</p> - -<p>"Maurice," said he, "I knew and esteemed your father; this makes me -esteem and love you. Believe me, you incur great danger from want of -faith,—the first falling off of a truly revolutionary spirit. Maurice, -my friend, they who lose their faith also lose their fidelity. You -do not believe in the enemies of the nation, therefore you pass near -without seeing them, and become an instrument in their plots without -being aware of it."</p> - -<p>"What, the devil!" said Maurice, "I know, Citizen, I am a man of -feeling, and possess some share of patriotic zeal; but my zeal does -not render me a fanatic. There are twenty pretended conspiracies, to -which the public assign the same name. I demand once for all to face my -accuser."</p> - -<p>"You will not believe in conspirators, Maurice," said the president; -"then tell me, do you believe in the red carnation for which Héloïse -Tison was yesterday guillotined?"</p> - -<p>Maurice started.</p> - -<p>"Do you believe in the subterranean passage drilled under the Temple -garden communicating through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> cellar of Citizen Plumeau with a -certain house in the Rue de la Corderie?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Then do as Thomas the Apostle did,—go and see."</p> - -<p>"I am not on guard at the Temple, and they would not allow me to enter."</p> - -<p>"Any one may enter the Temple now."</p> - -<p>"How is that?"</p> - -<p>"Read this report, since you are so incredulous. I shall only proceed -by official information."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Maurice, reading the report, "has it come to this?"</p> - -<p>"Continue."</p> - -<p>"Are they going to remove Marie Antoinette to the Conciergerie?"</p> - -<p>"They are; and do you think that from a dream, or what you call an -imaginary idea or an idle story, the Committee of Public Safety would -have adopted so grave a measure?"</p> - -<p>"This measure has been adopted; but will never be executed, like many -more I have seen sanctioned and all—"</p> - -<p>"Read to the end," said the president, and he presented him with the -last paper.</p> - -<p>"The receipt of Richard, the jailer of the Conciergerie!" cried Maurice.</p> - -<p>"She has been there these two hours." This time Maurice remained deep -in thought.</p> - -<p>"The Commune, as you know," continued the president, "acts with -profound judgment. It is digging a furrow long and straight in its -course; its measures are not puerile, and it has put in execution the -principle of Cromwell,—'Kings should be struck on the head.' Read this -secret note from the minister of police."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice read,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Seeing that we possess the certainty that the <i>ci-devant</i> Chevalier -de Maison-Rouge is in Paris; that he has been seen in several places; -that he has left traces of his appearance in various plots, happily -frustrated,—I request all chiefs of sections to redouble their -vigilance—"</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Well?" asked the president.</p> - -<p>"I must believe you, Citizen President," said Maurice, and he -continued,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Description of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge: In height, five feet -three inches; fair hair, blue eyes, straight nose, chestnut-colored -beard, dimpled chin, soft voice, and hands like a female's."</p></blockquote> - -<p>At this description a strange light burst upon Maurice; he thought -of the young man who commanded the troop of Muscadins, and who on -the preceding evening saved the lives of himself and Lorin, and so -valiantly drew his sword upon the Marseillais in their defence.</p> - -<p>"The deuce!" muttered Maurice, "it must be he; in that case the -accusation that I have been seen speaking to him is not false. But I -cannot remember taking his hand."</p> - -<p>"Maurice," asked the president, "what do you say to all this, now, my -friend?"</p> - -<p>"That I believe what you have said," said Maurice, musing sadly, who -for some time past, without understanding what evil influence saddened -his life, had noticed everything darkening around him.</p> - -<p>"Do not trifle thus with popularity," said the president. "In these -days, Maurice, popularity is life. As for unpopularity, it is to be -suspected of treason; and the Citizen Maurice Lindey ought not to brook -the suspicion of being a traitor."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> - -<p>Maurice had nothing to reply to sentiments so much in accordance with -his own. He thanked his old friend and left the section.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" murmured he, "there is too much suspicion and battling. Now," -drawing a deep breath,—"now for peace, innocence, and joy; now to -Geneviève," and Maurice took the road to the old Rue Saint Jacques.</p> - -<p>When he reached the abode of the master-tanner, Dixmer and Morand -were supporting Geneviève, who was suffering from a violent attack of -hysterics. Thus, instead of being allowed to enter unceremoniously as -he was accustomed to do, a servant met him in the passage.</p> - -<p>"Announce me, at all events," said he, "and if Dixmer cannot -conveniently receive me, I will retire."</p> - -<p>The domestic entered the little pavilion, while Maurice remained in -the garden. It seemed to him that something strange was going on in -the house, and the workmen, instead of being occupied in their usual -employment, were pacing restlessly about the garden. At length Dixmer -himself appeared.</p> - -<p>"Come in, dear Maurice," said he,—"come in; you are not one of those -against whom the door is closed."</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" inquired the young man.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève is ill," said Dixmer; "indeed, more than ill,—she is -delirious."</p> - -<p>"Gracious Heaven!" cried the young man, overcome at again encountering -trial and suffering; "what, then, is the matter with her?"</p> - -<p>"You are aware, my friend," said Dixmer, "one never knows anything -concerning the illness of women, especially their husbands."</p> - -<p>Geneviève was lying on a lounge; near her stood Morand, offering her -some salts, which she smelled occasionally.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well?" asked Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Always the same thing," replied Morand.</p> - -<p>"Héloïse? Héloïse?" murmured the young woman, from between her closed -teeth and white lips.</p> - -<p>"Sophie!" repeated Maurice, in much surprise.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my God! yes," replied Dixmer, greatly affected; "Geneviève most -unfortunately saw the cart pass yesterday conveying the unhappy girl to -the scaffold. Since then she has had five or six attacks of hysterics, -and keeps on continually calling upon Sophie."</p> - -<p>"But the most astonishing thing of all is, that in her she recognized -the girl who sold the carnations, which you already know about," said -Morand.</p> - -<p>"Certainly, I know about them," said Maurice, "since in consequence of -them I very narrowly escaped having my head cut off."</p> - -<p>"Ah! we have heard all that, dear Maurice, and, believe me, we have not -been slightly alarmed; but Morand was at the sitting, and saw you fully -acquitted and liberated."</p> - -<p>"Silence!" said Maurice; "she again speaks."</p> - -<p>"Oh, those empty, unintelligible words!" exclaimed Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Maurice," murmured Geneviève; "they are going to kill Maurice. Rescue -him, Chevalier,—rescue him!" A profound silence followed these words.</p> - -<p>"Maison-Rouge," again murmured Geneviève; "Maison-Rouge!"</p> - -<p>Maurice felt a slight suspicion, but he could make out nothing clearly, -and was too much affected by the suffering of Geneviève to attend much -to her words.</p> - -<p>"Have you called in a physician?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Oh, it will prove nothing," said Dixmer; "a momentary delirium, that -is all," and he shook his wife so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> violently by the arm that she -revived, and uttering a shrill cry, opened her eyes, which till now had -remained closed.</p> - -<p>"Ah, you are both here, and Maurice with you. Oh, I am so glad to -see you, dear friend; if you knew what I have—" she corrected -herself—"what we have suffered for the last two days."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we are all here," said Maurice; "have no more terror on that -account. But there is one name above all others you must not accustom -yourself to pronounce, seeing that at this moment it does not bear a -very high repute."</p> - -<p>"What name?" quickly demanded Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"The Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"Have I named the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" inquired Geneviève, -bewildered.</p> - -<p>"Without doubt you have," said Dixmer, with a forced laugh; "but -understand, Maurice, there is nothing surprising in that, since it is -said he was an accomplice with the girl Tison, and that it was he who -concocted the whole plan of escape so happily frustrated yesterday."</p> - -<p>"I do not say there is anything surprising in it," said Maurice; "I -only say he should keep himself well concealed."</p> - -<p>"Who?" demanded Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"Zounds! The Chevalier de Maison-Rouge. The Commune seeks for him; and -their bloodhounds have a fine scent."</p> - -<p>"Provided that, before they arrest him," said Morand, "he has not -accomplished some new enterprise that may succeed better than the last."</p> - -<p>"At all events," said Maurice, "it will not be in favor of the queen."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why not?" demanded Morand.</p> - -<p>"Because she is henceforth shielded from his bold attempts."</p> - -<p>"Where is she then?" inquired Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"At the Conciergerie," replied Maurice; "she was taken there this -evening."</p> - -<p>Dixmer, Geneviève, and Morand uttered a cry which Maurice mistook for -one of surprise.</p> - -<p>"Thus you see," continued he, "adieu to the Chevalier's plans for the -queen. The Conciergerie is more secure than the Temple."</p> - -<p>Morand and Dixmer exchanged looks unperceived by Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Maurice, "Madame Dixmer has turned faint again."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève!" said Dixmer, "you must go to bed, my child; you suffer."</p> - -<p>Maurice took the hint. He respectfully kissed Geneviève's hand, and -quitted the house. Morand left with him, and accompanied him as far as -the old Rue Saint Jacques, where he parted with him to exchange some -words with a man, a superior sort of domestic, who held a horse ready -saddled and bridled. Maurice was so much occupied with his own thoughts -that he did not even ask the man's name; indeed, he and Morand had not -exchanged a word since they quitted the house together.</p> - -<p>Maurice took the road to Rue des Fossés Saint Victor, and gained the -quay.</p> - -<p>"It is strange," said he, walking on. "Is my mind weakened, or are -these events assuming undue importance? Everything appears to me as -if viewed through a magnifying glass." And to recover his equanimity, -Maurice leaned over the parapet of the bridge and presented his face to -the breeze.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE PATROL.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> he lost himself in these reflections, and leaning over the parapet -of the bridge, enjoyed a melancholy pleasure in gazing on the dark -still water, he heard the measured tread of a little troop, like that -of a patrol. Maurice turned round; it was a company of the National -Guard, arrived by the other extremity, and in the obscurity he fancied -he recognized Lorin. It was he, indeed. The instant he saw his friend -Maurice he ran toward him with open arms.</p> - -<p>"Found at last," cried Lorin. "Faith, it is not without some trouble -that we have rejoined you.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"'But since I find a friend so fond,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">My fate assumes an aspect new.'</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>This time you will not complain, I hope, for I have given you Racine -instead of Lorin."</p> - -<p>"But what do you do here as patrol?" inquired Maurice, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"I am the chief of the expedition, old fellow; the business is to -establish our blemished reputation upon its original footing." Then -turning toward his company, "Carry arms! Present arms! Shoulder arms!"</p> - -<p>"There, my lads, it is not yet sufficiently dark, so you can talk over -your little affairs while we follow your example." Then turning to -Maurice, "I have heard great news at the section to-day," continued -Lorin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What!"</p> - -<p>"First, that you and I are beginning to be suspected."</p> - -<p>"I know it. What next?"</p> - -<p>"Secondly, that the whole conspiracy of the carnations was conducted by -the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"I know that also."</p> - -<p>"But this you do not know,—that the conspiracy of the carnations and -that of the subterranean passage are one and the same."</p> - -<p>"Again, I know it."</p> - -<p>"Then let us pass on to the third piece of news. This I am certain you -cannot know. We go this night to capture the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"To take the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Have you then turned gendarme?"</p> - -<p>"No; but I am a patriot. A patriot belongs to his country. Now my -country is horribly ravaged by this Chevalier, who forms plot upon -plot. Well, my country commands me, being a patriot, to free her from -this Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, who distresses her horribly, and I obey -my country."</p> - -<p>"It is all the same," said Maurice; "but it is singular that you should -be charged with this commission."</p> - -<p>"I am not charged; I charge myself, or rather, I should say, I -solicited the commission. It required a brilliant stroke to reinstate -us in our former position; while our re-establishment will not only -prove security for our lives, but still more the right of putting, at -the very first opportunity offered, six inches of steel into the belly -of that hideous Simon."</p> - -<p>"But how are they sure it was the Chevalier who was the instigator of -this subterranean plot?"</p> - -<p>"They are not yet certain, but they presume so."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You proceed, then, upon inference?"</p> - -<p>"No; we proceed by certainty."</p> - -<p>"How do you make out all this?"</p> - -<p>"Listen."</p> - -<p>"I am listening."</p> - -<p>"I had scarcely heard the cry 'Grand conspiracy discovered by the -Citizen Simon,'—that beast Simon (the wretch is everywhere),—than -I wished to judge of the truth for myself. Then, they spoke of a -subterranean passage."</p> - -<p>"Does it really exist?"</p> - -<p>"It does; I have seen it;</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"'Seen it with both my eyes; that I call seeing,—'</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>There, why do you not hiss?"</p> - -<p>"Because that is Molière; and besides, these events, I must confess, -appear to me rather too serious for pleasantry."</p> - -<p>"What can we jest about, if we do not jest about serious things?"</p> - -<p>"You say, then, that you have seen it?"</p> - -<p>"I repeat that I have seen the subterranean passage. It extends from -the cellar of the Widow Plumeau to a house in the Rue de la Corderie, -No. 12 or 14, I cannot remember which."</p> - -<p>"Really? Have you passed through it, Lorin?"</p> - -<p>"I have, the whole length; and, faith, it is a trench prettily cut, I -assure you; and moreover it was divided by three iron gratings, which -they have been obliged to remove one after the other, but which, in -case these conspirators had succeeded, would have given them time, by -sacrificing two or three of their number, to have placed Madame Widow -Capet in a place of safety. Happily it is not so, and that hideous -Simon discovered all!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But it appears to me," said Maurice, "those who ought to have been -first arrested were the inhabitants of the house in the Rue de la -Corderie."</p> - -<p>"This would have been, had they not found the house perfectly -uninhabited."</p> - -<p>"But at least this house must belong to some one?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, to a new proprietor; but no one knows who. They know the house -changed masters two weeks since, and that is all. The neighbors have -often heard a noise; but the house being very old, they had imagined it -was undergoing thorough repair. As to the late proprietor, he has left -Paris. In the mean time I arrived."</p> - -<p>"'Upon my word!' said I to Santerre, drawing him aside, 'you are in an -awkward situation.'</p> - -<p>"'Indeed we are,' replied he.</p> - -<p>"'This house has been sold, has it not?'</p> - -<p>"'Yes, it was, about a fortnight ago.'</p> - -<p>"'Was it sold in the presence of a notary?'</p> - -<p>"'Yes.'</p> - -<p>"'Then we must search all the notaries in Paris, to discover which of -them sold this house, and then make him produce the agreement, at the -bottom of which will be found the name of the purchaser.'</p> - -<p>"'Well and good!' said Santerre, 'that is capital advice, and coming -too from a man they accuse of not being a good patriot. Lorin! Lorin! I -will re-establish you, or may the foul fiend seize me!'</p> - -<p>"To be brief," continued Lorin, "this was no sooner said than done. The -notary was sought for, the act was found, and upon the agreement the -name and domicile of the culprit were written. Then Santerre took me -aside, and I have engaged to arrest him."</p> - -<p>"Was this man the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, only his accomplice,—that is to say, in all probability he was -so."</p> - -<p>"Then how is it you say you are going to arrest the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge?"</p> - -<p>"We are going to arrest them all together."</p> - -<p>"Do you, then, know this Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly."</p> - -<p>"Have you seen the description of him?"</p> - -<p>"By thunder! Santerre gave it to me. Five feet two or three inches, -fair hair, blue eyes, straight nose, etc.; besides, I have seen him."</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"This very day."</p> - -<p>"You have seen him?"</p> - -<p>"And so have you."</p> - -<p>Maurice started.</p> - -<p>"The short, fair young man who rescued us this morning,—he who -commanded the troop of Muscadins, and struck so hard."</p> - -<p>"Was that the Chevalier?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Himself. They followed and lost him in the environs of the domicile of -our proprietor of the Rue de la Corderie, so that we surmise they live -together."</p> - -<p>"It seems probable."</p> - -<p>"It is certain."</p> - -<p>"But it seems to me, Lorin," added Maurice, "that if this evening you -arrest him who rescued you this very morning, you are much wanting in -gratitude."</p> - -<p>"Go along, then," said Lorin; "why, you don't suppose he saved us for -our own sakes, do you?"</p> - -<p>"For what else, then?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all; they were in ambush to carry off the poor girl, Héloïse -Tison, as she passed to the scaffold. Our cut-throats embarrassed them, -so they fell upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> cut-throats; that was the whole of it. We have -been saved by a <i>contre-coup</i>. Now, as the intention is everything, and -there was no intention, I have nothing to accuse myself with on the -score of ingratitude. Besides, do you see, Maurice, the capital point -is necessity; and the necessity is that we should reinstate ourselves -by some brilliant achievement. And then I have promised for you."</p> - -<p>"To whom?"</p> - -<p>"To Santerre; he knows that you command this expedition."</p> - -<p>"How can that be?"</p> - -<p>"'Are you sure of arresting these criminals?' said he to me.</p> - -<p>"'Yes,' I replied; 'if Maurice is with me.'</p> - -<p>"'But are you sure of Maurice? For some time he has been looked upon as -rather lukewarm.'</p> - -<p>"'Those who say so are totally deceived. Maurice is no more lukewarm in -the cause than I am myself.'</p> - -<p>"'And you will answer for his fidelity?'</p> - -<p>"'As for my own.' I then went to your house, but could not find you -at home. I took this road first because it lay in my way, and then I -remembered it was the one you usually frequented; so at last we have -met. Forward! March!</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"'Where Victory leads us still onward we go,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ever joyfully singing we'll face every foe.'"</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"My dear Lorin, I am in despair. I do not feel the slightest taste for -this expedition. Say that you were not able to find me."</p> - -<p>"Impossible! all our men have seen you."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, say you met me, and I was not willing to join you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Again impossible."</p> - -<p>"But why so?"</p> - -<p>"Because this time you will not only be considered lukewarm, but a -<i>suspect</i>; and you well know the fate of <i>these suspects</i>. They are -conducted to the Place de la Révolution, and are there invited to -salute the statue of Liberty; only instead of saluting with the hat -they substitute the head."</p> - -<p>"Well, Lorin, I hardly care how soon this fate may befall me; but -without doubt it seems strange to you to hear me say so."</p> - -<p>Lorin opened his eyes wide, and looked at Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Maurice, "I am weary of life."</p> - -<p>Lorin burst into a roar of laughter.</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" said he, "we have had a quarrel with our beloved, and that -fills us with melancholy ideas. Come, my handsome Amadis! let us return -to the man, and from that we shall pass to the citizen. As for me I -am never a better patriot than when I am embroiled with Arthémise. -Apropos, her Divinity the Goddess Reason charged me with a thousand -gracious messages for you."</p> - -<p>"Pray thank her for me. Adieu, Lorin."</p> - -<p>"Adieu! how adieu?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am going."</p> - -<p>"Where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"I am going home."</p> - -<p>"Maurice, you will ruin yourself."</p> - -<p>"I laugh at the idea."</p> - -<p>"Maurice, reflect; my friend, reflect!"</p> - -<p>"I have done so."</p> - -<p>"I have not repeated all—"</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"That Santerre said to me."</p> - -<p>"What did he say?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> - -<p>"When I asked for you to be chief of this expedition, he said to me, -'Take care!'"</p> - -<p>"'Of whom?'</p> - -<p>"'Of Maurice.'"</p> - -<p>"Of me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Maurice; and he also added, 'he often goes into that quarter?'"</p> - -<p>"Into what quarter?"</p> - -<p>"Into that of Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"How?" cried Maurice, "is it here he hides himself?"</p> - -<p>"They fancy so, since it is here his supposed accomplice resides, the -purchaser of the house in the Rue de la Corderie."</p> - -<p>"Faubourg Victor?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Yes; Faubourg Victor."</p> - -<p>"And in what street?"—</p> - -<p>"In the old Rue Saint Jacques."</p> - -<p>"O God!" murmured Maurice, as if struck by a thunderbolt. And he -pressed his hand before his eyes. But after a moment's interval, during -which he had collected all his courage,—</p> - -<p>"What trade?" said he.</p> - -<p>"A master-tanner."</p> - -<p>"His name?"</p> - -<p>"Dixmer."</p> - -<p>"You are right, Lorin," said Maurice, by a violent effort controlling -his emotion; "I will go with you."</p> - -<p>"And you do well; are you armed?"</p> - -<p>"I always carry my sword."</p> - -<p>"Take also this pair of pistols."</p> - -<p>"And you?"</p> - -<p>"I have my gun. Carry arms! Shoulder arms! Forward! March!"</p> - -<p>The patrol commenced its march, accompanied by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> Maurice, who walked -near Lorin. They were preceded by a man dressed in gray, who directed -their movements. This was an agent of police.</p> - -<p>From time to time a shadow might be seen emerging from the angles of -the streets or the doors of the houses, who exchanged some words with -the man in gray. This was the inspector. On arriving at the little -street, the man in gray did not hesitate for an instant. He was well -instructed, and entered the street at once. Before the door of the -garden where Maurice had been so nearly garroted, he stopped.</p> - -<p>"It is here," said he.</p> - -<p>"What is here?" demanded Lorin.</p> - -<p>"It is here we shall find the two principals."</p> - -<p>Maurice supported himself against the wall; he felt as if he were -sinking to the ground.</p> - -<p>"Now," said the man in gray, "there are three entrances,—the principal -entrance, this one, and another which leads into a pavilion. I shall -enter with six or eight men through the principal entrance, in the mean -time keep guard here with four or five men, and place three sure men at -the entrance of the pavilion."</p> - -<p>"I will get over the wall," said Maurice, "and watch in the garden."</p> - -<p>"The very thing," said Lorin, "as from the interior you can open the -door to us."</p> - -<p>"Willingly," said Maurice, "but do not clear the passage, or come, -till I call you. All that passes in the interior I shall see from the -garden."</p> - -<p>"You are acquainted with the house, then?" demanded Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Some time back I wished to buy it."</p> - -<p>Lorin proceeded to conceal his men in the corners of the hedges and -angles of the doors, while the agent of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> police retired with six or -eight National Guards to force his way by the principal entrance. In -an instant the noise of their receding steps ceased in the distance, -without having awakened the least suspicion. Maurice's men were at -their post, and did their best to keep concealed. One would have -declared that everything was perfectly quiet, and that nothing -extraordinary was passing in the old Rue Saint Jacques. Maurice then -began to climb the wall.</p> - -<p>"Listen," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"To what?"</p> - -<p>"The countersign."</p> - -<p>"Right."</p> - -<p>"'Carnation and Vault.' Stop all those who cannot give these three -words. Permit all to pass who can. This is the password."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," said Maurice, dropping from the top of the wall into the -garden.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE PASSWORD.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> first blow was terrible. It indeed required all Maurice's -self-command to enable him to conceal from Lorin how powerfully he was -affected by these startling events; but once in the garden, once alone -in the silence of night, his mind became more calm, and his ideas, -instead of running disordered through his brain, became once more under -the control of reason.</p> - -<p>What! this house that Maurice had so often visited with the purest -pleasure; this house which had formed for him a paradise on earth,—was -in reality only a den of sanguinary intrigues. The kind and flattering -receptions bestowed on his ardent friendship resulted then from sheer -hypocrisy; the love of Geneviève from fear.</p> - -<p>The plan of the garden is well-known, our readers having more than once -followed our young folks there. Maurice glided from bush to bush till -he was shaded from the moon's rays by the little conservatory where he -had been imprisoned previous to his first introduction to the house. -This conservatory was opposite the pavilion inhabited by Geneviève. -But this evening, instead of gleaming stationary from her chamber, -the light moved frequently from one window to another. Maurice saw -Geneviève through the curtain, evidently raised by accident, hastily -packing some things in a portmanteau, and with astonishment beheld some -weapons in her hands. He raised himself upon a post to enable him to -see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> farther into the room. A large fire was blazing on the hearth, -where Geneviève was destroying papers.</p> - -<p>At this moment the door opened and a young man entered the room. -At first Maurice imagined this man was Dixmer. The young woman ran -toward him, seized his hands, and they both stood facing each other -for a moment, evidently influenced by some deep emotion. What this -emotion meant he could not divine, as their words did not reach his -hiding-place. But all at once Maurice measured his height with his eye.</p> - -<p>"This is not Dixmer," murmured he. Indeed, the man who had entered was -small and delicate, while Dixmer was tall and masculine. Jealousy is an -active stimulant, and in a second he had compared the figure of this -man with that of her husband.</p> - -<p>"This is not Dixmer!" murmured he, compelled as it were to repeat it, -to convince himself of the perfidy of Geneviève.</p> - -<p>He approached still nearer to the window, but the nearer he came the -less he saw. His brain was on fire. He stumbled on a ladder; the window -was seven or eight feet high. He seized the ladder, and planting it -firmly against the wall, ascended and placed his eye at an aperture in -the curtain.</p> - -<p>Geneviève's unknown visitor was a fair young man, about twenty-six or -twenty-seven years of age, with blue eyes, and an elegant demeanor; he -retained both the young woman's hands within his own, and was speaking -soothingly, endeavoring fruitlessly to assuage the grief of Geneviève, -which was plainly evinced by the tears which suffused her charming -countenance. A slight noise, accidentally made by Maurice, caused the -young man to turn his face toward the window. Maurice suppressed a cry -of astonishment, he recognized his mys<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>terious deliverer of the Place -du Châtelet. At this moment Geneviève withdrew her hands from those of -the unknown, and went toward the fireplace to ascertain that the papers -were utterly consumed.</p> - -<p>Maurice could no longer command his indignation. All those fierce -passions which torture the heart of man—love, vengeance, and -jealousy—lacerated him with their fangs of fire. He at once threw open -the ill-closed casement, and vaulted into the chamber. At the same -moment two pistols were pressed to his breast.</p> - -<p>Geneviève, who had turned round at the noise, on perceiving Maurice -stood speechless.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the young Republican, coldly, to him who had a double hold -on his life, "you are the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"And what if I am?" replied the Chevalier.</p> - -<p>"It is this: you are a brave man, and consequently a cool one, and I -would say two words to you."</p> - -<p>"Say on," said the Chevalier, without lowering his pistols.</p> - -<p>"You can kill me; but you cannot do so before I have uttered a cry, -or rather I will not die without giving an alarm. Should I do so, the -thousand men who surround this house will have reduced it to ashes ere -the lapse of ten minutes; so lower your pistols and listen to what I -have to say to the lady."</p> - -<p>"To Geneviève?" said the Chevalier.</p> - -<p>"To me?" murmured the young woman.</p> - -<p>"Yes, to you."</p> - -<p>Geneviève, pale as a statue, seized Maurice's arm; but he repulsed her -coldly.</p> - -<p>"You know what you affirmed, Madame," said Maurice, with profound -contempt. "I now see that you told the truth. You indeed do not love -Monsieur Morand."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Maurice! hear me," said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"I have nothing to hear, Madame; you have severed with a single stroke -every cord that united my heart with your own. You told me you did not -love Morand, but you did not tell me you loved another."</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the Chevalier, "what say you of Morand; or rather of what -Morand do you speak?"</p> - -<p>"Of Morand the chemist."</p> - -<p>"Morand the chemist stands before you. Morand the chemist is the -Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>And extending his hand toward the table, he in an instant resumed the -black wig which for so long a period had concealed him from the young -Republican.</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes," said he, with redoubled disdain,—"yes, I understand. It -is not Morand that you love, since Morand does not exist; but the -subterfuge, for all its acuteness, is none the less contemptible."</p> - -<p>The Chevalier made a threatening movement.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said Maurice, "permit me to speak a moment with the lady; join -in the conversation if you like; it will not be long, I assure you."</p> - -<p>Geneviève, with a gesture, asked Maison-Rouge to have patience.</p> - -<p>"Thus, Geneviève, thus," continued Maurice, "you have made me a -laughing-stock to my friends and a curse to my party. You have rendered -me, blind fool that I was, an instrument in all your plots and an easy -tool in your hands. Listen! It was an infamous deed; but you will be -punished, Madame, for in five minutes this man, who is going to kill me -before your eyes, will be lying dead at your feet; or if his life be -spared, it will only be to lose his head upon the scaffold."</p> - -<p>"He die!" cried Geneviève; "he lose his head upon the scaffold! But you -do not know then, Maurice, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> he is my protector, and that of my -family; that I will give my life for his; that if he dies I will die; -and that if you are my love, he is my religion!"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Maurice, "perhaps you still mean to pretend that you love -me. Really, women are sadly weak and contemptible."</p> - -<p>Then turning to the young Royalist,—</p> - -<p>"Now, sir," said he, "you must either kill me or die yourself."</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"Because, if you do not kill me, I shall arrest you."</p> - -<p>Maurice extended his hand to seize him by the collar.</p> - -<p>"I shall not dispute my life with you," said the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge; and he flung his pistols on a chair.</p> - -<p>"And why do you not dispute your life?"</p> - -<p>"Because my life is not equivalent in value to the remorse I should -experience in feeling that I had killed a brave man, and more than all -since Geneviève loves you."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" cried the young woman, clasping her hands, "you are always kind, -great, loyal, and generous, Armand!"</p> - -<p>Maurice regarded them both, almost stupefied with astonishment.</p> - -<p>"One moment," said the Chevalier, "allow me to return to my chamber. -I give you my word of honor it is not to escape; I wish to conceal a -portrait."</p> - -<p>Maurice turned his eyes quickly toward that of Geneviève; it hung in -its place. Perhaps the Chevalier divined Maurice's thoughts, or perhaps -he wished to try his generosity to the utmost.</p> - -<p>"Come," said he, "I know you are a Republican, but I know also that you -possess a pure and loyal heart. I will trust you to the end. Look!"</p> - -<p>And he drew a miniature from his breast, and displayed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> it to Maurice. -He beheld before him the portrait of the queen. Maurice bowed his head, -and rested his forehead on his hand.</p> - -<p>"I await your orders, sir," said Maison-Rouge; "if you desire my -arrest, knock at this door when it is time for me to give myself up. I -care not for my life from the moment it is not sustained by the hope of -saving my queen."</p> - -<p>The Chevalier quitted the room without a gesture from Maurice offering -to detain him.</p> - -<p>As he left the chamber Geneviève cast herself at the young man's feet.</p> - -<p>"Pardon, Maurice," sobbed she,—"pardon for all the evil I have done. -Forgive my deception; forgive me, if only on account of my tears and -suffering, for believe me I have wept much and suffered much. My -husband left me this morning; I know not where he is gone, and perhaps -I may see him no more. And now I have only one friend left,—nay more -than friend, a brother,—and you will destroy him. Pardon, Maurice, -pardon!"</p> - -<p>Maurice raised the young woman.</p> - -<p>"What would you?" said he. "There is fatality in all this. Every one -stakes his life in these days; the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge has played -like all the rest, but he has lost the game, and he must therefore pay."</p> - -<p>"That means that he must die, if I understand you rightly?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"He must die; and it is you who tell me this?"</p> - -<p>"It is not I, Geneviève; it is fatality."</p> - -<p>"Fatality has not uttered its last word, since you can save him."</p> - -<p>"At the expense of my word, and consequently of my honor. I comprehend, -Geneviève."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Shut your eyes, Maurice; that is all I ask; and as far as a woman may -evince her gratitude I will promise you mine."</p> - -<p>"I should close my eyes to little purpose, Madame; there is a password -given, and without this password no one could go out. Besides, the -house, as I have told you, is surrounded."</p> - -<p>"And you know the word?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly I know it."</p> - -<p>"Maurice!"</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"Dear friend Maurice, tell me this password; I must know it."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève," cried Maurice, "do you mean to say to me, 'Maurice, for -the love I bear you, sacrifice your word and your honor, betray your -cause, abjure your opinions.' What do you offer me, Geneviève, in -exchange for all this, you who tempt me thus?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Maurice, save him, save him first! and then ask of me my life."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève," replied Maurice, in a desponding tone, "hear me! I have -one foot on the road to infamy; before I make a final descent I wish at -least to find a sufficient excuse for so doing. Geneviève, swear to me -you do not love the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge!"</p> - -<p>"I love him as a sister and a friend; not otherwise, I swear."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève, do you love me?"</p> - -<p>"Maurice, I do love you; it is true, as God now hears me."</p> - -<p>"If I do what you ask me, will you abandon relatives, friends, country, -and fly with the traitor?"</p> - -<p>"Maurice! Maurice!"</p> - -<p>"She hesitates! Oh, she hesitates!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> - -<p>And he turned from her with all the violence of disdain. Geneviève, who -was leaning upon him, feeling suddenly her support give way, fell upon -her knees.</p> - -<p>"Maurice," said she, wringing her hands, "I will swear to do all that -you require of me. Order, and I will obey."</p> - -<p>"You will be mine, Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"I will."</p> - -<p>"Swear it, by Christ."</p> - -<p>Geneviève extended her arms.</p> - -<p>"My God," cried she, "thou didst pardon one poor woman who had gone -astray; I trust in thy mercy that thou wilt also pardon me."</p> - -<p>And the great tears rained down her cheeks, falling upon her long hair -hanging dishevelled on her bosom.</p> - -<p>"Not thus!" said Maurice, "swear not thus! or I cannot accept that -oath."</p> - -<p>"O Heaven!" replied she, "I swear to devote my life to Maurice, to die -with him, and if requisite, for him, if he will save my friend, my -brother, my protector, the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"'T is well: he shall be saved," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>And he went toward his chamber.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "resume your costume of the tanner Morand; I return -your parole, you are free. And you, Madame," said he turning to -Geneviève, "this is the password, 'Carnation and Vault.'" And as if -horrified to remain in the chamber where he had pronounced the words -which constituted him a traitor, he opened the window, and sprang from -the room into the garden below.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE SEARCH.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Maurice</span> had returned to his post in the garden, opposite the window of -Geneviève, only it was now quite dark, she having left her apartment to -enter that of the Chevalier.</p> - -<p>It was time Maurice returned, for scarcely had he reached the corner -of the conservatory when the garden-door opened, and the man in gray -appeared, followed by Lorin, and five or six gendarmes.</p> - -<p>"Well?" asked Lorin.</p> - -<p>"You see I am at my post," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"And no one has attempted to force past you?" said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"No one," replied Maurice, happy to escape by an evasion, from the way -in which the question was put to him. "No one. And what have you done?"</p> - -<p>"Why, we have acquired the certainty that the Chevalier entered the -house an hour ago, and has not left it since," replied the agent of -police.</p> - -<p>"Do you know his chamber?" said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"His room is only separated from that of Madame Dixmer by a corridor."</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" said Lorin. "It appears this Chevalier de Maison-Rouge is a -gallant."</p> - -<p>Maurice felt the hot blood rush to his forehead; he closed his eyes, -yet saw a thousand internal lights.</p> - -<p>"Well, but Citizen Dixmer, what said he to that?" asked Lorin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why, he thought himself highly honored."</p> - -<p>"Come," said Maurice, in a choking voice; "upon what do we decide?"</p> - -<p>"We have decided," said the police agent, "to arrest him in his -chamber, perhaps in his bed."</p> - -<p>"He does not, then, suspect anything?"</p> - -<p>"Absolutely nothing?"</p> - -<p>"What is the ground plan?" inquired Lorin.</p> - -<p>"We have an exact plan," said the man in gray. "A pavilion situated -at a corner of the garden, there it is; you ascend four steps—do you -see them here?—and find yourself on a landing; to the right is the -apartment of Madame Dixmer,—no doubt it is that of which we see the -window. Facing this window, at the back part, is a door opening on -the corridor, and in this corridor the entrance to the chamber of the -traitor."</p> - -<p>"Well, with so careful a specimen of topography," said Lorin, "we -might, I think, easily find our way blindfold, much more with our eyes -open. Come on!"</p> - -<p>"Are the streets well guarded?" said Maurice, with an interest which -the assistants very naturally attributed to his fear lest the Chevalier -should escape.</p> - -<p>"The streets, the passages, even the crossings," said the man in gray. -"I defy any one to pass who has not the watchword."</p> - -<p>Maurice shuddered; all these precautions being taken, made him fear -that he had uselessly parted with his honor to add to his happiness.</p> - -<p>"Now," said the man in gray, "how many men do you require to secure the -Chevalier?"</p> - -<p>"How many men?" said Lorin. "I hope Maurice and I are sufficient for -that. Are we not, Maurice?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," murmured the municipal, "we are certainly sufficient."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Listen!" said the police agent; "no vain boasting. Do you mean to take -him?"</p> - -<p>"Zounds! Do we mean it?" said Lorin; "I should think so! We are -bound to take him, are we not, Maurice?" Lorin laid a stress upon -these words, for as he had truly said, suspicion began to settle -upon them; and it was not wise to allow time for suspicion, which -marched with such rapid strides at this epoch, to assume a firmer -consistence, for Lorin well knew that no one would presume to doubt -the stanch patriotism of any two men who had captured the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge.</p> - -<p>"Well, then," said the police agent, "if you are in earnest, better -take three men than two, and four than three, with you. The Chevalier -invariably sleeps with pistols under his pillow, and his sword on a -table by his side."</p> - -<p>"Deuce take it!" said one of the gendarmes of Lorin's company. "Let -us go in, without standing on ceremony who should enter first. If he -resists, we will cut him to pieces; if he surrender, we will reserve -him for the guillotine."</p> - -<p>"Well said!" exclaimed Lorin; "do we go in by the door or the window?"</p> - -<p>"By the door," said the agent of police; "it may be the key is in the -lock, while if we enter by the window we must break some panes, and -that would make a noise."</p> - -<p>"On for the door, then!" said Lorin; "as long as we enter, it little -matters how. Forward! sword in hand, Maurice."</p> - -<p>Maurice mechanically drew his sword from the scabbard, and the little -troop advanced toward the pavilion. The information of the man in gray -proved perfectly correct; they first found the steps, then the landing, -and at last entered the vestibule.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ah!" cried Lorin, joyfully, "the key is in the door." In short, -extending his hand in the dark, his fingers had encountered the cold -key.</p> - -<p>"Then open it, Citizen Lieutenant," said the man in gray.</p> - -<p>Lorin cautiously turned the key in the lock. The door opened. Maurice -wiped the perspiration from his brow.</p> - -<p>"We shall find him here," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Not yet," said the man in gray; "if our chart is correct, this is the -apartment of Citizeness Dixmer."</p> - -<p>"We can soon ascertain that," said Lorin; "light a wax candle; there is -some fire in the grate."</p> - -<p>"Light the torches," said the man in gray, "they are not so soon -extinguished as candles," at the same time taking two torches from the -hand of a gendarme, which he lighted by the dying embers. He placed one -in the hand of Maurice, the other in that of Lorin. "You see," said he, -"I was not deceived; here is the door opening into Citizeness Dixmer's -sleeping apartment, and here the one opening into the corridor."</p> - -<p>"On, for the corridor!" said Lorin. They opened the door at the farther -end, which was not more firmly secured than the first, and found -themselves fronting the door of the Chevalier's chamber. Maurice had -seen this door twenty times before, and never thought of inquiring -where it led to. All his world was centred in the room where he was -received by Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Oh! oh!" said Lorin, in a low voice, "here we must change our tactics; -no more keys, and the door locked."</p> - -<p>"Are you," asked Maurice, hardly able to articulate, "sure that he is -here?"</p> - -<p>"If our plan is correct, he ought to be here," replied the police -agent; "besides, we shall soon see. Gendarmes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> force open the door; -and you, citizens, hold yourselves in readiness, and the instant the -door is opened, dash into the chamber!"</p> - -<p>Four men, selected by the emissary of police, raised the butt-ends -of their muskets, and on a signal from the man who conducted this -enterprise, gave one blow all together, when the door flew into a -thousand fragments.</p> - -<p>"Surrender, or you are a dead man!" cried Lorin, rushing into the -chamber.</p> - -<p>No one replied, and the curtains of the bed were closely drawn.</p> - -<p>"Mind the bed!" said the emissary of police; "at the first movement of -the curtains, fire!"</p> - -<p>"Wait!" said Maurice, "I will open them."</p> - -<p>And no doubt in the hope that the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge might be -concealed behind them, and that it would be his lot to meet the first -stab or pistol shot, Maurice hastily pulled apart the curtains, which, -creaking along the iron rod, left the tenantless bed exposed to view.</p> - -<p>"The devil!" exclaimed Lorin, "there is no one here."</p> - -<p>"He must have escaped," murmured Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Impossible, citizens, impossible!" cried the man in gray. "I tell you -he was seen to enter here an hour ago, and no one has been seen to go -out, and all the outlets from the garden are well guarded."</p> - -<p>Lorin opened the cabinets, the wardrobes, and looked everywhere, even -where it was physically impossible that a man could be concealed.</p> - -<p>"You see, however, that no one is here."</p> - -<p>"No one!" repeated Maurice, with an emotion easily understood,—"you -see no one is here."</p> - -<p>"To the chamber of Madame Dixmer," said the police agent, "perhaps he -may be there?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Maurice, "respect the chamber of a woman."</p> - -<p>"Certainly we will respect it," said Lorin, "and Madame Dixmer also, -but for all that we must visit it."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Maurice, "permit me to pass first."</p> - -<p>"Pass on, then," said Lorin, "you are captain: honor the powers that -be," and leaving two men to guard the apartment, they returned to -that where they had lighted the torches. Maurice approached the door -opening into the chamber of Geneviève. It was the first time he had -ever entered there. His heart beat violently. The key was in the door. -Maurice laid his hand upon the key, but still hesitated.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Lorin, "open!"</p> - -<p>"But," said Maurice, "if Madame Dixmer should be in bed?"</p> - -<p>"We shall look in her bed, under her bed, in the chimney, in the -wardrobes, and then if we find no one there but herself, we shall wish -her good-night," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"No, not so," said the police agent; "we shall arrest her; Citizeness -Geneviève Dixmer is an aristocrat who has been recognized as an -accomplice of the girl Tison and the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>"Open it yourself, then," said Maurice, "I do not arrest women." The -agent of police looked at Maurice, sideways, and the men murmured among -themselves.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you grumble, do you?" said Lorin; "then you shall have two to -grumble about. I am of Maurice's opinion," and he made a step backward.</p> - -<p>The man in gray seized the key, opened the door, and the soldiers -rushed into the chamber. Two wax lights burned upon a little table, but -the chamber of Geneviève, like that of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, -was uninhabited.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Empty!" cried the police agent.</p> - -<p>"Empty!" cried Maurice, turning pale; "where is she, then?"</p> - -<p>Lorin regarded Maurice with astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Let us search," said the agent of police, and closely followed by -the military, he began to rummage the house from the cellars to the -workshops. At length, when their backs were turned, Maurice, who had -followed them impatiently with his eyes, in his turn darted into the -chamber, opening the presses, which had already been opened, and -calling in a voice replete with anxiety, "Geneviève! Geneviève!" But -Geneviève made no reply; the chamber was indeed vacated. Then he began -to search the house in a species of frenzy, out-houses, conservatories, -sheds,—nothing was omitted, but all without success.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a noise was heard, a troop of armed men presented themselves -at the door, exchanged the password with the sentinel, entered the -garden, and dispersed themselves over the house. At the head of this -reinforcement waved the red plume of Santerre.</p> - -<p>"Well!" said he to Lorin, "where is the conspirator?"</p> - -<p>"How! where is the conspirator?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! I asked what have you done with him?"</p> - -<p>"I shall ask you that question. If your detachment had guarded the -outlets properly, ere this he must have been arrested, since he was not -in the house when we entered it."</p> - -<p>"What! do you mean to say," cried the furious general, "that you have -really allowed the Chevalier to escape?"</p> - -<p>"We could not allow him to escape since we have never taken him."</p> - -<p>"Then I can comprehend nothing," said Santerre.</p> - -<p>"Of what?" said Lorin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Of the message you sent me by your envoy."</p> - -<p>"We sent you an envoy!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; a man in a brown coat, with black hair, and green spectacles, -who came from you to inform me you were on the eve of capturing -Maison-Rouge, but that he was defending himself like a lion; upon -hearing which I hastened to your assistance."</p> - -<p>"A man in a brown coat, black hair, and green spectacles?" repeated -Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Yes, with a female on his arm."</p> - -<p>"Young and pretty?" cried Maurice, glancing toward the general.</p> - -<p>"Yes, young and pretty."</p> - -<p>"It was he and Madame Dixmer," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"What, he!" exclaimed Santerre. "Maison-Rouge! Oh, blockhead that I was -not to have killed them both! Come, Citizen Lindey, we may capture them -yet."</p> - -<p>"But how the devil," asked Lorin, "came you to let them pass?"</p> - -<p>"Zounds!" said Santerre, "I let them pass because they gave the -password."</p> - -<p>"They had the password?" exclaimed Lorin; "then there is surely a -traitor among us!"</p> - -<p>"No, no, Citizen Lorin; you are known, and we well know that there are -no traitors among you."</p> - -<p>Lorin looked around him as if to detect the miscreant, and publicly -proclaim his shame. He encountered the gloomy face and wandering eye of -Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" murmured he, "what means this?"</p> - -<p>"The man cannot be very far off," said Santerre; "let us search the -environs; perhaps he has fallen in with some patrol who, more wide -awake than we, did not allow themselves to be gulled so easily."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes; let us search," said Lorin; and, under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> the pretence of so -doing, he seized Maurice by the arm, and drew him into the garden.</p> - -<p>"Yes, let us search," said the soldiers; "but before we search—" and -one of them flung his still burning torch into an adjacent shed, filled -with bundles of fagots and dried herbs.</p> - -<p>"Come," said Lorin, "come!"</p> - -<p>Maurice offered no resistance. He followed Lorin like a child; they -both ran as far as the bridge without speaking; there they stopped, and -Maurice turned round. The sky was red from the horizon to the Faubourg, -and above the houses ascended innumerable sparks.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE FIRE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Maurice</span> shuddered as he extended his hand toward the Rue Saint Jacques.</p> - -<p>"The fire!" said he,—"the fire!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Lorin, "the fire; what then?"</p> - -<p>"Gracious Heavens! if she has returned."</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"Geneviève."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève means Madame Dixmer, does it not?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"There is no danger of her return; she did not go away for that -purpose."</p> - -<p>"Lorin, I must find her. I will have my revenge."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh!" said Lorin.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"None can escape thy puissant sceptre, Love.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Thou reign'st on earth and in the heavens above."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"You will assist me in my search, will you not, Lorin?"</p> - -<p>"Zounds! there will be no difficulty in that."</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"Without doubt, if you are so much interested, as to me you appear -to be, in Madame Dixmer's fate, you, being intimate with her, ought, -knowing her, also to know her friends. She has not quitted Paris; her -friends have every motive to stay; she has taken refuge in the house of -some confidential acquaintance, and to-morrow morn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>ing you will receive -a billet by some 'Rose,' or some 'Marton,' couched as follows,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Wouldst see again, my Mars, thy Venus true?</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Borrow of Night her scarf of azure hue.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>And requesting you to present yourself at the porter's lodge, such a -number, such a street, and to inquire for Madame Three-stars; that is -all."</p> - -<p>Maurice shrugged his shoulders; he well knew there was no one with whom -Geneviève could take refuge.</p> - -<p>"We shall not find her," said he.</p> - -<p>"Will you permit me to say one thing, Maurice?"</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"That it will be no great misfortune if we should not find her."</p> - -<p>"If we do not, Lorin, I shall die."</p> - -<p>"The devil!" exclaimed the young man; "it was, then, of this love that -you lately so nearly died."</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Maurice.</p> - -<p>Lorin reflected an instant. "Maurice," said he, "it is now nearly -eleven o'clock; this quarter is deserted; here is a stone seat, -particularly adapted for the reception of two friends. Accord me the -favor of a private interview, as they used to say, under the ancient -régime. I give you my word of honor that I shall speak only in prose."</p> - -<p>They seated themselves upon the bench.</p> - -<p>"Speak!" said Maurice, resting his aching head upon his hand.</p> - -<p>"Without exordium, periphrasis, or commentary, I tell you one thing, -old fellow,—it is this, that we are ruining ourselves, or rather that -you are ruining us."</p> - -<p>"How so?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"There is, my friend, a decree issued by the Com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>mittee of Public -Safety, which declares every man a traitor to his country who enters -into any relationship with the acknowledged enemies of the said -country. Eh! do you know this decree?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure I do," replied Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Well, it seems to me, you are not a vile traitor to your country. What -say you? as Manlius says."</p> - -<p>"Lorin!"</p> - -<p>"Undoubtedly; unless you believe that those idolize their country -who give house-room, bed, and board to Monsieur le Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge, who is not a high Republican, as I suppose, and has not -been accused at any time of having taken part in the days of September."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Lorin," said Maurice, sighing heavily.</p> - -<p>"Still, it appears to me," continued the moralist, "that you have been, -and still are, too intimate with the enemies of your country. Come! -Come, friend Maurice, do not rebel! you are like the whilom Enceladus; -you move a mountain each time you turn yourself."</p> - -<p>Lorin pronounced these words in the kindest manner possible, and -glossed them over with an artifice truly Ciceronian.</p> - -<p>Maurice merely made a gesture of dissent, but the gesture was unheeded, -and Lorin continued,—</p> - -<p>"If we exist in a greenhouse temperature, a healthy atmosphere, -where, according to botanic rules, the barometer invariably points to -sixteen degrees, I should say, my dear Maurice, that this is elegant, -satisfactory; what though we are occasionally rather aristocratic, we -flourish and do well. But if scorched in a heat of thirty-five or forty -degrees, the sap burns, so that it rises slowly, and from the excess of -heat seems cold; when cold, then comes the blight of suspicion,—you -know this, Maurice,—and once suspected, you possess too much good -sense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> not to know what we shall be, or rather that ere long we shall -be no more."</p> - -<p>"Well, then," said Maurice, "they can kill me, and there will be an end -of me, for I am weary of my life."</p> - -<p>"For the last quarter of an hour," said Lorin; "indeed scarcely so long -that I should leave you to act according to your own pleasure on this -subject; and then to die now, it is necessary to die a Republican while -you would die an aristocrat."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Maurice, whose blood began to boil from impassioned grief, -resulting from the consciousness of his own criminality, "you go too -far, friend Lorin."</p> - -<p>"I shall go farther still, and forewarn you, that if you turn -aristocrat—"</p> - -<p>"You will denounce me?"</p> - -<p>"For shame! No. I will confine you in a cellar, and have you sought -after to the sound of the drum, like something lost; then I will -proclaim that the aristocrats, knowing what you had in reserve for -them, had seized, victimized, and starved you, so that, like Provost -Élie de Beaumont, Monsieur Latude, and others, when found, you will -be publicly crowned with flowers by the ladies of La Halle, and the -ragpickers of Section Victor. Make haste, then, to appear again an -Aristides, else your business is concluded."</p> - -<p>"Lorin! Lorin! I feel that you are right; but I am dragged along. I am -sliding down the precipice. Are you displeased with me, because my fate -drags me onward?"</p> - -<p>"I am not displeased with you, but I shall remonstrate with you. -Call to mind a few of the scenes enacted daily between Pylades and -Orestes,—scenes which prove beyond all doubt that friendship is a -paradox, since these model friends quarrelled without ceasing."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Leave me to my fate, Lorin, you had much better do so."</p> - -<p>"I will never abandon you."</p> - -<p>"Then, allow me to love, to be mad, at my ease; to be criminal, -perhaps, for if I again see her, I fear I shall kill her."</p> - -<p>"Or fall upon your knees. Ah, ah, Maurice, Maurice, to love an -aristocrat, I never could have credited it! It is like poor Osselin -with the Marquise de Charny."</p> - -<p>"No more, Lorin, I beseech you."</p> - -<p>"Maurice, I will cure you, or may the Devil take me! I do not wish you -to be drawn in the lottery of Saint Guillotine, as the grocer of the -Rue des Lombards observes. Maurice, you will exasperate me! Maurice, -you will render me bloodthirsty! I feel as if I wanted to set fire to -the isle of Saint Louis! A torch! a firebrand!</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"The toil were idle. Maurice, thy passion dire</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sufficient is Paris to set on fire."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Maurice smiled in spite of himself.</p> - -<p>"You know," said he, "that it was agreed between us that we should -speak only in prose."</p> - -<p>"But you exasperate me with your folly," said Lorin. "Drink, Maurice, -become a drunkard, do anything, study political economy; but for the -love of Jupiter, let us fall in love with nothing but Liberty!"</p> - -<p>"Or Reason?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! that is true; by the way, the Goddess Reason talks much about you. -She thinks you are a charming mortal."</p> - -<p>"Are you not jealous?"</p> - -<p>"Maurice, to save a friend I feel capable of any sacrifice."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, my poor Lorin, and I truly appreciate your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> devotion; but the -best way to console me is to leave me to sate my grief. Adieu! Lorin, -go to your Arthémise."</p> - -<p>"And you; where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"I shall return home."</p> - -<p>And Maurice turned toward the bridge.</p> - -<p>"You live, then, in the direction of the old Rue Saint Jacques now?"</p> - -<p>"No; but it pleases me to go that way."</p> - -<p>"To look once again upon the place inhabited by your fair inconstant?"</p> - -<p>"To see if she has not returned where she knows I am awaiting her. Ah, -Geneviève! Geneviève! I could not have believed you capable of so much -deceit!"</p> - -<p>"Maurice, a tyrant who well knew the fair sex, since he died from -having loved them too well, said,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"'Woe to the man who trusts his heart</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To woman, changeful as the breeze.'"</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Maurice sighed, and the two friends took the road to the old Rue Saint -Jacques.</p> - -<p>As they approached they heard a great noise, and saw the light -increase; they listened to patriotic chants, which on a brilliant day -in the glorious sunshine, or in the atmosphere of combat, sounded like -hymns of heroism, but which by the red light of an incendiary fire -savored more of the diabolic incantations of drunken cannibals.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my God! my God!" cried Maurice, forgetting that God had been -abolished, as he wiped the perspiration from his face.</p> - -<p>Lorin watched him attentively and muttered,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Alas! when caught in Cupid's snare,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To Prudence we must bid adieu."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> - -<p>All the inhabitants of Paris appeared moving toward the theatre of the -events we have just narrated. Maurice was obliged to cross a hedge -formed by the gendarmes, the ranks of the sections, then the impetuous -crowd of this always furious populace, at this epoch easily aroused, -and who ran howling from spectacle to spectacle without intermission. -As they approached, Maurice impatiently hastened his steps; Lorin, with -some trouble, kept close behind him, for he did not like to leave his -friend to himself at such a moment.</p> - -<p>It was nearly all over. The fire had communicated from the shed where -the soldier had flung his torch to the workshops, constructed of -planks so put together as to allow the free circulation of air; the -merchandise was consumed, and the house itself was now in flames.</p> - -<p>"O God!" said Maurice to himself, "if she has returned, should she find -herself in a chamber encircled by the devouring element, waiting for -me, calling on me—" and Maurice, nearly insensible from grief, liked -better to think of the folly of those he loved than of his treason. He -rushed headlong toward the door, of which he caught a glimpse through -the mass of burning flame. Lorin still followed him. He would have -followed him to the infernal regions. The roof was in flames; the fire -had now indeed commenced its work of destruction on the staircase. -Maurice hastened to visit the first floor, the parlor, the chamber -of Geneviève, of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, and the corridors, -calling, in stifled accents, "Geneviève! Geneviève!"</p> - -<p>No one replied. On returning from the search our two friends saw -volumes of flame now entering the door; but not heeding the shouts of -Lorin, who pointed to the window, Maurice passed through the flames, -then ran to the house, crossed, notwithstanding all impediments, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> -court-yard strewed with broken furniture, searched the dining-room, -Dixmer's parlor, Morand's laboratory,—all filled with smoke, -fragments, and broken glass. The fire had reached this part of the -house, and the work of destruction would soon be complete. Maurice, -as in the pavilion, did not omit visiting a single chamber, or leave -unexamined even a corridor. He then descended to the cellars; perhaps -Geneviève had taken refuge from the fire there. He found no one.</p> - -<p>"Zounds!" said Lorin; "no one but a salamander could take refuge here, -and it is not that fabulous animal that you are in search of. Let us -go; we can make inquiry in this assemblage. Some one has perhaps seen -her."</p> - -<p>It needed all Lorin's force to drag away Maurice; hope still detained -him there.</p> - -<p>Then they commenced their investigation; they visited the environs, -stopped all the females who passed, searched all the alleys, without -any result. It was now one o'clock in the morning, and Maurice, -notwithstanding his athletic vigor, was overpowered and broken down -with fatigue, and at length desisted from his worse than useless -efforts.</p> - -<p>A carriage passed; Lorin hailed it.</p> - -<p>"Come, bear up, old fellow," said he to Maurice; "we have done all in -the range of human possibility to recover Geneviève. We have broken -our backs, been roasted, and have been cruelly cuffed for her. Cupid, -however exacting he may be, could require no more from a man in love, -and above all, from one who is not. So jump into the carriage, and let -us return home."</p> - -<p>Maurice submitted without making any reply. They arrived at Maurice's -door without either of the friends having uttered a single word. As -Maurice descended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> from the carriage, they heard a window of his -apartment closed.</p> - -<p>"All right!" said Lorin, "he is waiting; I shall rest easy now. Knock, -however."</p> - -<p>Maurice knocked, the door opened.</p> - -<p>"Good-night!" said Lorin, "wait for me to-morrow morning to go out!"</p> - -<p>"Good-night," said Maurice, mechanically, as the door closed behind -him. Upon the first steps of the staircase he met his official.</p> - -<p>"Ah! Citizen Lindey," he exclaimed, "how much uneasiness you have -caused us!" The word <i>us</i> struck Maurice.</p> - -<p>"You?" said he.</p> - -<p>"Yes, me and the little lady who is waiting for you."</p> - -<p>"The little lady," repeated Maurice, feeling the moment ill-chosen to -remind him of his former loves; "you were right to tell me. I shall -sleep at Lorin's."</p> - -<p>"That is impossible; she was at the window, and saw you alight, and -cried out, 'There he is!'"</p> - -<p>"What care I whether she knows I am here or not? I have no heart for -love. Go upstairs, and tell this woman she is mistaken."</p> - -<p>The official made a movement as if to obey him, then stopped.</p> - -<p>"Ah! Citizen," said he, "you are wrong. The little lady is already very -sad; your message will drive her to despair."</p> - -<p>"But," asked Maurice, "who is this woman?"</p> - -<p>"Citizen, I have not seen her face; it is concealed by her mantle, and -she weeps, that is all I know."</p> - -<p>"She weeps!" exclaimed Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Yes, but very softly, stifling her sobs."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p> - -<p>"She weeps," repeated Maurice; "there is then some one in the world who -loves me sufficiently to feel anxious in my absence?" and he ascended -slowly behind the official.</p> - -<p>"Here he is, Citizen, here he is!" cried the latter, rushing into the -chamber. Maurice entered behind him.</p> - -<p>He then beheld in a corner of the room the trembling form of a woman -whose face was hid in the cushions, and whom he would have thought -dead, but for her convulsive moaning, which made him start. He signed -to his official to leave the room, who went out, closing the door -behind him. Then Maurice ran to the young woman, who raised her head.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève!" cried the young man, "Geneviève here! good Heavens! am I -then mad?"</p> - -<p>"No, you are in possession of your senses, my friend," replied the -young woman. "I promised to be yours if you would save the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge. You have saved him, and I am here; I was awaiting you."</p> - -<p>Maurice mistook the meaning of these words; he recoiled a step, and -looked sadly at the young woman.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève," said he, "you do not love me."</p> - -<p>Geneviève regarded him with tearful eyes; then turning from him, leaned -her head on the pillow of the sofa, and gave free vent to her sobs and -tears.</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Maurice, "it is evident that you no longer love me; -and not only that you love me no more, Geneviève, but that you must -entertain a feeling of hatred toward me, to experience this despair."</p> - -<p>Maurice had spoken so nobly, yet with so much feeling, that Geneviève -arose and took his hand.</p> - -<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i>" said she, "and is it ever thus that those we think the -best prove merely egotists?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Egotists, Geneviève! what do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Can you not then imagine what I suffer? My husband a fugitive, my -brother proscribed, our house in flames, and all this in one night; and -then that dreadful scene between you and the Chevalier was added to the -rest!"</p> - -<p>Maurice listened with delight, for it was impossible even for the -maddest passion not to admit that this accumulation of trouble was more -than sufficient excuse for Geneviève's deep and violent grief.</p> - -<p>"And now you are come, I shall keep you; you shall leave me no more!"</p> - -<p>Geneviève started.</p> - -<p>"Where should I go?" replied she, with bitterness. "Have I an asylum, a -shelter, a protector, save he who has put a price upon his protection? -Oh, rash and foolish that I am! I stepped over the Pont Neuf, Maurice, -and in passing I stopped to gaze at the dark water, dashing angrily -against the corners of the arches; it attracted and fascinated me. -Then said I to myself, there, poor woman, is a shelter for you; there -inviolable repose and oblivion!"</p> - -<p>"Geneviève! Geneviève!" cried Maurice, "you said that? Then you do not -love me?"</p> - -<p>"I said it," replied Geneviève,—"I said it; but I am here."</p> - -<p>Maurice drew a deep breath, and fell at her feet.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève," murmured he, "weep no more! Geneviève, console yourself -for all your grief, since you love me. Tell me, Geneviève, for the sake -of Heaven! that it was not the violence of my menaces that brought -you hither. Assure me that even had you not seen me this evening, on -finding yourself alone, isolated, and without an asylum, you would have -come to me; and accept the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> oath which I now make you, to annul the one -that I compelled you to take."</p> - -<p>Geneviève looked down upon the young man with an expression of -ineffable gratitude. "Generous!" said she; "Oh, my God! I thank thee, -he is generous."</p> - -<p>"Listen, Geneviève!" said Maurice. "God, whom they have here driven -from their temples, but whom they cannot expel from our hearts, where -he has implanted love, has made this evening in appearance dark and -gloomy, but conceals behind its sombre curtain a silvery cloud. God has -conducted you to me, Geneviève, and speaks to you through me. God is at -length willing to compensate us for all the sufferings we have endured, -for the virtue we have displayed in combating this love, as if this -sentiment so long entertained, and so profound, could be a crime! Weep -no more, Geneviève, weep no more; give me your hand! Do you wish to -live in the house of your brother? Do you wish he should kiss the hem -of your robe, and pass over the threshold of his door without turning -his head? Well, say but the word, make but one sign, and I am gone, and -you are free. But on the other hand, my adored Geneviève, will you call -to mind that I have loved you so ardently that I had almost died of -this love, which it remains with you to render so fatal or so fortunate -to me; that for this love I have been a traitor to my party, and am -become vile and contemptible in my own eyes,—will you now consider all -the happiness which the future has in store for us, the strength and -energy which our youth and love possess to defend this happiness, now -but in the bud, from all who would dare attack it? Ah! Geneviève, what -will you reply? You who are an angel of mercy, will you render a man -so happy that he no longer regrets life, and ceases to desire eternal -felicity? Then, instead of repelling me, smile, my Gene<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>viève; let me -place your hand upon my heart, and incline toward one who worships you -from the inmost recesses of his soul. Geneviève, my love, my life, do -not take back your vow!"</p> - -<p>The heart of the young woman swelled at these words. The fatigue of -her late suffering had worn out her strength, and though her tears no -longer flowed, occasional sobs relieved her overcharged bosom.</p> - -<p>Maurice saw that she no longer had the force to resist, and seized her -in his arms. Then she let her head fall on his shoulder, and her long -hair brushed against her lover's burning cheeks.</p> - -<p>At the same time Maurice felt the heaving of her chest, still disturbed -like the ocean after a storm.</p> - -<p>"You still weep, my Geneviève," continued Maurice, with profound -melancholy,—"you still weep. Oh, reassure yourself! I will never -impose my love on scornful grief, and never soil my lips with a kiss -empoisoned by a single tear of regret."</p> - -<p>He unwound the living girdle of her arms, averted his face, and coldly -turned away.</p> - -<p>But as quick as thought, in a moment of reaction so natural in a woman -who struggles contrary to her own inclination, Geneviève threw her -trembling arms around Maurice's neck, pressed him nervously to her -heart, and laid her cold cheek, still wet with the tears which had -ceased to flow, against the young man's burning one.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Maurice!" murmured Geneviève, "do not abandon me, Maurice; I have -no one left me in the world but you!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE MORROW.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">A beautiful</span> sun beamed across the green window-blinds, gilding the -leaves of three large roses placed in a flower-stand before the window -of Maurice. These flowers, more precious as the season was on the -decline, perfumed with a delicious fragrance the little dining-room of -spotless neatness, where at a table served with every elegancy, but -without profusion, sat Maurice and Geneviève. The door was closed, for -as the table contained all that was requisite, it was understood they -waited on themselves. They heard the official stirring in the adjoining -room. The warmth and life of the last few lovely days entered through -the half-open jalousie, making glitter like emeralds and rubies the -rose-leaves caressed by the rays of the sun.</p> - -<p>Geneviève let fall upon her plate the golden fruit she held in her -hand. She appeared to be deep in thought, and smiling only with her -lips, while her eyes languished with a melancholy expression. She -remained thus silent, abstracted, and happy in the sun of her love, as -the beautiful flowers in the sun of heaven. Soon her eyes sought those -of Maurice, and encountered his gazing upon her. She placed her soft -white arm upon the young man's shoulder, and leaned on his breast with -that faith and confidence far exceeding love.</p> - -<p>Geneviève looked at him without speaking, and blushed as she regarded -him. Maurice slightly inclined his head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> to imprint a kiss upon the -half-open lips of Geneviève. He bent his head, while she turned pale, -and closed her eyes as the delicate flower conceals its calyx from the -rays of light. They remained dreaming thus, when a sharp ring at the -door-bell suddenly startled them.</p> - -<p>The official entered mysteriously, and closed the door.</p> - -<p>"Here is the Citizen Lorin," said he.</p> - -<p>"Ah! dear Lorin," said Maurice, "I will go and dismiss him. Pardon, -Geneviève."</p> - -<p>Geneviève stopped him.</p> - -<p>"Dismiss your friend, Maurice!" said she, "and such a friend! one who -has consoled, assisted, and sustained you? No; I would no more drive -such a friend from your house than from your heart. Let him come in, -Maurice; let him come in."</p> - -<p>"With your permission?" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"I wish it," said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Ah! you will find that to love you is not enough," cried Maurice, -delighted with her delicacy; "it is necessary to adore you!"</p> - -<p>Geneviève held her blushing face to the young man. He opened the door, -and Lorin entered, smart as usual in his costume of demi-muscadin. On -perceiving Geneviève he manifested great surprise, which was succeeded -by a respectful salute.</p> - -<p>"Come here, Lorin, come here, and look at the lady! You are dethroned, -Lorin. I have now some one I prefer to yourself. I would have given my -life for you; for her,—I tell you nothing new, Lorin,—for her I have -sacrificed my honor."</p> - -<p>"Madame," replied Lorin, in accents of deep emotion, "I shall endeavor -to value Maurice the more, that he has not altogether ceased to care -for me."</p> - -<p>"Sit down, sir," said Geneviève, smiling.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, sit down," said Maurice, who, having pressed in his right hand -that of his friend, and in his left that of his mistress, presented the -appearance of a man arrived at the height of human felicity.</p> - -<p>"Then you do not wish to die now; do not wish any longer to kill -yourself?"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" asked Geneviève, turning pale.</p> - -<p>"Oh, in good truth!" said Lorin, "man is a most versatile animal, -and philosophers have good cause to despise his levity. Here is -one, would you believe it, Madame, who no longer ago than yesterday -evening wished to leap into the fire, throw himself into the water; -who declared there was no more happiness for him in this world. And -behold him this morning, gay, joyous, with a smile upon his lips, his -countenance resplendent with happiness, life in his heart, seated at a -well-furnished table; it is true he has not eaten much, but that does -not prove he is unhappy."</p> - -<p>"Did he wish to do all this?" said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"All this, and much more. I will tell you all, some day, but at this -moment I am very hungry; it is all Maurice's fault for making me -yesterday evening run all over the Quarter Saint Jacques. Permit me, -then, to make an attack upon the breakfast, which I perceive you have -neither of you yet touched."</p> - -<p>"That is right," said Maurice, with childish glee; "I have not -breakfasted, nor have you, Geneviève."</p> - -<p>He watched Lorin's eyes as he uttered her name; but Lorin evinced no -surprise.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Maurice, "you have already surmised who it is, Lorin."</p> - -<p>"Zounds!" said Lorin, cutting himself a large slice of white and rosy -ham, and not seeming to hear Maurice's remark.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I, also, am hungry," said Geneviève, holding her plate.</p> - -<p>"Lorin," said Maurice, "I was ill yesterday."</p> - -<p>"You were worse than ill; you were mad."</p> - -<p>"Well, I think it is you who are suffering at this moment."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"You have not yet given us any verses."</p> - -<p>"I will sing you one this moment," said Lorin,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Phœbus, in the midst of the Graces,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The lyre in his hand still retained,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Till following of Venus the traces,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">T was lost, and could not be regained."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Always ready with a quatrain," said Maurice, laughing.</p> - -<p>"And you will have to be contented with it, as it is now necessary to -turn our attention to more serious affairs."</p> - -<p>"Has anything new occurred, then?" said Maurice, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"I am ordered on guard at the Conciergerie."</p> - -<p>"At the Conciergerie!" said Geneviève, "near the queen?"</p> - -<p>"Near the queen. I believe so, Madame."</p> - -<p>Geneviève turned pale. Maurice frowned, and made a sign to Lorin, who -cut himself another slice of ham, double the size of the first. The -queen had indeed been removed to the Conciergerie, whither we shall -follow her.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE CONCIERGERIE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">At</span> a corner of the Pont-au-Change and of the Quai aux Fleurs rose the -remains of the old palace of Saint Louis, called <i>par excellence</i> -the palace, as Rome is called the city, and which still continues to -retain the royal cognomen, when the only kings who inhabit it are the -registrars, the judges, and the pleaders.</p> - -<p>The house of justice was a large and sombre building, exciting -more fear than love for the merciless goddess. There might be seen -united in this narrow space all the instruments and attributes of -human vengeance. The first wards were assigned to those who had been -arraigned for crime; farther on were the halls of judgment, and lower -down the dungeons of the condemned. By the door was a small space where -the red-hot iron stamped its mark of infamy; and about one hundred and -fifty paces from the first another space, far more extensive, where the -last act of the fearful tragedy took place,—that is to say, La Grève, -where they finished the work previously sketched out for them at the -Palace. Justice, as we see, reigned paramount over all.</p> - -<p>All these portions of the edifice joined one with another, -sullen-looking, dark, and gray, pierced by iron-grated windows where -the gaping arches resemble the grated dens extending along the side of -the Quai des Lunettes. This is the Conciergerie.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p> - -<p>This prison contains dens washed by the black mud from the waters of -the Seine; it also possesses mysterious outlets, through which were -formerly conducted to the river those miserable victims whom it was -thought necessary to remove.</p> - -<p>As seen in 1793, the Conciergerie, unwearying <i>procureur</i> for the -scaffold,—the Conciergerie overflowed with occupants, who within an -hour became the victims of the guillotine. At this epoch the old prison -of Saint Louis was literally the Inn of Death. Under the arches some -gates were hung, and at night a red lantern was suspended there, fit -emblem of this abode of misery and despair.</p> - -<p>The evening preceding the day when Lorin, Maurice, and Geneviève were -breakfasting together, a dull rumbling shook the pavement of the quay -and rattled the windows of the prison, then ceased before the arched -gate. The gendarmes knocked with the handles of their swords, the gate -opened, and a carriage entered the court; when the hinges had turned, -and the rusty bolts had creaked, a female descended.</p> - -<p>The gaping wicket opened immediately to receive her, and closed upon -her. Three or four curious heads, protruding to gaze upon the prisoner -by the light of the torches, appeared in mezzo-tinto, then vanished in -the darkness, while vulgar jokes and rude laughter passed between the -men leaving, who could be heard though not seen.</p> - -<p>The person thus brought remained within the first wicket with the -gendarmes; she saw it would be necessary to pass through a second, -but forgot at the same time to raise the foot and lower the head, as -there is a step to ascend and a beam which descends. The prisoner, not -yet well habituated to prison architecture, notwithstanding her long -sojourn there, omitted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> to stoop, and struck her forehead violently -against the bar.</p> - -<p>"Are you much hurt, Citizeness?" demanded one of the gendarmes.</p> - -<p>"Nothing can hurt me now," she replied tranquilly, and passed on -without uttering a single complaint, although sanguinary traces of the -injury remained upon her brow.</p> - -<p>Shortly the arm-chair of the keeper became visible,—a chair more -venerated by the prisoners than the throne of the king by his -courtiers; for the keeper of a prison is the dispenser of favor, -and all mercy is important to a prisoner, as sometimes the smallest -kindness may change the darkest gloom to a heaven of light.</p> - -<p>The keeper Richard, installed in his arm-chair, felt a due perception -of his own importance. He remained undisturbed even when the rumbling -of the carriage announced a new arrival. He inhaled some snuff, -regarded the prisoner, opened a large register, and looked for a pen -in the little ink-horn of black wood, where the ink, incrusted on the -sides, retained in the centre a mouldy humidity, as in the midst of the -crater of a volcano there always remains some melted matter.</p> - -<p>"Citizen Keeper," said the chief of the escort, "write, and write -quickly, for they are impatiently awaiting us at the Commune."</p> - -<p>"I will not be long," said the porter, at the same time emptying into -the inkstand some drops of wine remaining at the bottom of his glass; -"I am a good hand at this, thank God! Your name and surname, Citizen," -said he, and dipping his pen at the same time into this improvised -ink, he commenced entering the new arrival at the bottom of a page -already nearly filled; while standing behind his chair, Madame Richard, -a female of benevolent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> aspect, contemplated, with a mixture of -astonishment and respect, this woman, so sad, so noble, and so proud, -whom her husband interrogated.</p> - -<p>"Marie Antoinette Jeanne Josèphe de Lorraine," replied the prisoner, -"Archduchess of Austria and Queen of France."</p> - -<p>"Queen of France!" repeated the keeper, raising himself in astonishment -by the arms of his chair.</p> - -<p>"Queen of France," repeated the prisoner, in the same voice.</p> - -<p>"Otherwise called the Widow Capet," said the chief of the escort.</p> - -<p>"Under which of these names am I to enter her?" demanded the keeper.</p> - -<p>"Whichever you please, only do it quickly," said the chief of the -escort.</p> - -<p>The keeper reseated himself, and with a trembling hand wrote down the -name, surname, and titles given him by the prisoner, inscriptions the -ink of which still appears visible to this day upon the register of -which the revolutionary rats of the Conciergerie have nibbled the leaf -at its most precious part.</p> - -<p>Richard's wife still retained her position behind her husband's chair, -and remained standing with her hands clasped together, commiserating -the situation of the unfortunate being before her.</p> - -<p>"Your age?" continued the keeper.</p> - -<p>"Thirty-seven years and nine months," replied the queen.</p> - -<p>Richard wrote this down, then the description, and finished with the -regular notes and forms.</p> - -<p>"There," said he, "that is completed."</p> - -<p>"Where shall we conduct the prisoner?" said the chief of the escort.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span></p> - -<p>Richard helped himself to a second pinch of snuff, and looked at his -wife.</p> - -<p>"Indeed," said she, "we did not anticipate this, and have had but brief -notice, so that we hardly know—"</p> - -<p>"You must find out," said the brigadier.</p> - -<p>"There is the council chamber," said Richard's wife.</p> - -<p>"Too large," murmured Richard.</p> - -<p>"The larger the better; we can the more easily place the guards."</p> - -<p>"Go to the council chamber," said Richard. "But it is not habitable at -this moment; it has no bed."</p> - -<p>"True," replied his wife, "I had quite forgotten that."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" said one of the gendarmes, "you can put a bed there to-morrow, -and to-morrow will soon be here."</p> - -<p>"Besides, the citizen could occupy our chamber for one night; could she -not, good man?" said Richard's wife.</p> - -<p>"And what are we to do?" said the keeper.</p> - -<p>"Oh, we can do without a bed for one night; and as the citizen gendarme -observes, 'the night is nearly gone.'"</p> - -<p>"Then," said Richard, "conduct the citizeness to our chamber."</p> - -<p>"And in the mean while you will prepare our receipt?"</p> - -<p>"It shall be ready on your return."</p> - -<p>Richard's wife took the candle from the table, and led the way.</p> - -<p>Marie Antoinette followed without uttering a word, calm and pale as -usual. Two turnkeys, at a sign from Richard's wife, followed them. -The queen was shown her bed, on which the woman hastened to place -clean sheets. The turnkeys installed themselves outside; the door was -double-locked; and Marie Antoinette was left alone.</p> - -<p>How she passed that night no one ever knew, as she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> passed it in close -communion with her God. On the next day the queen was conducted to -the council chamber, a long four-sided room, the wicket-door of which -opened upon a corridor of the Conciergerie, and which had been divided -in its whole length by a partition which did not reach the height of -the ceiling.</p> - -<p>One of these compartments was occupied by the men on guard. The other -was the chamber of the queen. A window, thickly-grated with small iron -bars, lighted both these cells. A folding-screen, the substitute for a -door, secluded the queen from the guards, and closed the aperture in -the middle. The whole of this room was paved with brick. The walls, at -one period or another, had been covered with gilded wood, where still -hung some shreds of paper fleur-de-lis. A bed was placed opposite the -window, and a single chair near the light. This was all the furniture -the royal prison contained.</p> - -<p>On entering, the queen requested that her books and work might be -brought her. They brought her the "Revolutions of England," which she -had commenced in the Temple, the "Voyage du Jeune Anacharsis," and her -tapestry.</p> - -<p>The gendarmes established themselves in the adjoining compartment. -History has preserved their names, as it has done that of many -others more infamous, associated by destiny in great events, and who -see reflected on themselves a fragment of that light cast by the -thunderbolt which destroys the thrones of kings, perhaps even the kings -themselves.</p> - -<p>They were called Duchesne and Gilbert.</p> - -<p>These two men were selected by the Commune, who knew them to be stanch -patriots. They were to remain at their post in their cell till the -sentence of Marie Antoinette. They hoped by this measure to avoid the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> -irregularities consequent upon a change of office several times during -the day, and therefore laid the guards under a heavy responsibility.</p> - -<p>The queen first became acquainted with this new regulation from the -conversation of the gendarmes, whose discourse, not being softly -uttered, reached her ears. She experienced at once joy and disquietude; -for if on the one hand she felt that these men ought to be trustworthy -since they had been chosen from a multitude, on the other side she -reflected that her friends might more easily corrupt two known men -at their post than a hundred unknown individuals selected by chance, -passing near her occasionally, and then only for a single day.</p> - -<p>On the first night before she retired one of the gendarmes, according -to his usual custom, began to smoke. The noxious vapor glided -imperceptibly through the apertures of the partition, enveloping the -unfortunate queen, whose misfortunes had irritated instead of deadening -her nerves. She soon felt herself seized with nausea and swimming in -the head; but true to her indomitable system of firmness, she uttered -no complaint.</p> - -<p>During her melancholy vigil, while nothing disturbed the deep silence -of the night, she fancied she heard plaintive cries outside. These -cries were mournful and prolonged; there was about them something -weird and piercing, like the howling of wind in the dark and deserted -corridor when the tempest borrows the human voice to animate the -passions of the elements.</p> - -<p>She soon became aware that the noise that had at first startled her -was the doleful and persevering cry of a dog howling on the quay. She -immediately remembered her poor little Jet, whom she had not thought -of when they removed her from the Temple, and now believed she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> could -recognize his voice. Indeed, the poor little animal, who by his -mistaken vigilance had ruined his mistress, had unperceived descended -behind her, had followed the carriage as far as the grating of the -Conciergerie, where he continued till he narrowly escaped being cut in -two by the double iron portcullis which closed behind her.</p> - -<p>But the faithful creature had soon returned, and comprehending that -his mistress was confined in this great stone building, he whined and -howled, waiting, within ten feet of the sentinel, a caressing reply. -The queen replied by a heart-broken sigh which reached the ears of her -guards; but as this sigh was not repeated, and no other sound proceeded -from the queen's chamber, they again composed themselves, and relapsed -into their former state of drowsiness.</p> - -<p>At break of day the queen rose and dressed herself, then took her seat -near the window, the light from which, intercepted by the grating of -iron bars, fell with a bluish tint upon her emaciated hands, in which -she held a book. She was apparently reading, but her thoughts were far -away.</p> - -<p>The Gendarme Gilbert half opened the screen, and regarded her in -silence. The queen heard the noise of the screen, but did not turn her -head. She was so seated that the gendarme could see her head bathed in -the morning light. Gilbert made a sign to his comrade to advance and -look through the opening with him. Duchesne approached.</p> - -<p>"Look!" said Gilbert, in a low tone; "how very pale she is; it is -frightful! Those red circles round her eyes denote her suffering. She -has surely been weeping."</p> - -<p>"You well know," said Duchesne, "Capet's widow never weeps. She is too -proud for that."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then she must be ill," said Gilbert, and raising his voice, "Tell me, -Citizen Capet," said he, "are you ill?"</p> - -<p>The queen slowly raised her eyes, and fixed an inquiring look upon the -two men.</p> - -<p>"Did you address me, gentlemen?" demanded she, in a voice full of -sweetness, for she fancied she detected the accent of kindness in him -who had spoken to her.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizeness, we spoke to you," replied Gilbert; "we feared you -were ill."</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"Because your eyes are so red."</p> - -<p>"And at the same time you are so pale," added Duchesne.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, gentlemen, I am not ill; only I suffered much last night."</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes, your misfortunes!"</p> - -<p>"No, gentlemen, my miseries are always the same; and my religion having -taught me to carry them to the foot of the cross, I do not suffer more -one day than another. No; I am out of sorts because I could not rest -last night."</p> - -<p>"Ah! your new lodging and different bed?" said Duchesne.</p> - -<p>"And then the lodging is not very comfortable," added Gilbert.</p> - -<p>"Ah! it is not that, gentlemen," said the queen, shaking her head. -"Lofty or lowly, it is all the same to me."</p> - -<p>"What is it then?"</p> - -<p>"I ask pardon for telling you; but I have suffered much inconvenience -from the smell of the tobacco which that gentleman is smoking at this -moment."</p> - -<p>Indeed, Gilbert was smoking, which was his habitual occupation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Confound my stupidity!" cried he, much grieved from the kindness with -which the queen had expressed herself. "Why did you not tell me so -before, Citizen?"</p> - -<p>"Because I thought, sir, I had no right to deprive you of any -enjoyment."</p> - -<p>"Well, you shall be incommoded no more,—by me, at least," said -Gilbert, casting away his pipe, which broke upon the tiles, "for I -shall smoke no more."</p> - -<p>He turned round, his companion followed, and he closed the screen.</p> - -<p>"Possibly they may cut off her head, that is an affair of the nation; -but why should we cause her any suffering, poor woman? We are soldiers, -and not hangmen, like Simon."</p> - -<p>"It rather savors of the aristocrat, comrade, what you did just now," -said Duchesne, shaking his head.</p> - -<p>"Whom do you term an aristocrat? Explain yourself!"</p> - -<p>"I call aristocrats all those who annoy the nation, and succor its -enemies."</p> - -<p>"Then, according to your theory, I annoy the nation because I cease -to annoy with my smoking the Widow Capet? Go along, then! As for me," -continued the brave fellow, "I remember my oath to my country, and -the order of my brigadier. As for my order, I know it by heart. Not -to permit the prisoner to escape; not to allow any one to see her; to -resist all correspondence she may endeavor to institute; and to die at -my post,—this is what I promised, and to this will I keep. <i>Vive la -nation!</i>"</p> - -<p>"That is what I tell you," said Duchesne. "It is not that I disapprove -of your conduct, but I fear lest you should compromise yourself."</p> - -<p>"Hush! here is some one."</p> - -<p>The queen had not lost one word of this conversation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> although carried -on in a low voice. Captivity had rendered her hearing doubly acute.</p> - -<p>The noise which had attracted the attention of the two guards was -the sound of several steps approaching the door. It opened, and two -municipals entered, followed by the keeper and some of the turnkeys.</p> - -<p>"Well," they inquired, "where is the prisoner?"</p> - -<p>"Here she is," replied the two gendarmes.</p> - -<p>"How is she lodged?"</p> - -<p>"You can see." And Gilbert touched the screen.</p> - -<p>"What do you wish?" demanded the queen.</p> - -<p>"It is the visit of the Commune, Citizeness Capet."</p> - -<p>"This man is kind," thought the queen; "and if my friends—"</p> - -<p>"Very good, very good!" said the municipals, pushing Gilbert aside and -entering the queen's chamber; "so much ceremony is not requisite here."</p> - -<p>The queen did not even raise her head; and it might have been believed -from her impassibility that she neither saw nor heard them, but -fancied herself alone. The delegates of the Commune curiously observed -everything around the chamber, sounded the wainscoting, the bed, -shaking the grating of the window which looked upon the court of the -female prisoners, and then having recommended to the gendarmes the -utmost vigilance, took their departure without having addressed a word -to the queen, who on her part seemed not to have been aware of their -presence.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">LA SALLE DES PAS-PERDUS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Toward</span> the decline of the day on which we have seen the municipals -so carefully inspecting the queen's prison, a man attired in a gray -jacket, his head covered with a mass of black hair, and on his -head one of those hairy bonnets, which then among the people was a -distinguishing mark of the most exaggerated patriotism, was walking -about in the large hall so philosophically termed "La Salle des -Pas-Perdus," and seemed most attentively observing all the goers and -comers forming the general population of this hall,—a population -considerably augmented at this period, when trials had acquired greater -importance, and when the only pleading was to dispute their heads with -the hangman and with Fouquier Tinville their indefatigable purveyor.</p> - -<p>The attitude assumed by this man whose portrait we have just sketched -was in very good taste. Society at this epoch was divided into two -classes,—the lambs and the wolves. The one naturally inspired the -other with fear, since one half of society devoured the other. Our -fierce promenader was rather short, and wielded in his dirty black -hand one of those knotted cudgels then called "constitutions." It -is true the hand that flourished this horrible weapon might have -appeared rather small to any one who might take into his head to act -the inquisitorial part toward this singular personage which he had -arrogated to himself with respect to others; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> no one felt the least -inclined to risk it, for this man's aspect was far too terrible.</p> - -<p>Indeed, this man with the cudgel caused much disquietude to several -groups of petty scribes engaged in the discussion of public affairs, -which at this time daily progressed from bad to worse, or from better -to better, according as they were considered from a conservative or -revolutionary point of view. These valorous folks looked askance at -his long black beard, his green eyes surmounted by overhanging, shaggy -eyebrows, and trembled whenever the promenade of the mighty patriot (a -promenade which extended the whole length of the great hall) brought -them in near contact with one another.</p> - -<p>This terror was augmented from the fact that whenever they ventured to -approach him too nearly, or even looked at him too attentively, the man -with the cudgel struck his powerful weapon with its full weight upon -the pavement, smashing the flag-stones upon which it fell, sometimes -with a dull and heavy, sometimes with a sonorous and clashing sound.</p> - -<p>But it was not only these brave men among the scribes, designated -generally as the "rats of the Palace," who experienced this formidable -impression; it was also the various individuals who entered the Salle -des Pas-Perdus by the great door, or through some of its narrow -vomitories, who also quickened their pace on perceiving the man with -the cudgel, who obstinately continued his journey from one end of the -hall to the other, finding each moment some pretext for making his -weapon ring on the pavement.</p> - -<p>If these writers had been less timorous, and the promenaders more -clear-sighted, they would have discovered that our patriot, capricious -like all eccentric or pronounced characters, appeared to evince a -preference for certain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> flag-stones, those for instance situated a -little distance from the wall on the right, near the centre of the -hall, which emitted a clear and ringing sound. He even finished by -concentrating his anger upon some particular stones in the centre of -the hall. At the same time he so far forgot himself as to stop, and -with his eye seemed to be estimating the distance.</p> - -<p>True, it was a momentary absence of mind only, and he immediately -resumed his former expression, which a gleam of pleasure had replaced -for an instant.</p> - -<p>Almost at the same moment another patriot,—for at this epoch every -one wore his opinions on his forehead, or rather in his dress,—almost -at the same moment, say we, another patriot entered by the door of the -gallery, and without appearing the least in the world to partake of -the fear generated by the former occupant, began to cross the hall at -a pace equal to his own, so that in the centre of the promenade they -encountered each other.</p> - -<p>The new arrival had, like the former, a hairy bonnet, a gray jerkin, -dirty hands, and in one of them a cudgel; indeed, in addition he -carried a sword, which struck against his legs at every step; and -on the whole he appeared a greater subject for terror than his -predecessor. The first had an air of ferocity, the last seemed replete -with sinister cunning.</p> - -<p>Although these two men appeared to belong to the same cause, and -entertained the same opinions, the assembly ventured to watch the -result, not of their meeting, for they were not walking in the same -line, but their approach toward each other. At the first turn they were -disappointed in their expectation, as the patriots contented themselves -with exchanging looks; at the same time the smaller of the two turned -slightly pale,—only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> from an involuntary movement of the lips it was -evident it was not caused by fear, but by disgust.</p> - -<p>However, at the second turn, as if the patriot had made a violent -effort, his countenance, till now so overcast, cleared up suddenly, and -something like a smile passed over his lips as he inclined slightly to -the left, with the evident intention of stopping the second patriot in -his course.</p> - -<p>Near the centre they joined each other.</p> - -<p>"Why, upon my word, here is the Citizen Simon!" said the first patriot.</p> - -<p>"Himself. But what do you want with the Citizen Simon? And, in the -first place, who are you?"</p> - -<p>"It seems, then, that you do not recognize me?"</p> - -<p>"I do not recognize you, and for an excellent reason,—I never saw you -before."</p> - -<p>"Not recognize me!—when I had the honor to carry the head of the -Princess Lamballe!"</p> - -<p>At these words, pronounced with savage fury, and bursting passionately -from the mouth of the patriot, Simon started.</p> - -<p>"You?" said he, "you?"</p> - -<p>"Ha! that surprises you! I thought that you would remember your friends -better than that, faith! Ah, Citizen! you grieve me."</p> - -<p>"You have done very well," said Simon; "but I did not recognize you."</p> - -<p>"It is a greater privilege to act as guardian to the young Capet; it -brings you more into notice. As for myself, I both know and esteem you."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Thank you."</p> - -<p>"You have no reason—are you taking a walk?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I am waiting for some one. And you?"</p> - -<p>"I am doing the same."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What is your name? I will make mention of you at the club."</p> - -<p>"I am called Théodore."</p> - -<p>"What else?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing else: is not that enough?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, certainly. Who are you waiting for, Citizen Théodore?"</p> - -<p>"A friend to whom I wish to make a fine little denunciation."</p> - -<p>"Indeed! Do tell me."</p> - -<p>"A whole covey of aristocrats."</p> - -<p>"What are their names?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed; I only tell that to my friend."</p> - -<p>"You are wrong; for here is mine advancing toward us, who, it seems to -me, is sufficiently acquainted with business to settle at once all this -affair."</p> - -<p>"Fouquier Tinville!" cried the first patriot.</p> - -<p>"No one less, friend."</p> - -<p>"That's all right."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Good-day, Citizen Fouquier."</p> - -<p>Fouquier Tinville, calm and pale, opening wide, according to habit, his -large black eyes shaded by his bushy eyebrows, at this moment entered -by a side-door, his register in his hand, and a bundle of papers under -his arm. "Good-day, Simon," said he; "anything new?"</p> - -<p>"Several things. First, a denunciation from Citizen Théodore, who -carried the head of the Princess Lamballe. I will introduce him to you."</p> - -<p>Fouquier fixed his scrutinizing glance upon the patriot, who, -notwithstanding his strong nerves, felt rather uneasy while undergoing -this examination.</p> - -<p>"Théodore!" said he; "and who is Théodore?"</p> - -<p>"I!" said the man in the jerkin.</p> - -<p>"You carried the head of the Princess Lamballe?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> said the public -accuser, with an unmistakable expression of doubt.</p> - -<p>"I. Rue Saint Antoine."</p> - -<p>"But I know a person who boasts that he did so," said Fouquier.</p> - -<p>"I know ten," replied the Citizen Théodore, courageously; "but, indeed, -as they all make some claim for having done so, and I ask nothing, at -least I ought to have the preference, I hope."</p> - -<p>This reply excited Simon's laughter, and dispersed the cloud on the -accuser's brow.</p> - -<p>"Right," said he; "and if you did not do it, you ought to have done so. -But leave us now; Simon has some business to transact with me."</p> - -<p>Théodore retired, very little hurt by the frankness of the public -accuser.</p> - -<p>"One moment," cried Simon. "Do not send him away so; let us first hear -his denunciation."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Fouquier Tinville, with an absent air, "a denunciation?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; a covey of conspirators," replied Simon.</p> - -<p>"All in good time. Speak; what is the matter now?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! not much; only the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge and some of his -friends."</p> - -<p>Fouquier made a leap backward, while Simon raised his arms toward -heaven.</p> - -<p>"Is this the truth?" they exclaimed, both together.</p> - -<p>"The pure truth; will you take them?"</p> - -<p>"At once. Where are they?"</p> - -<p>"I met the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge in the Rue de la Grande -Tissanderie."</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken; he is not in Paris," replied Fouquier.</p> - -<p>"I tell you I have seen him."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Impossible! a hundred men have been sent in pursuit of him; he would -not show himself in the streets of Paris."</p> - -<p>"It was he, by Heaven!" said the patriot. "A tall dark man, as strong -as three and bearded like the pard."</p> - -<p>Fouquier shrugged his shoulders disdainfully.</p> - -<p>"Another blunder," said he; "the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge is short, -pale, and has not the slightest sign of a beard."</p> - -<p>The patriot dropped his weapon with an air of consternation.</p> - -<p>"Never mind, your good intention is taken for the act. Come, Simon, we -must both make haste; they require the register, this is the time for -the carts."</p> - -<p>"Well, there is nothing new; the child is well." The patriot turned his -back that he might not appear indiscreet, but remained in a position -which enabled him to hear.</p> - -<p>"I will go," said he, "lest I should intrude."</p> - -<p>"Adieu!" said Simon.</p> - -<p>"Good-day," said Fouquier.</p> - -<p>"Tell your friend that you were deceived," added Simon.</p> - -<p>"Well, I shall wait," and Théodore removed to a short distance, and -stood resting on his cudgel.</p> - -<p>"So the child goes on well; but how fares he morally?" asked Fouquier.</p> - -<p>"I mould him to my will."</p> - -<p>"He will speak then?"</p> - -<p>"When I choose."</p> - -<p>"Do you think he will testify in the trial of Antoinette?"</p> - -<p>"I do not think it; I am sure of it."</p> - -<p>Théodore was leaning against a pillar, his eyes directed toward the -door. But his eye was wandering, while his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> ears were erect and -uncovered under the hairy bonnet he wore. Perhaps he saw nothing, but -most assuredly he heard something.</p> - -<p>"Reflect well," said Fouquier, "and do not make what is termed a -blunder of this commission. You feel sure that Capet will speak?"</p> - -<p>"He will say all that I require."</p> - -<p>"Has he told you what we are going to ask him?"</p> - -<p>"He has told me."</p> - -<p>"It is important, Simon, that you should promise this; the child's -evidence is fatal to the mother."</p> - -<p>"Zounds! I count upon that."</p> - -<p>"There will have been nothing equal to it seen since the intimacy -between Nero and Narcissus. Once more, reflect, Simon."</p> - -<p>"One would fancy you took me for a brute, repeating constantly the same -thing. Take this as an example: when I put leather in water it becomes -supple, does it not?"</p> - -<p>"But—I do not know," replied Fouquier.</p> - -<p>"It becomes soft. Well, in my hands the little Capet becomes supple as -the softest leather. I have my own method for that."</p> - -<p>"It may be so," said Fouquier. "Is that all you have to say?"</p> - -<p>"All—I forgot. There is a denunciation."</p> - -<p>"Again? You will overwhelm me with business," said Fouquier.</p> - -<p>"One must serve his country."</p> - -<p>Simon presented a small paper, black as the leather he had just -mentioned, but certainly less supple. Fouquier took it and read the -contents.</p> - -<p>"Again the Citizen Lorin; you have a great hatred to this man."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I find him always acting in hostility to the law. He said, 'Adieu, -Madame,' to a woman who saluted him from a window yesterday evening. -To-morrow, I hope to give you a little information concerning another -'suspect;' that Maurice who was Municipal at the Temple when that -affair of the red carnation occurred."</p> - -<p>"Be sure! be sure!" exclaimed Fouquier, smiling at Simon.</p> - -<p>He held out his hand, and then turned away with an abruptness that -evinced little favor toward the shoemaker.</p> - -<p>"What the devil do you wish me to be sure of? Many have been -guillotined for much less."</p> - -<p>"Patience," replied Fouquier, quietly; "everything cannot be done at -the same time," and he passed quickly through the wicket.</p> - -<p>Simon looked round for the Citizen Théodore, to console himself with -him. He was no longer to be seen.</p> - -<p>He had hardly crossed the western iron gate, when Théodore reappeared -at the corner of a writer's hut. The occupant of the hut accompanied -him.</p> - -<p>"At what hour are the iron gates closed?" asked Théodore of this man.</p> - -<p>"At five o'clock."</p> - -<p>"Then what do they do here?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing; the hall remains empty till next day."</p> - -<p>"No rounds, no visits?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir; our barracks are locked."</p> - -<p>The word "sir" made Théodore knit his brows, and look round with -distrust.</p> - -<p>"Are the crowbar and pistols safe in the barracks?" said he.</p> - -<p>"Yes, under the carpet."</p> - -<p>"Return home, then—By the bye, show me again<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> the chamber of the -Tribunal that has not a grated window, and looks upon the court near -the Place Dauphine."</p> - -<p>"To the left, between the pillars under the lantern."</p> - -<p>"Go, now, and have the horses ready at the place assigned!"</p> - -<p>"A glorious chance!—a glorious chance!—depend fully upon me."</p> - -<p>"Now is your time—No one is looking—open your barrack."</p> - -<p>"It is done, sir; I will pray for you."</p> - -<p>"It is not for me you ought to pray. Adieu."</p> - -<p>And the Citizen Théodore, after an eloquent look, glided so adroitly -under the low roof of the barrack, that he disappeared like the shadow -of the writer who closed the door.</p> - -<p>The worthy scribe drew the key from the lock, took some papers under -his arm, and went out of the vast hall with the few employees that -the stroke of five sent rushing from their desks like a rear guard of -belated bees.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE CITIZEN THÉODORE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Night</span> had enveloped in her gray mantle the immense hall, whose sad -echoes had to repeat the severe words of the advocates and the -suppliant ones of the pleaders.</p> - -<p>From afar, in the midst of the obscurity, upright and immovable, a -white column seemed watching, in the centre of the hall, like a phantom -protector over the sacred place.</p> - -<p>The only noise heard in this darkness was the nibbling and galloping -of innumerable rats, which gnawed the papers enclosed in the writer's -huts, after drilling their way through the wood.</p> - -<p>Sometimes the sound of a carriage penetrated as far as this sanctuary -of Themis (as an Academician would say), and the vague clanking of -keys, which appeared to proceed from under the ground; but all this -only reverberated in the distance, and nothing save these distant -sounds ever broke the deep silence, or penetrated the thick darkness -save the glimmering of some far remote light.</p> - -<p>Certainly the man would be seized by bewildering terror who at this -hour would have ventured into the vast hall of the Palace, the exterior -of whose walls was yet stained with the blood of the victims of -September; whose staircases this very day had witnessed the descent of -twenty-five human beings condemned to an ignominious death, and were -separated only by a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> feet from the dungeons of the Conciergerie, -peopled with bleached skeletons.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, in the middle of this frightful night, in the midst of -this almost solemn silence, a low grating noise was heard; the door of -a writer's hut turned upon its creaking hinges, and a shadow, darker -than the shadow of night, glided cautiously out of the barrack.</p> - -<p>Then the fierce patriot we have heard addressed as "sir," but who -called himself Théodore, stepped lightly over the uneven stones. He -held in his right hand a ponderous iron lever, and with his left felt -that his double-barrelled pistol was secure in his belt.</p> - -<p>"I reckoned twelve flag-stones from the stall; and see, here is the end -of the first!" murmured he; and while calculating, he groped with the -point of his foot to discover the chinks which time had rendered more -perceptible.</p> - -<p>"Let me see," said he, stopping; "have I taken my measurement -correctly? Shall I possess strength sufficient; and she—will she have -the courage? Oh, yes, her courage is known to me. Oh, my God! When I -shall take her hand—when I can say, Madame, you are saved!"</p> - -<p>He suddenly paused, as if oppressed by the weight of so great a hope.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" he resumed, "rash and foolish project! others will say, hiding -themselves under their bedclothes, or contenting themselves by -sauntering about disguised as lackeys through the Conciergerie; but -they have not my motive for daring all,—it is, that I not only desire -to serve the queen, but the woman.</p> - -<p>"Well, to work; let us again sum up the whole.</p> - -<p>"To raise the stone is nothing, to leave it open is the danger,—they -may perhaps make the rounds; but yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> they never do so. They cannot -suspect anything, for I have no accomplices; and then what time is -needed by an ardor like mine to dart through the dark passage? In three -minutes I am under her chamber; in other five I raise the stone which -is on the hearth. She will hear me working, but has too much firmness -to feel alarmed; on the contrary, she will understand that a deliverer -is near—She is guarded by two men who will doubtless hasten to the -spot—</p> - -<p>"Well, after all," said the patriot, with a melancholy smile, looking -first at the weapon concealed in his girdle, and then at the one he -held poised in his hand, "a double shot from this pistol, or a couple -of strokes from this iron bar. Poor creatures! they will die like -others not more culpable than themselves."</p> - -<p>And Citizen Théodore resolutely pressed his lever between the chinks of -the flag-stones.</p> - -<p>At this moment a vivid light gleamed like a ray of gold across the -stones, and a noise, repeated by the echoes of the vault, caused the -conspirator to turn, and then with a single bound to conceal himself in -the stall.</p> - -<p>Soon voices, weakened by the distance, and softened by the emotion -experienced by every one at night in a large and desolate building, -reached the ears of Théodore.</p> - -<p>He stooped down, and through an aperture in the stall perceived first -a man in military costume, whose long sabre clanking on the pavement -partly produced the sound which had attracted his attention; then, a -man in a pistachio-colored suit, holding a rule in his hand and a roll -of papers under his arm; thirdly, a man in a large waistcoat of ratteen -and a fur bonnet; and lastly, a fourth, with wooden shoes and a jerkin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span></p> - -<p>The iron gate Des Merciers creaked upon its sonorous hinges, rattling -the chain intended to keep it open during the day.</p> - -<p>The four men entered.</p> - -<p>"A round," murmured Théodore. "God be praised! ten minutes later and I -should have been ruined."</p> - -<p>He then with the utmost attention endeavored to recognize the -individuals who composed the round,—indeed, three of them were known -to him.</p> - -<p>He who walked first, clad in the uniform of a general, was Santerre; -the man in the ratteen waistcoat and fur bonnet was Richard the porter, -and the man in clogs and jerkin was in all probability a turnkey.</p> - -<p>But he had never seen the man in the pistachio-colored coat, who held -a rule in his hand and a bundle of papers under his arm. Who or what -could this man be; and what brought, at ten o'clock at night, to the -Salle des Pas-Perdus, the general of the Commune, the keeper of the -Conciergerie, a turnkey, and this other man? The Citizen Théodore knelt -on one knee, holding in one hand his loaded pistol, while with the -other he replaced his bonnet and hair, which his precipitous movement -had deranged too much to look natural.</p> - -<p>Up to this moment the nocturnal visitors had kept silence, or if they -had spoken, their words had not reached the ears of the conspirator; -but when about ten paces from his lurking place Santerre spoke, and his -voice was distinctly heard by the Citizen Théodore.</p> - -<p>"We are now," said he, "in the Salle des Pas-Perdus. It is for you now -to guide us, Citizen Architect, and to endeavor to convince us that -your revelation is no idle story; for you see the Revolution has done -justice to all this folly, and we believe no more in these subterranean -passages than in ghosts. What do you say, Citizen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> Richard?" added -Santerre, turning toward the man in the fur bonnet and ratteen vest.</p> - -<p>"I have never said there was no subterranean passage under the -Conciergerie," he replied. "Here is Gracchus, who has been turnkey -for ten years, and consequently is as familiar with the whole of -the Conciergerie as he is with the alphabet, and yet he ignores the -existence of the vault of which the Citizen Giraud has spoken. However, -as the Citizen Giraud is the city architect, he ought to know better -than any of us. It is his business."</p> - -<p>Théodore shivered from head to foot on hearing these words.</p> - -<p>"Fortunately," murmured he, "the hall is large, and before they find -what they search for, two days at least must expire."</p> - -<p>But the architect opened his great roll of papers, put on his -spectacles, and knelt down to examine the plan by the flickering light -of the lantern which Gracchus held in his hand.</p> - -<p>"I fear," said Santerre, ironically, "that the Citizen Giraud has been -dreaming."</p> - -<p>"You will see, Citizen General, if I am a dreamer. Wait a little; wait!"</p> - -<p>"You see we are waiting," said Santerre.</p> - -<p>"Good!" said the architect; and he began to calculate. "Twelve and four -make sixteen," said he, "and eight are twenty-four, which, divided by -six, makes four, and then half remains; that is it. I can tell the very -spot; and if I am mistaken by so much as a foot, you may henceforth dub -me an ass."</p> - -<p>The architect pronounced these words with an assurance which curdled -the blood of the Citizen Théodore.</p> - -<p>Santerre regarded the plan with a species of respect, but evidently -admired more than he comprehended it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now follow what I say."</p> - -<p>"Where?" asked Santerre.</p> - -<p>"Zounds! upon this chart which I have drawn. Here we are! thirteen feet -from the wall is a movable stone I have marked A; do you see it?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly, I see A," said Santerre. "Do you think I do not know how to -read?"</p> - -<p>"Under this stone," continued the architect, "is a staircase; do you -see? It is marked B."</p> - -<p>"B!" said Santerre; "I see B, but I do not see the staircase," and the -general laughed heartily at his own facetiousness.</p> - -<p>"When once the stone is raised, and the foot upon the last step, -count fifty paces, look up, and you will find yourself exactly at the -register-office where the subterraneous passage terminates, passing -under the cell of the queen."</p> - -<p>"Capet's widow, you mean, Citizen Giraud," said Santerre, knitting his -brows.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Capet's widow."</p> - -<p>"But you said 'the queen.'"</p> - -<p>"The force of old habit."</p> - -<p>"You say, then, it may be found under the register-office?" demanded -Richard.</p> - -<p>"Not only under the register-office, but I will tell you also in what -part of the office you will discover it,—under the stove."</p> - -<p>"That is curious," said Gracchus, "for I have noticed that every time I -dropped a log in that place the stone sounded hollow."</p> - -<p>"In short, if we find your statement correct, Citizen Architect, I -shall pronounce geometry a fine thing."</p> - -<p>"Then declare it, Citizen Santerre, for I am now going to conduct you -to the place indicated by the letter A."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Citizen Théodore sank his nails into his flesh.</p> - -<p>"When I have seen it," said Santerre,—"when I have seen it! I rather -resemble Saint Thomas."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you said Saint Thomas."</p> - -<p>"Yes, as you said 'the queen,' from mere habit; but they cannot accuse -me of conspiring for him."</p> - -<p>"Nor me for the queen."</p> - -<p>After this retort the architect delicately placed his rule, reckoned -the distance, then stopped, having apparently finished his calculation, -and struck upon a particular stone.</p> - -<p>This was the identical stone struck by the Citizen Théodore in his fit -of frantic rage.</p> - -<p>"It is here, Citizen General," said the architect.</p> - -<p>"You fancy so, Citizen Giraud."</p> - -<p>Our concealed patriot so far forgot himself as to strike his thigh with -his clinched fist, at the same time groaning deeply.</p> - -<p>"I am positive," said Giraud; "and your examination, combined with my -report, will prove to the Convention that I have not been deceived. -Yes, Citizen General," continued the architect, with emphasis, -"this stone opens upon a subterranean passage, terminating at the -register-office, and passing below the cell of the Widow Capet. Let us -raise the stone; descend with me into the vault, and I will convince -you that two men, even one man, could effect a rescue in a single -night, without any one suspecting it."</p> - -<p>A murmur of terror and admiration, elicited by the architect's words, -ran through the group, and faintly reached the Citizen Théodore, who -seemed turned to stone.</p> - -<p>"Look at the danger we run," continued Giraud. "Well, now with a -grating which I shall place in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> middle of this underground passage -before it reaches the cell of the Widow Capet, I shall save the -country."</p> - -<p>"Ah, Citizen Giraud!" said Santerre, "that is an idea bordering on the -sublime."</p> - -<p>"Perdition seize you, addle-pated fool!" grumbled the patriot, with -redoubled fury.</p> - -<p>"Now raise the stone," said the architect to the Citizen Gracchus, who -in addition to a lantern carried a crowbar.</p> - -<p>Gracchus set to work, and in a second the stone was raised.</p> - -<p>The vault appeared open, with the staircase lost in its profundity, -while the moist air escaped like a pestilent vapor.</p> - -<p>"Another abortive attempt," murmured the Citizen Théodore. "Alas! -Heaven does not will that she should escape, and her cause must be -accursed!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE CITIZEN GRACCHUS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">For</span> an instant the three men remained motionless at the entrance to the -vault, while the turnkey plunged his lantern into the opening without -being able to penetrate its depth. The architect triumphantly exulted -over his companions from the summit of his genius.</p> - -<p>"Well!" said he, at length.</p> - -<p>"Faith! yes," replied Santerre, "here incontestably is the passage. It -only remains to know where it leads to."</p> - -<p>"Yes," repeated Richard, "it remains to know that."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, descend yourself, Citizen Richard, and then you will see -if I have told you the truth."</p> - -<p>"I have something better to do than go in there," said the porter. "We -will return with you and the general to the Conciergerie. There you can -raise the hearthstone, and we shall see."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said Santerre, "we will return."</p> - -<p>"But we must be careful," said the architect; "this stone remaining -unclosed may suggest an idea to some one."</p> - -<p>"Who the devil do you imagine ever comes here at this hour?" said -Santerre.</p> - -<p>"Besides," said Richard, "the hall is deserted, and to leave Gracchus -here is sufficient. Remain here, Citizen Gracchus, and we will return -to you from the other side of the subterranean passage."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span></p> - -<p>"All right," said Gracchus.</p> - -<p>"Are you armed?" demanded Santerre.</p> - -<p>"I have my sword and this crowbar, Citizen General."</p> - -<p>"Just the thing! keep strict watch; in ten minutes we will be with you."</p> - -<p>And having closed the iron gate, the three took their departure by -the Gallery des Merciers, to repair to the private entrance of the -Conciergerie.</p> - -<p>The turnkey watched their receding footsteps, and followed them with -his eyes as far as he could see, and listened as long as he had -anything to hear; then all relapsed into silence, and supposing himself -in perfect solitude, he placed his lantern on the ground, sat down, -his legs overhanging the depths of the vault, and began to meditate. -Turnkeys meditate sometimes; but people, generally speaking, do not -trouble themselves to find out what is the subject of their meditations.</p> - -<p>All at once, in the midst of his profound revery, he felt a hand press -heavily upon his shoulder. He turned round, and attempted, on seeing a -stranger, to give the alarm, but at the same instant the cold point of -a pistol was pressed to his forehead.</p> - -<p>The accents were arrested in his throat, his arms fell listlessly by -his side, and his eyes assumed the most suppliant expression.</p> - -<p>"Not a word," said the intruder, "or you are a dead man."</p> - -<p>"What do you want, sir?" stammered the turnkey.</p> - -<p>Even in '93, there were moments when, renouncing their idea of -universal equality, they forgot to address each other as "Citizen."</p> - -<p>"I wish," said the Citizen Théodore, "to be allowed to go down there."</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Never mind."</p> - -<p>The turnkey regarded the person who had proffered this request with -the most profound astonishment; but in the mean time his interlocutor -fancied he detected in the man's look a ray of intelligence.</p> - -<p>He lowered the pistol.</p> - -<p>"Would you refuse to make your fortune?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Hitherto no one has ever made me proposals on the -subject."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, I will begin."</p> - -<p>"You offer to make my fortune?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by a fortune?"</p> - -<p>"Fifty thousand golden francs, for instance. Money is scarce, and fifty -thousand francs now are worth a million. Well, I offer you that sum."</p> - -<p>"To allow you to go down there?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; but on condition that you come with me, and afford me your -assistance in my undertaking."</p> - -<p>"But what are you going to do? In five minutes that vault will be -filled with soldiers, who will arrest you."</p> - -<p>The Citizen Théodore was forcibly struck by this argument.</p> - -<p>"Cannot you prevent the soldiers from descending there?"</p> - -<p>"I have no means of so doing, I know none, and cannot think of any."</p> - -<p>Indeed, it was evident the turnkey was taxing all his mental energies -to discover some means of winning the fifty thousand francs.</p> - -<p>"But," demanded the Citizen Théodore, "could we not enter to-morrow?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; but to-morrow a grate of iron will be placed across the passage, -occupying its whole width; and for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> greater security it is arranged -that this partition should be entirely solid, and without even a door."</p> - -<p>"Then we must think of something else," said Théodore.</p> - -<p>"Yes; we must find some other way," said the turnkey.</p> - -<p>It will be seen from the joint manner in which Gracchus expressed -himself, that an alliance had already been struck between himself and -the Citizen Théodore.</p> - -<p>"That will be my concern," said Théodore. "What do you do at the -Conciergerie?"</p> - -<p>"I am a turnkey."</p> - -<p>"What are your duties?"</p> - -<p>"I open the doors and shut them."</p> - -<p>"Do you sleep there?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Do you take your meals there?"</p> - -<p>"Not always. I have my hours of recreation."</p> - -<p>"And then?"</p> - -<p>"I avail myself of them."</p> - -<p>"What to do?"</p> - -<p>"To pay my respects to the mistress of a tavern called Noah's Well, who -has promised to marry me when I am possessed of twelve hundred francs."</p> - -<p>"Where is the tavern Noah's Well?"</p> - -<p>"Near the Rue de la Vieille-Draperie."</p> - -<p>"Very well."</p> - -<p>"Hush, sir."</p> - -<p>The patriot listened.</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" said he.</p> - -<p>"Do you hear?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Voices and footsteps."</p> - -<p>"They are returning."</p> - -<p>"You see very well that we should not have had time."</p> - -<p>This <i>we</i> was becoming more and more pronounced.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is true. You are a brave fellow, Citizen, and are through me -predestined—"</p> - -<p>"To what?"</p> - -<p>"To be rich one day."</p> - -<p>"God grant it!"</p> - -<p>"You then still believe in God?"</p> - -<p>"Sometimes; here and there. To-day, for example—"</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"I should willingly believe."</p> - -<p>"Believe, then," said the Citizen Théodore, putting ten louis into the -man's hand.</p> - -<p>"The devil!" said he, regarding the gold by the light of the lantern. -"Is it, then, serious?"</p> - -<p>"It could not be more so."</p> - -<p>"What must I do?"</p> - -<p>"Meet me to-morrow at Noah's Well; I will then tell you what I require -of you. What is your name?"</p> - -<p>"Gracchus."</p> - -<p>"Well, Citizen Gracchus, get yourself dismissed from here to-morrow by -the keeper Richard."</p> - -<p>"Dismissed! give up my place!"</p> - -<p>"Do you reckon on remaining a turnkey, with fifty thousand francs?"</p> - -<p>"No, but being a turnkey and poor, I am certain of not being -guillotined."</p> - -<p>"Certain?"</p> - -<p>"Or nearly so; while being free and rich—"</p> - -<p>"You will hide your money, and make love to a spinster instead of to -the mistress of Noah's Well."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, it is settled."</p> - -<p>"To-morrow at the tavern."</p> - -<p>"At what hour?"</p> - -<p>"At six in the evening."</p> - -<p>"Flee quickly; there they are. I tell you to be quick,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> because, I -presume, you descend and go through the vaults."</p> - -<p>"To-morrow," repeated Théodore, hastening away.</p> - -<p>And not before it was time, for the voices and steps drew near, -and lights were already seen approaching in the obscurity of the -underground passage. Théodore gained the gate which the writer from -whom he had taken the hut had shown him, opened the lock with his -crowbar, reached the window, threw it open, dropped softly into the -street, and found himself upon the pavement of the Republic once again.</p> - -<p>Before quitting the Salle des Pas-Perdus he heard the Citizen Gracchus -again question Richard, and also his reply.</p> - -<p>"The Citizen Architect was quite right; the vault passes below the -chamber of the Widow Capet, and it was dangerous."</p> - -<p>"I well believe it," said Gracchus, who in this instance told the -perfect truth.</p> - -<p>Santerre reappeared at the opening of the staircase.</p> - -<p>"And the workmen, Citizen Architect?" demanded he of Giraud.</p> - -<p>"Before daybreak they will be here; and during the session the grating -will be placed," replied a voice which seemed to proceed from the -bowels of the earth.</p> - -<p>"And you will have saved the country," cried Santerre, half in jest, -half in earnest.</p> - -<p>"You little know the truth of what you say, Citizen General," murmured -Gracchus.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE ROYAL CHILD.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the mean time, as we have seen in the chapter preceding, the queen's -trial was about to take place.</p> - -<p>It was already surmised that by the sacrifice of this illustrious head -the popular hatred, so long displayed in murmurs, would at length be -satisfied.</p> - -<p>The means were not wanting for the completion of this tragedy; and in -the mean time Fouquier Tinville, that fatal accuser, had resolved not -to neglect the new mode of accusation which Simon had promised to place -in his hands.</p> - -<p>The day after he and Simon had met in the Salle des Pas-Perdus, the -noise of arms again startled the prisoners who remained in the Temple.</p> - -<p>These prisoners were Madame Elizabeth, Madame Royale, and the child who -after having been called "Your Majesty" in his cradle, was now styled -simply the "Little Capet."</p> - -<p>General Hanriot, with his tricolored plume, his splendid horse, and -long sword, followed by several of the National Guard, dismounted, and -entered the dungeon where the royal child languished.</p> - -<p>By the general's side walked a registrar of very unprepossessing -appearance, carrying a writing-desk, a large roll of paper, and -flourishing a pen of immoderate length.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p> - -<p>Behind the scribe walked the public accuser. We have seen, we know, and -shall meet again at a later period, this dry, jaundiced, cold man, with -his blood-shot eyes, who made the ferocious Santerre himself tremble, -even when cased in his armor.</p> - -<p>Several National Guards and a lieutenant followed them.</p> - -<p>Simon, smiling hypocritically, and holding his bear-skin bonnet in one -hand and his shoemaker's stirrup in the other, walked before to show -the committee the way.</p> - -<p>They came to a very dirty chamber, spacious and ill-furnished, at the -end of which, seated upon his bed, was the young Louis, in a state of -perfect immobility.</p> - -<p>When we saw the poor child fleeing from the brutal anger of Simon, he -still retained a species of vitality, resenting the unworthy treatment -of the shoemaker of the Temple. He fled, he wept, he prayed; then he -feared and suffered, but still he hoped.</p> - -<p>But now both fear and hope had vanished; without doubt the suffering -still existed, but if it still remained, the infant martyr, whom they -had made pay after so cruel a fashion for his parents' faults, buried -it in the depths of his heart, and veiled it under an appearance -of total insensibility. He did not even raise his head when the -commissioners walked up to him.</p> - -<p>Without further ceremony they instantly installed themselves. The -public accuser seated himself at the head of the bed, Simon at the -foot, the registrar near the window, the National Guard and their -lieutenant on the side and rather in the shade.</p> - -<p>Those among them who regarded the little prisoner with the slightest -interest, or even curiosity, remarked the child's pallor, his -extraordinary stoutness (resulting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> from his bloated condition), and -his bent legs, the joints of which had already begun to swell.</p> - -<p>"That child is very ill," said the lieutenant, with an assurance that -caused Fouquier to turn round, though already seated and prepared to -question his victim.</p> - -<p>Little Capet raised his eyes to discover who had uttered these words, -and recognized the same young man who had already once before saved -him from Simon's cruelty in the court of the Temple. A sweet and -intelligent glance shot from his deep blue eyes, and that was all.</p> - -<p>"Ah, ah! is that you, Citizen Lorin?" said Simon, thus calling the -attention of Fouquier Tinville to the friend of Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Myself, Citizen Simon," said Lorin, with his usual nonchalance.</p> - -<p>And as Lorin though always ready to face danger was not the man to -seek it uselessly, he availed himself of this circumstance to bow to -Fouquier Tinville, which salutation was politely returned.</p> - -<p>"You observed, I think, Citizen," said the public accuser, "that the -child was ill; are you a doctor?"</p> - -<p>"I have studied medicine, at least, if I am not a medical man."</p> - -<p>"Well, and what do you discover in him?"</p> - -<p>"Symptoms of sickness, do you mean?" asked Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"I find his cheeks and eyes puffed up, his hands thin and white, his -knees swollen; and were I to feel his pulse, I should certainly count -eighty-five or ninety pulsations in a minute."</p> - -<p>The child appeared insensible to the enumeration of his sufferings.</p> - -<p>"And to what might science attribute the condition of the prisoner?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p> - -<p>Lorin rubbed the tip of his nose, murmuring,—</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Phyllis wants to make me speak,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I am not the least inclined.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Faith, Citizen!" replied he, "I am not sufficiently acquainted with -little Capet's constitution to reply. However—"</p> - -<p>Simon lent an attentive ear, and laughed in his sleeve to find his -enemy so near committing himself.</p> - -<p>"However," said Lorin, "I think he does not have sufficient exercise."</p> - -<p>"I believe the little scoundrel," said Simon, "does not choose to walk."</p> - -<p>The child remained quite unmoved by this apostrophe of the shoemaker.</p> - -<p>Fouquier Tinville arose, advanced to Lorin, and addressed some words -to him in a low tone. No one heard the words, but it was evident they -assumed the form of interrogatories.</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh! do you believe that, Citizen? It is a serious charge for a -mother—"</p> - -<p>"Under any circumstances, we shall find out. Simon pretends he has -heard him say so, and has engaged to make him acknowledge it."</p> - -<p>"This would be frightful," said Lorin; "but indeed it is possible; the -Austrian is not exempt from sin, and right or wrong, does not concern -me—They have made her out a Messalina: but not content with that, they -wish to make her an Agrippina. I must acknowledge it appears to me -rather hard."</p> - -<p>"This is what has been reported by Simon," said the impassible Fouquier.</p> - -<p>"I do not doubt that Simon has said all this. There are some men who -stick at nothing, even the most impos<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span>sible accusations. But do you -not find," said Lorin, fixing his eyes steadily on Fouquier,—"do you -not find—you, an intelligent and upright man, possessed with a strong -mind—that to inquire of a child concerning such circumstances as those -which all the most natural and most sacred laws of Nature command us to -respect, is to insult all human nature in the person of a child?"</p> - -<p>The accuser did not frown, but took a note from his pocket and showed -it to Lorin.</p> - -<p>"The Convention enjoins me to investigate," said he; "the rest does not -concern me. I shall investigate."</p> - -<p>"It is just," said Lorin; "and I declare that if this child -acknowledges—" And the young man shook his head, expressive of disgust.</p> - -<p>"Besides," continued Fouquier, "it is not only upon the denunciation of -Simon that we proceed; the accusation is public."</p> - -<p>And Fouquier drew a second paper from his pocket.</p> - -<p>This was a number of the paper entitled "Le Père Duchesne;" which, as -is well known, was written by Hébert.</p> - -<p>The accusation indeed appeared there in full.</p> - -<p>"It is written, and even printed," said Lorin; "but till I hear a -similar accusation proceed from the lips of the child,—mind, I mean -voluntarily, freely, and without menaces,—notwithstanding Simon and -Hébert, I shall disbelieve it, as much as you in reality do yourself."</p> - -<p>Simon impatiently awaited the issue of this conversation.</p> - -<p>The miserable creature was not unaware of the power exercised upon -an intelligent man by the looks which he receives from the crowd, -expressive either of sympathy or subtle hatred. Sometimes this subtle -influence repels, sometimes it attracts, makes the thought flow out and -even draws the person of the man toward that other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> man of equal or -superior mental calibre whom he recognizes in the crowd.</p> - -<p>But Fouquier Tinville had felt the keen observation of Lorin, and was -anxious to be fully understood by him.</p> - -<p>"The examination is about to commence," said the public accuser. -"Registrar, resume your pen!"</p> - -<p>The registrar, who had just drawn out the preliminaries of the -investigation, was waiting, like Hanriot, Simon, and all the rest, till -the colloquy between Fouquier and Lorin had ceased.</p> - -<p>The child alone appeared perfectly unconscious of the scene in which he -was soon to become the principal actor, and his face, which had for an -instant gleamed with a ray of the highest intelligence, had relapsed -into its listless, apathetic expression.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" cried Hanriot, "the Citizen Fouquier Tinville is going to -interrogate the child."</p> - -<p>"Capet," said the public accuser, "do you know what has become of your -mother?"</p> - -<p>The little Louis turned from an ashy paleness to a brilliant red, but -made no reply.</p> - -<p>"Did you hear me, Capet?"</p> - -<p>He still remained silent.</p> - -<p>"Oh, he hears well enough," said Simon, "only he is like the ape, he -will not reply for fear he should be taken for a man, and so made to -work."</p> - -<p>"Reply, Capet!" said Hanriot; "it is the Commission of the Convention -that interrogates you. You must show obedience to the laws."</p> - -<p>The child turned pale, but did not reply.</p> - -<p>Simon made a frantic gesture of rage. With natures so stupid and brutal -as his, anger becomes an intoxication, attended with all the loathsome -symptoms of alcoholic inebriety.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Will you reply, wolf's cub?" showing him the strap.</p> - -<p>"Be quiet, Simon," said Fouquier Tinville; "you have not the right to -speak."</p> - -<p>This expression, which had become habitual to Tinville at the -Revolutionary Tribunal, now escaped him involuntarily.</p> - -<p>"Do you hear, Simon?" said Lorin. "This is the second time you have -been told this in my presence; the first was when you accused Tison's -daughter, whom you had the pleasure of bringing to the scaffold."</p> - -<p>Simon was silent.</p> - -<p>"Does your mother love you, Capet?" asked Fouquier.</p> - -<p>Still the same silence.</p> - -<p>"They say not," continued the accuser.</p> - -<p>Something like a ghastly smile passed over the child's pale lips.</p> - -<p>"But then, I say," roared Simon, "he has told me she loves him too -much!"</p> - -<p>"Look here, Simon," said Lorin, "you are angry that the little Capet -chatters so much when you are together, and remains silent before -company to-day."</p> - -<p>"Oh, if we were alone!" said Simon.</p> - -<p>"Yes, if you were alone; but unfortunately you are not alone. Oh, if -you were, brave Simon, excellent patriot! how you would belabor the -poor child, eh? But you are not alone, and dare not show your rage -before honest men like us who know that the ancients, whom we endeavor -to take for our models, respected all who were weak. You dare not, for -you are not alone; and you are not valiant, my worthy man, when you -have children of five feet six inches to combat."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" muttered Simon, grinding his teeth.</p> - -<p>"Capet," said Fouquier, "have you confided any secrets to Simon?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p> - -<p>The child never turned round, but his face assumed an expression of -irony impossible to describe.</p> - -<p>"About your mother?" continued Fouquier.</p> - -<p>A look of supreme contempt passed over his countenance.</p> - -<p>"Reply, yes or no!" cried Hanriot.</p> - -<p>"Say yes!" roared Simon, holding his leather stirrup over the child's -head.</p> - -<p>The child shuddered, but made no movement to avoid the blow. Those -present uttered a cry expressive of their disgust. Lorin did more. -Before the wretch could lower his arm he darted forward and seized him -by the wrist.</p> - -<p>"Will you let me go?" roared Simon, purple with rage.</p> - -<p>"Come, there is no harm," said Fouquier, "in a mother loving her child. -Tell us in what way your mother loved you, Capet. It may be useful to -her."</p> - -<p>The young prisoner started at the idea of being useful to his mother.</p> - -<p>"She loves me as a mother loves her son, sir," said he; "there are not -two ways for mothers to love their sons, or sons to love their mothers."</p> - -<p>"And I, little serpent, declare that you have told me your mother—"</p> - -<p>"You have dreamed that," interrupted Lorin, quietly, "you must often -have the nightmare, Simon."</p> - -<p>"Lorin! Lorin!" growled Simon, grinding his teeth.</p> - -<p>"Yes, again, Lorin. There is no way of beating Lorin, since he -chastises the wicked; there is no way to denounce him for what he -did in arresting your arm, as it was done before General Hanriot and -Fouquier Tinville, who approve of it, and they are not lukewarm in the -cause. There is then no way to bring him to the guil<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>lotine, as you did -poor Héloïse Tison. It is very grievous, very vexatious, very enraging; -still it is so, my poor Simon!"</p> - -<p>"Later! later!" replied the shoemaker, with his mocking laugh.</p> - -<p>"Yes, dear friend," said Lorin, "I hope with the help of the Supreme -Being—Ah! you expected I was going to say with the help of God! But -I hope with the assistance of the Supreme Being, and my good sword, -to disembowel you first; but move aside, Simon, you prevent me from -seeing."</p> - -<p>"Rascal!"</p> - -<p>"Be silent, you prevent me from hearing," and Lorin silenced him with a -threatening look.</p> - -<p>Simon clinched his black hands and shook his fists, but as Lorin had -told him, he was obliged to confine himself to these manifestations.</p> - -<p>"Now he has begun to speak," said Hanriot, "he will continue no doubt. -Go on, Fouquier!"</p> - -<p>"Will you reply now?" demanded Fouquier.</p> - -<p>The child returned to his former silence.</p> - -<p>"You see, Citizen! you see!" exclaimed Simon.</p> - -<p>"The obstinacy of this child is strange," said Hanriot, troubled in -spite of himself at this royal firmness.</p> - -<p>"He is ill advised," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"By whom?" demanded Hanriot.</p> - -<p>"By his guardian."</p> - -<p>"Do you accuse me?" cried Simon,—"do you denounce me? Ah! that is -curious—"</p> - -<p>"Let us try gentleness," said Fouquier. Then turning toward the child, -whom one would have supposed to be insensible,—</p> - -<p>"My child," said he, "reply to the National Commission; do not -aggravate your situation by refusing us any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> useful information. You -have spoken to the Citizen Simon about your mother,—how you caress her -and love her; how she caresses and loves you?"</p> - -<p>Louis threw a glance around the assembly, which gleamed with hatred -when it rested on Simon, but he did not reply.</p> - -<p>"Do you feel yourself unhappy?" demanded the accuser; "are you -uncomfortably lodged, badly fed, and unkindly treated? Would you wish -more liberty, better food, another prison, another guardian? Would you -like a horse to ride upon, and some companions of your own age?"</p> - -<p>Louis still maintained the profound silence he had only once broken, to -defend his mother.</p> - -<p>The Commission was utterly confounded at so much firmness and -intelligence evinced by a child.</p> - -<p>"Ah, these kings!" said Hanriot, in a low voice, "what a race! They are -like tigers; even the young ones inherit their wickedness."</p> - -<p>"How are we to write the investigation?" asked the registrar, much -embarrassed.</p> - -<p>"There is no charge against Simon; there is nothing to write," said -Lorin; "that will suit him exactly."</p> - -<p>Simon again shook his fist at his implacable enemy.</p> - -<p>Lorin began to laugh.</p> - -<p>"You will not laugh like that the day you will sneeze in the sack," -said Simon, drunk with fury.</p> - -<p>"I do not know whether I shall precede or follow you in the little -ceremony you menace me with," said Lorin; "but this I do know, that -many will laugh when your turn comes. Gods!—I have spoken in the -plural,—gods! you will not be ugly then, Simon; you will be hideous."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p> - -<p>And Lorin retired behind the Commission, with a fresh burst of laughter.</p> - -<p>The Commission, having nothing more to attend to, withdrew.</p> - -<p>As for the poor child, released from his tormentors, he began to sing a -little melancholy ditty which had been a great favorite of his father.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE BOUQUET OF VIOLETS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> might be foreseen, the felicity of Geneviève and Maurice was not of -long continuance.</p> - -<p>In the tempest which unchains the wind and hurls the thunderbolt, the -nest of the doves is shaken in the tree where they had retired for -shelter.</p> - -<p>Geneviève passed from one terror to another. She no longer feared for -Maison-Rouge, she now trembled for Maurice.</p> - -<p>She knew her husband sufficiently well to feel convinced, the moment -of his disappearance, that he was saved; but sure of his safety, she -thought now of her own.</p> - -<p>She dared not confide her grief to the least timid man of this epoch -when all from desperation were devoid of fear, but it was plainly -evinced by her red eyes and pallid cheeks.</p> - -<p>One day Maurice softly entered, so quietly indeed that Geneviève, -buried in a profound revery, did not notice his entrance. He stopped -upon the threshold and saw Geneviève sitting immovable, her eyes fixed -on vacancy, her hands lying listlessly on her lap, her head hanging -pensively upon her bosom.</p> - -<p>He gazed at her for a moment with an expression of deepest sadness, for -all that was passing in the young girl's heart was suddenly revealed, -as if he had read even to her latest thought. He stepped up to her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You have ceased to care for France, Geneviève; confess it is so. You -fly from the air breathed here, and not without the greatest reluctance -will you even approach the window."</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Geneviève, "I know I cannot conceal my thoughts from you, -Maurice; you have divined rightly."</p> - -<p>"It is nevertheless a fine country," said the young man; "life is -here important, and well occupied now. This bustling activity of the -Tribune, the clubs, the conspiracies, renders sweeter the hours spent -by our own fireside. One loves it the more ardently, it may be, from -the fear of not being able to love it on the morrow, for on the morrow -one may have ceased to exist."</p> - -<p>Geneviève shook her head. "An ungrateful country to serve," said she.</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; you who have labored so much for the cause of liberty, are you -not to-day more than half suspected?"</p> - -<p>"But you, dear Geneviève," said Maurice, with a look replete with -tenderness, "you a sworn enemy to this liberty,—you who have done so -much against it! You yet sleep, peaceable and inviolate, beneath the -roof of a Republican; and there, you see, is my recompense."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Geneviève, "but that cannot last long; that which is wrong -cannot endure."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I mean to say that I,—that is to say an aristocrat,—that I who dream -quietly of the defeat of your party and the ruin of your plans; I who -plot, even in your house, the return of the ancient régime; I who, -recognized, would condemn you to death and dishonor, according to your -opinions at least,—I, Maurice, will not remain here as the evil genius -of your house; I will not drag you to the scaffold."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And where will you go, Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"Where shall I go, Maurice? One day when you are out I shall go and -denounce myself, without saying where I come from."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" cried Maurice, wounded to the heart's core, "already ungrateful?"</p> - -<p>"No," cried the young woman, throwing her arms round Maurice's neck; -"it is love, and the most devoted love, I swear. I should not wish my -brother to be taken and slaughtered as a rebel; I do not wish my lover -to be arrested and guillotined as a traitor."</p> - -<p>"And you will do this, Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"As truly as there is a God in heaven," replied the young woman; -"besides, I not only experience fear but remorse," and she bowed her -head as if remorse were a burden too heavy to be borne.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Geneviève!" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"You will understand all that I say, all that I feel, Maurice, for you -yourself experience this remorse. You know I gave myself to you while -I belonged to another, and you have taken me without my possessing the -right to dispose of myself."</p> - -<p>"Enough!" said Maurice, "enough!" He knit his brow, and a melancholy -resolution shone in his clear bright eyes. "I will show you, Geneviève, -how entirely I love you," said the young man, "I will prove to you that -no sacrifice is beyond my love. You hate France. Well, so be it. We -will quit France."</p> - -<p>Geneviève clasped her hands, and regarded her lover with enthusiastic -admiration.</p> - -<p>"You will not deceive me, Maurice," murmured she.</p> - -<p>"Have I ever deceived you?" asked Maurice, "and is this the time when, -to obtain you, I have dishonored myself?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p> - -<p>Geneviève approached her lips to Maurice's, and remained hanging on the -neck of her lover.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you are right," said Geneviève; "it is I who am mistaken. What I -feel is not remorse, perhaps it is a degradation of soul; but you will -comprehend at least I love you far too much to feel any other emotion -than the all-engrossing one, the fear of losing you. Let us go far -away, Maurice, let us go far away where no one can ever reach us."</p> - -<p>"Oh, thanks!" said Maurice, transported with joy.</p> - -<p>"But how can we flee?" said Geneviève, trembling at the hazard. "It is -not so easy to escape nowadays from the poniard of the assassins of -the 2d of September, or the hatchet of the executioners of the 21st of -January."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève," said Maurice, "God will protect us. Listen to me! A good -action which I endeavored to perform, on that very 2d of September -which you have just named, is now about to receive its reward. I wished -to save a poor priest who had studied with me. I went to Danton, and at -his request the Committee of Public Safety signed a passport for the -unfortunate man and his sister. This passport Danton forwarded to me; -but the unfortunate priest, instead of coming to my house for it, as I -had advised him to do, went and shut himself up with the Carmelites, -from whom he was taken and killed."</p> - -<p>"And the passport?" asked Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"I have it now. It is worth a million. It is worth more than that, -Geneviève,—it comprises both life and happiness!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, God be praised!" cried the young woman.</p> - -<p>"Now, my property, as you are aware, consists of an estate managed by -an old servant of the family, a stanch patriot, and strictly loyal, -in whom we may confide. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> will send remittances whenever I wish. On -arriving at Boulogne, we will go to his house."</p> - -<p>"Where does he reside then?"</p> - -<p>"At Abbeville."</p> - -<p>"When shall we go, Maurice?"</p> - -<p>"Within an hour."</p> - -<p>"No one need know of our departure."</p> - -<p>"No one will know it. I will run to Lorin; he has a cabriolet and -no horse, while I have a horse and no carriage. We will set out -immediately on my return. Remain you here, Geneviève, and prepare -everything for our departure. We want but little luggage; we can -purchase all that we require in England. I shall give Scævola some -commission that will remove him out of the way. Lorin will explain our -departure to him this evening. By that time we shall be far away."</p> - -<p>"But if we should be arrested upon the road?"</p> - -<p>"Have we not our passport? We shall go to Hubert's house,—that is the -steward's name. Hubert is a member of the town council of Abbeville; -from Abbeville to Boulogne he will accompany us as safeguard. At -Boulogne we will purchase and freight a vessel. I could, besides, -proceed to the Committee, and make them give me a mission to Abbeville. -But no; we shall use no fraud, Geneviève. It is better to risk our -lives to save and secure our happiness."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, dear Maurice; and we shall succeed. But how you are perfumed -this morning!" said the young woman, concealing her face on Maurice's -breast.</p> - -<p>"True; I purchased a bunch of violets for you this morning, passing -before the Palace d'Egalité; but on my return, finding you so sad, I -thought of nothing but inquiring into the cause of your distress."</p> - -<p>"Oh, give it to me; I will return it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span></p> - -<p>Geneviève inhaled the odor of the bouquet with that intense delight -which persons of nervous organization always experience from the -perfume of flowers. Suddenly her eyes suffused with tears.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Poor Héloïse!" murmured Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes!" said Maurice, with a sigh; "but let us think of ourselves, -and leave the dead, wherever they may be, to rest in the grave dug by -their devotion. Adieu! I am going."</p> - -<p>"Return quickly."</p> - -<p>"In less than half an hour I shall be here again."</p> - -<p>"But if Lorin is not at home?"</p> - -<p>"What does it matter? his servant knows me. And even in his absence I -can take what I please, as he would do here in mine."</p> - -<p>"Very well."</p> - -<p>"Now, my Geneviève, prepare everything; but, as I have told you, -confine yourself to necessaries. I do not wish our departure to appear -like a removal."</p> - -<p>The young man advanced a step toward the door.</p> - -<p>"Maurice!" said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>He turned round, and saw the young woman extend her arms toward him.</p> - -<p>"Good-by for the present, dear love," said he; "in half an hour I shall -be here."</p> - -<p>Geneviève remained alone, occupied, as we have said, in preparations -for their departure.</p> - -<p>She accomplished her task in feverish haste. As long as she remained in -Paris, the part she was acting appeared to her doubly culpable. Once -out of France, once among strangers, it seemed that her crime—a crime -rather of fatality than her own—would weigh the less heavily on her -conscience.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span></p> - -<p>She even hoped, isolated and in solitude, she might at last forget the -existence of any other man than Maurice.</p> - -<p>They would fly to England; everything was arranged. There they would -hire a little cottage, standing alone, very retired, shut out from all -eyes; they would change their names, and instead of two names would -have one.</p> - -<p>There they would have two servants who would be perfectly ignorant of -their past. Fortunately, both Geneviève and Maurice spoke English.</p> - -<p>Neither of them left anything to regret in France, save that mother -whom one always regrets, even when she is only a step-mother,—one's -country. Geneviève commenced, then, making preparations for their -voyage, or rather flight.</p> - -<p>She took singular pleasure in selecting from the rest those objects for -which Maurice had evinced any predilection. The coat setting off his -tall figure to advantage, the cravat and waistcoat best suited to his -complexion, the books whose leaves he had most frequently turned.</p> - -<p>She had already made her selection. Clothes, linen, and books, waiting -to be packed, strewed the floor, the chairs, the sofa and the piano.</p> - -<p>Suddenly she heard the key turn in the lock.</p> - -<p>"Why, Scævola has returned," said she; "surely Maurice could not have -met him."</p> - -<p>And she continued her occupation.</p> - -<p>The doors of the salon were open, and she heard Scævola moving in the -antechamber. She held a roll of music in her hand, and was looking for -some string to tie round it.</p> - -<p>"Scævola!" cried she.</p> - -<p>An approaching step sounded in the adjoining room.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Scævola!" repeated Geneviève, "do come here, please!"</p> - -<p>"I am here," said a voice.</p> - -<p>At the sound of this voice Geneviève turned quickly round, and uttered -a terrified cry.</p> - -<p>"My husband!" cried she.</p> - -<p>"Himself," said Dixmer, coolly.</p> - -<p>Geneviève was upon a chair, searching for some string in the wardrobe. -She felt her head turn round, and extending her arms, fell backward, -wishing she could precipitate herself into an abyss beneath.</p> - -<p>Dixmer took her in his arms, and carried her to a sofa.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter, my dear? What is it? My presence seems to have -produced a most disagreeable effect upon you."</p> - -<p>"I am dying," murmured Geneviève, turning from him, and pressing both -hands over her eyes that she might shut out the frightful apparition.</p> - -<p>"What!" said Dixmer, "did you believe me dead, my dear, and do you take -me for a ghost?"</p> - -<p>Geneviève looked round her with a bewildered air, when, perceiving the -portrait of Maurice, she glided from the sofa and fell upon her knees, -as if to implore the assistance of this powerless and insensible image, -which still continued to smile.</p> - -<p>The unhappy woman fully comprehended the menaces concealed by Dixmer -under his affected calmness.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my dear child," continued the master-tanner, "it is indeed myself. -Perhaps you thought I was far from Paris; but no, I remained here. The -day after I had left the house, I returned, and found in its stead -a heap of ruins. I inquired after you. No one had seen you. I then -commenced a search for you, and have had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> much trouble to find you. I -avow that I did not think you were here; however, I had my suspicions. -So, as you see, I came. So here I am; and there are you. And how is -dear Maurice? Indeed, I fear you have suffered much. You so stanch a -Royalist, compelled to seek shelter under the roof of so fanatical a -Republican."</p> - -<p>"My God! my God!" murmured Geneviève, "take pity upon me!"</p> - -<p>"After all, my dear," continued Dixmer, "what serves to console me most -is that you are so comfortably lodged here, and that you do not appear -to have suffered much from the proscription. As for myself, since the -burning of our house, and the ruin of our fortune, I have had my share -of wandering adventures, sometimes living in caves, sometimes in boats, -and sometimes even in the common sewers which empty into the Seine."</p> - -<p>"Sir!" said Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"You have there some beautiful fruit; as for me, I have often gone -without any dessert, not having had any dinner."</p> - -<p>Geneviève, sobbing bitterly, supported her head between her hands.</p> - -<p>"Not," continued Dixmer, "that I was destitute of money. I have, thank -God! generally carried with me thirty thousand francs in gold, which -at this time is worth five hundred thousand francs; but how should -a 'collier,' a 'fisherman,' or a 'rag merchant' draw louis from his -pocket to purchase a morsel of cheese or a sausage. Eh! my God! yes, -Madame, I have successively adopted these three costumes. To-day, the -better to disguise myself, I am dressed as a patriot of the patriots; I -lisp, and I swear. An outlaw cannot conceal himself so easily in Paris -as a young and pretty woman, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> have not the happiness of knowing -an ardent young female Republican who could hide me from every eye."</p> - -<p>"Sir! sir!" cried Geneviève, "have mercy upon me! you see that I am -dying."</p> - -<p>"Anxiety; I can understand you have had much anxiety about me; but -console yourself, you see me now. I have returned, and we shall part no -more, Madame."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you will kill me!" cried Geneviève.</p> - -<p>Dixmer regarded her with a frightful smile.</p> - -<p>"Kill an innocent woman! Oh, Madame, what makes you say so? It must be -that grief for my absence has turned your brain."</p> - -<p>"Sir!" cried Geneviève, "sir, I beseech you to kill me at once, rather -than torture me with these cruel railleries. No, I am not innocent; -yes, I am criminal; yes, I merit death. Kill me, sir, kill me!—"</p> - -<p>"Then you acknowledge that you merit death?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes!"</p> - -<p>"And to expiate this I know not what crime of which you accuse -yourself, you will submit to death without complaint?"</p> - -<p>"Strike, sir, I will not utter a cry; and instead of cursing I will -bless the hand that strikes me."</p> - -<p>"No, Madame, I do not wish to strike you; nevertheless in all -probability you will die. Only your death, instead of being as you seem -to fear an ignominious one, shall be most glorious. Thank me, Madame; -while punishing, I will immortalize you."</p> - -<p>"What then will you do, sir?"</p> - -<p>"You will follow the end to which we were tending when interrupted on -our route. In your own eyes and in mine, you will die guilty; in the -eyes of the world you will die a martyr."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, my God! you will drive me mad by speaking thus. Where are you -conducting me? Where are you dragging me?"</p> - -<p>"In all probability to death."</p> - -<p>"Let me then offer up one prayer."</p> - -<p>"To whom?"</p> - -<p>"It matters not to you. The moment you deprive me of life, my debt is -cancelled. My debt paid, I owe you nothing."</p> - -<p>"True," said Dixmer, retiring into another room; "I will await you." -And he left her once more alone.</p> - -<p>Geneviève sank on her knees before the portrait, pressing her hands -against her breaking heart.</p> - -<p>"Maurice," said she, in a low tone, "pardon me; I did not expect to be -happy, but I hoped to make you so. Maurice, I am depriving you of a joy -that constituted your life; pardon me for causing your death, my best -beloved."</p> - -<p>Then severing a ringlet from her mass of curls, she bound it round -the bouquet of violets, and placed them beneath the portrait, which -insensible, and speechless as it was, still appeared to assume an -expression of grief at her departure.</p> - -<p>At least so it appeared to the unfortunate Geneviève, as she gazed at -it through her tears.</p> - -<p>"Well, are you ready, Madame?" demanded Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"So soon?" murmured Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Oh, take your time, Madame," replied Dixmer; "I am in no hurry. -Besides, I dare say Maurice will not be long, and I shall be delighted -to thank him for all his kindness and hospitality toward you."</p> - -<p>Geneviève trembled with terror at the idea of a meeting between her -lover and husband. She automatically raised herself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is finished, sir," said she, "and I am ready now."</p> - -<p>Dixmer went out first, and the trembling Geneviève followed him with -half-closed eyes, her head turned back to take a last fond look. They -ascended the carriage which was waiting at the door. It rolled away.</p> - -<p>As Geneviève had said, "It was finished."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL">CHAPTER XL.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE TAVERN OF NOAH'S WELL.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> man attired in a jerkin, whom we have seen traversing with long -and rapid strides the Salle des Pas-Perdus; whom we have heard, during -the expedition of the architect Giraud, General Hanriot, and Richard, -conversing with the turnkey left to guard the subterranean passage; -this fierce patriot, who had introduced himself to Simon as having -carried the head of the Princess de Lamballe,—found himself, on the -next evening, about seven o'clock, at the tavern of Noah's Well, -situated, as we have said, at the corner of the Rue de la Vieille -Draperie.</p> - -<p>He was seated at the end of a dirty room, redolent of tobacco and -candles, pretending to devour a plate of fish swimming in melted butter.</p> - -<p>The room where he supped was nearly deserted; two or three habitués -of the house alone remained after the rest, enjoying the privilege to -which their daily visit to the establishment entitled them.</p> - -<p>The tables were for the most part empty; but we ought to remark, in -honor to the tavern of Noah's Well, that the stained tablecloths -denoted the departure of a satisfactory number of satisfied guests.</p> - -<p>The last three successively disappeared, and at about a quarter to -eight our patriot found himself alone. Then, with true aristocratic -disgust, he pushed away the greasy plate, which an instant before he -had appeared to think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> so delicious, and drew from his pocket a tablet -of Spanish chocolate, which he ate slowly and with a very different -expression to that we have seen him endeavor to give to his countenance.</p> - -<p>From time to time, while eating his chocolate and black bread, he cast -toward a glass door, shaded by a red and white checked curtain, anxious -and impatient glances. Sometimes he interrupted his frugal repast to -listen; in short, evinced an absence of mind sufficient to induce the -mistress of the mansion—seated at her counter, and near the door on -which the patriot so eagerly fixed his eyes—to conclude that she might -without vanity consider herself the object of his preoccupation.</p> - -<p>At length the door-bell sounded in a way that made him start; he -drew the plate again before him, and without attracting the woman's -observation, threw half the contents to a famished-looking dog, and the -remainder to a cat, who treated the dog to some stinging strokes of her -velvet paws.</p> - -<p>The door opened, and a man entered, dressed almost the same as the -patriot, with the exception of the hairy cap, which he had replaced -with the red bonnet. An enormous bunch of keys hung from his girdle, -from which also depended a sword.</p> - -<p>"My soup! my half-pint!" cried the man, entering the public room -without removing his bonnet, but merely saluting the mistress of the -house by a slight inclination of his head. With a sigh of fatigue, -he seated himself at a table adjoining that where our patriot was -discussing his black bread and chocolate.</p> - -<p>The mistress of the tavern, in consequence of the deference she -entertained for the new-comer, rose herself to order the requisite -viands.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span></p> - -<p>The two men turned their backs to each other,—one to look into the -street, the other toward the end of the room,—not a word was exchanged -between them till the mistress of the tavern had disappeared.</p> - -<p>When the door had closed behind her, by the light from a single candle, -suspended from the end of an iron wire so as to divide the light -equally between the two guests, the man in the bear-skin bonnet—thanks -to the glass placed before him—at length saw that the room was -deserted.</p> - -<p>"Good-evening," said he to his companion, without turning round.</p> - -<p>"Good-evening, sir!" said the new-comer.</p> - -<p>"Well," asked the patriot, with the same affected indifference, "where -are we now?"</p> - -<p>"Well! it is done!"</p> - -<p>"What is done?"</p> - -<p>"As we agreed, I have had some conversation with Father Richard about -the situation. I complained of swimming in the head, dimness of -eyesight,—in short, of general ill-health."</p> - -<p>"What then?"</p> - -<p>"Father Richard called his wife, and she rubbed my temples with -vinegar, and that revived me. Then, as we had arranged between us, I -said that want of fresh air produced this swimming in the head, that I -was of too full a habit, and that the duty at the Conciergerie, which -contains at the present moment four hundred prisoners, was killing me."</p> - -<p>"What did they say to that?"</p> - -<p>"Richard's wife pitied me, but he showed me to the door."</p> - -<p>"It was not enough to show you to the door."</p> - -<p>"But wait! Then his wife, who is a good soul, re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span>proached him with -having no heart, seeing that I was the father of a family."</p> - -<p>"What did he say to that?"</p> - -<p>"He said that she was right; but that the very first condition annexed -to the situation of turnkey was to remain within the prison to which -he was attached; that the Republic did not jest, but would without -ceremony cut the throats of those who grew dizzy in the exercise of -their duty."</p> - -<p>"The devil!" exclaimed the patriot.</p> - -<p>"And he was not far wrong either; for since the Austrian has been -there, it is a perfect hell of surveillance. One would act the spy -there upon his own father." The patriot here gave his plate to the dog -to lick, who was directly bitten by the cat.</p> - -<p>"Go on!" said he, without turning round.</p> - -<p>"At last, sir, I began to groan, and to say that I felt very ill; asked -concerning the infirmary, and said I was certain my children would die -of hunger if my pay was stopped."</p> - -<p>"And Father Richard?"</p> - -<p>"The Father Richard replied that turnkeys had no business with -children."</p> - -<p>"But you had his wife on your side, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"Fortunately! She made a great to-do with her husband, reproached him -with possessing a bad and hard heart, and Richard finished by saying to -me,—</p> - -<p>"'Well! Citizen Gracchus, speak to some one of your friends who will -advance you something on your wages, present him to me, and I promise -to accept him as your substitute.' Upon which I left him, saying,—</p> - -<p>"'Very good, Father Richard, I will directly seek one.'"</p> - -<p>"And you have found one, my brave fellow."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span></p> - -<p>At this moment the mistress of the establishment entered, bringing the -Citizen Gracchus his soup and half-pint.</p> - -<p>This did not suit either the patriot or Gracchus, who evidently had -still some communications to make to each other.</p> - -<p>"Madame," said the turnkey, "I have received a slight remuneration -from Father Richard to-day, which will permit me to treat myself to -some better fare. So bring me a pork cutlet with cucumbers and a -bottle of Burgundy wine; send your servant to fetch the one from the -pork-butcher's, and bring me the other yourself fresh from the cellar."</p> - -<p>The hostess immediately went to execute his orders.</p> - -<p>"Well," said the patriot, "you are an intelligent fellow."</p> - -<p>"So far intelligent that I do not hide from myself what, -notwithstanding all your fine promises, will be the end of us both. Do -you suspect what it may be?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, perfectly."</p> - -<p>"We both stake our necks."</p> - -<p>"Do not be uneasy about mine."</p> - -<p>"It is not yours, sir, I must confess, that causes me the greatest -uneasiness."</p> - -<p>"It is your own?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"But what if I estimate it at double its worth?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, sir, there is nothing more precious than one's neck!"</p> - -<p>"Not yours."</p> - -<p>"Why not mine?"</p> - -<p>"At this moment at least."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> - -<p>"I mean to say your neck is not worth a cent, seeing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> that if I, for -example, were an agent of the Committee of Public Safety, you would be -guillotined to-morrow."</p> - -<p>The turnkey suddenly turned round so abruptly that the dog barked at -him.</p> - -<p>He was as pale as death.</p> - -<p>"Neither turn round nor turn pale about it," said the patriot, "but -finish your soup quietly. I am not an agent, friend. Let me once enter -the Conciergerie, install me in your situation, give me the keys, and -to-morrow I will count out to you fifty thousand francs in gold."</p> - -<p>"Is all this true?"</p> - -<p>"Well, you have excellent security,—my head."</p> - -<p>The turnkey considered for some seconds.</p> - -<p>"Come," said the patriot, who could see him in the glass, "do not -indulge in meditations of evil. If you denounce me, as you will only -have done your duty, you will not receive a sou from the Republic; if -you serve me, and on the contrary are deficient in this same duty to -the Republic, as it is unjust in this world to do anything for nothing, -I will give you fifty thousand francs."</p> - -<p>"I understand perfectly," said the turnkey. "I have every inducement to -do what you require, but I fear the results—"</p> - -<p>"The results! And what have you to fear? I will not denounce you; very -far from it."</p> - -<p>"No doubt."</p> - -<p>"The day after I am duly installed, take a turn through the -Conciergerie, and I will count you twenty-five rolls each containing -two thousand francs. These you can easily dispose of in your two -pockets. With the money I will give you a ticket to leave France. -You go, and wherever you are you will be, if not rich, at least -independent."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well! it is settled, Monsieur, happen what may. I am a poor devil who -never dabbled in politics. France has always got on very well without -me, and will not perish through any fault of mine; if you do a wicked -action so much the worse for you."</p> - -<p>"At all events," said the patriot, "I think I shall never do worse than -they are doing at this moment."</p> - -<p>"Sir, permit me to decline passing an opinion upon the politics of the -National Convention."</p> - -<p>"You are a pattern of philosophy and indifference. When, however, will -you present me to Father Richard?"</p> - -<p>"This evening, if you please."</p> - -<p>"Yes, certainly; but who am I?"</p> - -<p>"My cousin Mardoche."</p> - -<p>"Mardoche, then, let it be; the name pleases me. What trade?"</p> - -<p>"A breeches-maker."</p> - -<p>"Either breeches-maker or tanner. I have that at my fingers' ends."</p> - -<p>"Are you a tanner?"</p> - -<p>"I could be one."</p> - -<p>"True."</p> - -<p>"At what time will you present me?"</p> - -<p>"In half an hour if you like."</p> - -<p>"At nine o'clock then."</p> - -<p>"When shall I have the money?"</p> - -<p>"To-morrow."</p> - -<p>"You must be enormously rich."</p> - -<p>"I am in easy circumstances."</p> - -<p>"A former nobleman? Is it not so?"</p> - -<p>"What does it matter to you?"</p> - -<p>"To possess money, and give it away to run the risk of being -guillotined; surely the former nobility must be great blockheads."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What would you have? Your red Republicans have too much sense to leave -any for others."</p> - -<p>"Hush! here is my wine."</p> - -<p>"This evening, in front of the Conciergerie."</p> - -<p>"All right."</p> - -<p>The patriot paid his bill and went out. At the door his stentorian -voice was heard,—</p> - -<p>"Come, Citizen, quick! make haste with the pork cutlets; my cousin -Gracchus is dying of hunger!"</p> - -<p>"Mardoche is a good fellow," said the turnkey, tasting the wine poured -out for him by the hostess, while she regarded him tenderly.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI">CHAPTER XLI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE REGISTRAR OF THE MINISTER OF WAR.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> patriot left, but he had not gone far. Through the smoky panes -he kept watch over the turnkey, to discover if he entered into -conversation with any of the agents of the Republican police, one of -the best that ever existed, since one half of society closely watched -the other, less from the desire of promoting the great glory of the -government than for the greater security of their own heads.</p> - -<p>But nothing occurred of what the patriot feared. At a few minutes -before nine the turnkey rose, chucked the hostess under the chin, and -went out.</p> - -<p>The patriot rejoined him at the quay of the Conciergerie, and they -entered the prison together.</p> - -<p>On that same evening the affair was concluded, and Father Richard -accepted Mardoche as a substitute for Gracchus.</p> - -<p>Two hours before this arrangement took place, another scene had been -enacted in a different part of the prison, which, although apparently -of no interest, was possessed of vital importance to the principal -personages of this history.</p> - -<p>The registrar of the Conciergerie, fatigued with his day's labor, was -folding up his papers and preparing to leave, when a man, conducted by -Madame Richard, presented himself in his office.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Citizen Registrar," said she, "here is your fellow registrar of the -Minister of War, who comes on the part of the Citizen Minister to -transfer some military entries."</p> - -<p>"Ah, Citizen," said the registrar, "you are too late; I have just put -away all my papers."</p> - -<p>"Dear brother, pardon me," said the new-comer; "but we are really -so overwhelmed with business that we can only achieve our course by -turning our leisure to profit; and our leisure is the time occupied by -others in eating and sleeping."</p> - -<p>"That alters the case, my dear fellow; so make haste, for, as you -observe, it is near supper-time, and I am very hungry. Have you your -documents?"</p> - -<p>"Here they are," said the registrar of the Minister of War, exhibiting -a portfolio of papers which his brother, anxious as he was to leave, -scrutinized with the strictest attention.</p> - -<p>"Oh, they are all right!" said Richard's wife, "and my husband has -already thoroughly inspected them."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, never mind!" said the registrar, continuing his -examination. The registrar of the Minister of War remained like a man -who had expected the strict accomplishment of all due formalities.</p> - -<p>"Perfectly correct," said the registrar of the Conciergerie; "and -you can now commence as soon as you please. Have you many entries to -transfer?"</p> - -<p>"A hundred."</p> - -<p>"That will occupy you for several days."</p> - -<p>"Therefore dear brother, I wish to form a small establishment with -you,—that is to say, if you will permit me."</p> - -<p>"How am I to understand you?" said the registrar of the Conciergerie.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I will explain it to you fully, if you will join us at supper this -evening. You say you are hungry?"</p> - -<p>"I do not deny it."</p> - -<p>"Well, you shall see my wife, who is a good housekeeper; and you will -become better acquainted with me, and will acknowledge me for a good -companion."</p> - -<p>"Faith, yes; you strike me as such, my dear brother; yet, -notwithstanding—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, come without ceremony, and partake of some oysters that I will -purchase as I pass the Place du Châtelet, a roasted chicken, and a few -dishes which Madame Durand excels in."</p> - -<p>"You tempt me, my brother," said the registrar of the Conciergerie, -delighted at the bill of fare, to which he was totally unaccustomed -as a registrar paid by the Revolutionary Tribunal at the rate of two -livres in paper money, in reality hardly equal to two francs.</p> - -<p>"Then you will accept my invitation?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, willingly."</p> - -<p>"In that case, to work to-morrow; this evening let us go."</p> - -<p>"All right; let us start."</p> - -<p>"Are you ready?"</p> - -<p>"In an instant, only I must first inform the gendarmes who guard the -Austrian."</p> - -<p>"Why must you tell them?"</p> - -<p>"So that when they know that I am absent, and that there is no one at -the wicket, they may become suspicious of every noise."</p> - -<p>"Ah, that is a very wise precaution, faith!"</p> - -<p>"You understand now?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly."</p> - -<p>The registrar of the Conciergerie went and knocked at the wicket, which -was opened by one of the gendarmes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Who is there?"</p> - -<p>"I, the registrar, you know. I am going out. Good-evening, Citizen -Gilbert."</p> - -<p>"Good-evening, Citizen Registrar," and the wicket was shut.</p> - -<p>The registrar of the Minister of War had paid the greatest attention -to this scene, and while the door of the queen's prison remained open, -his looks rapidly penetrated to the first compartment, when, seeing the -other gendarme Duchesne seated at table, he felt perfectly assured the -queen had only two guards.</p> - -<p>When the registrar of the Conciergerie returned, his fellow registrar's -face had resumed its expression of stolid indifference.</p> - -<p>As they went out of the Conciergerie two men entered. They were the -Citizen Gracchus and his cousin Mardoche.</p> - -<p>On seeing each other, Cousin Mardoche and the registrar of the Minister -of War each, by a simultaneous movement arising from the same impulse, -pulled over their eyes, the one his hairy bonnet, the other his -broad-brimmed hat.</p> - -<p>"Who are these men?" asked the registrar of the Minister of War.</p> - -<p>"I only know one of them; it is a turnkey named Gracchus."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said the other, with affected indifference, "do the turnkeys then -go out of the Conciergerie?"</p> - -<p>"They have their day."</p> - -<p>The investigation did not proceed any further, and the new friends took -the road to the Pont-au-Change. At the corner of the Place du Châtelet, -the registrar of the Minister of War, following the programme he had -announced, purchased some oysters, and continued his way by the Quai de -Gèvres.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span></p> - -<p>The dwelling of this individual was simple. The Citizen Durand -inhabited three little rooms in the Place de Grève, in a house -without any porter. Each tenant had a key of the door in the passage, -and it was agreed that if any one had omitted to take his key, he -should intimate the same by one, two, or three raps with the knocker, -according to the story he inhabited, and any one who was waiting, and -heard the signal, then descended and opened the door; but the Citizen -Durand, having provided himself with his key, had not any occasion to -knock. They ascended two flights of stairs, when the Citizen Durand -drew another key from his pocket, and they both entered.</p> - -<p>The registrar of the Palace found his friend's wife much to his taste. -She was indeed a charming woman; an appearance of profound melancholy -diffused over her countenance stamped it with an expression of deep -interest. It has always been allowed that sadness is seductive in -women, especially pretty women. It attracts all men without exception, -even registrars,—for registrars are but men after all; and what man -possessed with natural feeling would not wish to console a pretty woman -in affliction, and, as the Citizen Dorat remarks, "Change the pale tint -of the white rose to a livelier hue"?</p> - -<p>The two registrars did ample justice to their excellent supper; it was -only Madame Durand who ate nothing.</p> - -<p>In the mean time conversation proceeded. The registrar inquired of his -brother registrar—with a curiosity the more remarkable in these days, -when such frightful dramas were daily enacted—concerning the customs -of the Palace, the days of judgment, and the means of surveillance.</p> - -<p>The registrar of the Palace, delighted at being listened to with so -much deference, replied with the greatest complaisance, spoke of the -manners of the jailers, of Fouquier<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> Tinville, and lastly of Citizen -Sanson, the principal actor in the tragedies daily performed upon the -Place de la Révolution.</p> - -<p>Then in his turn, addressing his colleague and host, he made various -inquiries concerning his vocation and ministry.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Durand, "I am not so well informed as yourself, being a -person of much less importance, seeing that I am rather secretary -to the registrar than the incumbent of the place. I do the work of -the registrar-in-chief,—an obscure employment,—laborious for me, -profitable for them; but that is the way with all bureaucracies, not -excepting those of the Revolution. Heaven and earth may perhaps change -one day, but these things never."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will assist you, Citizen," said the registrar of the Palace, -charmed with the excellence of his host's wine, and above all with the -beautiful eyes of Madame Durand.</p> - -<p>"Thanks!" said he to whom this offer had been made, "anything to vary -the habits; and locality is some distraction to a poor employee. I wish -to protract my work at the Conciergerie rather than to hasten it, and -therefore thought if I might every day bring Madame Durand with me to -the office, who is very dull here—"</p> - -<p>"I do not see any inconvenience in that," said the registrar of the -Palace, delighted with the prospect of the charming recreation afforded -him by his colleague.</p> - -<p>"She can dictate the papers," said the Citizen Durand; "and -occasionally when our work is finished, if you have not found this -evening unpleasant, you can return and spend an hour or two with us."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but not too often," replied the registrar of the Palace, -foppishly; "for I declare I shall be scolded if I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> return later than -usual to a small house in the Rue du Petit Musc."</p> - -<p>"Oh, we shall arrange all that splendidly; shall we not, my dear?"</p> - -<p>Madame Durand, pale and melancholy as usual, raised her eyes toward her -husband, and replied,—</p> - -<p>"What you wish shall be done."</p> - -<p>Eleven o'clock struck, announcing it was time to retire. The registrar -of the Palace rose and took leave of his new friends, expressing the -great pleasure he felt in making their acquaintance.</p> - -<p>The Citizen Durand conducted his friend to the landing, then re-entered -the apartment.</p> - -<p>"Go, Geneviève, go to bed!" said he.</p> - -<p>The young woman made no reply, but rose directly, took her lamp, -and withdrew to the bedroom on the right. Durand, or rather Dixmer, -watched her departure, remained stationary for a moment with a gloomy, -thoughtful expression of countenance, and then passed into his own -chamber on the opposite side.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII">CHAPTER XLII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE TWO BILLETS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">From</span> this time the registrar of the Minister of War worked every -evening indefatigably in his colleague's office, while Madame Durand -dictated from the registers previously prepared, which Durand copied -with avidity.</p> - -<p>Durand strictly examined everything, while appearing to notice nothing. -He had remarked that every evening, at nine o'clock, a basket of -provisions, carried by either Richard or his wife, was placed at the -door.</p> - -<p>The instant the registrar said to the gendarme, "I am going, Citizen," -one of the guards, either Gilbert or Duchesne, came out, took the -basket, and carried it to Marie Antoinette.</p> - -<p>During three consecutive evenings, when Durand had remained rather -later at his post, the basket also was left untouched, since it was -only when opening the door to say adieu to the registrar that the -gendarme took in the basket containing the provisions, which a quarter -of an hour afterward was returned empty to the same place by one of the -two guards.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the fourth day, it was the beginning of October, when -after the ordinary sitting the registrar of the Palace had withdrawn, -and Durand, or rather Dixmer, remained alone with his wife; he laid -down his pen, looked around and listened as if his very life was at -stake; he then rose hastily, and running noiselessly toward the door of -the wicket, raised the cloth which cov<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span>ered the contents of the basket, -and in the new bread destined for the prisoner inserted a small silver -case.</p> - -<p>Pale and trembling with that emotion which even men of the strongest -organization feel when they have done an act of the most vital -importance, the moment for which has been long planned and patiently -awaited, he quickly regained his seat, and sank down overpowered, -placing one hand on his forehead, the other on his heart.</p> - -<p>Geneviève regarded him in silence; indeed, since the day her husband -had taken her from Maurice, she had never spoken till he addressed her -first. But this time she first broke silence.</p> - -<p>"Is it to be this evening?" she inquired.</p> - -<p>"No; to-morrow," replied Dixmer.</p> - -<p>He then rose, and having again looked and listened, closed the -registers, and approaching the wicket, knocked at the door.</p> - -<p>"What now?" said Gilbert.</p> - -<p>"Citizen," said he, "I am going."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the gendarme, from the end of the cell, "good-night."</p> - -<p>"Good-night, Citizen Gilbert."</p> - -<p>Durand heard the grinding of the bolts, and knew that the gendarme was -opening the door. He went out.</p> - -<p>In the passage leading from the apartment of Father Richard to the -court, he jostled against a turnkey dressed in a bear-skin bonnet, and -dangling a heavy bunch of keys.</p> - -<p>Dixmer was much alarmed. Perhaps this man, brutal as the generality of -his species, was about to interrogate him, to watch him, and perhaps to -recognize him. He drew his hat over his eyes, while Geneviève concealed -herself, as she best could, in the folds of her cloak. But he was -mistaken.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Pardon!" said the turnkey only, although he was the man who had been -nearly overthrown.</p> - -<p>Dixmer trembled at the sound of that sweet soft voice. But the turnkey -was doubtless pressed for time; he glided into the passage, opened -Richard's door, and disappeared. Dixmer continued his road, leading -Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"It is strange," said he, when outside and the gate had closed behind -them, and the freshening breeze had cooled his fevered brow.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, 'tis very strange!" murmured Geneviève.</p> - -<p>In former times they would have communicated to each other the cause -of their astonishment, but Dixmer now confined his thoughts to his -own breast, and combated them as an hallucination; while Geneviève -contented herself, on turning the corner of the Pont-au-Change, with -casting a last look at the dark and gloomy Palace, where something like -the phantom of a lost friend awoke in her memory many sweet and bitter -remembrances.</p> - -<p>They both reached La Grève without having exchanged a single word.</p> - -<p>During this time the Gendarme Gilbert had brought in the basket of -provisions intended for the queen. It contained some fruit, a cold -chicken, a bottle of white wine, a carafe of water, and half a loaf.</p> - -<p>Having first raised the napkin, and ascertained that everything was -arranged as usual, he opened the screen.</p> - -<p>"Citizeness," said he, "here is your supper."</p> - -<p>Marie Antoinette divided the bread; but as her fingers pressed it, they -came in contact with the silver. In an instant she comprehended that -the bread contained something unusual.</p> - -<p>When she looked around her the guard had already disappeared.</p> - -<p>The queen remained for an instant motionless, calcu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span>lating his retiring -footsteps. When she felt certain he was seated by his comrade, and -not till then, she drew the case from its place of concealment. It -contained a billet, which she opened, and read as follows:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Madame, be ready to-morrow at the hour when you receive this billet, -as to-morrow at this hour a female will be introduced into your -Majesty's prison. This female will exchange dresses with you, and you -will then quit the Conciergerie on the arm of one of your most devoted -servants.</p> - -<p>"Do not be alarmed at any noise that passes in the first compartment; -let neither cries nor groans deter you, only attire yourself quickly -in the dress and mantle of the female who comes to take your Majesty's -place."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"This is devotion!" murmured the queen. "Thank God, I am not, as it is -said, an object of execration to all!"</p> - -<p>She then re-read the billet, when the second paragraph attracted her -attention,—"Let neither cries nor groans deter you."</p> - -<p>"Oh! that means they will sacrifice my two guards. Poor men, who have -evinced so much kindness and pity toward me! Oh, never!—never!"</p> - -<p>She tore off the blank portion of the letter, and having neither pen -nor ink, pricked on the paper the following words,—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>I neither can nor will accept the sacrifice of any one's life in -exchange for my own.</p> - -<p> -M.A.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>She then replaced the paper in the case, which she concealed in the -other half of the broken bread.</p> - -<p>This operation was just completed when ten o'clock struck; and the -queen, holding the piece of bread in her hand, sadly counted the -strokes which vibrated slowly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span> and distantly, when she heard at one of -the windows opening upon the court termed the women's court a grating -sound, like that produced by a diamond dividing the glass. This noise -was followed by a slight knock upon the window, which was several -times repeated, with the intention of concealing the cough of a man. -Then at the corner of the pane a small roll of paper appeared, which -glided slowly down and fell on the inside of the wall. The queen then -heard the sound of keys jingling and clashing against each other, and -receding footsteps on the pavement.</p> - -<p>She was aware that the window had been perforated at this corner, and -that through this aperture the departing individual had conveyed a -paper which was doubtless a billet. It was now lying on the ground. The -queen fixed her eyes upon it, listening if either of her guards was -approaching, but heard them conversing in a low tone as they usually -did, as if by a tacit agreement not to annoy her with their voices. -Then she rose softly, holding her breath, and secured the paper. Some -minute and hard substance slipped from it, which, falling on the -bricks, sounded like metal. It was the most exquisite file that could -be imagined,—more of the jewel than the tool,—one of those steel -springs, with which the most feeble and uninitiated hand could, in a -quarter of an hour, divide a bar of iron. The paper said:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Madame, to-morrow, at half-past nine, a man will be conversing with -the gendarmes who guard you, through the window of the women's court. -During this time your Majesty will saw the third bar of your window, -going from the left to the right. Cut slanting. A quarter of an hour -will suffice for your Majesty; and then be prepared to escape through -the window. This advice reaches you from one of your most devoted and -faithful subjects; one who has consecrated his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> life to your Majesty's -service, and would be happy also to sacrifice it for you."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Oh!" murmured the queen, "it must be a snare. But no; this writing -appears familiar to me,—it is the same as at the Temple. It is—it -must be that of the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge! God is perhaps willing -that I should escape."</p> - -<p>And the queen fell on her knees, and took refuge in prayer, the only -balm and consolation undenied to the unfortunate prisoner.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII">CHAPTER XLIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE PREPARATIONS OF DIXMER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> morrow, prefaced by a sleepless night, at length arrived, -presenting a terrible appearance, and it might, without exaggeration, -be said that the sky was the color of blood.</p> - -<p>Indeed, each day at this epoch and in this year, however beautiful the -sun, had a livid hue.</p> - -<p>The queen slept with difficulty, and it was a sleep without repose. -Hardly had she closed her eyes when she seemed to see blood, when she -seemed to hear shrieks.</p> - -<p>She had dropped asleep with the file in her hand. One part of the day -was devoted by her to prayer, and the guards, seeing her often thus -engaged, did not feel any alarm at what they considered an increase of -religious feeling.</p> - -<p>From time to time, however, she examined the file transmitted to her -by one of her intended deliverers, and compared the fragility of the -instrument with the strength of the bar.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, these bars were only secured in the wall on one -side,—that is to say, at the lower part.</p> - -<p>The upper part was set in a crossbar; the lower part divided, there was -only to pull the bar, and it of course would yield.</p> - -<p>But it was not the physical difficulties which worried the queen. She -perfectly comprehended that the thing was possible, and it was this -very possibility which caused hope, like a blood-red meteor, to dazzle -her eyes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span></p> - -<p>She felt that to reach her, her friends must necessarily sacrifice her -guards; and could she at any price consent to the death of the only -individuals who, for a length of time, had evinced any interest in her, -or pity for her?</p> - -<p>On the other hand, beyond these bars which she had been directed -to saw, over the bodies of the two men who would have to die in -endeavoring to prevent her deliverers from reaching her, were life, -liberty, and perhaps vengeance,—three things so sweet, especially to a -woman, that she asked pardon of God for so earnestly desiring them.</p> - -<p>She believed, moreover, that not the slightest suspicion agitated the -minds of her guards; that they had not any idea of a snare (if such a -thing existed) into which it was intended their prisoner should fall.</p> - -<p>These simple men would have betrayed themselves to eyes so much -exercised as those of this woman, habituated to detect evil from having -so severely suffered from it.</p> - -<p>The queen, then, entirely abandoned the idea that these double -overtures were contrived as a trap; but as the fear of being betrayed -into this snare disappeared, the still greater apprehension increased -of bloodshed for her sake, before her very eyes.</p> - -<p>"Strange destiny! sublime sight!" murmured she; "two conspiracies -united to save a poor queen, or rather a poor female prisoner who has -had no means of inducing or encouraging these conspiracies which are -about to take place at the same moment! Who knows? Perhaps there may be -one only. Perhaps it may be a double mine, leading to one and the same -point.</p> - -<p>"If I wished, I might then be saved.</p> - -<p>"But a poor woman sacrificed in my stead!—two men killed before this -woman could reach me! God and the future might perhaps forgive me. -Impossible! impossible!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then passed and repassed in her mind visions of the great devotion of -servants for their masters, and the ancient traditions of the right -exercised by masters over the lives of their retainers,—phantasies -almost effaced from the mind of expiring royalty.</p> - -<p>"Anne of Austria would have accepted this," said she. "Anne of Austria -would have set aside every consideration to the safety of the royal -person.</p> - -<p>"Anne of Austria was of the same blood, and was almost in the same -situation as myself.</p> - -<p>"What madness to have come to France to pursue Anne of Austria's -principles of royalty! Was I not brought hither? Two kings said, It is -important that two royal children who have never seen or loved each -other, who perhaps never may love each other, should be married at the -same altar, to die upon the same scaffold.</p> - -<p>"And then will not my death accelerate that of my poor child, who in -the eyes of my few friends is still king of France?</p> - -<p>"And when my son, like his father, is dead, will not their shades -both smile on me in pity, seeing me, in order to spare some drops of -plebeian blood, stain with my own the remains of the throne of Saint -Louis?"</p> - -<p>In this ever-increasing anguish of thought, this fever of doubt whose -pulsations went on in geometrical progression, and in a tempest of -terror and fear, the unhappy queen continued till the arrival of night.</p> - -<p>She had several times closely scrutinized her guards; but they had -never appeared more composed.</p> - -<p>Never had she been more forcibly struck by the invariable kindness and -attention of these two uneducated men.</p> - -<p>When the darkness of night reigned in the cell; when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> the steps of the -patrol, the noise of resounding arms, and the barking of dogs awoke -the echoes of the gloomy vaults; when all the horrors of the prison -revealed themselves, gloomy and hopeless,—Marie Antoinette, subdued by -the natural weakness of a woman, rose affrighted.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I will fly! I will fly!" said she. "Yes, yes; I will fly! When he -comes, when he speaks, I will saw the bar. I will await what God and -my deliverers ordain me. I owe myself to my children. They shall not -murder them; or if they slay them, and I am free—oh, then, at least—"</p> - -<p>She did not conclude; her eyes closed, and her deep emotion checked -all utterance. This was a frightful vision to the unfortunate queen, -enclosed with gratings and iron bars. But soon this vision disappeared, -and in its stead another presented itself to her view. Gratings and -bolts had vanished. She saw herself in the midst of a dark, stern, -inflexible army; she orders the fire to consume, the sword to leap from -the scabbard, and vengeance to be taken on a people she will no longer -claim as her own.</p> - -<p>During this time Gilbert and Duchesne were conversing tranquilly, and -preparing their evening repast.</p> - -<p>At this time, also, Dixmer and Geneviève entered the Conciergerie, and -installed themselves in the office as usual. At the end of an hour the -registrar of the Palace, having completed his business, according to -custom took his departure, leaving them alone to themselves.</p> - -<p>Directly the door had closed on his colleague, Dixmer rushed toward the -empty basket placed at the door in exchange for that of the evening. He -seized the bread, broke it, and found the case. The queen's answer was -enclosed within it; he grew pale on reading it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span></p> - -<p>Geneviève observed him tear it into a thousand pieces, and throw them -into the mouth of the burning stove.</p> - -<p>"It is well," said he; "all is arranged."</p> - -<p>Then turning toward Geneviève,—</p> - -<p>"Come here, Madame," said he; "I must speak with you, and must speak -low." Geneviève, motionless and cold as marble, gave a gesture of -assent, and approached him.</p> - -<p>"The time has arrived, Madame; listen to me!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"You prefer a death beneficial to your cause,—a death that will insure -you the blessings of your party and pity from the whole nation,—to an -ignominious and revengeful end of life, do you not?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"I might have killed you on the spot when I found you in the house of -your lover; but a man who, like myself, consecrates his life to a holy -and honorable cause, ought to be able to profit by his own private -griefs by rendering them subservient to this cause. This I have done, -or rather intend to do. I have, as you see, denied myself the pleasure -of doing myself justice, and have also spared your lover."</p> - -<p>Something resembling a fugitive but appalling smile flitted over the -lips of Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"But as for your lover, you who know me should be well aware that I -only bide my time."</p> - -<p>"Monsieur," said Geneviève, "I am ready. Then wherefore all this -prelude?"</p> - -<p>"You are ready?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am ready. Kill me, if you choose; you have good cause to do so."</p> - -<p>Dixmer looked at Geneviève, and started in spite of himself. She at -this moment appeared sublimely beau<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span>tiful; a glory the most brilliant -of all shone around her,—the glory that emanates from love.</p> - -<p>"To continue," said Dixmer, "I have informed the queen; she expects -you, notwithstanding she will in all probability raise numerous -objections. You must overrule them all."</p> - -<p>"Give me your orders, sir, and I will execute them."</p> - -<p>"Immediately," continued Dixmer, "I shall knock at the door; Gilbert -will open it, and with this poniard—" here Dixmer threw open his coat, -and half drawing from its scabbard a double-edged poniard—"with this I -shall kill him."</p> - -<p>Geneviève shuddered.</p> - -<p>Dixmer made a motion with his hand to command her attention.</p> - -<p>"The instant I strike him, dart into the second chamber, that of the -queen. There is, as you are aware, no door, only a screen. You will -exchange clothes with her while I despatch the other soldier. Then I -shall take the queen's arm, and pass through the wicket with her."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said Geneviève, coldly.</p> - -<p>"You understand me?" said Dixmer. "You have been seen each evening in -your black taffeta mantle which conceals your face. Place your mantle -upon her Majesty, and arrange it on her precisely as you have been -accustomed to arrange it on yourself."</p> - -<p>"All shall be done as you desire, sir."</p> - -<p>"It remains now for me to pardon and to thank you, Madame."</p> - -<p>Geneviève shook her head with a scornful smile.</p> - -<p>"I neither want your pardon nor your thanks, sir," said she, extending -her hand. "What I have done, or rather am about to do, would efface -a crime. I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> only been guilty of a weakness; and again, this -weakness—recall your own conduct, sir—you all but forced me to -commit. I withdrew myself from him; you drove me back into his arms; -so you are at the same time instigator, judge, and avenger. It remains -for me to pardon you my death; and I do pardon you. It is I who should -thank you for death, since life has become insupportable to me, -separated from the only man I love; since that hour especially when you -severed by your savage vengeance every tie that bound me to him."</p> - -<p>Dixmer drove his nails into his flesh. He strove to reply, but his -voice failed him.</p> - -<p>He moved toward the wicket.</p> - -<p>"Time passes," said he, at last. "Madame, every moment is of -consequence. Are you ready?"</p> - -<p>"I have told you, sir," replied Geneviève, with the calmness and -courage of a martyr, "I await you."</p> - -<p>Dixmer collected his papers, saw that the gates were fast closed, so -that no one could enter the wicket, and then wished to reiterate his -instructions.</p> - -<p>"It is unnecessary, sir," said Geneviève. "I know perfectly all I have -to do."</p> - -<p>"Then, adieu!" and Dixmer extended his hand, as if at this supreme -moment all recrimination was effaced before the grandeur of the -situation and the sublimity of the sacrifice.</p> - -<p>Geneviève, shuddering, touched with the tips of her fingers the -proffered hand of her husband.</p> - -<p>"Place yourself near me, Madame, and the moment I have struck Gilbert, -pass on."</p> - -<p>"I am ready."</p> - -<p>Then Dixmer grasped in his right hand his poniard; with his left he -knocked at the gate.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV">CHAPTER XLIV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE PREPARATIONS OF THE CHEVALIER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> the scene described in the preceding chapter as passing at the -door of the register-office leading into the prison of the queen, or -rather into the first compartment occupied by the two gendarmes, other -preparations were taking place on the opposite side,—that is to say, -in the women's court.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a man appeared, like a statue of stone which had detached -itself from the wall. He was followed by two dogs, and was humming the -"Ça ira," a song much in vogue at this period. He held in his hand a -large bunch of keys, which, in passing, he had rattled against the bars -which barricaded the window of the queen.</p> - -<p>The royal prisoner at first started, but recognizing the signal, -immediately opened her window softly to commence her work, with a hand -more experienced than would have been believed; for more than once in -the blacksmith's shop where her royal husband amused himself by passing -part of the day, she had with her delicate fingers handled instruments -similar to that upon which at this moment depended her every chance of -safety and deliverance.</p> - -<p>Directly the man with the keys heard the queen's window open, he -knocked at that of the gendarmes.</p> - -<p>"Ah! ah!" said Gilbert, looking through the window, "here is the -Citizen Mardoche."</p> - -<p>"Himself," said the turnkey. "Well, but it appears you keep strict -watch?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Much as usual, Citizen Key-bearer. It seems to me you do not often -find us at fault?"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Mardoche; "and vigilance is more than ever necessary -to-night."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" said Duchesne, who had now approached.</p> - -<p>"Truly."</p> - -<p>"Why, then?"</p> - -<p>"Open the window, and I will tell you all about it."</p> - -<p>Gilbert opened it, and shook hands with Mardoche, who had already made -friends with the two gendarmes.</p> - -<p>"What is it, Citizen Mardoche?" repeated Gilbert.</p> - -<p>"The sitting of the Convention has been rather hot to-day. Have you -read about it?"</p> - -<p>"No. What passed then?"</p> - -<p>"It was first stated that the Citizen Hébert had made a discovery."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"It is, that the conspirators believed to be dead are found to be -alive, and very much alive indeed."</p> - -<p>"Oh! yes," said Gilbert; "Delessart and Thierry; I have heard speak of -that. They are in England, the scoundrels!"</p> - -<p>"And the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge?" asked the key-bearer, raising his -voice so that the queen might hear.</p> - -<p>"What, is he in England also?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all," said Mardoche; "he is in France," still speaking in the -same loud key.</p> - -<p>"He has returned, then?"</p> - -<p>"He has never quitted it."</p> - -<p>"Well, he, for one, has good courage," said Duchesne.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, he has."</p> - -<p>"Well, are they going to arrest him?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly; but that is much easier said than done."</p> - -<p>At this moment the queen's file grated so forcibly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> upon the iron bars -that the turnkey feared it might be heard, notwithstanding all his -efforts to drown the sound. He hastily trod upon the paw of the nearest -of his dogs, which uttered a prolonged howl of pain.</p> - -<p>"Oh, poor beast!" said Gilbert.</p> - -<p>"Bah!" said the turnkey, "he had not put on his clogs. Be quiet, -Girondin; will you be quiet?"</p> - -<p>"Is your dog named Girondin, Citizen Mardoche?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; that is the name I have given him."</p> - -<p>"But pray go on with what you were telling us," said Duchesne, who, -imprisoned himself, took that lively interest in news that all -prisoners feel.</p> - -<p>"I was telling you that in the Citizen Hébert you see a good patriot; -and Hébert has made a motion to return the Austrian to the Temple."</p> - -<p>"And why so?"</p> - -<p>"Faith! because he pretends that she was only withdrawn from the Temple -to remove her from the immediate inspection of the Commune of Paris."</p> - -<p>"Yes; and from the attempts of that cursed Maison-Rouge," said Gilbert; -"it seems too that the subterranean passage still exists."</p> - -<p>"That was the reply the Citizen Sauterre made; but Hébert said, the -instant that was defeated there was no more danger; that at the Temple, -fewer precautions were requisite for the security of Marie Antoinette -than here; and finally, that the Temple was a much more secure place -than the Conciergerie."</p> - -<p>"Faith!" said Gilbert, "for my part, I wish they would remove her again -to the Temple."</p> - -<p>"I understand; you are tired of the confinement?"</p> - -<p>"No; but it makes me melancholy."</p> - -<p>Maison-Rouge coughed loudly, as the noise of the file biting through -the iron bar was distinctly heard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, what have they decided on?" said Duchesne, when the turnkey's -cough had subsided.</p> - -<p>"It is settled that she shall remain here, but that her trial shall -take place immediately."</p> - -<p>"Poor woman!" said Gilbert.</p> - -<p>Duchesne, whose sense of hearing was no doubt more acute than that -of his colleague, or his attention less engrossed by the recital of -Mardoche, stooped down to listen on the left side of the compartment.</p> - -<p>The turnkey saw the movement.</p> - -<p>"So you see, Citizen Duchesne," said he, in an animated tone, "the -attempts of the conspirators will become the more desperate from the -fact of their having less time before them for their execution. They -are going to double the guards of the prisons; so look out, Citizen -Gendarme, since the matter in question is nothing less than the -irruption of an armed force into the Conciergerie. They will murder -all, sacrifice every impediment, till they effect an entrance to the -queen,—to the widow of Capet, I mean to say."</p> - -<p>"Ah! bah! How can these conspirators of yours get in?"</p> - -<p>"Disguised as patriots, they will pretend to recommence the 2d of -September, the rascals! and when once the gates are open, good-night!"</p> - -<p>There was an instant's silence, produced by the astonishment of the -guards.</p> - -<p>The turnkey heard with emotions of joy and terror the continued grating -of the file. Nine o'clock struck.</p> - -<p>At the same moment there was a knock at the wicket, but the gendarmes, -preoccupied, did not reply.</p> - -<p>"Well, we shall watch, we shall watch!" said Gilbert.</p> - -<p>"And if necessary, will die at our post like staunch Republicans," -added Duchesne.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span></p> - -<p>"She must soon be done," said the turnkey to himself, wiping the drops -of perspiration from his face.</p> - -<p>"And you on your side," said Gilbert, "keep on the lookout, I presume? -They would spare you no more than us, were such an event as you have -been talking of to take place."</p> - -<p>"I should think so," said the turnkey. "I pass the night in going the -round; thus I am always on the alert. The rest of you at least relieve -each other, and can sleep every other night."</p> - -<p>At this moment a second summons at the wicket was heard. Mardoche -started; any event, however trifling, might mar the execution of his -project.</p> - -<p>"What is it, then?" demanded he, in spite of himself.</p> - -<p>"Nothing, nothing!" said Gilbert; "it is only the registrar of the -Minister of War. He is going now, and comes to inform me of it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, very well!" said Mardoche.</p> - -<p>The registrar still continued to knock.</p> - -<p>"All right!" cried Gilbert, without leaving the window. "Good-night! -Adieu!"</p> - -<p>"I think he is speaking to you," said Duchesne, turning toward the -door. The voice of the registrar was then heard.</p> - -<p>"Come here, Citizen Gendarme," said he; "I wish to speak to you."</p> - -<p>This voice, which appeared affected by some strong emotion which -deprived it of its natural accent, startled the turnkey, who fancied he -recognized it.</p> - -<p>"What do you want, Citizen Durand?" asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p>"I wish to speak a word with you."</p> - -<p>"Well, you can tell me to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"No, this evening; it must be this evening," replied the same voice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Hah!" murmured the turnkey, "what is about to happen now? It is -Dixmer's voice."</p> - -<p>Sinister and vibrating, this voice seemed to borrow something funereal -from the far-off echoes of the gloomy corridor.</p> - -<p>Duchesne turned round.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Gilbert, "if he wishes it I must go," and he directed his -steps toward the door.</p> - -<p>The turnkey availed himself of this moment when the attention of the -two gendarmes was thus occupied by this unforeseen circumstance. He ran -toward the window of the queen.</p> - -<p>"Is it done?" said he.</p> - -<p>"I have more than half finished," said the queen.</p> - -<p>"Oh, for the love of God!" murmured he; "make haste! make haste!"</p> - -<p>"Hallo! Citizen Mardoche," said Duchesne, "what has become of you?"</p> - -<p>"Here I am," said the turnkey, returning quickly to the window of the -first compartment.</p> - -<p>At that very moment, and as he turned to resume his former station, a -frightful cry resounded through the prison, then an oath, and the ring -of a sword snatched from its scabbard.</p> - -<p>"Villain! brigand!" cried Gilbert, and the sound of a struggle was -heard in the corridor.</p> - -<p>At the same moment the door opened, displaying to the eyes of the -turnkey two shadows struggling in the wicket, and thus affording free -passage to a female, who, pushing aside Duchesne, rushed into the -queen's chamber.</p> - -<p>Duchesne, without noticing the woman, ran to his comrade's assistance.</p> - -<p>The turnkey sprang toward the other window, and beheld the female on -her knees before the queen, praying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span> and supplicating her Majesty to -exchange clothes with her.</p> - -<p>He lowered his burning eyes, endeavoring to gain a clearer view of this -woman whom he feared he had already recognized too well. All at once he -uttered a dreadful cry.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève! Geneviève!" murmured he.</p> - -<p>The queen had dropped the file from her hand, and seemed transfixed -with despair. Here, alas! was another abortive attempt.</p> - -<p>The turnkey seized the bar with both hands, shook it with all his -strength; but the file had not accomplished its work, the bar of iron -would not yield to his efforts.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Dixmer had hurled Gilbert back into the prison, and would -have entered with him, but Duchesne, leaning against the door, -prevented him. But he was unable to close it, for Dixmer, in despair, -had placed his arm between the gate and the wall.</p> - -<p>In his hand he still retained the poniard, which in the contest, -checked by the buckle of the belt, had glided over the gendarme's -breast, tearing open his coat and lacerating his flesh.</p> - -<p>The two gendarmes encouraged each other to reunite their efforts, at -the same time calling loudly for assistance.</p> - -<p>Dixmer felt his arm must break; he placed his shoulder against the -door, shook it violently, and succeeded in withdrawing his bruised arm.</p> - -<p>The door closed with a great noise; Duchesne pushed the bolts, while -Gilbert turned the key.</p> - -<p>A rapid step was heard in the corridor, then all was over. The two -gendarmes looked at each other, and searched everywhere around them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span></p> - -<p>They detected the sound of the assumed turnkey wrenching the bar.</p> - -<p>Gilbert rushed into the queen's chamber, where he found Geneviève -entreating her Majesty on her knees to exchange clothes with her.</p> - -<p>Duchesne seized his gun and ran to the window; he discovered a man -hanging to the bar, which he shook with rage, and tried in vain to -scale.</p> - -<p>He pointed his gun.</p> - -<p>The young man saw it levelled at him.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! yes!" cried he, "kill me! kill me!" and sublime in his -despair, he bared his breast to the bullet.</p> - -<p>"Chevalier," said the queen,—"Chevalier, I entreat you to live."</p> - -<p>At the sound of the queen's voice the Chevalier sank upon his knees. -The gun was discharged, but this movement saved him; the ball passed -over his head. Geneviève, imagining her friend was dead, fell upon the -ground without sense or motion. When the smoke disappeared, no one was -seen in the women's court.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes afterward, thirty soldiers, led by two commissioners, -searched the Conciergerie even to its most inaccessible retreats.</p> - -<p>They discovered no one; the registrar had passed, calm and smiling, -before Father Richard's arm-chair.</p> - -<p>As to the turnkey, he had gone out crying, "Alarm! alarm!"</p> - -<p>The sentinel opposed his egress with his bayonet, but his two dogs -seized the soldier by the throat.</p> - -<p>Geneviève alone was arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV">CHAPTER XLV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE INQUIRY.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> can no longer leave in forgetfulness one of the principal personages -of this history, he who, during the accomplishment of the various -incidents of the preceding chapter had suffered most of all, and whose -anxieties merit the liveliest sympathy on the part of our readers.</p> - -<p>The sun shone gloriously in the Rue de la Monnaie, and the gossips were -discoursing merrily at their doors, as if for the last ten months a -mist of blood had not hung over the city, when Maurice returned home, -bringing, as he had promised, the cabriolet with him. He gave the -bridle of the horse to a shoeblack, on the pavement of Saint Eustache, -and hastily ran upstairs, his heart filled with joy.</p> - -<p>Love is a vivifying sentiment. It animates hearts long deadened to -every other sensation; it peoples the desert; it resuscitates before -the eyes the shade of the beloved one; it causes the voice which sings -in the soul of the lover to display before him the entire creation -illumined by the brilliant rays of hope and happiness,—at the same -time it is egotistical, blinding him who loves to all but the existence -of the beloved object.</p> - -<p>Maurice neither saw these women nor listened to their commentaries; he -saw only Geneviève preparing for a departure which was at last to bring -them durable happiness; he heard only Geneviève singing carelessly her -customary song, and this little song trilled so sweetly in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> his ear -that he might have sworn he was listening to the varied modulations of -her voice, mingled with the less harmonious sound of closing locks.</p> - -<p>Upon the landing Maurice stopped; the door was half open; it was -generally kept closed, and this circumstance surprised Maurice. He -looked all around, thinking Geneviève was in the corridor. She was not -there. He entered, looked in the antechamber, the dining-room, the -parlor, the bed-chamber; but anteroom, parlor, and bed-chamber were all -empty. He loudly called. No one replied.</p> - -<p>The official, as he knew, had gone out. Maurice imagined that during -his absence Geneviève had perhaps required some cord to fasten her -trunk, or some refreshments to store in the carriage, and had gone out -to purchase them. He thought it imprudent; but although every moment -his anxiety increased, he as yet feared nothing serious.</p> - -<p>Maurice waited for some time, walking up and down the room with long -impatient strides, and occasionally leaning out of the window, which, -half opened, admitted puffs of air charged heavily with rain.</p> - -<p>But soon he believed that he heard a step upon the staircase; he -listened, it was not that of Geneviève; he ran to the landing, looked -over the palisade, and recognized the official, who leisurely mounted -the stairs after the manner of domestics.</p> - -<p>"Scævola!" cried he.</p> - -<p>The official raised his head.</p> - -<p>"Ah! is it you, Citizen?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Where is the lady?"</p> - -<p>"The lady?" demanded Scævola, with much surprise, as he continued -mounting the stairs.</p> - -<p>"Certainly! Have you seen her below?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Go down, then, and ask the porter, and inquire of all the neighbors!"</p> - -<p>Scævola descended.</p> - -<p>"Quicker! quicker!" said his master; "do you not see I am burning with -impatience?"</p> - -<p>After waiting five or six minutes, and Scævola not having made his -appearance, Maurice re-entered the apartment and again leaned out of -the window. He saw Scævola enter several shops, and leave them without -having gained any fresh intelligence. He called him. The official -raised his head, and saw his master impatiently looking from the -window. Maurice signed to him to come up.</p> - -<p>"It is impossible that she has gone out," said Maurice to himself, and -again he called, "Geneviève! Geneviève!"</p> - -<p>All was silent as death; even the solitary chamber appeared no longer -to have an echo. Scævola reappeared.</p> - -<p>"Well?" demanded Maurice.</p> - -<p>"The porter is the only person who has seen her."</p> - -<p>"The porter has seen her; how was that?"</p> - -<p>"He saw her go out."</p> - -<p>"She has gone out, then?"</p> - -<p>"It seems so."</p> - -<p>"Alone! It is impossible Geneviève would go out alone."</p> - -<p>"She was not alone, Citizen; she had a man with her."</p> - -<p>"How! a man with her?"</p> - -<p>"That is what the porter says, at least."</p> - -<p>"Go and seek him. I must find out who this man was."</p> - -<p>Scævola made a step toward the door, then, turning, "Wait," said he, -appearing to reflect.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What is it?" said Maurice. "Speak, or you will be the death of me!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it was the man who ran after me."</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p>"To tell me that you wished the key."</p> - -<p>"What key, stupid! will you not tell me?"</p> - -<p>"The key of your apartment."</p> - -<p>"You gave the key of the apartment to a stranger?" cried Maurice, -seizing the official by the collar with both hands.</p> - -<p>"It was not to a stranger, sir; it was to one of your friends."</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes! to one of my friends. It is Lorin, no doubt. She has gone out -with Lorin," and smiling a ghastly smile Maurice wiped away the drops -of agony which had gathered on his brow.</p> - -<p>"No, sir; no, it was not he. Zounds! I think I should know Monsieur -Lorin."</p> - -<p>"Who was it, then?"</p> - -<p>"You know the man who came here one day?"</p> - -<p>"What day?"</p> - -<p>"The day when you were so sad; and he took you away with him, and you -returned so happy."</p> - -<p>Scævola had remarked all these things.</p> - -<p>Maurice regarded him with a bewildered air; a cold shudder ran through -his body. Then after a long silence:</p> - -<p>"Dixmer!" cried he.</p> - -<p>"By my faith! yes. I think it was he, Citizen."</p> - -<p>Maurice tottered, and fell back upon a chair.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my God!" murmured he.</p> - -<p>When he re-opened his eyes they encountered the violets, forgotten, or -rather left there by Geneviève.</p> - -<p>He rushed toward them, seized and kissed them; then, remarking where -she had placed them,—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span></p> - -<p>"There is no longer any doubt," said he, "these violets—It is her last -adieu."</p> - -<p>When Maurice turned round he perceived for the first time that the -trunk was half full, the rest of the linen was on the floor, or in the -half-opened wardrobe.</p> - -<p>The linen which lay upon the floor had no doubt fallen from Geneviève's -hand at the appearance of Dixmer.</p> - -<p>It was all explained now. The scene rose vivid and terrible before -his eyes, between these four walls that had lately witnessed so much -happiness.</p> - -<p>Till now Maurice had remained crushed and heart-broken. Now the -reaction was fearful. His rage bordered on frenzy.</p> - -<p>He rose, closed the window, took from the top of his desk a pair -of pistols, ready loaded for their intended journey, looked to the -priming, and finding all right placed them in his pocket.</p> - -<p>He also furnished himself with two rolls of louis, which -notwithstanding his patriotism he had thought it prudent to conceal at -the bottom of a drawer, and taking his sabre in his hand,—</p> - -<p>"Scævola," said he, "you are attached to me, I think; you have served -my father and myself for fifteen years."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen," replied the official, terrified at the pallor and -nervous trembling he had never before remarked in his master, who had -always been justly considered one of the most courageous and vigorous -of men,—"yes; what are your orders for me?"</p> - -<p>"Listen! if this lady who lived here—" He stopped; his voice trembled -so much in pronouncing these words that he was unable to proceed. "If -she should return," continued he, after a moment's pause, "receive her, -close the door after her, take this gun, and station yourself upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span> -the staircase; and for your head, for your life, for your soul, do not -permit a single person to enter here! If any one should try to break -through the door, defend it! Strike! kill! kill! and fear nothing, -Scævola, for I will answer for all."</p> - -<p>The young man's impetuous harangue, his vehement confidence, -electrified Scævola.</p> - -<p>"I will not only kill, but will even suffer death for the Citizeness -Geneviève," said he.</p> - -<p>"Thanks. Now attend! This apartment is odious to me, and I shall not -enter it again until I find her; if she has been able to effect her -escape, if she return, place before the window the Japan vase with the -china-asters, which she loved so much. That is, during the day. At -night, put a lantern. Every time I pass the end of the street I shall -know, and if I see neither vase nor lantern I shall still continue my -researches."</p> - -<p>"Be prudent, sir! Oh, pray be prudent!" continued Scævola.</p> - -<p>His master made no reply, but rushing from the chamber flew down the -staircase as if possessed of wings, and ran toward Lorin's house.</p> - -<p>It would be difficult to paint the astonishment and rage of our worthy -poet when he heard the news; we might as well attempt to indite the -touching elegies with which Orestes inspired Pylades.</p> - -<p>"And you do not know where she is?" he repeated, incessantly.</p> - -<p>"Lost! disappeared!" shrieked Maurice, in accents of despair, "he has -killed her, Lorin! he has killed her!"</p> - -<p>"No, my dear friend; no, Maurice; he has not killed her; it is not -after so many days of reflection that he would be likely to kill a -woman like Geneviève. If he had thought of doing so, he would have done -it on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span> spot, and have left her corpse there in token of his just -vengeance. No, no; he has taken her away, only too happy at having -regained his lost treasure."</p> - -<p>"You do not know him, Lorin; you do not know him! This man had -something fatal in his look."</p> - -<p>"You are mistaken," said Lorin; "he always struck me as a brave man. He -has taken her as a sacrifice. He will get himself arrested with her; -and they will die together. Ah, there is the danger!"</p> - -<p>These words redoubled Maurice's fury.</p> - -<p>"I will find her! I will find her, or perish in the attempt!" cried he.</p> - -<p>"Oh, as to that, we are certain to find her," said Lorin; "only calm -yourself. They fail in success who do not reflect, and when agitated as -you are, we reflect badly and unwisely."</p> - -<p>"Adieu, Lorin, adieu!"</p> - -<p>"Where are you going, then?"</p> - -<p>"I am going."</p> - -<p>"You will leave me, then? Why is that?"</p> - -<p>"Because this concerns me only. I alone should risk my life to save -Geneviève's."</p> - -<p>"Do you wish to die?"</p> - -<p>"I will face all. I will find out the president of the Committee of -Surveillance. I will speak to Hébert, to Danton, to Robespierre. I will -avow all; but she must be restored to me."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said Lorin; and without adding another word he rose, -adjusted his belt, put on his military cap, and as Maurice had done, -provided himself with a pair of pistols, ready loaded, which he put in -his pocket.</p> - -<p>"Let us go," said he, simply.</p> - -<p>"But you will compromise yourself," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Well! what of that?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Where shall we seek her first?" asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>"We will first search in the old quarter, you know,—the old Rue Saint -Jacques; then we will watch for Maison-Rouge, as where he is, doubtless -Dixmer will be also; then we will draw near the houses in the Vieille -Corderie. You know they talk of transferring Marie Antoinette to the -Temple; believe me, men like them will not, till the last moment, -abandon the hope of saving her."</p> - -<p>"Yes," repeated Maurice; "you are right—Maison-Rouge, do you think he -is in Paris?"</p> - -<p>"Dixmer is certainly."</p> - -<p>"It is true, it is true; of course they will be together!" said -Maurice, to whom these vague ideas seemed partially to restore reason.</p> - -<p>The two friends commenced their search immediately, but all in vain. -Paris is large and well adapted for concealment. Never was a pit known -to conceal more obscurely the secret confided to its keeping by crime -or misery.</p> - -<p>A hundred times Maurice and Lorin passed over the Place de Grève, -a hundred times passed the house that contained Geneviève, watched -incessantly by Dixmer, as the priests watch the victim destined for -sacrifice.</p> - -<p>Geneviève on her side, seeing herself destined to perish, like all -generous souls accepted the sacrifice, and only wished to die quietly -and unnoticed; besides, she dreaded less for Dixmer than for the cause -of the queen the publicity that Maurice would not fail to give to his -vengeance.</p> - -<p>She kept, then, a silence as profound as if death had already sealed -her lips.</p> - -<p>In the mean time, without saying anything to Lorin, Maurice had applied -to the members of the terrible Com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span>mittee of Public Safety; and Lorin, -without speaking to Maurice, had, on his part, determined to adopt -similar proceedings.</p> - -<p>Thus on the same day a red cross was affixed by Fouquier Tinville to -both their names, and the word "Suspects" united them in a sanguinary -embrace.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLVI" id="CHAPTER_XLVI">CHAPTER XLVI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE SENTENCE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the twenty-third day of the month of the second year of the French -Republic, one and indivisible, corresponding to the 14th of October, -1793, old style, as it was then called, a curious crowd had since the -morning invaded the galleries of the hall where the revolutionary -sittings were held.</p> - -<p>The passages of the Palace, the avenues of the Conciergerie, were lined -with greedy and impatient spectators, who made over one to another -their reports and passions, as the waves transmit their froth and foam.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the curiosity with which each spectator was agitated, -and perhaps even on account of this curiosity, each wave of this sea, -swaying, pressed between two barriers,—the outer barrier which urged -it forward, the inner barrier which urged it backward,—each wave kept, -in this flux and reflux, almost the same position which it had at -first taken. Thus those more conveniently situated, comprehending it -was necessary they should obtain forgiveness for their good fortune, -kept this object in view by transmitting to their neighbors less -comfortably and commodiously placed than themselves, and who in their -turn recounted to others, the first words they heard, and all they saw.</p> - -<p>Near the door of the Tribunal a group of men was collected, rudely -disputing for ten lines of space in width and height,—for ten lines in -breadth sufficed to see be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span>tween two shoulders the corner of the hall -and the form of the judges; for ten lines in height was sufficient to -overlook the entire hall and see the face of the accused.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, this entrance to the passage of the hall, this narrow -defile, was almost entirely filled by a man with broad shoulders, and -his arms akimbo, who most effectually excluded the wavering crowd ready -to drop into the hall if this rampart of flesh were to give way.</p> - -<p>This immovable man was young and handsome; and at every push bestowed -on him by the crowd, he shook his head of hair, thick as a lion's mane, -under which gleamed a dark and resolute expression; then, when either -by a look or a movement he had repelled the crowd and resisted their -violent attacks, he fell back into his attentive immobility.</p> - -<p>A hundred times this compact mass had, notwithstanding, striven hard to -overthrow him,—as, from his great height, to see anything behind him -was utterly impossible,—but, as we have said, firm as a rock, he stood -his ground.</p> - -<p>In the mean time, at the other extremity of this human sea, in the -midst of the crushing crowd, another man was forcing a passage, with -a perseverance almost amounting to ferocity. Nothing impeded his -indefatigable exertions,—neither the blows of those he left behind, -the fearful imprecations of those he almost stifled in passing, nor the -wails of the women, for there were many females in this crowd.</p> - -<p>To blows he responded with blows; to imprecations, by a look before -which the most courageous quailed; to complaints, by a carelessness -bordering on disdain.</p> - -<p>At last he arrived behind the powerful young man who, so to speak, -closed the entrance to the hall. In the midst of the general -expectation—for all were anxious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span> to see how the contest between -two such rude antagonists would terminate—he essayed his peculiar -method, which consisted in planting like wedges his elbows between two -spectators, and thus breaking through the thickest of the crowd.</p> - -<p>He was, notwithstanding, a short young man, whose wan face and -emaciated appearance betokened latent illness.</p> - -<p>His elbows had scarcely touched the young man before him, when he, -indignant at the aggression, turned sharply round, at the same moment -raising his clinched fist, which threatened, in falling, to crush the -slender form of the intruder.</p> - -<p>The two antagonists now found themselves face to face, when a cry of -recognition escaped from each.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Citizen Maurice," said the delicate young man, with an accent -of inexpressible anguish, "permit me to pass; only let me see her, I -entreat you; you may kill me afterward."</p> - -<p>Maurice—for it was indeed he—felt himself affected by admiration and -compassion for this ceaseless devotion, this adventurous daring.</p> - -<p>"You here!" murmured he. "How imprudent!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; but I am exhausted—O God! she speaks. Let me see her; let me -hear her!"</p> - -<p>Maurice drew aside, and the young man passed before him, and being at -the head of the crowd there was nothing now to intercept the view of -him who had undergone so many blows, so much buffeting, to attain his -end.</p> - -<p>All this scene, and the murmurs it occasioned, aroused the curiosity of -the judges.</p> - -<p>The accused also turned round, and immediately perceived and recognized -the Chevalier.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span></p> - -<p>A shudder ran through the queen's frame, seated in the iron arm-chair. -The examination, conducted by the President Harmand, interpreted by -Fouquier Tinville, discussed by Chauveau Lagarde, the counsel for the -queen, lasted as long as the strength of the judges and the accused -permitted.</p> - -<p>During all this time Maurice remained motionless in his place, while -several times already the concourse was renewed both in the hall and -the corridors.</p> - -<p>The Chevalier leaned against a pillar. He was no less pale than the -marble that supported him.</p> - -<p>The day was succeeded by a dark night; some lighted candles on the -tables of the jurors, and some smoky lamps on the walls of the hall -threw a red and sinister expression on the noble face of that woman who -had been the cynosure of all eyes at the splendid fêtes at Versailles.</p> - -<p>She was alone there, replying in brief and dignified language to the -questions of the president, and occasionally addressing some words to -her counsel in a low voice.</p> - -<p>Her white and polished forehead retained all its wonted haughtiness. -She was attired in a black dress, which she had worn ever since her -husband's death.</p> - -<p>The judges retired from the hall. The sitting had terminated.</p> - -<p>"Have I evinced too much contempt for them, sir?" said she, addressing -herself to Chauveau Lagarde.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Madame," replied he, "you are always right when you act like -yourself."</p> - -<p>"How proud she is!" cried a woman among the audience, as if a voice -from the people had replied to the question of the unfortunate queen to -her advocate.</p> - -<p>The queen turned and looked at her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes," repeated the woman, "you are proud, Antoinette; and I tell you, -pride has been the ruin of you."</p> - -<p>The queen blushed. The Chevalier turned toward the female who had -uttered these words, and replied softly, "She was queen."</p> - -<p>Maurice seized him by the wrist, saying, in a low tone, "Take care; do -not forget yourself!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Monsieur Maurice!" replied the Chevalier, "you are a man yourself, -and you know you are speaking to a man. Tell me, oh, tell me! do you -think they will condemn her?"</p> - -<p>"I do not think it," said Maurice; "I am sure of it."</p> - -<p>"What! a woman!" said the Chevalier, with a deep groan.</p> - -<p>"No, a queen," said Maurice; "you have yourself said so."</p> - -<p>The Chevalier in his turn seized Maurice by the wrist, and with a force -of which he appeared incapable compelled him to bend his ear. It was -half-past three in the morning. Many vacuums were visible among the -spectators; and a few lights burning here and there served only to -render darkness visible. In one of the most obscure parts of the hall -were the Chevalier and Maurice, the latter listening to what the former -was telling him.</p> - -<p>"Why are you here? What brings you here?" demanded the Chevalier; "you, -sir, who have not a tiger's heart?"</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Maurice, "to discover what has become of an unfortunate -woman."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," said Maison-Rouge; "she whom her husband forced into the -queen's cell? The female who was arrested before my eyes?"</p> - -<p>"Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Geneviève."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then Geneviève is a prisoner, sacrificed by her husband, killed by -Dixmer? Oh, I comprehend all; I understand all now! Chevalier, tell me -all that has occurred; tell me where she is; tell me where I can find -her! Chevalier, this woman constitutes my life; do you hear me?"</p> - -<p>"I witnessed all. I was there when she was arrested. I was there also -to effect the escape of the queen; but our different projects not -having been communicated to each other, injured instead of assisting -our mutual cause."</p> - -<p>"Why did you not save her, at least—your sister, Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"How could I when an iron bar divided us? Oh, if you had only been -there, if you had united your efforts with mine, the bar must have -yielded, and both might have been saved!"</p> - -<p>"Geneviève! Geneviève!" murmured Maurice. Then regarding Maison-Rouge -with an indefinable expression of hatred and rage,—</p> - -<p>"And Dixmer, where is he?" demanded he.</p> - -<p>"I know not; he saved himself, as I did also."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Maurice, grinding his teeth, "if ever I meet him—"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I understand. But there is nothing yet to despair about -concerning Geneviève," said Maison-Rouge; "her case is not yet -desperate; but the queen—Oh! stop, Maurice, you are a man of feeling, -an influential man; you have friends—Oh! I pray to you as I would -pray to my God—Maurice, help me to save the queen! Maurice, Geneviève -supplicates you through me!"</p> - -<p>"Pronounce not that name, sir! Who knows but that, like Dixmer, you may -have sacrificed this unhappy woman?"</p> - -<p>"Sir," replied the Chevalier, haughtily, "when I at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span>tach myself to a -cause, I know better than to sacrifice any one but myself."</p> - -<p>Maurice was about to reply, when the door of the chamber of debate -opened.</p> - -<p>"Silence, sir! silence!" said the Chevalier, "the judges are -returning," and Maurice felt the hand tremble which Maison-Rouge had -placed upon his arm. "Ah!" murmured the Chevalier, "my heart fails me -now!"</p> - -<p>"Have courage and constrain yourself, or you are lost!" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>The Tribunal re-entered; and the news of its return spread rapidly -through the corridors and galleries. The crowd again congregated in -the hall, and even the dim lights appeared to burn brighter at this -solemn and decisive moment. The queen rose and stood erect, haughty -and immovable, her eyes fixed, her lips closed. The decree was then -read which doomed the queen to death. She heard her sentence without -even turning pale or uttering a sigh; her countenance evinced not the -slightest emotion. Then turning toward the Chevalier, she regarded him -with a long and eloquent look, as if to indicate her gratitude to this -man whom she had ever seen a living statue of devotion, and supported -on the arm of the officer of the gendarmes who commanded the forces, -with a calm and dignified demeanor she quitted the court.</p> - -<p>Maurice drew a deep sigh. "Thank God!" said he, "nothing in this -declaration can compromise Geneviève; there is yet hope."</p> - -<p>"Thank God!" murmured the Chevalier on his side, "it is all finished, -and the struggle at length terminated. I have not strength to go -further."</p> - -<p>"Courage, sir!" said Maurice, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>"I will take courage, sir," replied the Chevalier; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span> having shaken -hands, they disappeared by different outlets. The queen was reconducted -to the Conciergerie; the large clock struck four as she entered. At the -end of Pont Neuf, Maurice was stopped by Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Halt!" said he; "you do not pass here!"</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"First, where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"I am going home. I can return there now, since I know what has become -of her."</p> - -<p>"So much the better; but you must not enter there."</p> - -<p>"For what reason?"</p> - -<p>"The reason is, that two hours ago the gendarmes went there to arrest -you."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" cried Maurice. "Well, that is the greater reason why I should go!"</p> - -<p>"Are you mad? And Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"You are right. But where are we to go?"</p> - -<p>"Zounds! To my house."</p> - -<p>"But I shall ruin you!"</p> - -<p>"The more reason, then, that you should come," said Lorin, dragging -Maurice away with him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLVII" id="CHAPTER_XLVII">CHAPTER XLVII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE PRIEST AND THE EXECUTIONER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">On</span> leaving the court, the queen had been conducted back to the -Conciergerie. On reaching her chamber she had taken a pair of scissors, -and cut off her long and beautiful ringlets, rendered still more so -from the absence of powder, which she had not used for a year; she -enclosed them in a packet, on which was inscribed, "For my son and -daughter." She then seated herself, or rather sank into a chair, and -worn out with fatigue, the trial having lasted eighteen hours, she fell -asleep. At seven o'clock the noise of the opening screen roused her -suddenly, and turning round, she beheld a man perfectly unknown to her.</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" demanded she.</p> - -<p>He approached and saluted her as respectfully as if she had not been -the queen.</p> - -<p>"I am called Sanson," said he.</p> - -<p>The name was sufficient. The queen slightly shuddered and rose up.</p> - -<p>"You are here early, sir; could you not have made it rather later?"</p> - -<p>"No, Madame," replied Sanson; "I received orders to come."</p> - -<p>As he uttered these words, he advanced still nearer to the queen. At -this moment everything about this man was expressive and terrible.</p> - -<p>"I understand," said the prisoner; "you wish to cut off my hair?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is necessary, Madame," replied the executioner.</p> - -<p>"I knew it, sir; and I wished to spare you the trouble. My hair is on -the table."</p> - -<p>Sanson followed the direction of the queen's hand.</p> - -<p>"Only," said she, "I should like my hair sent to my children to-night."</p> - -<p>"Madame," said Sanson, "this does not concern me."</p> - -<p>"However, I thought—notwithstanding—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I get nothing," replied the executioner; "the clothes, the -jewels—unless formally made over to me—all go to La Salpêtrière, -and are allotted to the poor of the hospital. The Committee of Public -Safety has so arranged these things."</p> - -<p>"But, sir," persisted Marie Antoinette, "may I at least depend upon -this packet being forwarded to my children?"</p> - -<p>Sanson remained silent.</p> - -<p>"I will endeavor to send it," said Gilbert.</p> - -<p>The prisoner cast upon him a look of deep gratitude.</p> - -<p>"I came," said Sanson, "to cut off your hair; but since you have done -so, I can, if you wish it, leave you for a moment alone."</p> - -<p>"I entreat you to do so, sir. I wish to collect my scattered thoughts, -and offer up a prayer."</p> - -<p>Sanson bowed and retired, when the queen once more found herself -in solitude. While the condemned knelt on a low chair which served -her as a <i>prie-dieu</i>, a scene no less terrible was passing in the -parsonage of the small church of Saint Landry, in the city. The curé -had just got up; the old housekeeper had prepared the humble morning -meal, when a loud summons at the gate was heard. Even in our day, an -unexpected visit to a clergyman is in general the precursor of some -serious event,—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span> either a baptism, a marriage "in extremis," or a last -confession; but at this epoch the visit of a stranger announced some -matter of far graver import. Indeed, at this period the priest was no -longer the mandatary of God, but rendered his account to man.</p> - -<p>However, the Abbé Girard was of the number of those who had least -cause for fear, as he had sworn to abide by the Constitution,—in him -conscience and probity had spoken louder than either self-love or -religious spirit. No doubt the Abbé Girard admitted the possibility of -improvement in the government, and much regretted the abuses committed -under the name of the Divine will, and had, while retaining his God, -accepted the fraternity of the Republican régime.</p> - -<p>"Go and see, Dame Jacinthe," said he, "who disturbs us at this early -hour; and if the business is of no very pressing nature, say that this -morning I have been sent for to the Conciergerie, and must go there -directly."</p> - -<p>Dame Jacinthe, formerly called Madeleine, had accepted this flowery -appellation in lieu of her own, as the Abbé Girard had taken the title -of citizen instead of that of curé. At the suggestion of her master, -Jacinthe hastened down the steps of the little garden leading to the -entrance gate. She drew back the bolts, when a thin, pale young man, -much agitated, but with a frank and amiable expression, presented -himself before her.</p> - -<p>"Monsieur l'Abbé Girard?" said he.</p> - -<p>Jacinthe, not slow to remark the disordered dress, the neglected beard, -and the nervous tremor of the new-comer, augured unfavorably of him.</p> - -<p>"Citizen," said she; "there is here neither 'Monsieur' nor 'abbé.'"</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Madame," replied the young man; "I meant to say the Curé of -Saint Landry."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span></p> - -<p>Jacinthe, notwithstanding her patriotism, was struck by the title -"Madame," with which the Republicans would not have honored an empress. -She, however, replied,—</p> - -<p>"You cannot see him now; he is repeating his breviary."</p> - -<p>"In that case I will wait," replied the young man.</p> - -<p>"But," said Jacinthe, in whom this obstinate persistence revived her -first unfavorable impression, "you will wait in vain; for he has been -summoned to the Conciergerie, and must go there immediately."</p> - -<p>The young man turned frightfully pale, or rather from pale to livid.</p> - -<p>"It is then true!" murmured he; then raising his voice, "This, Madame, -is the business which brings me to the Citizen Girard."</p> - -<p>And in spite of the old woman he had, while speaking, effected an -entrance; then coolly but firmly closing the bolts, and notwithstanding -the expostulations and even menaces of Dame Jacinthe, he not only -entered the house, but also the chamber of the curé, who on perceiving -him uttered an exclamation of surprise.</p> - -<p>"Forgive me, Monsieur le Curé," immediately said the young man; "I wish -to speak to you on a very serious subject; permit us to be alone."</p> - -<p>The aged priest had experienced deep sorrow, and knew what it was to -endure. He discerned deep and devouring passion in the confusion of the -young man, and intense emotion in his fevered tones.</p> - -<p>"Leave us, Dame Jacinthe!" said he.</p> - -<p>The visitor impatiently followed with his eyes the receding steps of -the housekeeper, who, from being accustomed to the confidence of her -master, hesitated to comply; then when at length the door was closed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span> -"Monsieur le Curé," said the unknown, "you will first wish to know who -I am. I will tell you. I am a proscribed man, doomed to death, who only -at this moment lives from the power of audacity; I am the Chevalier de -Maison-Rouge."</p> - -<p>The abbé started in horror from his arm-chair.</p> - -<p>"Fear nothing!" said the Chevalier, "no one has seen me enter here; and -even those who might have seen me would never know me. I have altered -much these last two months."</p> - -<p>"But what do you wish, Citizen?" asked the curé.</p> - -<p>"You are going this morning to the Conciergerie, are you not?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; the porter has sent for me."</p> - -<p>"Do you know why?"</p> - -<p>"To perform the duties of my sacred office to an invalid, or some dying -person, perhaps even to one condemned."</p> - -<p>"You are right; it is to one condemned."</p> - -<p>The old priest regarded the Chevalier with undisguised astonishment.</p> - -<p>"But do you know who this person is?" demanded Maison-Rouge.</p> - -<p>"No, I do not know."</p> - -<p>"This person is the queen!"</p> - -<p>The abbé uttered an exclamation of grief.</p> - -<p>"The queen! Oh, my God!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; the queen! I made inquiry as to the priest who would attend -her, and learned it was you. I therefore came directly to seek an -interview."</p> - -<p>"But what do you require of me?" asked the priest, alarmed at the wild -accents of the Chevalier.</p> - -<p>"I wish—I wish nothing, sir. I implore, I entreat, I supplicate you!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span></p> - -<p>"For what, then?"</p> - -<p>"To allow me to enter with you into the presence of her Majesty?"</p> - -<p>"You are mad!" exclaimed the curé; "you would not only ruin me, but -would sacrifice yourself."</p> - -<p>"Fear nothing."</p> - -<p>"The poor woman is condemned, and that is the end of her."</p> - -<p>"I know it, and it is not to make any attempt to save her that I wish -to see her; it is—But listen to me, my father; you are not listening."</p> - -<p>"I do not listen to you, since what you ask is impossible; I do not -listen to you, since you act like a man bereft of his senses," said the -aged man. "I do not listen to you, because you terrify me."</p> - -<p>"Father, reassure yourself," said the young man, endeavoring to calm -himself; "believe me, Father, I am in my senses. The queen, I know, is -lost; but if I could only for an instant prostrate myself at her feet, -it would save my life. If I do not see her I shall kill myself; and as -you will have caused my despair, you will at the same moment destroy -both body and soul."</p> - -<p>"My son! my son!" replied the priest, "you ask me to sacrifice my -life for you! Old as I am, my existence is still necessary to the -unfortunate; old as I am, to precipitate my own death is to commit -suicide."</p> - -<p>"Do not refuse me, Father," replied the Chevalier; "you must have a -curate, an acolyte; take me, let me go with you."</p> - -<p>The priest tried to maintain his firmness, which was beginning to give -way.</p> - -<p>"No, no!" said he; "this would be a dereliction of duty; I have sworn -to the Constitution, and I am bound heart, soul, and conscience. The -unhappy woman con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span>demned to death is a guilty queen. I would accept -death, if by so doing I could benefit a fellow-creature; but I will not -depart from the path of duty."</p> - -<p>"But," cried the Chevalier, "when I tell you, and again repeat, even -swear to you, I do not want to save the queen; here by the Gospel, by -the crucifix, I swear I do not go to the Conciergerie to prevent her -death!"</p> - -<p>"What is your motive, then?" said the old man, affected by such -undisguised accents of despair.</p> - -<p>"Hearken!" said the Chevalier, whose soul seemed to speak from his -lips; "she was my benefactress; she is attached to me; to see me in her -last moments will I feel sure prove a consolation to her."</p> - -<p>"And this is all that you desire?" demanded the curé, yielding to these -irresistible accents.</p> - -<p>"Absolutely all."</p> - -<p>"And you have woven no plot to attempt to rescue the condemned?"</p> - -<p>"None. I am a Christian, Father; and if there rests in my heart a -shadow of deceit; if I entertain any hope of her life, or try in any -way to save it,—may God visit me with eternal damnation!"</p> - -<p>"No, no!" said the curé; "I can promise nothing," as the innumerable -dangers attendant on an act so imprudent returned to his mind.</p> - -<p>"Now listen to me, Father!" said the Chevalier, in a voice hoarse with -emotion; "I have spoken like a submissive child; I have not uttered one -bitter word or uncharitable sentiment; no menace has escaped my lips. -Yet now my head whirls; fever burns in my veins; now despair gnaws my -heart; now I am armed. Behold! here is my dagger." And the young man -drew from his bosom a polished blade which threw a livid reflection on -his trembling hand. The curé drew back quickly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Fear nothing," said the Chevalier, with a mournful smile; "others, -knowing you to be so strict an observer of your word, would have -terrified you into an oath. But no! I have supplicated, and I still -continue to supplicate, with hands clasped, my forehead in the dust, -that I may see her for a single moment. Look! here is your guarantee!" -And he drew from his pocket a billet which he presented to Girard, who -opened it and read as follows:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>I, René, Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, declare by God and my honor, that -I have by threats of death compelled the worthy curé of Saint Landry -to convey me to the Conciergerie, notwithstanding his refusal and -great repugnance to do so. In proof of which I have signed—</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Maison-Rouge</span>.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>"It is well," said the priest; "but swear to me once again that you -will be guilty of no imprudence. It is not sufficient that my life is -saved, I am answerable also for yours."</p> - -<p>"Think not of that," said the Chevalier. "Then you consent?"</p> - -<p>"I must, since you so absolutely insist. You can wait outside, and when -she comes to the wicket you will see her."</p> - -<p>The Chevalier seized the hand of the old priest and kissed it with all -the ardor and respect he would have kissed the crucifix.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" murmured the Chevalier, "she shall die at least like a queen, and -the hand of the executioner shall never touch her!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLVIII" id="CHAPTER_XLVIII">CHAPTER XLVIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE CART.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Immediately</span> after having obtained this permission from the curé of -Saint Landry, Maison-Rouge withdrew into a cabinet, the door of which, -being half opened, he had recognized as the priest's dressing-room. -There his long beard and mustachios speedily disappeared under the -stroke of the razor; and then only he was fully aware of his frightful -pallor and altered appearance. It was terrible to behold. He re-entered -perfectly calm, and seemed to have forgotten that notwithstanding the -absence of his beard and mustachios, he might still probably be known -at the Conciergerie. He followed the abbé, whom, during his momentary -absence, two officials were seeking; and with the cool audacity which -disarms suspicion, entered the iron gate at this time opening into -the court of the Palace. He was, like the Abbé Girard, dressed in -black,—sacerdotal habits at that period being abolished.</p> - -<p>In the register-office they found about fifty persons assembled; -some employed about the prison, some deputies, some commissaries, -all waiting in the expectation of seeing the queen pass; there might -be some mandataries and many idlers. Maison-Rouge's heart beat so -violently when he found himself opposite the wicket that he heard not -even the parley that ensued between the abbé, the gendarmes, and the -porter. Only a man with a pair of scissors in his hand and a piece of -stuff newly cut pushed against Maison-Rouge upon the threshold. He -turned round and recognized the executioner.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What do you want, Citizen?" demanded Sanson.</p> - -<p>The Chevalier endeavored to repress the shudder which, in spite of -himself, ran through his veins.</p> - -<p>"You see, Citizen Sanson," replied the Chevalier, "that I accompany the -curé of Saint Landry."</p> - -<p>"Oh, very well!" said the executioner, drawing himself on one side, and -giving orders to his assistant.</p> - -<p>During this time Maison-Rouge had passed into the interior of the -office, and from there into the compartment inhabited by the two -gendarmes.</p> - -<p>These men were overcome by contending emotions. Proud and haughty as -she had been to others, she had ever been gentle and condescending to -them. They seemed more like her servants than her guards.</p> - -<p>In his present position the Chevalier could not obtain a view of the -queen,—the screen was closed. It had been opened to give entrance to -the curé, but directly closed behind him. When the Chevalier entered, -the conversation had already commenced.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said the queen, in a clear and firm voice, "since you have sworn -allegiance to the Republic—in whose name they have condemned me to -death—I have no confidence in you. We do not even worship the same -God!"</p> - -<p>"Madame," said Girard, struck by this disdainful profession of faith, -"a Christian about to die should dismiss all hatred from her heart, and -ought not to repulse her God, under whatever form he may be presented -to her."</p> - -<p>Maison-Rouge advanced a step to open the screen, hoping that when she -saw him, and knew what brought him, she would change her opinion in -regard to the curé; but the gendarmes detected the movement.</p> - -<p>"But," said Maison-Rouge, "I am the acolyte of the curé—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then, since she refuses the curé," said Duchesne, "she does not -require you."</p> - -<p>"But still, perhaps she may accept me," said he, raising his voice; -"it is impossible she would refuse me." But Marie Antoinette was too -much engrossed by the sentiment which agitated her either to hear or -recognize the Chevalier's voice.</p> - -<p>"Go, sir!" continued she; "leave me!" addressing Girard; "since at this -time we in France live under the régime of liberty, I claim the right -to die according to my own fashion."</p> - -<p>Girard offered some resistance.</p> - -<p>"Leave me, sir!" said she. "I desire you to leave me."</p> - -<p>Girard endeavored to speak.</p> - -<p>"I will not hear you; leave me!" said she, with the gesture of Marie -Thérèse.</p> - -<p>Girard went out.</p> - -<p>Maison-Rouge essayed to gain a glimpse of her through the opening in -the screen; but the prisoner had turned her back. The executioner's -assistant crossed before the curé; he came in holding a cord in his -hand. The two gendarmes pushed the Chevalier toward the door; amazed, -despairing, and utterly bewildered, before he had been able to utter -a cry or make the slightest movement to effect his purpose, he found -himself with the curé in the corridor of the turnkey. This corridor -brought them again into the register-office, where the news of the -queen's refusal had already circulated, and where the Austrian pride of -Marie Antoinette was to some the pretext of the coarsest invectives, -and to others the subject of secret admiration.</p> - -<p>"Go!" said Richard to the abbé, "return home, since she repulses you, -and let her die as she likes."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, she is in the right," said Richard's wife, "and I would act in -the same way."</p> - -<p>"Then you would do wrong, Madame," said the curé.</p> - -<p>"Be silent," said the keeper, opening his eyes very wide; "what does it -concern you? Go, Abbé, go!"</p> - -<p>"No," said Girard, "no; I will, notwithstanding all, accompany her; one -word, only one word, if she will listen, might bring her back to duty; -besides, I am sent by the order of the Commune, and I must discharge my -office."</p> - -<p>"Send back your sexton, then," brutally observed the adjutant-major, -commandant of the armed forces. He was a former actor at the Comédie -Française, named Grammont. The eyes of the Chevalier flashed lightning, -as he mechanically thrust his hand into his breast, where Girard knew -he had the poniard. He checked him with a suppliant look.</p> - -<p>"Spare my life," said he, in a low voice; "you see that your cause is -ruined; do not destroy yourself with her. I will mention you to her on -the route; I swear to you I will tell her you risked your life that you -might see her once more on earth."</p> - -<p>These words calmed the effervescence of the young man, and the ordinary -reaction taking place, he sank into a state of quiescence. This man of -heroic mind, of marvellous power, had arrived at the termination of -both strength and will, and glided irresolute, or rather exhausted and -vanquished, into a state of torpor that might have been imagined to be -the precursor of death.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I believe," said he, "it should be thus: the cross for Jesus, the -scaffold for her,—gods and kings drink deep of the chalice presented -to them by men." This thought produced resignation; and now, totally -prostrated, he allowed himself to be pushed without offering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span> any -resistance, except an occasional involuntary groan, to the outer gate, -passive as Ophelia when, devoted to death, she found herself borne away -by the remorseless waves.</p> - -<p>At the bottom of the gates and at the doors of the Conciergerie, a -crowd was assembled, which unless once seen it was impossible to -describe. Impatience ruled every passion; and each passion spoke its -own language; and these combined formed an immense and prolonged -uproar, as if the whole noise and the entire population of Paris were -on this occasion concentrated in the quarter of the Palais de Justice.</p> - -<p>In front of this crowd the whole army was encamped, with guns intended -to guard the procession, and also to secure the privilege of those who -came to witness the last act of the tragedy.</p> - -<p>It would have been vain to attempt to pierce this deep rampart, -increasing gradually, since the condemnation of the queen was now known -not only at Paris, but by the patriots of the faubourgs.</p> - -<p>Maison-Rouge, expelled from the Conciergerie, naturally found himself -in the first rank among the soldiers, who instantly demanded who he -was. He replied, "he was the vicar of the Abbé Girard, but having bound -himself by the same oath, he, like the curé, had been dismissed and -refused by the queen;" on which the soldiers, in their turn, pushed -him into the first row of spectators, where he was again compelled to -repeat what he had previously told them.</p> - -<p>Then the cry arose, "He has just left!" "He has seen her!" "What did -she say?" "What did she do?" "Is she as haughty as usual?" "Is she cast -down?" "Does she weep?" The Chevalier replied to all these questions -in a feeble but sweet and affable tone; as if this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span> voice was the last -manifestation of life suspended on his lips. His answer was couched -in the language of truth and simplicity. It contained an eulogium on -the firmness of Marie Antoinette; and that which he recounted with the -simplicity and faith of an evangelist cast sorrow and remorse over many -hearts.</p> - -<p>When he spoke of the little dauphin, and of Madame Royale; of this -queen without a throne; of this wife without a husband; this mother -bereft of her children; this woman alone and abandoned, without a -friend, surrounded by executioners,—more than one face here and -there assumed a sad expression, and more than one tear of regret was -clandestinely wiped from eyes a moment before animated by hatred.</p> - -<p>The Palace clock struck eleven. All murmuring at this moment ceased. -One hundred thousand human beings counted these strokes, echoed by the -pulsations of their own hearts.</p> - -<p>When the last vibration had ceased and died away in the distance, a -loud noise was heard within the gates, and at the same time a cart, -advancing from the side of the Quai aux Fleurs, broke through the -crowd, then the guards, and drew up at the bottom of the steps.</p> - -<p>The queen soon appeared at the top of the staircase. Looks expressive -of all kinds of passion were bent upon her; the mob stood in breathless -expectation. The queen's hair was cut short; the greater portion had -turned gray during her captivity, and this shade of silver rendered -still more delicate the mother-of-pearl pallor which at this moment -lent an almost angelic beauty to this daughter of the Cæsars. She -was attired in a white robe, and her hands were fastened behind -her back. When she appeared with the Abbé Girard on her right, who -notwithstanding all opposition would still accompany her,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span> and the -executioner on her left, both dressed in black, there ran throughout -the crowd a murmur, of which God alone, who reads all hearts, could -comprehend and sum up the truth.</p> - -<p>A man passed between the executioner and Marie Antoinette; it was -Grammont. He conducted her to the fatal car. The queen recoiled.</p> - -<p>"Mount!" cried Grammont.</p> - -<p>This word was distinctly heard by all. Emotion held every breath -suspended on the lips of the spectators. A blush suffused the face of -the queen, mounting even to the roots of her hair, but it immediately -disappeared, and her face resumed its former death-like hue.</p> - -<p>"Why a car for me," said she, "when the king had a carriage to convey -him to the scaffold?"</p> - -<p>The Abbé Girard advanced, and addressed a few words to her in a low -tone; doubtless he condemned this last utterance of royal pride. The -queen remained silent, but tottered so much that Sanson held out his -arms to support her; but she recovered her self-possession before he -could touch her. She then descended the staircase, while the assistants -placed a foot-board behind the car. The queen entered first; the abbé -followed her.</p> - -<p>When the car was in motion it caused a great movement in the -assemblage; and the soldiers at the same time, ignorant of its cause, -united their efforts to push back the crowd, and consequently, a -large space was cleared between the people and the vehicle of death, -when suddenly a mournful howling was heard. The queen started, and -instantly rose, looking around her. She then saw her little dog, which -had been lost for two months, and which, unable to follow her into -the Conciergerie, regardless of kicks, blows, and thrusts, now rushed -toward the car; but almost directly poor Jet, emaciated,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span> starving, and -bruised, disappeared under the horses' feet. The queen followed him -with her eyes; she could not speak, for her voice was drowned in the -noise; she could not point her finger toward him, for her hands were -tied; and had she been able to do either, who would have regarded her? -Having closed her eyes for an instant, she soon revived. He was in the -arms of a pale young man, who, standing on a cannon, was conspicuous -above the crowd, and whose natural stature seemed enlarged from the -unspeakable elevation of the sentiments with which he was animated, -while he saluted the queen and pointed to heaven. Marie Antoinette -looked upward and smiled sweetly.</p> - -<p>The Chevalier uttered a groan, as if this smile had broken his heart; -and as the fatal car turned toward the Pont-au-Change, he fell back -among the crowd, and disappeared.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XLIX" id="CHAPTER_XLIX">CHAPTER XLIX.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE SCAFFOLD.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Upon</span> the Place de la Révolution, leaning against a lamp-post, two men -were waiting. Of those who followed with the crowd, some were carried -to the Place du Palais, others to the Place de la Révolution, while the -rest spread, impatient and tumultuous, over the whole road separating -the two places. They were waiting until the queen should reach the -instrument of punishment, which, defaced by the sun and storm, worn -by the hand of the executioner, and, most horrible! blunted by too -frequent contact with its victims, reared its head with a sinister -pride over the subjacent mass, like a queen ruling her people. The -two men, arm-in-arm, and speaking by fits and starts, with pale lips -and contracted brows, were Lorin and Maurice. Lost in the crowd, but -not in a way calculated to excite suspicion, they continued in a low -tone their conversation, which was perhaps not the least interesting -one then circulating among the various groups which, like an electric -chain, a living sea, was agitated from the Pont-au-Change to the Pont -de la Révolution.</p> - -<p>The idea we have expressed regarding the scaffold seemed to have struck -them both.</p> - -<p>"See," said Maurice, "how the hideous monster rears her red arms; might -it not be said that she calls us, and grins at us through her wicket as -if it was her horrid mouth?"</p> - -<p>"I," said Lorin, "must confess I do not belong to the school of poetry -which sees everything blood-color. I see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span> everything <i>couleur-de-rose</i>, -and even at the foot of that dreadful machine I should sing and hope -still. '<i>Dum spiro spero.</i>'"</p> - -<p>"You hope when they murder women?"</p> - -<p>"Maurice," said Lorin, "child of the Revolution, do not deny your -mother! Ah! Maurice, remain a stanch and loyal patriot. She who is -condemned to die is unlike all other women; she is the evil genius of -France."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it is not she that I regret; it is not for her I weep!" cried -Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I understand, it is Geneviève."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Maurice, "there is one thought that drives me mad! It is -that Geneviève is in the hands of those purveyors to the guillotine, -Hébert and Fouquier Tinville,—in the hands of the men who sent here -the poor Héloïse, and are now sending the proud Marie Antoinette."</p> - -<p>"Well!" said Lorin, "it is this very fact that inspires me with hope. -When the rage of the people has feasted on two tyrants it will be -satiated for some time at least,—like the boa-constrictor, which -requires three months to digest what he has devoured. Then the popular -rage will swallow no more; and as is said by the prophets of the -faubourg, 'the lesser morsels will be no longer palatable.'"</p> - -<p>"Lorin! Lorin!" said Maurice, "I am more positive than you, and I -say it in a whisper, but am ready to repeat it aloud,—Lorin, I hate -the new queen who seems destined to succeed the Austrian, whom she -destroys. It is a sad queen whose purple is daily dyed in blood, and to -whom Sanson is prime minister."</p> - -<p>"Bah! we shall escape her."</p> - -<p>"I do not think so," said Maurice, shaking his head; "to avoid being -arrested at your house we have no resource but to live in the street."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Bah! we can quit Paris; there is nothing to prevent us. We need not -complain. My uncle will await us at Saint Omer; money, passport, -nothing will be wanting. There exists not the gendarme who shall arrest -us; what do you think? We remain in Paris because we choose to do so."</p> - -<p>"No; that is not correct, excellent friend, devoted and faithful as you -are— You remain because I wish to continue here."</p> - -<p>"And you wish to remain to discover Geneviève. Well! nothing is more -simple, just, or natural. You think she is in prison; nothing more -probable. You wish to keep watch over her, and on that account we -cannot quit Paris."</p> - -<p>Maurice drew a deep sigh; it was evident his thoughts were wandering.</p> - -<p>"Do you remember the death of Louis XVI?" said he. "I can see him -yet, pale with pride and emotion. I was then one of the chiefs of -this crowd, in whose folds I conceal myself to-day. I was greater at -the foot of the scaffold than the king upon it had ever been. What a -change, Lorin! and when one thinks that nine short months have sufficed -to work this change!"</p> - -<p>"Nine months of love, Maurice— Love ruined Troy!"</p> - -<p>Maurice sighed; his wandering thoughts now took another direction.</p> - -<p>"Poor Maison-Rouge," said he; "this is a sad day for him!"</p> - -<p>"Alas!" said Lorin, "shall I tell you what appears to me the most -melancholy thing about revolutions?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"It is that one often has for friends those we should prefer as -enemies; and for enemies those we would wish—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span></p> - -<p>"There is one thing I can hardly believe," interrupted Maurice.</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"It is that he will not invent some project, though the most hopeless, -to save the queen."</p> - -<p>"What! one man stronger than a hundred thousand!"</p> - -<p>"I said, 'though the most hopeless.' I know that to save Geneviève—" -Lorin frowned.</p> - -<p>"I again tell you, Maurice," said he, "you are wild! No; even were it -possible for you to save Geneviève, you would not become a bad citizen. -But enough of this, Maurice; they are listening to us. Look how the -heads undulate; see! there is Sanson's valet raising himself from under -his basket, and looking in the distance. The Austrian arrives."</p> - -<p>In short, as if to accompany this undulation which Lorin had remarked, -a shuddering, prolonged and increasing, pervaded the crowd. It was one -of those hurricanes which commence with a whistle and terminate with a -bellow. Maurice raised himself by the help of the lamp-post, and looked -toward the Rue Saint Honoré.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said he shuddering; "there she is." And another machine now made -its appearance, almost as revolting as the guillotine. It was the fatal -car.</p> - -<p>On the right and left glittered the arms of the escort; while in front -marched Grammont, replying with flashes of his sabre to the shouts -and cries of some fanatics. But ever as the cart advanced these cries -subsided under the haughty courage of the condemned.</p> - -<p>Never had a countenance commanded more respect; never had Marie -Antoinette looked more the queen. Her proud courage struck terror into -those around her.</p> - -<p>Indifferent to the exhortations of the Abbé Girard, who despite of her -opposition accompanied her, her face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span> moved neither to the right nor -left; her deep thought was as immutable as her look; even the jolting -motion of the cart upon the uneven pavement did not by its violence -disturb the rigidity of her demeanor. She might have been taken for a -marble statue conveyed in the car, had it not been for her brilliant -eyes, and her hair waving in the wind.</p> - -<p>A silence equal to that of the desert fell suddenly upon the three -hundred thousand spectators of this scene, witnessed by the heavens for -the first time by the light of the sun.</p> - -<p>In the place where Maurice and Lorin were standing they heard the -creaking of the axles and the snorting of the horses.</p> - -<p>The car stopped at the foot of the scaffold.</p> - -<p>The queen, who doubtless was not thinking of this moment, recalled -herself, and understood it all; she threw a haughty glance upon the -crowd, and again beheld the pale young man she had previously seen -standing on the cannon. He was now mounted on a wall, and repeated -the respectful salutation he had before offered her as she left the -Conciergerie. He then disappeared. Many persons seeing him, it was -soon reported, from his being dressed in black, that a priest was in -attendance on Marie Antoinette, to give her absolution ere she ascended -the scaffold.</p> - -<p>Further than that no one disturbed the Chevalier. In moments of highest -concern, certain things are treated with marked deference.</p> - -<p>The queen cautiously descended the steps from the car, supported by -Sanson, who to the last moment, in accomplishing the task to which he -himself appeared to be condemned, treated her with the greatest respect.</p> - -<p>As the queen walked toward the steps of the scaffold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span> some of the -horses reared, and several of the foot-guards and soldiers appeared -to oscillate and lose their equilibrium; then a shadow was seen to -glide under the scaffold; but tranquillity was almost instantaneously -re-established, since no one was willing to quit his place at this -solemn moment,—no one was willing to lose the minutest detail of the -dreadful tragedy about to be accomplished. All eyes were directed -toward the condemned.</p> - -<p>The queen was already on the platform of the scaffold. The priest still -continued to address her; an assistant moved her gently forward, while -another removed the scarf from her shoulders.</p> - -<p>Marie Antoinette felt the touch of the infamous hand upon her neck, -and making a sudden movement trod upon Sanson's foot, who, without her -having seen him, was engaged in fixing her to the fatal plank. Sanson -drew back his foot.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, sir," said the queen; "I did not do it intentionally."</p> - -<p>These were the last words pronounced by the daughter of the Cæsars, the -queen of France, the widow of Louis XVI.</p> - -<p>As the clock of the Tuileries struck a quarter after twelve, the queen -was launched into eternity.</p> - -<p>A terrible cry—a cry comprising at once joy, terror, sorrow, triumph, -expiation—rose like a storm, drowning a feeble burst of lamentation -which at the same moment issued from beneath the scaffold.</p> - -<p>The gendarmes heard it notwithstanding, feeble as it was, and advanced -some steps in front. The crowd, now less compact, expanded like a -river whose dike has been enlarged, threw down the fence, dispersed -the guards, and rushed like the returning tide to beat the foot of the -scaffold, which was already shaking.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</a></span></p> - -<p>All wished for a nearer view of the remains of that royalty which they -believed, root and branch, forever exterminated in France.</p> - -<p>But the gendarmes had another object in view,—they sought the shadow -which had repassed their lines, and glided beneath the scaffold.</p> - -<p>Two of them returned leading between them by the collar a pale young -man, whose hand held a blood-stained handkerchief, which he pressed to -his heart; he was followed by a little spaniel howling piteously.</p> - -<p>"Death to the aristocrat! death to the noble!" cried some men of the -people; "he has dipped his handkerchief in the Austrian's blood,—to -death with him!"</p> - -<p>"Good Heavens!" said Maurice to Lorin, "do you recognize him? Do you -recognize him?"</p> - -<p>"Death to the royalist!" repeated the madmen; "take away the -handkerchief he wishes to preserve as a relic! wrest it from him! tear -it from him!"</p> - -<p>A haughty smile flitted across the young man's lips, he tore open his -shirt, bared his breast, and dropped the handkerchief.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," said he, "this blood is not the queen's, but my own. Let -me die in peace;" and a deep, gushing wound appeared widely gaping -under the left breast. The crowd uttered one cry and retired. The young -man sank slowly upon his knees, and gazed upon the scaffold as a martyr -looks upon the altar.</p> - -<p>"Maison-Rouge!" whispered Lorin to Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Adieu!" murmured the young man, bowing his head with an angelic -smile,—"adieu! or rather, <i>au revoir</i>!" and he expired in the midst of -the stupefied guards.</p> - -<p>"There is still this expedient, Lorin," said Maurice, "before becoming -an unworthy citizen."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</a></span></p> - -<p>The little spaniel turned toward the corpse, terrified and howling -lamentably.</p> - -<p>"Why, there is Jet," said a man, holding a large club in his -hand,—"why, there is Jet; come here, old fellow."</p> - -<p>The dog advanced toward him, but was scarcely within arm's length of -the man who had called him, when the brutal wretch raised his club and -dashed out his brains, at the same time bursting into a hoarse laugh.</p> - -<p>"Cowardly wretch!" cried Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Silence!" whispered Lorin, "or we are lost. It is Simon."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_L" id="CHAPTER_L">CHAPTER L.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE VISIT TO THE DOMICILE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Lorin</span> and Maurice returned to their home; but the latter, in order not -to compromise his friend too openly, usually absented himself during -the day, and returned at night.</p> - -<p>In the midst of these events, being present at the removal of the -prisoners to the Conciergerie, he watched daily for the sight -of Geneviève, not having been yet able to discover her place of -imprisonment. Lorin, since his visit to Fouquier Tinville, had -succeeded in convincing Maurice that on the first ostensible act he was -lost, and would then have sacrificed himself without having benefited -Geneviève; and Maurice, who would willingly have thrown himself into -prison in the hope of being united to his mistress, became prudent from -the fear of being separated from her forever.</p> - -<p>He went every morning from the Carmelites to Port Libre, from the -Madelonnettes to Saint Lazare, from La Force to the Luxembourg; he -stationed himself before the prisons to watch the cars as they came out -to convey the accused to the Revolutionary Tribunal. Then when he had -scanned the victims, he proceeded to the other prisons to prosecute -this hopeless search, for he soon became aware that the activity of ten -men would prove inadequate to keep watch over the thirty-three prisons -which Paris could boast of at this period. He therefore contented -himself by going daily to the Tribunal, there to await the appearance -of Geneviève.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</a></span></p> - -<p>He was already beginning to despair. Indeed, what hope was there for a -person arrested and condemned? Sometimes the Tribunal, whose sittings -commenced at ten o'clock, had condemned twenty or thirty people by four -o'clock: those first condemned had six hours to live, but the last, -sentenced at a quarter to four, fell at half-past beneath the axe. To -resign himself to such a fate for Geneviève, would be to grow weary in -his battle against destiny.</p> - -<p>Oh, if he had known beforehand of the imprisonment of Geneviève, how -Maurice would have baffled the blind, human justice of this epoch; how -easily and promptly would he have torn Geneviève from prison! Never -were escapes more easy; and it may be said, never were they so rare. -All the nobles, once placed in prison, installed themselves there as -in a château, and died at leisure. To fly was like evading a duel; the -women even blushed at liberty acquired at this price.</p> - -<p>But Maurice would not have shown himself so scrupulous. To kill the -dogs, to bribe a door-keeper, what more simple? Geneviève was not one -of those splendid names calculated to attract general attention. She -would not dishonor herself by flying, and besides—when could she be -disgraced!</p> - -<p>Oh, how bitterly he thought of the gardens of Port Libre, so easy -to scale; the chambers of Madelonnettes, so easy of access to the -street; the low walls of the Luxembourg, and the dark corridors of the -Carmelites, where a resolute man could so easily penetrate by opening a -window.</p> - -<p>But was Geneviève in one of these prisons?</p> - -<p>Then, devoured by doubt, and worn out with anxiety, he loaded Dixmer -with imprecations; he threatened, and nourished his hatred against -this man, whose cowardly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</a></span> vengeance concealed itself under an apparent -devotion to the royal cause.</p> - -<p>"I shall find him out too," thought Maurice; "for if he wishes to save -the unhappy woman, he will show himself; if he wishes to ruin her, he -will insult her. I shall find him out, the scoundrel! and it will be an -evil day for him!"</p> - -<p>On the morning of the day when the events occurred which we are about -to relate, Maurice went out early to take his usual station at the -Revolutionary Tribunal, leaving Lorin asleep.</p> - -<p>Lorin was suddenly awakened by a loud noise at the door, the voices -of women and the butt-ends of guns. He threw around him the startled -glance of a surprised man who wished to convince himself that nothing -that could compromise him was in view. Four sectionaries, two -gendarmes, and a commissary entered at the same moment. This visit was -sufficiently significant, and Lorin hastened to dress himself.</p> - -<p>"Do you come to arrest me?" said he.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Citizen Lorin."</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p>"Because you are suspected."</p> - -<p>"Ah, all right!"</p> - -<p>The commissary scribbled some words at the bottom of the warrant for -arrest.</p> - -<p>"Where is your friend?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"What friend?"</p> - -<p>"The Citizen Maurice Lindey."</p> - -<p>"At home, probably."</p> - -<p>"No; he lodges here."</p> - -<p>"He! go along! Search, and if you find—"</p> - -<p>"Here is the denunciation," interrupted the commissary, "it is plain -enough;" offering Lorin a paper in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</a></span> vile writing and enigmatical -orthography. It stated that every morning the Citizen Lindey, suspected -and ordered for arrest, was seen going out of the Citizen Lorin's -house. The denunciation was signed "Simon."</p> - -<p>"Why," said Lorin, "the cobbler will lose his custom if he follows two -trades at the same time,—a spy and boot-mender. He is a Cæsar, this -Monsieur Simon," and he burst into a fit of laughter.</p> - -<p>"The Citizen Maurice, where is he?" asked the commissary. "We summon -you to deliver him up."</p> - -<p>"When I tell you he is not here!"</p> - -<p>The commissary passed into the chamber adjoining, then ascended to -the loft where Lorin's official slept, and at last opened a lower -apartment, but found no trace of Maurice. But upon the dining-room -table a recently written letter attracted the attention of the -commissary. It was from Maurice, who had deposited it there on leaving -in the morning without awakening his friend.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"I go to the Tribunal," said Maurice; "take breakfast without me. I -shall not return till night."</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Citizens," said Lorin, "however anxious I may feel to obey your -commands, I cannot follow you undressed. Allow my official to assist -me."</p> - -<p>"Aristocrat," said a voice, "do you require assistance to put on your -breeches?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, goodness! yes," said Lorin; "I resemble the Citizen -Dagobert,—mind, I did not say king."</p> - -<p>"Well, dress," said the commissary; "but make haste!"</p> - -<p>The official came down to help his master to dress. However, it was not -exactly that Lorin required a <i>valet-de-chambre</i>; it was that nothing -might escape the notice of the official, and that consequently he might -detail everything to Maurice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now, gentlemen,—pardon, Citizens. Now, Citizens, I am ready, and will -follow you; but permit me, I beg, to carry with me the last volume of -'Lettres à Émilie,' by Monsieur Demoustier, which has just appeared, -and I have not read. It will enliven the hours of my captivity."</p> - -<p>"Your captivity?" said Simon, sharply, now become municipal in his -turn, and entering, followed by four sectionaries, "that will not last -long. You figure in the trial of the woman who wanted to assist the -Austrian to escape. They try her to-day; and to-morrow, when you have -given your testimony, your turn will come."</p> - -<p>"Cobbler," said Lorin, "you stitch your soles too quickly."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but what a nice stroke from the leather-cutting knife!" replied -Simon; "you will see, you will see, my fine grenadier!"</p> - -<p>Lorin shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Well," said he, "let us go; I am waiting for you."</p> - -<p>As each one turned round to descend the staircase Lorin bestowed on the -municipal Simon so vigorous a kick that he sent him rolling and howling -down the entire flight of stairs. The sectionaries could not restrain -their laughter. Lorin put his hands in his pockets.</p> - -<p>"In the exercise of my functions!" cried Simon, livid with rage.</p> - -<p>"Zounds!" said Lorin, "are we not all here in the exercise of our -functions?"</p> - -<p>He got into the carriage, and was conducted by the commissary to the -Palais de Justice.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_LI" id="CHAPTER_LI">CHAPTER LI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">LORIN.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">If</span> for the second time the reader is willing to follow us to the -Revolutionary Tribunal, we shall find Maurice in the same place where -we have already seen him, only now infinitely more pale and agitated.</p> - -<p>At the moment our scene again opens upon the lugubrious theatre, -whither we are led by a tissue of events rather than by our own -inclinations, the jury were deliberating; a cause had just been tried. -Two of the accused had already, by one of those insolent anticipations -by which they ridiculed the judges, attired themselves for the -scaffold, and were conversing with their counsel, whose words somewhat -resembled those of a physician who despairs of the life of his patient.</p> - -<p>The people of the Tribune were this day in a ferocious mood, calculated -to excite the severity of the jury placed under the immediate -surveillance of the gossips and inhabitants of the suburbs. The juries -under these circumstances became more excited and energetic, resembling -an actor who redoubles his efforts beneath the eyes of a censorious -public.</p> - -<p>Since ten in the morning five condemnations had already taken place -under the decisions of these harsh and insatiable juries.</p> - -<p>The two individuals who now found themselves on the bench of the -accused awaited the decisive moment when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</a></span> "yes" or "no" would return -them to life or doom them to death.</p> - -<p>The audience, rendered savage by the daily occurrence of these -spectacles, now become their favorite pastime, prepared them by -exclamations and anticipations for the awful moment.</p> - -<p>"There! there! look at the tall one!" said a beldam, who, not having -a bonnet, wore a tricolored cockade as large as a hand on her -head,—"there! is he not pale? One would swear he was already dead."</p> - -<p>The condemned regarded the woman with a contemptuous smile.</p> - -<p>"What do you say?" replied her neighbor; "why, he is smiling."</p> - -<p>"Yes; on the wrong side of his mouth."</p> - -<p>One of the men looked at his watch.</p> - -<p>"What is the time?" inquired his companion.</p> - -<p>"A quarter to one. This has lasted three quarters of an hour."</p> - -<p>"The same as at Domfront, that unfortunate town, where you arrive at -noon, and are hung in an hour."</p> - -<p>"And the short one! the short one!" cried another person, "will he not -be ugly when he sneezes in the sack?"</p> - -<p>"Bah! it is done so quickly, you will barely have time to perceive it."</p> - -<p>"Then we will demand the head from Sanson; one has a right to see it."</p> - -<p>"Look! what a beautiful blue coat he has on. It is rather a pleasant -thing that the poor can shorten the rich and well-dressed people."</p> - -<p>Indeed, as the executioner had told the queen, the poor inherited the -spoils of each victim; they were carried to La Salpêtrière, immediately -after the execution, and dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</a></span>tributed among the indigent; and there -even the clothes of the unfortunate queen had been conveyed.</p> - -<p>Maurice heard this whirlwind of words without paying any attention; -for he was at this moment occupied by one engrossing thought, to the -exclusion of all else. For several days his heart beat only at certain -moments, and by fits and starts, as from time to time hope or fear -appeared to suspend all vital action, and these perpetual oscillations -to bruise the most tender sensibilities of his soul.</p> - -<p>The jury returned to their places; and as had been fully anticipated, -the president pronounced the condemnation of the two accused, who were -directly removed, walking with a firm step and erect bearing,—for at -this epoch every one learned to die boldly.</p> - -<p>The solemn and sinister voice of the usher was again heard.</p> - -<p>"The public prosecutor against the Citizeness Geneviève Dixmer."</p> - -<p>A shudder ran through Maurice's frame, and a cold sweat bedewed his -brow. The little door by which the accused entered suddenly opened, -and Geneviève appeared. She was dressed in white; her ringlets were -tastefully arranged, instead of being cut short, hanging in long masses -of clustering curls. Doubtless, to the last moment poor Geneviève -wished to appear beautiful to her lover, who might perchance be able to -see her.</p> - -<p>Maurice beheld Geneviève, and felt that all the strength he had -collected was inadequate to this occasion, notwithstanding he had -expected this blow, since for twelve days he had not omitted a single -sitting, and three times already had the name of Geneviève proceeded -from the mouth of the public prosecutor, and reached his ear. But -there are certain griefs and miseries so profound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</a></span> that it is quite -impossible to sound the depths of the abyss.</p> - -<p>All those who witnessed the appearance of this young female, so lovely, -so pale and innocent, uttered a simultaneous cry; some of fury,—for -at this period there existed a class of people who detested everything -bordering on superiority of beauty, riches, or of birth,—others of -admiration, and some of pity. Geneviève, doubtless, among all these -cries had recognized one cry, amid all these voices had distinguished -one voice, for she turned in the direction of Maurice, while the -president, looking up at her from time to time, turned over the law -papers of the accused.</p> - -<p>At the first glance she discovered Maurice, concealed as his features -were under the broad brim of his hat; and turning round with a sweet -smile, and a gesture still more engaging, she pressed her rosy but -trembling hands upon her lips, and depositing her whole soul with her -breath, she gave wings to a last kiss, which only one in this vast -crowd had the right to appropriate to himself.</p> - -<p>A murmur of interest ran through the hall. Geneviève, recalled, turned -toward her judges, but stopping suddenly in the midst of this movement, -her eyes dilated, and became fixed with an undefinable expression of -horror toward one point of the hall.</p> - -<p>Maurice in vain raised himself on his toes; he saw nothing, or rather -something of more consequence recalled his attention to the scene that -was being enacted,—that is to say, to the Tribunal.</p> - -<p>Fouquier Tinville had commenced reading the act of accusation. This act -stated that Geneviève Dixmer was the wife of an obstinate conspirator -suspected of having assisted the ex-Chevalier de Maison-Rouge in -his succes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</a></span>sive attempts to rescue the queen. She had, besides, -been surprised at the feet of the queen, entreating her to exchange -garments with her, and offering to die in her stead. This absurd -fanaticism, continued the act, merited, no doubt, the admiration of the -counter-revolutionists; but in our day every French citizen owes his -life to the nation; it is therefore double treason to sacrifice it to -the enemies of France.</p> - -<p>Geneviève, when asked if she acknowledged that she had knelt before the -queen, as stated by the two gendarmes Gilbert and Duchesne, and had -entreated her to exchange vestments, simply replied, "Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then," said the president, "inform us of your plan, and what hope you -entertained of its success."</p> - -<p>Geneviève smiled.</p> - -<p>"A woman might conceive hopes," said she, "but a woman could not form a -plan like this of which I am the victim."</p> - -<p>"How came you there, then?"</p> - -<p>"Not of my own accord. I was compelled."</p> - -<p>"Who compelled you?" demanded the public prosecutor.</p> - -<p>"Those who menaced me with death if I did not obey;" and again the -agitated look of the young woman was centred on that part of the hall -invisible to Maurice.</p> - -<p>"But to escape from this death which menaced you, did you not know that -you faced that death which must result from your condemnation?"</p> - -<p>"When I consented, the knife was at my throat, while the guillotine was -only in perspective. I succumbed under present violence."</p> - -<p>"Why did you not call for assistance? All good citizens would have -defended you."</p> - -<p>"Alas! sir," said Geneviève, in a voice at once so sad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</a></span> and sweet that -it caused Maurice's heart to beat tumultuously, "I had no one near me."</p> - -<p>Commiseration succeeded to interest, as interest had succeeded to -curiosity. Many heads were lowered, some to conceal their tears, many -to allow them to flow freely.</p> - -<p>Just then Maurice perceived on his left an immovable head and an -inflexible countenance. It was Dixmer, standing dark, gloomy, and -implacable, never for a moment losing sight of Geneviève or of the -Tribunal.</p> - -<p>The blood rushed to the young man's temples; rage mounted from his -heart to his forehead, filling his whole being with intense desire for -vengeance. He darted at Dixmer a look so replete with burning hate, so -condensed and powerful, that he, as if attracted by the electric fluid, -turned his head toward his enemy. Their glances encountered like two -flashes.</p> - -<p>"Tell us the names of your instigators," said the president.</p> - -<p>"There was only one, sir."</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"My husband."</p> - -<p>"Do you know where he is?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Inform us of his retreat."</p> - -<p>"He has been brutal, but I will not be cowardly. It is not for me to -tell you his retreat, but for you to find him."</p> - -<p>Maurice looked at Dixmer. He never moved. One idea flashed through the -young man's brain. It was to denounce him at the same time that he -denounced himself; but he quickly suppressed the thought.</p> - -<p>"No," said he; "it is not thus that he should die."</p> - -<p>"Then you refuse to assist us in our search?" said the president.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I think, sir, I could not do so without rendering myself as -contemptible in the eyes of others as he is in mine."</p> - -<p>"Are there any witnesses?" demanded the president.</p> - -<p>"There is one," replied the usher.</p> - -<p>"Call the witness."</p> - -<p>"Maximilien-Jean Lorin!" shouted the usher.</p> - -<p>"Lorin!" cried Maurice, "Oh, my God! what has happened?"</p> - -<p>This scene took place the same day that Lorin had been arrested, and -Maurice was in utter ignorance of the fact.</p> - -<p>"Lorin!" murmured Geneviève, looking round with anxious solicitude.</p> - -<p>"Why does not the witness answer to the call?" demanded the president.</p> - -<p>"Citizen President," said Fouquier Tinville, "upon a recent -denunciation the witness was arrested at his own house; he will be -brought directly."</p> - -<p>Maurice started.</p> - -<p>"There is another still more important witness," continued Fouquier; -"but we have not yet been able to find him."</p> - -<p>Dixmer turned toward Maurice smiling. Perhaps the same idea flitted -through the mind of the husband which had before entered that of the -lover.</p> - -<p>Geneviève, pale and horror-stricken, uttered a low groan.</p> - -<p>At this moment Lorin entered, followed by two gendarmes.</p> - -<p>After him, and by the same door, Simon appeared, who came to take his -seat in the judgment-hall, according to his custom in that locality.</p> - -<p>"Your name and surname?" inquired the president.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Maximilien-Jean Lorin."</p> - -<p>"Your condition in life?"</p> - -<p>"Independent."</p> - -<p>"You will not remain so long," muttered Simon, shaking his fist at him.</p> - -<p>"Are you related to the prisoner at the bar?"</p> - -<p>"No; but I have the honor of being one of her friends."</p> - -<p>"Are you aware that she conspired to carry off the queen?"</p> - -<p>"How could I be aware of it?"</p> - -<p>"She might have confided in you?"</p> - -<p>"In me! a member of the section of the Thermopyles? A likely story!"</p> - -<p>"Notwithstanding, you have sometimes been seen with her."</p> - -<p>"I might have been seen with her often."</p> - -<p>"Did you know that she was an aristocrat?"</p> - -<p>"I knew her as the wife of a master-tanner."</p> - -<p>"But her husband did not in reality follow the business which he -pretended to."</p> - -<p>"Of that I am ignorant; her husband was not one of my friends."</p> - -<p>"Tell us what you know of this husband."</p> - -<p>"Oh, very willingly. He is a villain, who—"</p> - -<p>"Monsieur Lorin," said Geneviève, "for pity's sake!"</p> - -<p>Lorin continued unmoved.</p> - -<p>"He is a villain, who has sacrificed his wife, the poor woman before -you, not so much to his political opinions as to his private hatred. -Faugh! I look upon the brute as lower and more degraded even than -Simon."</p> - -<p>Dixmer became livid with rage. Simon wished to speak, but a gesture -from the president imposed silence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You appear to know the whole history, Citizen Lorin," said Fouquier; -"continue your testimony."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Citizen Fouquier," said Lorin, rising; "I know nothing -more." He bowed and reseated himself.</p> - -<p>"Citizen Lorin," said Fouquier, "it is your bounden duty to enlighten -this Tribunal."</p> - -<p>"It has received all the light that I can give it. As to this poor -woman, I repeat she has only acted under compulsion. Look at her! does -she look like a conspirator? What she has done she was compelled to do. -That is all."</p> - -<p>"You think so?"</p> - -<p>"I am sure of it."</p> - -<p>"In the name of the law," said Fouquier, "I require that the witness -Lorin shall be placed before this Tribunal as an accomplice of this -woman."</p> - -<p>Maurice groaned, while Geneviève buried her face in her hands.</p> - -<p>Simon screamed out in a transport of joy, "Citizen Prosecutor, you are -the savior of your country!"</p> - -<p>As to Lorin, he leaped over the balustrade without making any reply, -and seating himself near to Geneviève, took her hand, and respectfully -kissed it, saying, "Good-day, Madame," with a coolness which -electrified the assembly; "how do you do?"</p> - -<p>Then he took his seat on the bench of the accused.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_LII" id="CHAPTER_LII">CHAPTER LII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">SEQUEL TO THE PRECEDING.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">All</span> this scene had passed before Maurice like a fantastic vision. -Leaning upon the handle of his sword, which he had never quitted, he -saw his friends precipitated one after another into that gulf which -never yields back its victims; and this fatal sight so affected him -that he asked himself why he, the companion of these unfortunates, -should still cling to the brink of the precipice, and not surrender -himself to the giddiness which was dragging him with them.</p> - -<p>In leaping the balustrade Lorin saw the dark and sneering features of -Dixmer.</p> - -<p>When, as we have said, he had placed himself near Geneviève, she -whispered in his ear.</p> - -<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i>" said she, "do you know that Maurice is here?"</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"Do not look round directly; one look might prove his ruin."</p> - -<p>"Calm yourself."</p> - -<p>"Behind us, near the door. What a trial for him if we are condemned!"</p> - -<p>Lorin regarded the young woman with tender sympathy.</p> - -<p>"We shall be," said he. "I conjure you not to doubt it. The deception -would be too cruel if you were to permit yourself to hope."</p> - -<p>"Oh, my God!" said Geneviève, "pity our poor friend, who will remain -alone in the world!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</a></span></p> - -<p>Lorin then turned round toward Maurice, and Geneviève also could not -refrain from glancing at him.</p> - -<p>His eyes were fixed upon them both, and one hand was placed upon his -heart.</p> - -<p>"There is one way to save you," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Are you sure?" said Geneviève, her eyes sparkling with joy.</p> - -<p>"Oh, of that one I am sure," replied Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Oh, if you can save me how I will bless you!"</p> - -<p>"But this way—" replied the young man.</p> - -<p>Geneviève read his hesitation in his eyes.</p> - -<p>"You have also seen <i>him</i>?" said she.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I have seen him. Will you be saved? Let him, in his turn, -take his seat in the iron arm-chair, and you will be safe." Dixmer, -doubtless from Lorin's look and the expression of his countenance, -divined what he uttered. He at first turned pale, but soon recovered -his gloomy composure and satanic smile.</p> - -<p>"Impossible!" said Geneviève; "I can no longer hate him."</p> - -<p>"Say that he knows your generous nature, and defies you."</p> - -<p>"No doubt; for he is sure of him, of me, of us all."</p> - -<p>"Geneviève! Geneviève! I am less perfect than you. Let me bring him -here! Let him perish!"</p> - -<p>"No, Lorin, I conjure you. Nothing in common with that man, not even -death. It seems to me I should be unfaithful to Maurice were I to die -with Dixmer."</p> - -<p>"But you will not die."</p> - -<p>"How can I live when Maurice is to die?"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Lorin, "Maurice has reason to love you; you are an angel, -and heaven is the angels' home. Poor dear Maurice!"</p> - -<p>In the mean time Simon, who could not overhear the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</a></span> conversation -between the accused, devoured their looks instead of their words.</p> - -<p>"Citizen Gendarme," said he, "prevent those conspirators from -continuing their plots against the Republic, even in the Revolutionary -Tribunal."</p> - -<p>"You know, Citizen Simon," replied the gendarme, "that here they -conspire no more, and if they do so it will not be for long. These -citizens are only conversing together; and since the law does not -forbid them to do so in the car, why should it be forbidden at the -Tribunal?"</p> - -<p>This gendarme was Gilbert, who, having recognized the prisoner taken -in the queen's chamber, avowed with his ordinary honesty the interest -which he could not help according to her courage and devotion.</p> - -<p>The president having consulted the court, at the request of Fouquier -Tinville commenced his questions.</p> - -<p>"Accused Lorin," demanded he, "of what nature was your acquaintance -with the citizen Madame Dixmer?"</p> - -<p>"Of what nature, Citizen President?"</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"The pure flame of friendship bound us one to another;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">As a sister she loved me, and I her as a brother."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Citizen Lorin," said Fouquier Tinville, "your poetry is out of season -here, and the rhythm is bad."</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"You have one syllable too many."</p> - -<p>"Cut it off! cut it off! Citizen Prosecutor! that is your trade, you -know."</p> - -<p>The imperturbable countenance of Fouquier Tinville assumed a pallid hue -at this horrible pleasantry.</p> - -<p>"And in what light," demanded the president, "did the Citizen Dixmer -view this liaison of a professed Republican with his wife?"</p> - -<p>"As to that I can tell you nothing, declaring that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</a></span> was never -acquainted with the Citizen Dixmer, and never had any desire to be so."</p> - -<p>"But," resumed Fouquier Tinville, "you did not tell us that your friend -Maurice Lindey formed the link of this pure friendship between yourself -and the accused?"</p> - -<p>"If I did not say so," replied Lorin, "it was because it seemed to -me wrong to speak of it; and I think that you might even follow my -example."</p> - -<p>"The citizen jurors," said Fouquier Tinville, "will appreciate this -singular alliance between an aristocrat and two Republicans, and at the -very moment when this aristocrat is convicted of the blackest plot that -could be concocted against the nation."</p> - -<p>"How should I know anything concerning this plot you speak of?" -demanded Lorin, disgusted by the brutal stupidity of the argument.</p> - -<p>"You were acquainted with this woman; you were her friend; you term -yourself her brother; you speak of her as your sister,—and you were -not cognizant of her proceedings? Is it then probable, as you have -yourself remarked," continued the president, "that she would have -committed alone this act imputed to her?"</p> - -<p>"She did not commit it alone," replied Lorin, repeating the technical -words used by the president; "since, as she has told you, and I have -told you, and now repeat, her husband compelled her."</p> - -<p>"Then how is it that you are not acquainted with the husband," said -Fouquier Tinville, "since the husband was united with the wife?"</p> - -<p>It remained only for Lorin to recount the first disappearance of -Dixmer; to mention the amours of Geneviève and his friend; and, in -short, to relate the manner in which Dixmer had carried off and -concealed his wife in some impenetrable retreat,—it needed only this -to ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</a></span>culpate himself from all connivance, and to elucidate the whole -mystery. But for this he must betray the secrets of his two friends; to -do this would be to put Geneviève to shame before five hundred people. -Lorin shook his head, as if saying "no" to himself.</p> - -<p>"Well?" demanded the president, "what do you reply to the public -prosecutor?"</p> - -<p>"That his logic is crushing," said Lorin; "and I am now convinced of -one thing which I never even suspected before."</p> - -<p>"What is that?"</p> - -<p>"That I am, as it appears, one of the most frightful conspirators that -has ever been seen."</p> - -<p>This declaration elicited a roar of laughter; even the jury could not -refrain, so ludicrous was the young man's manner in enunciating these -words.</p> - -<p>Fouquier felt the ridicule; and since with his usual indefatigable -perseverance he had managed to know all the secrets of the accused as -well as they did themselves, he could not help feeling toward Lorin a -sentiment of pity mingled with admiration.</p> - -<p>"Come, Citizen Lorin," said he, "speak in your own defence. The -Tribunal will lend a willing ear. We are acquainted with your previous -conduct, and it has always been that of a stanch Republican."</p> - -<p>Simon essayed to speak; but the president made him a signal to remain -silent.</p> - -<p>"Speak, Citizen Lorin!" said he; "we are all attention;" but Lorin only -shook his head.</p> - -<p>"This silence is confession," said the president.</p> - -<p>"Not so," said Lorin; "silence is silence, that is all."</p> - -<p>"Once more," said Fouquier Tinville; "will you speak?"</p> - -<p>Lorin turned toward the audience to encounter the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</a></span> eyes of Maurice, and -to learn from them what course he would wish him to pursue; but Maurice -made no sign to him to speak, and Lorin maintained his former silence. -This was self-condemnation.</p> - -<p>All that followed was quickly executed. Fouquier summed up his -accusation; the president reviewed the evidence; the jury retired, and -unanimously returned a verdict of "guilty" against Lorin and Geneviève.</p> - -<p>The president condemned them both to suffer the penalty of death.</p> - -<p>Two o'clock sounded from the great clock of the Palace.</p> - -<p>The president had just time sufficient to pronounce the condemnation as -the clock struck.</p> - -<p>Maurice heard the two with a sense of confusion and utter bewilderment.</p> - -<p>When the vibration had ceased, his strength was utterly exhausted. The -gendarmes led away Geneviève and Lorin, who had offered her his arm.</p> - -<p>Both saluted Maurice, but in different ways. Lorin smiled; but -Geneviève, pale and fainting, wafted him a last kiss upon her fingers, -bathed in tears.</p> - -<p>She had till the last moment clung to the hope of life, and now wept, -not the loss of her life, but of her love, which must perish with her.</p> - -<p>Maurice, half mad, had not replied to his friends' farewell. He rose, -pale and bewildered, from the bench on which he had fallen. His friends -had disappeared.</p> - -<p>He felt only one sentiment alive within him. It was the hatred which -was gnawing at his heart.</p> - -<p>He threw a last look around him and recognized Dixmer, who was leaving -with the rest of the spectators, and at that moment stooped to pass -under the arched door of the passage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">[Pg 481]</a></span></p> - -<p>With the rapidity of a steel spring when it unbends, Maurice sprang -from bench to bench, and reached the door.</p> - -<p>Dixmer had already passed through, and descended into the darkened -corridor. Maurice followed behind him. At the moment Dixmer planted -his foot on the pavement of the grand hall, Maurice tapped him on the -shoulder.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">[Pg 482]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_LIII" id="CHAPTER_LIII">CHAPTER LIII.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE DUEL.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">At</span> this epoch it was always a serious thing to feel a touch upon the -shoulder. Dixmer turned, and recognized Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Ah! good-day, Citizen Republican," said Dixmer, without evincing any -other emotion than an almost imperceptible start, which he immediately -repressed.</p> - -<p>"Good-day, Citizen Coward," replied Maurice. "You were waiting for me, -were you not?"</p> - -<p>"That is to say," replied Dixmer, "that, on the contrary, I had ceased -to expect you."</p> - -<p>"Why was that?"</p> - -<p>"Because I expected you sooner."</p> - -<p>"I still arrive too soon for you, assassin!" added Maurice, with a -murmured growl rather than a voice, since it resembled the grumbling -of a storm gathered in his heart, his looks being like the lightning's -flashes.</p> - -<p>"You fling fire from your eyes, Citizen," replied Dixmer. "We shall be -recognized, and followed."</p> - -<p>"Yes; and you fear to be arrested, do you not? You dread lest you might -be conducted to the scaffold where you send others. Let them arrest -us, so much the better; for it seems to me that the life of one guilty -wretch was due to national justice."</p> - -<p>"As there is one name the less on the list of people of honor. Is it -not so—since yours has disappeared?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">[Pg 483]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, we shall speak about all that again, I hope; but, in the mean -time, you are avenged—miserably avenged—upon a woman. Why, since you -have waited for me elsewhere, did you not do so at my house, when you -stole away Geneviève?"</p> - -<p>"You were the first thief, I believe."</p> - -<p>"Neither by your wit nor your words have I ever known you, sir. I know -you better by your actions,—witness the day when you wanted to murder -me. That day your true nature spoke."</p> - -<p>"And I have more than once regretted that I did not listen to it," -answered Dixmer, coolly.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Maurice, touching his sword, "I offer you your revenge."</p> - -<p>"To-morrow, if you like, but not to-day."</p> - -<p>"And why to-morrow?"</p> - -<p>"Or this evening."</p> - -<p>"Why not directly?"</p> - -<p>"Because I am engaged till five o'clock."</p> - -<p>"Another hideous project!" said Maurice; "another ambush!"</p> - -<p>"Really, Monsieur Maurice, you are rather ungrateful!" replied Dixmer. -"In truth you are. Here, for six months, I have allowed you to make -love to my wife; for six months have permitted your meetings, and have -not noticed your smiles. Never man, you must confess, has evinced so -little of the tiger in his composition as myself."</p> - -<p>"That is to say, you thought I might be useful, and you could mould me -to your purpose."</p> - -<p>"Without doubt," returned Dixmer, calmly, who ruled his own passion as -much as Maurice was carried away by his. "Without doubt; while you were -betraying your Republic, and were selling it to me for a look from my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">[Pg 484]</a></span> -wife; while you were dishonoring yourselves,—you by your treason, she -by her adulterous love,—I remained the sage and hero. I waited, and I -triumphed."</p> - -<p>"Horrible!" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Is it not? Yes; you appreciate your own conduct fully, sir. It is -horrible!—it is infamous!"</p> - -<p>"You deceive yourself, sir; the conduct I term horrible and infamous -is that of the man to whom the honor of a woman had been confided, who -had sworn to guard this honor pure and unsullied, and who, instead of -keeping his word and oath, employed her beauty as a shameful bait to -ensnare a feeble heart. It was your sacred duty beyond all others to -protect this woman, and instead of protecting her, you have sold her."</p> - -<p>"What I had to do, sir," replied Dixmer, "I will tell you. I had to -save my friend who united with me in this sacred cause. Even as I have -sacrificed my property to this cause, so have I sacrificed my honor. -As for me, I have completely forgotten, completely effaced myself. Now -my friend is no more; he has died by the poniard. My queen is no more; -she has died ignominiously on the scaffold. Now! now! I can think of -revenge."</p> - -<p>"Say of assassination."</p> - -<p>"One cannot assassinate an adulteress; when she is killed, she is but -punished for her crime."</p> - -<p>"This sin you imposed upon her, therefore it was rendered lawful."</p> - -<p>"You think so?" said Dixmer, with a sardonic smile. "Judge from her -remorse if she believes she has acted lawfully."</p> - -<p>"Those who punish strike openly. You, you do not punish; for while -striking you fly, and while casting her head to the guillotine you -conceal yourself."</p> - -<p>"I fly! I hide myself! when did you see that, poor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">[Pg 485]</a></span> idiot that you -are?" demanded Dixmer. "Is it concealing myself to be present at her -condemnation? Is it flying when I go into the Salle des Morts to fling -her my last adieu?"</p> - -<p>"You are going to see her again,—to fling her a last adieu?" cried -Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Decidedly you are not expert at revenge, Citizen," replied Dixmer, -shrugging his shoulders. "Thus, in my situation you would abandon these -events to their strength alone, these circumstances to their natural -course; thus, for example, the adulterous woman having merited death, -the moment she has received the punishment of death I am quits with -her, or rather she is quits with me. No, Citizen Maurice; I know better -than that. I have discovered a way to return this woman all the evil -she has done me. She loves you, and will die far from you; she detests -me, and I will be near her. There!" said he, drawing a pocket-book -from his pocket, "do you see this? It contains a card signed by the -registrar of the Palace. With this card I can gain near access to the -condemned. I will penetrate to Geneviève; I will call her 'Adulteress!' -I shall see her curls fall under the hand of the vile executioner, -and as they are severed she shall still hear my voice hissing, -'Adulteress!' I will even accompany her to the fatal car, and as she -plants her foot upon the scaffold, the last sound that greets her ear -shall be the word 'Adulteress!'"</p> - -<p>"Take care! she will not have strength to support so much cowardice; -she will denounce you."</p> - -<p>"No," cried Dixmer, "she hates me too much for that. If she had wished -to denounce me she would have done so when her friend urged her so -softly. If she did not denounce me to save her life, she will not do -so that I may die with her; for she well knows in that case I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">[Pg 486]</a></span> -retard her execution for a day. She well knows that if she denounces -me, I shall go with her not only to the lowest step of the Palace, but -even to the scaffold; she well knows that instead of leaving her at the -foot of the ladder, I shall ascend into the car with her, and that, -seated by her side, the whole length of the road I shall constantly -repeat the one dreadful word 'Adulteress;' that even on the scaffold I -shall continue to do so till the moment she sinks into eternity and the -accusation falls with her."</p> - -<p>Dixmer was frightful in this state of anger and hatred. He seized -Maurice by the hand and shook it with a force unknown to the young -man, upon whom this had acted with a contrary effect; as Dixmer became -excited, Maurice grew calm.</p> - -<p>"Listen!" said the young man, "in your vengeance you have omitted one -thing."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"That you will be able to tell her, 'On leaving the Tribunal, I have -seen your lover, and have killed him.'"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, I prefer telling her that you live, and will suffer -for the remainder of your days from the spectacle of her death."</p> - -<p>"You shall kill me, notwithstanding," said Maurice; "or," added he, -turning round and finding himself nearly master of his position, "I -will kill you!"</p> - -<p>And pale with emotion, and excited by fury, finding his strength -redoubled from the restraint he had imposed upon his feelings while -listening to the unfolding of Dixmer's horrible project, he seized him -by the throat and drew him backward toward a stair which led to the -high bank of the river. At the contact with his hand, Dixmer, in his -turn, felt hatred rush over him like hot lava.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">[Pg 487]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You need not compel me by force, I will follow."</p> - -<p>"Come, then. You are armed."</p> - -<p>"I will follow you."</p> - -<p>"No, go first; but I give you notice, at the least sign or gesture I -will cleave your skull with my sword."</p> - -<p>"You know I am a stranger to fear," said Dixmer, with a smile rendered -frightful from his pallor.</p> - -<p>"Fear of my sword," said Maurice, "no; but fear of losing your revenge; -and now that we are face to face you may bid it adieu."</p> - -<p>They had, indeed, arrived at the water's brink; and had any one seen -and followed them, he could not have arrived in time to prevent the -duel from taking place, since an equal desire for vengeance now -animated both. While speaking, they had descended the short stair -leading to the Palace square, and gained the nearly deserted quay; for -as the condemnations continued, seeing it was two o'clock at least, the -crowd still filled the judgment-hall, the corridors, and the courts.</p> - -<p>They appeared equally to thirst for each other's blood.</p> - -<p>They plunged under one of those arches leading from the cells of the -Conciergerie to the river; at this time drained, but then foul and -saturated with blood, serving more than once as a means of conveyance -for the corpses, which floated far away from the dungeons, leaving no -trace behind.</p> - -<p>Maurice placed himself between Dixmer and the water.</p> - -<p>"I decidedly think I shall kill you, Maurice," said Dixmer, "you -tremble so much."</p> - -<p>"And I, Dixmer," said Maurice, taking his sword in hand and carefully -enclosing him so as to cut off all retreat,—"I, on the contrary, -believe that I shall kill you; and having killed you, shall remove from -your pocket-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">[Pg 488]</a></span>book the pass signed by the registrar of the Palace. Nay, -you need not button your coat; my sword shall open it, I will be bound, -were it even formed of brass like the cuirasses of old."</p> - -<p>"And this paper," roared Dixmer, "you will take it, will you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Maurice; "I will use the pass. With this talisman I will -secure an entrance to Geneviève. I will sit next her in the car; I will -murmur in her ear while her life remains, 'I love thee;' and when the -last stroke has fallen, I will murmur still, 'I loved thee.'"</p> - -<p>Dixmer made a movement with his left hand to take the pass from his -pocket, and together with the pocket-book to cast it into the river, -when rapid as a thunderbolt, and trenchant as a hatchet, Maurice's -sword fell upon his hand, nearly severing it from the wrist. The -wounded man uttered a cry, and shaking his mutilated limb, flung -himself furiously on his antagonist.</p> - -<p>Then in the obscurity of this gloomy vault the deadly combat commenced. -The two men, enclosed in a space so narrow that the sword strokes -could not diverge from the line of the body, slid upon the humid -pavement, and with difficulty supported themselves by the sides of the -arch; the impatience of the combatants caused them to redouble their -blows. Dixmer, who, as he felt his life-blood flow, was aware that his -strength diminished, charged Maurice so furiously that the latter was -compelled to step backward; in so doing he lost his footing, and his -enemy's sword grazed his breast. But by a movement rapid as thought, -kneeling as he was, he raised the blade with his left arm and turned -the point toward Dixmer, who, maddened with rage, darted forward, and -impelled by the inclining ground, fell on the sword, the point of which -entered his body. He uttered a fearful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">[Pg 489]</a></span> imprecation, and the two bodies -rolled to the outside of the arch.</p> - -<p>One only rose. It was Maurice,—Maurice covered with blood, but with -the blood of his enemy.</p> - -<p>He drew his sword toward him, and as he drew it the remnant of life -which still agitated with a nervous shuddering the limbs of Dixmer, -ceased.</p> - -<p>Then, when assured that he was dead, Maurice stooped toward the corpse, -opened the dead man's coat, withdrew the pass, and hurried away -directly.</p> - -<p>But on looking at himself he felt assured that in his present state he -should not proceed far without being arrested. He was literally covered -with blood.</p> - -<p>He approached the water's edge, and bending toward the river, washed -his hands and coat. He then rapidly ascended the steps, casting a -last look toward the arch, from whence a red, smoking stream issued, -advancing slowly toward the river.</p> - -<p>On approaching the Palace he opened the pocket-book, and there found -the pass signed by the registrar.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, just God!" murmured he, and he rapidly mounted the steps -leading to the Salle des Morts.</p> - -<p>It struck three.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">[Pg 490]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_LIV" id="CHAPTER_LIV">CHAPTER LIV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE SALLE DES MORTS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> will be remembered that the registrar of the Palace had opened his -jailer's book to Dixmer, and had also entered into an arrangement with -him which the presence of Geneviève rendered peculiarly agreeable. -This man, it may be imagined, was terribly alarmed when the news of -Dixmer's plot was communicated to him. He would doubtless be considered -as nothing less than an accomplice of Dixmer, his false colleague, -and would therefore be condemned to die with the wretched Geneviève. -Fouquier Tinville had summoned him to appear before him.</p> - -<p>It may easily be understood that this poor man would have some trouble -to prove himself innocent in the eyes of the public prosecutor; he had, -however, succeeded in so doing, thanks to Geneviève, whose declaration -had clearly established his utter ignorance of the plot of her husband. -He had succeeded, thanks to Dixmer's flight, and above all from the -interest excited in Fouquier Tinville, who wished to preserve his -administration free from all stain.</p> - -<p>"Citizen," said he, flinging himself upon his knees before Fouquier, -"pardon me, for I have been deceived."</p> - -<p>"Citizen," replied the public prosecutor, "an employee of the nation -who in these days permits himself to be deceived deserves to be -guillotined."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">[Pg 491]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I may have been a blockhead, Citizen," replied the registrar, who was -longing to call Fouquier Tinville "Monseigneur."</p> - -<p>"Blockhead or not," replied the rigid prosecutor, "no one should allow -his love for the Republic to sleep. The spies of the Capitol were only -geese, yet they were sufficiently awake to save Rome."</p> - -<p>The registrar looked upon this argument as totally unanswerable; he -groaned, and remained waiting.</p> - -<p>"I pardon you," said Fouquier Tinville. "I will go so far as to defend -you, since I do not wish one of my employees to be even suspected; but -you will bear in mind that at the least word that reaches my ears, the -least revival of this affair, you shall go to the scaffold."</p> - -<p>It is scarcely necessary to say with what anxiety this man sought the -newspapers, always in haste to tell what they know, and sometimes more -than they can certify, even should they cause the heads of ten men to -fall by the guillotine.</p> - -<p>He sought Dixmer everywhere, to recommend him to keep his own counsel; -but Dixmer had very naturally changed his apartments, and was nowhere -to be found.</p> - -<p>Geneviève had been placed on the bench of the accused, and had already, -in her testimony, declared that neither herself nor husband had any -accomplices; and he thanked the poor woman with his eyes as she passed -before him on her way to the Tribunal.</p> - -<p>When she had passed, and he was returning to the office to fetch some -law papers for Fouquier Tinville, he all at once saw Dixmer approaching -him with a calm and quiet step.</p> - -<p>This vision petrified him.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said he, as if he had seen a spectre.</p> - -<p>"Do you not know me?" said the new-comer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">[Pg 492]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Of course, I do. You are the Citizen Durand, or rather the Citizen -Dixmer."</p> - -<p>"Just so."</p> - -<p>"But are you a dead man, Citizen?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet, as you see."</p> - -<p>"I mean to say that they will arrest you."</p> - -<p>"Who wants to arrest me?—no one knows me."</p> - -<p>"But I know you; and it only needs one word from me to send you to the -guillotine."</p> - -<p>"And two words from me to send you there with me."</p> - -<p>"It is shameful of you to say that."</p> - -<p>"No; it is logic."</p> - -<p>"But what is your business? Make haste,—speak quickly; for the less -time we are together the less danger we incur from each other."</p> - -<p>"My wife is about to be condemned, is it not so?"</p> - -<p>"I greatly fear for her, poor woman!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I wish to see her once more, to bid her adieu."</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"In the Salle des Morts."</p> - -<p>"Would you dare to enter there?"</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said the registrar, like a man whose hair stood on end at the -very thought.</p> - -<p>"There must be some way," continued Dixmer.</p> - -<p>"To enter the Salle des Morts? Without doubt there is."</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"To procure a pass."</p> - -<p>"And where are these passes to be procured?"</p> - -<p>The registrar turned frightfully pale, and stammered, "Where are they -to be procured, you ask?"</p> - -<p>"I inquire where are they to be procured?" replied Dixmer; "the -question is plain enough, I think."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">[Pg 493]</a></span></p> - -<p>"They are procured—here."</p> - -<p>"Ah! true; and who usually signs them?"</p> - -<p>"The registrar."</p> - -<p>"But you are the registrar?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly I am."</p> - -<p>"Oh, how lucky that is!" said Dixmer, seating himself, "you will sign -me a pass."</p> - -<p>The registrar made one bound.</p> - -<p>"Do you ask for my head, Citizen?" said he.</p> - -<p>"No; I ask you for a pass, that is all."</p> - -<p>"I shall have you arrested, unhappy man!" said he, summoning all his -energy.</p> - -<p>"Do," said Dixmer; "and the next moment I will denounce you as an -accomplice, and instead of leaving me to go alone to the famous hall, -you shall accompany me."</p> - -<p>The registrar turned ghastly pale.</p> - -<p>"Villain!" said he.</p> - -<p>"There is no villany in that," said Dixmer; "I wish to speak to my -wife, and all I require of you is a pass to enable me to do so."</p> - -<p>"Is it then so imperative that you should speak to her?"</p> - -<p>"It seems so, since I risk my head to do so."</p> - -<p>This appeared very plausible to the registrar, and Dixmer immediately -perceived that he was relenting.</p> - -<p>"Rest assured," said he, "no one shall know anything. The devil! why -surely sometimes a similar case to mine must present itself to your -notice!"</p> - -<p>"Very rarely; it is by no means a common occurrence. But, let me see; -let us arrange it in another way."</p> - -<p>"If it is possible, I should ask nothing better."</p> - -<p>"Nothing is more possible. Enter by the door of the condemned; there a -card is not required. Then, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">[Pg 494]</a></span> you have spoken to your wife, call -me, and I will let you out."</p> - -<p>"Not a bad idea," said Dixmer; "but unfortunately there is a story -current in the city."</p> - -<p>"What story?"</p> - -<p>"The history of a poor hunchback who mistook the door, thinking to -enter the archives, but instead of so doing found himself in the hall -of which we are now speaking. Only since he had entered by the door of -the condemned instead of the large door, as he had no pass to prove his -identity, once there he was not permitted to go out. They strenuously -maintained that since he entered the door with the other condemned, -he was condemned likewise. In vain he protested, swore, appealed; no -one believed him, no one came to his assistance, no one helped him to -get out. So that, notwithstanding his protestations, his oaths, and -supplications, the executioner first cut off his hair, and afterward -his head. Is this anecdote true, Citizen Registrar! You ought to know -better than any one else."</p> - -<p>"Alas! yes; it is too true," said the registrar, trembling.</p> - -<p>"You must see then that with such a precedent I should be a fool to -enter this cut-throat place without a pass."</p> - -<p>"But I shall be there, I tell you."</p> - -<p>"But if you should happen to be called away; if you should be otherwise -engaged; if you should forget!"</p> - -<p>Dixmer laid particular stress on these last words, "if you should -forget."</p> - -<p>"But since I promise you—"</p> - -<p>"No; besides it would compromise you. They would see you speaking to -me; and, in short, it does not suit me. I therefore prefer a pass."</p> - -<p>"Impossible!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">[Pg 495]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then, dear sir, I will speak; and we shall both take a ride together -to the Place de la Révolution."</p> - -<p>The registrar, bewildered, stupefied, half-dead with terror, signed a -pass for a "citizen."</p> - -<p>Dixmer rose and went out precipitately to take his station in the -judgment-hall, where we have already seen him. The rest is known to us.</p> - -<p>At the same moment the registrar, to avoid all accusation of -connivance, went and seated himself near Fouquier Tinville, leaving the -management of the office to his head clerk.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>At ten minutes to three, Maurice, furnished with the pass, crossing a -hedge of turnkeys and gendarmes, arrived without interruption at the -fatal door.</p> - -<p>When we say fatal, we exaggerate, for there were two doors,—the -principal one by which those possessing passes entered and returned; -and the door of the condemned, by which no one departed except to the -scaffold.</p> - -<p>The place that Maurice entered was divided into two compartments. One -of these was set apart for those employed in registering the name -of the arrivals; the other, furnished only with wooden benches, was -appropriated for the reception of those who were arrested and those who -were condemned, which amounted to pretty nearly the same thing.</p> - -<p>The hall was very dark, lighted only from the panes of the partition -which divided it from the register-office.</p> - -<p>A female dressed in white, in a half-fainting attitude, lay in a -corner, supported against the wall.</p> - -<p>A man was standing in front of her, from time to time shaking his head. -His arms were crossed upon his breast, and he hesitated to speak to -her, as if fearful of restoring her to the consciousness she appeared -to have lost.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">[Pg 496]</a></span></p> - -<p>Around these two individuals several condemned persons were scattered -promiscuously,—some giving vent to their feelings in sobs and groans, -others joining in patriotic songs, while the remainder walked rapidly -up and down, as if to chase away the thoughts which devoured them.</p> - -<p>This was indeed the antechamber of death, and the furniture rendered -it worthy of the name. Here were seen half-opened coffins filled with -straw, seeming as if to invite the living to their beds of repose, the -receptacles provided for the ashes of the dead.</p> - -<p>There was a large closet opposite the partition. A prisoner, prompted -by curiosity, opened it, but recoiled horror-struck. It contained the -blood-stained garments of those executed on the preceding evening; long -tresses of hair hanging here and there, the executioner's perquisites, -who sold them to the relatives when not enjoined by the authorities to -burn these precious relics.</p> - -<p>Maurice, trembling with emotion, had hardly opened the door, when the -whole tableau at once presented itself to his view. He advanced three -steps into the hall, and fell at Geneviève's feet. The unfortunate -woman uttered a cry, which Maurice stifled on her lips.</p> - -<p>Lorin, weeping, pressed his friend in his arms; these were the first -tears he had shed.</p> - -<p>Strange that all these unhappy individuals, assembled to die together, -scarcely looked at the touching tableau presented to their view by -their unfortunate fellow-creatures! Every one suffered too much himself -to take part in the miseries of others.</p> - -<p>The three friends remained for a moment united in a silent embrace, -happy, almost joyous. Lorin was the first of the ill-fated group to -disengage himself.</p> - -<p>"Are you, then, condemned also?" said he to Maurice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">[Pg 497]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes," replied he.</p> - -<p>"Oh, happiness!" murmured Geneviève.</p> - -<p>But the joy of those who have only one hour to live cannot last even -as long as their lives. Maurice, having contemplated Geneviève with -looks of ardent and profound affection, and having thanked her for -the expression, at once so egotistical and so tender, which had just -escaped her, turned toward Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Now," said he, taking Geneviève's hands within his own, "let us talk -together."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Lorin; "let us converse while the time remains to us. It is -only right so to do. What do you wish to say to me, Maurice?"</p> - -<p>"You have been arrested for my sake, condemned on account of her. As -for Geneviève and me, we are paying our debt; it is not fair, at the -same time, that you should be made to pay also."</p> - -<p>"I do not understand you."</p> - -<p>"Lorin, you are free."</p> - -<p>"I free? You are mad!" said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"No, I am not mad; I repeat that you are free. See, here is a pass. -They will inquire who you are; you are employed at the registrar-office -of the Carmelites, and are going to speak to the registrar of the -Palace; you have, from motives of curiosity, requested a pass from -him to see the condemned; you have seen them, and are now leaving, -perfectly satisfied with your visit."</p> - -<p>"This is a joke, is it not?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed, my friend; here is the pass, take advantage of it. You -are not a lover, like myself; you do not need to die that you may be -enabled to pass a few more minutes in the society of the well-beloved -of your heart, and not to lose a second of eternity with her."</p> - -<p>"But, Maurice," replied Lorin, "if one might be able<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">[Pg 498]</a></span> to get out -from here—a circumstance I swear to you I could not have believed -possible—why do you not first save the lady? As to yourself, we will -consider afterward about that."</p> - -<p>"Impossible!" said Maurice, with a frightful oppression at his heart, -"this card is for a man, not for a lady; besides, Geneviève would -not depart, and leave me here, to live herself, while knowing that I -remained to die."</p> - -<p>"If she would not, then why should I? Do you imagine I possess less -courage than a woman?"</p> - -<p>"No, dear friend; I know and acknowledge your bravery, but nothing can -excuse your obstinacy in this case. Then profit by this moment, and -allow us the supreme felicity of knowing and feeling that you are free -and happy."</p> - -<p>"Happy!" exclaimed Lorin; "you are facetious, surely? Happy without -you, eh? What the devil am I to do in this world without you; in Paris, -without my usual avocations? Never to see you again, never to weary you -more with my doggerel rhymes,—ah, good faith, no!"</p> - -<p>"Lorin, my friend—"</p> - -<p>"Exactly; it is because I am your friend that I persist in my -opinion. With the prospect of recovering you both, were I a prisoner -as I now am, I would tear down the walls; but to save myself, and -go out from here alone into the streets, my head bowed down with -a feeling resembling remorse, and a continual cry in my ears: -'Maurice!—Geneviève!' To pass into certain quarters and before certain -houses where I have seen your persons, but shall now only recognize -your shadows; to come at last to such an extremity of despair as to -execrate this dear Paris that I have loved so well; ah, by my faith,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">[Pg 499]</a></span> -no! And I find there was good reason for proscribing kings, were it -only on account of King Dagobert."</p> - -<p>"And what relation has King Dagobert with what concerns us?"</p> - -<p>"What? Did not this frightful tyrant say to the great Éloi, 'The best -company must part?' Ah, well! I am a Republican, and I say that nothing -should make us quit good company, not even the guillotine; I feel very -comfortable here, and here I will remain."</p> - -<p>"My poor friend! my poor friend!" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>Geneviève said nothing, but looked at them with eyes bathed in tears.</p> - -<p>"You regret to lose your life, then?" said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Yes, on her account."</p> - -<p>"I am not in the least sorry at losing mine, not even on account of -the Goddess Reason, who, I had forgotten to tell you, has latterly -behaved most shamefully to me; who will not take the trouble even -to console herself, like the other Arthémise of old. I shall go to -my death perfectly cool and rather facetious. I will amuse all the -beggarly wretches who follow the car. I will repeat a pretty quatrain -to Monsieur Sanson, and wish the company good-night,—that is to -say—wait!—" Lorin interrupted himself. "Ah! to be sure," said he, "I -will go out. I well knew that I loved no one, but I forgot that I hated -some one. The time, Maurice, the time?"</p> - -<p>"Half-past three."</p> - -<p>"I have time, Heaven! there is time."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," cried Maurice; "there are nine more accused persons still -to be tried, this will not terminate before five o'clock; we have -therefore nearly two hours' respite."</p> - -<p>"That is all that I require; give me your pass, and lend me twenty -sous."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">[Pg 500]</a></span></p> - -<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i> what are you going to do?" murmured Geneviève. Maurice -pressed his hand. The all-important thing for him was that Lorin was -going out.</p> - -<p>"I have my own plan," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>Maurice drew his purse from his pocket, and placed it in his friend's -hand.</p> - -<p>"Now, the pass, for the love of God!—I ought to say for the love of -the Supreme Being."</p> - -<p>Maurice gave him the pass.</p> - -<p>Lorin kissed Geneviève's hand, and availing himself of the moment when -a fresh batch of the condemned were ushered in, he leaped the benches, -and presented himself before the principal entrance.</p> - -<p>"Eh!" said the gendarme, "here is one, it appears to me, trying to -escape."</p> - -<p>Lorin drew himself up and presented his pass.</p> - -<p>"Hold, Citizen Gendarme," said he, "and learn to know people better."</p> - -<p>The gendarme recognized the signature of the registrar, but belonging -to a class of functionaries rather wanting in confidence, and as at -this moment the registrar himself came down from the Tribunal with a -nervous shudder, which had not left him since he had so imprudently -hazarded his signature,—</p> - -<p>"Citizen Registrar," said he, "here is a pass bearing your signature, -with which this person wishes to leave the Salle des Morts, is it all -right?"</p> - -<p>The registrar turned pale with fright, and feeling convinced that if -he turned his eyes in that direction it would only be to encounter the -terrible look of Dixmer, hastily seized the card and replied,—</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes; it is my signature."</p> - -<p>"Then," cried Lorin, "if it is your signature, return it to me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">[Pg 501]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No;" said the registrar, tearing it into a thousand pieces; "these -cards can be available only once."</p> - -<p>Lorin remained for a moment irresolute.</p> - -<p>"So much the worse," said he; "but above all things it is necessary I -should kill him;" and he passed through the office.</p> - -<p>Maurice had followed Lorin with an emotion easy to comprehend. When he -had disappeared, Maurice returned, saying with an exultation nearly -amounting to joy, "He is saved! Geneviève; the card is destroyed, -therefore he cannot enter. Besides, even if he were able to gain -admission, the sitting of the Tribunal will have terminated. At five -o'clock, he will return; but we shall have ceased to live."</p> - -<p>Geneviève shuddered, and breathed a deep sigh.</p> - -<p>"Oh, press me in your arms," said she, "and let us separate no more! -Why is it not possible, oh, my God! for one blow to annihilate us both, -that together we might breathe our last sigh?"</p> - -<p>Then retiring into the depth of the gloomy hall, Geneviève placed -herself near Maurice, and twined her arms round his neck. Thus they -remained, rendered by the strength of their love insensible to the -surrounding scene, almost to the approach of death itself.</p> - -<p>Half an hour passed thus.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">[Pg 502]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_LV" id="CHAPTER_LV">CHAPTER LV.</a></p> - -<p class="center">WHY LORIN WENT OUT.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Suddenly</span> a loud noise was heard; the gendarmes entered by the lower -door, behind them appearing Sanson and his assistants, the latter -carrying rolls of cord.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my love!" said Geneviève, "the fatal moment has arrived, and I -feel that my senses are leaving me!"</p> - -<p>"There you are wrong," said the cheering voice of Lorin.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"That you are wrong is plain, you see;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For what is death but to be free?"</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Lorin!" cried Maurice, in despair.</p> - -<p>"They are not good, are they? I have adopted your opinion since -yesterday; I can only make contemptible—"</p> - -<p>"Ah! that is the question. You are returned, unhappy man, you are -returned!"</p> - -<p>"I considered that was our agreement. But listen, as what I have to say -to you will also interest the lady."</p> - -<p>"My God! my God!"</p> - -<p>"Allow me to speak, or I shall not have time to tell you all. I wished -to go out that I might purchase a knife in the Rue de la Baullerie."</p> - -<p>"What did you want with a knife?"</p> - -<p>"I wished to despatch this nice Monsieur Dixmer."</p> - -<p>Geneviève shuddered.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Maurice, "I comprehend."</p> - -<p>"I purchased it. Listen attentively to what I said to myself, and -you will understand your friend has a mind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">[Pg 503]</a></span> for logic; indeed, I -begin to think I should have been a mathematician instead of a poet. -Unfortunately, it is now too late. This is the way I reasoned: Monsieur -Dixmer has compromised his wife; Monsieur Dixmer was present at her -trial; and Monsieur Dixmer will not deprive himself of the pleasure of -seeing her pass in the fatal car; especially as we accompany her. I -will then look out for him among the foremost of the spectators. I will -glide near him, and say, 'Good-day, Monsieur Dixmer;' and I will plunge -my knife into his heart."</p> - -<p>"Lorin!" cried Geneviève.</p> - -<p>"Compose yourself, dear friend; Providence had arranged all. Picture to -yourselves the spectators, instead of remaining stationary in front of -the Palace, according to their usual custom, made a half-turn to the -right, and lined the quay. 'Oh!' said I to myself, 'it is doubtless a -dog drowned. Why should not Dixmer be there? Even a dog drowning will -serve to pass away the time.' I approached the parapet, and beheld all -along the high bank a crowd of people who, throwing their arms aloft -into the air, and uttering loud exclamations, stooped down to gaze at -something on the ground. I joined them, and also looked down. There was -something!—Guess what it was."</p> - -<p>"Dixmer!" said Maurice, in a gloomy tone.</p> - -<p>"Yes. How could you guess that? Yes; it was Dixmer, killed by a ghastly -wound. The unfortunate wretch had no doubt committed suicide in -expiation of his guilt."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Maurice, with a sad smile, "do you think so?"</p> - -<p>Geneviève let her head droop between her hands. She was too feeble to -support these successive emotions.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I thought so, from his blood-stained sword<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">[Pg 504]</a></span> being found near him; -unless, indeed—he had met some one."</p> - -<p>Maurice, without reply, availing himself of the moment when Geneviève, -overpowered by emotion, did not observe him, opened his coat and -displayed to Lorin his waistcoat and shirt stained with blood.</p> - -<p>"Ah! that alters the case," said Lorin, as he held out his hand to -Maurice. "Now," said he, whispering in his ear, "they have not searched -me, seeing that I entered in Sanson's suite. I have still the knife, if -the guillotine is too revolting to your feelings."</p> - -<p>Maurice seized the weapon with a joyful expression.</p> - -<p>"No," said he, "she would suffer too much," and he returned the knife -to Lorin.</p> - -<p>"You are right," said Lorin; "long live Monsieur Guillotine! Why, what -is it, after all? A fillip on the neck, according to Danton. And what -signifies a fillip?"</p> - -<p>And he flung his knife in the midst of a group of the condemned, one of -whom immediately seized and buried it in his breast. He was dead in an -instant.</p> - -<p>At the same moment Geneviève awoke, and uttered a piercing cry. She -felt the pressure of the executioner's hand upon her shoulder.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">[Pg 505]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_LVI" id="CHAPTER_LVI">CHAPTER LVI.</a></p> - -<p class="center">LONG LIVE SIMON!</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">At</span> the sound of this cry Maurice understood that the struggle was -about to commence. The influence of love may be able to exalt the soul -to heroism,—it may, against natural instinct, impel a human being -to desire death, but it had not in this instance extinguished the -repugnance to pain. It was evident that Geneviève resigned herself -the more patiently to death since Maurice was to die with her; but -resignation does not exclude suffering, and to quit this world is not -only to fall into the abyss termed unknown, but also to suffer in the -descent.</p> - -<p>Maurice, at a glance, embraced the entire scene, and thought of what -would follow.</p> - -<p>In the centre of the hall lay the suicide, from whose breast the -gendarme had just torn the weapon of destruction, fearing, probably, it -might be used by some of the others.</p> - -<p>Around him were several individuals mute with despair and scarcely -heeding him, inscribing in their pocket-books some disconnected -words, or pressing one another's hands; some repeating, without any -intermission, a cherished name, or bathing with tears a portrait, a -ring, or tress of hair; some venting imprecations against tyranny, -a state of affairs cursed by all, ay sometimes even by the tyrants -themselves. In the midst of these unfortunates, Sanson, oppressed less -from his fifty years than his melancholy office,—Sanson, as mild, -and as much their con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">[Pg 506]</a></span>soler as his terrible vocation permitted him to -be, to this one offered advice, to that one some sad consolation or -encouragement, finding some Christian responses to their accents of -despair as well as to their bravado.</p> - -<p>"Citizeness," said he to Geneviève, "I must remove your scarf, and cut -off your hair, if you please."</p> - -<p>Geneviève began to tremble.</p> - -<p>"Come, dear lady," said Lorin, softly, "take courage!"</p> - -<p>"May I remove the lady's hair?" asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes," cried Geneviève; "I entreat you to permit him to do so, -Monsieur Sanson."</p> - -<p>"He may," said the old man, turning away his head.</p> - -<p>Maurice first took off his necktie, and Geneviève, stooping, fell on -her knees before the young man, presenting her charming head, appearing -more beautiful in her grief than she had ever been in her days of -sunshine and happiness.</p> - -<p>When Maurice had completed the funereal operation, his hands were so -tremulous and his countenance betrayed so much grief that Geneviève -exclaimed,—</p> - -<p>"Ah! I am courageous, Maurice."</p> - -<p>Sanson turned round.</p> - -<p>"Is it not so, sir?" said Geneviève; "am I not courageous?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly, Citizen," replied the executioner, in a perturbed voice, -"for yours is true courage."</p> - -<p>In the mean time the first assistant had glanced over the list -forwarded by Fouquier Tinville.</p> - -<p>"Fourteen," said he.</p> - -<p>Sanson counted the condemned.</p> - -<p>"Fifteen, including the dead," said he; "why, how is this?"</p> - -<p>Lorin and Geneviève counted after him, both struck by the same thought.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">[Pg 507]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You say there are only fourteen condemned, and that we are fifteen?" -said she.</p> - -<p>"Yes; the Citizen Fouquier Tinville must have made a mistake."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you spoke falsely, then," said Geneviève, turning to Maurice; "you -were not condemned."</p> - -<p>"And why wait for to-morrow, when you die to-day?" said Maurice.</p> - -<p>"My love," said she, smiling, "you reassure me; I am now convinced that -it is easy to die."</p> - -<p>"Lorin," said Maurice, "now for the last time—no one here can -recognize you—say that you came to bid me adieu; say that you have -been shut in by mistake; call the gendarme who saw you go out. I am the -true criminal who ought to die. But you, my friend, we beseech you to -live to love our memory. There is yet time, Lorin; we entreat you!"</p> - -<p>Geneviève joined her hands in an attitude of prayer. Lorin took both -her hands and kissed them.</p> - -<p>"I have said no, and I mean no," said Lorin, in a firm voice; "say no -more on the subject, or I shall think I am a bore to you."</p> - -<p>"Fourteen," repeated Sanson, "and here are fifteen;" then elevating his -voice, "Is there any one here who can protest against this?" said he; -"is there any one here who can prove he is here by mistake?"</p> - -<p>Perhaps some lips half-opened at this question, but closed again -without uttering a single word; since those who felt inclined to lie -were ashamed to do so, and those who would not lie were determined not -to speak.</p> - -<p>A silence of several minutes ensued, during which the assistants -continued their mournful office.</p> - -<p>"Citizens, we are ready," said old Sanson, in his deep and solemn -voice. He was answered only by sobs and groans.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">[Pg 508]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well!" said Lorin, "so be it!</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">No death is nobler, none more high,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Than for our native land to die.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Yes, to die for our native land; but decidedly I begin to think we do -not die for her, but for the pleasure of those who witness our deaths. -Faith! Maurice, I have adopted your opinion. I am disgusted with the -Republic!"</p> - -<p>"The call!" said a commissary, at the door.</p> - -<p>Several gendarmes entered the hall, closing up the issues, thus placing -themselves between life and the condemned, as if to prevent them from -returning to it.</p> - -<p>The death-roll was called.</p> - -<p>Maurice, who had witnessed the trial of the condemned man who had -destroyed himself, when his name was called answered in his stead. They -then found that, excepting the dead man, the number was correct.</p> - -<p>The corpse was removed from the hall; but if the man's identity had -been established, and he had been recognized as one condemned, he would -have been guillotined with the rest, though already dead.</p> - -<p>The survivors were pushed toward the outlet, in order that as each -passed before the wicket his hands might be tied behind his back. -For the space of ten minutes not a word was exchanged between these -unfortunates; the executioners alone seemed endowed with life or motion.</p> - -<p>Maurice, Geneviève, and Lorin, not being any longer able to retain -their hold of each other, crowded together that they might not be -separated.</p> - -<p>When the condemned were removed from the Conciergerie into the court, -the scene became truly appalling. Several grew faint at the sight of -the carts, and the turnkeys were compelled to assist them to mount the -steps of these vehicles of death. Behind the still closed doors<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">[Pg 509]</a></span> was -heard the confused murmur of the crowd; and it might be inferred from -the sound that the concourse was immense.</p> - -<p>Geneviève courageously ascended the car; Maurice at her side sustained -her; he sprang in rapidly after her.</p> - -<p>Lorin did not hurry himself, but carefully selected his seat at the -left of Maurice.</p> - -<p>The doors opened, and foremost in the crowd stood Simon. The two -friends immediately recognized him; indeed, the recognition was mutual. -He was standing upon a fence near which the cars must pass, for there -were three of them. The car containing our three friends moved first.</p> - -<p>"Ah! good-day to you, my brave grenadier!" said Simon to Lorin; "you -are going to try the effect of my leather-cutting machine, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Lorin; "and I will be careful not to notch it, that it may -be ready when your turn comes."</p> - -<p>The two remaining cars followed the direction of the first. And -now commenced a terrific tempest of cries, shouts, groans, and -maledictions, surrounding and following the condemned.</p> - -<p>"Courage! Geneviève, take courage!" murmured Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" replied the young woman, "I do not wish for life since I die with -you. I regret only that my hands are tied, so that I cannot embrace you -before I die."</p> - -<p>"Lorin," said Maurice, "feel in my waistcoat pocket, there you will -find a knife."</p> - -<p>"Zounds!" said Lorin, "a penknife is the very thing needed; I should be -ashamed to die, garroted like a calf."</p> - -<p>Maurice placed his pocket on a level with his friend's hands; Lorin -found the knife, which between them they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">[Pg 510]</a></span> succeeded in opening. Maurice -then placed it between his teeth, and severed the cord which bound -Lorin's hands, who, the moment they were free, performed the same -office for Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Make haste!" said the young man; "Geneviève is fainting."</p> - -<p>In fact, to accomplish this operation Maurice had for a moment turned -from Geneviève, when, as if all her strength had been derived from him, -her eyes closed, and her head sank upon her breast.</p> - -<p>"Geneviève, open your eyes, my love," said Maurice; "we have only a few -minutes more to see each other in this world."</p> - -<p>"The cords wound me," murmured the young woman.</p> - -<p>Maurice unbound them. She immediately re-opened her eyes, and rose, -radiant with almost celestial beauty. She threw one fair arm around -Maurice's neck, and with the other hand took that of Lorin; and thus, -all three standing in the cart, with two more victims lying at their -feet wrapped in the stupor of anticipated death, they gazed toward -heaven with a look of ardent gratitude for having been permitted to -support and console each other, while those who had outraged and -insulted them previously were now perfectly silent. The scaffold was in -sight. Maurice and Lorin beheld it. Geneviève did not; she saw naught -but her lover. The car stopped.</p> - -<p>"I love thee!" said Maurice to Geneviève; "I love thee!"</p> - -<p>"The woman first! the woman first!" shouted a thousand voices.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, good people," said Maurice; "who then can call you cruel?"</p> - -<p>He took Geneviève within his arms, pressed his lips fondly upon hers, -and delivered her to Sanson.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">[Pg 511]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Courage!" cried Lorin; "courage!"</p> - -<p>"I have it!" said Geneviève; "I have it!"</p> - -<p>"I love thee!" murmured Maurice; "I love thee!"</p> - -<p>They were no longer victims about to be slaughtered, but friends making -a festival of death.</p> - -<p>"Adieu!" cried Geneviève to Lorin.</p> - -<p>"Farewell, till we meet again!" replied he.</p> - -<p>And Geneviève disappeared under the fatal drop.</p> - -<p>"After you," said Lorin.</p> - -<p>"After you," replied Maurice.</p> - -<p>"Hark! she calls you."</p> - -<p>At this moment Geneviève uttered her last cry.</p> - -<p>"Come!" said she.</p> - -<p>A furious uproar took place in the crowd. The fair and graceful head -had fallen.</p> - -<p>Maurice rushed forward.</p> - -<p>"It is exactly correct," said Lorin; "let us follow logic. Do you hear -me, Maurice?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"She loved you, and they have murdered her first; you are not -condemned, and therefore die the second; and I, who have done nothing, -being the greatest criminal of the three, die the last.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And thus you see how passing clear</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Logic makes everything appear.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Good faith! Citizen Sanson, I promised you a quatrain; but you must be -content with a distich."</p> - -<p>"I did love thee!" murmured Maurice, lying on the fatal plank, and -smiling at the head of his beloved,—"I did lo—" The knife cut short -the last word.</p> - -<p>"Now for my turn!" cried Lorin, bounding on the scaffold, "and be -quick, or I shall lose my head! Citizen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">[Pg 512]</a></span> Sanson, I owe you two verses, -instead of which I offer you a pun."</p> - -<p>Sanson placed him in his turn.</p> - -<p>"Let us see," said Lorin,—"it is the fashion to cry long live -something, when dying. Once it was, 'Vive le Roi,' but now there is -no king; next the cry was, 'Vive la Liberté,' but there is no more -liberty. Faith, Long live Simon! say I, who unites us all three."</p> - -<p>And the head of the generous and noble-hearted young man fell near -those of Maurice and Geneviève.</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<p style="margin-top: 20em;">THE Romances of Alexandre Dumas.</p> - - -<p>ROMANCES OF THE REIGN OF HENRY II.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I. <span class="smcap">The Two Dianas</span> 3 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">II. <span class="smcap">The Page of the Duke of Savoy</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>THE VALOIS ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I. <span class="smcap">Marguerite de Valois</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">II. <span class="smcap">La Dame de Monsoreau</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">III. <span class="smcap">The Forty-Five</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>THE D'ARTAGNAN ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I. <span class="smcap">The Three Musketeers</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">II. <span class="smcap">Twenty Years After</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">III. <span class="smcap">The Vicomte de Bragelonne</span>; or, Ten Years Later 6 vols.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>THE REGENCY ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I. <span class="smcap">Le Chevalier D'Harmental</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">II. <span class="smcap">The Regent's Daughter</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>A ROMANCE OF THE REIGN OF LOUIS XV.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Olympe de Clèves</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>THE MARIE ANTOINETTE ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I. <span class="smcap">Memoirs of a Physician</span> 3 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">II. <span class="smcap">The Queen's Necklace</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">III. <span class="smcap">Ange Pitou</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">IV. <span class="smcap">La Comtesse de Charny</span> 4 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">V. <span class="smcap">Le Chevalier de Maison-Rouge</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>THE NAPOLEON ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Companions of Jehu</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Whites and the Blues</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Black Tulip</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Count of Monte Cristo</span> 4 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The She-Wolves of Machecoul</span> }</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Corsican Brothers</span> } 2 vols.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>NEW SERIES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Ascanio</span>: A Romance of Francis I. and Benvenuto Cellini 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The War of Women</span>: A Romance of the Fronde 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Black</span>: The Story of a Dog 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Tales of the Caucasus—The Ball of Snow, and Sultanetta</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Choicely Printed and Illustrated Editions</p> - -<p>OF</p> - -<p>STANDARD FRENCH AND ENGLISH NOVELISTS</p> - -<p>PUBLISHED BY</p> - -<p>LITTLE, BROWN, & CO.</p> - -<p><i>One Hundred and Five Volumes, Uniform and Unabridged.</i></p> - -<p>PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE.</p> - - -<blockquote> - -<p>DUMAS. <span class="smcap">New Library Edition of the Romances of Alexandre -Dumas.</span> With 76 etched frontispieces, by French and American -artists, portraits, etc. 54 vols. 12mo. Per volume, decorated cloth, -gilt top, $1.50; plain cloth, gilt top, $1.25; half calf, or half -morocco, extra, gilt top, $3.00.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Beautiful and uniform editions of these important Historical Novels -translated into English unabridged, a large amount of matter heretofore -omitted being supplied, and printed in handsome, clear type, in a style -worthy of their merits.</p> - - -<p>LIST OF ROMANCES.</p> - - -<p>THE VALOIS ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Marguerite de Valois</span> 2 vols</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">La Dame De Monsoreau</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">⁂ This story is also known under the name of "Chicot the Jester."</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Forty-Five</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">⁂ Sometimes called the "Forty-Five Guardsmen."</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">In all 6 vols., put up in box.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>THE D'ARTAGNAN ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Three Musketeers</span> 2 vols</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Twenty Years After</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Vicomte De Bragelonne</span> 6 "</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>⁂ Portions of this powerful romance have sometimes been issued -separately under the titles of "Bragelonne," "Louise de la Vallière," -and the "Iron Mask." All three stories are included in the above, -unabridged, and according to the author's own arrangement.</p> - -<p>In all 10 vols., put up in box.</p> - - -<p>THE MARIE ANTOINETTE ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Memoirs of a Physician</span> 3 vols</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Queen's Necklace</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Ange Pitou</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">⁂ Sometimes called "Taking the Bastille."</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Comtesse de Charny</span> 4 "</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>⁂ Published according to the author's own arrangement. It has sometimes -been issued as two separate stories, "Comtesse de Charny" and "Andrée -de Taverney."</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Chevalier de Maison-Rouge</span> 1 vol</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">In all 12 vols, put up in box.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Count of Monte Cristo</span> 4 vols</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">With illustrations by Edmund H. Garrett. Put up in box.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>ROMANCES OF THE COURT OF HENRY II.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Two Dianas</span> 3 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Page of the Duke of Savoy</span> 2 "</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>THE REGENCY ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Chevalier D'Harmental</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">⁂ Sometimes called "The Conspirators."</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Regent's Daughter</span> 1 "</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>HISTORICAL ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Black Tulip</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">(Scene, Holland: Time, 1672.)</span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Olympe de Clèves</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">(Reign of Louis XV.)</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>The above ten volumes put up in box under the title of "Historical and -Regency Romances."</p> - - -<p>THE NAPOLEON ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Companions of Jehu</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Whites and the Blues</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">⁂ This story has also been issued under the title of "The First Republic."</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The She-Wolves of Machecoul</span> }</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Corsican Brothers</span> } 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">⁂ "The She-Wolves of Machecoul" has also been issued under the title</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">of "The Last Vendée."</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>The set of six volumes put up in box, with twenty-four illustrations, -including historical portraits and original pictures by E. Van Muyden, -Felix Oudart, E.H. Garrett, and F.T. Merrill.</p> - - -<p>THE ROMANCES OF DUMAS.—NEW SERIES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Ascanio</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The War of Women</span> 2 "</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>⁂ "Ascanio" is a romance of the time of Francis the First and Benvenuto -Cellini. "The War of Women" deals with events in the War of the Fronde, -and the scene of the romance is Bordeaux.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Black, the Story of a Dog</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>⁂ In "Black," the author chose a new field and a new theme. It may -well rank among his best works, although, strictly speaking, not an -historical romance.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Tales of the Caucasus</span>, comprising "The Ball of Snow" and</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Sultanetta" 1 vol.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>⁂ The scenes and characters are as vividly Oriental as those of his -historical novels are French.</p> - -<p>The above six volumes, put up in a box, with six frontispieces by E. -Van Muyden and Eugène Grivaz.</p> - - -<p><i>Any of the above romances can be supplied separately.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>HUGO. <span class="smcap">The Romances of Victor Hugo.</span> With 28 portraits and -plates by French artists. 14 vols. 12mo. Per volume, decorated cloth, -gilt top, $1.50; plain cloth, gilt top $1.25; half calf or half -morocco, extra, gilt top, $3.00.</p></blockquote> - -<p>In preparing this new and very handsome edition of Hugo's Romances no -expense has been spared that would produce a really beautiful set of -Hugo's world-famous works <i>in type which it is a pleasure to read, -and in volumes which can easily and comfortably be held in the hand</i>. -Important chapters and passages omitted in other editions are included.</p> - - -<p>LIST OF STORIES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Les Miserables 5 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Notre-Dame 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ninety-Three 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Man Who Laughs 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Toilers of the Sea 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hans of Iceland 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bug-Jargal; Claude Gueux }</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The Last Day of a Condemned } 1 "</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p><i>Any Story sold separately.</i></p> - - -<blockquote> - -<p>BULWER. <span class="smcap">The Novels of Edward Bulwer Lytton</span> (Lord Lytton). -With 40 frontispieces, by Edmund H. Garrett, etched by W.H.W. -Bicknell. 40 vols. 12mo. Per volume, decorated cloth, gilt top, $1.50; -plain cloth, gilt top, $1.25; half calf or half morocco, extra, gilt -top, $3.00.</p></blockquote> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Special Advantages of this Edition.</span></p> - -<p>The volumes are of <i>convenient size</i>, easy to hold in the hand.</p> - -<p><i>The type, made expressly for this edition, is clear and beautiful.</i></p> - -<p>The paper is of extra quality, affording an important adjunct to the -printers' careful and beautiful work, the type being set and the -volumes printed at the University Press, Cambridge.</p> - -<p>The exquisite frontispieces are etched in the finest manner from -<i>drawings made especially for this edition by Edmund H. Garrett</i>.</p> - -<p>The whole combines to produce <i>a perfect library edition</i>, complete in -forty volumes, at a very moderate price.</p> - - -<p>LIST OF THE VOLUMES.</p> - - -<p>THE CAXTON NOVELS.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Caxtons</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">My Novel</span> 4 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">What will he do with It?</span> 3 "</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>NOVELS OF LIFE AND MANNERS.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Pelham</span> }</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Falkland</span> } 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Disowned</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Paul Clifford</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Godolphin</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Ernest Maltravers</span> 1 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Alice</span> 1 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Night and Morning</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Lucretia</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Kenelm Chillingly</span> }</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Coming Race</span> } 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Parisians</span> 2 "</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Eugene Aram</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Pilgrims of the Rhine</span> }</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Zicci</span> } 1 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Zanoni</span> 1 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">A Strange Story</span> }</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Haunted and the Haunters</span> } 2 vols.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p>HISTORICAL ROMANCES.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Devereux</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Last Days of Pompeii</span> 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Rienzi, the Last of the Roman Tribunes</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">The Last of the Barons</span> 2 "</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Leila and Calderon</span> }</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Pausanias, the Spartan</span> } 1 vol.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings</span> 2 vols.</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p><i>Any Story can be supplied separately.</i></p> - - -<blockquote> - -<p>WARREN. <span class="smcap">Ten Thousand a Year.</span> By Samuel Warren. With a -Portrait of the author, beautifully etched by F.T. Stuart. 3 vols. -12mo. Decorated cloth, gilt top, $4.50; plain cloth, gilt top, $3.75; -half calf or half morocco, extra, gilt top, $9.00.</p></blockquote> - -<p>A new and choicely printed edition of this celebrated English novel, -including the author's valuable notes.</p> - -<p>The story has always been deservedly popular, has been widely read for -nearly fifty years in England and America, and translated in France -and Germany; the present edition, in clear, readable type, with choice -presswork and paper, has been accepted as the only adequate library -edition.</p> - - -<blockquote> - -<p>GEORGE SAND. <span class="smcap">The Choice Works of the Great French Novelist.</span></p> - -<p>1. <span class="smcap">François the Waif</span> (<i>François le Champi</i>). Translated -from the French by <span class="smcap">Jane Minot Sedgwick</span>. Printed at the De -Vinne Press. With a frontispiece especially drawn and etched for this -edition by the eminent French artist, E. Abot.</p> - -<p>2. <span class="smcap">The Devil's Pool</span> (<i>La Mare au Diable</i>). Translated -from the French by <span class="smcap">Jane Minot Sedgwick</span> and <span class="smcap">Ellery -Sedgwick</span>. Printed at the De Vinne Press. With frontispiece drawn -and etched by E. Abot.</p> - -<p>3. <span class="smcap">Fadette</span> (<i>La Petite Fadette</i>). Translated from the French -by <span class="smcap">Jane Minot Sedgwick</span>. Printed at the De Vinne Press. With -frontispiece, embodying an original design and a portrait of George -Sand, drawn and etched by E. Abot.</p> - -<p>4. <span class="smcap">The Master Mosaic Workers</span> (<i>Les Maîtres Mosaïstes</i>). -Translated from the French by <span class="smcap">Charlotte C. Johnston</span>. Printed -at the University Press. With a portrait of Titian, etched by W.H.W. -Bicknell.</p></blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Limited Edition.</span> Seven hundred and fifty numbered sets on -Windsor hand-made paper. 4 vols. 16mo. Boards, gilt top, $6.00 <i>net</i>.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The noblest mind of our epoch.—<i>Edmond About.</i></p> - -<p>Studies of rustic life, of which "La Petite Fadette," "François le -Champi," and "La Mare au Diable" are the chief, and which some of -her admirers regard as her greatest works.—<i>George Saintsbury, in -Chambers's Cyclopædia.</i></p></blockquote> - - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, Publishers,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">254 Washington Street, Boston.</span><br /> -</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'></div> -<section class='pg-boilerplate pgheader' id='pg-footer' lang='en' > -<div id='pg-end-separator'> -<span>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LE CHEVALIER DE MAISON-ROUGE ***</span> -</div> - -<div> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> -<div> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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