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P^ ^^-f^S,

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s:«HSSp«i;ir^r-?i--n=

P R E F A C^ E.

Uy dear Lads,

This time only a few words are needed, for tlie
story speaks for itself. My object lias been rather t.j
tell you a tale of interest than to impart historical
knowledge, for the facts of the dreadful time when
"the terror" reigned supreme in France are well known
to all educated lads. I need only say that such his-
torical allusions as are nccessai-y for the sequence of
the story will be found correct, except that the Xoyades
cat Nantes did not take place until a somewhat later
period than is here assigned to them.

Yoiu-s sincerely,

G. A. HENTY.

CONTENTS.

Chap.

I. A Journey to Fr.wce, . ^"^^

• • • • • y

II. A Mad Dog, . .

III. The Demon Wolf,

' 52

IV. The Clouds Gather,

. 74

V^ The Outburst,

• ... 92

VI. An Anxious Time, .

113

VII. The 2i) oe September

13/

VIII. Mauie Aruehtei) .

' 158

IX. Robespierre, .

180

X. Free, . . .

. . 202

XI. Marie and Victor. .

232

XII. Nantes, .

258

XIII. In the Hands oe the Reds,

2/9

XIV. The Noyades.

304

XV. England, . .

327

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Tr ^. ''age

Harry saves the Girls from the Mad Dog, Frontispiece. 44

The AIauihis ketl'uns to his Family gg

The Wmx'K. oe the Marquis's Mansion, 114

Virrou i)E tliHoNs struck down by a friendly Blow,. . 153

KOBESl'IERUE SAVED FK(JM THE AsSASSINS, IQg

ClTI/EN LeIUT TAKES MaRIE OUT OF PRISON, 229

The .I(huney to Nantes 264

Jeanne and Virginie rescued from the Massacre, , . 311

"«*

IN THE BEIGN OF TERROR.

CHAPTER L

A JOURNEY TO FRANCE

DON'T know what to say, my dear."

"Why, surely, James, you are not thinklnff
tor a moment of letting him rro ? "
"Well, I don't know. Yes, I am cei'talnly thinki„(r
of It, though I haven't at all made up my nnnd. n^
are advantages and disadvantages."

"Oh, but it is such a long w^, and to live aruoriif

hose French i>eople, who have been doing such dread ,1

Inngs. attacking the Bastille, and, as I have hoard\.

ay, passmg a 1 sorts of revolutionary laws, and huldi,, J

their kjng and queen almost as prisoners in Pari j" ^

V\ ell. they won't eat him, my dear. The French Ah.

to be called, has ce.-tainly been passing laws limitL
be power of the king and abolishing many of t ^^
rights and privileges of the nobility and clly Z
you nmst remember that the condition of tto'v^!
body of the French nation has been terrible. We hftv©

"HE JUST SCRAPES ALONG."

long conquered our liberties, and. indeed, never even
m the height of the feudal system were the mass of
the Enghsh people more enslaved as have been the
peasants of France.

"We must not be surprised, therefore, if in their
newly-recovered fieedom they push matters to an ex-
cess at first; but all this will right itself, and no doubt
a constitutional form of government, somewhat similar
to our own. will be established. But all this is no
re^son against Harry's going out there. You don't
suppose that the French people are going to fly at the
throats of the nobility. Why. even in the heat of the
civil war here there was no instance of any personal
wrong being done to the families of those engaged in
the struggle, and in only two or three cases, after re-
peated risings, were any even of the leaders executed
'i\o; Harry will be just as safe there as he would
l|e here. As to the distance, it's nothing like so far as
1 he went to India, for example. I don't see any great
chance of his setting the Thames on fire at home His
school report is always the same-' Conduct fair- pro-
gross in study moderate '-which means, as I take it
that he just scrapes along. That's it, isn't it. Harry?" '
" Yes, father, I think so. You see every one cannot
be at the top of the form."

"That's a very true observation, my boy. It is clear
that if there are twenty boys in a class, nineteen
lathers have to be disappointed. Still, of course one
would like to be the father who is not disappointed "

"I stick to my work," the boy said; " but there are
always fellows who seem to know just the right words

A WESTMINSTER BOY.

without taking any trouble about it. It comes to
them, I suppose."
"What do you say to this idea yourself, Harry?"
" I don't know, sir," the boy said doubtfully.
"And I don't know," his father agreed. "At any-
rate we will sleep upon it. I am clear that the offer
is not to be lightly rejected."

Dr. Sandwith was a doctor in Chelsea Chelsea in
the year 1790 was a very different place to Chelsea of
the present day. It was a pretty suburban handet,
and was indeed a very fashionable quarter. Here
many of the nobility and personages connected with
the court had their houses, and broad country fields
and lanes separated it from the stir and din of London.
Dr. Sandwith had a good practice, but he had also a
large family. Harry was at Westminster, going back-
wards and forwards across the fields to school. So far
he had evinced no predilection for any special career.
He was a sturdy, well-built lad of some sixteen years
old. He was, as his father said, not likely to set the
Thames on fire in any way. He was as undistin-
guished in the various sports popular among boys in
those days as he was in his lessons. He was as good
as the average, but no better; had fought some tough
fights with boys of his own age, and had shown en-
durance rather than brilliancy.

In the ordinary course of things he would probably
m three or four years' time have chosen some profession;
and, indeed, his father had already settled in his mind
that as Harry was not likely to make any great figure
in life in the way of intellectual capacity, the best

AN IMPORTANT LETTER

thing would be to obtain for him a commission in his
Majesty s service, as to which, with the doctors con-
nection among people of influence, there would not be
any difficulty. He luul, however, said nothing as yet
to tne boy on the subject.

The fact that Harry had three younger brothers
and four sisters, and that Dr. Sandwith, who was
obliged to keep up a good position, sometimes found
It difficult to meet his various expenses, made him
perhaps more inclined to view favourably the offer
he had that morning received than would otherwise
have been the case. Two years before he had attended
professionally a young- French nobleman attached to
the embassy. It was from him that the letter which
had been the subject of conversation had been received.
It ran as follows: —

"Dear Doctor Sandwith.— Since my return from
Pans I have frequently spoken to my brother, the
Marquis of St. Caux, respecting the difierence of edu-
cation between your English boys and our own. No-
thing struck me more when I was in London than your
great schools. Witli us the children of good families
are almost always brought up at home. They 'earn
to dance and to fence, but have no other exercise for
their linibs. and they lack the air of manly indepen-
dence which struck me in English boys. They are
move gentu-I do not know the word in your languacre
which expresses it-they carry themselves better
they are not so rough; they are more polite. There
are advantages in both systems, but for myself I like
yours much the be.st. My brother is, to some extent,

•"w

1.3

A COMPANION WANTED.

a convert to my view Thpvo o..^ , ,

fathers and thp > ^''^""^^^ ^^'^ management of the

is the^'itf in , '"' ^^''' """^ "*■ *''^<^ ^^-'^^^om which
IS tne Gistinguishinc nninf nf +),« u i- i

i study with thon, u„d„ tLir .Ltor! H n 'T''

' f.o™ hi™. whi:7r„M\^™4T"T'zt,'T'r

might also be usefu to him- bnt of n^n. n

point which m, brother .esii-estl^L^XM

ho;;iht::r'^"° i- '''^ "-^-^^ indepemL: '

thot^^^fc and action which distinguishes English boys

Ha ymg arranged this much, I thought of you I
Ivnow that you have several son^ Tf i ^
from fourtPPn f^ • 7 ^^'""^ ^^'"^^^ one of

him to ta ) '' ^'^'''' "'^^^ ^°" ^•^"^d like

nm to ta .e such a position for two or three years T

looW r , "'^' ""^"^'^ y°" ^« "^« *I^e favour of

^ n^ 1 "^^^ -^^^^^^ or ir; :"

that m^ brother authorises me to offer in hi" namo ^

audition fr. oil « ^'^ name, m

^ition to all expenses, two thousand francs a year

■J*

DR. 8ANDW1TH DELIBERATES.

to the young gentleiimn who will thus hcnofit his
sons. I do not tliink that the political excitement
which is ajxitatinL,' Paris noi-fl be taken into consider-
ation. Now that f,'reat concessions have been made
to the representatives of the nation, it is not at »i)l
probable that there will he any recurrence of such
popular tumults as that which brought about the
capture of the Hastilo. Ihit in any case this need not
weigh in the decision, as my brother resides for the
greater part of the year in his cliuteau near Dijon in
Burgundy, far removed from the troubles in the
capital."

The more Dr. Sand with thought over the matter
the more he liked it. There were comparatively few
Englishmen in those days who spoke the French lan-
guage. It was, indeed, considered part of the education
of a young man of good family to make what was
called the grand tour of Europe under the charge of a
tutor, after leaving the university. But these formed
a very small proportion of society, and, indeed, the
frequent wars which had, since the Stuarts lost the
throne of England, occurred between the two countries
had greatly interfered with contin j-.il Uav:il.

Even now tht; .subjects of Franc^ and F." /"and we) e
engaged in a desperate struggle ui xndic^, although
there was peace between the courts of Versailles and
St. James's. A knowledge of the French language
then would be likely to be of great utility to Harry
if he entered the army; his expenses at Westminster
\/ould be saved, and the two hundred and forty pounds
which r ■■ would acquire during his three years' stay in

though

-A

"WHAT J)0 YOU THINK OF THrS?" 15

France wouM ho very u«uful to him on his first start
in life. After breukiast next mornint,' Dr. Sanduith
asked Harry to take a turn in the garden with him,
for the holidays had just lu'gun.

"Wliat do you think of this, Karry?"

'I have not thought much ahout it one way or the
other, sir," Harry said, looking up with a smile 'It
seemed to me hotter that y',u shoul.l do the thiukin.r
for both of us."

"I ndght perhaps he better able to judge whether
It would be advantageous or otherwise for you t(
accei.t the offer, but you must be the best judge as to
whether you would bke to accept it or not."

"I can't quite make up my mind as to that, sir. I
hke school very much and I like beinrr at home I
don't want to learn Frenchified ways, nor to eat fro^rs
arid snads and all sorts of nastiness; still, it would be
fun gomg to a place so diHerent to England, and hear-
ing no English spoken, and learning all their rum ways
and getting to jabber French."

" It might be very useful to you in the army, Harry;"
and th( II the doctor stopped suddenly.

"Th<. army!" Harry exclaimed in a tone of as-
tonished delight. " Oh, sir, do you really think of my
going into the army? You never said a word about
that before. I should like that immensely."

"That slipped out, Harry, for I did not mean to say
anything about it until you had left school; still if
you go to Fiance I do not know why you should not
keep tl.at before you. I don't think th^ avm- '•« a
very good profession, but you do not seem to*' have

.i#

"PLEASE, ACCEPT THE OFFER."

any marked talent for anything else. You don't like
the idea of medicine or the church, and you were
almost heart-broken when I wanted you to accept the
offer of your uncle John of a seat in his counting-
house. It seems to me that the army would suit you
better than anything else, and I have no doubt that I
could get you a commission. Now, whenever we fight
France is sure to be on the other side, and I thfnk
that it would be of great advantage to you to have a
thorough knowledge of French— a thing which very
few officers in our army possess. If you accept this
offer you will have the opportunity of attaining this,
and at the same time of earning a nice little sxim,
which would pay for your outfit and supply you with
pocket-money for some time."

"Yes, sir, it would be first rate!" Harry exclaimed
excitedly. "Oh, please, accept the offer; 1 should like
it of all things; and even if I do get ever so skinny on
frogs and thin soup, I can get fat on roast beef again
when I get back."

"That is all nonsense, Harry, about frogs and starv-
ing. The French style of cookery difiers from ours,
but they eat just as much, and although they may not,
as a rule, be as broad and heavy a.s Englishmen, that
is simply a characteristic of race; the Latin peoples are
of slighter build than the Teutonic. As to their food,
you know that the Eomans, who were certainly judo-es
of good living, considered the snail a great luxury, and
I dare say ate frogs too. A gentleman who had made
the grand tour told me that he had tasted them in
Paris and found them very delicate eating. You may

(881)

R."

You don't like
and you were
u to accept the

his counting-
kvould suit you
doubt that I
never we figlit
3, and I think

you to have a
ig which very
ou accept this
attaining this,
ice little sum,
pply you with

.ny exclaimed

1 should like

r so skinny on

1st beef again

)gs and starv-
rs from ours,
they may not,
jlishmen, that
in peoples are
to their food,
'tainly judges
t luxury, and
'ho had made
sted them in
g. You may

(881)

DiSCliaSING THE QUESTION,

not like the living quite at first, but you will soon get
over that, and once accustomed to it you will like it
quite as well as our solid joints. My principal objection
to your going lies quite in another direction. Public
o|,inion in Fiance is much disturbed. In the National
Assembly, which is the same as our Parliament, there
IS a great s})irit of resistance to the royal authority
something like a revolution has already been accom^
plished, and the king is little more than a prisoner."
I^But that would surely make no ditterence to me. sir!"
" No, I don't see that it should, Harry. Still, it
would cause your mother a good deal of anxiety."

"I don't see it could make any difference," Harry
repeated; "and you see, sir, when I go into the army
and there is war, mother would be a great deal more
anxious."

" You mean, Harry," the doctor said with a smile,
"that whether her anxiety begins a little sooner or
later does not make much difference."

"I don't think I quite meant that, sir," Harry said;
"but yes," he added frankly, after a moment's thoucrht'
"I suppose I did; but I really don't see that supposing
there were any troubles in France it could possibly
make any difference to me; even if there were a civil
war, such as we had in England, they would not inter-
fere with boys."

" No, I don't see that it would make any difference,
and the chance is so remote that it need not influence
our decision. Of course if war broke out between the
two countries the marquis would see that you were
sent back safely. Well, then, Harry. I am to consider

( 381 )

■"9

PREPARATIONS FOR A START.

that your decision is in favour of your accepting this
appointment."

"If you please, sir. I am sure it will be a capital
thing for me, and I have no doubt it will be great
fun. Of course at first it will be strange to hear
them all jabbering in French, but I suppose I shall
soon pick it up."

And so Mrs. Sandwith was informed by her hus-
band that after talking it over with llar-ry ho had
concluded that the proposed arrangement would /ciU}
be an excellent one, and that it would bo a great pit)
to let such an opportunity slip.

The good lady was for a time tearful in her fore
bodings that Harry would be starved, for in those
days it was a matter of national opinion that oui
neighbours across the Channel fed on the most meacrre
of diet; but she was not in the habit of disputino
her husband's will, and when the letter of acceptance
had been sent off, she busied herself in preparino
Harry's clothes for his long absence.

"He ought to be measured for several suits, my
dear," she said to her husband, "made bigger and bii-frei
to allow for his growing."

"Nonsense, my dear! You do not suppose that
clothes cannot be purchased in France! Give him
plenty of under-linen, but the fewer jackets and
trousers he takes over the better; it will be iimch better
for him to get clothes out there of the same fashion
as other people; the boy will not want to be stared at
wherever he goes. The best rule is always to dress like
people round you. I shall give him money, and directly

ttARRY SAYS GOOD-BYfi.

Lccepcing this

1 be a capital
ivill be great
iiige to hear
Jpose I shall

by her bus-
any ho had
would rtall)'
I a great pit)

in her fore
for in those
ion that oui
most meagre
of disputing
)f acceptance
in preparing

al suits, my
3r and bigirei

luppose that
! (Jlive him
jackets and

much better
iamo fashion

be stared at
to dress like

and directly

he gets there he can get a suit or two made by the
tador who makes for the lads he is going to be with.
The English are no more loved in France than the
French are here, and though Harry has no reason
to be ashamed of his nationality there is no occasion
ior hun to draw the attention of everyone he meets to
It by going about in a dress which would seem to
them peculiar."

In due time a letter was received from Count
Auguste de St. Caux, stating that the marquis had
requested him to write and say that he was much
gratified to hear that one of the doctor's own sons was
commg over to be a companion and friend to his boys
and that he was sending oft' in the course of two days
a gentleman of his household to Calais to meet him
and conduct him to Paris. On young Mr. Sandwith's
arrival at Calais he was to go at once to the Hotel
Lion d'Or and ask for M. du Tillet.

During the intervening time Harry had been very
busy, he had to say good-bye to all his friends, who
looked, some with envy, some with pity, upon him for
the idea of a three years' residence in France was a
novel one to all. He was petted and made much of
at home, especially by his sisters, who regarded him
in the light of a hero about to undertake a strange and
hazardous adventure.

Three days after the arrival of the letter of the
marquis Dr. Sandwith and Harry started by stage for
Dover, and the doctor put his son on board the packet
sailing for Calais. The evening before, he gave hira
much good advice as to his behaviour.

•»

GOOD AbVtca

" You will see much that is new, and perhaps a good
deal that you don't like, Harry, but it is better for
you never to criticize or give a hostile opinion about
things; you would not like it if a French boy came
over here and made unpleasant remarks about English
ways and manners. Take things as they come and do
as others do; avoid all comparisons between French and
English customs; fall in with the ways of those around
you; and adopt as far as you can the polite and
courteous manner which is general among the French,
and in which, I must say, they are far ahead of us.
If questioned, you will, of course, give your opinion
frankly and modestly; it is the independence of thought
among English boys which has attracted the attention
and approval of Auguste de St. Caux.

" Be natural and simple, giving yourself no airs, and
permitting none on the part of the lads you are with;
their father says you are to be treated as their equal.
But, upon the other hand, do not be ever on the look-
out for small slights, and bear with perfect good temper
any little ridicule your, to them foreign, ways and
manners may excite. I need not tell you to be always
straightforward, honest, and true, for of those qualities
I think you possess a fair share. Above all things
restrain any tendency to use your fists; fighting
comes naturally to English boys, but in France it is
considered as brutal and degrading — a blow is a deadly
insult, and would never be forgiven.

" So, whatever the provocation, abstain from striking
anyone. Should you find that in any way your position
is made intolerable, you will of course appeal to the

LANDING IN FRANCE.

I'haps a good
s better for
pinion about
!h boy came
Dout English
3oine and do
I French and
hose around
polite and
the French,
ihead of us.
our opinion
e of thought
he attention

no airs, and
)u are with;
their equal.
)n the look-
^ood temper
, ways and
be always
)se qualities
i all things
s; fighting
i'rance it is
' is a deadly

om striking
)ur position
peal to the

■m

marquis, and unless you obtain redress you will come
home— you will find no difficulty in travelling when
you once understand the language— but avoid anything
like jjetty conipluints. I trust there will be no reason for
complaints at all, and that you will find your position
an exceedingly pleasant one as soon as you become
accustomed to it; but should occasion arise bear my
words in mind."

Harry promised to follow his father's advice im-
])licitly, but in his own mind he wondered what fellows
did when they quarrelled if they were not allowed to
fight; however, he supposed that he should, under the
circumstances, do the same as French boys, whatever
that might be.

As soon as the packet was once fairly beyond the
harbour Harry's thoughts were efi'ectually diverted
from all other matters by the motion of the sailing
boat, and he was soon in a state of prostiation, in
which he remained until, seven hours later, the packet
entered Calais harbour.

Dr. Sand with had requested the captain to allow
one of his men to show Harry the way to the Lion
dXJr. Harry had pulled himself together a little as
the vessel entered the still water in the harbour, and
was staring at the men in their blue blouses' and
wooden shoes, at the women in their quaint and pic-
turesque attire, when a sailor touched him on the
shoulder:

" No ,\r, young sir, the captain tells me I am to show
you the way to your hotel. Which is your box?"

Harry pointed out his trunk; the sailor threw it oo

THE LION D'oR.

his shoulder, and Harry, with a feeling of bewilder-
ment, followed him along the gangway to the shore
Here he was accosted by an officer.
" What does he say ?" he asked the sailor.
"He asks for your passport."

Harry fumbled in his breast pocket for the document
wliich his father had obtained for him from the foreio-n
office, duly viseed by the French ambassador, notifying
that Heiuy Sand with, age sixteen, height five feet
eight, hair brown, eyes gray, nose short, mouth large, was
about to reside in France in the family of the Marcjuis
de St. Caux. The officer glanced it over, and then
returned it to Harry with a polite bow, which Harry
in some confusion endeavoured to imitate.

" What does the fellow want to bow and scrape like
that tor?" he muttered to himself as he followed his
guide. "An Englishman would just have nodded and
said 'All right!' What can a fellow want more, I should
ike to know ? Well I suppose I shall get accustomed
to it, and shall take to bowing and scra[)ing as a matter
of course."

The Lion d'Or was close at hand. In reply to the
sailor's question the landlord said that M. du Tillet
was within. The sailor put down the trunk, pocketed
the coin Harry gave him, and with a "Good luck
young master!" went out, taking with him, as Harry
felt, the last link to England. He turned and followed
the landlord. The latter mounted a flight of stairs,
knocked at a door, and opened it.

" A young gentleman desires to see M. du Tillet " he
said, and Harry entered.

M. DU TILLET.

of bewilder-
to the shore

>r.

he document
I the foreion
or, notifying
ht five feet
itli lavge,\va9
the Mcirqui.s
r, and then
.^hich Harry

scrape like
bllowed his
nodded and
)re, I should
accustomed
as a matter

eply to the
:. du Tillet
i, pocketed
3rood luck,
I, as Harry
d followed
; of stairs,

Tillet," he

A tall, big man, whose proportions at once dlsftn-
pointed Harry's preconceived notions as to the HinalU
ness and leanness of Frenchmen, rose from the table at
which he was writing.

"Monsieur — Sandwith?" he said interrogatively;
" I am glad to see you."

Hai-ry did not understanu the latter portion of tlio
remark, but he caught the sound of his name,

" That's all right," he said nodding. " How do you
do, M. du TilletV'

The French gentleman bowed; Harry bowed; and
then they looked at each other. There was nothing
more to say. A smile stole over Harry's face, and
broke into a fi-ank laugh. The Frenchman smiled,
put his hand on Harry's shoulder, and said :

"Brave gan/on!" and Harry felt they were friends,

M. du Tillet's face bore an expression of easy good
temper. He wore a M'ig with long curls; he had a
soldier's bearing, and a scar on his left cheek; his com-
plexion was dark and red, his eyebrows black and
bushy. After a pause he said:

"Are you hungry?" and then put imaginary food t©
his mouth.

"You mean will I en*^ anything?" Harry translated,
" Yes, that I will if there's anything fit to eat. I begin
to feel as hungry as a hunter, and no wonder, for I atu
as hollow as a drum!"

His nod was a sufficient answer. M. du Tillet took
his hat, opened the door, and bowed for Harry to pri-
cede him.

Harr^ hesitated, but believing it would b© tb@

"it's not so bad after all."

polite way to do as he was told return^-d ih i

went out. The Fr«r,«), returned the bow atid

was placed before each oj L", " "^ '""■' »' '"■°"'

sr;^ra:;^,---i-5-^::

a. yard long, placed on the table MduT,^;'^";'^
piece off and handed it to hin, He b!' '"^ '^

it into his broth a,.H f i , , ""''^ "^ P°^^'"n '^1'
-s much n'Sr ;:' Sel"™ '' ^^'»^ ''• "-» U

ail new and st™^: t hL"';;:.;t: r""T ^' '"»''»'
^tegavehi... u.e%h-.w,!:::i:t.,.t 1:^^17 '";

he was eatino- ^ "^^ ^^"a<^ i"eat

worth the lot of it. 1 , 8°°'^ ''°"»' l-eef is

the dishe «l no Cd ar: '-f '"' """'^^ ^'"^ °'
^I.ey were .nad^M /„ T i.troff '^'"^' "'-'
wine which he tasted but sh ok t .."eStr l" """?

I the bow and
liand on his
ther and took
mion gave an
'ovvl of broth

le thinness of
-r witli a few
ibles Hoatiny
bread, nearly
I Tillet cut a
a portion of
id it, that it

to himself
s no fear of
n's example
'er of disheh
?ht nor his
what meat

"but what
tlieir food
T.st beef is
y; some of
new what
him some
it seemed
me water,
iched the
du Tillet

AT PARIS.

at once replied "Pain." which Harry repeated after

Tlie ice thus broken, conversation began, and Harry
■soon learned the French for knife, fork, spoon, plate
and various other articles, and felt that he was fairly
on the way towards talking French. After the meal
was over M. du Tillet rose and put on his hat. and
•signed to Harry to accompany him. They strolled
through he town, went down to the quays and looked
at the hshmg-boats; Harry was feeling more at home
now, and asked the French name for everything he
.saw repeating the word over and over again to himself
"Mtil he felt sur. that he should remember it, and then
asking the name of some fresh object.

The next morning they started in the post-wa^o-on
for I an,s^ and arrived there after thirty-six hours'
ravel. Harry was struck with the roads, which were
ar bet er tended and kept than those in England
llie extreme flatness of the country surprised him
and. except in the quaintness of the villages and the
anoty of he church towers, he saw little to admire
<iii)'ing the journey.

"it- it is all like this," he thought to himself," I don't see

tl.H they have any reason for calling it la belle France."

1 ans he saw little. A blue-bloused porter carried

runk wdiat seemed to Harry a long distance from

place where the conveyance stopped. The streets

eie were quiet and almost deserted after the busy

t oroughia.es of the central city. The houses stood^

^>r the niost part, back from the street, with high

walls and heavy gates. "

DEOtMNINr, TO nXL AT H0M£

before a lar^e an. n.ossive gateway, su.mounted by a

oat of an„,s w,th ..„p,,„rt„„ carved in .tone work

He rang at the beli, wbieh was opened by a porrer in

Passing tlnougl, the doorway, JIa.vy f„„'., y,ij,lff„
a.spae,ous hall, decorated with ar.n.mr a,-,] „r„„ a"

shorr "'Vl""''°''' "■ ''" '''■"'' '»'= '- hand and
shook t heart.ly, .saymg, •■ Welcome!" Ha.ry under-
^^^ood^^the a,ct,o„. though not the words, and'nold,

jolly iy™ a':'"" ""' "" '"'"""'^ '' *»y - "" -

Then they both laughed, ,, ,| Harry looked round
wonder.ng what was conn'ng next.
"The narquis and his family are all away at their

hand. We shall slay a day or two to rest ourselves
after our journey, and then start to join then,."

He led Harry into a great salon magnificently fur-
n bed. pcntcd to the ehaii-s and looki°,g-glas.,es and

pect of meeting so many strange faces ^

A meal was speedily served in a small and comfort-
ab ly-furmshed apartment; and Harry concluded that

ot his food It was really nice, and that there wa^
no fear whatever of his falling away in flesh. M dT

as he halted
nounted by a
stone work.
•y a porter in
• M. du Tillet.
t'l himself in
I'l arms. As
•lis hand and
fairy under-
and nodded,

jy are all as

oked round

'ay at their
waving his
it ourselves
jm."

icently fur-
jlasses and
coverings;
imily were
getting on
I the pros-

l comfort-
uded that
;he nature
there was
h. M. dg

HAIIRY ATTRACTS ArrKNTI(»N. 27

Tillet pressed him to try the wine again, and this he
tound to be a vast improvement upon the vinta-e he
had tasted at Calais. °

After breakfast next morning they started for o
walk, and ilany was deljohted with the Louvre the
lu.ler.es. the Palais Koyal, and other public buildimrs
which he could not but acknowledge were vastly supe-
rior to anything he had seen ih London. Then he was
taken to a tailors, the marquis having connnissioned
lus guide to carry out Dr. Sandwiths request in this
matter. M. du Tillet looke.l interrogatively at Harry
as he entered the shop, as if to ask if he understood
why he was taken there.

_ Harry nodded, for indeed he was glad to see that no
tnne was to be lost, for he was already conscious that
his dress dillered considerably from that of French
boys. Several street gamins had pointed at him and
niade jeering remarks, which, without understandincr
the words. Harry felt to be insulting, and would, had
he heard them in the purlieus of Westminster, have
considered as a challenge to battle. He had not how-
ever, suffered altogether unavenged, for upon one occa-
sion M. du Tillet turned sharply round and cau-dit
one offender so smartly with his cane that he ran howl-
ing away.

"They are awful guys!" Harry thought as he looked
at the I rench boys he met. « But it's better to be a
guy than to be chaff^ed by every boy one meets, espe-
cially if one IS not to be allowed to fight." It was
therefore, with a feeling of satisfaction i\m.i h. turned
Uito the tailor's shop. The proprietor came up bowing.

A FUKSir OUTKrT.

as Harry tIlou^^]lt, m a most crin^Mng sort of way to
his companion. M du Tillet -ave some orders, and
the tailor uni'ollo.l a variety of pieces of cloth and
otlier niuteiials for llairy's inspection.

Tlie lad sliooiv his liead and turned to his guide
and, pointin^r to the goods, asked hin, to chooiTe the!
tlnngs which were most suitahio for liini; M. du
Tillet understood the appeal and ordered four .suits.
Two of these were for ordinary wear; another was
Harry concluded, for the eveiung; and the fourth foi'
cei'einonial occasions.

The coats were cut long, but very oDen in front, and
were far too scanty to button; the waistcoats were
long and embroidered; a white and ample handker-
chief went round tlie throat and was tied loosely,
with long ends edged with lace falling in front; knee-
breeclies, with white stockings, and shoes with buckles,
completed the costume

Harry looked on witli a smile of amusement, and
burst into a hearty laugh wlien the garments were
fixed upon, for the idea of himself dressed out in these
seemed to him ludicrous in the extreme.

"How they wo(dd laugh at home," he thought to
himself, "if they could see me in these thingsT The
girls would give me no peace. And svouldn't'^there be
an uproar if J were t(j turn up in them in JJeana Yard
and march up .school!"

Harry was then measured. When tiiis was done he
took out his purse, which contained fifty guineas, for
his father hod thought it probable that the clothes he
would reiiuire would cost more than they would in

THE JOURNEY FKoM I'AUIS.

k of way to

onions, and

cloth and

his guide,
chooso tho
ni; M. dn
four suits,
lother was,
fourth i'oi'

front, ami
coats were
i handker-
!d loosely,
out; knee-
;h buckles,

nient, and
ents were
it in these

houglit to
ngs! The
t til ere be
'tin's Yard

■s done lie
ineas, for
clothes he
would in

London, and he wished him to have a good store of
poeket-nion.'y until he reeeived the first instalment of
his pay. M. du Tillet, however, shook his head an.l
motioned to him to put up his purse; and Harry sup-
posed that it was not customary to pay for things in
France until they were delivered. Then his companion
took him into another shop, and pointing to his own
ruffles intimated that Harry would recpiire some linen
of this kind to be worn when in full dress. Harry
signified that his friend should order what was
necessary; and half a dozen sltirts, with deep ruffles at
the wrist and breast, were ordered. This brought their
shopping to an end.

They remained three days in Paris, at tho end of
which time Harry's clothes were delivered. Tho fol-
lo\ying morning a carriage with the arms of the mar-
quis emblazoned upon it came up to the door, and they
started. The horses were fat and lazy; and Harry,
^vho had no idea how far they were going, thought
that the journey was likely to be a long one if this
was the imce at which they were to tra ol.

Twelve miles out they changed horses at a post-
station, their own returning to Paris, and after this
had relays at each station, and travelle<l at a pace
which seemed to Harry to be extraordinarily rapid.
They slept twice upon the road.

The third day the appearance of the country
altogether changed, and, instead of tho flat plains
which Harry had begun to think extended all over
France, they were now among hills higher than any-
thing he had ever seen before. Towards the after-

AT THEIU DESTINATKjN.

noon they crossed the range and began to descend
and as evening approached M. du Tillet pointed to a
building standing on rising ground some miles awa:^
and said: '

" That is the chateau."

4
1.

bo descend
)inted to a
niles awa^

CHAPTER IL

A MAD DOG.

|T was dark before the carriage drove up to the
chateau. Their approach had been seen, for
two lackeys appeared with torches at the
head of the broad steps. M. du TiUet put his hand
encouragingly on Harry's shoulder and led him up the
steps. A servant preceded them across a great hall
when a door opened and a gentleman came forward

'' Monsieur le Marquis," M. du Tillet said, bowin-
' this IS the young gentleman you charged me to brin^c^
to you," °

"I am glad to see you," the marquis said; "and I
hope you will make yourself happy and comfortable
here.

Harry did not understand the words, but he felt the
tone of kindness and courtesy with which they were
spoken. He could, however, only bow; for althoucrh
in the eight days he had spent with M. du Tillet he
had picked up a great many nouns and a few phrases
his stock of words was of no use to him at present '

'And you, M. du Tillet," the marquis said. "You
have made a good journey, I hope ? I thank you much

TttE MARQUISE.

for the trouble you have taken. I like the boy's looks;
what do you think of him?"

"I like him very much," M. du Tillet said; "he is a
new type to me, and a pleasant one. I think he will
make a good companion for the young count."

The marquis now turned and led the way into a
great drawing-room, and taking Harry's hand led him
up to a lady seated on a couch.

" This is our young English friend, Julie. Of course
he is strange at present, but M. du Tillet re])orts well
of him, and I already like his face."

The lady held out her hand, which Hairy, instead of
bending over and kissing, as she had expected, shook
heartily. For an instant only a look of intense sur-
prise passed across her face; then she said courteously:

"We are glad to see you. It is very good of 3 ^u to
come so far to us. J trust that you will be happy here."

"These are my sons Ernest and Julds, who will, I
am sure, do all in their power to make you comfort-
able," the marquis said.

The last words were spoken sharply and significantly,
and their tone was not lost upon the two boys; they
had a moment before been struggling to prevent them-
.selves bursting into a laugh at Harry's reception of
their mother's greeting, but they now instantly com-
posed their faces and advanced.

"Shake hands with him," the marquis said sharply;
" it is the custom of his country."

Each in turn held out his hand to Harry, who, as
he shook hands with them, took a mental stock of his
future companions.

! boy's looks;

lid; "he is a
,liink ho will
int."

way into a
iixnd led him

e. Of course
rc])ort.s well

•y, instead of
)cctcd, shook
intense sur-
C(Mirteously:
)od of ) ^u to
ha[)[)y h(;re."
, who will, I
you conifort-

significnntly,
r> boys; they
revcnt them-
roc(![)tion of
istuntly coin-

said sharply;

arry, who, as
[ stock of hia

THE MESDEMOISELLES DE ST. CAUX.

"Good looking," he said to himself, "but more like
girls than boys. A year in the fifth form would do
them a world of good. I could polish the two off
together with one hand."

"My daughters," the marquis said, " Mesdemoiselles
Marie, Jeanne, and Virginia"

Three young ladies had risen from their seats as
their father entered, each made a deep curtsy as
her name was mentioned, and Harry bowed deeply in
return. Mademoiselle Marie was two years at least
older than himself, and was already a young lady of
fashion. Jeanne struck him as being about Uie same
age as his sister Fanny, who was between fourteen and
fifteen. Virginie was a child of ten. Ernest was
about his own age, while Jules came between the two
younger girls.

"Take M. Sandwith to the abbe," the marquis said
to Ernest, "and do all in your power to set him at his
ease. Remember what you would feel if you were
placed, as he is, among strange people in a strange
country."

The lad motioned to Harry to accompany him, and
the three boys left the room together.

"You can go to your gouvernante," the marquise '
said to the two younger girls; and with a profound
curtsy to her and another to the marquis, they left
the room. Unrestrained now by their presence, the
marquise turned to her husband with a merry laugh.

•' But it is a bear you have brought home, Edouard
a veritable bear—my fingers aclvj still—and he is to
teach manners to my sons! I always protested against

CONFLICTING OPINIONS.

the plan, but I did not think it would be as bad as
this. These islanders are savages."
The marquis smiled.

" He is a little gauche, but that will soon rub off. I
like him, Julie. Remember it was a difficult position
for a boy. We did not have him here to give polish to
our sons. It may be that they have even a little too
much of thio at present. The English are not polished,
everyone knows that, but they are manly and indepen-
dent. That boy bore himself well. He probably had
never been in a room like this in his life, he was
ignorant of our language, alone among strangers, but
he was calm and self-possessed. I like the honest
straightforward look in his face. And look at the
width of the shoulders and the strength of his arms;
why, he would break Ernest across his knee, and the
two boys must be about the same age."

" Oh, he has brute strength, I grant," the mar<]uise
said; "so have the sons of our peasants; however, I do
not wanu to lind fault with him, it is your hobby,
or rather that of Auguste, who is, I think, mad about
these English; I will say nothing to prevent its having
a fair trial, only I hope it will not be necessary for me
to give him my hand again."

" I do not suppose it will until he leaves, Julie, and
by that time, no doubt, he will know what to do with
it; but here is M. du Tillet waiting all this time for
you to speak to him."

" Pardon me, my good M. du Tillet," the marquise
said. "In truth that squeeze of my hand has driven all
other matters from my mind. How have you fai-ed?

I be as bad as

oon rub off, I
fHcult position
> give polish to
'en a little too
e not polished,
Y and indepen-
i probably had
3 life, he was
strangers, but
ke the honest
i look at the
li of his arms;
knee, and the

' the marquise
however, I do
! your hobby,
ik, mad about
ent its having
jossary for nie

^'es, Julie, and

lat to do with

this time for

the marquise
has driven ail
e you fared?

M. hV TILLET'S IMPRESSION& 36

This long journey with this English bear must have
been very tedious for you."

" Indeed, Madame la Marquise," M. du Tillet replied
"It has been no hardship, the boy has amused me -reatly-
nay. more, he has pleased me. We have been able to say
little to each other, though, indeed, he is quick and
eager to learn, and will soon speak our language; but
his face has been a study. When he is pleased you can
see that he is pleased, and that is a pleasure, for few
people are pleased in our dajs. Again, when he does
not like a thing you can also see it. I can see that he
says to himself, I can expect nothing better, these
poor people are only French. When the gamins in
i^aris jeered him as to his dress, he closed his hands
and would have flown at them with his fists after the
manner of his countrymen had he not put stron- re-
straint on himself. From the look of his honest eyes
1 shall, when he can speak our language, believe im-
plicitly what he says. That boy would not tell a lie
whatever were the consequences. Altogether I like him
much. I think that in a very little while he will adapt
himself to what goes on around him, and that you will
have no reason ere long to complain of his gaucheries "
"And you really think, M. du Tillet, that he will be
a useful companion for my boys?"

thilww r'" .r^°" '"' for '.saying so, madam, I
think that he will-at anyrate I am sure he can be
trusted to teach them no wrong."

"You are all against me,"°the marquise lau^rhed
"And you, Marie?" «"o"eu.

"I did not think of him one way or the other," the

THE MARQUIS SEES DANGER AHEAD.

girl said coldly. "He is very awkward; but as he
is not to be my companion that does not concern me.
It is like one of papa's dogs, one more or less n)akea
no difference in the house so long as they do not tread
upon one's skirt."

" That is tlie true si)irit of the French nobility,
Marie," her father said sarcastically. "Outside our own
circle the whole human race is nothing to us; they are
animals who supply our wants, voila tout. I tell you,
my dear, that the time is coming when this will not
suffice. The nation is stirring; that France which we
have so long ignored is lifting its head and muttering;
the news from Paris is more and more grave. The
Assembly has assumed the supreme authority, and the
king is a puppet in its power. The air is dark as
with a thunder-cloud, and there may be such a storm
sweep over France as tiiere has not been since the
days of the Jacquerie."

"But the people should be contented," M. du Tillet
said; "they have had all the privileges they ever
possessed given back to them."

"Yes," the marquis assented, "and there lies the
danger. It is one thing or the other. If as soon as the
temper of the third estate had been seen the kind's
guards had entered and cleared the place and closed
the door, as Cromwell did when the parliament was
troublesome to him in England, that would have been
one way. Paris would have been troublesome, we might
have had again the days of the Fronde, but in the end
the king's party would have woa

" However, that was not the way tried. They began

iij

EAD.

1(1; but as he

ot concern me.

or less niakea

y do not tread

ench nobility,
atside our own
bo us; they are
at. I tell you,

I this will not
anc3 which we
md muttering;
e grave. The
lority, and the
air is dark as
e such a storm
jeen since the

," M. du Tillet
^es they ever

there lies the
' as soon as the
;en the king's
ce and closed
arliament was

II Id have been
3me, we might
jut in the end

, They began

"and so things drift on." 87

by concessions, they go on with concessions, and each
concession is made the ground for more. It is like hIUU
mg down a hill; when you liave once begun you cannot
stop yourself, and you go on until there is a cmnU;
then it may be you pick yourself up sorely womuhui
and bruised, and begin to reclimb the hill slowly mui
painfully; it may be that you are dashed to pieces, I
am not a politician. I do not care much for the lif«
of Paris, and am well content to live quietly hero cm
our estates; but even I can see that a storm is gaihav-
mg; and as for my brother Auguste. he goes about
shaking his head and wringing his hands, his antJcN
pations are of the darkest. What can one expect when
fellows like Voltaire and Rousseau were permitted by
their poisonous preaching to corrupt and inflame thy
nimgination of the people? Both those men's hmiU
should have been cut off the instant they began ty
wri'e.

"The scribblers are at the root of all the trouble with
their pestilent doctrines; but it is too late now the
mischief is done. If we had a king strong and defcer-
mined all might yet be well; but Louis is weak in
decision, he listens one moment to Mirabeau and the
next to the qu-en, who is more firm and couiageouw
And so things drift on from bad to worse, and fclie
Assembly, backed by the turbulent scum of Paris are
masters of the situation."

For some time Harry lived a quiet life at the
chateau He found his position a very pleasant -one,
Ihe orders of the marquis that he should be treated
as one of the family were obeyed, and there wm ao

ERNEST DB ST. CAtJX

distinction made between himself and Ernest In the
morning the two boys and himself worked with the
abb^, a quiet and gentle old man, in the afternoon
they rode and fenced, under the instructions of M. du
Tillet or one or other of the gentlemen of the marquis's
establishment; and on holidays shot or fished as they
chose on the preserves or streams of the estate. For
an hour each morning the two younger girls shared
in their studies, learning Latin and history with their
brothers. Harry got on very well with Ernest, but
there was no real cordiality between them. The hau-
teur and insolence with which the young count treated
his inferiors were a constant source of exasperation to
Harry.

'' He thinks himself a little god," he would often
mutter to himself. " I would give a good deal to have
him for three months at Westminster. Wouldn't he
get his conceit and nonsense knocked out of him!"

At the same time he was always scrupulously polite
and courteous to his English companion — much too
polite, indeed, to please Harry. He had good qualities
too: he was generous with his money, and if during
their rides a woman came up with a tale of distress
he was always ready to assist her. He was clever,
and Harry, to his surprise, found that his knowledge of
Latin was far beyond his own, and that Ernest could
construe passages with the greatest ease which alto-
gether puzzled him. He was a splendid rider, and
could keep his seat with ease and grace on the moat
fiery animals in his father's stables.

When they went out with their guns Harry felt his

A day's WOHK.

!st In the
id with the
} afternoon
18 of M. du
le niarquiHS
ed as they
state. For
;irl3 shared

with their
Ernest, but

The hau-
ant treated
peration to

'ould often
eal to have
'^ouldn't he
f him!"
msly polite
-much too
)d qualities
1 if during
of distress
tvas clever,
iowled(,'e of
mest could
vhich alto-
rider, and
1 the most

rry felt his

inferiority keenly Not only was Ernest an excellent
shot, but at the end of a long day's sport he would
ronie in apparently fresh and untired, while Harry,
although bodily far the most powerful, would be com-
pletely done up; and at gymnastic exercises he could
do with ease feats which Uai-ry could at tirst not even
attempt. In this respect, however, the English lad in
three months' time was able to rival him. His disgust
at finding himself so easily beaten by a French boy
nerved him to the greatest exertions, and his muscles,
pi'actised in all sorts of games, soon adapted themselves
to the new exercises.

Harry picked up French very rapitlly The absolute
necessity there was to express himself in that lancua-^'-e
caused him to make a progress which surprised him-
self, and at the end of three months he was able to
converse with little difficulty, and having learned it
entirely by ear he spoke with a fair accent and pro-
mmciation. M. du Tillet, who was the principal in-
structor of the boys in their outdoor exercises, took
much pains to assist him in his French, and helped
him on in every way in his power.

In the evening there were dancing lessons, and
although very far from exhibiting the stately grace
with which Ernest could perform the minuet or other
courtly dances then in fashion, Harry came in time to
perform his part fairly. Two hours were spent in the
evening in the salon. This part of his day Harry at
first found the most tedious; but as soon as he began
to speak fluently the marquis addressed most of his
conversation to him, asking him questions about the life

til
i

NATIONAL CUSTOMS.

of English boys at school and about English manners
and custo.us. and Harry soon found himself chuttinu

at his t'ii ". °

"The di linction of classes is clearly very linich less
with you in Enolaud than it is liere," the marquis said
one day when Harry had been describing a great fioht
which had taken place b-tween a party of Westminster
boys and those of the neighbourhood, "It seems ex-
traordinary to me that sons of gentlemen should en-
gage in a personal light with boys of the lowest class
fc5uch a thmg could not happen here. If you were
msulted by sucli a boy, what would vou do, Ernest?"

'; I should run him through fhe body." Ernest said
quietly.

"Just so," his father replied, "and I don't say you
would be wrong according to our notions; but I do
not say that the English plan is not the best The
English gentlen.an-for Monsieur Sandwith says that
even among grown-up people the san.e habits prevail
-does not disdain to show the canaille that even with
their own rough weapons he is their superior, and ha
thus holds their respect. It is a course way and alto-
gether at variance with our notions, but there is much
to be said for it."

"But it altogether does away with the reverence
that the lower class should feel for the upper," Ernest
objected.

"That is true, Ernest. So long as tliat feelincr
generally exists, so long as there is, as it were, a wide
chasm between the two classes, as there has always
existed in France, it would be unwise perhaps for one

WISE REFLECTIONS.

sh manners
ilf chatting

I much less
uirquis said
grt'at figlit
'estminster
'> seems ex-
should en-
)we,st class,
you were
J, Ernest?"
'rnest said

'fc say you
hut I do
best. The
I sa}'& that
ts prevail
even with
)r, and ha
and alto-
e is much

reverence
r," Ernest

t feelinor

■e, a wide
s always
>s for one

of the upper to admit that in any respect there could
be any equality between them; but this is not so
in England, where a certain equality has always been
allowed to exist. The Englishman of all ranks has a
certain feehng; of self-respect ami inrlependence, and
the result is shown in the history of the wars which
have been fought between the two nations.

"France in early days always relied upon her chiv-
alry. The horde of footmen she placed in the field
counted for little. England, upon the other hand,
rehed principally upon her archers and her pikemen,
ana it must be admitted that they beat us handsomely.'
Then again in the wars in Flanders, under the En<rlish
general Marlborough their infantry always proved
themselves superior to ours. It is galling to admit it
but there is no blinking the facts of history. It seems
to me that the feeling of independence and self-respect
which this English system gives rise to, even among
the lowest class, must render them man for man better
soldiers than those drawn from a peasantry whose very
lives are at the mercy of their lords."

" I think, du Tillet," the marquis said later on on the
same evening, when the young people had retired, "I
have done very well in taking my brother Auguste's
advice as to having an English companion for Ernest.
If things were as they were under the Grand Monarque
I do not say that it would have been wise to allow a
young French nobleman to get these English ideas
mto his head, but it is different now.

"We are on the eve of great changes. What will
come of it no one can say; but there will certainly be

FORMAL MEETINGS.

trz r 1 " ^^°"^' '^'"- '^^^ "^y ^^''^r^n should

get broader ideas than those in which wo were brought

tl mk for h.n.solf. It scarce entere.l the head of a
J^iench nobleinan a generation bade that the mass of
the people had any feeling, or wishes, much less rights
T^iey were useful in their way, just as the animals^are;
but neech^d no more consideration. They have never
counted for anything.

"In England the people have rights and liberties-
they won then, years ago. It would be well for us in
the present day had they done so in France. I runcy
t lie next generation will have to adapt themselves to
changed circumstances, and the ideas that Ernest
and Jules will learn from this English lad will be a

st?;:' iht:? '' ''-''■ ^^' ^"^ '' ^^- *•- ^^« "-

wa^nTr '"'^' ^"""° ^''''"■'' ^^''^^ *'^«'^ ftouvernante
was always present, at meal limes, and in the salon in

the evening that Harzy h.d any communication with
grounds they were saluted by the boys with as much

ZltT''' r '' '"^ '^' ^^«" ''- --^ distan
acq, aintances. returning the bows with deep curtsies.

to hT "'f "«%r'' ^ -"""^^^ °^ Sront amusement
to Hany, who could scarcely preserve his gravity at

however, he even course of these meetings was broken
The boys had just left the tennis-court where they had
been playmg. and had laid aside the swords which
they carried when walking or riding.

'■35

lildren should
were brought
e ventures to
16 head of a
t the mn.ss of
ch less rights.
! animals are,
J have never

nd liberties;
^ell for us in
ce. I i'ancy
'lemselves to
that Ernest
id will be a
for the new

jouvernante
the salon in
cation witli
met in the
th as much
lost distant
p curtsies,
aiimsement
gravity at
e occasion,
.^as broken,
e they had
rds which

A MAD Doo.

The tennis-court was at some little distance from
the house, ond they were walking across the garden
when they heard a scream. At a short distance was
tht) governess with hor two young charires. She had
thrown her arms round thorn, and stood the picture of
terror, uttering loud screams.

Looking round in astonishment to discover the cause
ot her terror. Harry saw a large wolf-hound runnin-
towards them at a trot. Its tongue was hanging out"!
and there was a white foam on its jaws Ho had
heard M. du TiUot tell tlie marqu^3 ua the previous
day that this dog, which was a great favourite, seemed
strange and uncjuiet, and he had ordered it to be
chamed up. It had evidently broken its fastening
for It was drag^.ng a piece of chain some six feet lona
behmd it. °

It Hashed across him at once that the animal was
mad, but without an instant's hesitation he dashed off
j-t full ,peed and threw himself in front of the ladies
before the dog reached them. Snatching off his coat,
and then kneeling on one knee, he awaitt^d the animal's
attack. Without deviating fro.n its cours<> the hound
sprang at him with a short snarling howl. Harry
threw his coat over its head and then grasped it round
the neck.

The impetus of the .spring knocked him over, and
tliey rolled together on the ground. The animal
■struggled furiously, but Harry retained his gra.«n
round Its neck. In vain the hound tried to free itself
from Its blinding encumbrance, or to hite hi.s .as-sailant
through it, and struggled to shake off his hold withUs

THE END Of THE STRUGGLE.

legs and claws. Harry maintained his grasp tightly
round its neck, with his head pressed closely against
one of its ears. Several times they rolled over and
over. At last Harry made a great effort when he was
uppermost, and managed to get his knees upon the
animal's belly, and then, digging his toes in the ground,
pressed with all his weight upoi. it.

There, was a sound as of cracking of bones, then the
dog's struggles suddenly ceased, and his head fell over,
and Harry rose to his feet by the side of the dead
hound just as a number of men, with pitch-forks and
other weapons, ran up to the spot from the stables,
while the marquis, sword in hand, arrived from tho
house.

The gouvernante, too, paralysed by fear, had stood
close by with her charges while the struggle was going
on. Ernest had come up, and was standing in fronl
of his sisters, ready to be the next victim if the dog
had overpowered Harry. Less accustomed to running
than the English boy, and for a moment rooted to the
ground with horror at his sisters' danger, he had not
arrived at the spot until the struggle between Harry
and the dog was half over, and had then seen no way
of rendering assistance; but believing that the dog was
sure to be the conqueror, he had placed himself before
his sisters to bear the brunt of the next assault.

Seeing at a glance that his daughters were untouched
the marquis ran on to Harry, who was standing pant-
ing and breathless, and threw his arms round him.

" My brave boy," he exclaimed, "you have saved my
daughters from a dreadful death by your courage and

•l OWN I HAVE BEEN WRONO."

:rasp tightly
isely against
ed over and
vhen he was
es upon the
I the ground,

les, then the
ad fell over,
of the dead
h-forks and
the stables,
id from tho

r, had stood
6 was going
ng in front
if the doff
to running
)oted to tho
he had not
t^een Harry
een no way
;he dog was
iself before
ault.

untouched
ding pant-
id him.
5 saved my
jurage and

devotion. How can I and their mother ever thank
you? I saw it all from the terrace-the speed with
which you sprang to their assistance -the quickness
of thought with wliich you stripped off your coat
and th -ew it o. • its head. After that I could see
nothing except your rolling over and over in a confused
mass. \ou are not hurt, I trust?"
" Not a bit, sir," Harry said.
"And you have killed it— wond ?ul!"
"There was nothing in that, sir. I have heard my
fatlier, who is a doctor, say that a man could kill the
biggest dog if he could get it down on its back and
kneel on it. So when I once managed to get my knees
on it I felt it was all right."

"Ah, it is all very well for you to speak as if it were
nothing!" the marquis said. "There are few men
indeed, who would throw themselves in the way of a
mad dog, especially of such a formidable brute as that.
\ ou too have behaved with courage, my son, and I saw
you were ready to give your life for your sisters; but
you had not the quickness and readiness of your friend
and would have been too Ipte."

" It is true, father," Ernest said in a tone of humility
"I should have been too late, and, moreover, I should
have been useless, for he would have torn me down in
a moment, and then fallen upon my sisters.

" M. Sandwith," he said frankly, "I own I have been
wrong. I have tliouglit the games of which you spoke
and your fighting, rough and barbarous; but I see their
use now You have put me to «l,ame. When I saw
that dog f ;]t powerless, for I liad not my sword with

A BRAVE GIRL

me; but you— you rushed to the fight without a
moment's hesitation, trusting in your strength and
your head. Yes, your customs have made a man of
you, while I am a boy still."

"You are very good to say so," Harry said; "but I
am quite sure that you would be just as quick and
ready as me in most circumstances, and if it had been
a matter of swords, very much more useful; but 1 am
glad you see there is some advantage in our rough
English ways."

The marquis had put his hand approvingly upon
Ernest's shoulder when he addressed Harry, and then
turned to his daughters. The governess had sunk
fainting to tlie ground when she saw that the danger
was over. Virginie had thrown herself down and was
crying loudly; wliile Jeanne stood pale, but quiet,
beside them.

The n)arquis directed one of the men to run up to
the chateau and bid a female servant bring down water
and smelling-salts for the governess, and then lifted
Virginie up and tried to soothe her, while he stretched
out his other hand to Jeanne.

"You are shaken, my Jeanne," he sai.l tenderly,
"but you hav^ borne the trial well. 1 did not hear you'
cry out, though madame, and the little one screamed
loudly enough."

" I was frightened enough, father," she said simply,
"but of course I wasn't going to cry out; but it was
very terrible; and oh, how noble and brave he was!
And you know, papa, I feel ashamed to think how
often I have been nearly laughing because he was

A PLEASANT CHANGE.

without a
[•ength and
e a man of

aid; "but I
quick and
t had been
; but 1 am
our rough

ngly upon
, and then
liad sunk
the danger
n and was
but quiet,

run up to

awn water

lien lifted

stretched

tenderly,
hear you
screamed

d simply,
ut it was
) he was!
link how
3 he was

I feel so little now beside

i\f:'

awkward in the minuet,
him."

"You see, my dear, one must not judge too much by
externals," her father said soothingly as she hid her
face against his coat, and he could feel that she was
trembling from head to foot. "Older peopl- than you
often do so, and are sorry for it afterwards; but as I
am sure that you would never allow him to see that
you were amused no harm has been done.

"SliuU I thank him, papa?"

■ Yea, presently, my dear; he has just gone off with

r; jst to see them bury the dog."

This incident caused a considerable change in Harry's
position in the family. Previously he hlid been ac-
cepted in consequence of the orders of the marquis.
Although compelled to treat him as an equal the two
boys had in their hearts looked upon him as an inferior,
while the girls had regarded him as a sort of tutor of
their brothers, and thus as a creature altogether in-
different to them. But henceforth he appe*ared in a
different light. Ernest acted up to the spirit of the
words he had spoken at the time, and henceforth
treated him as a comrade to be respected m well as
liked. He tried to learn some of the English games,
but as most of these required more than two players
he was forced to abandon them. He even asked him
to teach him to box, but Harry had the good sense to
make excuses for not doing so. He felt that Ernest
was by no means his match in strength, and that, with
all his good-will, he would find it difficult to put
up good-naturedly with being knocked about. He

?i^',

!i*ii^'

GOOD FELLOWSHIP.

therefore said that it could not be done without boxing-
gloves, and these it would be impossible to obtain in
France; and that in the next place he should hardly
advise him to learn even if he procured the gloves, for
that in such contests severe bruises often were given.

" We think nothing of a black eye," he said laugh-
ing, "but I am sure niadame your mother would not
be pleased to see you so marked; besides, your people
would not understand your motive in undertaking so
rough an exercise, and you might lose somewhat of
their respect. Be content. Count Ernest; you are an
excellent swordsman, and although I am improving
under M. du Tillet's tuition I shall never be your
match. If you like, sometime when we are out and
away from observation we can take oft" our coats, and
I can give you a lesson in wrestling; it is a splendid
exercise, and it has not the disadvantages of boxing."

Little Jules looked up to Harry as a hero, and hence-
forth, when they were together, gave him the same
sort of implicit obedience he paid to his elder brother.
The ceremonious habits of the age prevented anything
like familiarity on the part of the younger girls; but
Jeanne and Virginie now always greeted him with a
smile when they met, and joined in conversation with
him as with their brothers in the evening.

The marquise, who had formerly protested, if play-
fully, against her husband's whim in introducing an
English boy into their family circle, now regarded
him with real afiection, only refraining from constant
allusions to the debt she considered she owed him
because she saw that he really shrank from the subject.

THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS,

ut boxing-
i obtain in
lid hardly
gloves, for
ire given,
aid laugli-
would not
Dur people
rtaking so
iiewhat of
'^ou are an
improving
r be your
fe out and
coats, and
a splendid
[ boxing."
and hence-
L the same
er brother,
i anything
[• girls; but
him with a
nation with

id, if play-
Dducing an
V regarded
m constant
owed bim
the subject.

The marquis shortly after this incident went to Paris
for a fortnight to ascertain from his friends there the
exact position of things. He returned depressed and
angry.

The violence of the Assembly had increased from
day to day. The property of all the convents had
been confiscated, and this measure had been followed
by the seizure of the vast estates of the church All
the privileges of the nobility had been declared at an
end, and m August a decree had been passed abolish-
mg all titles of nobility. This decree had taken effect
m Pans and in the great towns, and also in some parts
ot the country where the passions of the people were
most aroused against the nobility; but in Buroundy
It had remained a dead letter. The Marquis de St.
Caux was popular upon his estates, and no one had ever
neglected to concede to him and to the marquise their
titles. He himself had regarded the decree with dis-
dain. "They may take away my estates by force." he
said, "but no law can deprive me of my title, any more
than oi the name which I inherited from my fathers.
Such laws as these are mere outbursts of folly."

But the Assembly continued to pass laws of the
most sweeping description, assuming the sovereion
power, and using it as no monarch of France had ev°er
ventured to do. ]\Ioderate men were shocked at the
headlong course of events, and numbers of those who
at the commencement of the movement had thrown
themselves heart and soul into it now shrank back in
dismay at the strange tyranny which wa-s called liberty.
"It seems to me that a general madness has seized

(38!) ^

'THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE.

I I
I 3

all Paris," the marquis said to his wife on his return
"but at present nothiiiy can be done to arrest it.
I have seen the king and (jucen. His majesty is re-
solved to do nothinL,'; that is, to let events take their
course, and what that will be Heaven only knows. Thn
Assembly has taken all power into its hands, the
king is already a mere cipher, the violence of the
leaders of these men is beyond all bounds; the queen
is by turns hot and cold, at one moment she agrees
with her husband that the uidy hope lies in conceding
everything; at another she woidd go to the army,
place herself in its hands, and call on it to march upon
Paris.

"At anyrate there is nothing to be done at present
but to wait. Already numbers of the deputies, terrified
at the a.spect of ail'airs, have left France, and I am
sorry to say many of the nobles have also gone. This
is cowardice and treachery to the king. We cannot
help him if he will not be helped, but it is our duty
to remain here ready to rally round him when he calls
us to his side. I am glad that the Assembly has
passed a law confiscating the estates of all who have
emigrated."

Although the marquise was much alarmed at the
news brought by her husband she did not think of
questioning his decision. It did not seem to her possible
that there could be danger for her and hers in their
quiet country chateau. There might be disturbance and
bloodshed, and even revolution, in Paris; but surely a
mere echo of this would reach them so far away.

"Whenever you think it is right to gu up and take

WINTER AMUSEMENTS. gi

your place by tlie king I will go and take mine by tho
queen she said quietly. "The children will hj mi'i,
here; but of cour.se we niu.st do our duty "

The winter pa,ssed quietly at the chateau; theru wm
none of the usual gaiety, for a deep gloo.n hung ovm'
all the noble fanulies of the province; still afc fci,„<«
great hunting parties were got up for the chase of t lo
vvolves anmng the forests, for, when the snow mm on
the ground, these often came down into the vilku««
and committed great depredations.

CHAPTER IIL

THE DEMON WOLF.

PON the first of these occasions Harry and
Ernest were in high spirits, for they were to
take part in the chase. It was the first time
that Ernest had done so, for during the previous winter
the marquis had been in attendance on the court. At
an early hour the guests invited to take part in the
chase began to assemble at the chateau. Many who
lived at a distance had come overnight, and the great
court-yard presented a lively aspect with the horses
and attendants of the guests. A collation was spread
in the great hall, and the marquise and her eldest
daughter moved about among the guests saying a few
words of \velcome to each.

"Who is that young mat. who is talking to made-
moiselle your sister, Ernest?" Harry asked, for since
the adventure with the mad dog the ceremonious
title had been dropped, and the boys addressed each
other by their Christian names.

" That is Monsieur Lebat; he is the son of the Mayor
of Dijon. I have not seen him here before, but I sup-
pose my father thinks it is well in these times to do

MONSIEUR LEBAT

tlie civil thing to the people of Dijon. He is a good-

"T'l\^°"i* ."^' ^'' ^^'^'^ ^* ^"'" ^^"T «^i^^ shortly.
Look wha a cranging air he puts on as he speaks

madame la marqui.se. And yet I fancy he coJld be
nso ent when he hkes. He n.ay be good-looking, but it
1 no a style I admire, with his thick lips and his half-
closed eyes. If I „,et him at home I should say the
f^ellow was something between a butcher and a Jew

" Well done, monsieur the aristocrat!" Ernest said
laughmg. "This is your English equality! Here is a
poor fellow who is allowed to take a place out of his
station, thanks to the circumstances of the time, and
you run him down mercilessly'"

"I don't run him down because he is not a gentle-

nan Harry said. "I run him down because I don't

l^ke his face; and if he were the son of a duke instead

ot the son of a mayor I should dislike it just as much.

ifou take my word for it. Ernest, that's a bad fellow "

Poor Monsieur Lebat!" Ernest laughed. "I daresay
he IS a very decent fellow in his way."

"I am sure he is not, Ernest; he has a cruel bad look
1 would not have been that fellow's fag at school for
any money."

" Well, it's fortunate, Harry, that you are not likely
to see much of him, else I should expect to see you
houni'^* "''^ ^"""^ strangling him as you did the

Harry joined in the laugh.

THE DEMON WOLP.

* I will restrnin inyselF, Ernest; and besides, be would
be an awkward customer; tbere's plenty of strength in
those shoulders of his, and he looks acvive and sinewy
in spite of that indolent air he puts on; but there is
the horn, it is time for us to mount."

In a few minutes some thirty gentlemen were in the
saddle, the marquis, who was grand louvetier of the
province, blew his horn, and the whole cavalcade got
into motion, raising their hunting caps, as they rode off,
to the marquise and her daughters, who were standing
on the step of the chateau to see them depart. The
dogs had already been sent forward to the forest,
which was some miles distant.

On arriving there the mai-quis found several wood-
men, who had been for the last two days marking the
places most frequented by the wolves. They had given
their reports and the party were just starting when
a young forester rode up.

" Monsieur le marquis," he said, " I have good news
for you; the demon wolf is in the forest. I saw him
making his way along a glade an hour since as I was
on my way thither I turned back to follow him, and
tracked him to a ravine in the hills choked with
undergrowth."

The news created great excitement.

"The demon wolf!" the marquis repeated. "Are
you sure?"

"Quite sure, monsieur. How could I mistake it!
I saw him once four years ago, and no one who had
once done so could mistake any other wolf for him."

" We are in luck indeed, gentlemen/' the marquis

A TEltltlULE BEAST.

lie would
reiigth in
d sinewy
I there is

re in the
sr of the
cade got
' rode off",
standing
,rt. Tlie
e forest,

al wood-
king the
ad given
ng when

lod news
saw him
as I was
him, and
ed with

1. " Are

itake it!
ffho had
' him."
marquis

said. "We will see if we can't brini; this fallow's
career to an end at last. T have hunted him a score
of times myself since my first chase of him, well-nigli
fifteen years ago, hut he has always "iven us the slip."
'And will again," an old forester, who was standing
close to Harry, muttered. " I do not believe the bulle't
IS cast whicli will l.ring that wolf to earth."

"What is this demon wolf?" Hurry asked Ernest.
"It is a wolf of extiaordiuary size and fierceness.
For many years he has been the terror of tlu; mothers
of this i)art of France. He has been known to go
into a village and boldly carry oil' an hdunt in mid-day.
Every child who has been killed by wolves for years
is always supposed to have been slain by this wolf.
Sometimes he is seen in one part of the province, and
sometimes in another.

"For months he is not heard of Then there is
slaughter among the young lambs. A child going to
school, or an old woiuan oan-ying home a faggot from
the forest is found torn and partly devoured, and the
news spreads that the demon wolf has retiu-ned to the
neighbourhood. Great hunts have over and over again
been got up specially to slay him, but he seems to fead
a charmed life. He has been shot at over and over
again, but he seems to be bullet-proof.

" The peasants regard him not as an ordinary wolf
but as a demon, and mothers quiet their children when
they cry by saying that if they are not good the
(lemon wolf will carry them off. Ah, if we could kill
him to-day it would be a grand occasion!"
" Is there anything particular about his appearance ?"

ri!El'AlUN(J Fori TIIK HUNT.

"Ndtliing except his size. Some of those who have
seen him declare that lie is as big as three ordinary
wolves; but my father, who has caught sight of him
several tinies, says that this is an exaggeration, though
he is by far the largest wolf he ever saw. He is lighter
in colour than other wolves, but those who saw him
years ago say that this was not thi^ case then, and that
his liglit colour must be due to his gvrat age."

The party now started, under the uuidance of the
forester, to the spot where he had seen the wolf enter
the underwood.

It was the head of a narrow valley. The sides
which inclosed it sloped steeply, but not too much so
for the wolf to climb. During the last halt the mar-
quis had arranged the plan of action. He liimself,
with three of the most experienced huntsmen, took
their stations across the valley, which was but seventy
or eighty yairds wide. Eight of the others were to
dismount and take post on either side of the ra-
vine.

" I am sorry, gentlemen, that I cannot find posts for
the rest of you, but you may have your share of the
work. Over and over again this wolf has slipped
away when we thought we had him surrounded, and
what he has done before he may do again. Therefore,
let each of you take up such a position as he thinks
best outside our circle, but keeping well behind trees
or other shelter, so as to cover himself from any
random shot that may be fired after the wolf. Do
you, on your part, fire only when the wolf has passed
your line, or you may hit some of ua"

Waittno.

The two larls were naturally among those left out
from the inner circle.

"What do you think, Krn.'st; sliall we remain on
our horses here in the valley or climb the hills T'

"I should say wait here, Harry; in the first place,
because it is the least trouble, and in the second, be-
cause I think he is as lik*;ly to come this way as any
other. At anyrate we ii« >;' as well dismount here,
and let the horses rep that f-iece of fresh grass until
we hear the horn ih",t .\ill te'l us when the dogs have
been turned into the t^■'^;^v^'i to drive him out."

It was half an hour before they heard the distant
note of the horn,

"They have begun," Ernest exclaimed; "wc had
better mount at once. If the brute is still there he
is just as likely, being such an old hand at the spoi't,
to make a bolt at once, instead of waiting until the
dogs are close to liim."

"What are we to do if we see him?" Harry asked.
• " We are to shoot him if we can. If we miss him,
or he glides past before we can get a shot, we must
follow shouting, so as to guide the rest as to the direc-
tion he is takinrr."

" My chance of hitting him is not great," Harry said.
"I am not a very good shot even on my feet; but sit-
ting in my saddle I do not think it likely I should get
anywhere near him."

A quarter of an hour passed. The occasional note
of a dog and the shouts of the men encourao-incr them
to work their way through the dense thicket could be
heard, but no sound of a shot met their ears.

j .1

111
III

"THAT IS THE WOLF."

" Either he is not there at all, or he is lying very
close," Ernest said.

" Look, look!" Harry said suddenly, pointing through
the trees to the right.

" That is the wolf, sure enough," Ernest exclaimed.
" Come along."

The two lads spurred their horses and rode recklessly
through the trees towards the great gray beast, who
seemed to flit like a shadow past them.

" Mind the boughs, Ernest, or you will be swept from
your saddle. Hurrah! the trees are more open in front."

But although the horses were going at the top of
"their speed they scarcely seemed to gain on the wolf,
who, as it seemed to them, kept his distance ahead
without any great exertion.

" We shall never catch him," Harry exclaimed after
they had ridden for nearly half an hour, and the
laboured panting of the horses showed that they could
not long maintain the pace.

Suddenly, ten yards ahead of the wolf, a man, armed
with a hatchet, stepped out from behind a tree directly
in its way. He was a wood-cutter whose attention
being called by the sound of the galloping feet of the
horses, had left his half-hewn tree and stepped out to see
who was coming. He gave an exclamation of surprise
and alarm as he saw the wolf, and raised his hatchet
to defend himself. Without a moment's hesitation the
animal sprang upon him and carried him to the ground,
fixing its fangs into his throat. There was a struggle
for a few moments, and then the wolf left its lifeless
foe and was about to continue its flight.

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE.

"Get ready to fire, Harry," Ernest exelaiiued as the
wolf sprang upon the man, " it is our last chance. If
he gets away now we shall never catch him."

They reined in their horses just as the wolf rose to
fly. Harry fired first, but the movement of his panting
horse deranged his aim and the haV -t flew wide.
More accustomed to firing on horseback, Ernest's aim
was truer, he struck the wolf on the shoulder, and it
rolled over and over. With a shout of triumph the
boys dashed forward, but when they were within a
few paces the wolf leapt to its feet and endeavoured
to spring towards them. Harry's horse wheeled aside
80 sharply that he was hurled from the saddle.

The shock was a severe one, and before he could rise
to his feet the wolf was close upon him. He tried as
he rose to draw his hunting-sword, but befo'-c he could
do so, Ernest, who had, when he saw him fall, at once
leaped from his horse, threw himself before him, and
dealt the wolf a severe blow on the head with his
weapon.

Furious with rage and pain the wolf sprang upon
him and seized him by the shoulder. Ernest dropped
his sword, and drawing his hunting-knife struck at it,
while at the same moment Harry ran it throuo-h the
body.

So strong and tenacious of life was the animal that
the blows were repeated several times before it loosed
its hold of Ernest's shoulder and fell dead.

"Are you hurt, my dear Ernest?" wa.s Harry's first
exclamation.

"Oh, never mind that, that's nothing," Ernest replied.

I
I

' *

IT IS A JOINT BUSINESS.

"Only think, Harry, you and I have killed the demon
Avolf, and no one else had a hand in it. There is a
triumph for us."

"The triumph is yours, Ernest," Harry said. "He
would have got away had you not sto])pe<l him with
your bullet, and he would have made short work of
me had you not coino to my rescue, for I was half
stunned with the fall, and he would have done for me
as quickly as he did for that poor fellow there." -

"That is true, Harry, but it was you who gave him
his mortal wound. He would have mastered me
otherwise. He was too strong for me, and would have
borne me to the ground. No, it's a joint business,
and we have both a right to be proud of it. Now let
us fasten him on my horse; but before we do that, you
must bind up my shoulder somehow. In spite of my
thick doublet he has bit me very sharply. J^iut first
let us see to this poor fellow. I fear he is dead."

It was soon seen that riothing could be done for the
woodman, who had been killed almost instantly. 1 larry,
therefore, proceeded to cut off Ernest's coat-sleeve and
bathed the wound. Tlie flesh was badly torn, and the
arm was so useless that he thought that sonKj bones
were broken. Having done his best to bandage the
wound, he strapped the arm firmly acro.ss the body, so
as to prevent its being shaken by the motion of the
riding. It was with the greatest difficulty that they
wcic able to lift the body of the wolf, but could not
lay it across the horse, as the animal plung(;d and
kicked and refused to allow it to be brouglit near.
Ernest was able to assist but little, fur now that the

CARRYING THE WOLF. gj

excitement was over he felt faint and sick with the
pain oi his wound.

"I think you had better ride off, H.%rry, and brin<^
some one to our assistance. I will wait here till you
come back." •'

" I don't like to do that," Harry said. " They must
be seven or eight miles away, and I may not be able
to find them. They may have moved away to some
other part of the forest. Ah! I have an idea! Sup-
pose I cut a pole, tie the wolf's legs together and put
the pole through them; then we can hoi.t the pole up
and lash its ends behind the two saddles. The horses
nmy not n.iml so much if it's not put upon their

DctC K S.

"That might do," Ernest agreed; "but you mustn't
make the pole more than six or seven feet lono- or we
shall have difficulty in riding between the trees."

Tbo pole was soon cut and the wolf in readiness to
be lifted, but the horses still refused to stand steady
^_ "Bundfold them, Hany," Ernest said suddenly,
and tie them up to two trees a few feet apart."
This was soon done, aud the boys then patted and
soothed them until they became quiet. The pole was
now lifted, and this time they managed to lay it across
the saddles and to lash it securely to the cantles. Then
they mounted, and taking the bandages off the horses'
eyes set out on their way. The liorses were fid-ety
at first, but presently fell into a quiet walk.

For upwards of an hour they heard nothintr of the
huntsmen. Not a sound broke the stillnen'Tof the
forest; the sun waa shining through the leafless trees,

REJOINING THE HUNT.

and they were therefore enabled tc shape their course
in the direction in which they had come. Presently
they heard the sound of a shot, followed by several
others, and then the bay of hounds. The sound came
from their left.

" They have been trying a fresh place," Ernest said,
"and I expect they have come upon two wolves; one
they have shot, the hounds are after the other."

They turned their horses' heads in the direction of
the sounds, and presently Harry said:

"They are coming this way."

Louder and louder grew the sounds of the chase
then the deep tones of the hounds were exchanged for
a fierce angry barking.

"The wolf is at bay!" Ernest exclaimed.

A minute later some notes were sounded on the
horn.

" That is the mort, Harry. Wt .'hall arrive before
they move on again."

Five minutes later they rode into a glade where a
number of horsemen n'cre assembled. There was a
shout as they were seen.

"Why, Ernest," the iiianpiis called as they ap-
proacheil, " wo thouglit you had lo;st us. You have
missed some rare sport; but what's the matter with
your arm, and wh; t have you got there T'

"We have got tlie demon wolf," Ernest replied; "so
you haven't had all the sport to yourselves."

There was a general exclamation of surprise and
almost incredulity, and tlicn every o> ^ ->de over to
meet the n, and when it was seen iw „ • a object slung

A TRIUMPHANT PROCESSION, (|3

between the two horses was really the demon wolf

here was a shout of satisfaction and pleasure. A^ain

the notes oi the n.ort rang out through the woods.C

11 T '°,"^T""« ^^''^^^'i -onster. Ernest was
W o< i.om las horse, for he was now reeling in the
^ a,^ could not have kept his seat rnau/n^in^
onger. His wound was carefully examined, and the
nuajxiuis pronounced the shoulder-bone to be broken.
A htter was made and four of the foresters hoisted hi.n
upon the. shoulders, while four others carried the
woL, still slung on its pole, behind the litter. While
the preparations were being made Harry had given
the nstory of the slaying of the wolf, sa ung tha he
owed Ins life to the quickness and courage oi" Ernest

And I owe mine to him," Ernest protested from
the bank where he was lying. " The wolf would have
killed me had he not slain it. I was lucky in stop.

evenMY"^ °^^ ^'""" ^'"'^ ^^^^ '' ^^^^'^^^^ an
thT d! ",7"^*i^°"^^^ «^ P"-«-g the hunt further
that day. Ihe other two wolves were added to the
procession, but they looked small and insicni'icant
beside te body of that killed by the boys.° ":"
learned that no one had suspected that they had gone
in pursuit of .iie wolf. A vigilant look-out had Len
kept all round the thicket, while the dogs hunf.d it
from end to end, but no signs had been seen of it," and
none were able to understand how it could imve slipped
between the watchers unseen. ^^

-ill

AT HOME.

After the ravine had been thorougbiy beaten tbo
party had moved off to anotlier cc cr, Ou their wry
there the inarciuis liad missed the two bovs. No one
had seen tlieni, and it was supposed that they had
loitered behirsd in,t!v; 'orest. Two ot* three notes of
recall had been blown, and then no one had thou,'ht
more of the iiintter until ti'ey rode into the glade
when the second wolf had just been p tilled down by
the pack.

It was ft^ternoon when the hunting party arrived
at the cliaceau. Before they started homewards tlie
rx arqui-i had sent off two horses.: en; one to Dijon to
bring a surgeon with all speed to the chateau, the
other to tell the marquise that Eitest had been hurt,
and that everything was to be got i'l readiness for him;
but that she was not to make herself uneasy, as the
injury was not a serious one. The messengers were
charged strictly to say nothing about the death of the
demon wolf.

The marquise and her daughters were at the en-
trance as the party arrived. The sight of the litter
added to the anxiety which Ernest's mother was feel-
ing; but the marquis rode on a short distance ahead
to her.

"Do not be alarmed, Julie," he said; "the lad is not
very seriously hurt. He has been torn a bit by a wolf,
and has behaved splendidly."

" The messenger said he had been hurt by a wolf,
Edouard; but how came he to put himself in such peril?"

" He will tell you all about it, my dear. Here he ia
to speak for himself."

eaten the
their way
No one
they had
3 notes of
I tliOi.u;-ht

■■J

:h.e glade
dcv/n l»y

r arrived
^ards tlie
Dijon to
teau, the
een hurt,
i for him;
y, as the
;ers were
th of the

i the en-
ihe litter
^vas feel-
ce ahead

ad is not
ly a wolf,

y a wolf,
h peril?"
ere he is

THE WOUNDED AND THE SLAIN.

"Bring up the wolf," the marquis saW •■„,„l if
do you come here and stand byL e!r side ,. 7^'
la marquise," he went on -M^ , ,, *'*''""

wolf! That i, ZTa ^ " ^^ "•»' «'™t my

'■ ^nat IS the demon wo f which ho« f '

been the terror of the district, and t le are it! , ^"""

Your son and M, Sandwith, they Id th T"'

have reaped the dorv «,h;„u ^' ' ^ "'""<•'

gundy h^ been so iZ " ; '™7 "P"'^"""' "' «»'-

i" '"e 'orest,mil:sa:;;t':?,:htf' "'"^'"•'"''
slew this scourge of the pro "nc! " ' ""''"""^ ""•'

He put his horn to his lins Tho ^lu
similar instruments folltd I s etrje " Z"''
umphant traralira was blown ^..^'"'"'P'^- A tri.
their huntin.-cans nS rh i ■"'"""" '*''' "'f

their barking tT'^ltortr"' '"' "" '■""""^ "J''"-'

at;"e\\-xfrr;:xz

:ibrthrtt:\rar\-^'-^^^^^^^^^^^^^

„.„lf,,. '""- "'on^ have slain this dr««dW

;;ho:"i:\rd";:r:i:^^^

-™ with ;o.y,The;::;firtttrrt,;'T

S^^^ 11-1 nest into bed as soon as possible. A mr-

«J«f«-«^ ■*<*'

"TELL US ALL ABOUT IT.'

messenger

geon will be here very vshortly. I sent a

on to Dijon for one at the same time I sent to you."

The marquis stayed outside for a few minutes while
the domestics handed round great silver cups full of
spiced wine, and then bidding good-bye to his guests
entered the chateau just as the surgeon rode up to the
entrance.

" Please tell us all about it," his daughters asked him
when, having seen the surgeon set the broken bone and
bandage the wound, operations which Ernest bore
with stoical firnmess, he went down to the salon where
his daughters were anxiously expecting him. "All
about it, please. We have heard nothing, for Harry
went upstairs with Ernest, and has not come down

again.

The marquis told the whole story, how the wolf had
made his escape unseen through the cordon round his
lair, and had passed within sight of the two boys some
distance away, and how they had hunted it down and
slain it. The girls shuddered at the story of the
death of the wood-cutter and the short but desperate
conflict with the wolf.

" Then Ernest has the principal honour this time,"
the eldest girl said.

" It is pretty evenly divided," the marquis said.
"You see Ernest brought the wolf to bay by breaking
its shoulder, and struck the first blow as it was flying
upon Harry, who had been thrown from his horse.
Then, again, Ernest would almost certainly have been
killed had not Harry in his turn come to his assis-
tance and dealt it its mortal blows. There is not much

JEANNE FIRES UP.

d^ffe^rence, but perlmps the chief honours rest with

sai7 'Tf ^''^ 1 that papa," Ma.lomoisolle do St. Caux
sad It IS only nght the chief honour should be
w. h your son and not with this English boy. He has
I'ad more than his share already, I think "

sister "V'"'^^ r?""^ '' '^ ^" ^'""^ '^'^'^ y°"r life,
n! iT" r^'' ^" i'"PetuousIy. "It was very
biave ot then, both to kill the wolf; but I think i^
wa ever, ever so n.uch braver to attack a great n.ad
dog without weapons. Don't you think so, i^apa?"

I don t think you should speak so warmly to your
elder sister, Jeanne," the marquis said; "she is a
grown-up young lady, and you are in the school-room
bt. i. m answer to your question. I admit that the

hase hked nothing better th.n to stand before that
great wolf n.th my hunting sword in my hand; but
a hough If I had been near you when the h^und
attacked you I should doubtless have thrown myself
before you I should have been horribly frightened and
should certainly have been killed; for I should never
have thought of or carried so prou.ptly out the plan
which Harry adopted of muzzling the animal. But
there is no need to make comparisons. On the present
occasion both the lads have behaved with great bravery
and I am proud that Ernest is one of the conquerors
of the demon wolf. It will start him in life with a
reputation already established for courage. Now come
with me and have a look at the wolf. I don't 'think
such ■^. beast was ever before seen in France. I ««,

III

iiitii

THJE ilARQUIS EXPRESSES HIS VIEW&

going to have him stuffed and set up as a trophy. He
shall stand over the fireplace in the hall, and long after
we have all mouldered to dust our descendants will
point to it proudly, Iflii'ijj h^w a lad of tlieir race, with
another his own age, slew the demon wolf of Burgundy."

Ernest was confined to his bed for nearly a month,
and during this time Harry often went long rides and
walks by himself. In the evening the marquis frequently
talked with him over the situation of the country,
and compared the events which had taken place with
the struggle of the English parliament with th( king.

"There was one point of difference between the two
cases," he said one evening. " In England the people
had already greot po.ver in the state. The pr:-liament
had always been a check upon the royal authority; and
it was because the king tried to overrule parliament
that the trouble came about. Here our kings, or at
least the ministers they appointed, have always crov-
erned; often unwisely, I admit, but is it likely that
the mob wou^d govern better? Tliat is the question.
At present they seem bent on showing their incapacity
to govern even them -Ives."

The Marquis de St. Caux had, in some respects, the
thoughts and opinions of the old school. He was a
royalift pure and simple. As to politics, he troubled
his head little about them. These wer^^ i matter for
ministers. It was thei" ,usiness to find a reuiedy for
the general ills. ^ s to the National Assembly, which
represented only i ddle class and people, he re-
garded it with co; 'em^ .,

"Why, it was irom the middle class' he said, "that

A MISERABLB PEoPLlt gg

the oppressors of the people were drawn. It is they
who were farmers-general, collectors, and officials of all
kinds. It IS they who ground down the nation and
enriched themselves with the spoil. It is not the nobles
who dn-tied their hands with money wrun.^ from the
poor. By all means let the middle class hax e a share
m the government; but it is not a share they desire
Ihe cleroy are to have no voice; the nobility are to
have no voice; th king himself is to be a cipher. All
power IS to be placed in the hands of these men the
chosen of the scum of the great towns, the mere
niouthpieces of the ignorant mob. It is not order that
these gentry are organizing, it is disorder."

Such were the opinions of the marquis, but he was
tolerant of other views, and at the gatherings at the
chateau Harry heard opinions of all kinds expressed

Durmg his rambles alone he entered as much as he
coul,^ mto conversation with the peasants, with wood-
cutters, foresters, and villagers. He found that the
distress which prevailed everywhere was terrible The
people scarcely kept life together, and many had died
of absolute starvation. He found a feeling of <lespair
everywhere, and a dull hatred of all who were above
them m the world. Harry had difficulty in makin.^
them talk, and at first could obtain onh ,ullen a.ono!
syllables. His dress and appearance shovA d him to
belong to the hated classes, and set them against
him at once; but when he said that he was English,
and that in England people were watching with ^eat
interest what was passing in France, they had no hesi-
tution in speaking.

PKAUS OF A JACQUERIE.

Harrv's motives in endeavouring to find out what
were tlie feelings of the people at large, were not those
of mere curicsity. He was now much attached to the
marquis and his faioily; and the reports which came
from all parts of France, as well as from Paris, together
with the talk among the visitors at the chateau, con-
vinced him that the state of allairs was more serious
than the manpiis was inclined to admit. The capture
of the Jidstille and the slaughter of its defenders— the
massacres of persons obnoxious to the mob, not only in
the streets of Paris but in those of other great towns,
proved that the lowii' class, if they once obtaineil the
upper hand, were ready to go all lengths; while the
number of the nobility who were flocking across the
frontier showed that among this body there existed
grievous apprehensions as to the future.

Ilariy had read in a book in the library of the
chateau an account of the frightful excesses perpe-
trated by the Jac(iuerie. That dreadful insurrection
had been crushed out by the armour-clad kni<dits of
France; but who was to undertake the task should
such a flame again burst out? The nobles no longer
wore armour, thoy had no armed retainers: they would
be a mere handful among a multitude. The army had
already .shown its sympathy with the popular move-
ment, and could not be relied U[)on. That the mar-
quis himself should face out any danger which mifdit
come seemed to Harry right and natural; but he
thought that he was wrong not to send his wife and
daughters, and at anyrate Jules, across the Rhine
until the dangers M^ere pas-scd. But the marquis had

"THEY ARE (JErriNt; ALL THEY WANT." 71

no fears. Soinu one had mentioned tho Jaciiuerio in
one of tlioir conversations, hut tho iimr(|tiis hud put it
aside as being altogi-ther ajmrt from tiie (picstion.

"The Jacquerie took place," he said, "hundreds of
years ago. 'J'he people then were serfs and little more
than savages. Can we imagine it po.ssible tiiat at this
day the peo|)le would he capable of sucli excesses?"

Tiie answer of tlie gentleman lie addressed had
weighed little with the nianiuis, but Jiarry thought
over it seriously.

"Civilization lias increased, manjuis, since the days
of the Jacquerie, hut the condition of the people has
improved hut littk;. Even now the feudal usages are
scarce extinct. The lower class have been regarded as
animals rather than men; and the increa.se of civiliza-
tion which you speak of, and from which they have
received no beneh't, makes them hate even more bit-
terly than (jf old tliose in position above them.

"I am a reformer; I desire to see sweeping changes;
I want a good, wise, and honest goverinnent; and I
desire these things beeau.se I fear that, if they do jiot
come peacefully, they wall come in a tempest of law-
lessness and vengeance."

"Well, they are getting all tliey want," the marquis
said peevi.shly. " They are passing every law, however
absurd, that comes into their head.s. No one is oppos-
ing them. They have got the reins in their own hands.
What on earth can they want more? There might
have been an excuse for rebellion and riot two years
since— there cm he none now. What say you,
abbe'?"

Illf

A PROPHET OF EVIL.

The abbe seldom took part in conversations on poll
tics, but, being now appealed to, he said mildly:

"We must allow for human nature, monsieur. The
slave who finds hiuiself free, with arms in his hands, is
not likely to settle down at once into a peaceful citi-
zen. Men's heads are turned with the changes the
last two years have brought about. They are drunk
with their own success, and who can say where they
will stop? So f ^- they find no benefit from the
changes. Bread is as dear as ever, men's pockets are as
empty. They thought to gain everything — they find
they have got nothing; and so they will cry for more
and more change, their fury will run higher and higher
with each disappointment, and who can say to what
lengths they will go? They have already confiscated
the property of the church, next will come that of the
laity."

"I had no idea you were such a prophet of evil,
abbd," the marquis said with an uneasy laugh, while
feelings of gloom and anxiety fell over the others who
heard the abbe's words

"God forbid that I should be a prophet!" the old
man said gravely. " I hope and trust that I am mis-
taken, and that He has not reserved this terrible
punishment for France. But you asked me for my
opinion, marquis, and I have given it to you."

Despite these forebodings the winter of 1790 passed
without disturbance at the chateau.

In the spring came news of disorder, pillage, and acts
of ruffianism in various parts. Chateaux and convents
were burned and destroyed, and people refused to pay

P«

es
ct
ai

MISTAKEN CONFIDENCB.

either their taxes or rents to their landlords. In the
south the popular excitement was greater than in other
parts. In Burgundy there Avas for the most part tran-
quillity; and the marquis, who had always been re-
garded as an indulgent seigneur by the people of his
estate, still maintained that these ti'oubles only oc-
curred where the proprietors had abused their privileges
and ground down the people.

Si*

ii'i

, 1
■111

ii ft ■

f ,1

t [j L

s HI

CHAPTER IV.

THE CLOUDS GATHER.

CCASIONALLY and at considorabln intervals
Harry received letters from liis fjitlier. 'J'lie
latter said that there was great oxciteinent
in England over the events which liad taken place in
France, and that his mother was icnderod extremely
anxious by the news of the attacks upon cluiteaux,
and the state of tumult and lawlessness which pre-
vailed. They thought he had better resign his situa-
tion and return home.

Harry in his replies made light of the danger, and
said that after having been treated so kindly, it would
be most ungiateful of him to break the engagement
he had made for three years, and leave his friends
at the present moment. Ind .ed, he, like all around
him, was idled with the excitement of the time. In
spite of the almost universal confusion ati<l disorder,
life went on quietly and calmly at the chateau. 'J'he
establishment was greatly reduced, for few of tlie
tenants paid their rents; but tlie absence of coromonial
brought the family closer together, and the manjuls
and his wife agreed that they had never spent a
happier time than the spring and summer of 17'jL

PLANS FOR THE FUTURR

The news of the failure of the king's attempt at
flight on the 20th of June was a gieat shock to the
marquis. " A king should never fly," lie said; "above
all, he should never make an abortive attempt at flight.
It is lamentable that he should be so ill-advised." At
the end of September the elections to the Legislative
Assembly, as it was now to be called, resulted in the
return of men even more extreuje and violent than
those whom they suecooded.

" We must go to Paris," the maniuis said one day
towards the end of October; "the place for a French
nobleman now is beside the kinf."

"And that of his wife beside the queen," the mar-
quise said (juietly

"I cannot say no," the marquis replied. "I wish
you could have stayed with the children, but they need
fear no trouble here. Ernest is nearly seventeen, and
may well begin, in my absence, to represent me. I
think we can leave the chateau without anxiety, but
even were it not so it would still be our duty to go."
"There is another thing 1 want to speak to you
about before we start," the marquise said. "Jeanne i.s
no longer a child, although we still regard her as one;
she is fifteen, and she is graver and more earnest than
most girls of her age. It seems ridiculous to think
of such a thing, but it is clear that she has made this
English lad her h.-ro, Do you not think it better that
he should go? It would bo unfortunate in the ex-
treme that she should get to have any serious feelings
for him."

" I have noticed it too, Julie," the marquis said, "and

THE MARQUlSfi SHOCKED.

have smiled to myself to see how the girl listens
gravely to all he says, but I am not disposed to send
him away. In the first place, he has done a great deal
of good to the boys, more even than I had hoped for.
Ernest now thinks and speaks for himself, his ideas
are broader, his views wider. He was fitted before for
the regime that has passed; he is rapidly becoming
fit to take his part in that which is to come.

"In the next place, my dear, you must remember
the times have changed. Mademoiselle Jeanne de St.
Caux, daughter of a peer and noble of France, was in-
finitely removed from the son of an English doctor;
but we seem to be approaching the end of all things;
and although so far the law for the abolition of titles'
has been disregarded here, you must prepare yourself
to find that in Paris you will be no longer addressed
by your title, and I shall be Monsieur de St. Caux
or may be they will object both to the de and the
St., and I shall find myself plain Monsieur Caux."
"Oh, Edouard!" the marquise exclaimed aghast.
"I am quite in earnest, my dear, I can assure you.
You will say she is still the heiress of a portion of oui
estates, but who can say how long the estates will re-
main after the title is gone? Just as the gentlemen of
the pave object to titles because they have none them
selves, so being penniless they will object to property,
and for aught I know may decree a general division of
lands and goods,"
"Impossible, Edouard!"
" Not at all impossible, Julie. The beggars are on

horseliack, and they intend to rid?

J nc4- ,.r U T 11-,1

THE ST. CAUX JE\VEL&

in from my bankers, all the cash at my disposal, about
tive thousand louis, and to-morrow du Tillet is croincr
to start for Holland. He will hand it over to a
banker there to forward to Dr. Sandwith, to whom
I have written asking him to undertake the charge.
If you will take my advice you will foiward at the
same time all ycur jewelry. If things go wrong it
will keep us in our old age and furnish a dot for our
daughters.

^ "The jewels of the St. Caux have always been con-
sidered as equal to those of any family in France, and
are certamly worth half a million francs even to sell
Keep a few small trinkets, and send all the others
away. But I have wandered from my subject. Under
these circumstances I think it as well that we should
not mterfere in the matter you speak of. Personally
one could not wish for a better husband for one
of our daughters than this young Englishman would
make.

" His father is a gentleman, and so is he, and in
such times as are coming I should be glad to know
that one of my girls had such a protector as he would
make her; but this is, as you said at first, almost ridi-
culous. H- is two years older than she is, but in some
respects she is the elder; he regards her as a pretty
child, and all his thoughts are given to his studies and
his sports.

"He has something of the English barbarian left
m him, and is absolutely indifferent to Jeanne's pre-
ference. A French lad at his age would be flattered.
This English boy does not notice it, or if he noticea

CONFIDENCE IN HARRY.

it regards it as an exhibition of gratitude, which
he could well dispense with, for having saved her
life.

"You can leave them with a tranquil heart, my
dear. I Mill answer for it that never in his inmost
heart has the idea of his ever mnking love to Jeanne
occurred to this Engli.sh lad. Lastly, I should be
sorry for him to leave, because his good spirits and
cheerfulness are invaluable at present. Ernest is apt
to be gloomy and depressed, and cheerfulness is at a
premium in France at present. Moreover, should there
be any difficulty or danger while we are absent I trust
very nmch to that lad's good sense and courage. That
mcident of the dog showed how quick he is"" to plan
and how prompt to carry his plans into effect. It may
seem absurd when there are several of our staunch and
tried friends here to rely in any way on a lad, but I
do so. Not, of course, as before our faithful friends,
but as one whose aid is not to be despised."

Thus it happened that on the same day that the
marquis started for Paris, M. du Tillet set out from
the chateau taking with him some trunks and packao-es
which appeared but of little value and were not likely
to attract attention, but which contained a considerable
sum^ of money and the famous St. Caux jewels.

Life at the chateau was dull after the departure jf
Its heads. They had few visitors now; the most fre-
quent among them being Victor de Gisons. The estates
of the duke, his father, adjoined those of the marquis
and between him and Marie a marriage had long before
been arranged by their purenta. Fqv once thelncUaji-

VICTOR DE GISONS.

tion of the young people agreed with the wUhm of the
elders, and they were warndy attached to e,u'h other.
ISO formal betrothal, however, had as yet tuk..,, place
the troubles of the tin.es having caused its postpone!'
n.ent. althougli formerly it liad been understood that in
tlie present autinnn the marriage should be eitU'hmiM
The young count ha.l at the assend,Iy of tj,,' Ht«te,H
General been a prominent liberal, and had bee,» mw of
those who bad taken his seat with the third c^tttte
and had voted for the abolition of the special p, jv jh-c^e,
oi the nobility, but the violence of the Asseud.Jy Ll
alarmed and disgusted him, and in the winter Iw had
left Pans and returned to his father's estates.

Ernest and Harry studied with the abbd, und fi'iu'd
and rode as usual with M. du Tillet after hi« rainm
from Holland. The ever-darkening cloud weighed upon
their spirits, and yet life at the chateau was lAmmut
The absence of their parents and the general tVHinj/
of anxiety knit the rest of the family closer to«y;thcit
Much of the ceremonial observance which hud, on hi«
first arrival, surprised and amused Harry was now Ittid
aside. Marie, happy in the visits of her lov*,'r niv\
at the prospect of her approaching marriage, did h^-r
best to make the house cheerful. Harry, who \m\ fiot
much hked her at first, now found her most iihmmii
and agreeable, and the younger girls walked in the
grounds with theil: brothers and chatted when they
were gathered in the evening just as Hariy's HhtJ»
had done at home. Jeanne was, if the group brok^ tip
generally Harry's companion. Ever since the atMr l{
the mad dog she had treated him as her bpeci^i tmuil

' !

iit^fi

■ill

LIFE AT THE CHATEAU.

adopting all his opinions and falling in with any sug-
gestion he might make with a readiness which caused
Ernest one day to say laugliingly to Harry:

"One would think, Harry, that you were Jeanne's
elder brother, not I. She listens to you with a good
deal more deference than she does to me."

The winter came and went. From time to time
letters arrived from Paris, but th. news was always in
the same sti-ain. Things were going worse and worse
the kmg was little more than a prisoner in the hands'
of the people of Paris. The violence of the Assembly
was ever on the increase, the mob of Paris were the
real masters of the situation, the greater part of the
nobdity had fled, and any who appeared in the streets
were liable to insult.

The feeling in the provinces kept pace with that in
Pans. Committees were formed in every town and
village and virtually superseded the constituted author-
ities. Numbers of chateaux were burned, and the
peasants almost universally refused any longer to pay
the dues to their seigneurs. But at present none dreamt
of personal danger. The nobles who emigrated did so
because they found the situation intolerable, and hoped
that an army would be shortly raised and set in
motion by foreign powers to put down the movement
which constituted a danger to kings, nobles, and pro-
perty all over Europe. But as yet there was nothing
to foreshadow the terrible events which were to take
place, or to indicate that a movement, which began in
the just demand of an oppressed people for justice
anc. _air .reatment, would end in that people becoming

MONSIEUR LEBAT.

tin in Dnth, education, or intellect
abolition'of ll the „ °'f ™"":' »' "'= P™P-ty and

Oyonaml t f" r "'""'^ ''°'" '» «"= ™"yor of

of't..o cha et I I'nt f •:""' "■"'■ "■» ■'-™"^'
'"■■ge n,oU nor Ian" ;';,'' ' ^ ^f-'-<' V a
to abandon it at oucTZT- """'■ ^"' '«' «-»-^

"I'il'l'o... But the 1 1 -T'""-" '° ''"™ "'"> 'I'e
I" Uijon as L„he r„ ' ™ ""'""" Ji^'-I^ance.
and had take to ! , TT"" '""' ''^'=" f"™'"'
-'"asen,ent oVthe ttn"'"!;! T^'f -'"-»' "^ the
the n,avor, Jfon^ieurTebat. " ""' ""= "^ °'

not like hinvllYrn, ■!•'"'" ^™'" '"'""• "I ''o

n.unieation with the ,.S ■ . '' "' ""' "^ '» >=»"'-
I an. bound to «.' t ' t. ""' ''''"'" ''" '''"'-' t-nt

<"■ -.-vice to trf fa , : ^^{;;;r..:":rr--»- ^ ^

assures nie of h;. .i .• ^'^*^"''^^^ I see him :.o
Madenioi: lie M ,fhe ;r°/'^ "'^^^"^ ^-^'^v.
you need feel under no un' ""l '' """^^ ^^" ^'^^^
"'Ob in his h^n 1 V , ''''''T'"'' ^°" ^^^'-^^ ^^e J'^'ld the

nis Hand, and would an«-pr f— ,•- fi, .
hostile movement ^hnni.i v ^"--ei t^, j^ that no

^^^^ en.cnt should be n.ade against the chateau.

>i Si

A USKFUL FKIKND.

and in fact I know, for I have taken the precaution of
buying the services of a man who is upon the coin-
niittee, that Lebat lias actually exerted himself to
heneiit us.

" It has several times been urged by the most violent
section that the mol) should be incited to attack the
chateau, but he has each time successfidly opposed the
proposition. He has declared that while no one is
more hostile than himself to the privileges of scig-
neury, ami while he would not only abolish tho nobles
as a class but conhscato their possessions, he considers
that in the case of the marquis nothing should be
done until a decree to that elfcct is passed by the As-
sembly.

"Until that time, he argues, the people should
di-scriminate. The chateaux of tyrants should bo
everywhere levelled to the ground, but it would be
-unworthy of the people to take measures of vengeance
against those who have not notably ground down those
dependent upon them, and that, as the marquis has
not pushed the privilege of his class to the utmost, his
chateau and proi)erty should be respected until the
Assembly pass a decree upon the sul)iect."

"I am sure we are much indebted to this IMonsieur
Lebat," Marie said. "lie was here at the hunting
party and seemed a worthy young man of his class.
Of course he was out of ijla.-c among us, but for a man
in his position he seemed tolerable."

" Yes," Monsieur du Tiilet agreed, but in a somewhat
doubtful tone of voice. " ^o far as assurances go there
is nothing to be desired, and he has, as I said, so far

s
t
ii
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tl
d,

SOlg-

(

A MAiaUACIC DKFRURED 33

nt'l!r''^i^::.:';:rr--;7''™iao„„.
iau2r '';::' 'i,'r '""■ n™?™'- '•" ■''""'■■ m--

every, ; "j ^' '"" ,"""«'" 'v l>ave a soo.1 w„r,I f„,.
joung „mn, ,vl,„ „|,poa,., to l,u unhmitd by oxc.Il.nt

WntMl.vilts loK-;i|-,ls us." •" "-"'"""

o , oi J),;o„ „.o« becoming ,„o,o a,„l moro viob-nt

tir. H . tl.c rHoro wroto to tbe „m,v|m.s ,„..,!„„ tbat

vo„l, bo „.tt„ that tb„ fao.ily .'bouki " ove to

iar,.,, who,.. tb,,v „„„l,l bo i„ „„ .iangor. J„ " ,y ho

.oa.ls „„,o fit for tra" l!° "" ■'°°" "^ "'«

About tbo sauie tiu.o Victor de Oisons receiyctl a
^nnraons tVo„, his father to join bin, in Pa,;,

»a...ebaA,.o,.j;::.t^'a,:::;-™^^^^

tlut the nmrr.ago „,„„t be .still further postponed a

:-r:rb^:uf„:f^T.-cnfyr'^

that surron.Kled the kin- A • '"""'^rs

.J • • , , o- J^Ini'ie acnu esced in thp

de i.,on, and bade her loyor adieu calndvand bra.-Cy
li^ey are ,,„ito right, Victor; I have' felt for some

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A GLOOMY VIEW.

time that when France was on the verge of a precipice
it was not the time for her nobles to be marryinf.
Noblesse oblige. If we wore two peasants we might
marry and be happy. As it is we must wait, even
though we know that waiting may never come to an
end. I Iiave a conviction, Victor, that our days of
happiness are over, and that terrible things are about
to happen."

"But nothing that can happen can separate us,
Marie."

" Nothing but death, Victor," she said quietly.
"But surely, Marie, you take too gloomy a view.
Death, of course, may separate all lovers; but there
seems no reason that we should fear him now more
than at other times, A few farmers-general and othei-s
who have made themselves obnoxious to the mob have
been killed, but what is that! There should at least
be no hostility to our order. Many uf the nobles have
been foremost in demanding reforms. All have cheer-
fully resigned their privileges. There is no longer the
slightest reason for hostility against us."

"My dear Victor," Marie said quietly, "you do not
ask a wild beast about to rend his prey, what is the
reason for his actions. I hope I may be wrong; but at
least, dear, we shall see each other again before long,
and, whatever troubles may come, will share them. My
mother in her letter yesterday said that she and the
marquis had determined that we should join them in
Paris; for that although the disorders have abated
somewhat they are anxious at the thought of our
being alone here, and in the present position of things

THE SUMMONS TO PARtS.

they have no hope of being able to leave the king.
She says my fatJier is very indignant at the preat emi-
gration of the nobility that is going on. In the first
place, he holds that they are deserting their post in
the face of the enemy; and in the second place, by
their assemblage across the frontier and their intrigues
at foreign courts against France they are causing^the
people to look with suspicion upon the whole class."

"You have kept your good news till the last, Marie,"
Victor said. "Here have we been saying good-bye, and
It seems that we are going to meet again very shortly."
"I have been bidding farewell," Marie said, "not to
you, but to our drean) of happiness. We shall meet
soon, but I fear that will never return."

"You are a veritable prophet of ill to-day, Marie,"
Victor said with an attempt at gaiety. " Some day, I
hope, dear, that we shall smile together over your
gloomy prognostication."

"I hope so, Victor— I pray God it may be so!"
A week later three carriages arrived from Paris to
convey the family there; and upon the following day
the v.'hole party started; the g^rls, their gouvernante,
the abbL", and some of the female seivr.n^-.s occupying
the carnages, Monsieur du Tillet, the boys, and several
of the men riding beside them as an escort.

They met with no interruption on the road, and
arrived in Paris on the last day of April, 1792. Harry
was glad at the change. The doings at Paris had been
the subjec.'; of conversation and thought for nearly two
years, and he had caught the excitement which per-
vaded France. He was tired of the somewhat mono-

!i'f i

il);,

lit

iAVK IN PARIS.

I V'

tonous life it the country, and liad for some time leen
secretly longing to be at the centre of interest, and to
see for himself the stirring events, ol" which little more
than a feeble echo had -eached them at the chateau.

The change of 'ife was great indeed; the marquis
had thrown himself into the thick of all that was
going on, and his salon was crowded every evening
with those of the nobility who still remained in Paris.
But he was regarded as by no means a man of extreme
views, and many of the leaders of the party of the
(ju'onde with whose names Harry was familiar were
also frequent visitors— Roland, Vergniaud, Lanjuinai.s,
Brissot, Guadet, Lebrun, and Ct)ndorcet.

Harry was struc-k with the variety of conversation
that went on at these meetings. j\Iany of the youn-^'
nobles laughed and chatted with the ladies with as
much gaiety as if the former state of things were
continuing undisturbed; an(^ equal inditiei-'ence to
the public state of things w.... aown by many of the
elders, who sat down and devoted themselves to cards.
Others gathered apart in little groups and discussed
gloomily and in low tones the events of the day; while
others who were more liberal in their view.s gathered
round the deputies of the Gironde and joined in their
talk upon the meetings of the Assembly, and the mea-
sures which were necessary to consolidate the woi'k of
reform, and to restore peace and happine.s.s to France.

The marquis moved fvom group to group, equally at
home with all, chatting lightly with the courtiers,
whispering gravely with the elders, or discussing with
the tone of the man oi the world the views and opinions

DANGKRS TlllCKKN.

of the doputies. Victor (]e Gisons was C(.nfttantly at
tlie house, and strove by his checiruhicsH and gaiety
to dissipate the shade of mehincholy which ntill hung
over Marie.

Towards the end of July the Marquis do Hi. Caux
and the little body of royalists who still roiiiaitied
faithtul to the king became more and moi'(! anxious;
the position of the royal family was now nuwt precari-
ous; most of tlic troops in Paris had been Kunt to the
frontier, and those left behind were dis()r;,'iini/,oil and
ready to join the mob. Two out of the thnu* Swiss
battalions had been scuL away, and but one I'eniained
at the Tuilcrie.s. Of the National Guard only tho bat-
talion of Filles St. Thomas and part of the' batl/dion
of the Saints Peres could be trusted to defend the king.
The rest were opposed to him, and wfjuld certainly
join the populace.

On t^^e 14th of July a largo ninid)er of National
Guards from the provinces had arrived in Paris; and
the battalion from Marseilles, the most violent of all,
had, immediately that it arrived in the city, cumo into
collision with one of the loyal battalions.

The royalists were wholly without organization, their
sole aim being to defend the king should ho be in
danger, and if necessary to die by his side.

On the evening before the 10th of August the tocsin
was heard to sound and the drums to boat to arnw. All
day there had been sinister rumours circulating, but the
king had sent privately to his friends that the danger
was not imminent and that he had no need of them;
however, as soon as the alarm sounded the nittriiuis

i'll

THE CALL TO ARMa

snatched up a sword and prepared to start for the
palace. He embraced Ins wife, wlio was calm but very
pale, and his children. Ernest asked to be allowed to
go with hnn, but the marquis said:

"No my son, my life is the king's; but yours at
present is due to your mother and sisters."

It was twenty-four hours before he returned. His
clothes were torn, his liead was bound up. and one of
his arms disabled. The n.arquise gave a cry of delight
as he entered. No one had slept since he left for
every hour fresh rumours of fighting had arrived,' and
tie sound of cannon and musketry had been heard in
the early part of the day.

"It is all over, wife!" he said. "We have done our
best, but the king ^vdl do nothing. We cannot say we
have lost the battle, for we have never tried to win if
but it would be the same thing in the lon<r run "

Before hearing what had passed the marq°uise insisted
upon her husband taking refreshment and havin- his
wounds bound up and attended to. When he" had
finished his meal the marquis began:

"We had a good deal of difficutty in getting into the
Tuilenes, for the National Guard tried to prevent our
passmg. However, we most of us got through; and
we found that there were about a hundred assembled
almost all men of family. The Marshal de Mailly led
us mto the king's apartment.

" • Sire,' he said, • here are your faithful nobles, eager
to replace your majesty on the throne of your ances-
tors.' The National Guard in the palace withdrew at
once, leaving us alone with the Swiss.

VI}

IHE MAR(jlISi RETLk.NS Tu HIS lAMlLY.

11 f^i

i -i

THE KING HESITATEa §9

"We formed in the court-yard; and the king, with
his hat in his hand, walked down our ranks and those
ot the Swiss. He seemed without fear, but he did
not speak a word, and did nothing to encourage us.
Several of our party, in trying to make their way
o the palace, had been murdered, and the mob cut otf
their heads and put them on pikes; and these were
paraded m the streets within sight of the windows.
Koederer. the procureur-general of the department of
Pans, came to the king and pressed him to leave the
1 uilenes.

"'There are not five minutes to lose, sire,' he said.
Ihere is no safety for your majesty but in the
National Assembly.'

"The queen resisted; but upon Roederer sayino- that
an enormous crowd with cannon were coming, and
that delay would endanger the lives of the whole of
the royal family, he went. But he thought of us. and
asked what was to become of us. Roec -r said that
as we were not in uniform, by leaving our swords be-
hind us we could pass through the crowd without
being recognized. The king moved on, followed bv
the queen. Madam Elizabeth, and the children. The
crowd, close and menacing, lined the passage, and the
little procession made their way with difficulty to the
Assembly.

" We remained in the palace, and every moment the
throng around became more and more numerous. The
cannon they brought were turned against us. The
hrst door was burst open, the Swiss did not fire, the
populace poured in and mixed with us and the sol-

f 1

MA.SSAIJUK ol.- THE SWrsS.

c .ers. Sonic one fired a gun. Whether it was one of
the Swiss or one of the nu.b I know not, but the h'-rht
begun. The Swiss in good order nuuched down the
staircase, drove out the n.ob, sei.ed the cannon the
Mai-sedhus Imd brought, and turning the.n upon tlicir
assailants opened tire. The mob fl.d in terror, and I
beheve that one battalion wouM have con.juered all
the scum of Paris, had not the king, at the sound of
the first shot, sent word to the Swiss to case firin.^
Ihey obeyed, and although tlie n.ob kept tiring upon
them from the witulows, the great part of tlien. marched
coin., and without returning a shot, to the Asseniblv
where, at the order of the king, they hud down theh-
arms and were shut up in the church of the Feuil-
lants.

"A portion of the Swiss had remained on guanl in
the ludcries when the main body marched away. The
instant the palace was undefended the mob burst in
i^very Swiss was murdered, as well as many of the
seijants of the queen. The mob sacked the palace
and set it on hre. When the Swiss left we had one
by one made our way out by a back entrance, but most
ot us were recognized by the mob and were literally
cut to pieces. I rushed into a house when assaulted
and slamming the door behind me, made my way out
by the back and so escaped them, getting off with only
l.ese two wounds; then I hurried to a liouse of a
nend, whom I had seen murdered before my eves
but his servants did not know of it, and they allowed
me to remain tliere till dark, and you see here I am."
iiut what has happened at the Assembly, and

TIIK K1N(J A I'UI.SONKU.

wIkto is tlic kiuirV the marquise asked, aftcu- the first
exclamation of horror at the tale they had hoard.

"Tl)e king and his I'aiiiily are prisonera in the
Toiii[)le," tho marquis said. " Tlie Commune has
triunqilied over the Assembly, and a National Conven-
tion is to 1)0 the supremo power. The kiiiLj's function.s
are suspended, but as lie has not ruled for the last
three years that Mill make little difference. A new
ministry lias been formed wiih Danton, Lebrun, and
some of the (iirondists. He and hi;; family are handed
over to the care of the Commune, and their correspon-
dence is to be intercepted. A re\olutioiiary tribumd
has been constituted, when, I suppo.se, the farce of
tiying men whoso only crime is loyalty to the king i.s
to be carried out.

^ " We must bo prepared, my love, to fjiee tho worst.
Ksca[)e is now impossible, and, indeed, so h^ng as the
king and (pieeii are alive 1 would not (piit Paris; but
wo must prepare for sending the children away if
possible."

11 .

, i

■ml

CHArTER V.

THE OUTBURST.

fONSIEURLE MARQUIS/' M.duTillet ex.

elannocl.h„n.yin, into the salon, in which tl^
, marquis with his fan.ily were s ttin. nn T
even nrr nf thp oi.f v a ^ "'-'^^ '''•ttm^r, on the

•"'„ or the 2I,st of August, "1 hear fJ.nf u •

rumoured in the stroof fl.of ii A "^ ^^ '^

tiie street that all the members of nr.>.u

families are to be arrested." "°^^®

The room was lit un a<? if fn ».«o„'
the crowd which I.a.Ul"„!ed Ha Z.r"^^''""

the mob Mo! '"'"'*^^^ ^"'^ attacked by

me mob. Moreover, any meetinrr of known T?^ i- Y

« r.sss sr-f "--' "- i-

unaered nightly their denunciations against the

THE DECISION.

aristocrats, and it was certain that at any n.on.ent the
ordor tor their arrest nli^^rht he ^rivea Such had newa
had heen received of the stat., of feelin- in the pro-
vinces, that it was felt that it would ho more dan-^crous
to send the youn<. ones away than to retain thoTn in
i'ans, and tlie marquise had heen a prey to the liveliest
anxiety respecting her children. It seemed impossihle
that there could he any animosity against then, hut
the h.md rage of the moh ha.i risen to such a hoioht
tl.at It was in.possihle to say what n.ight happ°en.
Now that she heard the hlow was ahout to fall she
drew her younger girls instinctively to her, as if to
protect them, hut no word passed her lips.

"It might still he possihle to fly." M. du Tillet went
oa " \\ e have all the disguises in readiness."

"A Marquis de St. Caux does not fly from the
canaille of Paris," the m ^ 1. «ni.l quietly. " No, ]Ju
I met; the king and quee. .re in prison, and it is not
tor their iriends to leave their post here in Paris be-
cause danger threatens them; come when they may
these wretches will find us here ready for tliem "
''But the children,Edouard!"the marquise murmured.
1 shall stand by my father's side." Ernest said
firmly.

"I do not doubt your courage, my son. I wish now
that I had long ago sent you all across the frontier-
hut who could have foreseen that the people of France
were ahout to become a horde of wild beasts, animated
by hate against all. old and young, in whose veins ran
noble blood. However, although it is the duty of your
mother and I to siay at our posts, it is our duty also

iff!

liWl

iljll

.:it

mii

HARRY'S RESOLUTION,

them if ™„ r ^ ° '""^ '» y»°'' "•""•Se. Save

"■ents we J.ave already ,„ade " ' """"S"-

;;Ji"t,fatl.e,.,"lJn,est remonstrated.

.said fimily ■*;'}„':„■;: r'""r^"' '^■-'•' ">° --q,™

"■l'.-.t yo„r feel "''.??' '"^ "'" '' l"^^- ' ^now

tl» oldest fa, i i Tt K ' ! T""y "'• --"g one of
"And the cirs »t ,! °" '™"' I'O'-i^l'i-S-"

^e ine,,,dedN::t ro;^::rt::;^1.,!^--:

of event,. U^ZT':^" ""'■' "^"'"8 "« cour.se
nieee., „,,o ha •e'^a . ' d fr ''"J, "°" "^ ""•- °f ''-•
better »„d a rl^ , -t. "; """"■^- ^■°" '-•

-«. Von, HaC::;n;'on:r:e^ -;-

Beside. m/^^tir^-rMr r",?^ '" "'^ -""■
hi, danger. He ,v 1 °l„l rm ,' "" "o"" "'" '»
»ing tl,: count; ; I Z f'*"'"y onougl, i„ traver-

that difficulty." '° ''"^■''' " "'"■'' """W a<W to

"I cannot help that," the „,ar,ui„aid.. I „„g,,u„„.

; therefore,
arge. Save
i and make
le arrano'e-

G marquis
• I know
leni aside,
ng one of

■nest bent
rders.
they will
liey must
f our old
le coui-se
e of her
i'ou had
or tJieir
any niy

1 firmly
anoe to
> me in
■ veins,
add to
traver-
wld to

it loner

"t AxM SORRY TO DISOREY YOU." 95

ago to have sent you l.on.e. and feel that I have acted
wrongly m allowino- ^-ou to re.nain so lone I n us
ms.st upon your accompanying n.y sons " °

"I amsony to disohc-y you, n.onsieur lo marquis"

Harry sauI qu.etly hut linnly; " hut from the monont
of your arrest I shall he n.y ou-n n.aster and can dis-
pose of n,y actions. I a,n deeply sensible of all your
good,^ss o me, but I cannot yield, for I feel thit I
..ay be ot son ,,i,ht use here. There are so many
trano-ers n. Pans that there is little fear of my attrac-
t.ng- any notice. A n.ouse n.ay help a lion, nfon "

and xt may be that though hut a boy I may be able
to be of service to mcsdemoiselles."

"Do not urge hini further, Edouard," the marquise
said, laymg a hand on her husband's arm as he wa
agam about to speak. " Harry is brave and thouo-htf n
beyond hrs years and it will be somewhat of a co^nfort
to meto thmk that there is son.o one watchin. ov.
our girls 1 thank you, Harry, for your oflb" and
xeel sure that you will do all that can possibly be'.lone
to protect my girls. You will be freer to do so than
any our fronds, ^r they are likely to beco:'^^
vo edn.ourfae,whatexerthatmaybe. Marie, you
wdl view our English friend as .joint guardian with
ourseli over your sisters. Consult him should dim^
culty or danger arise as if he were your brother and
.e guided by his advice. And no.' girls, come 'X
lue to my room, I have much to say to you "

"I am glad my wife decided as she did, Harry" the
marquis said, putting his hand on his shoulder when
his wife and daughters left the room, "for I too siialJ

^■f

U.ST INJUNCTIONS.

tt'ri*'" n'" 'r'"""° '""' y™ "« ™'«l""g over

With Monsieur du Tillet." <*^^an^ti

After a prolonged tulk with M. du Tillet tl.e marouis
sent for Krnest. As soon as he entered the ladl" "^
Oi eo.irse, sir, I shall obey your commands- but it
en. to me an unworthy part for your son to jlly
o be tiyn.g the country and leaving a stranger here
to look after your daughters." °

"He is hardly a stranger, Ernest" ih^ ^
-plied "He h. been wUh u, irot „ "t .eXr,:
for two years, and he risked hi., life for your sttf
Yo„ o„„U not stay here without extreme rislcorlj
your „.,„e ,s not already included in the w« Lt fo\
a rest . speedily win bo so, and when they one ta to
Wood these wolves will hnnt down everv one „ u^
Ho, on the other hand, „,i,d,t proceed ope-nly w,rou!h
the streets w.thout dauger; nevertheless, V would
not have kept l,iu, if he would have gone- Ztl
.ave no power of controlling hi„,, and a° I 'chool
to devote i..u,self to us I thankfully accept hisde;!

"And now, ,„y sou, it may be that after our partin.,

:Z17 "■"''"!' ""' '""'' "»'»'"■ '■» «»" -lo" e ta w?
what fate js m store for us I l,nx„ ti, c

serious advice to give you If am h T; 1 '°'°'

voii «,;n T 1 ' anything happens to me

50U Willi know, never forget that you are he head of
the fam.ly, and that the honour of a great name i '

atching over
;h to airano'e

' tlie marquis
3 lad said:
ands; but it
son to phy,
ranger liere

he marquis

the family
^'our sisters.

risk, for if
\'arrant for
'■ once taste

one of us.
ly trough
> 1 would
ne; but I
lie chooses

his devo-
ur parting
)ne knows
fore, some
3ns to me,
le head of
ame is in
it the in-
mstances
side that

ERNKST l.s Sl/ltl'UISIiD 97

arrest. I ,^'Z.Z Z 'T'' '" '"^ "''^^ '-
whatever will co„,e it hi ,T ""^ *'"' ^'""'

iJ«=trtr:rip^^ri:':t-r-^""

aredevi.«,f„rgetti,„y„':.;:iir ™:^. '°'" "^^"^

which ha™ n„ ? , , 'P "•" ""^ '=''^'' distinctions
wl.0 V i n,.f '" ''°™- ='f"'->' ■V"' listers to men
n ' sVb ie,^!?" "»"\^'" ''^m- That thes^
snfflcient.' C' :,«r; -*™/ -ying; but t.^t is
man of tlie rZhnT^V , , ''""'■° ''»'•" » S»ntle-
charal;:rct„„r ,'■"='"'' f"™'' ■--• °' -Lose

appro:^:f;!:!;r„^r::-;i,3-theoo..aia,
itha°t:fef.:"hi:r""" r^^'^^'^^^-''^ '^^-

werf:orcr:rf:rr„.t-i:"^4

approve of the match?" ^""^ """"^^

(381)

I ,

IN DiSQUISa

fear of s,d,"'oI , "'•,"', ^"='''""' "-- - ""le

ehe^t;;:f ;:; .iiM:;,":'---- "■■ '''"'^' »'-»" "^«'

Tliev «-o,-P " l""i'-"-'''J for the boys

boy, I,a,r^ :,'■;'" """' '" '''"" '°''^'- I^«l'

wox-se than useless i^ . ' ''"'^' "^^ ^^'""^^^ be

short time wUk n,o ^/^"^'/^\"/^^'^"''« ''^ ^''-Vit for a

guise!' ^ ' ^^'''' '' ^" ^^'^^t^^^-at in dia-

lest. In tlie
ould wisJi no
viiclunan, in
^lit view the
ave said, in
less marked
"-'re is little
tljat which

iitored with
•' the boys,
lie sons of
blouse and
h on which
and Ernest
lime, M. du
)JIet. Both
'laiig-e, and
'ted it was
their haij-

would bo
■i»"e unless
I manners
^ht for a
tion; but
ite hands
^ disdain
*vho met
' in dis-

"YOU WILL DO, MY BOVS," 99

>™y; 1.01,1 ,.„„r „„.e in the ai'; , '^ "r,"".-'

'lowu over your forehoaj. and \U\,,,J' :, ' \ '""''
through that hole in your can To 1 ."'""■' °"'

>- ou,ht toadare.jferi„;:La,t ::r ; ,::;r

your tongue. See^t^h r% f hC: Tt? '"";;
up. You wouKl take me for an idle ™t ^ ^ VZh
man wherever you met me, I do not like i , , " \"
have to d.guise n,y,elf, I try to do it tho,,'!,' y'.."" '

looked at them scrutinizingly, "» "i""]'"*. He

■You will do, my boys/'ho sai.l gravely ■• ( J . ,

^>ve passed you in the .street witl^u tiovvi , '; l'

anii:::'" ;i^r """ "-' '•-'■'^■' <- ^"''"-> •

"uu hibteis. iJie sooner you are out nf tu\u i

ot h,s canaille may present then.sclves " "

Ihe partuig was a .sad one indce.1 hut it u,.
at last, and Monsieur ,lu Tillet hu,"L t ,1 .7 ," "''
away ^ soon as their father returne:,' wit ,, *" ""'"
Q^ biess you, Du Tillet!" the n,ar.,ui» sa ! 'a, h„

i("

;]/'

', ,1

100

iiakry's instructions.

|l!|

! II

embracoa liis friend. " Should auglit happen to us
you will, I know, be a father to them."

"Now, Hariy," the marquis said when he had mas-
tered the emotion caused by the parting, which he felt
inight bo a final one, "since you have chosen to throw
in your lot with ours. 1 will give you a few instruc-
tions. In the first i^Jace, I have hi.Jden under a plank
beneath my bed a bag containing a thousand crowns
It IS the middle plank. Count an even number from
each leg and the centre one covers the bag.

"You will find the plunk is loose and that you can
raise it easily with a knife ; but wax has been run in and
dust swept over it, so that there is no fear of its beinrr
noticed by any who may pillage the house, which thev
will doubtless do after we are arrested. I have al-
ready sent an equal sum to Louise Moulin. Here is
her address; but it is possible that you may need money
and may be unable to communicate with my dauo-hters
at her house; at any rate do you keep the b°acr of
money in your charge. "

"You had best attire yourself at once in the oldest
suit of clothes you have got. My daughters will be
ready in a few minutes. They are already dressed, so
that they can slip out at the back entrance. Should
we be disturbed before morning I shall place them
under your escort; for although I hope that all the
servants are faithful, one can answer for no one in
these times. I would send them off now. but that the
sight of females moving through the streets at this
time of night would be likely to attract attention on
the part of drunken men, or of fellows returning fmn.

It '

>pen to us,

e had maa-
lich he felt
n to throw
JW instruc-
ler a planlc
nd crowns,
mber from

it you can
run in, and
f its being
k'hich they
[ have al-
. Here is
ed money,
daughters
le bag of

the oldest
:'s will be
ressed, so
Should
ace them
't all the
io one in
that the
3 at this
intion on
ing from

WtlJ, DO MY IJKST TO DlvSICiaiC it.'

101

these rascally clubs, which are tlio centre and focus
of all the mi.schief that is L'oin<^ on

"1 can give you no further advice. You must be
guided by circumstances. If, as I trust, the girls can
live undisturbed and unsuspected with their mother's
old nurse, it were best that thoy should remain there
until the troubles are finally over, and France comes
to her senses again. If not, I must leave it to you to
act for the best. It is a great trust to place in the
hands of a youth of your age; but it is your own
choosing, and we have every confidence in you.'"

'' I will do my best to deserve it, sir," Harry said
quietly, "but I trust that you and madame la marquise
will soon be able to resume your guardianship. I
cannot believe that although just at present the popu-
lace are excited to fury by agitators, they can in col.l
blood intend to wreak their vengeance upon all the
classes above them."

" I hope you may be right," the marquis said; "but I
fear that it is not so. The people are mad so far. All
that has been done has in no way mitigated their suf-
ferings, and they gladly follow the preachings of the
arch scoundrels of the Jacobin Club. I fear that before
all this is over France will be deluged with blood.
And now, when you have changed your clothes lie
down, ready to rise at a moment's notice. Should you
hear a tumult, run at once to the long gallery. There
my daughte :s will join you prepared for flight. Lead
them instantly to the back entrance, avoiding, if pos-
sible, any observation from the domestics. As these
sleep on the floor above, and know nothing of the

■'!• if

102

A NIGHT WATCH.

q ncIJy and I trust tl.at you will bo able, to .„t out
vthout bo,„g seen by any of them. I„ tlm°t el
however closely questioned no one will b fbl to
afford a clue by which yon can be traee.l,"

V\ hen he had changed his clothes Harry extinguished
«11 the hghts ,n the salon, for the n.arquis ha^ W
before oi-clered all the servants to retire to rest Then

h^r^rctetir'str;:rr-'"r"^

was inipossible. '^ *"" '^"•™'"»"'nces

the''hst''fet"? ''""^'' ■" """='" "'"' ""' --*» of
the last few days. He was fully aware that the task

tJlf "1"''°''™ ""="" ^" f"" °f danger; but tot
Wealthy and active Kn^lLsh lad a .spice of da^.er is by
no n,ea„3 a deterrent He could, of course have left

LZl?""' TV'" '■"■"■'^ '»" their rteau
but afte,h,s arrival ,„ Paris it would have been difflcul
for h„n to have traversed the country and cross dtte
t.-ont,er, and he thought that the danger whTch he „o v
.■an was not n.uch greater than woufd hav been en
taded by such a step. """

taimly of the nuu.pns; and the or.nes of the ,„„!
1-1 1 od bin, with such horror and'ds,. ,t a e
«ould have risked "."eh tosave any ,ndort Itel
a stranger, f™,„ their hands; and'las ' 1 e tit
fasemafon of the wild excitement of the tine „„?
congratulated hiu.self that he should see and Terhaps

>ng the attention of the whole civilized world.

FLIGHT.

10.'}

' awake so
to get out
tliat case,

be able to

tingnislied
i had long
?st. Then
t and took
uiii.stance.s

events of
'■> the task

but to a
Igor is by
have left
' chateau ;
n difficult
Jssed the
h he now
been en-

cl to the
'he mob
that he
ite, even
felt the
lies, and
perhaps
occupy-

As he .sat there lie arr.angod his own plans. After
seeing his cluiioe in sufety ho W(,u],| take a room in
some quiet locality, all..gi„g that lie was the clerk of a
notary, and would, in the dress of one of that class, or
the attire of one of the lower onhns, pass his .lay.s in
the streets, gathering every rumour and watchimr the
course of events.

Morning was just breaking when ho hear-l the .sound
of many feet coming al«mg the street, an.l lookin-- out
saw a crowd of men with torches, he;ided l.y two whose
red .scarfs showed them to be oilicials. As they
reached the entrance gate the men at the head of the
proce,ssion stopped. Harry at once darted awav to tlie
long gallery, and as he did so, hoard a loud knocking
at the door. °

Scarcely had he reached the gallery when a door at
the further end opened, and three figures, tlie tallest
carrymg a lamp, appeared. The girls, too, had been
keeping watch with their father and mother. They
were dressed in the attire of respectable peasant c-irls
Vn-ginie was weeping loudly, but the elder <nrU al-
though their cheeks bore traces of the many tears they
had shed during the night, i-estrained them now
When they reached Harry, the lad, without a word
took the lamp from Marie's hand, and led the way
along the corridor and down the stairs towards the
back of the house.

Everything was quiet. The knocking, loud as it was
had not yet aroused the servants, and, drawing the bolt
quietly, and blowing out the lamp, Harry led the way
into tlie garden behind the hou.se. Then for a moment

' si

iitl

104

II !

l> ■

A FRESH DAN(iKR.

he paused Tlmro «,„

hind. " ^^"^ ^'^»^^'n into the street be-

" Quick, mesclemoiselles ! " he sn iV? •'.*!,
to lose." "esaid, there is no time

He took the kev onf nf n i
l-ckcd it after l,i,7 Tlln , ■""'''""' "'"»<»' ""■'

"•« sl.rub» ho took V,V ,,. r'",'' "'" ^'"y '""»"«

strong Olio. ° ' "'' ™^ loitunatuly a

"In liorc, i.iesde,„„isoi|a,_" bo sai.I t„ ir ■
'<- sonio ,,1„,,,„ o|,«„ to t ,0 nte ' , i'"'"' P""'"'"S

there was a crasli, and a nu L! "^ ^^^"" '^^ '^'''^^''
-^d armed with n nsk ts a" >• '' """ "^^^> ^--I'-,
was elingin. to Mnl T ^ "'' ^°"'"^ '''■ ^'i-inie

;i-n/.;a;o: ::::; :,;:^;^^^^^^^^^^

tW fuoitivo, ,,a<l .s. Iltd "ft °°' ""■""»''■ «'>'»'■

"iiig down
c street be-

is no time

closed and
<-T 'iiiioiitr
J fcJie way
innately a

', pointing
^vilJ rush
y, and we

strongly
t- Tlieji
1 torclios,
Virginie
9r to be
'I', while

y, look-

ii- there
I which

lerging
3 gate,
on the

WAITINo FOR DAY.

105

»f this
^e the

jnob hero b,f„,, ,„„,, „, ^„„„,^ ^^.^,,__.^,^ ^ ^^_^^_
They hurried down the Inne, took the first turning

Uosently they heard a number of footsteps elatterin-
on te pavement; but fort,„,„tely thoy read.ed anot ^

and to d' ■; '""'^ """" ""■ '^'""^y "'™"J 'l»»'n
anu tiien resumed tlieir way.

"It is still too early tor us to walk throu-h the
* ets without exeiting attention," Harry said," 'Wo
had better n,ake down to the river and wait there i
the town is quite astir."

fo,md'r. T"""':,""'>' "■'"^'-'' the river, and Harry
wZe th "" "' ""•■ '°°' "^ " P''« "'■ "'"ber

H herto { "'m 7'' ""^' ^"-"""^J f"- "'^-■vation
Hi heito the gnis ha,l not .spoken a w„„| sinee thev

da on! 7 : "","" "' ""^ "'«'"■ ""'• had hur-
ucd along ahnost n.eehaniealiy holding Marie's hand.

Ma ,es bram was too full to talk; her thoughts we
vw l> her father and n,„ther and with her absent love ■
She wondered that he had not eo,„e to her in spite of
every hn,g. Perh„ps he was already a captive p„r
hV. m obedie,>ee to his father's orders, I^ was' in
h,d,ng, waiting events. That he could. e;.en hid h"
father comn.anded hin,, have left I'aris a., a fu<.itive
rlforj: ^"»-'-^.^..ot even occur re

wl^'"' f'r' "'°°»'"' ""='•<' »«= ■"ingled a va^ne
wonder at her own position. A few week's since petted

Kit

I'll

i I J

I'll

ill,' Hi

1 1.1. 1,

106

Marie's iMPnr.ssioNs.

It ■

and cared for as the eklest daup^hter of one of the
noblest families of France, now a fngitive in the streets
under tlie solo care of this En^^^lish boy. She had, the
evening before, sih'iitly sided with Ernost. It had
seemed to her wron. 'bat he should bo sent awa.y, an. I
tlie assertion of Harry that he intended to stn y nnd
watch over her and her sisters seemed at once ubsnrd
and presumptuous; but she already felt that she had
been wrong in that opinion.

The decision and coolness with v.hich he had at
once taken the command from the moment he met
them in the gallery, and the quickness with which hu
had seized tlie only motle of escape, had surprised and
dominated her. Her own impulse, when on opening
the door slie heard the attack that was being made on
the gate, was to draw back instantly and return to
the side of her j arents, and it was due to Harry only
that she and Iht sisters had got safely awaj'.

Hitherto, although after the incident of the mad dog
she had exchanged her former attitude of absolute in-
dirterence to one of cordiality and friendliness, she had
regarded him as a boy. Indeed she had treated and
considered him as being very much younger than
Ernest, and in some respects she bad been justified in
doing so, r-n- in his light-heavte.! i'lui, his love (»' n"tive
exercise, and his entire alw .•• i; of M-iy assumption of
age, he was far more boyish than Ernest. But although
her thoughts were too busy now to permit her to
analyse her feelings, she knew that she had been mis-
taken, and felt a strange contidence in this lad who
had so promptly' and coolly assumed th.e entire com-

MORNING.

107

manfl of tlic party, and had pil.ited tlicin with such
.steady nerve throuf^'h the daiiyer.

As for Joanne, she felt no surprise and \mt little
alarm. I lor confidonoe in her protector was unbounded.
I'rcnipt and cool a.s he wa.s hini.solf, .she wa.s ready on
the in.stant to ohey his orders, and felt a certain sensa-
tion of pride at the manner in which her previous con-
fidence in him was beinj,' justified.

After placing the girls in their shelter Farry had
left them and stood leaning againat the parai>et of the
quay as if carelessly watching the water, but ii aintain-
ing a vigilant look-out against the ajiproach of danger.
The number of ])a.sser8-by increa.sed rapidly The
washerwomen came down to the boats moored in the
stream and began their operation of banging the linen
with wooden beater.s. IMarket-women cauie along with
baskets, the hum and stir of life everywhere com-
menced, and Paris was fairly awake.

Seeing that it was .safe now to proceed, Harry re-
turned to his companions. He had .scarcely glance at
them before, and now looked approvingly at their i i.s-
guiscs, to which the mavcjui.se had, during the Ion ^ hoi. rs
of the night, <levote(l the most zealous attention. Mai ie
had been made to look nnich older than .she was.
few dark lines carefully traced on her forehead, at tl
corners of her eyes and mouth, had added many years
to her appearance, and she could have passed, except
to the closest observer, as the mother of Virginie, whose
dress was calculated to make her look even younger
than she was. The hands and faces of all three had
been slightly tinged with brown to give them a sun-

f t

It I

mil

108

THE STREETS OF PAUIS.

burnt aspect in accordance with their peasant drosses
and so complete was the transformation tliat Harry
could scarcely suppress a start of surprise as he looked
at the group.

"It would be safe now, mademoiselle/' he said to
JVIaric, "for us to proceed. There are plenty of people
about in the streets; but as the news ha,s"; no doubt
ah-ea<ly been spread that the daughters of the Mar.]ui.s
do St. Caux had left the house before those charged
with their father's arrest arrived, it will be better for
you not to keep together. I would suggest that you
should walk on with Virginia I will follow with
Jeanne a hundred yards behind, so that I can keep
you in sight, and will come up if anyone should accost
you."

Marie at once rose, and taking the child's liand set
out. They had to traverse the greater i)art of Paris
to reach their destination. It was a trial for Marie
who had never before been in the streets of Pai-is
except with her niother and closely followed by two
domestics, and even then only through the quiet
streets of a fashionable quarter. However, she went
steadily forward, tightly holding Virginie's hand and
trying to walk as if accustomed to them in the thick
heavy shoes which felt so strangely diti'erent to those
which she was in the liabit of wearing.

From time to time she addressed^an encouraoincv
word to Virginie as slie felt her shrink as they'apt
proached groups of men lounging outside the wine-
shops, for there was but little work done in Paris, and
the men of the lower class spent their time in idleness

IN SHELTElt

109

in discussions of the events of the day, or in joinin<r
the mobs which, under one pretext or another, kepi
the streets in an uproar.

Fortunately Marie know the way perfectly and
there was no occasion for her to ask for directions, for
she had frequently driven with her mother to visit
Louise Moulin. The latter occupied the upper floor of a
house in a quiet quarter near the fortifications in the
north-western part of the town. A message had been
sent to her the night before, and she was on the look-
out for her visitors, but she did not recognize them, and
she uttered a cry of surprise as Marie and Viro'inie
entered the room. °

"Is it you, mademoiselle?" she exclaimed in great
surprise; "and you, my little angel ? My eyes must be
getting old, indeed, that I did not recognize you; but
you are finely disguised. But where is .Mademoiselle
Jeanne?"

"She will be here in a moment, Louise; she is just
behind. But you must not call me mademoiselle; you
must remember that we are your nieces Marie and
Joanne, and that you are our aunt Louise Moulin,
whom we have come to stay with."

"I shall remember in time," the old woman said. "I
have been talking about you to my neighbours for the
last^week, of how your good father and mother have
died, and how you were going to journey to Baris
under the charge of a neighbour, who was'brin<dn.r a
waggon load of wine from Burgundy, and hovv y"ou
were going to look after me and help me in the house
Since I am getting old and infirm, and the young ouea

■K

lu'\

LOUISE JIOULIN.

II'

IP'

were to stop with me till they wer. old enough to go
out to service. Ah, here is Mademoiselle Jeanne'"

"Here is Jeanne," Marie corrected; "thank God we
have all got here safely. This, Louise, is a young Eng-
lish gentle.nau who is going to remain in Paris at pre-
sent and to whom we are indebted for having got us
safely here." ° °

"And your mother," Louise Moulin exclaimed "the
darling lamb I nursed, what of her and your i-^her?
I tear, from the message I got last night, that some
danger threatens them,"

"They have, I fear, been arrested by the sans
culottes," Marie said mournfully as she burst into
tears, feeling, now that the strain was over, the na-
tural reaction after her efforts to be calm. For her
mothers sake she had held up to the last, an.l had
tried to make the parting as easy as possible.

'The wretches!" the old woman said, stan,ping her
toot. "Old as I am I feel that I could tear th^m to
pieces. Bu there I am chattering away, and vou must
be famt with hunger. I have a nice soup ready on the
fire, a plate of that will do good to you all. And you
too, monsieur, you will join us, I hope?"

Harry was nothing loth, for his apj-ctite was always
a healthy one. When he had finished he said •

" Ma.iame Moulin, I have been thinking that it would
be an adNantage if you would take a lodging for me
It you vvould say that a youth whose friends are known
o you has arrived from Dijon, to make his way in
laris, and they have asked you to seek a lod^dng for
hm; It will seem less strange than if I went by'myself

c
1
c

i;
a

If I' I

"I WILL DO YOUH BUSINESS." H]

I should like it to be near, so tl.at you can come tc
me quickly should anything out of the way occur. I
should hke to look in sometimes to see that all ia
well. \ou could mention to your noi-hbours that I
travelled up with the same waggon with your nieces "
"I will do that willingly," the old woman said; "but
first, my d.^ars, you must have some rest; come in here "
And she led the way to the next room. "Tliere is a
bed for you, Mademoiselle Marie, and one for the two
young ones. The room is not like what you are accus-
tomed to, but I dared not buy finer things, thouo-h
I had plenty of money from your mother to have
iurnished the rooms like a palace; but you see it would
have seemed strange to my neighbours; but, at least,
everything is clean and sweet."

Leaving the girls, who were worn out with weari-
ness and anxiety, to sleep, she rejoined Harry.

"Now, monsieur, I will do your business. ' It is a
comfort to me to feel that some one will be near of
whom I can ask advice, for it is a terrible responsi-
bility for an old woman in such dreadful times as
these, when it seems to me that everyone has none
mad at once. What sort of a chamber do you want ^"
"Quite a small one," Harry answered, "just such a
chamber as a young clerk on the look-out for employ-
ment and with his pocket very slenderly lined, would
desire."

" I know just such a one," the old woman said. " It
IS a house a few doors away and has been tenanted by
a tnend of mine, a young workwoman, who was mar-
ried four days ago-it is a quiet place, and the people

1 1'

I,' I

' .1

112

LODGINGS.

keep tl.uniselves to themselves, and do not trouble
about their neighbours' affairs."

"That will just suit me," Harry said. "I suppose
there is no porter lielow, so that I can go in or out
without being noticed."

"Oh, we have no porters in this quarter, and you can
go in and out as you like."

Half an hour later the matter was settled, and
Harry was installed in his apartment, which was a
little room scantily furnished, at the top of the house,
the window looking into the street in front

oXq.'^HHolk

ot trouble

I suppose
in or out

d you can

itled, and
ch was a
the house,

CHAPTER VI

iN ANXIOUS TIME.

|ARilY and the girls had bron;,d.t bundles of
clothes with them in their flight, an it would
have looked strange had thoy arrivcMl without
any clothes save those they wore. Harry liad brought
with him only underlinen, as he had nothing .Iho which
would be of service to him now. No sooner had Louise
Mouhn left him than he went out and purchanod. at a
second-hand shop, a workni^n's suit. Thin hu carried
home, and dressing himself in it descended fcl.o stairs
again and set out to retrace his steps acrosH Puris

When he reached the n.ansion of the n.ar<,ui'« he
found a crowd of people going in and out. Th<«„ leav-
ing the house were laden with articles of furniture
clocks pictures, bedding, and other things. A complete
sack ot the mansion was indeed taking place. The ser
vants had all fled after the arrest of the n.arnuJH and
his w,fe and the mob had taken possession of tho house.
The lofty mirrors were smashed into fragmunts. the
costly hangings torn down, and after they had de-
stroyed much of the elaborate furniture. ev..ry man
and woinan began to lay hands upon wlmtevcr they

'!(

'• !

114

THE MANSION SACKED.

fancied and tlie mansion was already stripped of the
greater part of its belonoinfrs.

With his luuuls in his pockets, whistling carelessly,
Harry wandered iVoiu room to room watching the pro-
ceedings. Several barrels of wine had been bronght
up into the salon, and round these were gathered a
number of already drunken men, singing, shouting, and
tlancini^f.

" Drink, drink, my gar(;on," a woman said, holding
A silver goblet full of wine towards him, "drink con-
fusion to the tyrants and liberty and freedom to the
people."

Harry drank the toast without hesitation, and then,
heartsick at the destruction and ruin, wandered out
again into the streets. Knowing the anxiety which
Rfarie would be .suiiering as to the safety of her lover
he next took his way to the mansion of the Duke de
Gison.s. The house was shut up, but groups of men
were standing in the road oi)posite talking.

Sauntering along Harry stopped near enough to one
of these to hear what thi'y were saying. He learned
that ihe duke had been arrested only that morning.
It had been eli'ected quietly, the doors had again been
locked before those in the neighbourhood knew what
was going on, and a guaid had l)een left inside, partly,
it was said, in order that the mansion might be pre-
served from i.illagc and be used for public purposes,
partly that the young count, who was absent, might
be arrested when he n^turned.

As Harry knew that the duke had estates in the
neighbourhood of Foniainebleau he thought it probable

led of the

carelessly,
ig the p ro-
ll brought
fathered a
lUting, and

d, holding
Jrink con-
0111 to the

and then,
(Icred out
L'ty which

her lover
I Duke de
)s of men

igh to one
fe learned
morning,
gain been
lew what
le, partly,
t be pre-
purposes,
lit, might

3s in the
probable

i-ii

urni

thh; wreck 111' iiiK

MAK(JL1.S.S MANSION.

J!)

\ir

"WHAT DO YOU WANT, FFMJ.OWl" 115

that Victor iiiiglit liave gone tliitlior, and lie at once
in-oceeded towaids the gate by wliicli lie would enter
on his return thence. He sat down a sliort dis-
tance outside the gate and watclied })atiently for some
hours until he perceived a horseman approaching at a
gallop and at once recognized Victor de CJi.sons. Harry
went forward on to the road and held out his arms.
The young count, not recognizing him, did not check
liis horse and would have ridden him down had he
not jumped aside, at the same time shouting to him
by name to stop.

"What do you want, fellow?" Victor exclaimed,
reining in his horse.

"You do not recognize me!" Harry said. "I am
Harry Sandwith, count, and I am here to warn you of
tlie danger of pi'oceeding."

" Why, what has happened?" Victor exclaimed anx-
iously; "and why are you in this disguise. Monsieur
Sandwith?"

" A great number of arrests have taken place in the
night, among them that of the Marquis de St. Caux
and your father. Men are waiting inside your house
to ari-est j-ou as you enter."

Vietor uttered an exclamation of anger.

" That is why I have been sent away," he said. " My
father had no doubt received a warning of what was
about to happen, and 3'esterday at noon he requested
me to ride to his estate and have an interview with
the steward as to the rents. I wondered at his sending
me so suddenly, and, feeling uneasy, rode there post-
haste, saw the steward last night, and started again on

ill

i m

i/i

116

VICTOR DE GISONS.

a fresh horse this morning. This accounts for it. He
knew tliat if I were there nothing would have induced
nic to sei)arate myself from him, while by sending me
away he left it to me to do as I thought tit afterwards,
trusting that when I found tluit ho was already im-
prisoned 1 might follow the counsel i>e had urged upon
me, to make my escape from tlin country. And how
about the ladies, how about Marie?"

"The marquise was conveyed to prison with the
marquis. The three young ladies are all safe with
their mother's old servant, Louise Moulin; this is her
address. They are in disguise as peasants, and no su.s-
picion will, I hope, ari.^e as to their real position. Not
that the marquis thought it probable tliey would be
included in the order of arrest, but he said there was
no knowing now to what lengths the mob might go
and he thought it better that they sliould di^app^ar
altogether for the present. Ernest and Jules went
away in disguise with Monsieur du Tillet. After seeing
the young ladies in safety this morning I went down
to see what had happent . at your father's mansion,
in order to a,ssuage Mademoiselle de St. Caux's anxiety
respecting your safety, and found, as I expected, that
the duke hud been arrested, and learned that a party
were inside waiting to arrest you on your return."

"I thank you indeed," Victor said, "and most warmly
I do not know what to do. My father is most anxious
that I should cross the frontier, but I cannot go so
long as he and Marie are in danger."

" If you enter Paris as you are," Harry said, " you
are certain to be arrested. Your only chance would be

for it. He

ive induced
sending nie
afterwards,
,lready in»-
ur<,'ed upon
And how

I witli the
safe with
tliis is her
md no su.s-
ition. Not
would be
there was
might go,
disappear
ules went
fter seeinof
lent down
1 mansion,
's anxiety
icted, that
it a party
turn."
t warmly
it anxious
aot go so

aid, "you
would be

Harry's advice

117

to do as I have done, nanioly to disguise yourself and

take asmalllodging.where you might live unsuspected."
"And in that way I can see Marie sometimes," Victor
said.

" You could do so," Harry agreed, in a somewhat hesi-
tating way, " but it would greatly add to her danger,
and, were you detected, miglit lead to the discovery of
her disguise. Besides, the thought that you were liable
to arrest at any time would naturally heighten the
anxiety from which she is su tiering as to the fate of
her father and mother."

"But I cannot and will not run away and leave
them all here in danger," Victor said passionately.

"I would not advise y.-u to do so," Harry replied.
" I would only suggest, that after seeing Mademoiselle
de St. Caux once, you should lead her to believe that
you have decided upon making for the frontier, and
she will therefore have the happiness of believing that
you are safe, while you are still near and watchin° over
her." "

"That is all very well," Victor said; "but what
opinion would she have of me if she thought me capable
of deserting her in that way?"

" You would represent that you were obeying the
duke's orders; and besides, if you did sutfer in her
opinion it would be but temporarily, for when she
learned the truth, that you had only pretended to leave
in order that her position might be the safer ami that
her mind might be relieved, she could only tliink more
highly of you. Besides, if necessary, you could at any
time again present yourself before her."

,;i

118

A I'LAN AUIlANOEl).

" Your couiist'l is good, Monsieur Sandwitli, and I
will, at anynito for a time, follow it. As you say, I
can at any time reappear. Where are you lodging? I
will take a room near, and we can meet and compare
notes and act t()g(!ther."

Hai-ry gave him his addro.s.s.

" Y(n; have oidy to waliv upstairs to tlio top storey.
My room is tlie one directly opposite the top of the
stairs."

"1 will call on you to-moiiow morning," Victor said.
"I will ride my horse a few miles hack and turn him
loo.se in some quiet i)lace, and buy at the first village
a blouse and work)nan's pantaloons."

" I think," Harry said, " that would be unwi.se, count;
it would look strange in the extreme for a gentleman
dressed as you are to make sueh a jjurchase. You might
bo at once arrested, or a rejjort of the circum.stance
might be sent into Paris and lead to your discovery.
If you will wait here for half an hour 1 will go back
and buy you the things you want at the Hrst ,sh(}p I
come to and ]>ring tliem out to you. Then you can ride
back and luo.'-e tlie horse as you i)ropose; but I should
advi.se you to hide the .saddle and bridle, as well as tlie
clothes you are now wearing, most carefully. Who-
ever finds your horse will proba1>Iy appropriate it and
will .say nothing about it, so that all clue to your move-
ments will bj lost, and it will be suppo.sed that you
have ridden to the frontier."

" Penie, Monsieur Sandwith ! you seem to have a head
ready for all emergencies. I know what a high opinion
the manjuis had of you, and I perceive that it is fully

A JJUIM'AL CROWD.

119

th, and I

ou say, I

Igitiif ? I

compare

)p storey.
)p of the

ctor said,
turn liiui
it village

ic, count;
intleiiiiin
ou iniidit
inistance
iscovcry.

go back
>t shop I

can ride
I .should
ill as the
. Who-
le it and
jr move-
hat you

8 a head
opinion
is fully

justified, and consider myself as roitunate indeed in
having you for a friend in such a time as the prescnit."
"We have need of ail oiu- wits," J lurry said quietly.
"The maniuis was good enough to accept my oiler to
do all that I coidd to look aiU-v the .sai'ety of mesdo-
moLselies, and if I fail in my trust it will not, I hope, bo
from any lack of care or courage."

The meeting hud taken place at a point where it
could not be observed from the gate, and the count
withdrew a few hundreil yards farther away while
Harry went back itito Paris. The latter had no
difliculty in purchasing the clothes reipiired by the
count and returned with them in little over a .luarter
(jf an hour, and then, having seen De Gisons ride off, ho
sauntered back into Paris and nuide his way towards
the lieart of the city

Crossing the river he found a vast crowd gatlicred
in front of the Hotel de Villo. The news of th^o whole-
sale arrests which had been made during the night had
tilled the populace with joy, and the air was full of
shouts of " Down with the Aristocrats!" " Vive Danton!
Vive :\Iarat! Vive Robespierre!" Hawkers were selling,
in the crowd, newspapers, and broadsheets filled with
the foulest attacks, couched in the most horiible lan-
guage, upon the king, the queen, and the aristocracy.

At various points men, mounted upon steps or the
pedestals of statues, harangued the mob, while from
time to time the crowd opened and matle way for
members of the city council, who were cheered or
hooted according to their supposed .sentiments for or
against the cause of the people. After remaining there

120

THE HiDING-PLACa

f I

for some time Harry made his way to the entrance tc
the Assembly. A crowd was gathered here, and a tre-
mendous rush was made when the doors were opened.
Harry managed to force his way in and sat for some
hours listening to the debate, which was constantly in-
terrupted by the people in the galleries, who applauded
with frenzy the speeches of their favourite orators, the
deputies of the Mountain, as the bank of seats occupied
by the Jacobin members was named, and howled and
yelled when the (urondists ventured to advocate mo-
deration or conciliation.

It was late in the evening before the sitting was
over, and Harry was unable to leave his place eirlier.
Then he went and had supper at a wine-shop, and
after sauntering on the Boulevards until the streets
began to be deserted he again crossed the river and
made his way to the mansion. Not a light wa.s to be
Been in the windows and all was still and quiet The
great door stood open. The work of destruction was
complete, the house was stripped of everything that
oould be carried away.

Harry made his way up to the bed-room of the
marquis. The massive bedstead still stood in its place
having defied the efforts of destruction which had
proved successful with the cabinets and other furniture
Sitting down on the floor Harry counted the boards
beneath the bed, and then taking out a strong knife
which he had purchased during the day he inserted it
by the side of the middle board and tried to raise it.
It yielded without difficulty to his effort.
As soon as it was lifted he groped in the cavity

THE BAG OP MONEY.

121

below it, and his hand

heavy bag. Tal>

soon came in contact with the
ing this out and putting it beneath
his blouse he replaced the board and made his way
down-stairs. He felt too fatigued to walk across Paris
again, and therefore made his way down to the river
and curled himself up for the nigl'it at the foot of the
wood pile where the girls had found shelter in the
morning, and. in spite of the novelty of his situation,
fell instantly asleep.

It was broad daylight when he woke, and an hour
later he regained his lodgings, stopping by the way to
breakfast at a quiet estaminet frequented by the better
class of workmen. As when he had sallied out the day
before, he was fortunate in meeting no one as he made
his way up the stairs to his room. His first step was
to get up a board and to deposit beneath it the bag of
money. Then, having changed his clothes, he went°out
and made a variety of purchases for housekeeping,
as he did not wish to be obliged to take his meals at
places where anyone sitting at the table with him
might enter into conversation.

His French was quite good enough to pass in the
salon of the marquis, but his ignorance of the Parisian
slang spoken among the working-classes would have
rendered it difficult for him to keep up his assumed
character among them, and would have needed the
fabrication of all sorts of stories as to his birthplace
and past history. Although in the position in which
he was placed Harry felt that it would be impossible
always to adhere to the truth, he shrank from any
falsehoods that could possibly be avoided.

r.mm_

!■

: (

! h!

122

'WHAT IS THE NKWsf

His first duty in order to carry out the task he had
undertaken was to keep up his disi

_ ^ sguise, and tins mu.s

be done even at the cost of telling lies as to his ante
cedents; but he was determined that he would avoid
this unpleasant necessity as far as lay in his power.

At nine o'clock he made his way to tlie apartments
of Louise IVFoulin. His entry was received with a cry
of satisfaction from the o-irls.

" What is the news, Harry ? " Jeanne e xclaimed. " We
expected you here yesterday evening, and sat up till
ten o'clock."

" T wa.s over the other side of the river discharging
a mission your father had conftded to mc, and did not
get back till this morning."

" I knew he was prevented by something," Jeanne
said triumphantly "I told you so, Marie -didn't IV'

"Yes, dear, I was wrong to be impatient; but you
will forgive me, Harry? You can guess how I sutfered
yesterday."

"It was natural you sliould expect me, mademoiselle.
I was sorry afterwards that I did not tell you when 1
left you that I should not be able to come in the even-
ing, but indeed I did not think of it at the time."

"And now for your news, Harry," Jeanne asked
impatiently; "have you learned anything about our
father and mother?"

"I am sorry to say I have not, except that they, with
many others, were taken to the prison of Bicetre. But
I have good news for you, Mademoiselle Marie. After
going first to the house and finding it in the possession
of a hideous mob, who were plundering and drinking,

"YOU ARE A DKAU UOY!"

123

I went to see what had taken place at the hotel of the
Due de Gisons. I found that he had, like youi- father,
heen arrested in the night. I learned that the count
was absent, and that a party were inside in readiness
to arrest hiui on his return. Thinking it probable that
he might have gone down to their e.state near Fontaine-
bleau, I went out beyond the gate on that road and
waited for him. I had the good fortune to meet him,
to warn him of his danger, and to prevent his return-
ing to the town. He rode away with a suit of work-
man's clothes I had procured for hiiu, and was to enter
Paris in that disguise in the evening. He is to call on
me at ten o'clock, and I will then conduct him hither.
I thought it best to come in before to let you know
that he was coming."

]\rarie burst into tears of happiness at hearing that
licr lover had escaped from the danger which threat-
ened. Worn out by the fatigue and anxiety of the
previous night, she had slept for some hours after
reaching the shelter of the old nurse's roof, but she
had lain awake all night thiidving over the danger of
all those dear to her. She was now completely over-
come with the revulsion of feeling.

"You are a dear boy, Harry!" Jeanne said with
frank admiration, while ]\Iarie sobbed out exclama-
tions of gratitude. "You do seem to think about
everything; and now Marie knows that Victor is safe,
I do hope she is going to be more like herself. As I
tell her, they cannot hurt father or mother. They
have done no wrong, and they must let them out of
prison after a time. Maimna said we were to be brave;

124

A STURDY CHAMPION.

i ^'i

and at anyrate I try to be, and so does Yirginie,
though she does cry soniotiiues. And noAv I liope
Marie will be cheerful too, and not go about the rooms
looking so doAvncast and wretched. It seems to me a
miserable thing being in love. I should have thouo-ht
Mane would have been tlie last person to be downcast
for no one is prouder of being a St. Caux than she is."'
" I shall be better now, Jeanne," Marie said smilincr
as she wiped away her tears. "You shall not have any
reason to complain of me in future."

"But do you not think, Harry," she went on with a
return of her anxiety, "that it is very dangerous for
Victor to come back into Paris ? I know that his father
has long been praying him to make for the frontier."

"I do not think it is very dangerous at present,
mademoiselle, although it may be later, if this ra<^e
against the aristocrats increases; but I hope that when
he has once seen you, which is his principal object in
returning to Paris, he will carry out his father's wishes
and make for the frontier, for his presence here can be
of no possible utility."

"Oh, I hope so," Marie said, "for I am sure Victor
would soon be found out, he could never make himself
look like one of these canaille."

"Why shouldn't he?" Jeanne said indignartlv

'Harry does, and he is just as good-looking as Victor"

Mane burst into a fit of laughter.

" What a champion you arerdiild, to be sure! But

you are quite right. Clothes, after all, do go a long way

towards making a man. Still, although I think that

It IS dangerous for Harry, I think it will be more

rage

A FAIR RETORT.

120

dangerous for Victor; because, you sec, ho in aumn and
he has the manner of his race, and would liiid it mote
difficult to pass himself off as a workman than Harry,
who has got something of English"— and h\w. lir,Hitated.'
^ "Roughness," Harry put in laughing. "You nvo rpiite
right, mademoiselle. I can assure you that with these
thick shoes on I find it quite natural for mo to Hlouch
along as the workmen do; and it will bo much more
difficult for the count, who always walks with IiIm head
thrown back, and a sort of air of looking down upon
mankind in general."
Marie laughed this time.

"That is a fair retort. Victor certainly hm the grand
manner. However, I shall order hiui to go; and"if he
won't obey his father's wishes, he will havo to give
way to mine."

"I think, mademoiselle, that it would bo wiHcr for
Monsieur de Gisons to meet you elsewlxfro than liere.
The arrival of three relations to stoj) with Madame
Moulin is sure to attract some little attention among
her neighbours just at first. You will bo tho Hiibjec^
of talk and gossip. My visit will no doubt bo n(;ticed,
and it will be as well that there shouM not be more
material for talk. The less we attract atti-ntion the
better. No doubt many have esca[)ed arrent, and there
will be a sharp look-out, for, as they will oall tia, sus-
picious persons. I should propose, if you havo no objec-
tion to such a course, that you should stroll out with
your sisters and Louise through the fields to Ht. Denis.
The count will be in my room in a few mirnjtoH, We
can keep a look-out from my window and follow you

: f
I ill

Sis;

iln

1
1 .

126

IT IS YOU, FRIRND IIAHRYl'

at a distance Ti.itil we get clear from observation
beyond the gates."
Marie looked at Afadaiue Moulin, who nodded.
That would be the best plan, my dear. What

isieur Saiidwith says is very true. The less

give the neio^hb

we
iglibour.s to gossip about the better; for
though your disguises are good, if sharp eyes are
watchmg you they may note something in your walk-
er air that may excite susi^icion."

_ I' That being arranged then you must excuse me, for
it IS just the time when the count was to arrive, and I
fancy that he will be before rather than behind time."

Indeed, upon reaching the door of his room Harry
found the young count standing there.

"Oh, it is you, friend Harry! I have been here ten
minutes, and I began to be afraid that somethin..
nught have happened to you and to imagine all sorts
of things."

" Jt is still tlu-ee or four minutes before the time we
agreed upon, Victor," Harry said in a loud voice, for at
this moment one of the other doors opened, and a wo-
man came out with a basket in her arms.

"I have been looking about as usual, but without
luck so far. I suppose you have had no better fortune
1.1 your search for work r' He had by this time un-
locked his d(jor, and the two entered together.

"I must call you by your Christian name, count, and
will do so, if you don't mind, when alone as at other
times, otherwise the title might slip out accidentally.
Will you, on your part, call me Henri? As you know
the marquis and his family called me Harry, wliich ia

"CALL ME HKNHL"

127

sorts

the ordinary way in England of calling anyone whose
name is Henry, that is unless he is a soft sort of fellow;
but I must ask them to call me Henri now, Harry
would never do here.'"

"Have you seen them?" was the count's first ques-
tion.

"I have just left them, Victor, and if you look out
from that window into the street you will in a few
minutes see them also; tliey are just going for a ram-
ble towards 8t. Denis, and we will follow them. I
thought it safer not to attract attention by going to
the house, and I also thought that it would be more
pleasant for you to talk to Mademoiselle de St. Caux
out there in the fields, than in a little room with us
present."

"Much more pleasant, indeed, I was wondering
whether I sh-ould get an opportunity for a few niiii"
utes' talk alone with her."

They both took tlieir places at the open window
and leaned out apparently chatting and carelessly
watching what was passing in the street.

A quarter of an hour later they saw Louise Moulin
and the girls come out of their house.

"We had better come away from the window now,"
Harry said; "Virginie might look up and nod, we
can't be too careful."

They waited three or four minutes to allow the
others to gei well ahead and then started out after
them; they walked fast until they caught sight of the
others, and then kept some distance behind until the
party had left the town and were out among the fields

J r !

1 '

128

"I LIKE THIS TOO."

m '

I i

which lay between Paris and St. Denis. They then
quickened their pace and were soon up with them.

The greeting- between the lovers was a silent one, few
words were spoken, but their faces expressed their joy
at meeting again after the perils through which they
had passed; there was a little pause, and then Harry,
as usual, took the lead.

"I will stroll on to St. Denis and back with Jeanne
and Virginie; Madame Moulin can sit down on that log
over there, and go on with her knitting; you, Victor, can
ramble on with mademoiselle by that path th.-ough
the field; we will agree to meet here again in an hour."
This arrangement was carried out; Jeanne and Vir-
ginie really enjoyed their walk; the latter thought their
disguise was great fun, and, being naturally a little
mimic, imitated so well the walk and manner of the
country children she had seen in her walks near the
chateau that her sister and Harry were greatly
amused.

"I like this too, Harry," Jeanne said. "It would not
be nice to be a peasant girl for many things; but it
must be joyful to be able to walk, and run, and do
just as you please, without having a gouvernante
always with you to say, Hold up your head, Mademoi-
selle Jeanne; Do not swing your arms. Mademoiselle
Jeanne; Please walk more sedately. Mademoiselle
Jeanne. Oh, it was hateful! Now we might run,
mightn't we, Harry?"

"Oh, by the way, Jeanne, please call me Henri now;
Harry is English, and people would notice directly if
you happened to say it while anyone is near."

A RACE.

120

"I like Harry best," Jeanne said; "but. of course. I
should not say it before the people; but may we run
just for once?"

^ "Certainly you may." Harry laughed; "you and Vir-
gmie can have a race to the corner of that wall."

"Come on, Virginie." Jeanne cried as she started, and
the two girls ran at full speed to the wall; Jeanne
however, completely distancing her younger sister.
Ihey were both laughing when Harry came up

"That is the first time I have run a race," Jeanne
said. "I have often wanted to try how fast I could
i-un, but I have never ventured to ask mademoiselle-
she would have been horrified; but I don't know how
It is Virgmie does not run faster."

"Virginie has more flesh," Harry said smiling. "She
carries weight, as we should say in England, while you
nave nothing to spara"

^^ "And she is three years older." Virginie put in.
Jeanne is just sixteen, and I am not thirteen yet- it
makes a difTerence." '

T "a^ .f r.^ ."^'^^ °^ difference," Harry agreed; "but
J don t think you will ever run as fast as she does.
Ihat will not matter, you know," he went on, as Vir-
ginie looked a little disappointed. " because it is not
likely that you will ever race again; but Jeanne looks
cut out for a runner-just the build, you see-tall, and
slim, and active."

"Yes," Virginie agreed frankly, "Jeanne has walked
ever so far and never gets tired, while I get dread-
tiiikr f,vn^. mamma says sometimes I

ior my

age.

quite a baby

r?8i)

llIM

:! ' ! i!

^ 'J

130

"IT WAS HARD TO DECEIVE HER."

1} »

"Here are some people coming," Harry said; "aa
we pass tht'in please talk with a little patois. Your
good French would be suspicious."

All the children of the nuir(piis, from their visits,
among tlie pea.-.unts' cottages, had picked up a good
deal of the liurgundiaii patois, and when talking
among themselves oi'teii used the exp-ressions current
among the iieasantry, and they now dropped into this
talk, which Harry had also acquired, as they passed a
group of people coming in from St. ]Jenis,

They walked nearly as far as that town, and then
turned and reached the point where the party had
separated, a few nunutes before the expiration of the
appointctl hour.

The two girls ran away to Louise Moulin, and
chatted to her gaily, while Harry walked up and down
iintil, a quarter of a. hour later, the count and Marie
made their appearaiice. The paity stood ta'king to-
gether for a few minutes; then adieus were said with
a very pale face, but with firmness on Marie's part,
and then the girls, with Louise, turned their facos to
Paris, while Harry and Victor remained behind until
they had got well on their way.

" It was hard to deceive her," Victor said; " but you
were right. She insisted that I should iS,o. I seemed
to resist, and urged that it was cowardly for me to ru)i
away and to leave her here alone, but she would not
listen to it. She said it was a duty I owed to my
father and family to save myself, and that she should
be wretched if she thought I was in Paris in constant
danger of arrest. Fnially, 1 had to give way to her,

•it is liETlEH SU."

131

but It went against the grain, fur .sen wl.ile she was
urging me «ho n,u..t have fdt in her heart it woul.l be
cowanliy .,f n.e to go. J|„u-ever. she will know some
'li'.V that \ ictor (le (Jison.s is no coward."

" I am sure it is Letter so," Hurry said "She will
I'ave anxiety enough to hear as to her father and
"x.ther; it is well that her mir.d .should beat ea,se con-
cerning you."

"In reality," \'ictor said, •' 1 sliall he safer here than
1 should be journeying toward.s the frontier. The
papers tins morning «ay that in conse-iuence of the
escape ot suspected persons, and of the emigration of
lie nobles to join the enemies of France, orders have
heen sent that the strictest scrutiny is to be exercised
on the roads leading to the frontier, over all strar -ers
who may pass through. All who cannot give a per-
ectly satLsfactory account of themselves and produce
tlieir papers en regie, are to be arrested and sent to
1 ans. Iherefore, my cliance of getting through would
be small indeed, whereas while remaining in Paris there
can be little fear of detection."

_ "Not much risk, I hope," Harry agreed; • but there
IS no saying what stringent steps they may take as
time goes on."

Victor had taken a lodging a few houses from that
ot Harry, Every day the excitement in Paris increa.sed
every day there were fresh arrests, until all the prison.s
became crowded to overflowing. It was late in Aucrusf
the Prussians were advancing and had laid sie-e to'
^erdun.aud terror was added to the emotions which
e.\citea to uiftdnoss the population of Pans, jjiack

tl i

132

flags

PRESH ALARMS.

ign

l*r

were hun|,r from the steeples, and Daiitr
his allies skilfully used the fear inspired l.y the lux ci.
enemy to add to the general hatred of the Royalists.'

" We Kepuhlicans," he said in the rostrum of the
Assembly, "m-e expos.Ml to two parties, that of the
enemy without, that of the Royalists within. There
w a Royalist directory which sits secretly at Paris and
corresponds with the Prussian army. To frustrate it
we must terrify the Royalists."

The Assendily decreed death against all who directly
or indirectly refused to execute or hindered the orders
given by the executive power. Rumours of conspiracy
agitated Paris and struck alarm into i)eople's minds
while those who had fri.nds within the prison walls
became more and more alarmed for their safety.

On the 28th of August orders were issued 'that all
the inhabitants of Paris were to stay in their houses
in order that a visit might be made by the delef^ates
of the Commune to search for arms, of which Da°nton
had declared there were eighty thousand hidden in
laris. and to search for suspected persons. As soon
as the order was issued, Harry and Victor went to
their lodgings, and telling their landlords that they
had obtained work at the other end of the town paid
thoir rent and left the ity, and for the next two' days
slept in the woods.

They passed most of their time discussing projects
for enabling their friends to escape, for from the strin-
gency of the steps taken, and the violence of the Com-
mune they could no longer indulge in the hopes that
m a short time the prisoners against whom no serjo-uq

lU.

I p

Plans ok AdiioN.
charge could he l.ioii-ht, would be released. At

133

,. , . the

same time they could l.urdly persuade themselves that
even sucli men as those who m)w held the supreme
power in their hands, could intend to take extreme
measures a-ainst so vast a number of prisoners as were
now in custody.

Victor an<l Harry knew that their frien.ls had at
first been taken to tbe prison of Uicetre, but whether
they were still confined there they were of course
Ignorant. Still there was no reason to suppose that
they had been transt'erre<l to any of the other jails.

The Bicrtre was, they had discovered, so strongly

guarded that neither force nor stratagem seemed avail-

able. The jailers were the creatures of Danton and

Rol)espierre, and any attempt to bribe them would

have been dangerous in the extreme. Victor proposed

that, as he as well as Harry was well provided with

funds, for 1,, i .,d brought to Paris all the money

which t.„ steward of the estates had collected, they

should recruit a band among the ruffians of the city,

and make a sudden attack upon the prison. But

Harry pointed out that a numerous band would be

re.iuired for such an enterprise, and that among so

many men one would be sure to turn traitor before the

time came.

' I am ready to run all risks, Victor, but I see no
chance of success in it. The very first man we spoke
to might denounce us, and if we were seized there
would be no one to look after the safety of Mademoi-
selle de St. Caux and her sisters. Sly first duty is
towards them. I gave my promise to their father,

'life

'fji

' ' ill

, 'f

.1.1

i! ' M H f

I' Ik

llllt

ii IMlii:

134

m
'1 .:

"COULD WE NOT BRIBE THESE WKETCHESl" '

and although it is not probable that I can be of any
use then, I will at anymte. if possible, be at hand
snoukl occasion arise."

On the evening of the .lOth they returned to Paris
and took two fresh apartments at a distance from their
lormer quarters,

^ They were greatly anxious as to the safety of the
girls, and Harry at once hastened there, but found that
all was well. The deputies, learning from the landlord
that only an old woman and her nieces inhabite<l the
upper story, ar..l having a heavy task before them
had only paid a short visit to the room, and had left
atter asknig Louise one or two questions.

The girls, however, were in a state of terrible anxiety
as to their parents, although Louise had avoided re-
peating to them the sinister nnnours which came lo
her ears when she was a,broa.l doing her marketinr.
for she now went out alone, thinking it better that tC
girls should appear as little as possible in the streets

It IS terrible." Marie said. " I think night and day
of our father and mother. Can nothing be done?
burely we might devise some means for their escape"'
_ "Icanthmkof nothing," Harry said. " The prison
IS too strong to be taken without a considerable force
and It would be impossible to get that together."
"Could we not bribe these wretches?"
" I have thought over that too," J larry rei)lied • " but
you see, it would be necessary to get several men to
work together. One might, perhaps, bribe the man
who has charge of the cell, but there would be other
warders, un.l the guard at the gate, and the latter aru

Jeanne's suggestion.

135

pos-

clianged every day. I do not see how that could
sibly be done."

" Woukl it be any use, do yota think, were I to go
to Danton or Kobe.spieri-e and plead with thorn for their
lives? I would do that willingly if you think there
would be the slightest chance of success."
^ " It wr-dd be like a lamb going to plead with a wolf,
i'ou woi,'. only attract attention to them."

" Could you not get hold of one of these wretches
and force him to sign an order for their release?"
Jeanne suo-frested.

"Eh!" Harry exclaimed .1 surprise. "Jeanne, you
have the best head of us all. That idea never occurred
to me. Yes, that might be possible. How stupid of
me not to think of it!"

"Do not run into any danger, Harry," Marie said
earnestly. " Such a scheme could hardly succeed."

" I don't know, mademoiselle. I thiidv it might. I
will think it over. Of course there are difficulties, but
1 do not see why it should not succeed."

" Certainly it will succeed if Harry undertakes it,"
Jeanne .said, with implicit trust in his powers.

Harry laughed, and even .Marie, anxious as she was,
could not help smiling.

"I will try and deserve your conlidenci;, Jeamie; but
I am not a magician. But I will talk it over with"—
and he hesitated— "witli a young fellow who is, like
myself, a Royalist, and in disguise. Luckily, we ran
against each other the other day, and after a little
conversation discovered each other. He, too, has rela-
tives in prison, and will, J am sure, join me in any

111

¥. f

f ^

■'HI I

.•){'i

I i . iiliii'.

;

■1 1

Hope of success.

when I see von o,..,;^ Tin, -^ ^^^u "ignt. l hope

CHAPTER VIL

THE 2d of SEPTEMBER.

ICTOR DE GISONS was. a^ usual, waiting
near the door when Harry left Louise Mou-
Ims.

hope? You are out sooner than usual."

"Yes. for I have something to tliink of. Hero have
we been planmno. iu vain for the last fortnight to hit
upon some scheme for getting our friends out of prison
and Jeanne has pointed out a way which you and I
never thought of." j- ttuu i

"Whatis that, Henri?"

"The simplest thing in the world, namely, that we
should se..e one of the leaders of these viHains and
compel hun to sign an order for their release."

lluit certainly seems possible," Victor said "I

Tot don:r °^^""-^' '^ ''''-' ^' - ^"^ how is

"Ah. that is for us to think out! Jeanne has given

us the Idea, and we should be stupid if we cannot in-

settle which of them it had better be, and in the next

'iiii

: 'I! Ml CI

If: i!

138 DANTON AND ROBESPIERRE.

how it is to be managed. It must be some one whose
signature the people at the prison would be sure to
obey.

"Then," Victor said, "it must be either Danton or

Ivobespierre.

" Or iMarat," Harry added; "I think he is as power-
lul as either of the others."

''He is the worst of them, anyhow," Victor said.
Ihere IS something straightforward about Danton.
A o doubt he is ambitious, but I think his hatred of us
all IS real. He is a terrible enemy, and will certainly
stick at notlnng. He is ruthless and pitiless, but I do
not hink he is double-faced. Robespierre is an.bitious
too, but I think he is really acting accordinc. to his
principles, such as they are. He would be pitiless too
but he would murder on principle.

"He would sign unmoved the order for a hundred
I'oads to fall if he thought their falling necessary or
even usohil for the course of the Ix^cvolution, but I do
not think he would shed a drop of blood to satisfy
private enmity. They call him the 'incorruptible' He
IS more dangerous than Danton. for he has no vices
xe lives simply, and they say is fond of birds and pets
I do not think we should make much of either Danton
or him, even if we got them in our power.

"Danton would be like a wild beast in a snare He
would rage with fury, but I do not think that he
would be mtin.idated into signing what we require
nor do I think would Robespierre. Marat is a different
creature altogether. He is simply venomous. He hates
the world, and would absolutely rejoice in slau^diter

]
2
n

one whose
be sure to

Danton or

as power-

ictor said.
b Danton.
trecl of us
certainly
, l)ufc I do
ambitious
ng to his
tiless too,

hundred
essary or
but I do
3 satisf}'
ible.' He
no vices,
md pets.
' Danton

ire. He
tliat lie
require,
lifFerent
fo hates
LUi^hter.

MauaI.

13!)

So loathsonie is he in appearance ihafc ov(,r, his col-
leagues sluu.k fro.n him. He i. a venon.ouH r pt t
whom ,t would be a pleasure to slay, as it would l!e to
pnt ones heel upon a rattlesnake. Whether ho is a

co..nornotIdonotluiow,butIsl.u)dthinki:
Men of h,s type are seldon. brave. I think if we had

is sottM ''7' '' ""'""'' '''" '''''y ^'^'''^' "''"^^' '""ch

IS settled lo-morrow we will Ih.d out Ho,n,.thin..
about h,s hab,.s. Till we know about that wo cam 1
form any plan whalover. Let us meet at dinner-tin e
a our usual place. Then we will go outside ,,he Assem-
bly and wait till he comes out. l-ortunat.ly wo both
know him well by sight. He will be nun, L go s n'
rounded, as usual, by a mob of his adnu.orH.'t; the
Jacobin Club. From there we can traco hi,n to his
home ^o doubt anyone could tell us wher« ho live.s,
but t would be dangerous to ask. When wc have'
tound that out we can decide uj.on our ne.st nte. "

They were, however, saved the trouble they conten,-
plated, tor they learned from the conversation of two
men an.ong the mob, who cheered Marat as ho entered
the Assembly, what tlioy wanted to know.

■' Marat is the man for me," one of the,,, Hai<l, " He
hates the aristocacy; he would bathe in their blood
I never niiss reading hi.s articles in the /'.;.,,,/ a f,,,
leoplc. His cry is always 'Blood! blood!' He does
not ape the manner of the bourgeois. He does not wash

his f

ace and put on clean linen. H

-' ;ii

but lie is as dirty as the best of u.s. Jj

c IS a ui'cjit man,
Hfcill lives in

■■1,

■'If

•\j\

Ill

140

"do Vuu want him)"

his old lodgings, though he could move if he liked into
any of the fine houses whose owners are in the prisons.
He wants no servants, but lives just as we do. Vive
Marat!"

"Where does the great citizen live?" Victor asked
the men in a tone of earnest entreaty. On learning
the address they took their way to the dirty and disre*
putable street where Marat lodired.

"The citizen Marat lives in this street, does he not?"
Victor asked a man lounging at the door of a cabaret.
"Yes, in that house opposite. Do you want him?"
"No; only I was curious to see the house where the
friend of the people lives, and as I was pa.ssing the end
of the street turned down. Will you drink a glass?"
" I am always ready for that," the man said, " but in
these hard times one cannot do it as often as one would
like."

"That is true enough," Victor said as they took
their seats at a table. "And so Marat lives over there;
it's not much of a place for a great man."

"It is all he wants," the other said carelessly; "and
he is safer here than he would be in the richer quarters.
There would be a plot against him, and those cursed
Royalists would kill him if they had the chance; but
he is always escorted home from the club by a band of
patriots."

In the evening Harry and Victor returned to the
street and watched until Marat returned from the
Jacobin Club. His escort of men with torches and
bludgeons left him at the door, but two or three went
upstairs with him, and until far in the nio-ht visitors

THE DIFFICULTIES THICKEN. 14]

came and went. Then thr> tinht ;„ iu

extinguished. ° "'" "PP" '°<"» '"«»

.noveVI^v.''"'^''" ""^ ''^''"■" '^'""»- ""<• »» thoy
aZtJ ^\, ^^™ '"'■ "' """ ™''n i" tl-e wine
shop told „,,, there .s an old woman who coolcs for hhn

and It IS much more difficult to seize two people
without an alarm being given than one." ^^

.somehot "Vv; "T' "^'""''' "'"" " •"« ' •>" done

Ind thol' ^'^TV"^ "»"'=« g'-o" more threatenin.-

and those bands of .scoundrels from Marseilles have nn°t

e«n brought all this way for nothing. ^ wit c

s m to be ever alone from early morning „„til ,ate a
night Supposing we did somehow get the order of re
lea^e from him at night we could not present t till tht

ainve and discover him fastened up, and mi^ht tlu

to dipair hII"^ "™"''" ^-"'- »=--"■ "I begin

" AVe must not do that," Harry reioinPf] « v
we thought it impossible before «1. S:' gavl^u! Z '
Id a. Ihere must be some way out of it il we col
only h. upon it. Perhaps by to-morrow momingt

\?t u°T; '; """ "' "• ^"^ '"'"= "^ anoth™ L^

t would bff' "' "f ' P"""^ •'"^"'-^ *« them"
it wou d be of no use whatever getting them out unles

not do for them to go to Louise Moulin'a. She has
three visitors already, and the arrival „f mor- to -tav
With her would b, sure to e«ite talk among th;^^!

ii! SI.

'i •

I -M

■ill

Hi:

142

A FRESH IDEA.

i ^11 *

\p -I

bours. The last orders are so strict about the punishment
ot anyone givin- slielter to enemies of tlie republic
that people who let roo.ns will all be suspicious. The
only plan will be to get them out of the city at once.
It will be difficult for them to make their way throu-h
iMance on foot, for in every town and village there's
the strictest look-out kept for suspected persons. Still
that nuist be risked; there is no other way."

" Yes, we must see about that to-morrow, Henri- but
I do not think the marquise could support such a jour-
ney, for they would have to sleep in the fields. More-
over she will probably elect to stay near her children
until all can go together. Therefore I think that it will
be best for lier to come either to you or me. We can
take an additional room, saying that our mother is
coming uj) from the country to keep house for us."

' Yes, that would be much the best plan, Victor And
now here we are close home. I hope by the time we
njeet m the morning one of us may have hit upon some
plan or other for getting hold of this scoundrel "

" I have hit upon an idea, Victor," Harry said when
tliey met the next morning.

"I am glad to hear it. fol- though I have Iain awake
Hi night I could think of nothing. Well, what is your

idea i

A\ ell you see, Marat often goes out in the mornin-.
alone. He is so well known and he is so much regarded
by the lower class that he has no fear of any assault
being made upon him during the day. My plan is that
we should follow him till he gets into some street with
few people about Then I would ru.sh upon him, sei^9

Ilk,

'IT WOULD BE A FRIGHTFUL RISK," 143

Mm, and draw a knife to strike, shontin- 'Die vil-

lain!' You should bu a i

up and strike the knii'e out of niy 1

ow puces behind, and should

the

run

land, nuinaidnrr at

same moment tv imnhh over Marat and fall with

lim to the gj-ound. That would

give me time to

bolt. I would ha\e a bet

--, «w^ ..wiin.1 jiu,vc my

Other clothes under the blouse. I would rush into the
irst doorway and run up stairs, pull off my beard,
blouse, and blue pantaloons, and then walk cpuetly
<lown. You woul.l. of course, rush up stairs and meet
n.e on the way. I should say I had just met a fellow
runnnig up stairs, and should slip quietly otf."
"It would be a frightful risk, Henri, frightful!"
"No, I thiidc it could be managed easily enoucdi
ihen, of course, Alanit would be very grateful to you
and you could either get him to visit your lodgings or
could go up to his, and once you ha.l been there you
could manage to outsit his last visitor at night, and
then we could do as we agreed."

"But, you know, we thought we should hardly have
time in the morning, Henri!"

"No. I have been thinking of that, and I have come
to the conclusion that our best plan would be to seize
hnn and hold a dagger to his heart, and threaten to
kill hnn mstantly if he did not accompany us. Then
we would go down with him into the street and walk
arm in arm with him to your lodging. We could
thrust a ball of wood into his mouth so that he could
not call out even if he had the courage to do so. which
I don't think he would have if he were assured that
if he made the slightest sound we would kill him.

144

A PROMISING PLAN.

Then we could make him sign the order and leave him
fastened up there. It would be better to take him to
your lodgings than mine, in case my visits to Louise
Moulin should have been noticod, and when he is re-
leased there will b(^ a hue and cry alter his captors."

"Tlu I est plan will be to i)ut a knife into his heart
at once the minute you have got the order sifned,"
Victor said savagely; "I should have no more hesita-
tion in killing him than stamping on a snake."

" No, Victor; the man is a monsto", but we cannot
kill him in cold blood; besides, we should do more
harm than good to the cause, for the people would
consider he had died a martyr to his championship
of their rights, and would be more furious than ever
against the aristocracy."

" But his account of what he has gone through will
have just the same effect, Henri."

" I should think it probable ^^3 would keep the story
to himself. What has happened once may happen
again; and besides, his cowardice in signing the release
of three enemies of the people in order to save his life
would tell against him. No, I think he would keep
silence. After we have got them safe away we can
return and so far loosen his bonds that he would be
able, after a time, to free himself. Five minutes' start
would be all that we should want."

But the plan was not destined to be carried out. It
was the morning of the 2d of September, 1792, and
as they went down into the quarter where the maga-
zines of old clothes were situated, in order to purchase
the necessary disguises, they soon bpnflnie aor.Qiv.]o f j^»*

DAN(iER IN THE AIR. 14^5

b/r'r J\ : „"::i ;r„Tf '"""'" '''""^'"

1.0 1 1 ,. rLaduass that even n«- Mompv

agam and co,„,,ared tl.oi,- ob^orvations. Ndther had
kamed „„yt|,i„g dctinite, but both wore re that
»m. hn,g unusual wa« about to take ,,laee ^'

thomT "'" '' ^"'''e '° <" ^'™^* against

on"" t aton , '^ .f°'"''='' *"' ""ey should at
once set about buymg the disguises, and that on the

iollow.ng morning they should carry into effeet their

plan w.th reference to Marat The drLes ;:"

I wo suits, such as a res,,e.table u.eehanie would v^ear

on Sundays or holidays, were Hrst i.„reha,,ed. TiZ

wa, then a debate as to the disguise for the .namuise

•t stru^K then, at onee that it was strange tW T;;'

i J

'if

if-

Ti'

i!i(l|

i<i

■ If"

Mfi

nuYiNo rusnuisFs.

young workmen to bo purchasinf,' t'eniiile attire, but,
nt'ter some consultation, they decided upon a bonnet
and lon^' oloak, and those Victor went in and bought,
gaily telling the 8hoi)kceper that ho was buying a
birthday |)resent Tor his old mother,

Tliey took the clothes up to Harry's room, agreeing
tliut Louise could easily buy tlie rest of the garments
re(juired for the mar(|uiso as soon as she was free, but
they decided to say nothin'i about the attempt that
was about to be made unln it was over, as it would
cause an anxiety wlii( h the old woman woidd probably
be unable to conceal from the 'drls.

Victor did not accoin) any Harry to his room; they
had never, indeed, visited eacli other in their apart-
ments, meeting always some little distance away in
order that their connection should be unobserved, and
that, should one be arrested, no sus})icion would follow
the other. As soon as he had deposited the clothes
Harry sallied out again, and on rejoining Victor they
made their way down to the Hotel de Ville, being too
anxious to remain (piiet They could learn nothing
from the crowd which was, as usual, assembled befoje
the Hotel.

There was a general impression that something was
about to happen, but none could give any doHnite rea-
son for their belief. All day they wandered about
restless and anxioua They fought their way into the
galleries of the Assembly when the doors opened, but
for a time nothing new took place.

The Assembly, in which the moderates had still a
powerful voice, hud prutistcd agaiiwt the assumption

h
1

ttf-

'DOWN WITH THK PHIKSTS!

of antlioritv I)V tlu

147

ut tlie ilotol (le Villo. J
ne.ss, the Co

council of the Cominime sitti

Mcr

Ah-eudy wurnuits of

iniiituic ever

<'iroii(li.^ts, tJi

>ut the Assuinl.ly lacked firu.
y tlay ^'tiined in power,
urrost were prepared a<'uin.st tl

oo restless to

early h'ndcrs of tl

lu iiioveiueiit.

"••'•y a-.;;u fu k theii
.Just as ,hoy arr^ed th

iv.iiaii. in the Asse.nhly. Victor and

stops to the Hotel de Villi
twenty-four persons, of

rom

ere priests, were hrou-ht out f

whom tMr^n- ,-two

t]>e prisoner the V.,i,ie by a party of M
' '-'"''^ ^he Abhaye!" These ruM

shout

aiseillais, who

I-nsoneis into coaches standin.. at the d

ou will not ai-rivo at tl

iaiis pusheil the
oor, shoutiiiiT:

waitinn- to tear yuu in pi,.fes.
on silently in sullen apathy

I'lison; the people an

liut tl

le peojilo loo

ked

You see them," the Marseillais si

louted. "There
ou are about to nuuch to Venlun. They

ler your wives

they are.

only wait for your dei-arture to butd
and children."

JStiJl the crowd did not

le people had no si

move. The great mass

'•e in the bloody deeds of the

KevoUuio,, t„.e .ore the Zr^T^ ^Z^^

A few shoub were raised I.ere an,l there of ■■Dow,,
■th the pnesrsl" B„t ,„ore of the crowd oined
l.e shout. wh.ch X-ictor a„<l Harry h.stily aised o
Sha,ne. down with the Ma.^eiUaisr' ^'Hor would

Harry held h.s arn, tightly, exclaiming i„ hi., ear:

Restrnin yourself, Victor. Think of the liv-.s that
depend upon ou«. The mob will „„t fo,i„w y^

liiii

itki

i! :

118

"WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE]"

You can do nothing yourself. Come, get out of the
crowd."

So saying lie dragged Victor away. It was well
that they could not see what was taking place in the
coaches, or Victor's fury would have been ungovern-
able, for several of tlie ruffians had drawn their swords
and were hacking furiously at their prisoners.

"We will follow thoni," Harry said, when he and
Victor had made their way out of the crowd; "but you
must remember, Victor, that, come what may, you
must keep cool. You would only throw away your
life uselessly; for Marie's sake you must keep calm.
Your life belongs to her, and you have no right to
throw it away."

"You are right, Henri," Victor said gloomily; "but
how can one look on and see men inciting others to
massacre? What is going to take place? We must
follow them."

"I am ready to follow them," Harry said; "but you
must not go unless you are firmly resolved to restrain
your feelings whatever may happen. You can do no
possible good, and will only involve yourself in the
destruction of others."

"You may trust me," the young count said; "I will
be calm for Marie's sake."

Harr^- had his doubts as to his friend's power of
self-control, but he was anxious to see what was taking
place, and they joined the throng that followed the
coaches. But they were now in the rear, and could
see nothing that was taking place before them. When
the carriages reached the Abbaye the pri,soners alighted.

THE FIRST MASSACRES. 149

Some of them were at once cut down by tlie MarsoiUpJ^

wlc I? I T'^^"'- '"""■»™'' did nothing to
protect them, and looked on while all save two ,ve.e
massacred un.-es^tingiy. TI,c„ the Mar,eillais Zl

aown with the eneimos of the people!"

1: r:ftf /',:■;■"""'■ "■' ^'" *'-' «- --

few clays!" """""=°* "' "'<' """™« of "- last

The murder of the first prisoner wa, indeed the ,i.-nal

draw hack f, on, the Revolution. Thousand., of earnest
en who had at Krst thought that the hour of life an

™i™:,;"";"Vv* "■= ■"«'-« <•* «.» sta s.

shrtr 11 ! I ^ u™-""' '"' P""^'-- ''"d long since

M alienated a section. The nobles and the clergy

many of whom had at first gone heartily with £

a y ro ormers. had .shrunk ,.ck appallcl'^.-hen they

.aw that religion an onarchy were menaced. The

to a man against it; the Girondists, the i.ad-r- of -h-
thud estate, had fallen away, and over their heads «ie

I : il

160

THE SCUM OF PARIS.

i|J|:

axe was already hanging. Tlio Revolution liad no longer
a friend in France, save among tlie lowest, the basest,
and the most ignorant. And now, by the massacres of
the 2d of September, the republic of France was to
stand forth in the eyes of Europe as a blood-stained
monster, the enemy, not of kings only, but of humanity
in general.

Thus the crowd following the Marseillais was com-
posed almost entirely of the scum of Paris, wretches
who had long been at war with society, wdio hated the
rich, hated the priests, hated all above them,— men who
hud suHered so much that they had become wild beasts,
who wei-e the products of that evil system of society
which had now been overthrown. The gi-eater pro-
portion of them were in the pay of the Coiimiune, for,
two days before, all the unemployed had been enrolled
as the army of the Commune. Thus there was no
repetition before the Abbaye of the crie^ of shame
which had been heard in front of the Mairie. The
shouts of the Marseillais were taken up and re echoed
by the mob. Savage cries, curses, and shouts for
vengeance filled the air; many were armed, and knives
and bludgeons, swords and pikes, were brandished or
shaken. Blood had been tasted, and all the savage
instincts were on tire.

"This is horrible, Henri!" Victor de Gisons exclaimed.
" 1 feel as if I were in a nightmare, not that any night-
mare could compare in terror to this. Look at those
hideous faces— faces of men debased by crime, .sodden
with drink, degraded below the level of brutes, exulting
in the thought of blood, lusting for murder; and to

no longer
lie basest,
..ssacies of
;e was to
d-stained
luinanity

was com-
wretclies
lated the
men who
Id beasts,
f society
iter pro-
luiie, foi-,
enrolled
was no
f shame
ie. The
e echoed
onts for
1 knives
ished or

> savage

claimed.
y night-
It those
, sodden
jxulting
and to

«I.AUUHTEK OF THE I'KIESTS. 1 ;= i

tMnk that those creatu,-., are the castors of F.ance

Wha -""1 "'"' '"" """' "f '' '" '!>« future;

What IS going to take place now ?»

" Organized massacre, I fear, Victor. What seemed
..credible, nnpossihle. is going to take place; tteet
to be a massacre of the prisoners "

the Carme htes, now converted into a prison. Here a
large n,m,ber of priests had been collected. The mL
- I«.s entered, and the prisoners were called by nam;
to assemble in the garden.

First the Archbi'shop of Aries was murdered then

the • fell npon tbe others and hewed the own T

B..S lops of .Saintes and Beauvais were among the slain
and the a,.sass,„3 id „ot desist until the laft pri,so"
. h Ur„,„,,tes ad been hacked to pieces. ' Grave
ha. ah,.^dy been dug near the Barrier .Saint Jacqne,
and carts were waiting to convey the corpses tZ,
.owing how earefnily the preparation, fo the n a!'
sacre ha.l been made.

Then the llarseillais returned to the Abhave an.l

with a crowd of followers, entered the gr^L hall

Hore the bailifl' Maillanl organised a .sort of t, b™a

of men taken at random from the crowd. Som „

ho.se were paid hirelings of the Commune, some were

errified workmen or sn.all tradesmen who had, mcTcK

foin curiosity, joined the moK The Swi.ss officers "m

hatred to the mob, were first brought out. Thev were
spared the farce of a trial, they we're ordered to m" "h
out through the doors, outside which the Mar.seiLt

j ^i

1 1

152

MASSACRE OF THE SWiSa

were awaiting them. Some hesitated to go out, and
cried for mercy.

A young man with head erect was the first to pass
through tlie fatal doors. He fell in a moment, pierced
with pikes. The rest followed liim, and all save two,
who were, by some caprice of the mob, spared, shared
his fate. The mob had crowded into the galleries which
surrounded the hall and applauded with ferocious yells
the murder of the soldiers. In the body of the hall a
space was kept clear by the armed followers of the
Commune round the Judges' table, and a pathway to
the door from the interior of the prison to that openin^r
into the street. °

When the Swiss had been massacred the trial of the
other prisoners couniienced. One after another the
prisoners were brought out. They were asked their
names and occupations, a few questions followed, and
then the verdict of " Guilty." Jne after another they
were conducted to the door ..id there slain. Two or
three by the wittin-ss of their answers amused the
mob and were thereupon acquitted, the acquittals
being greeted by the spectators as heartily as the
sentences of death.

Victor and Harry were in the lowest gallery. They
stood back from the front, but between the heads of
those before them they could see what was going on
below. Victor stood inmiovable, his face as pale as
death. His cap had fallen off, his hair was dank with
perspiration, his eyes had a look of concentrated horror,
his body shook with a spasmod= b Idering. In vain
Harry, when he once saw what .^i ^ ng to take place,

) out, and

it to pass
t, pierced
save two,
id, shared
ies which
ious yells
:he hall a
rs of tlie
thway to
b opening

ial of the
»ther the
:ed their
wed, and
her they
Two or
used the
cquittals
' as the

r. l^iey
heads of
foing on

pale as
nk with
[ horror,

In vain
iQ place,

li:

vKioR PE ciso.Ns srir - ,>

"V A IKIKNI.l.V ULOW.

.-'*pj

victor's fkenzy.

153

ULOW.

■rged lum m a whispor to leave. Ke did not appoar

™ 1 " , '"' '°"""' """""y "neon-scious. Harry
«as greatly alarn.ed. and (oared tliat every r„on,ent his
co«.^pa„.„„ would betray l,i„«lf by .cne^errible „„"

po ed of a ta I aud stately n.an was brought into the

tile ,nn„l wh.ch re.gned, burst from Victor's lips
He threw hnaself with the fury of a ,„adman up™
hose ,„ front of hi,,, and in a ,„oment would have
bounded ,n o the hall had not Harry brought the
heavy s jek he ea,-ried with all his foree down ^pon hi
head^ V,etor fell like a log under the blow. "^

^Vhat,s,t; What is it?" .shouted tho.,e around.
Uy touua.le has gone out of his niiud," Harry said

ha ,ed for the e,,e,a,es of Franee has turned his head.
I have been watching hi,„. and had I not knocked
hnndown he would have thrown hhn.self head-flnost
off the gallery and broken his neck."

The explanation see„,ed natural, and all we . too

nterested n, what was passing i,, the hall be ow o

pay further attention to so trivial an incident It

tl for ; :,° "I"' ™' P'-<^l'a.-ed for the out-

hreak for ,t wa, the Due de Gisons who had thus

a I t1h'e" '°m";T'"'; """^ ''■■^S-'»J ^'-'°' '«"
agamst he wall behn.d and then tried to lift hin,

i will lend you a hand," a tall man in the dress of

.« Ill

'II

Iff

151

J'il

"VOU CAN TUUST Jlli"

a meclmnic, who had been stand..^ „«;,,
and, liiting Victor's body on to his should
way to the top of the stairs, Harry

ing next to him, said,
or, made his

•eceding him and
I anothc

minute

opening » way mrougii the crow
they were in the open air.

"Thank you greatly," Harry said. "I do not
know how I should have managed without your ai 1
H you put hnn down here I will try and bring hin.

; I live not far from here," the n.an said. "I will
take hun to n.y room. You need not be afraid " he
added as Harry hesitated, " I have got my eyes open
you can tiust me." J J*^» open,

So saying he made his way through the crowd
gathered out.side. He was frequently .iked who
was carryn^g, for the crowd feared lest any of th
prey should escape; but the man's reply, given w th a
rough kugh-" It is a lad whose stomal l not Ion,
enough to bear the sight of blood, and I tell you t s
pretty hot in there "-satisfied them ^

Passmg through several streets .^e man entere.l a
small house and carried Victor to the attic and laid

stcrahgt'"^^"'^^-^^""^^^--^^'-^-^^^^^^
" You .struck hard, my friend." he said as he exa-
.n".od V,c.ors head. "Ma toi, I should uot have l.S
such a blow u,y.self, but J don't blau.e jou. Vou were

bettei a hundred t.mes a knock on the head than tho,o
p cs o„ts,de the door. I had my eye on him, and!
^uie he would do .something rash, and I had intended

A I'HIKND IN NKKI).

155

}ou to be so fool.sh as to be tliero^"

"We had frien.Is in the prison, and we thou.d.t we
n.ght do .so.nethin, to save then," Hany an.wer d
or he saw tl.at it wouhi be Ins best policy [o be fr^k
'It was h,s father who.n they bro,,,ht out/'

It was rash of you, yonn. sir. A kid might as well
t.y to save h.s n.other fro.n the tiger who has laid its
paw ui^on her as for you to try to rescue any one fro
t e elu ches of the n.ob. Mou Dieu! to think tha
«e early daj-s was fool enough to go down to the

mistake. A\ hat has it brought us?-a ruined trade an
empty cupboard, and to be ruled by the ruflians .f 'tbe

:::::, T V^ '-g.theclergy.and theuppe
lasses I was a brass- worker, and a good one. thou h
ay It inyselt and earned good wages. Now for the
last n.onth I haven't done a stroke of work. Who

slot to'ni7 Tt^r' "'"" '''''' ''' "'---- --1

si ops to pillage? And now. what are you going to do?

My wi e IS out. but she will probably be%aclc soon!

VVe will attend to this young fellow She is a good

riii" ^'" ' ''"' ''' ^^''" --' ^" -- -^ do

"You don't think I have .seriously injured !dm?"
Harry said in a tone of dismay.

"No no; don't make yom-self uneasy. You have
stunned him, and that's all; he will soon'get over that
I hav. seen men get worse knock.s in a drunken row
and be at work agam in the morning; but it is different
heie. I r.aw lu« face, and he was pretty nearly mad

Iff

I.»6 "YOU Sl'KAK UKU A MAX OF HKART."

When you struck luni. I d..ubt vvliothor he will l>o in
his n^rlit senses when he conies round; but never fear
we will look aftpv i-Mi well. You can .stay if you like-
hut if you want to go you can trust him to us. I see'
you can keep your head, and will not run into daiK^er
as he did." ^

'• I do want to go terribly," Harry said, "terribly; and
1 teel that I can trust you completely. You have saved
his hfe and mine alnady. Now you will not be hurt
at what I am going to say. He is the son of the Due
de Olsons, the last man we saw brought out to be mur-
dered. We lave plenty of money. In a bolt round his
waist you wi'l find a hundred louis. Please do not
spare them. If you think he wants k ,,rgeon call him
in and get everything necessary for your household.
U ale you are nursing liim you cannot go out to work
1 do not talk of reward; one cannot reward kindness
like yours; but while you are looking after him you
and your wife must live."

^^ "Ag.eed." the man s.id, shaking Harry by the hand.
You speak hi ■ a man ,.f heart. I will look after him
Yon need be Uuder no uneasiness. Should any of my
comrades come in I shall say: 'This is a youn.. work-
man who got knocked down and hurt in the° crowd
and whom, havi.,g nothing better to do, I have brouc^ht
in here. " *

" If he should , cover his senses before T come back "
Harry sain nleaso do not let him know it was I who
struck hi,. He ill be well-ni.). heart-broken that
he could nc; haru twe fate of his father. Let him think
that he waa knocked down by some one in the crowd "

Iff

"JACQUES MEDART IS NO FOOL." lf,7

" W " ''"t^\ ^''"".^ '■' ^'^'^y n^anuged/' the n.an said.
Jacques Medarfc is no fool. Now you had best be off
for I «ee you are on thorns, and leave me to bathe his'
head. It you shoulchi t come back you can depend
upon ; I will look after him till he islble to go about
again. " w^uuk

''^^'

III

■.tm

■m
m

ffi

III

^i^^

CHAPTER VIIL

MARIE ARRESTED.

|N' le«.i„g Victor in tl,e care of the „,„„ «h„
I ""' f pr„v„Ic.ntially co,„e to hi, ai.I. Har.y
hu,ri„l .low,, the street town,-,ls the Abbave
■en he .stoppe,] to tl,i„k-.sh„„l,i he ret.,,., ^,ere „r
;al<o b,s ,va.y l„ the Kic.-,,. ? He co„I.l „„t tell whet ,e,

i:rA!:b;''';;^t■];:;\-^-^'-rer:,
'."i«»n.ie foVhi,!,' t'l'Tia" e :™:;; ™ X"

"u-ht already luive f-illon Tl 7 ^' -^^'^^^

o uj j,H\e laiien. 1 he crowd was ton rrmof

lib :;t:,:.::tit,"'T''"^' -'" -- "--■^--"

-^"J^ \Mtne.s.s, without power to nvm-f *i. •

e haps the assassins had not yet arrived there °'

It was now nnie o'clock in the evoninrr TK. . .
were ahnost deserted. The resn^.^Vll " , A '"'*'

would take stei« to p„t a st« t! tb "'''^

the A..,e„,bly ,lia „o ,>in" Iton ITf •'"'
ter. were absent. The ca;non.:tr:l f t'™:

^^l

THE AlTirOIlS OF TIIK CRIMK. I59

SOun,l..I perpetually. There was no ,seor..t as to whit
was ^.uzno. o„. The Con.n.une luul the insolnJ^

iuiK r.s to tlie bar of the A8.soiiihJv to st«f.. tl..,f
the Pood (> u i«Iin,i t . i 1 •••■'ij' 10 .state tluit

I top c N Kshed to break open tlie door.s of tlie n.-i

A .loputation indeed went to the Abbaye to trv to

persuade the murderers to desist hui M ^

/I.. . 1 • . ^'•-> fu uesi.st, l)ut tl)eir voices worn

fJrowned in tumultuous cries Tl.n ( -

of his ord(>i-« «ni /"^••'"pei intend the execution

f , °''^'''' ""'' prouused the executioners twenfv
four francs a duv The ron.r,, *■ v ., twentj-

v>i 1 -^ leceipt for the payment nf fl.Ja

.tint ;!:',;',: vi ^''™' "■^'■"' ""' ""■ »

f, ui iiuf)e tnat tlie massacre would nnf «v

The bloody work was still c^oina on and tt

. "™^' ol tlie victims and the yells of the crow.f
A sucklen thought struck hin,a„d h'e wental LZ ,
;;:;""■ " "•°"'™ -- "' of a house. He .an" u^ to

■•Madan," he said, "I have the most ur,vent need of
» hounet and sha.l. Win 3,,, ,,„ „„ u,~ l^
on Jhe s ops are all shut, „r I would no t ouh

llyyoJ "■■' ™'^ '° ""'"^ ^°- P"-. »<! I w iU
The woman was surnri^pd o* ^^i •

, auipriseu at this r)roro°'<^'nn V-f

-n,g that a good bargain was to he .[.ade sh^ tked

11
III

J; *

!. I'

160

LA FORCE.

twice the cost of the articles wlien new, and this Harrv
paid lier without question.

Wrappin.. tlie sliawl and bonnet into a bundle he
retraced his steps, and sat down on son.e doorsteps
withm a distance of the Abbaj-e which would enable
hnn to observe any general movement of the crowd in
tront of the prison. At one o'clock in the n.orninc
there w.s a stir, and the body of men with i,ikes nioved
down the street.

" Tliey are going to La Force/' he said, after follow-
ing' them for some distance. "Oh, if I had but two or
three hundred English soldiers here we would n^ake
nnncemeat of these murderers!"

Harry did not enter La Force, where the scenes that
were taking place at the Abbaye-for, in spite of the
•speed with which the mock trials were Inirried through
these massacres were not yet finished there, so £.reat
was the number of prisoners-were repeated

At La Force many ladies were imprisoned, amoncr
them the Princes, de Lamballe. They shared the fate
of the male prisoners, being hewn to pieces by sabre..
liie head of the princess was cut oft and stuck upon
a pike, and was carried in triumph under the windows
of the lemple, where the king and queen were con-
fined, and was held up to the bars of the room they
occupied for them to see. Marie Antoinette, fearless
for herself, fainted at the terrible sight of the pale
nead of her friend.

Harry remained at a little distance from La Force
tramping restlessly up and down, half-mad with racre
and horror, and at his powerlessness to interfere in any

THE EICETRE.

way with the proceedings of tho xv. f l, ,.
oa^ying on the work of° urdor I i t'j"'" *''■•'
o'elock in the corning, . ^tn hy' '"'' ^'°"' ^'«'"

-idwiirckrr^i'.ir"'''^"^''''^^"''^

to the Bic^tre " "^ ^ ^""^ ^omg from there

them when tlfeyw ™ '^^ °™ ^^ \-^^, ^'-t upon
the prison. His „!!* ,!, " '?" '"""''■■'''l .™rds of

in penetrating V rthr™""' 'l "'«''' ^--^
qui.se, and aid ,,er in ^'''T"'' ""'* '''"' "^^ """-
i" the di.sg„i.e h: C'p^Xtd "'' "■™="" ""^ "'<•"

in t^e wr;;7::';:::"-/;"'--. "'^- «•- -^ -">od

took po.sses.sion o£ thel.a I ItT °/ *' ^'°'"'™"*
niitted none to ,..,./f .1 " ™trance and per-

and so handing th^n,!. ° for it 1';"™? '" '""'=''^>
tried to penetrate into t e t^ Hj t, ™i" ""^
was roughly repulsed hv il '^ " P'"°"- He

and at Lt fl^di,; tha^ '^^„"!^" S'^'ding the door;

forced his way o,tUt in „','"=' '""''' ^^ '^™^. '«
ingawayforsorne ikT . °P'" "'■■• "^ ^"0-

the "::;: ^:.:i:z,n^:v'' "'^ ^^^^ ^^ ^

foundhi„ina.;at:ofl JtL'^f--; ««
a.a.n the scene in the Ahhaye,cu:l:?r Jut r;

lifl!

162

A BAD REPORT.

executioners, and cryinn; out ho would die with his
iatlier.

" What does the doctor tliiiik of him?" he asked the
wonian who was sitting by Victor's bed.

"He did not say niucli," the woman replied. "He
shook his head, and said there had been a terrible
mental shock, and that he could not answer eitlier for
his hte or reason. There was nothiny to do but to be
patient, to keep his head bandag-ed with wet cloths,
and to give him water from time to time. Do not be
afraid, sir; we will watch o\er him carefully."

"I would stay if I could," Harry .said; "but I have
others I must see about. I have the terrible news to
break to some young la.lies of the murder of their
lather and mother."

_ "Poor things !-poor things !" the woman said, shak-
ing her head. " It is teirible! My husban.l was tell-
ing me what he saw; and a neighbour came in just
now and .said it was the same thing at all the other
pri.sons. The priest, too-our priest at the little church
at the corner of the street, where I used to go in every
morning to pray on my way to market- he was
dragged away ten days ago to the Carmelit.vs an.]
now he IS a saint in lu.u en. How is it, ,sir, that (Jod
allows such things to be /"

" We cannot t.,.ll," Harry .said sadly. " As for myself
I can hardly believe it, though I .saw it. The^ say
there are over four thousand people in the prisons, and
they will all be murdered. .Such a thing wa.s never
Ijoard of. I can hardly believe that I am not in a
uream now."

"THEY FACED THE JUDOES BDAVELY." 1C3

DieakUst and nuiie. It ,s iust re-i.lv iv + i

mouthful before you iro out TW i " • ''^'' '"

„. 1 "i^jougoout. iliatandapiece of brpq,]

a..d a cup of red wine will do yo,, good."

he wa,'T,Z "" "'" ""'"' <■' '■'■'f"-'!"g; l-'t he felt tl.at

keep up l„s strength. Her husband, therefore took
her pl.ce by Victor's bedside in read i, ess t, ho d ut
down should ho try to get up in his ravines wl e

u°: tir::" ""f r' ^ '-'''" -' "- ^-''"-"i ac' d

H- fl M ,7" ""■ ^"■"" "'"» °" "-table.

fr^m'th! t ' rf '^ ''""''" "■ ■"" "■''«" ho rose
iron he table he already felt the benelit of the n.eai

lliank you very much," ho .said. " I feel stron.rer

iiut I n ust make quite certain before I „o to tlieso
poor gn-ls that their parents were killed." Thre "
tour were spared at the Abbaye I'os iblv it
have been the .san,e thing .>t the Rectrc"' ' '""'

until the bloody work was over; but found on .,„es.
tlie thi St lo, blood had increased with killin. „nd

"Ma foi:» the man wbou, he was speaking to said-

but the.se accursed aristocrats havj cour^^e. M ,'

and wonien were alike; there was not one of the

hut aced the .judges hmvely and went to their , „,h

a. calmly as if ^ dinner. There was a mar ^i „, d

^ !

!i; H

niiijill

164

"THKY KNOW HOW TO DIE, THESE PEOPLR."

his wife-the Marquis de St. Caux they called him
They brought them out together. They were asked
whether they had anything to say why they should
not be punished for tlieir crimes against France The
marquis laughed aloud.

"'Crimes!' he said. 'Do you think a Marquis de
fet. Caux IS going to plead for his life to a band of
murderers and assassins ? Come, my love.'

''He just gave her one kiss, and then took her hand as
It hey were going to walk a minuet together, and then
led her down between the lines of guards with his head
erect and a smile of scorn on his face. She did not
simle but her step never faltered. I watched her
closely She was very pale, and she did not look
proud, but she walked as calmly and steadily as her
husband till they reached the door where the pikemen
were awaiting them, and then it was over in a minute
and they died without a cry or a groan. They are
vyretches the aristocrats. They liave fattened on the
ite-blood of the people; but they know how to die
these people."

Without a word Harry turned away. He had told
himself there was no hope; but he knew by the bitter
pang he felt now that he had hoped to the last Then
he walked slowly away to tell the news.

There were comparatively few people about the
streets, and these all of the lower order. Every shop
was closed. Men with scared faces stood at some of
the doors to g'ather the news from passers-by, and pale
women looked timidly from the upper windows. When
he readied the house he could not summon couraj^e

'•you Must break it to tiikm," 10,5

to enter it, but stood for a Ion,, time „„t,i<,„, „„t„ ',,

window. He succoeJed m catching her «yo, „„,! ,,|„ci„„
1..S finger on h,s hp, signed to her t« ,Lo down X
m.nute later she appeared at the door,

"Is It all true. Monsieur SanJwith ? Thcv wv thev
are murdering the prisoner. 8urel, it ..,Z U!aZ
Ihey could never do such a thin""'

"It is true Louise. I have .se^n it ,„yH„lf. 1 „ent
w-thad,sg„,.,e to try and rescue our d,.«r lady, ITn

her-the wretches have murdered then, l,„H, "

Oh, my dear lady!" the old „„,„an cri„d' hurstin..
.nto tea.-s; "the pretty babe I nursed. To think "lef
murdered; and the poor young things „„ .J^^ I
shall I do!-what shall I do, Monsieur .S,„d.vith!"

You must break ,t to then,, Loui.se. \,„ tb,.v know
how great the danger is?" ^ ^

"No. I have kept it from them. They ram see from
the wmdow that s„„,ething „„„sual VIoTZZ

that the Pruss,an.,vvere advancing. They are «„xi„„I
-very a„x,ous-but they are <,„it« „„p,ep„„„ f„,

"Break it gradually, Louise. Tell them firsi th„t
there are rumours that the prisons have ten attacked
Come down again presently as it to p-t ,„„„ „„„.,
and then tell them that there are rtport: / X

"But will you not coine up. Monsieur Umdmih-

ii'lf

-rf LI

, I

.1 ,!,

166

"it has been dreadful."

Your presence will be a

they trust in you so much ?
support to them."

" I could do nothing now," Harry said sadly. "God
only can console them. They had best be by them-
selves for awhile. I will come in this evening. The
first burst of grief will b, over then, and my talk
may aid them to rouse themselves. Oh, if we had but
tried to get them out of prison sooi^er. And yet who
could have foreseen that here in Paris thousands of
innocent prisoners, men and women, would be mur-
dered in cold blood!"

Finding that she could not persuade Harry to enter,
Louise turned to perform her painful duty; while
Harry, thorouglily exhausted witli the night of horrors
made his way home, and throwing himself on the bed'
fell asleep, and did not wake until evening. His first
step was to plunge his head into water, and then, after
a good wash, to prepare a meal. His sleep had restored
his energy, and with brisk steps he made his way
through the streets to Louise Moulin. He knocked
with his knuckles at the outer door of her apartments.
Ihe old nurse opened it quietly.

" Come in," she said, "and sit down. They are in
their room, and I think they have cried themselves
to sleep. My heart has been breaking all day to see
them. It has been dreadful. Poor little Virginie cried
terribly, and sobbed for hours; but it was a°lon.r time
before the others cried. Marie fainted, and when I oot
her round lay still and quiet without speaking. Jeanne
was worst of all. She sat on that chair with her eyes
staring open and her face as white as if she were dead

"TKLL US ALL AllOL'T IT."

1G7

She did not soom to hear anything I said; hut at la.st,
wlien Virgiiiie's sobs were stopping, I began to talk to
her about lier niotlier and l)cr pretty ways when she
was a cliild, and then at last Jeanne broke down, and
she cried so wildly that I was frightened, and 'then
Marie cried, too; and after a while I persuaded thein all
to lie down; an<l as I have not heard a sound for the
last hour I hope the good God lias sent them all to
sleep."

"I trust so indeed, Louise. I Avill stay he)-e quietly
for an hour, and then if we liear nothing T will go
home, and be back again in the morning. Sleep will
do more for thenj than anything I can say."

At the end of an hour all was still quiet, and Harry
with a somewhat lightened heart took his departure.

At nine o'clock next morning he was again at the
house. When he entered A'irginie ran to" him, and
throwing her arms round his neck again burst into a
p.assion of tears. Harry felt that this was tlie best
thing that could have happened, for the others were
occupied for some time in trying to soothe her, crying
quietly to themselves while they did so. At last her
sobs became less violent.

"And now, Harry," Marie said, turning to him,
"will you tell us all about it?"

"I will tell you only that your dear father and
mother died, as you might be sure they would, calndy
and fearlessly, and that they suffered but little. More
than that I cannot tell you now. Some day far-
ther on, when you can bear it, I will tell you of the
events of the last forty -eight hours. At present I

i ill

ijt'j

168

fLANS Fori THE FUTURE.

"Bo not, I pray you. a.sk me any questions now We

su Ited ;," :": '"""• , *'°''"""'' '^ y- P--d n!

suspected t he la^t t„ne they soarehed the house- but
' n,ay not be so another tin.o. You n,ay be s e'tha
these human t.govs will not be satisHed with the uZ

y have shed, but that they will long for fresh v"
tun. Ihe prisons are empty now, but they will soon
be hlled aga,n. We must therefore turn our thouZ-

t nk '": ;' '''-"■y-''«o; but it must l,e faeed. I
think It will be useless for „s to try and reaeh the
frontier by land At every town and village tfeyw
be on the look-out for fugitives, and whatever dis Ji

tWnk te t'l ''"" °™''' ""' '^™P^ observation I
think, f^ien that we must make for the sea and hire a
hshlng-boat to take us across to England.

" But we must not hurrv Tn Tl.o d.. * i
™ust settle all our plans caretSi;" n " re'tX::
disguises,- ,n the ne.u place, there will be siditonien
Ions exeitoment when the news of what has ha, Zed
here IS known that it would be unsafe to tra 'rl

TLrx a't ■"'?: 'r' *° ™" ^ ""'- ""«'^''«

decide '"' ^ ™"* y" '° «""'' -er an,l

torlhtTl f"^ *''"■" '« «"y ^--y g-eat danger here
tt^d f f ■ ' '^''^'- ^'"^ " ""'" '""« «>ey will be

are marked out as the next victim.,. They say Danton
haa denounced them at the Jacobin Club."^ At aivrS

SI-HEAD OP THE TERROR.

1G9

It viU be better to get everything in readiness for
«ight, so that we can leave at once if we hear of any
tresh measures for a search after suspects."

Harry was pleased to find that his suggestion an-
swered the purpose for which he nuide it. The -iHs
began to discuss the disguises which would be required
and the best route to be taken, and their thoughts
were for a time turned from the loss tliey had lus-
ta:ned After an hour's talk he left them greatly
benefited by his visit.

For the next few days Harry spent his time for the
most part by the bedside of Victor de Gisons. The
fever was still at its height, and the doctor gave but
small hopes of his recovery. Harry determined that
he would not leave Paris until the issue was decided
one way or the other, and when with the girls he dis-
couraged any idea of an immediate flight. This was
the more easy, for the news from the provinces showed
that the situation was every where as bad as it was at
the capital.

The Commune had sent to all the committees actincr
in connection with them in the towns throughout the
country the news of the execution of the enemies of
1^ ranee confined in the prisons, and had urged that a
similar step should at once be taken with reference to
all the prisoners in their hands. The ord-^r was
promptly obeyed, and throughout France massacres
.similar to those in Paris were at once carried out. A
carnival of murder and horror had commenced, and
the madness for blood raged throucrhout the wholp
country, buch being the case, Harry found it by no

Mifi

M-f^

170

TEKHlCLE NEWS

It ;'

"•cans difficult to ,li.«„ado the ..iris horn ,.,);„ ■
■stant .top., toward, ,„ai<i„g tl,ei;et„ ,1 '"' ""

Many onulZT"': '", " ''"'' "'' 8™' ""»■'!"-■
Many of tl,o tiKKl,.m«e deputies luid l,een sei/, .1 nth,.«

fiance with throe girJs, ho would have attempted i
without hesitation rather than ren.ain in Pari, had
not heen for \'ictor de (iison.s. '^

One day a week after tlie massaoro^ nf n,« •

;oeeiveda,„t>,e..te.i,,ie.,„.^

"uiM one ot tlio men sliouting them for s-.1p in j

'Htil he gave a start and a low cry Under th;!

l^lict- aristocrats arrested, August loth in the act
of endeavouring to leave France Tn dis^uis;-

For son.e time Harzy sat as if stunned." He had

It had been as a read v in P'nn-i.,,, i , , -^^

Du Tillet. i^ngland, under the charge of

t'lUKNDS LOST.

IVl

He had thought, that if they had been arrested on
tlie way lie should liave been sure to hear of it; and
he had such conlidenco in f .a-ncity of Monsieur dn
1 diet that ho had k)oked it as nln.ost certain he

vvould be able to lead bi.s two charges through any
lithculty and danger which might beset them? And
now he knew that his hopes had been ill IV.nndod-
that his friends hud been arrested when almost within
.sight of the frontier, and had been murdered as soon
as tlie news of the massacres in Paris had reacheil Lille
He felt crushed with the blow. A warm aflectiim
had si.rung up between him and Ern.st, while from
the first the younger boy had attached himselC to him;
and now they were dead, and the girls were alone in'
the world, save for himself and the poor youno- fellow
tossnig with fever: It was true that if his friends had
reached England in safety they could not liave aide.l
hnn in the tusk he had before him of getting the
girls aw^ay; still their deaths somehow seemed to add
to his responsibilities.

Upon one thing he determined at once, and that
was, that until his charges were safely in England they
should not hoai' a whisper of this new and terrible
misfortune which had befallen them.

In order to afford the girls some slight change.
and anxious at their pale faces, the result of grief and
of their unwonted conlin. ment, Louise Moulin"had per-
suaded them to go out with her in the early mornino-s
when she went to the markets. The fear of detection
was small, for the girls had now become accnstonied to
their thick shoes and rough dresses; and indeed she

Hill

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IMAGE EVALUATION
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Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

''"''is

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it lEhAt

thouglit that it would be safer to go out for fl.. '
cions of her neighbours might be excited 'f tb • T^'"
niained secluded in the house nf ^ ^'^''^' "'"
them soon after th.v « ! fi , '^ generally met
their walk ^ '"^' '"^^ ^^^°"'Panied them in

On- morning he was walkin<v with tbp K..
girls, while Marie and the olrl" J ^'°""°'"

short distance in front of tLm T" 77- ''''''''' ^
the flower-market wM.V ^iiey had just reached

of their J2^:':£zfr^^y^^--^o^eot

their time in the countrf ° ^^"''^^ '"°«* «^

flowers-whonaLTon .: T i'""""'^^^ ^^"^ «^

" '^"'f'^'' L^bat," he corrected. "You f„,..„f .,
are no t.tle.s „ovv_we J.ave changed l^ll7V "
o n,y heart," he went on with a sneer "to be „,,? ?
to do mv dufv h,.i- r ■'JJ^ei, to be obliged

" "V ^uty, but however unnleas-inf if ,• -a
be done. Citizens " h. ..-a .? ,^^ ^t is, it must
^iLuens, he said, raising his voipp " T „, i.

two men well disposed to the state" ' ™*

As to be ill disposed meant dan<.er if nof rl .u

severa men wHhh-, h^^ • x »'^'^ " not death,

" ThJsf , ""S- at once came forward

lere

MABIE IS ARRESTED. 173

deputy of Dijon and member of the Committee of Pub-
he Safety I arrest her and gWe her into your charge.

o?air rT "'° ^''' '''''' ''^'^ S^-« J-r afso
on a charge ot luarbouring an enemy of the state'"

round ,n'"''' Tr": ^^^' """^"^ ^"^^' ^^^ ^°°k-d
round m search of assistance Marie had ^vhispered in

Lonise s ear: " Fly. Louise, for the sake of the children •
it you are arreote.l they are lost!"

Had she herself been alone concerned, the old woman
would have stood by Marie and shared her fate; bu"
the words "tor the sake of the children" decided her
and she had instantly slipped away among the crowd
whose attention had been called by Lebat's^ first wo ^
and dived into a small shop, where she at once be^an
to bargain for some eggs. "

"Where is the wonmn?" Lebat repeated angrily.
What IS she like ?" one of the bystanders asked,
her hJ^I 1 7' 'give no description whatever of
her. He had noticed that Marie was speaking to some
one when he first caught sight of her face; bSt he Z
noticed nothing more, and did not know ^dieti^r he
woman was young or old. — «- c

"I can't tell you," he said in a tone of vexation.
Never nund; we sl.all find her later on. This capture
IS the most important." ^

So sayuig he set out. with Marie walking beside him.
with a guard on either hand. In the next street he
came on a party of four of the armed soldiers of the

hrhlT^'r. "'''^T'^ '^'""^ '' ^'^' ^^' P^-«« °f those
he had first charged with the duty, and directed them
to proeeed With him to the Mairie,

J (■

.il

174

THE CHARGE.

Marie wm taken at once before the committee sittir,,

I clmrge tl„s y„u„g „„„„„ „,•(,, bein„ ^„ ^'^f;'''

ff '"''.Ifst^ '^"^ ■■?''= •''"■="'■'- °f t'°e cMott"

sl^emlll^t BiS;,:::»""° "'^^ "■^""'""' " *^ « »f

"Murdered, you nienn eii" Af„ • -i .
l.o„ 1 ^ . ' ^ "lean, sii, Mane said it: a clear
hau«,,ty vo,oe. •■ Wl.y „ot eai, things b, their p rt"

"I am sorry," Leliat went on, not hcecli,i<r tim int.,.

for I acknowledge that in the days before our olorio m

t..e!i,;;::i:etd."^rr:t;:"'-n'tr'°'

eu,«,d does not deny that s,:!' „ LV^fM;
c-devant n.arquis, I will at onee si^nth order t
her committal to La Forne Ti .°" "i" oider xor
*i, . i, ■".''" '^"i force. Ihere IS room there s'ill
though the prisons are filling up again fast." '

We must have another jail delivery," one of tho
cnnnttee laughed brutally; and a nu,n Lur of as. n
passed through the chamber. '^

to Iho nT^'V'"' '"r^' '"'' "^^^ ^^^"° ^^'^-^^ handed over

to the armed guard, to be taken with the next batch

of prisoners to La Force.

Harry was some twenty yards behind Marie and her

ompanzon when Lebat checked his horse before her
1 e recognized the man instantly, and saw tSlai"
disguise was discovered. His lirst impulse wa.s to ru h

tee sitting
f suspects.
an aristo-
ei-devant
the 2d of

1- a clear
ir proper

he inter-
Jiice her,
glorious
fatlioj-'.s
republic

ident of

the ac-

of tlie

(Jer {'or

sre still,

of the
assent

id over
batch

id her
Q her.
farie's
) rush

"MARIE IS CAPTURKD." 273

attuMpt at n.terlcTcfco instantly rfrudi him a,,,. I

jI.op and l,aJ not noticed wl,„t wa, ocurd,! I.'
turned .suddenly „itl, tl,en, down a side „t,™t. •"

"1 Know what I am doing, Jeanne: I will t(.|l vm,
I-sentI,.- He walked alo4s.verarHi.:,'.u/
can.e to an unfrequented thorou.d.far.

f.'J'T '" •'^"'"f ""S wi-ong, Harry, I so« It i„ your
tace! Jeanne exclaimed. " Tell us at onco "

" It IS bad news." Harry said quietly. '• Try and
nerve 3-our.selves, my dear girls, for you wil/nc
all your courage. Marie is captured."

"Oh Harry!" Virginie exclaimed, bursting into tears
while Jeanne stood still and motionless.

"Why are you taking us away?" she said in a hard
sharp voice winch Harry would not have recogni.e.U
hers. "Our place is with her, and where J^Z

wil jro. ^o" have no right to lead us away, Wo will
go back to her at once."

" you can do her no good, Jeanne, dear." Havry said
gent y. <■ ^ ou could not help her. and it woul.f on
add to her nu.sery if Virginie and you were also in theii-
hands. Le.s.des, we can be of more use o.itsido. Trust
to me, Jeanne; I will do all in my power to nave her
whatever the risk." '

"You could not save our father and mofclier/' Jeanne
said with a quivering lip. ««^wm9

I'M

; 1 f

176

"HAVE THEY TAKEN LOUISE 1"

I'}

"No, dear; but I would have saved them had there
been but a little time to do so. I'his time I hope to be
rnore successful. Courage, Jeanne! do not give way
I depend on your clear head to help me. Besides till
we can get her back, you have to fill Marie's place and
look after Virginie."

The appeal was successful, and Jeanne burst into a
passion of tears. Harry did not try to check them and
in a short time the sobs ceased and Jeanne raised her
head again. ;

"I feel better now," she said. "Come, Virginie, and
dry your eyes, darling; we shall have plenty of time
to cry afterwards. Are we to go home, Harry? Have
tht;) taken Louise?"

"I do not know. Jeanne; that is the first thin^ to
fand out. for if they have, it will not be safe for yoS to
return. Let us push on now, so that if she has not
been taken we shall reach home before her We will
place ourselves at the corner of your street and wait
tor an hour; she may spend some time in Iookin<^ for
us. but if she does not come by the end of that tfme I
shall feel sure that it is because she cannot come and
in that case I must look out for another place for you "
They hurried on until they were nearly home the
brisk walk having, as Harry had calculated it would
do. had the efFect of preventing their thoughts from
dwelling upon Marie's capture. They had not been
more than a quarter of an hour at their post when
Harry gave an exclamation of satisfaction as he saw
Louise Moulin approaching. The two girls hurried to
meet her.

had there
lope to be
?ive way;
isides, till
place and

'st into a
'hem, and
lised her

:inie, and
' of time
^? Have

thiiiff to
»r you to
has not
We will
md wait
ting for
fc time I
me, and
or you."
me, the
; would
ts from
)t been
t when
he saw
:ried to

"ROW DID YOU GET AWAY?" 177

you in the * r„ tin-t; "'" "' r^s"-' °'

anxious thinkiL fUf^t^ • ^^'^^ ^^^^ ^^''^'^Wy

eouM not S>d ^0 and' """"'='' "" '"^'■"^. ">ey

away I ea»e"lr I CdZ" vlt^ "^^ ^" '-"-^
then made up ,„y mi^d 1^77 o"" """*' ""''

come on home J&Xr '"' ^''"'"""' ''^

too® If you had not r "'if " y°" h-d been taken

looked ftran'ofhellrturir "' ^"-ir "^'^

thatyou would not terUh;r;£:Ti:ed'^"™«''

No, mdeed," the old woman said ■ TW „• ..

?rmrrtoVhr.rr's;fr^^t?^

found out somehow for ^^iH they might have

havepuh,i.hedt:vtr:;2t7;iVwrtrTi:h

a descnntion of ino ti xi . '^aKen, with

^ J^tion ot me. Then the neighbours -^ould have

lllll

lil'

1 1

(i illU

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I III

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I .1

178

•'HE IS MUCH QUIETKR."

said, 'This description is like Louise Moulin, and she is
missing;' and then they would have talked, and the
end of it would have been you would have been dis-
covered. Will you come home with us, Monsieur Sand-
with?"

" I will come after it's dark, Louise. The less my
visits are noticed the better."

"This is awful!" Harry said to himself as he turned
away. " The marquis and his wife massacred, Ernest
and Jules murdered, Marie in i^rison, Victor mad with
fever, Jeanne and Virginie with no one to trust to but
me, my people at home in a frightful state of mind
about me. It is awful to think of. It's enough to drive
a fellow out of his senses. Well, I will go and see how
Victor is going on. The doctor thought there was a
change yesterday. Poor fellow! if he comes to his
senses I shall have hard work to keep the truth about
Marie from him. It would send him off again worse
than ever if he had an idea of it."

"And how is your patient to-day, madame?" he
asked, as Victor's nurse opened the door to him.

" He is quieter, much quieter," she replied. "I think
he is too weak to rave any longer; but otherwise he's
just the same. He lies with his eyes open, talking
sometimes to himself, but I cannot make out any sense
in what he says. The doctor has been here this morn-
ing, and he says that he thinks another two days
will decide. If he does not take a turn then he will die.
If he does, he may live, but even then he may not get
his reason again. Poor young fellow! I feel for him
almost as if he were my son, and so does Jacques."

HARUY TAKKS HIS TURN. 179

"You are both very good, ..«adan.e." Harry sai.l

and my fnend is fortunate indeed to l.ave fd en into

-oh good hands. I will sit with hiu. for t ale or u^

hours now. and you had better go and get a litti: frl

"That I will, monsieur. Jacques is asloon W^
",. with hh„ „„ last „i,,„t, and / „ad a^ 7„,Vh T
would liave it so." '"o'lt. lie

".y turn." -lo-'orrow nyht I will take

CHAPTER IX.

I'.

ROBESPIERRE.

|FTER dark Harry presented himself at Louise
' Moulin's.

" Have you thought of anything, Harry?"
was Jeanne's first question. She was alone, for Louise
was cooking, and Virgiuie had lain down and cried her-
seJt to sleep.

" I have thought of a number of things," he replied,
for while he had been sitting by Victor's bedside he
had turned over in his mind every scheme by which
he could get Marie out of prison, "but at present I
have fixed upon nothing. I cannot carry out our ori-
ginal plan of seizing Marat. It would require more
than one o carry out such a scheme, and the friend
whom I rehed upon before can no longer aid me "

de Gisonsr '^'" "^'^""^ ^^^'^^ '^"''^'^- "'^^ '^ ^^°*^°''

"What! bless me, Jeanne!" Harry exclaimed in sur-
prise, how did you guess that?"

"Ifeltsureit wasVictorallaIong,"thegirl said. "In
the first place. I never believed that he had gone away
Mane told me she had begged and prayfd him to

use

JEANNE'S OPINION. jg.

go. and that he had nr.),r

-™ed to t k ;„"^,5°"V° f'T ''"■ «'-

didn't 0,i„k ,„. A ,!.!,.' " "'"■"''' «"■ '■">■ >

"ndloave anyone htlfkT,""'"'' """ "'" "™y
I' wa,, not li^,,; \!^;l ''"'"'->. even if h1„ t„l,| Mnl

risking you,. lifV f„/f; ™; ■" 7 y™ staying l,„,.e „„.|
you and l,ave „o Z2 m ° "" "'•" '"" '"'•"■»' '"
Victor run awa/f B „Tm ^'"'- '*'"' '""^ -^""'d
"■ink he was safe I,a , l! r"""' P''*^"! to

'»d gone, and s^'ne da . ,^ '""f "" ' '''"'"■'' ''"
"I'ould novo,, have oktl.'tV"" 'T """■'''"'• '
I felt sure he ,vouM„"t do 7 "',' ""' » '"■""'"'•• '<"'
;«"■ Ti.en. again ': d' oT'; , tu" "^^ "' '^'"■^"
fnend who was ww-kin,- Ju\ , f """"= »' "'"

■nust have scne rea o n'i ', ^""T' ' ''"" »"^« y""
«« two things to.ethe ? "'?"'- ^°' l"""ng

Wl-t has ha;pe„: :'hi „~° "' " ™" ''^"^

"No, he is iwt in n-r \ "' P'''™" too?"

he is ve,y ia"t\r If """»•'• """■>■ ■^-<'. " '-t
of Victor's fever I H " ""= "■''°''= '^'^'''nstance.s

fer having hit hi,„,„ hard 7 '"^^'^ ^"''''">' "' H^^t
bat the doctor s^ wt ', f" '™>' ^-I'Pose. Jeanne;

that Victor's del iu : "dt V^'" "" '"*"""'«• ""■'
notinanyw^t^,," '™^'o«"^ """'»' *ock and

"°t like your-;*:ertt rit''"^"'- ''"' ' ^'-'•^
have guessed the truth f^ ' ; ""' "'7 S'°d you
things over with you." " ""'"f'"'' 'o talk

noveX!':tutH™ThT;" 'I'"' "" ■•' "'=» »'-
-a. .ept her^;' 7nd '^ e'l^n^'f -'^"^
^^^- c;o„,d X not take Vietor's'l LranftV;::

H ' Hijtl
I'!

1 1 llil

182

"YOU MUST NOT DO THAT."

Ir,

If'
III

1 1

so.^e Marat? I an. not stron. you know; but 1
could hold a kn.fo. and tell l.i.n 1 would kill hhu if ho
cried out I don'c think I could, you know, but ho
wouMn t know that."

"I an. afraid that woul.h.'t do. Jeanne," Harry said
with a shght ,s...ile. shaking his head. " It was a des-
p.'mte enterprise for two of u.s. Deside.s, it would neve.'
do lor you to run the risk of beh.g sepa.ated f.^oir,
V i.g.nie Re,..en.ber you ave father and mother andi
der Sister to her now. The next plan 1 thought of
was to try and get appointed as a warder in the prison
but that seems full of difiiculties. for I know no on.
who could get me such a be.th. an.l certainly thev
would not appo.nt a fellow at n.y age u,.less by so,...
extraor.hna.y .nduence. Then 1 thought if I let out J
was Lnghsh I n.ight get a.-rested and lodged in tho
s^une p..son, and n.ight help her to get out then. Fro...
what I hear the prisoners are not separated, but al.1
Jive together.

" No. no. Harry," Jeanne exclaimed in a tone of
•sharp pain. " you must not do that of all thinrr.s Wa
have only you. and if you are once in prison you mi-d.t
never get out again; besides, there are lots of other
prisons, and there is no reason why they should send
you to La force rather than anywhere else. No I will
never consent to that plan."

;i thoijght it seemed too doubtful myself." Harry
-d. " Of course, if I knew that they would send n.e
to La I orce I might risk it. I could hide a fde and a
steel saw about me. and might cut through the bars-
but. as you say. there is no reason why they should

"WE TIIOltJIIT OF THAT MiluKi:." ]gj

k t at vUlam who a.n.ste.l lu.-tl.e sc.un.lrel.
thlt . l1 *; '""' '^' "" ^'"•^t---l>"fc I <lon-t see
babvT" • '"r."^*" -^y«oo.Un.l would pro-
bably end in n.y ben.r. ,l,ut „j. The n.o.st hopeful

if? \ t''^'^;7''^' ■^^"^' their way to letting her out
^\]thout fear of detection."

"But you know we thou^jht of tlmt before, Harry
ami agreed ,t wo.dd be a terrible ri.sk to try it. for tlfe'
very hrst man you .sj.oke to nught turn round on you."
Of cour,se there i,s a CTtain ri.sk, Jeanne, anj way.
J lK.re 1.S no gettn.g a prisoner out of La Korce without
nuunng .sou.e.sort of risk; the thing is to fix on as .safe
:J,m' r "" T\ ^^^^^■^'-^•' " "".St think it out

I do not Innk the.'e is any j.re.ssing danger just ..t
l-sent. It ,.s har.ny likely there will be ^ny 'repet -

KU. of the wholesale work of the 2d of Septenlbe;
and If they have anything like a trial of the prisoners
there are such nun.bers of then, so many arrested'
avery day. that it n.ay be a long tiu.e before they

tiust to that, only that there is tin.e for us to make
our plans properly. Have you thought of anything?"
I have thought of all sort of things since you left
us this mornmg, Harry, but they are like yours u

you try to work them out. I do not know whether
they let you znside the prisons to sell everytlm.g to the

■M

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liUl

184

"THAT GIRL IS A TRUMP."

t s

prisoners because if they did I ,„ight go in with «,me.
tlnng and see Mavie, and find out Lwlheeould i g„t

Harry shook his head.

"I do not think anyone would be allowed in lil-P
hat, but if they did it would only be a few to wh l'
the privilege would be granted "

milhM \ ^l"""}^'^ °*" ^^'"*' ^^''y-' ^"t one of them
m ght be bnbed perhaps to let me take her place."

be a " -f ; ' f""''^'" ^"-^-^ ^^'^^^ " ^"t tlLe would
be a terrible risk, and I don't think any advantage o
compensate for it. Even if von ri;,l ^;'''^''f ^°e to

I i , ^vcu II you clld ffet 1,0 her <in,l

spoke to her, wj should «fill K.

her out ^f; 1 . ^ "" ""^^'^^^ <^« g-^tting

her out. Still we mustn't be disheartened. We caS
hardly expect to hit upon a scheme at once and J

et us think It over quietly, and perhaps some othfr'
^ea may occur to one of us, I expect it ^ill be to vou
Now good-night; keep your courage up. I rlly vC

omto7T-T' '^^™^' ^"' ^- Son't'know ;hin
comfort It IS to me that you are calm and brave and

hat I can talk things over to you. I don't kno'lhat
I should do If I had it all on my own shouldei^"
Jeanne made no answer, but her eyes were full of

came fiom her lips m answer to his good-night.

That girls a trump, and no mistake," Harry said
to himsel as he descended the stairs. " She liTs !^
-re p uck than most women, and is as cool and calm
as f she were twice her age. Most girls would be
qmte knocked over if they were in h^r plaT Her

A COUNCIL.

185

father and mother murdered, her sister in the hands
of these wretches and danger hanging over herself
and Vn-gmie! It isn't that she doesn't feel it. I can
see she does, quite as much, if not more, than people
who would sit down and howl and wring their hZs
.She is a trump, Jeanne is, and no mistake. And now
about Mane. She must be got out somehow, but how ?
that IS the question. really don't see any possible
way except by bribing ner guards, and I haven't the
east Idea how to set about that. I think to-morrow
1 will tell Jacques and his wife all about it; they may
know some of these n,en, though it isn't likely tha^
tliey do; anyhow, three heads are better than one "

Accordingly, next morning he took the kind-hearted
couple into his counsel. When they heard that the
young lady who had been arrested was the fiancee
of their sick lodger they were greatly interested, but
they shook their heads when he told them that he
was determined at all hazards to get her out of
prison. ^

look^!/''''T-J^V''^. '° "'"''^'" -^^'^"^^ '^'''^' "tJ'at I
ioolv at. Life doesnt seem of nuich account in these

clays; but how could it be done? Even if you made

up your mind to be killed, I don't see that would put

her a bit nearer to getting out of prison; the place is

too strong to bi-eak into or to break out of "

, Jf^? ^ '^''"? """^ '^ '' P°''^^^^ ^^ «"^ceed in that
sort of way; but if the men who have the keys of the
corridors could be bribed, and the guard at \he gate
put soundly to sleep by drugging their drink, it mLht
be managed. **

: ii
' ill

if "

e r I' f
if

I r

186

A SUOGESTlON.

Jacques looked sharply at Harry to see if l,e was in
earnest, and seeing that he was so. said drily

doubt ; ""' ''"^1 ^" '^''' *'""S'^ ''■' «^^ould. no
doubt, see our way; but how could it be managed?"

it wiiri '' ^"'^ '^'" ^''"^' '^"'^"^•^- I'^ "^^ first place
It ^M 1 be necessary to find out in which corridor Ma-
demoiselle e St. Caux is confined; in the second to M

i' posXe ^'r" r'''^"° ''' ^^^' -^ ^°^--

of her 1 ' '' ^'^^^''^''' "^^°"S ^^'-« '- «l^-g„

ot pity and kindness; when that is done we should o
course, try to get hold of hi.n. Of course he doesn

about hat after we have found out the first points "

1 know a woman wim is sister to one of th<.
-n^er. EH.e MedaH said. "I don't know w;;^t
he IS there now or whether he has been turned out
artha :s a good soul, and I know that son.eti.nes s

fo before the troubles the warders used to get out
only once a n>onth. What her brother is like I don'
know, but if he is like her he would. I think bets
the man to help you." ' ^ ^

She^r« '^'"'T' "T^"-^' "^ ^'^'"'^ ^^^^"^^ °f Martha
She IS a good soul and would do her best, I an,

"Thank you both," Harry said; "but I do not wish
} ou to rtm any risks. You have already incurred the

you haza d your lives farther. This woman may as
you say, be ready to help us, but her brother S

I. •!

i i i

lie was in

should, no
laged?"
first place
ridor Ma-
>nd, to le<

to learn,
in chargd
3t' feelino
hould, oH
e doesn'li
; can sec
loints."
! of thd
whothcii
nod out
inie.s sho
broihei',
get ou(

I don'i
be just

Vlartlia,
, I am

)t wish
fed the
tiot let
lay, as

niirrht

A LUT'llCU.

187

betray tlie whole of us, and screen his sister by sayinc
she had only pretended to enter h.to the plot in order
to betray it. ^

rn^^T ^^It''"^ """" ^''''' "''"''y "^''y'" Jacq^ies said

q" ot y. I am sure we can fust Martha, and she
w.l know whether she can rely completely upon her
brother If she can, we will sot her to sound hin..
Ehse will go and see her to-day. and you shall know
M'hat she thmks of it when you come this evening for
your night's watching."

Greatly pleased with this unexpected stroke of luck
Harry went off at once to tell J.unne that the outline
ot a plan to rescue Marie hud been fixed upon
ihe girl's pale face brightened up at the news,
''lerhaps," she said, "we may be able to send a
etter m to her. J should like so to send her just a
line to say that Virginie and I are well. Do you think
it can be done?"

"I do not know, Jeanne. At anyrate you can rely
tha , If It IS possible and all goes well, she shall have
It; but be sure and give no clue by which they mioht
find you out, if the letter falls into wrong han<Is fell
her we are working to get her free, an.l ask if she can
suggest any way of escape; knowing the place she may
see opportunities of which we know nothing. Write
It very small, only on a tiny piece of paper, so that a
man can hide it anywhere, slip it into her hand, or put
It in her ration of bread."

Jeanne wrote the little note-a few lovin- words
and the message Harry had given her.

"Do not sign your name to it." Harry said; "she

(. , If

li ;:

1 i

■

■ 1
!

fiHH

ii
1(1

Is f

I .

188

THINGS LOOK MOKE HOl'EFUL.

will know well enough who it comes from, and it is
better in case it should fall into anyone else's hands."

That evening Harry learned that the woman had
consented to sound her brother, who was still employed
in the prison. She had said she was sure that he
would not betray her even if he refused to aid in the
plan.

"I am to see her to-morrow morning," Elise said.
"She will go straight from me to the prison. She says
discipline is not nearly so strict as it used to be. There
is a v(;ry close watch kept over tlie prisoners, l)ut
friends of the guards can go in and out without trouble,
except that on leaving they have to be accompanied by
the guard to the door, so as to l,e sure that no one is
passing out in disguise. She says her brother is good-
natured but very fond of money. He is ahvavs talking
of retiring and settling down in a farm in"^ Brittanj^
where he comes from, and she thinks that if he thought
he could gain enough to do this he would be read/ to
run some risk, for he hates the terrible things that are
being done now."

" He seems just the man for us," Harry said. " Will
you tell your friend, when you see her in the moining,
that I will give her twenty louis and her brother °a
hundred if he can succeed in getting Idarie out?"

"I will tell them, sir. That offer will set his wits
to work, I have no doubt."

Harry then gave her the note Jeanne had written,
for the woman to iiand to her brother for delivery if
he proved willing to enter into their plan. Harry had
a quiet night of watch.ing, for Victor lay so still that

" Will

iv a

VICTOR TURNS THE CORNER,

189

his friend several times leant over him to Neo if ho
breathed. The doctor had looked in late and Maid that
the crisis was at hand.

" To-morrow jour friend will either sink or he will
turn the corner. He is asleep now and will prol alily
sleep for many hours. He may never wul<a a-ain;
he may wake, recognize you for a few minutes, and
then go off in a last stupor; he may wako stronger and
with a chance of life. Here is a draught tlmt you will
give him as soon as he opens his eyes; potir besides
three or four spoonfuls of soup down his tliroat, and if
he keeps awake do the same every half hour."

It was not until ten o'clock in the morning that
Victor opened his eyes. He looked vaguely round the
room and there was no recognition in his eyos as they
■ fell upon Harry's face, but they had lost tho wild ex-
pression they had worn while he had lain tliero, ond
Harry felt renewed hope as he lifted his haml and
poured the draught between his lips. Then ho gave him
a few spoonfuls of soup and had the satisl'mttion of
seeing his eyes close again and his breathing bucome
more and more reaular.

The doctor, when he came in and felt Victor's pulse,
nodded approval.

'' The fever has quite left him," he said; " I think lie
will do now. It will be slow, very slow, but I think
he will regain his strength; as to his mind, of that I
can say nothing at present."
About mid-day Elise returned.
" I have good news, monsieur," she said at once. " I
waited outside the prison till Martha came out. Her

I I

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190

GOOD NKWS.

1 i
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M s

brother has agi.ed to help if he can, but he said that
he did not think that it would be at all possible to get
mademoiselle out. There are many of the men of th.
taubourgs mixed up with the old warders, and there is
the greatest vigilance to ensure that none escape. There
would be n)any .loors to be opened, and the keys are
all held by diflbrent persons. He says he will think
It over, and if it is any way possible he will risk it
But he wishes first of all to declare that he does not
think that any way of getting her out can be discovered.
He will give her the note on the first opportunity, and
get an answer from her, which he will send to his
sister as soon as he gets a chance,"

"That is all we can expect," Harry said joyfully.
1 did not expect that it would be an easy business
or that the man would be able to hit upon a scheme at
once; but now that he has gone so far as to agree to
carry notes, the thought that he may, if he succeeds
soon have his little farm in Brittany, will sharpen his
wits up wonderfully,"

It was three days before an answer came from Marie
Jacques handed it to Harry when he came to take his
turn by Victors bedside. Victor was better; he was
no longc-r unconscious, but followed with his eyes the
moyoments of those in the room. Once he had said
" W here am I r but the answer " You are with friends'
you have been ill; you sliail hear all about it when
you get stronger," had apparently satisfied him. At
Harry he looked with doubtful recognition. He seemed
to remember the face, but to have no further idea
about it, and even when Hurry said cheerfully

iP:l

said that
b!e to get
len of thft
d there i.s
pe. There

keys are
•ill think
11 risk it.

does not
scovered.
nity, and
d to his

joyfully,
business,
cheme at
agree to
succeeds,
irpen his

n Marie,
take his
he was
jyes the
ad said,
friends;
it when
im. At
seemed
er idea

THE AN.SWEIt

191

'Don't

iber

friend Harry, V

a rememl
he had shaken his liead in feeble ncmtive.

" I expect it will all come back to him," Jacques said,
"as he gets stronger; and after all it is much better
that he should remember nothing at present. It will
be quite time enough for that when he is better able
to stan>l it."

" I agree with you there," Harry said, " and I am
really glad that he did not remember me, Tor had he
done so the past might have come back at once and,
feeble as he is, tliut would have completely knocked
him over."

Upon the receii)t of Marie's note Harry at once
started off at full speed and soon had the satisfaction
of handing it to Jeanne.
She tore it open.

"Do you not know what it is, Harry?"
"How could IV Hany replied. "As you see the
letter is addressed to you. Of course I should not
think of looking at it."

"Why not? You are as much interested in it as I
am. Sit down between me and Virginie and let us
read it together. Why, it is quite a long epistle."

It was written in pencil upon what was evidently
a fly-leaf of a book, and ran as follows:

" My darling Jeanne and Viiginie, you can imagine
what joy I felt when I received your little note to-day
and heard that you were still safe. I could hardly
believe my senses when, on opening the little ball of
paper which one of our guards thrust into my hand, I
found that it was from you, and that you were both

fli

! IS

Hi I

11 '

£ i!

192

AN INSOLENT OFFER.

safe and well. I aia writing this crouched down on
the ground behind Madame de Vigny, and so hidden
from tlie sight of our guards, but I can only write a
few lines at a time, lest I should be detected. Tell our
good friend that I fear there is little chance of escape.
We are watched night and day. We are locked up at
night, three or four together, in little cells, but in the
day we are in a common hall.

' It is a strange mixture. Here are many of the best
blood in France, together with deputies, advocates, and
writers. We may talk together as much as we like,
and sometimes even a joke and a laugh are heard. Every
day some names are called out, and these go and we
never see them again. Do not fret about me, my dear
sisters, we are all ia dod's hands. If it is his will, we
shall be saved ; if not, we nmst face bravely whatever
comes.

" It is a day since I wrote last. A strange thing has
happened which will make your blood boil, Jeanne, as
it has made mine. I M^as called out this morning to
a little room where questions are sometimes asked us,
and who do you think was there? M. Lebat, the son
of the Maire of Dijon— the man who denounced and
arrested me. What do you think the wretch had the
insolence to say? That he loved me, and that if I
would consent to marry him he could save me. He
said that his influence would suffice, not only to get
me free, but to obtain for me some of our estates, and
he told me he would give me time to consider his offer,
but that I must remember that nothing could save me
if I refused. What do you think I did, Jeanne? Some-

down on
so hidden
y write a

Tell our
of escape,
ked up at
ut in the

f the best
cates, and
i we like,
d. Every
) and we
, my dear
( will, we
whatever

;hing has
eanne, as
irninor to
isked us,
<, the son
iced and
had the
;hat if I
me. He
y to get
ites, and
his offer,
save me
? Souie-

ADIEUX.

193

thing very unladylike, I am afraid. I made a step closer
to him. and then 1 gave him a slap on the face which
made my fingers tingle, then I made him a deep curtsy
and said, 'That is my answer. Monsieur Lebat,' and
walked into tlie great liall again.

■' But do not let me waste "a Mno of this last precious
letter Imt I may be able to write to you by sayin.^
more about this wretch. I can see no possible way of
escape, dears, so do not buoy yourseh-es up with hope
I have none. Strange as it may seem to you we are
not ^-ery unhappy here. There are many of our old
friends and .some of the deputies of the Gironde, who
used to attend our salon. We keep up each other's
courage. We talk of other things just as if we were
m a drawing-room, and when the list is called out of
a morning those who are named say good-bj^e bravely:
there is seldom a tear shed.

"So do not think of me as wretched or unhappy in
these last days. And now, n.y sisters, I must say
adieu. You must trust yourselves entirely to our
brave English friend, as you would trust a brother.
He will do all that is possible to take you out of this
unhappy land and conduct you to England, where you
will f^nd Victor, Monsieur du Tillet, and your brothers
who have, I trust, weeks ago arrived there in safety.'
Ihank our friend from me and fiom our dead parents
for his goodness and devotion. That your lives may be
^appy, my dear sisters, will be the last prayer of your
loving Marie." ^

Inside the letter was another tiny note addressed
Z^' " ^"''^^'•" ^^^^^"^' '^^^ the other Jeanne

(381) ^

I (

194

JEANNES NOTE.

took the little note and walking to the wintlow opened
it. As she did so a burning flush of colour swept across
her face to her very brow. She folded it carefully
again and stood looking through the window silently .
for another quarter of an hour before she came back
to the table.

"AVhat is it, Jeanne?" Virginie asked; "have you
been crying, Jeanne dear? you look so flushed. You
must not fret. Harry says we mu.st not give up hope,
for that he believes he may hit upon some plan 'for
saving Slarie yet. He says it's only natural that she
should thiidc there was no means of getting away, but
it was only what he expected. It is we who must
invent something."

" Yes, dear, we will try," Jeanne said with a (luiver
in her lip, and then she suddenly burst into tears.

" You mustn't give way, Joanne," Harry said, when
she recovered hevself a little. " You know how much
I trust to your advice; if you were to break down 1
should lose heart. ])o not think of Marie's letter as
a good-bye. I have not lost hope yet, by a long way.
Why, we have done wonders already in managing to get
a letter in to her and to have her repl}'. I consider half
the difTiculty is over now we have a friend in there."

"I will tiy not to break down again," Jeajine said;
"it is not often T give way, but to-day I do not feel
([uite my.self, and this letter finished me. You will see
I shall be all rioht to-morrow."

"I hope so," Harry said as he rose to leave; "but I
think you had better aslc Louise to give you some-
cheeks

your

quite

; s

A BAD BUSINKSS.

lOfl

Hushod ami you look to mo as if you were fevorish

"I do liope Jt..„no is not goin- to break down."
ilariy sa.d as h, walked toward. Ins lodgin^^ " If sl.u
wore to net laid „,, now that wonld l.o tl.: Ilnishin.r
ouch to . ,v hole a.i;U., la>t peH.^
yl I^^nll n^ht m the morning. No doul.t in that
note A ane wrote as if she were sure of dyin.^ and
■such a le ter as that would be enough to upset any 'irl
oven «uch a p]uel<y one as Jeanne. '

" However, it is of Marie 1 n.ust think now. It was
a brave letter of hers; it is clear she has given up ail
'ope llus IS a had business about the scoundrel
U-bat. I used to wonder why he cauie so often to the
cha eau on business that could have been done just as
wo 1 by a messenger. He saw how things were o-oin-r,
and thought that when the division of the estates^can^e
'6 might get a big slice. However, it's most unfor-
tunate that he should have had this interview with
Marie m the prison. If it had not been for that it
might have been months before her turn came for trial
As It IS, no doubt Lebat will have her name v,ut down"
at once in the list of those for trial, if such a farce
can be called a trial, and will then see that no time is
los beforcMt appears on that fatal list for execution

He will flatter himself, of course, that when tlie
last moment comes, and she sees that there is no hone
whatever, she will change her nund. There is one
thing If she is murdered I will kill him as I would a
dog. for he will be her n.urderer just us much a. if he
liad himself cut her throat. I would do it at owce if it

^ I

AN ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION.

•i

were not for tl.o gi.ls. I u.u.st not run any unnecessary
risks, at anyrato I need not think of him now; the one
thiny at present is to <ret Marie out."

Turning this over in his n.iml, he walked about for
some ]>oiiis, scarce noticing where he was going It
seemed to liim that there must be some way of ..ettin<.
Mane out if he could only hit upon it. He turned
over ni his mind every escape he had ever read of but
in most of these the pris.jner had been a man, capable
oi usmg tools passed in to him to saw through iron bars
pierce walls, or overcome jailors; some liad°been saved
by female relatives, wives or daughters, who went in
and exchanged clothes and places with them, but this
was not feasible liere. This was not a pri.sou where
relatives could call upon friends, for to be a relative or
triend of a prisoner was quite sufficient in the eyes of
the terrorists to mark anyone as being an enemy of the
republic.

He was suddenly roused from his reverie by a cry
and beneath the dim light of a lantern, suspended over
the narrow street, he saw a man feebly defendinc. him-
self agamst two others. He sprang forward iu.:t"as the
man fell, and with h.s stick struck a si ari) bio.. , n the
uplifted wrist of one of the assailai.ts.' sending the
knife he was liolding flying thiough the air The
other turned upon hnn, but he drew the pistol which
he always carried beneath his clothes, and the two
me.n at once took to tlieir heels. Harry replaced his
iaslo. and stooped over the fallen man.
Are yoi! -Pd!y hurt?" he asked.
" No, I taink not, but I do not know. I think I

■V

:\tm

K'lliKMMKKKK SAVKl) FRoM •,„,. A

ssass:ns.

u
u

i; 1

■»

'PI

[!■ I

hi '''

ill

triE RESClTEt) MAi*.

197

slipped down; but they would have killed me had you
not arrived." '^

''Well, let me get you to your feet." PTarry said,
holding out his hands, but with a feeling of some dis-
gust at the abject fear expressed i,i the tones of the
mans voice. He was indeed trembling so that even
when_Harry hauled him to his feet he could scarcely

"You had better lean against the wall for a minute
or two to recover yourself," Harry said. "I see you
have your coat cut on the shoulder, and are bleedin-.
pretty free y, but it is nothing to be frightened about
It you will give me your handkerchief I will bind it
up lor you.

Harry unbuttoned the man's coat, for his hands
shook so n.uch that he was unable to do so, pulled the
arm ou of the sleeve, and tied the bandage tightly
round the shoulder. The man seemed to bebng to the
bourgeois class, and evidently was careful as to his
a tire, which was neat and precise. His linen and the
uffles of his shirt were spotlessly white and of fine
material Ihe short- waisted coat was of olive-green
cloth with bright metal buttons; the waistcoat, exten-
ding tar below the coat, was a light-buff colour, brocaded
with a smal pattern of flowers. When he had bound
«ie wound Harry helped him on with his coat again.
He was by this time recovering himself.

hate^mer''' ''"'*°''^^''" ^" "'"inured, "how they

The words startled Harry. What was this? Hp
had not interfered, as he had supposed, to prevent the

;' iiif

108

AN INSIGNIFICANT FIGURE.

robbery of some quiet citizen by tlie ruffians of the
streets. It was a political assassination that had been
attenipted-a venrroance by Royalists upon one of the
men of the Revolution. He looked more closely at the
person whose life he had saved. He had a thin and
insignificant figure— his face was pale and looked like
that of a student. It seemed to Harry that he had
seen it before, but where he could not say. His lir.st
thought was one of regret that he had interfered tc
save one of the men of the 2d of September; then the
thought fiashed through his mind that there mio-ht be
some benefit to be derived from it. °

"Young man," the stranger said, "will you give me
your arm and escort me home. You have saved my
hie; it is a humble one, but perhaps it is of some value
to France. I live but two streets away. It is not
often I am out alone, for I have many enemies but I
was called suddenly out on business, though I have no
doubt now the message was a fraudulent one, deshmed
snnply to put me into the hands of my foes."

The man spoke in a thin hard voice, which inspired
Harry, he knew not why, with a feeling of repulsion-
he had certainly hoard it l,ofore. He offered him his'
arm and walked with him to his door.
"Come up, I beg you," the stranger said.
He ascended to the second floor and rang at the bell
A woman with a light opened it.

" Why, my brother," she exclaimed on seeincr hi«
face, "you are ill! Has anything happened?" °

" J have been attacked in the street," he .said "but I
am not hurt, though, had it not been for this citizen it

ms of tlie

- had been
3ne of the
iely at the

thin and
)oked like
it he had

His first
irfered tc
; then tlie
miglit be

i give me
saved my
>nie value
It is not
i<\s, but J

- have no
designed

inspired

epulsion;

him his

the bell,
sing his

1, "but I

itizen it

would have gone hardly with n.e. You ha^•o to thank
lum tor having saved your brother's life "

They had entered a sitting-room now. It was
plHinly but very neatly furnished. There were son^e
buds m cages which, late though the hour was, hopped
on their perches and twittered when they heard the
masters voice and he responded with two or three
words of grcetmg to them.

■'Set the supper." he said to his sLster; "the citizen
VMll take a meal with us. You know who I am, J
suppose?" he said to Harry.

"No," Harry replied. " I have a recollection of your
face and voice, but I cannot recall where I have met

" I am Robesi)ierre," he said.

Harry gave a start of surprise. This man whom he
had saved was he whom he had so often execrated-
one of the leaders of those who had deluged France
..h blood the man who, next only to llarat, wl
.atod and feared by the loyalists of France. Hi^ first
teel.ng was one of loathing and hatred, but at the
■same moment there Hashed through his mind the
tl^ought that chance had favoured^him beyond hi
hopes^ and that the con.edy which he had planned
^^ itli \ ,et,.r to carry out upon the person of Marat had
co.ne to pass without premeditation, but with Robes-
pierre as the chief actor.

But so surprised and so delighted was he that for a
minute he sat unable to say a word. Robesi>ierre was
gratified at the effect which his name had produced
His was a strangely-mixed character-at once timid

» if

■ m

Iff

!|f!

U I

f) 1

»■»(-,

200

'YOU AKE SURPIUSED, YoUNO MAN.

and bold, shrinking from personal danger, yet ready
to urge the extrenicst measures. Simple in his tastes,
and yet very vain and greedy of applause. Domestic
and affectionate in his private character, but ready to
shed a river of l)lood in his public ca])acity. Pure in
morals; passionless in his resolves; incorruptible and
inflexible; the more dangerous because he had neither
passion nor hate; because he had not, like Danton and
Marat, a lust for blood, but because human life to him
was as nothing, because had he considered it necessary
that half France should die for the benefit of the other
half he would have signed their death-warrant without
emotion or hesitation.

"You are surprised, young man," he said, "but the
ways of fate are inscrutable. The interposition of a
youth has thwarted the schemes of the enemies of
France. Had you been but ten seconds later I should
have ceased to be, and one of the humble instruments
by which fate is working for the regeneration of the
people would have perished."

While Robesjjierre was speaking Harry had rapidly
thought over the role which it would be best for him
to adopt. Should he avow his real character and ask
for an order for the liberation of Marie as a recompense
for the service he had rendered Robespierre, or should
he retain his present character and obtain Robespierre's
confidence? 'J'here was danger in an open appeal, for,
above all things, Robespierre prided himself upon his
incorruptibility, and he might consider that to free
a prisoner for service rendered to himself would be a
breach of his duty to France. He resolved, therefore,

A DIPLOMATIC REPLV.

201

fco keep silence at present, reserving an appeal to Robes-
Pierre's gratitude for the last extremity.

"Pardon me, monsieur," he said, after ho lia<l rapidly
arrived at this conclusion; "my emotion wan naturally
great at finding that I had unwittingly been tlio .noans
ot saving the life of one on whom the eyes of France
are fixed. I rejoice indeed that I should havo boon
the means of preserving such a life."

This statement was strictly true, altlmu-d. not
perhaps in the sense in which Robespierre r<,'gardod it.

" We will talk more after supper," he Hiikl -<My
sister is. I see, ready with it. Indeed it is long past
our usual hour, and we were just sitting down when I
was called out by what purported to be an important
message from the Club."

Ii;

» -

h I

CHAPTER X.

FREE.

pBESPIERRE chatted continuously as the
meal went on, and Harry asked himself in
astonishment whether he was in a dream,
and if this man before him, talking about his birds, hi.s
Howei-s, and his life before he came to Paris, could
really be the dreaded Robespierre. After the meal waa
over his host said:

"As yet I am ignorant of the nsime of my pre-
server."

" My name is Henry 8andwith," Harry replied.
" It is not a French name," Robespierre said in sur-
prise.

"I am of English parentage," Harry said quietly, " but
have been i-esident for some ytvars in France. I was
for some time in the service of the ci-devant Manpiis
de ,St. Caux; but since the break-up of his house-
hold I have been shifting for myself as best I could,
living chieHy on the n)oneys I had earned in service,'
and on the look-out for any employment that may
offer."

" England is our enemy," Robespierre said, raising

y as the
limself in

a dreara,
i birds, his
-ris, could

meal wafi

my pre-

)lied.

d in snr-

)tly, " but
). T was
Man I Ills
is hcuse-
i I could,
I service,
hat may

, raising

A SECKETAUYSIIII'.

203

his voice angrily; '■ the enen.y of free institutions and
liberty."

"I know nothini,^ about English politics," Harry re-
plied with a smile; " nor indeed about any politics. T
urn but little past eighteen, and so tliat I can earn my
living I do not ask whether my employer is a patriot
or ail aristocrat. It is quite trouble enouuh to eurji
one's living without bothering one's head about politics.
If you can put me in the way of doing so I shall con-
sider that I am well repaid for the little service I
rendered you."

"A.ssuredly I will do so," Rol)cspierre said. " I am a
poor man, you know. I do not put my hand into the
public purse, and I and my sister live as frugally as we
did when we first came to Paris from Arras. Uy oidy
gains have been the liatred of the aristocrats and the
love of the people. But though I have not money, 1
liave influence, and I pi-omise to use it on your behalf.
Until I hear of something suitable you can, if you wilh
work here with me, and share what I jjossess. My
correspondence is very heavy. I am overwhelmed with
letters from the provinces begging me to iniiuire into
grievances and redress . longs. Can you read and
write well?" for from ffarry's words he supposed that
he had held some menial post in tlie household of the
JMarquis de St. Caux.

" Yes, 1 can read and write fairly," Harry said.

"And are you acquainted with the English tongue?"

"I know enough of it to read it," Harry said! "1
spoke it wlien I was a child."

" If you can read it that will do," Robespierre said.

ill

lir

I i t

, £

204

tlATTBRV.

I I

\l :

" Tliere are English papers sent over, and I sliould like
to hear for myself what this periidious people .say of
us, and there are few here who can translate the lan-
guage. Do you accept my proposal?"

"Willingly," Harry said.

" Very well, then, come here at nine o'clock in the
morning. But mind you are only filling the post of
my secretary until I can find something better for \ou
to do." "^

"The post will be a better one some day. Monsieur
Robespierre. Ere long you will be the greatest man in
France, and the post of secretary will be one which
may well be envied."

"Ah, I see you know how to flatter," Robespierre
said with a smile, much gratified nevertheless with
Harry's words. " You nmst remember that I crave no
dignities, that I care only for the welfare of France."

" I know, monsieur, that you are called ' Robespierre
the Incorruptible,' " Harry said; "but, nevertheless, you
belong to France, and France will assuredly see that
some day you have such a reward as you richlv
merit." ^

" There was no untruth in that," Hany said to him-
self as he made his way down stairs. " These human
tigers will meet their doom when France comes to her
senses. He is a strange contrast, this man; but I sup-
pose that even the tiger is a domestic animal in his own
family. His food almost choked me, and had I not known
that Marie's fate depends upon my calmness, I should
assuredly have broken out and told this dapper little
demagogue my opinion of him. But this is glorious!

lOuM like
pie .say of
I the lan-

ik in the
e post of
r for you

Monsieur
it man in
16 which

bespierre
ess with
crave no
ranee."
Despierre
less, you
see that

I richly

to hiin-
! human
iS to her

I I sup-
his own
b known

should
sr little
loi'lous !

"WHAT IS IT, HARRY?" 206

What news I .shall have to give the girls in the morn-
ing. It I cannot ensure Marie's freedom now I .should
be a burigler indeed. Had I had the planning of the
events oi this evening they could not have turned out
better for u.s.

It was the first time that Harry had called at Louise
Moulm.s as early as dght o'clock in the morning, and
Jeanne leaped up as he entered.
J What is it, Harry ? You bring us some news, don't

"I do indeed, Jeanne; capital news. Whom do you
tinnk I had suppe- with la.st night?"

"Had supper with, Harry! "Jeanne repeated. "What
wuh r "''''''■ ^''' ''''' ^ ^"''' ''^°'" ^°" ^'"""^ '"PP^^

"I am sure you cannot guess, Joanne, so I will not
puzzle your brain. I had supper with Robespierre."

'With Robespierre!" the two girls repeated in a.s-
tonishment. "You are not joking, Harry?" Jeanne
went on; "but no, you cannot be doing that; tell us how
you came to have supper with Robespierre."

" My dear Jeanne, I regard it as a special providence
as an answer from God to your prayers for Marie. I
Had the good fortune to save his life."

n^J^^V^''""^'" '^'''''''^ exclaimed, "what happir.css!
Then Mane's life will be saved."

"I think I can almost promise you that, Jeanne,
Wiough I do not know yet exactly how it's to be done,
liut such a piece of good fortune would never have
been sent to me had it not been intended that we
-should save Marie. Now. sit do'-n quietly, both of

¥ -Jl

( ii

■« ,. lii

" it

206

AT V'ORK.

yon, and you too, Louis.', and let nie tell you all about
It. for I have to be witli Kubcspiene a-uin at nine
o clock."

"Oh, that is fortunate indeed!" Jeanne exclaimed
when he had finished. "Surely he cannot refus.^ any
recniest you may make now."

"If he docs, I must yet it out of him somehow"
Harry said cheerfully. " By fair nicans or foul 1 will
get the order fur her release."

" But you don't think he can refuse, Harry?" Jcamie
asked anxiously.

_ " I think he may refuse, Jeanne. He is proud of his
inteor.ty and incorruptibility, anc. J think it quite
possible that he may refuse to grant Marie's release
in return for a benefit done him personally. However
do not let that discourage you in the least. As I said,'
I wdl have the order by fair means or foul."

At nine o'clock Harry presente.l himself in readiness
tor work, and found that his post would be no sinecure,
ihe correspondence which he had to .-o through was
enormous. Requests for favours, letters of cm-ratu-
hition on Robesj.ierre's speeches and motions in the
Assend.ly, reports of scores of provincial conn.uttees,
.enunciations of aristocrats, letters of blame because
the work of i-outing out the suspects <lid „ot pj^oceed
luster, entreaties from friends of prisoners. All these
liad to be sorted, road, and answered.

Robespierre was, Harry soon found, methodical in
the extreme. He read every letter himself, and not
only gave directions how they were to be answered but
read tlirough the answers when written, and was most

1 all about
in at niuti

exclaimed
efiH.^ any

lotuohow,"
uul 1 will

?" Jeanne

)U(I of his
it qiiito
's release
Ho\ve\er,
^s I said,

readiness
sinecure.
'Ugh was
• -ngratu-
■s in the
iniittees,
because
pi'oceed
ill tliese

idical in
and not
!red, but
as must

llOBESIMERRE IS WELL SATISFIED. 207

careful before be affixed Ins signature to any paper
whatever. \\ ben it was tin.e for inm to leave for tbo
Assembly be n.ade a note in pencil on eacb letter hoNv
It should be answered, and directed Harry when he
had finished them to leave them on the table lor him on
his return.

"I foresee that you will be of great value to me
Monsieur Sandwith,' he said, "and 1 .shall be able
to recommend you fur any otiice that may be vacant
with a teelmg of confidence that you will do justice to
my recommendation; or if you would rather, as time
l?oes on. attach your fortunes to mine, be assured that
•It I should ri.se to power your fortune will be made.
V\hen you have done these letters your time will be
rour ou-n for the rest of the day. You know our meal
hours and I can only say that we are punctual to a
Kecond.

When Harry had finished he strolled out. He saw
that the task of getting an order for Marie's release
ivould be more difficult than he had anticipated. He
had hoped that by placing it with a batch of papers
before Robespierre he would get him to sign it am,.n..
othens without reading it, but he now .saw that this
would be next to impossible. One thing aUbrded lum
grounds for satisfaction. Among the papers was a list
of the prisoners to be brought up on the followin-.
day for trial. To this Robespierre added two names"
and then signed it an<l sent it back to the i.rison'
Ihere was another list with the names of the prisoners
to be executed on the following d.ay, and this, Harry
learned, was not sent in to the prison authorities until

208

THE day's work.

late in the evening, so that even they were ignorant
until the last nioiuont which of the prisoners were to
be culled I'or by the tumbrils next morning. Thus he
would know when Marie was to go through the
mockery of a trial, and would also know when her
name was put on the fatal list for the guillotine. The
first fact he might have been able to learn from his
ally in the prison, but the second and most important
he Could not have obtained in any other way.

The work had been frecjuently interrupted by callers.
Members of the Committee of I'ublic Safety, leaders
of the Jacobin and Cordeliers Clubs, and others, dropped
in and asked Jlobespierre's advice, or discussed measures
to be taken; and after a day or two Harry found that
it was very seldom, except when taking his meals, that
Robespierre was alone while in the house; and as hia
sister was in and out of the room all day, the idea of
compelling him by force to sign the order, as they had
originally intended to do with Marat, was clearly im-
pi*acticable.

Each day after his work was over, and this was gene-
rally completed by about one o'clock, Harry called to see
how Victor was getting on. He was gaining strength, but
his brain appeared to make far less progress than his
bodily health. He did not recognize Harry in the least,
and although he would answer questions that were
asked him, his mind appeared a blank as to the past,
and he often lay for hours without speal ing a word.
After leaving him Harry met Louise and the two girls
at a spot agreed upon the day before, a fresh meeting-
place being arranged each day. He found it difficult

MrXRD FKEMNna

209

! ignorant
rs were to

Thus he
•ou<,'h the
when her
;ine. The

from his
important

by callers.
ty, leaders
•s, dropped
1 measures
oiind that
neals, that
ind as his
he idea of
i they had
ilearly iin-

was gene-
illed to see
:ength,but
IS than his
1 the least,
that were
) the past,
ig a word.
3 two girls
1 meeting-
it difficult

to at,»fy ,,«„, f„,. ;„,,„,,, ^„^,|, ,,^ ,

ana „,„re ,I„uWf„l a,, to l,i.s ability to got the or,lerl t

he oal,„„es» with which, i„ hi, Ictto,^ to the p,-ovi ..id
conuM.tto.,, he „,lv.„c„t.d wh„l,,„l.. ..xoctioan „ ,1
™e.. He w„,„Ie,.e,l at the vi„l,.„o., with wi, I in

the most iovolMti,„mry ,n„as,„o». He mlnured tlie
sn,,p ,e,ty „.M,i» liiej, .H^^^^^^^^
h. His, h,, l<,„d„,..s.s of heart in all .nattera in which
politics were not coiiceriie,!.

Among Ifohcspierre's vi.,itor» during the next three

pert ,:::\'"'"';r''° ™' ""■^-^' '■°""''.'"' '-I-ortan

ot ™m:\ i''f > T' ''■''""""™ °" ">" Con'oiittee
ot 1 ubi c .Safety oi the province of Burgundy and

one of the most extromo of the frei.uenter,, rf the

Jacobin Chib. He did not recog„i.e Harrv, wliom he

v'lT'n "f'"'' P"'-"""'-'-'? "■> tl.e occkon of hi.,
V sit, tie chateau, and who, in the somewhat tliread-
bare bla^k suit which he ha,l assumed instead of the
workman's blouse, wrote steadily at a table apart
Wung apparently no notice of what wa. going on in
the apartment. *

But Hany's time was not altogetlier thrown away

and .sort he letters and lay them in piles upon the

able used by Robespierre himself, and he managed

ej^ry day to shp quietly into his pocket several of Ihe

tetters of denunciation a.oainst person.^ - • ■

sguhse or as behxr

inspected of hostility to the Com

210

HARllY nOKS SOME GOOD WOUK.

lit

mune. When Robespierre left him to go to the Club
or the Assembly Hivrry would write short notes of
warning in a (iisguised hand to the persons named,
and would, when he went out, leave these at their
doors. Thus he had the satisfaction of saving a con-
siderable number of persons from the clutches of the
revolutionists. He would then, two or three days
later, slip the letters of denunciation, very few of
which were dated, among the rest of the correspon-
dence, satisfied that when search was made the persons
named would already have shifted their quarters and
assumed some other disguise.

February had come and Harry was still working
and waiting, busy for several hours each day writing
and exauiining reports with Robespierre, striving of an
evening to keep up the courage and spirits of the gii'ls,
calling in for a few minutes each day to see Victor,
who, after passing through a long and terrible fever,
now lay weak and apparently unconscious alike of the
past and present, his mind completely gone; but the
doctor told Harry that in this respect he did not think
the case was hopeless.

"His strength seems to have absolutely deserted
him," he said, "and his mind is a blank like that of a
little child, but I by no means despair of his gradually
recovering; and if he could hear the voice of the
lady you tell me lie is engaged to, it might strike a
chord now lying dormant and set the biain at work
again."

But as to Marie, Harry could do nothing. Do what
he would, he could hit upon no plan whatever for get-

TIIR KING IN VniSON.

211

the Club
notes of
s named,
at their
ig a con-
is of the
ree days
' few of
)rrespon-
3 persons
iters and

working
{ writing
ing of an
the girls,
36 Victor,
ble fever,
ke of the
; but the
act think

deserted
that of a
gradually
;e of the

strike a
I at work

Do what
r for get-

tnig her out of prison; and he could only wait until
some change in the situation or the ai)pearance of her
name ni tlie fatal list might atiord some opportunity
tor action. It was evident to him that Lebat was
not pushing matters forward, but that he preferred to
wait and leave the horror of months in prison to work
upon Marie's mind, and so break her down that she
would be willing enough to purchase her life by a
marriage with him.

There had been some little lull in the work of blood
for in December all eyes had been turned to the spec-
tacle of the trial of the king.

From the lOth of August he had remained a close
prisoner in the Temple, watched and insulted by his
ruffian guards, and passing the time in the midst of
his family with a serenity of mind, a calmness, and
tranquillity which went far to redeem the blunders he
had made during the preceding three years. The fol-
lowing is the account written by the princess royal in
lier journal or the manner in which the family passed
their days: —

"My father rose at seven and said prayers till eight-
then dressing himself he was with my brother "till
nine, when he came to breakfast with my mother.
After breakfast my father gave us lessons till eleven
o'clock; and then my brother played till midday, when
we went to walk together, whatever the weather was.
because at that hour they relieved guard and wished
to see us to l^e sure of our presence. Our walk was con-
tinued till two o'clock, when we dined. After dinner
my father and mother played at backgammon, or rather

:i , i

!i i I

212

THE TRIAL.

pretended to play, in order to have an opportunity of
talkinjj together for a short time.

"At four o'clock my mother went up stairs with us,
because the king then usually took a nap. At six
o'clock my brother went down, and my father gave us
lessons till supper at nine. After supper my mother
soon went to bed. We then went up stairs, and the
king went to bed at eleven. My mother worked much
at tapestry ana made me study, and frequently read
alone. Aly aunt said prayers and read the service
she also read many religious books, usually aloud."

But harmless as was the life of the royal family,
Danton and the Jacobins were determined upon having
their lives. The mockery of the trial commenced on
the 10th of December. Malesherbes, Tronchet, and
Deseze defended him fearlessly and eloquently, but
it was useless — the king was condemned beforehand.
Robespierre and Marat led the assault. The Girondists,
themselves menaced and alarmed, stood neutral; but
on the loth of January the question was put to the
Assembly, " Is Louis Capet, formerly King of the
French, guilty of conspiracy and attempt against the
general safety of the state ? "

With scarcely a single exception, the Assembly re-
turned an affirmative answer, and on the 17th the final
vote was taken. Three hundred and sixty-one voted
for death, two for imprisonment, two hundred and
eighty-six for detention, banishment, or conditional
death, forty-six for death but after a delay, twenty-six
for death but with a wish that the Assembly should
revise the sentence.

THE EXECUTION OP THE KINO. 213

Sentence of death was pronounced. After a sittincr
which asted for thirty-seven hours there was anothe^
struggle between the advocates of delay and those of
instant execution, but the latter won; and after parting
with noble resignation from his wife and family, the
king, on the 21st. was executed. His bearing excited
the admiration even of his bitterest foes

France looked on an.azed and appalled at the act
for Louis had undoubtedly striven his best to lessen
abuses and to go with the people in the path of reform
It was his objection to shed blood, his readiness to give
way h,s affection for the people, which had allowed
the Revolution to march on its bloody way without a
check It was the victims-the nobles, the priests, the
delicate women and cultured men-who had reason to
complain; or it was the king's hatred to resistance
which left them at the mercy of their foes. Louis had
been the best friend of the Revolution that slew him

Ihe trial and execution of the king had at least
the good eftect of diverting the minds of Jeanne and
Virgmie from their own anxieties. Jeanne was pa.s-
sionate and Virginie tearful in their sorrow and in-
dignation. Over and over again Jeanne implored
Harry to try to save the king. There were still many
Royalists, and indeed the bulk of the people were
shocked and alienated by the violence of the Conven-
tion; and Jeanne urged that Harry might, from his
connection with Robespierre, obtain some pass or docu-
ment which would enable the king to escape. But
Harry infused to make any attempt whatever on

I rrl

214

HARRY DECLINKS TO lNTl5nVl!;NI<:.

I' >

It ■

" In tlie first place, Jeanne, it would be absolutely
impossible for the king, watched as he is, to escape;
and no pass or permit that Robespierre could give
would be of the suiallest utility. You must remember,
that although all apparently unite against the king,
there is a never-ending struggle going on in the Con-
vention between the various parties and the various
leaders. Robespierre is but one of them, although,
perhaps, the most prominent; but could I wring a pass
from him even if only to see the king, that pass would
not be respected.

"In the next place, Jeanne, 1 have nothing to do
with these struggles in France. I am staying here to
do what little I can to watch over you and Virginie,
for the sake of your dear parents and because I love
you both; and I have also, if possible, to rescue Marie
from the hands of these murderers. The resi)onsibility
is heavy enough; and could I, by merely using Robes-
pierre's name, rescue the king and queen and theii
children and pass them across the frontier, I would
not do it if the act in the slightest degree inter-
fered with my freedom of action towards you and
Marie."

" But Virginie and I would die for the king!" Jeanne
said passionately.

"Happily, Jeanne," Harry replied coolly, "your
dying would in no respect benetit him; and as your
life is in my eyes of a thousand times more consequence
than that of the king, and as your chances of safety to
some extent depend upon mine, I do not mean to risk
one of those chances for the sake of his majesty. Be-

;

ibsolntely
to escape;
ould give
'erneiTiber,
the king,
the Con-
le various
although,
ing a pass
ass would

ing to do
ig here to

Virginie,
ise I love
cue Marie
lonsibility
ng Robes-
md their
, I would
fee inter-

you and

! " Jeanne

y, "your
I as your
^sequence
safety to
in to risk
.sty. Be-

"MY INTEN'riONS AUE GOOD." gift

sides, to tell you the truth, I have a goo<l deal of likir,.
forrny own life, and have a marked objection to loHin-^
vny head. You see I have people at home who arc f„nd
ot me. and who want to see me back again with that
liead on my shoulders."

"I know, Harry; I know," Jeanne said with her
ej-^s full of tears. "Do not think that I am ungmto-
ful because I talk so. I am always thinkin-^ how
wrong it is that you should be staying hero risking
your life for us instead of going home to thoH., who
love you. I think sometimes Virginie and I ought to
give ourselves up, and then you could go hon.o." ^nd
Jeanne burst into tcar.s.

"My dear Jeanne," Harry said soothingly, "do n<,t
worry yourself about me. It would have been junt as
dangerous at the time your father was taken rn-mtwr
tor me to have tried to escape from the country as it
was to stay here-in fact I should say that it wftH a
good deal more dangerous; and at present, as Koh.^H-
pierre's secretary, 1 am in no danger at all. Ifc jn a
little disagreeable certainly serving a man whom one
regards ni some respects as being a sort of wild hmnt-
but at the same time, in his own hou.se, I am bound to'
say. he is a very decent kind of man and not at all a
bad fellow to get on with.

"As to what I have done for you, so far as I ntm 1
have done nothing beyond bringing you hero in the
hrst place, and coming to have a pleasant chat with
you every evening. Nor, with the best will in the
world, have I been able to be of the slightest assistance
to Mario. As we say at home, my intentions are good-

i :

I I n

216

ON THE LIST.

', ;.!

but so far the intentions have borne no useful fruit
whatever. Come, Jeanne, dry your eyes, for it is not
often that I have seen you cry. We have thrown
in our lot together, and we sliall swim or sink in
company.

"You keep up my spirits and I keep up yours.
Don't let there be any talk about gratitude. There
will be time enough for tliat if I ever get you safely
to England. Then, perhaps, I may send in my bill
and ask for payment."

Harry spoke lightly, and Jeanne with a great effort
recovered her composure; and after that, although the
trial and danger of the king were nightly discu.ssed
and lan)ented, she never said a word as to any possi-
bility of the catastrophe being averted.

One day towards the end of February Harry felt a
thrill run through him as, on glancing over the list of
persons to be tried on the following day, he saw the
name of Marie, daughter of the ci-d vant Marquis de
St. Caux. Although his knowledge of Robespierre's
character gave him little ground for hope, he deter-
mined upon making a direct appeal.

" I see, citizen," he said— for such was the mode of
address universal at that time— "that among the list
of persons to be tried is the name of Marie de St
Caux."

"Say Marie Caux," Robespierre said reprovingly.
"You know de and St. are both forbidden prefixes.
Yes; what would you say about her?"

"I told you, citizen, upon the first night when I
came here, that I had been in the service of the father

i ' i

)ful fruit

it is not

e thrown

• sink in

ip yours.
J. There
ou safely
1 my bill

eat effort
ough the
discussed
ny possi-

■ry felt a
he list of
saw the
irquis de
jspierre's
le deter-

mode of

the list

e de St.

ovingly.
prefixes.

when I
e father

THE APPEAL REJECTED.

217

VeZlTl f f '' ;'^' ^''"^ "P°" *'^« ^^°°d of the

when we fi. r' . '^'/'" ''"^^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^^e night

■ oftlL vf " ' ""' ^?" ^^^'^ ^'^-^"^ "- *he freedom
hor fatl,er she cannot have shared in them. She is
young, and cannot do harm to any; therefore I imp lo e
you to givo me her life." '"ipiore

ealmlv"" 'r?"""^ "' 1°"' ""i"'''" Robespierre said
eeS "°,'"°" ^'^""S' *° « ™=« »1» have for

sh™u neTT' 'r"'"' ''"'^ " ■» better that they
b™!^^tC . "•"""•- " ^'"^ ™" ~""°o^ 'he tri^
shewil h 'Vr°''™'''f "" "tae, undoubtedly

th obbgafon I am under to you, interfere on her be-
half, such an act would be treason to the people and

wtftLT '"r '™ r" ™™s'' "y "- «-"

avaie that nothmg whatever would induce me to
al ow my prn-ate inclinations to interfere with the

enough, but It ,s you,-s; but this thing I cannot grant

For a moment Harry v.as on the point of bursting
out md,gnantly, but he cheeked hiu'clf and „itl ™^
a word went on with his writing, althou..h tears of
disappointment for a time almost bimded him Z^ he
felt It would be hopeless to urge the point further.

111

III!

!i I

ill

1
f

218

1>i;actisiN(j a sionatuue.

I! I

and that did ho do so he might forfeit the opportunity
he now had of learning what was going on.

Another month passed before the name appeared on
the fatal list. In the meantime Harry had corresponded
regularly with Marie by means of the warder, and had
even once seen her and exchanged a few words with
her, having been sent by Robespierre with a letter to
the governor of the prison.

Marie was greatly changed: her colour had faded
away, the former somewhat haughty air and carriage
had disap])eared, and there was an expression of
patient resignation on her face. Harry had only the
op[)ortunity to whisper to her "Hope always, all is
not lost yet." He had spent hours each day in his
lodging imitating the signature of Robespierre, and he
had made up his mind that, should all other etibits
fail, he would boldly present himself at the prison
with an order for Marie's release, with Robespierre's
siirnature foro;ed at the bottom.

He thought he could write it now plainly enough
for it to pass; his fear was that the prison authorities
would not act upon it unless presented by a well-
known official personage without first sending to
Robespierre to have it verified.

Still but little change had taken place in Victor de
Gisons' condition. He remained in a state almost of
lethargy, with an expression of dull hopelessness on
his face; sometimes he passed his hand wearily across
his forehead as if he were trying to recollect sonie-
thinor he had lost; he was still too weak to stand, but
Jacques and his wife would dress him and place him

tortunity

eared on
jsponded
and had
irds with
letter to

ad faded
carriage
jssion ol
only the
ys, all is
ly in luH
e, and lie
er efforts
le prison
espierre's

y enough
uthoritics
' a well-
ading to

Victor de
almost of
ssness on
ily across
ect some-
itand, but
)lace him

A DIFFICULT QUKsTI0^f.

219

on a couch which Harry purcliasod for his use. The
worthy couple ran no risk now, for the sharpest spy
would fail to reooi^niize in the bowed-down invalid
with vacant face, the once brilliant Victor de Gisons.

Hairy hail many talks with Jeanne concerning' him.
" What should we do, Harry," the girl said over and
over again, "if we could get Marie away and all get
safe together to iuigland, which I begin to despair
now of our ever doing, but if wo should do it what
should we say to Marie? She thinks Victor is safe
there. Only the other day, as you know, she sent us
out a letter to liim. What would she say when .she
learned on her arrival in England that Victor has all
this time been lying broken down and in sufi"erin<' in
Paris?"

To this question Harry, for a long time, could give
no answer. At last he said, "I have been thinking it
over, Jeanne, and I feel that we have no right to take
Marie away without her knowing the truth about
Victor. His misfortunes have come upon him because
he would stop in Paris to watch over her. I feel now
that she has the right, if she chooses, of sto])ping in
Paris to look after him."

"Oh, Harry, you would never think of our going
away and leaving her!"

"I don't know, Jeanne, if it would not be best.
She could stay in the disguise of a peasant girl with
Jacques and his wife; they would give out that she
was Victor's sister who had come to nurse him. I have
great hopes that her voice and presence would do what
we have failed to do, namely, awaken him from his

] •

1 ^

'! f

i
i

(

220

A DOUULE SHOCK.

[! I

sad state of letlmrgy. Tliey could stay there fur months
until these evil days are over. Jacques' workmen
friends are aceustonied now to Victor being with him,
and there is no cli'ince of any suspicion arising that
he is not what he seems to be, a workman whom
Jacques picked up injured and in.sensible on that
terrible night. It would seem natural that his sister
or his fiancee — JMarie could pass for whichever she
chose — should come and help take care of him."

" Then if she can stop in Paris vv'ith Victor, of course
we can stop with Louise?"

"I am afraid not," Harry said. "Every day the search
for suspects becomes stricter; every day people are
being seized and called upon to produce the papers
proving their identity; and I fear, Jeanne, there is no
hope of permanent safety for you save in flight."

It was just a month from the mock trial, at which
Marie had been found guilty an ' sentenced to death,
that Harry received a double shook. Among the letters
of denunciation was the following: "Citizen, I know
jhat you watch over the state. I would have you
know that for more than seven months two girls have
been dwelling with one Louise Moulin of 15 Rue
Michel; there were three of them, but the eldest has
disappeared. This, in itself, is mysterious; the old
woman herself was a servant in the family of the
ci-devant Marquis de St. Caux. She gives out that
the girls are relatives of hers, but it is believed in
the neighbourhood that they are aristocrats in dis-
guise. They receive many visits from a young man
of whom no one knows anything."

THE CRISIS.

221

•r inont/hs
Workmen
vith him,
sing that
m whom
on that
his sister
levcr sho
n.
of course

he searcli
30ple are
16 papers
lere is no
lit."

at which
to death,
he letters
, I know
lave you
firls have

15 Rue
Idest lias

the old
y of the
out that
lieved in
3 in dis-
ung man

Harry felt the colour leave his cheeks, and his hand
shook as ho hastily abstracted the note, and he could
scarcely master the meaning of the next few letters
he opened.

This was a sudden blow for which he was unpre-
pared. He could not even think what was best to be
done. However, saying to himself that he had at any-
rate a few days before him, he resolutely put the matter
aside, to be thought over when he was alone, and pro-
ceeded with his work. After a time ho came to the
list of those marked out for execution on the following
day, and saw with a fresh pang the name of Marie de
St. Caux,

So the crisis had arrived. That night or never
Marie must be rescued, and his plan of forging Robes-
pierre's signature must be put into eflect that day. He
opened the next few papers mechanically, but steadied
himself upon Robespierre asking him a question.
For a time he worked on; but his brain was swim-
ming, and he was on the point of saying that he felt
strangely unwell, and must ask to be excused his work
for that day, when he heard a ring at the bell, and a
moment later Lebat entered the room.

" I have just come from the tribunal, citizen," he
said, "and have seen the list for to-morrow. I Jiave
come to you, as I know you are just, and abhor the
shedding of innocent blood. There is among the
number a young girl, who is wholly innocent. I know
her well, for she comes from my jirovince, and her
father's chateau was within a few miles of Dijon.
Although liur father was a furious aristocrat, her heart

I h

<'n

223

M. i,ki!At's UKgiysr.

wns always witli tlio people. She was good to the
poor, ami was hcloved by nil tlio tcimnts on the estate.
It is not just that she should die for the sins of her
parents. Moreover, henceforth, if pardoned, she will
he no longer an aristocrat. 1 respond for her; for she
has prouused to marry nie, the delegate of Burgiuidy
to the Conununo. 'J'he young woman is the daunhter
of the man called the Mai'(|uis de St. (.'aux, who met his
de.served fate on the rid of Septendjcr.'

"You are willing to respond for her, citizen?"
Robespierre said.

"1 am. The fact that she will be my wife is surely
a guarantee?"

"It is," Robespierre said. "What yon toll me con-
vinces me that I can without damage to the cause of
the people grant your request. I am the more glad
to do so since luy secretary has also prayed for her
life. But though he rendered me the greatest service,
and I owe to liim a debt of gratitude, 1 was obliged to
refuse; for to giant his roipiest would have been to
allow private feeling tij interfere with the justice of
the people; but now it is different. You tell me that,
except by birth, she is no aristocrat; that she has long
been a friend of the people, and that she is going to be
your wife; on these grounds I can with a good con-
science grant her release."

Lebat had looked with astoni.shment at Harry as
Robe.spierre spoko.

"Thank you, citizen," he said to Robe.spierre. "It
is an act of justice which I relied upon from your
well-known cluiractcr. I promise you that your cleuj-

"HE SAVKI) MY LIKK."

:)d to the
he estate.
MS uf lier
, she will
r; for slic
■^iirLrunilv
daughter
lo met liis

citizen?"

is surely

I me con-
! cause of
lore glad
1 for her
it service,
)b]iij'ed to
3 been to
justice of
me that,
! has long
>ing to be
jood con-

Hariy as

rre. "It
■om your
9ur clem-

ency will not be misplaced, and that she will become
a worthy citizen. May I ask," he said, "how it is that
your secretary, whose face .seems fandliur to me, is in-
terested in this young woman alsoT'

"it is siiu[)le onougli," Kobesj.ierre replied. "He was
in the service of her father."

"Oh, I remember now," bobat .said. "He i.s Engli.sh.
I wonder, citizen, tliat you should give your confidence
to one of that treachijrous nation."

"He saved my life," Robespierre rei>lied coldly; "a
somewhat good ground, you will admit, for placing
confidence in him."

"Assuredly," Lebat said hastily, seeing that Robes-
pierre was otlended. " And now, citizen, there is an-
other matter of importance on which I wish to confer
with you."
Harry rose.

"Citizen, I will as! ,u to excuse me from further
work to-day. My htad aches badly, and I can scarce
nee what I am writinir."

" I thought you were making some confusion of my
papers," Robespierre said kindly. "By all means
put aside your work."

On leaving the room Harry ran up to the attic
above, which he had occupied since he had entered
Robespierre's service, rapidly put on the blue blouse
and pantaloons which he had formerly worn, pulled
his cap well down over his eyes, and hurried down stairs.
He stationed him.self some distance along the street and
waited for Lebat to come out. Rapidly thinking the
matter over, he concluded that the man would not

f i

a!:|

! M;

224

ON lebat's track.

i i

present liimself with the order of release until after dark,
in order that if Marie struggled or tried to make her
escape it would be unnoticed in the street. Lebat had
calculated, of course, that on tlie presentation of the
order the prison officials would at once lead Marie to the
gates whether she wished it or not, and would, at his
order, force her into a vehicle, when she would be com-
pletely in his power, and he could confine her in his
own house or elsewhere until she consented to be his
wife.

A quarter of an hour later Lebat came out of the
house and walked down the street. Harry followed
him. After walking for some distance Lebat came to
a stand of hackney-coaches and spoke to one of the
drivers. When he had gone on again Harry went up
to the man.

" Comrade," he said, "do you wish to do a good ac-
tion and to earn a couple of gold pieces at the same
time?"

" That will suit me admirably," the coachman re-
plied.

" Let one of your comrades look after your horse,
then, and let us have a glass of wine together in that
cabaret."

As soon as they were seated at a small table with a
measure of wine before them Harry said:

" That deputy with the red sash who spoke to you
just now has engaged you for a job this evening?"

" He has," the coachman said. " I am to be at the
left corner of the Place de Carrousel at eight this even-
ing."

after dark,
make her
Lebat had
ion of the
[arie to the
lukl. at lii.s
Id be coin-
her in his
to be his

out of the
y followed
it came to
)ne of the
y went up

a, good ac-
i the same

chman re-

our horse,
ler in that

ble with a

ike to you
ning?"
be at the
this even-

A BARGAIN.

225

"He is a bad lot," Harrv siirl- <<\.^ • • .
r^ff « • , -LLttny saia, he is gomff tocarrv

nage but of course we kuow better than that She

he trets h^,. „ k, 7 . '° ""^^' ''"- ™d "hen
off and t ; t ' "' ^'" '°'iS'"g I »'>"" J-'mp

ZtTl^ll"^ °""™ '"'^ " ""-"^'"ng a, will
put a stop to h,., gallivanting for some ti,„e, I I

ZJ " °™™ '°' *^ "^^ " y""' 'oaoh for""
peMe Lf ,w' "" r'"' P'-'^"'-"' '» ^ f^-ds of the

laulwn J """£" """''If "'^ '™ '" '"'P'" Han-y said
au ning. Ihere are others besides myself who will
not see our pretty Isabel wronged "
••And where shall I get ,„y coach again?"

^etrrnt"ii"thi—

be .nany „i„n,es later. Her Ss a ou s" r Tli"^

Ctih:pi'r Tr "'^" ' "'»"=- p'-s With';:

up'™ t;i;"^''"""^ --'■-- -"^ "you may rely

(381)

f ^

226

THE PLAN OF ESCAPE.

•

Harry now hurried away to his friend Jacques, and
rapidly gave an account of what hud taken place.

" In the first place, Jacques, I want your wife to see
her friend and to get her to take a note instantly to
the warder, for him to give to Mademoiselle de St.
Caux. It is to tell her to make no resistance when
Lebat presents the order for her release, but to go with
him quietly; because if she appeals to the warders and
declares that she would rather die than go with him,
it is just possible that they might refuse to let him
take her away, saying that the order was for her
release, but not for her delivery to him. I don't sup-
pose they would do so, because as one of the members
of the Committee of Public Safety he is all-powerful;
still it would be as well to avoid any risk whatever
of our scheme failing. I will drive to the Rue Montag-
nard, which, a^; you know, is close to La Force. It is
a quiet street, and it is not likely there will be any-
body about at half-past eight. Will you be there and
give me a hand to secure the fellow?"

"Certainly I will," Jacques said heartily. "What do
you propose to do with him?"

" I propose to tie his hands and feet and gag him,
and then drive to the Rue Bluett, which is close by,
and where there are some unfinished houses. We can
toss him in there, and he will be safe till morning."

" It will be the safest plan to run him through at
once and have done with him," Jacques said. "He will
be a dangerous enemy if he is left alive; and as he
would kill you without mercy if he had a chance, I
don't see why you need be overnice with him."

acques, and
I place,
wife to sec
nstantly to
3elle de St.
tance when
I to go with
k'arders and
) with him,
to let him
a,s for her
' don't sup-
,e members
l-po\verful;
t whatever
le Montag-
orce. It is
ill be any-
3 there and

" What do

i gag him,
s close by,
I. We can
Drnincj."
through at
. "He will
and as he
I cliance, I
m."

JACQUE? IS NOT CONVINCED. 287

«hom'°l T V '"'""''■»'. ••">'" one of a ha„<l of men
«liom I regard as munlercrs," llarrv «.,i,l. -l . t
C"UM not kill hi,,, i„ cold blood » ^ ' """ '

"You are wrong," Jac,|„cs sai,l aimostly "and v„„
m-e r«k,„g eve,.ytl,ing l,y letting |,i,„ ^; "^.^a

feno..,ould ho killed likea..at;hen,o:;,th-:;'i,:

wi:gn;:fl;::;^■■■-»«•-^•■^-IeouM„ot
zz:y:u:t ^•'"™""' '-"^ '° '^^'™ - "-»—

"eI".""':;;' 'r' »' ,»" J-™." he .aid to hi,„,,elf,
of ^ :• , if:, ''""V"'' "'"' "'"= Siri, to say nothin,^
■see I'^lT "" *-g-''-i»'«". Wol( we shall

toilitticTnt f h" "'^r ""="''■ "-y -'"»«!
to ms att,c and lay down there until evenin.- havin^-

h fore he went in pu,.ehased a aword At sev:,', o'e "k

h P aeed h,s p.rfols in hi,, ho.so,„, girded on hi s^nl

plr: ' :'"™' ™ ""»"»".*- half ti :,"

man dZ "p. ^' '"""P"' ^^™' '"» '■-»" "'e ooaeh-

thi7hi;'e»e''o? ""'" '^ ""■ " ^'™ '"«' ••««- take
uus b,g cape of m,ne; you will fl„d it preei„u. „„, ,

«" tt t"; "";'" "\^™"'' "°'- "' »"-"'" ^

*:t bleu?:- "'"™" '' '''■'' '" y^" - -'--I in

Harry took ofl' his sword and placed it on the seat,

><i-'

i II

) '

!' '

. 1

III

OOfi

AT THE PRISON GATE.

Y -apped himself in the great cape, wound a muffler
round the lower part of his face, and waited. A few
minutes after the clock had struck eight Lebat came
along.

" Here we are, citizen," Harry said in a rough voice.
" I am glad you have come, for it's no joke waiting about
on such nights as this. Where am I to drive you to?"

" The prison of La Force," Lebat said, taking his seat
in the coach.

Harry's heart beat fast as he drove towards the
piison. He felt sure that success would attend his
plans; but the moment was an exciting one. It did
not seem that anything could interpose to prevent
success, and yet something might happen which he
had not foreseen or guarded against. He drove at little
more than a footi:ace, for the streets a short distance
from the centre of the town were only lighted here
and there by a dim oil lamp, and further away they
were in absolute darkness, save for the lights which
gleamed through the casements. At last he reached
the entrance to the prison. Lebat jumped out and
rang at the bell.

" What is it, citizen?" the guard said looking through
a grille in the gate.

"I am Citizen Lebat of the Committee of Public
Safety, and I have an order here, signed by Citizen
Robespierre, for the release of the female prisoner
known as Marie Caux."

"All right, citizen!" the man said, opening the gate.
"It is late for a discharge; but I don't suppose the
prisoner will grumble at that,"

i a muffler
3d. A few
Lebat came

ough voice,
iting about
/e you to?"
ing his seat

Dwards the
attend his
ne. It did
to prevent
1 which he
ove at little
)rt distance
ighted here
away they
erhts which
he reached
ed out and

.f;
i

ing through

e of Public

by Citizen

lie prisoner

ng the gate,
suppose the

Cni/I \ I.KIIAT TAKKy MARIE OUT

OK I'RISON.

ISON.

IHE CRITICAL MOMENT. 229

on tL 1 ° °f // ''"™''' "sure. She hesitated

Sbl* held o,?; ?f "'"""' '° '°™'' "•« h™-!
tte Lch '""' '■^'•' "'^PP'^'' ''°™ »d entered

^JRue Fosse«se No. 18," Lebat .aid as he followed

It wtl'I t°r °"''""' "''' ■™" '" ">« K™ Montagnard.
and Ha" V ™?" ^?™^'' "" "^ —•J ^fcing

thJ ri'tr'-""^^^'"*^^- •'"'«■« "^-k-d onto,

in a zeToit '°" ^"' ""-'"' *" '"^ "'"^- -'<-

" ^ ™' niy fare. There is a cabaret only inst ahead

oJi^ir^rLettrT;::;:^^^^'-^'--

Don t you speak in that way to me, citizen " Harrv
.a.1 hoarsely "One .nan's a» «„„d as Another in th ,e
days, and ,f y„„ talk like that to n,e I will break your
head in spite of your red sash." ^

With an exclamation of rage Lebat sprang fron> the

coach, and a, his foot touched the ground H^ny Lew

b.s arms round him; but as he did so he trod uZ

o,ne of the «Uh which .so thickly littered the thorou'X

fare, and shpped Lebat wrenched hi.nself free and

'■f

iS,

230

"oh, HARllY, IS IT YOU?"

i W

|i .1

drew his sword, and before Harry could have regained
his feet he would have cut him down, when he fell
himself in a heap from a tremendous blow which
Jacques struck him with his sword.

" Jump inside," Jacques said to Harry. " Wt may
have some cue out to see what the noise is about. He
will be no more trouble,"

He seized the prostrate bod^ , threw it up on the box
and taking his seat di-ove on.

"Marie," Harry said as he jumped in, "thank God
you are safe!"

" Oh, Harry, is it you? Can it be true?" And the
spirit which had so long sustained the girl gave way
and leaning her head upon his shoulder she burst into
tears. Harry soothed and pacified her till the vehiclo
again came to a stop.

"What is it, Jacques?" Harry asked, putting hi.<»
head out of window.

" Just what we agreed upon," the man said. " Hero
are the empty houses. You stop where you are. I will
get rid of this trash."
Harry, however, got out.
"Is he dead?" he asked in a low voice.
" Well, considering his head's cut pretty nigh in two,
I should think he was," Jacques said. " It could not
be helped, you know; for if I hadn't struck sharp it
would have been all over with you. Anyhow it's
better as it is a hundred times. If you don't value
your neck, I do mine. Now get in again. I sha'n't
be two minutes."

He slipped off the red sash and coat and waistcoat

PUECAUTIONS.

231

'e regalncc!
len he fell
low which

" Wb may
ibout. He

)n the box

hank God

And tho
gave way,
burst into
he vehiclo

Jtting his

i "Hero
re. I will

of the dead man, emptied his trouser pockets and
turned them mside out. then lifting the body on his

sel7^.T H " "^y^,^^"^^ ^^'^^0 5'e i«/' he said to him-
^elt. In tins neighbourhood the first comer will take
his shn-t and trousers. They will suppose he has been
kd ed and robbed, no uncomn.on matter in these days
and Ins body will be thrown into the public pit. and
no one be any the wiser. I will burn the coat and
waistcoat as soon as I get back."

■"^^

■

-a

H tii'<i

(h in two,
could not
c sharp it
^how it's
>n't value
I shan't

waistcoat

i m

ii !

liii

CHAPTER XL

MARIE AND VICTOR.

|RE you taking me to the girls, Harry?;"

" No," Harry said. " It would not be safe
to do so. There are already suspicions, and
they have been denounced."
Marie gave a cry of alarm.

■'I have managed to suppress the document, Marie
and we start with them in a day or two. Still it will
be better for you not to go near them. I will arranc^e
tor you to meet them to-morrow." ""

" Where am I going, then?"

"You are going to the house of a worthy couple
who have shown themselves faithful and trustworthy
by nursing a friend of mine, who has for nearly six
months been lying ill there. You will be perfectly
sate there till we can arrange matters."

; But if Robespierre has signed my release, as they
said,^^ I am safe enough, surely, and can go where I
like.

"I think you will be safe from re-arrest here in Paris
Mane,_ because you could appeal to him; but outside
1 aris It might be different. However, we can talk

•t

it be safe
nons, and

it, Marie,
ill it will
1 arrange

7 couple,
jtworthy
eai-ly six
perfectly

I as they
where I

in Paris,

outside

an talk

AT THEIR DESTINATION. 233

nl^'sr:'..'"""""''- ""^ ^°" ->- ''"O « good
Harry ,|id „„t think it necessary to .,ay, tl,at when

that heTa,'"r" " :"'"•" P™'""''^ ''o ascertained
tnat he was ast seen ieavmg La Force with her and

be sought for However, Marie said no ,„„..« on

Tetan to "'™f """' '"' ""'""'" '""t, and she now
began to ask ail sorts of questions about her sisters
and so passed the ti,ue until they were closl to t^e'
Place de Carrousel then Harry eliled it:;!";:

ourTodT 'fr «"'■ °'"' M"™' ^J «-ait with
our good fnend here tiii I return. I slmll be h Jk

» five nunutes. I have to hand the ooach"ove; t^its

downT '^r^'^""""'' '^"'^"^ "'<" l"» a™ and got

.ntlthe pT ^'- """^ '""^ '"' ^''at and drove
.nto the Place, where he found the coachn.an awaiting

" Have you njanaged the job !"

a,,,!?"' Tl'"'"'" """^ '"'''•' "If« has had a lesson
and Isabel |,as gone off to her friends a^in T^
Me g„l, I hope it will cure her of her°d,Vhtinr

Iz;::^' -"^^ ^-^ ^°'"- ---y. -y ^'&tz

inJ lis" bl: """i"'. T'ri' "- <'"™'- -d, mount.
■n„ his box I wish I could do as well every dav
but these are bad times for us, and money is pfecioTj
scarce, I can tell you." pieuous

f-^l

' , ,

: l^H

• (i

( ;

i 1

t ..Itl

; .-I

■

234

Marie's trials.

Harry soon rejoined Jacques and Marie. There
were but few words said as tliey made their way
through tlic str(,ets, for Marie wa.s weakened by her
ong imprisonment, and shaken by what she had gone
through. She had not asked a single question as to
what had become of Lebat; but she liad no doubt that
he was killed. Sl^e had grown, however, ahuost in-
different to death. Day after day she had seen batches
ot her friends taken out to execution, and the retri
bution which had fallen upon this wretch .^ave he.
scarce y a tliought. except a feeling of tl..ud<fulne-
tha she was freed from his persecutions. Complete!,
*ij. she trusted TTariy, it was with the greatest dhEcultv
that she had brought herself to obey his instructioiu
and to place herself for a moment in the power ol
her persecutor, and appear to go with hiui willin-ly

\V hen Lebat told her triumphantly that he had saved
her from death, and that she was to have formed on.
oi the party in the tumbril on the following mornino
had he not obtained her release, she had difficulty ir,
keeping back the indignant words, that she would
have preferred death a thousand times. When ho
said that he had come to take her away, she lia<(
looked round with a terrified face, as if to claim the,
protection of the guards; but he had said roughly

'It 18 no use your objecting, you have got to go
v..th me; and if you are a wise woman you had bettei
make the best of it. After all I am not very ter-
nble. and you had better marry me than the guillo

So. trembling with loathing and disgust, she had

•ie. There
their way
led by her
3 had gone
ition as to
doubt that
ahiiost ill'
on batches

the retri

gave hei
iukfulnew
.'ompletelj
b dilBcultji
istructi(;iis

power ol
illingly.
liad saved
)rined one
' iiiornino
fficulty ill
lie woulc'l
When ho

she had
3laim th(t
ighly:
jot to go
ad bettei
i^ery ter
le guillo

she had

IN SAFETY AT UST. 2')5

^\ill be saie licre. mv fliil.l \v. ,

we will take ..a,. Z-™ if J "'" '""='' """"'"■ '""

as aroacly a oo„„„u„ioatic,„ c^i,ti„„ |,„t„,,„„ 'f, ,

thorn .n ::ti^ t:;,,:''".';"'''': '■■"" '° "-"

unnk this, n,y Joar, and tlie.i m, sti-ii.-l.f („ >. i
your Wen.l will !« hero in ™od tin , "

-a t,.en ,„,. can talk „::rCi: :; 1 ii,;:.?!;!;'

"She will be asleep in five minutes," she said when
she rejoined her husband and Harry " lie 3 w^
out with excitement, but a niol.fs rest willT T
for her Tlo.,'* x ^'"^ '^ "^^^t w ill do wonders

not disturb her till she .ak.s of hTrseir ""' ' ^™""
1 Will be here ni, nin^^ " Harr • ' -t i

-nd before that and tell he^^tr'C^:;;:^

'Pii

^^[^f

'• H ,

i|i

i !

I I

236

"HAVE YOU TOLD US ALL?"

wondering they have seen nofchin^. of me in r1.. u *
I was afraid to tell them until it LZuleT T^^l
anxiety would have been too great for t W ^'^

the^z LT t:r Ttr ^^"^ ^"^ -^^ -

wiYxijg moining to attend a nipefJnrr q+ +i

" /clnt? "' ^""^ ■ " '^™"' ^^"='""^■1 "« he entered
i can see you have news. What is it » »

"?:Vhrrut::Tj-«''"'>««-^eo„tr.

oniytX;::?'"'" ™^' «"^^'" ^-«'- -•'ed; "not
"A sure, certain way," Harry replied ■■ Ya,. „ .

have no n,ore tear; Marie will eertaLy be Wd ■."""
Ihe two g„.Is stood speechless wUh d iwit It

h:':;oirer:Lrnt'»^^^^^

"Have you told us all Havnr?" t

minute ktP.- In i • «airy? Jeanne asked a

imute Jatei, looking earnestly in his face "Onr. ■,

be ?-is she really out already r' ^''- ^^" '^

fre'J"'" ""'"^ '"'' ""^^"^ «°^' ^--. your sister is

-f;^::^:L^Sdl;~^

exuberance of her li- m,-nocc t • 7 ^^ ^"^

over her head an. hfT . ^°"^«« ^^^^'^^ her apron

While .a„nr;ttrt:drhXldrnS^^^^^^^^^

ll r

to-day, but
over. The
a."

ut early on

ng at the

e necessity

At eight

he entered.

news, but

J out?"

kedj "not

S^ou need
eed."

light. It
I'ds when

asked a
"Can it

sister is

lim, and
Q in the
Jr apron
fulness
' said:

"MARIE WILL NURSE HIM." 287

"Oh, Harry how can we ever thank you enough iot
all you have done for us?"

Six months back Jeanne M-ould probably have acted
as V rgmie did, but those six months had changed her
greatly; zndeed, ever since she received that note from
Mane which she had never shown even to Viminie
there had been a shade of difference in her mar.ner to
Harry, which he had more than once noticed and won-
ciereci at.

It was some little time before the girls were suffi-
ciently composed to listen to Harry's story

"But why did you not bring her here, Harry?"
Virginie asked. "Why did you take her somewhere

"For several reasons, Virginie. I have not told you
before, but there is no reason why you should not
know now, that Victor is still in Paris."
Virginie uttered an exclamation of wonder
"He stopped here to look after you all, but he has
had a very bad illness, and is still terribly weak, and
does not even know me. Marie will nurse him. I
have great hopes that he will know her. and that she
"my be able in time to effect a complete cure. In the
next place I think it would be dangerous to bring her
here, for we nust leave in a very few days."
"What, go without her?"

"Yes I am afraid so. Virginie. I have learned,
Louise, that some of your neighbours have their sus-
picions, and that a letter of denunciation has already
been sent, so it will be absolutely necessary to make
ft moye. I have suppressed the first letter, but the

238

"BUT WE ARE TO SEE HER?"

witl out delay. You cannot cl.ange your lodffin r

Tc u,a I z z r:r' ''"■"' '"''="^ -^ »»

«.i/ iiu one would dare receive vou until f]iP
conn™ tee of the district I.avo e.xan,incd you a d 1
perfectly ,at.,i„d. TLorotWo, I tl.ink we n ul go
a one Jlane ,., wanted Jane, and I tl.ink .he will be
tar afer nu«n,g Victor than .she would be with u,
be ,des n„w »he has been -freed by KobesnLel'
orders I do not think there is any fear of h r Z'
even .i her Identity were discovered Lastly itluTdbe
««fer to travel tlnee than four. Three gids tlv Unl

t'tttir"":^ T; "I-:."" "™''' ^-"^ '-S

attention. It wdl be difficult enongh in any case but
.t won,d certainly be worse with hot- witl, u^ '

But we are to see her, Harry ?" Jeanne said.' "Surely
we a.-c not to go away without seeing Marie-" ^

Certandy not, Jeanne; I am not so cruel as that
This evening, after dark, we will „eet in the gardens
of the ruileries. Louise, will you bring then! do™
and be with them near the main ent.ance" f^

Mane wa .,p and dressed when Harry arrived and
was sitting by the (ire in the little kitchen. '

I Mve just left your sisters, Uurie," Harry said,

op, and may
we must go
'ur lodging,
ides, at the
jers are so
u until the
'ou and are
'e must go
she will be
'e with us;
ibespierre's
her arrest
it would be
travellinir
to attract
Y case, but

8."

I. "Surely
!"

d as that,
e gardens
em down
? I will
t must be
ctor is in
tell hei-
t after u

ved, and

y aaid;

"WELL, WHAT IS ITl" 239

"and you may imagine their delight at the news I
gave them. You are to see them this evening in the
gardens of the Tuileries."

"Oh. Harry, how good you are! How much you
have done for us!"
Harry laughed lightly.

"Not very much yet; besides, it has been a pleasure
as well as a duty. The girls have both been so brave
and Jeanne has the head of a woman."

"She is nearly a woman now, Harry," Marie said
gently " She is some montlis past sixteen, and thou-h
you tell me girls of that age in England are qufte
chddrcn, It IS not so here. Why. it is nothing uncom-
mon tor a girl to marry at sixteen."

" Well, at anyrate.' Harry said, "Jeanne has no time
for any thought of nmrrying just at present. But
there is another thing I want to tell you about I
have first a confession to make. I have deceived you "
"Deceived me!" Marie said with a smile. "It can
be nothing very dreadful, Harry. Well, what is it?"

"It 13 more serious than you think, Marie. Now
you know that when the trouble began I felt it quite
out of the question for me to run away, and to leave
you all here in Paris unprotected. Such a thine, would
have been preposterous." °

"You think so, Harry, because you have a good
heart; but most people would have thou-ht of them-
selves, and would not have run all sorts of risks for
the sake of three girls with no claim upon them."

"Well, Marie, you allow then that a '--r-on -•^'^^
a gooa heart would naturally do as I did,"

'■■ iJi

■m

I '

M i.

5 £ "f IH

III

240

hi i

III

ill

1 ! '

"DO NOT SAY HE I? DEAD!"

;; Well, supposing I do. Harry, what then?"
lou must still further allow fl,nf „
good heart -.nd „,. I ^ ^ P'''"'°» ^^^h a

a su^iojon of the t™«. flashed' upon L.' ^"'^ "

eCettratron^rr::-^-^^^^^^^^

leave you here?" awayliKe a coward and

^".Inelltt''" *" '""■ '^^' »" «-^ ^' •>■■■» with

to him? Oh Hirvv .1 r ,'^":^<^'""g happened
" Tt! • 1 , 7' ^ "°*^ '''>' ^^^ ^-^ dead I"
He IS not dead. Marie, but he has been very very ill
He was with me at La Force on th.f f ^^'7^'y'^^-
and saw his father b........ 'f, '^'^ ''']''' ' °%1^*.

1 , . — -- vrn^c yju mail tern.

and saw his father brought out to be murd ^ Th.

shock near y kill.^d him TTo 1,„ i , "" ."^- ^ ^he
has been a/death^ i . A " tf" '^"V""
but very very simviv ti , '^ ^ " """d'"?,

»e,bnt^'.j.t^;t/t\trrn;;:;z?:i;;

do wonders for him " ' Presence will

eC hlnl'ldX ^r j;rer ^^ "'"
co,o„ had flown, .-rake mrtol,-;:" JIT, r"'" °'

1?"

irson with a
jreat claim,
ct you."

your sup-
tie paler as

nd I hope

IS he has a

could you

oward and

him with

me ! Is it
happened

f, very ill.
■0 night,
^ The
ever, and
mendinif,
not even
3nce will

)od with
astige of

I have
sed and

"CERTAINLY IT IS MY DUTY."

him, when yo se ] "^'' ^°" "^'^""'^ «I""^'< *«

-'«tprep2:;2::;r^rrrt:fr"'^^-

a^-e wrec, so changed that y^.^;: -;--

mmd more tlnn iij. 1 i xi - l^^o^^ssing. Xt m Im
h. o I *" ^°''^ *^^'^*^ needs curin.r n ,„«„

the'^;;™,." ■'°"''"-" "^™ ™'^- "B"t what about

for the sea-ahtrraX'Toir^ ^ f' 1" '^ °
p.eions have been aroused; tLTha™ Sl'l ?"""
denouneed and „,ay be arrested Val t! e ^h^?"
fore It 13 absolntely nocessarv th.t ^"y "'"«■ Ihore-

the bettei-." "^ '^"*'*»'e ar©

"Cei^tainly it is „y j^ty,,. jj^,.^ ^^.^ ^.^_^^^
^™ wdl be perfectly safe here under th; car. ot

!l«

i !

I i

242

"EVERYTHING WILL COME RIGHT."

^i f

li "I '

■ *

Jacques and his a ife. They have ah-eady given out to
their neighbours that Yicior's fiancee is coming to help
nurse him, and even if by any possi) ility ., ^aspiciun
of your real position arises, yon have Robespierre's par-
don as a protection. This state of things cannot last
for ever; a reaction nust come.; jud then if Vi, tor is
"ured, you will be able to escape together to England."
"Leave me a few miiiutes by uiyseif, Harry. All
this has come ^o suddenly upon me that I feel bewil-
dfcied"

" (.'artolDly," Harry said. "It is best that you should
think things over a Lttle. No wonder you feel bewil-
dered end shaken with all the trials you have gone
through."'

Marie went to her room and returned in a ^ .uarter of
an hour.

"I am ready now," she said, and by the c«lm and
tranquil expression of her face Harry felt that she
could be trusted to see Victor.

" I have a feeling," she went on, " that everything
will come right in the end. I have been saved almost
by a miracle, and I cannot but feel that my life ha.s
been spared in order that I might take my place here.
As to the girls, it was a shock at first when you told
me that fresh danger threatened them, and that I
should not be able to share their perils upon their
journey; but I could not have aided them, and God has
marked out my place here. No, Harry, God has pro-
tected me so far, and will aid me still. Now I am
ready for whatever may betide."

"One moment before you enter, Marie. You are

^ivcn out to
nin;;' to help
h suspicion
pierip's pai'-
cannot last
if Yi. tor is

Knifland."
Tarry, All
feel bewii-

you should
feel bewil-
bave gone

<|uarter of

i calm and
t that she

everything
/ed almost
iy life has
place here.

1 you told
id that I
pon their
J God has
I has pro-
I^ow I am

You

are

"VICTOR, I HAVE COME TO VOU." 243

Prepai;ed I know, to see a great chanoe in Victor but
nevertheless you cannot but be shocke.Fat «r f 1 )
go up to hi.n or attract his attentio t , 3 ou Ive :,•"

Marie nodded. " One mnm<>n+ " u • 1

Lerself up wuh a little gesture that re„,i„dfd iia rv
ot old t,mes, and then with a swift .step pa Jd throu h

e o„r „,to Vietors roo,.,. Whateve' '.h ,t I tt
-gilt ot the wasted figure lying list|e,,ly with ha '
o«.d eye, on the couch, it only showe/ its ' t „
svvdt expression of pain which passed for a ,non,fnt
across her face and then was <ro,ie

. .V wetuitri' ''" ''"' " ""• ""«■"« ™''-. "Victor,
•1} \\ell LieJoved, I am come to vou " 'I'l,,. , «• ^

ias;*'n2rte;?3;it\™^''-'-^

si,l!''r''"f ?''"'^-"^™"™'' '"''""•"nd kneeling hy his
side, clasped hnu in her arms, Elise and Har^v L
quietly fron, the roou,. It „a» nearly an wC t'
Mane came out. There wh° a ^nff .] i- T
on her face, though her cLt^: :L%'' ''"'"""-

i:!^,l

i I

1 Ml I

244 THE EFFECTS OF MARIE's PRESENCE.

" Not yet!" she said, as she swept past them into her
own room.

In a few njinutes she reappeared.

"Pardon me," she said, liolding out her hands to
Harry and Elise, "but I had to thank the good God
Hrst. Victor is quite sensible now, but oh, so weak'
Heremembors nothing of tlie past, but seems to think
he IS still down in Burgundy, and has somehow had an
illness. Tlien he spoke of the duke and my dear father
and mother as being still alive, and that he hoped they
would let me come to him now. I told him that all
should be as he wished as soon as he got stronger, but
that he must not think of anything now, and that I
would nurse him, and all would be well. He seemed
puzzled about my dress "-for Marie had already put
on the simple attire which had been prepared for her-
"but I told him that it was fit for a sick-room, and he
seemed satisfied. He has just dozed off to sleep, and I
will go m and sit with him now till he wakes "

"When he does, mademoiselle, I will have some broth
and a glass of good burgundy ready for him," Elise
said.

"Thank you; but please call me Marie in future
Ihere are no mesdemoiselles in France now, and I shall
call you Elise instead of Madame. And Harry would
you mind telling the girls that I will meet them to-
morrow instead of this evening. I long to see them oh
so, so much; but I should not like to leave him for a
moment now. I fear so that his memory might go
again if he were to wake and miss me."

"I was going to propose it myself, Marie," Harry

!E.

em into her

p hands to
3 good God
ti, so weak!
ns to think
how had an
dear father
hoped they
ini that all
ronger, but
and that I
He seemed
Iready put
1 for her —
om, and he
leep, and I
es."

lome broth
lim," Elise

in future,
nd I shall
'ry, would
them to-
i them, oh
him for a
might go

e," Harry

"THE CLOUDS SEEM LIFTING." 245

Tot "^* ''^^y'^^VOvUnt to avoid any agitation now.

Jive hTr ?'' '\ ""' '^ •^^'^^' ^"^ ^''« ^-^- will
g ve him a sleepmg-draught, so that he shall not wake

; h'le you are away. But, Marie, ren,en.ber it will be
a farewell v,sit, for I dare not let them stay mo e
than anot er day. They n,ay be denounced agar
finds tW H ' '"'" "'° ^'"'^ '^ Robespier.; if he

mitt! . ^° ''"^"^ '^ ''' ""'^y g« '^ '^^^ l°<^al con.
mmee. and they will not lose an hour, you may be

hinuedly. "Ibe doctor will be here, you .say soon

in^ttd^f"? '^" ""''' f ^I-^-^-S^^t Ihis afLZn
instead of to-mo.row They must go at once. I should

Wv ;'"'r^"i' ''' '^ P"^^^"° ^«^-- P--^-g for

o7 tht ^r^' ' ''""' ''"" *° ^^" "^to ^he l^ands
of these wretches; so please hurry on all the arrange-

"It will be best," Harry said, "if you will do it
Man. own that I am in a fever of a^ehension I
will go there at once to tell them that all must be in

hear that your presence has done such wonders for

heart If they feel that your stay here is likely to brin..
health to him and happiness to both of you " ''

that iZ^'"'''".''r" '"'' " '' '^^ "^^ -^- *« "-

that I couM ever be happy again; but though every.
thing IS still very dark, the clouds seem liftin.."
Ihe girls were greatly rejoiced when they heard the

if I...

!• m

L>4G

Vt.ASS ^On FLIGHT.

\s ■

Jlariy had now hopes thiit ho would do well

said '-r" "'! '"rf '""' '''^'"" ™'»'"^-'' H""7

ti.ins to ..tt.e, id „„„ ;,ew ho„.s t I^ i:''^,
.S1.0U hice, if p„s,iUo, that wo .should not co,e back
.ore th„ evening after you have once loft the hoi
II n,a„ who denounced you will expect that »o",t'
tl.. .g would he done to-day, and when he s-es that

r'h^'io:,"'"'' °';^' '-"" -^ "-y ^^ ""--4

to tlie local conmuttco, and they would send men
at once to arrest you. No doubt ho only wrote t^

mZt;„ r-f"'""'™' '"' ™"" getirra,^

cause. Lut if Louise thin...s tliat it cannot Dossihiv 1.
"lanagod, I will write a letter at on, ,■ to U^At
p.erre s name, saying that his letter has been noted and
your movements will be closely watched, and «11 , '
imn for his zeal m the public service."

"No. I thiul; we are ready," Jeanne said. "Of coui-se
wo have been talking io over for weeks, and agr^
was better to be in readiness v .enever you .Id u
wa, tune to go. r,ou.. will tc, you alllbout it.'
miry looked towards Louise.

"Tile disguises r.r- all ready, Monsieur '^indwitl,.
and yesterday wnen you said that my dearl^d '
"o-"o could not go with them, I .. ttL, H y^^to
not see any objection, to go with ..„ dear children"
.HI, ul. , ™''^ Sla<l farrv said eagerly for
although he had seen no ot; , w, out of it,'tho Jiffi'

i, and that
I.

is," Harry
w, Louise,
ive every-
it in. I
;ouie back
the house,
fiat some-
sees that
s evening
end men
wrote to
■edit and
le in tlie
ssibly be
n Ilobes-
oted and
hankiiiiv

'f course
greed it
lid us it
it."

tidwith;
niado-
you do
ren."
•ly for
ie diffi-

"IT IS BETTER IN KVERY WAY." 247

culties and inconveniences of a journoy alone Mith
. eanne and Virginie had been continually on his mind,
i lie idea of taking the old woman with them had never
occurred to him, but he now hailed it as a most wel-
come solution of the difficulty.

" That will bo a thousand times better in eveiy way
for with yon with us it would excite far less remark
than three young people travelling alone. But I fear
Louise, that the hardships • may have to undergo
will be gn'ut." ^

"It matters little," the old woman said. "I nursed
their mother, and have for years live.l on her bounty;
and gladly now will I give whnt little remains to me
ot hte m the service of her dear children. I know
that everything is turned topsy-turvy in our poor
count.y at present, but as long as I have life in my
body I will not let my dear mistress's children be
fo weeks perhaps, wandering about with only a
. oang gentleman to protect them, and Mademoiselle
Jeanne most a woman too."

"Yes. I is better in every way," Harry said. "I felt
that it would be a strange position, but it seemed that
It could not be helped; however, your offer gets us
out of the embarrassment. So your disguises are
ready?" *

"Yes monsieur," Louise said; "I have a boy's suit
for Mademoiselle Virginie. She did not like it at first
but I thought that if mademoiselle went with you it
would be strauge to have three girls journeying under
the chaige of one younf? man."

"I think it a very good plan, Louise, but you must

y-l' *^

2J8

FINAL AnRANOKMENl'S.

Iin.\!?r ''"^l ''' SnuKhnother, an.l we shall be travel-

«on that you .shoul/stop o, t a ' 1 t I , j T"""
could „„t a„k f„,. a ,o,lgi,4 elo^.t S' ' "^^ "'^

sleep ttStrjio":.^',,:';'" r" ^ '- ^"^ "" '»

Ve„„U .. t„„t wa, it „,„ uot Z Ll ^ rS
to go out and leave Victor."

"That will certainly l.e the host u-ov" r •

When .e orr^::ix'X:z^'^f:-

easier, for the country people are 1-in /f'^'/V ^^

i will be at the end of the strerf" W
"It is quite dark by five so do vln i f '"'^ '"'''•
of an hour later- hide voin' ' r ^ f""'^ * ^"^"^^^
dter, nide j our uundies under your cloaks.

r or else it
pi'(*pose is,
iiy u horse
[o foiward

be travel-
' ilaughti.r,

TJmt will
s make a
en you go
iindles of

to-night,
tlie qucs-
J yot we

^ou all to
1 manafre
morning,
or Marie

lise said,
we must
;o-night.

will be
1, and I

for the
ifferent.

■y said,
quarter
cloaks,

"HOW I LONO TO BE IN ENGLAND." 249

for if that fellow is on the look-out he might follow
you if he thought you were leaving. Draw your
blinds up when you leave, Louise, so that the room
will look as usual, and then it may be .some time
before anyone suspects that you have left; and if
I were you I would mention to .soi.fe of your noi.rh-
bours this afternoon that you have had a letter from
your friends in Bui-gundy, and are going away soon
with your nieces to stay with them for a while. You
had better pay your rent for three months in advance,
and tell your landlord the same thing; saying that
you may go suddenly anytime, as a compere who
i.s in Paris, and is also going back, is going to take
charge of you on the journey, an.l that he may call
for you at any time. Thus when he finds that you
have left, your absence will be accounted for; not that
It makes much difierence. for I hoj.e that when vou
have seen the girls safely to England you will make
your home with them there."

"Ye.s, I shall never come back here," the old woman
said, "never, even if I could. Paris is hateful to me
now, and I have no reason for ever wantin.^ to come
back." °

"In that case," Harry said smiling, "we may as well
save the three months' rent."

"Oh, how I long to be in England," Virginio ex-
claimed, "and to see dear Ernest and Jules agahi! How
anxious they must be about us, not having heard of us
all this long time! How shall we know where to find
them?"

"You forget, Virginie," Jeanne said, "it was ar-

■, 3 V

III

250

PRKPARATrONS FOR THE START.

ire^Ht;." "" '" '" "° ""^'"^^ ^•'°"' ««". "

thl!^^"" f,' *"•" ^""y '"'''• "Y™ "'"y rely upon i,
that d.rcc ly you get to my fatl.er you Jli hear wh..^
yur brothers are. And now I will go and tell Mar
tl^Uhere .3 no occasion tor Victor to take a sleeping.

gomg to have her sisters with her for the whole even-
ing and mght. and Elise busied herself with p epara-
t.on, or he accon^od.tion of her guests. Harry th™
went baek to his attie, n.ade his ciothes into a bund
and took up the bag of n.oney from its hidiu4la „
under a board and plaeed it in his pocket. ° ^

He had, s,nce he had been with Robespien-e gradu-
ally changed the silver for gold in order to mfle it
nore convenient to carry, and it wa. now ot' compara
tvely httle weight, although he had drawn but sSlv
upon ,t, except for the payment .J the bribe promis d
fo the warder. His pistols were also hidden ,n>der his

Eot;::! "°™ '"'" """ ^'^^ '"^ -'"™ of

"Citizen," he said when he entere,l. " circu„,,,tance,
have occurred which render it necessary for T to
travel down to Nantes to escort a yo„J.M Ibov"
and an old woman to that town; tley can oi trav i
alone m such times as these, and they have a cl Jm
upon me which I cannot ignore- ■'™ a cJaim

when they
e tliey are
mt that, is

3ly upon it
hear where
tell Marie
a sleeping-
it she was
hole even-
1 prepara-
farry then
a bundle,
ling-pluce

fe, gradu-
make it
conipara-
t slightly
promised
nider his

sturn of

n stances
f me to
I, a boy,
t travel
a claim

"l HAVE NO AUTIIUIUTY." 0.51

"Surely, friend Sandwith," Robespierre said, "the
affairs of Fi-ance are of more importance than private
matters like these."

"Assuredly they are, citizen; but I cannot flatter
myself that the aflairs of France will l.e in any way
injured by my temporary absence. ]\Iy duty in this
matter is clear to me, and I can only regret that
my temporary absence may put you to some incon-
venience. But I have a double favour to ask you: the
one is to spare me for a time; the second, that you
will give me papers reconunending me, and those
travelling with me, to the authorities of the towns
through which we shall pass. In these times, when
the enemies of the state are travelling throughout
France seeking to corrupt the minds of the people,
it IS necessary to have papers sliowing that one is
a good citizen."

" But I have no authority," Robespierre said. " I am
neitlier a minister nor a ruler."

"You are not a minister, citizen, but you are assur-
edly a ruler. It is to you men look more than t'^ any
other. Danton is too headstrong and violent. You
alone combine fearlessness in the cause of France with
that wisdom and moderation which are, above all things,
necessary in guiding the state through its dangers." ° '

Robespierre's ^'anity was so incjrdinate that he ac-
cepted the compliment as his due, though he waved
his hand with an air of deprecation.

"Therefore, citizen," Harry went on, "a letter from
you would be more powerful than an order from an-
other."

! 1

1= AH

252

"I CANNOT REFUSE YOU."

France r "" ''"* *''^ "'^ "^^ --"- of

by the efforts of an oil woman of seventy and "a
young boy and girl; but I can assure you tl at thev

XT "T"'^ f ''•""^' ^^"^ ^"^'P^^ inoffensive PC I
who have been frightened by the con.n.otion inSs
and long to return to the country life to whioh ^ y

boon which I asked you, and, n.ethinks, cannot hesitite

you'e?en7f It" ''"'"t™ ^"'''' " ^ -""»' -f"-
you, « en If tlie persons who accon.pany you lelon.. t„

ho class of suspects, of which, „,hKl, /iLw „ ai r
though I may have my suspicions. I hive ■>„> f '

aaughter of the ci-devant Marquis de Sf Pn, ,

even.er,i„L;i;:rLTLr4i^-rit,:::

me to do what you ask; for although :s chiM e" hev
can do no h„n„, they n.ight do so w^-e they allowed to
g w up hat,ng France. All clnldrcn of suspect, I

in order that they n,ay there learn to love the peonle
of Irance and to grow up worthy citizens. Now ,°1

dSter'"^""^^^"'''^""«"p^p™-"<'Hl:;

■■I hereby recommend Citizen Henri Sandwith a<.e

'ou, citizen—
t enemies of

^aic], smilinsr.
verity and a
u tliat they
nsive people
ion in Paris,
which they
ed the first
not hesitate
3f you this

nnot refuse
u belong to
)w nothing,
^'e not for-
life of the
Caux; and
f the same
low it, not
'Id induce
Idren they
allowed to
!cts are, as
be schools,
ihe people
Vow, how
nd Harry

with, aofe

THE PASS,

253

19, who has been acting as my confidential secretary,
to all public authorities, together with Citoyenne
Moulin and her two grandchildren, with whom he is
travellinsf."

To this Robespierre signed his name and handed the
paper to Harry.

"How long will you be before you return?" he
asked.

"I cannot say exactly," Harry replied; "as after I
have seen tliem to their destination I may stop with
them for a few weeks."

Robespierre nodded and held out his hand,

" I shall be glad to have you with me again, for I
have conceived a strong friendship for you, and think
none the worse of you for your showing your grati-
tude to the family in whom you are interested."

_ Harry then went into the kitchen, where Robes-
pierre's sister was preparing the next meal, and said
good-bye to her.

She had taken a fancy to her brother's young secre-
tary, and expressed a hope that his absence would be
but a short one, telling him that Robespierre had said
only the day before how much work he had saved him,
and that he was determined to push his fortunes to
the utmost.

Having thus paved the way for an appeal to Robes-
pierre should he find himself in difficulties on the
road, Harry proceeded to Jacques' house and waited
there until it was time to go up to meet Louise and
the girls.

Victor did not wake until the afternoon. The doctor

' ■> "* li

'nm

.■1 %

. '• I

254

\\\ i

l|),i

) r

"WE ARE FOLLOWED."

had called as usual, but had not roused him. He had
been told what had taken place, and had held out
hope to Marie that Victor's improvement would be
peru.anont. and that he would now make steady pro-
gress towards recovery.

At the appointed hour Ifarry was at his post to meet
the party. They came alon- within a few minutes of
the tune named, but instead of stopping to greet him
th^y walked straight on. Jeanne saying as she passed

"I think we are followed."

Harry at once drew back and allowed them to r^o fifty
yards on before he moved after them. As the°e were
many people about, it wa^ some little time before he
could verify Jeanne's suspicions; then he noticed that
a man, walking a short distance ahead of him, followed
each turning that the others took.

Harry waited until they were in a quiet street, and
then quickened his pace until he was close behind the
nian. Ihen he drew one of his pistols, and, springing
forward, struck him a heavy blow on the head ^ith
Its butt. He foil forward on his face without a cry
and Harry, .satisfied that he had st.mned him, ran on
and overtook the others, and. turning down the first
street they came to, wa. ussui-cd that they were safe
trom puisuit.

"We had noticed a man lounging against the house
opposite all the afternoon." Jeanne said, "and came to
the conclusion that he must be watching us; so we looked
out for him when we came out, and noticed that as
soon as we went on he began to walk that way too

lim. He had
lad held out
at would be
3 steady pro-
post to meet
V minutes of
to greet him
s she passed

m to go fifty
i there were
e before he
loticed that
m, followed

' street, and
behind the
I, springing
head with
bout a cry;
urn, ran on
n the first
were sai'e

the house
id came to

we looked
'd that as
1 way too,

"YOU ARE CHANGED, MARIK DKAU." 'JAfi

So I told Louise to walk straight on without HUniuiufi
when we came up to you. I was sure you would
manage somehow to get rid of him."

Harjy laughed.

" I fancy he will spend to-morrow in bed instead of
lounging about. Perhaps it will teach him to minri
his own business in future and to leave other peupl,.
alone. I am very glad that he did follow you; for I
felt that I owed him one, and was sorry to leave IWtn
without paying my debt. Now I think we are prt-ttv
well square." ^

The meeting between the sisters was indeed a happy
one. They fell on each other's necks, and for nmim
time scarce a word was spoken; then they ,st<,od a
little apart and had a long look at each other.

"You are changed, Marie dear," Jeanne ,sai<]; "y„„
look pale, but you look, too, softer and pr.-ttier than
you used to."

"All my airs and graces have been rubbed of I'"
Marie said with a .slight smile. "I have learned m
much, Jeanne, and have been where noble bloo<J ]m
been the reverse of a recommendation. You aro
changed too— the six months have altered you. Your
gouvernante would not call you a wild girl now.
You are quite a woman."

"We have suflered too, Marie," Jeanne said as fcearo
came to her eyes at the thought of the change« and
losses of the last few months. "We have tiiolighfc of
you night and day; but Louise has been very good to
us, and as for Harry, we owe everything to him. He
had always been so hopeful and strong, and Um

' "

, !

fl i

256

"YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE PROUD OF HIM."

cheered us up with promises that he would bring you
to us some day."
Marie smiled.

"You are right, Jeanne. I used to laugh a little,
you know, at your belief in your hero, and little
thought that the time would come when f should trust
him as implicitly as you do. You have a right to be
proud of him, Jeanne. What thought and°devotion
and courage he has shown for us! and do you know,
he saved A'ictor too. Jacques has told me all about it
—how Victor saw his father brought out to be mur-
dered; and how, half -mad, he was springing out to
stand beside him, when Harry as quick as°thought
knocked him down before he could betray himself;
and then Jacques, who was standing by and saw it,'
helped him carry him here. Oh, my dear, how much
we owe to him!

"And now, Virginie," she said, turning to the young-
est, " I must have a good look at you, little one— but
no, I mustn't call you little one any longer, for you
are already almost as tall as I am. My child, how you
have been growing, and you look so well! Louise must
have been feeding you up. Ah, Louise, how nmch we
all owe to you too! And I hear you are going to leave
your comfoi table home and take care of the o-irls on
their journey. It was such a comfort to me when
Harry told me!"

" I could not let them go alone, mademoiselle," the
old woman said simply, " it was only my duty. Besides,
what should I do in Paris with all my children in
Enfrland ?"

OF HIM."

Id bring you

uigli a little,
o, and little

should trust
I right to be
Lnd devotion
o you know,
) all about it
:> to be nuir-
ging out to

as thought

ray himself;

and saw it,

r, how much

) the young-
ile one — but
ger, for you
Id, how you
Louise must
'W much we
ing to leave
;he girls on
3 me when

oiselle," the
;y. Besides,
children in

"HARRY WENT STRAIGHT IN."

257

Now, my dears, take your things off," Marie said.
1 will just run in and see how Victor is gettincr on
Harry went straight in to him. and I want to know
whether Victor recognized him."

1 i'

VTV

(Wl)

CHAPTER XIL

NANTES.

If '

ARRY was very pleased to see a look of recog-
nition on Victor's face as he came up to the
side of his concli.
" Well, Victor," he said cheerfully, " I am glad to
see you looking more yourself again."

Victor nodded assent, and his hand feebly returned
the pressure of Harry's.

" I can't understand it," he said after a pause. " I
seem to be in a dream; but it is true Marie is here
isn't it?"

"Oh yes! She is chatting now with her sisters,
Jeanne and Virginie, you know."

"And why am I here?" Victor asked, looking
round the room. "Marie tells me not to ask ques°
tions."

" No. There will be plenty of time for that after-
wards, Victor. It is all simple enough. You were out
with me, and there was an accident, and you got hui-t.
So I and a workman who was passing carried you into
h^s house, and he and his wife have been taking care
of you. You have been very ill, but you are i^ettinfr

c of recocr-
up to the

111 glad to

Y returned

)ause. " I
ie is here,

er sisters,

I, lookincr

ask

ques-

iliat after-
were out
got hurt.
I you into
king care
L'e getting

"that's enough for you." 259

on better now. ]\larie has come to nurse you, and she
wont eave you until you are quite well. Now. I
hnik thats enough for you, and the doctor would
be very angry if ],e knew I had told you so much-
because he said you were not to bother yourself about
things at all, but just to sleep as much as you can, and
eat as much as you can, and listen to Marie talkin..
and reading to you, and not trouble your brain in any
way because it's your brain that has gone wrong, and
any thinkmg will be very bad for it."

This explanation seemed satisfactory to Victor who
soon after dozed off to sleep, and Harry joined the
party m Marie's sitting-room.

" Oh, if I could but keep them here with me, Harry
what a comfort it would be!"

"I knov.- that it would, ]\[arie; but it is too dan-
gerous. You know they were denounced at Louise
Moulms. ^ Already there is risk enough in you and
Victor being here. The search for Royalists does
not relax, indeed it seems to become more and more
keen every day. Victor's extreme illness is your be«>t
safeguard. The neighbours have heard that Jacques
has had a fellow-workman dangerously ill for some
long time, and Victor can no longer be looked upon as
a stranger to be suspected, while your cominc^ here to
help nurse him will seem so natural a step that it will
excite no comment. But any fresh addition of num-
bers would be sure to give rise to talk, and you would
have a commissary of the Commune here in no time to
,<'v """I "' ^^'^ '-^ ^^^ ^^■*" youi- papers ui domicile."
Yes, I know that it would be too dangerous to risk,"

260

15 (

III

"YOU SEE I CONFESS, HARRY."

thought of their

Marie agreed; "but I tremble at th
journey."

"I have every hope that we shall get through safely "
Harry said. " I have some good news I have not yet
told you I have received a paper from Robespierre
stating that I have been his secretary, and recommend-
ing us all to the authorities, so that we can dispense

Tsk for'" "^'^ ^''^'''' '^^"'^' *^''^ ""^"^^ otherwise
^ "That is good news, indeed. Harry." Marie said.
That relieves me of half my anxiety. Once on the
sea-coast it will be comparatively easy to get a passage
to England. My dear Harry, you surprise me more
every dr,r and I am ashamed to think that when our
dear h ^...> and mother first told me that they had ac-
cept.. ^ our noble offer to look after us. I was inclined
ni my Im art to think that such protection would be
of httle u^. You see I confess. Harry; and you know
tnat IS halt-way to forgiveness."

"There is nothing either to confess or forgive"
Harry said with a smile. "It was perfectly natural
for you to think that a lad of eighteen was a slender
reed to lean on in the time of trouble and danger, and
that It was only by a lucky accident-for my savinc.
Robespierre s life was but an accident-that I have
been enabled to be of use to you; and that I have now
a pass which will enable me to take your sisters with
comparative safety as far as Nantes. Had it not been
tor that I could have done little indeed to aid you "

"You must not say so, Harry. You are too modest.
45e8jd§s, wfts It not jrour (juickness that saved Victor?

igl»t of their

JUgh safely/'
lave not yet
Robespierre
recornmentl-
:an dispense
cl otherwise

Marie said.
)nce on the
it a passage
36 me more
t when our
bey had ac-
^as inclined
1 would be
you know

f forgive,"
3ly natural
s a slender
anger, and
my saving
at I have
have now
sters with
b not been
d you."
>o modest.
•4 Victor?

"she TllUHTED YoU AasoLUTELY." 261

No, we owe you everything, and disclaimers are only
thrown away. As for „.e, 1 feel quite jealous of
•'eannes superior perspicacity, for she trusted you
absolutely from the first." ^

^ " It has nothing to do with perspicacity,' . , anne said.

a ei that 1 knew if there was danger he would be
able to get us out of it. That is, if it were possible for
anyone to do so."

''I hope I shall be able to justify your trust, Jeanne,
and arrive safely with you at my father's house. I
can promise you the warmest of welcomes from mv
mother and sisters. I fear they must long since have
given me up for dead. I shall be like a shipwrecked
manner who has been cast upon an island and given
"P as lost. But my father a/ways use<l to say, that if
1 was a hrst-rate hand at getting into scrapes, I was
equally good at getting out of them again; and I don't
think they will have quite despaired of seeing me acrain
especially as they know, by the last letters I sent them'
that you all said I could speak French well enough to
pass anywhere as a native."

"How surprised they will be at your arriving with
two girls and Louise!" Virginie said.

"They will be pleased more than surprised," Harry
replied. "I have written so much about you in my
letters that the girls and my mother will be delh-hted
to see you." °

" Besides," Jeanne added, " the boys will have told
them you are waiting behind with us, so th^^y will not
be so surprised as they would otherwise have beea

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(716) 872-4503

'/.

262

I'HE STARt.

ii !

But it will be funny, arriving among people v/ho don't
speak a word of our language."

" You will soon be at home with them," said Harry
reassuringly. " Jenny and Kate are just about your
ages, and I expect they will have grown so I shall
hardly know them. It is nearly three years now since
I left them, and I have to look at you to assure my-
self that Jenny will have grown almost into a young
woman. Now I shall go out for a bit, £nd leave you
to chat together.

" You need not lidget about Victor, Marie. Elise is
with him, and will come and let you know if he wakes;
but I hope that he has gone off fairly to sleep for the
night. He knew me, and I think I have put his mind
at rest a little as to how he came here. I have told
him it was an accident in the street, and that we
brought him in here, and he has been too ill since to
be moved. I don't think he will ask any more ques-
tions. If I were you I would, while nursing, resume
the dress you came here in. It will be less puzzling
to him than the one you are wearing now."

The little party started the next morning at day-
light, and at the very first v'llage they came to found
how strict was the watch upon persons leaving Paris,
and had reason to congratulate themselves upon the
possession of Robespierre's safe-conduct. No sooner
had they sat down in the village cabaret to breakfast
than an official with a red scarf presented himself, and
asked them who they were and where they were going.
The production of thp document at once satisfied him,

and, indeed, he immediately addressed the youn-

uiaii

fil >l

pie v.'ho don't

," said Harry
<t about your
vn so I shall
ars now since
;o assii.re my-
into a young
nd leave you

ivie. Elise is
/if he wakes;

sleep for the
put his mind

I have told
and that we
>o ill since to
y more ques-
I'sing, resume
less puzzling

T,"

ning at day-
mie to found
saving Paris,
'OS upon the
No sooner
to breakfast
himself, and
r were going,
atisfied him;
! young man

VIRGINIE TKANSFORMED. 2G3

in sonifcv'hat shabby garments, who had the honour of
being secretary to the great man, in tones of the
greatest respect.

Virjrinie at present was shy and awkward in her
attire as a boy, and indeed had there been time the
night before to procure a disguise for her as a gi)-l it
would have been done, although Harry's opinion Siat it
would attract less attention for her to travel as a boy
was unchanged; but he would have given way had it
been possible to make the change. As any delay, how-
ever, would ceituiidy be dangerous, the original plan
was adhered to.

Marie had cut her sister's hair short, and no one would
have suspected from her appearance that Virginie was
not what she seemed, a good-looking boy of some thir-
teen years old. With tlieir bundles in their hands they
trudged along the road, and stopped for the night at a
village about twelve miles nut of Paris. After"having
again satisfied the authorities by the production of the
pass, Harry made inquiries, and the next morning went
two miles away to a farm-house, where there was, he
heard, a cart and horse to be disposed of.

After much haggling over terms— since to give the
sum that was fiist asked would have excited surprise,
and perhaps suspicion— Harry biK'aine the possessor of
the horse and cart, drove triumphantly back to the
village, and having stowed Louise and the two girls on
some straw in the bottom of the cart, proceeded^on the
journey.

They met with no adventure v.'hatever on the journey
Nantes, which was nerforraed in i

I il

per]

day!

The

2G4

NANTES.

weather was bitterly cold. Although it was now well
on m March the snow lay deep on the ground; but the
girls were well wrapped up. and the cart wa. filled
wiuh straw, which helped to keep them warm. Harry
walked for the m.st part by the side of the horse's
head for they could only proceed at foot-pace; but he
sometimes climbed up and took the reins, the better
to chat with the girls and keep up their spirits. There
wa^ no occasion for this in the case of Jeanne, but
Virgmie often gave way and cried bitterly, and the
old nurse suffered greatly from the cold in spite of her
warm wraps.

On arriving at Nantes Harry proceeded first to the
Maine, and on producing Robespierre's document re-
ceived a permit to lodge in the town. He then looked
tor apartments in the neighbourhood of the river and
when he had obtained them disposed of the horse and
cart. The statement that he was Robr re's sec
retary at once secured for him much ai .on from
the authorities, and he was invited to become a mem-
ber of the Revolutionary Committee during his stay
in the town, in order that he might see for himself
with what zeal the instructions received from Paris for
the extermination of the Royalists were being carried
out).

This offer he accepted, as it would enable him to
obtain information of all that was going on. Had it
not been for this he would gladly have declined the
honour, for his feelings were daily harrowed by arrests
and massacres which he was powerless to prevent for
he did not venture to raise his .oice on the side of

was now well
ouud; but the
art waj filled
varm. Harry
)f the horse's
-pace; but he
IS, the better
pirits. There
Jeanne, but
3rly, and the
n spite of her

i first to the
locument re-
then looked
he river, and
lie horse and
' re's sec-
•ion from
onie a mem-
ng his stay
for himself
•m Paris for
3ing carried

hie him to
n. Had it
eclined the
[ by arrests
•revent, for
ihe side of

Tllli JOIRNKV iO NANTK.S.

irn

A STATE OP TERROR.

265

mercy for had he done so. it would have been certain
to excite suspicion. He found that, horrible as were
the atrocities committed in Paris, they were even sur-
passed by those which were enacted in the provinces,
and that in Nantes in particular a terrible persecution
was raging under the direction of Carrier, who had
been sent down from Paris as commissioner from the
Oommune there.

Harry's next object was to make the acquaintance
of some of the fishermen, and to find out what vessels
were engaged in smuggling goods across to England-
for It was in one of these alone that he could hope to
cross the Channel. This, however, he found much
more difficult than he had expected.

The terror was universal. The news of the execu-
tion of the king had heightened the dismay. Massacres
were going on all over France. The lowest ruffians
in all the great towns were now their masters, and
under pretended accusations were wreaking their hate
upon the respectable inhabitants. Private enmities
were wiped out in blood. None were too high or too
low to be denounced as Royalists, and denunciation
was followed as a matter of course by a mock trial and
execution. Every man distrusted his neighbour and
tear caused those who most loathed and hated the
existing regime to be loudest in their advocacy of it
Jhere were spies everywhere -men who received
blood-money for every victim they denounced.

Ihus, then, Harry's eff-orts to make acquaintances
among the sailors met with very slight success. He
was a stranger, and that was sufficient to cause dis-

i J '■

II .i

vTt'

266

AT A STAND-STILL.

trust, and ere long it became whispered that he had

Zl^"^^^^ "^^.' ''''''' ^"^^'"^^ *° fasten
.he work of extirpation of the enemies of the state,
boon, therefore, Harry perceived that as he moved
along the quay little groups of sailors and fishermen
talkmg together broke up at his approach, the men
saun enng off to the wine-shops, and any he accosted
cpl ed civilly zndced. but with en.barrassn.cnt and
restraint; and although any questions of a General
character were answered, a profound ignorance was
nanifested upon the subject upon which he wishec
to gam information. The sailors all seemed to know

ver toTT T TT' '' ^^'"'^ "^^« -" ^r'^- the
liver to England, but none could name any vessel en-
gaged in the trade. Harry soon perceived that he was

■garded with absolute hostility, and one day one o
the sailors said to him quietly:

vn!'i?„"fT' I ^V ^'"'^ «^"«-^"'otte, and I warn you
you had best not come down the river after dark for
Uiore IS a strong feeling against you; and unless you
would like your body to be fished out of the river with
half a dozen knife-holes in it, you will take my ad-

Harry began to feel almost crushed under his respon-
il> htios. H:s attendance at the Revolutionary Com-
'nittee tried him greatly. He made no prom-ess what

ZrZ^ T\ ': '''''' ^ P-age;Ld to aluo
H« trouble the old nurse, who had been much ex-
hausted by the change from her usual habits, and the
mch^mency of the weather on her journey, instead o
gaming strength appeared to be rapidly losing it. and

2d that he had
y to hasten on
!S of the state.

as he moved

and fishermen

oach, the men

ny he accosted

rrassment and

of a general
ignoiance was
ch he wislied
med to know
run from the
any vessel en-
d that he was
le day one of

d I warn you
fter dark, for
»d unless you
he river with
take my ad-

>r his respon-
ionary Com-
ogress what-
tid to add to
n much ex-
bits, and the
^ instead of
►sing it, and

"l AM NOT A CHILD NOW."

26?

was forced to take to her bed. The terrible events in
Paris, and the long strain of anxiety as to the safety of
the girls and the fate of Marie, had completely ex-
haustcHl her strength, and the last six months had aged
her as many years. Harry tried hard to keep up°his
appearance of hopefulness, and to cheer the girls; but
Jeanne's quick eye speedily perceived the change in
him.

" You are wearing yourself out, Harry," she said one
evening as they were sitting by the fire, while Vir-
ginie was tending Louise in the next room. "I can see
it in your face. It is of no use your trying to deceive
me. You tell us every day that you hope soon to get
hold of the captain of a boat sailing for England; but
I know that in reality you are making no progress.
All those months when we were hoping to get Marie
out of prison— though it seemed next to impossible—
you told us not to despair, and I knew you did not
despair yourself; but now it is different. I am sure
that you do in your heart almost give up hope. Why
don't you trust me, Harry ? I may not be able to do
much, but I might try to cheer you. You have been
comforting us all this time. Surely it is time I took
my turn. I am not a child now."

"I feel like one just at present," Ifarry said un-
steadily with quivering lips. " I feel sometimes as if—
aa we used to say at school— I could cry for twopenca
I know, Jeanne, I can trust you, and it isn't because I
doubted your courage that I have not told you exactly
how things are going on, but because it is entirely
upon you now that Louise and Virginie have to depend,

f i:'

.^i

1 1

268

•'IT MUST BE DREADFUL, HARRY."

and I do not wish to put any more weiglit on your

shoulders; but it will be a relief to me to tell you

exactly how we stand."
Harry then told her how completely he had failed

with the sailors, and how an actual feeling of hostility
against him had arisen. ''

"I think I could have stood that, Jeanne; but it is
that terrible committee that tries me. It is so awful
hearing these fiends marking out their victims and
exulting over their murder, that at times I feel tempted
to hrow myself upon some of them and strangle them "

ingly. Will It not be possible for you to give out that
you are ill, and so absent yourself for a time from
their meetings? I am su^e you look ill-iH enough
for anything. As to the sailors, do not let that worry
you Even if you could hear of a ship at present it
would be of no use. I couldn't leave Louise; she seems
to me be getting worse and worse, and the doctor
you called in three days ago thinks so too. I can see
It by his face. I think he is a good man. The woman
whose sick child I sat up with last night tells me the
poor all love him. I am sure he gues.ses that we are
not what we seem. He said this morning to me-

'"I cannot do much for your grandmother. It is a
general bi-eak-up. I have many cases like it of old
people and women upon whom the anxiety of the
tunes has told. Do not worry yourself with iatchinc,
child. She will sleep quietly, and will not need at-
tendance. If you don't mind I shall have you on my
hands. Anxiety affecis the young as well as the old '

RY."

i^eiglit on your
Be to tell you

he had failed
ng of hostility

nne; but it is
It is so awful
r victims and
I feel tempted
trangle them."
»e said sooth-
give out that

a time from
I — ill enough
et that worry
at present it
se; she seems
id the doctor
•o. I can see

The woman
tells me the

that we are
' to me:
her. It is a
ke it of old
:iety of the
ih watchincr,
tot need at-
> you on my
as the old.'

"WE WILL WAIT PATIENTLY." 2Q$

"At anyrate, you see. we cannot think of leavin.^
here at present. Louise haa risked everythincr for us°
It IS quite impossible for us to leave her now. so do
not let that worry you. We are all in God's hands
Harry, and we must wait patiently what He may aend

" We will wait patiently," Harry said. " I feel better
now. Jeanne, and you shall not see me give way a<^ain
VVhat has been worrying me most is the thought Ihat
It would have been wiser to have carried out some
other plan-to have put you and Virginie, for instance
in some farmhouse not far from Paris, and for you to
have waited there till the storm blew over."

"You must never think that. Harry." Jeanne said
earnestly. " You know we all talked it over dozens of
tunes. Louise and all of us. and we agreed that this
was our best chance, and Merie when she came out
quite thought so too. So. whatever comes, you must
not blame yourself in the slightest. Wherever we
were we were in danger, and might have been de-
nounced."

" I arranged it all, Jeanne. I have the responsibility
of your being here,"

"And to an equal extent you would have had the
responsibility of our being anywhere else. So it is of
no use letting that trouble you. Now. as to the sailors,
you know I have made the acquaintance of some of
the women in our street. Some of them are sailors'
A^ives, and possibly through them I may be able to
hear about ships. At anyrate I could try."

"Perhaps jrou could, Jeanne; but be very, very

,i i

270

"YOU ARE TURNING FLATTEUER."

If "I

caroful what questions you put, or you might be be-
trayed."

" I don't think tliere is much fear of that, Harry.
The women are more outspoken than the men. Some
of tliem are with what they call the jieople; but it is
clear that others are quite the other way. You see
trade has been almost stopped, and there is great
suttbring among the sailors and their families. Of
course 1 have been very careful not to seem to have
more money than other people; but I have been able
to make soups and things— I have learned to be quite
a cook from seeing Louise at work— and I take them
to those that are very poor, especially if they have
children ill, and I think I have won some of their
hearts."

"You win everyone's heart who comes near you,
Jeanne, I think," Harry said earnestly.

Jeanne flushed a rosy red, but said with a laugh:
" Now, Harry, you are turning flatterer. We are not
at the chateau now, sir, so your pretty speeches are
quite thrown away; and now I shall go and take Vir-
ginie's place and send her in to you."

And so another month went by, and then the old
nurse quietly passed away. She was buried, to the
girls' great grief, without any religious ceremony, for
the priests were all in hiding or had been murdered,
and France had solemnly renounced God and placed
Reason on His throne.

In the meantime Jeanne had been steadily carryinc^
on her work among her poorer neighbours, sitting up
at n^^^ht with »Iuk children, and supplying food tq

J might be be-

of that, Harry.
he mon. Some
eojilo; but it is
way. You see

tliere is great
• families. Of
seem to have
have been able
ne<l to be quite
iid I take them
r if they have

some of their

mes near

you,

ith a lauofh:
er. We are not
y speeches are
I and take Vir-

1 then the old
buried, to the
1 ceremony, for
leen murdered,
od and placed

adily carrying
urs, sitting up
lying food tq

"IT COMES 80 NATURAL." 271

Starving little ones, saying quietly in reply to the
words of gratitude of the wouam:

" My g.andn.othor has laid by savings durin^^ her
long years of service. She will not want it lon-T and
we are old enough to work for ourselves; besidas, our
brother Henri will take care of us. So we are glad to
be able to help those who need it."

While she worked she kept her ears open, and from
the talk of the women learned that the husbands of
one or two of them were employed in vessels engaged
m carrying on smuggling operations with England." A
few days after the death of Louise one of these women
whose child Jeanne had helped to nurse throucrh a
fever and had brought round by keeping it well "sup-
plied with good food, exclaimed:

" Oh, how much we owe you, mademoi?- fur your
goodness ! "

" You must not call me mademoiselle," Jeanne said
shaking her head. " It would do you harm and me too
if it were heard."

" It comes so natural," the woman said with a sigh
"I was in service once in a good family before I mar-
ried Adolphe. But I know that you are not one of those
people who say there is no God, because I saw you
kneel down and pray by Julie's bed when you thouglit
I was asleep. I expect Adolphe home in a day or two.
The poor fellow will be wild with delight when he sees
the little one on its feet again. When he went away a
fortnight ago he did not expect ever to see her alive
again, and it almost broke his heart. But what was
he to do? ;rhere are so many men out of work that if

i ;

;J72

"SURELY YOU CAN TRUST ME."

he had not sailed in the lugger there would have been
scores to take his place, and he might not perhaps have
been taken on again."

"He has been to England, has he not?" Jeanne
asked.

"Yes; the lugger carries silks and brandy. It is a
dangerous trade, for the Channel is swarming with
English cruisers. But what is he to do? — one must
live."

"Is your husband in favour of the new state of
things?" Jeanne asked.

" Not in his heart, mademoiselle, any more than I
am, but he h^^ids his tongue. Most of the sailors in the
port hate these murdering tyrants of ours; but what
can we do ? "

" Well, \Tarthe, I am sure I can trust you, and your
husband can help me if he will."

" Surely you can trust me," the woman said. " I
would lay down my life for you, and I know Adolphe
would do so too when he knows what you have done
for us,"

" Well, then, Marthe, I and my sister and my brother
Henri are anxious to be taken over to England. We
are ready to pay well for a passage, but we have not
known how to set about it."

"I thought it might be that." Marthe said quietly;
" for anyone who knows the ways of gentlefolk, as I
do, could see with half an eye that you are not one of
us. But they say, mademoiselle, that your brother is
a friend of Robespierre, and that he is one of the com-
mittee here."

ME."

rvould have been
lot perhaps have

le not?" Jeanne

brandy. It is a
swarming with
do? — one must

le new state of

ly more than I

he sailors in the

ours; but what

t you, and your

Oman said. "I
[ know Adolphe
1 you have done

and my brother
I England. We
lut we have not

he said quietly;
gentlefolk, as I
a are not one of
your brother is
one of the com-

"ADOLPIIE WILL MANAGE ALL THAT." 273

"He is only pretending, Alarthe, in order that no
suspicion should fall upon us. Eut he finds that the
sailors distrust him, and he cannot get to speak to
tiiein about takmg a passage, so I thought I would
speak to you, and you can tell me when a boat is
sailing and who is her captain."

"Adolphe will manage all that for you, never fear "
the woman said. " I know r t many a poor soul has
been hidden away on board uie smugglers craft and
got safely out of the country; but of course it's a risk
tor It IS death to assist any of the suspects. Still the
sailors are ready to run the risk, and indeed they
haven t much fear of the consequences if they are
caught, for the sailor population here are very strono-
and they would not stand quietly by and see some of
their own class treated as if they had done some ^reat
crime merely because they were earning a few pounds
by running passengers across to England. Why they
have done it from father to son as far a^ they can
recollect, for there has never been a time yet when
there were not people who wanted to pass from France
to England and from England to France without ask-
ing the leave of the authorities. I think it can be
inanaged, mademoiselle, especially, as you say, you can
attord to pay, for if one won't take you, another will
Irade IS so bad that there are scores of men would
start m their fishing-boats for a voyage across the
Channel in the hope of getting food for their wives
and tamilies."

" I was sure it wm so, Marthe, but it was so difficult
to set^ about it Everyone is afraid of spies, and it

ii£

i '

274

•'SET YOUR MIND AT EASE."

' I

needs some one to warrant that we are not trying to
draw them into a snare, before anyone will listen. If
your husband will but take the matter up, I have no
doubt it can be maiiaoed."

"Set your nund at ease; the thing is as good as done,
I tell you there are scores of men ready to undertake
the job when they know it is a straigiitt'orward one."

"That is good news indeed, Jeanne," Harry said,
when the girl told him of the conversation. "That does
seem a way out of our difficulties. I felt sure you
would be able to manage it, sooner or later, among the
poor people you have been so good to. Hurry it on as
much as you can, Jeanne. I feel that our position is
getting more and more dangerous. I am afraid I do
not play my part sufficiently well. I am not forward
enough in their violent councils. I cannot bring my-
self to vote for proposals for massacre when there is
any division among them. I fear that some have sus-
Iticions. I have been asked questions lately as to why
I am staying here, and why I have come. I have been
thinking for the last few days whether it would not be
better for us to make our way down to the mouth of
the river and try and bribe some fishermen in the vil-
lages there who would not have that feelins: ai-ainst
me that the men here have, to take us to sea, or if that
could not be managed, to get on board some little
fishing-boat at night and sail ott" by ourselves in the
hopes of being picked up by an English cruLser."

Harry indeed had for some days been feeling that
danger was thickening round him. He had noticed
angry glances cast at him by the more violent of the

e not trying to
will listen. If
• up, I have no

IS good as done,
y to undertake
tforward one."
i," Harry said,
on. "That does
. felt sure you
iter, among the
Hurry it on as
our position is
am afraid I do
in not forward
mot bring niy-

when there is
some have sus-
itely as to why
e. I have been
it would not be
D the mouth of
men in the vil-
feeling against
sea, or if that
ird some little
irselves in the

cruiser."
3n feeling that
[e had noticed

violent of the

"HAVE YOU TOLD ME ALL?" 275

committee, and had caught sentences expressing doubt
whether he had really been Robespierre's secretary
1 hat very evening as he came out from the meeting he
heard one man say to another; "

"I tell you he may have stolen it, and perhaps killed
the citizen who bore it. I believe he is a cursed aristo-
crat. I tel you I shall watch him. He has got some
women with him; the maire, who saw the paper, told
me so. I shall make it my business to get to the bottom
ot the affair, and we will make short work with him if
we hnd things are as I believe."

Harry felt therefore, that the danger was even more
urgent than he had expressed it to Jeanne, and he had
returned intending to propose immediate flioht had
not Jeanne been beforehand with her news. Even now
he hesitated whether even a day's delay mioht not
rum them. *

;; Have you told me all. Harry?" Jeanne asked

T * ^''^.'^"'i' ^"' '^'^''''^- ^ ^^' J"«*> thinking it over
I fear the danger is even more pressing than I have
said; and he repeated the sentence he had overheard.
Even now, he said, "that fellow may be watching
outside or making inquiries about you. He will hear
nothing but praise; but that very praise may cause
him to doubt still more that you are not what you

sai7"'< w/ T "'^l ""'* '"" ^^^^ ^* °"'^^^" Virginia
aid. ^^ hy .should we wait here till they come and
take us and carry us away and kill us?"

"That is what I was thinking when I came hom.
\irgmie, but the risk of trying to escape in a fishing-'

276

"WHAT DO YOU THINK, JEANNEl"

boat by ourselves would be tremendous. You see,
although I have gone out sailing sometimes on the
river in England, I know very little about it, and
although we might be picked up by an English ship, it
would be much more likely that we should fall into
the hands of one of the French gunboats. So I look
upon that as a desperate step, to be taken only at the
last moment. And now that Jeanne seems to have
arranged a safe plan, I do not like trying such a wild
scheme. A week now, and perhaps all might be
arranged; but the question is — Have we a week? have
we more than twenty-four hours ? What do you think,
Jeanne?"

" I do not see what is best to do yet," Jeanne said,
looking steadily in the fire. " It is a terrible thing to
have to decide; but I see we must decide." She sat
for five minutes without speaking, and then taking
down her cloak from the peg on which it hung she
said: " I will go round to Marthe Pichon again and tell
her we are all so anxious for each other, that I don't
think we can judge what is really the best. Marthe
will see things more clearly and will be able to advise
us."

" Yes, that will be the best plan."

It was three-quarters of an hour before she re-
turned.

"I can see you have a plan," Harry said as he saw that
there was a look of brightness and hope on Jeanne's
face.

"Yes, I have a plan, and a good one; that is to say,
Marthe has. I told her all about it. and she said

ml"

'US. You see,

etimes on the

about it, and

English ship, it

lould fall into

ts. So I look

en only ut the

seems to have

ng such a wild

all might be

a week ? have

b do you think,

," Jeanne said,
iTible thing to
ide." She sat
d then taking
h it hung she

again and tell
r, that I don't
best. Marthe

able to advise

lefore she re-

as he saw that
)e on Jeanne's

that is to say,
and she said

"ONE SEES DAYLIGHT AT LAST!" 277

directly that we m.st be hidden somewhere till her
imnhand can arrange for us to sail. I said, of course
that was what was wanted, but how could it be
'"ftnaged? So she thought it over, and we have quite
armngod it. She has a sister who lives in a fishinc..
village four miles down the river. She will go ovir
tlH-ro to-morrow and arrange with them to take us, and
Will get some fisher-girls' dresses for us. She savs
«h© 18 sure her sister will take us, for she was over
here yesterday and heard about the child getting better
ftn. Marthe told her all sorts of nonsense about what I
i.'td . one for it. She thinks we shall be quite safe there
or there are only six or seven houses, and no one but
Mmmon live there. She proposes that you shall be
Uro«Hed up in some of her husband's clothes, and sliall
gooiit fishing with her sister's husband. What do you
think of that, Harry?" ^

t^'^r'^'"''^''^' '^'^''"^' ^^^ *^^ ^"«band be trusted

" Oh, yes she says so. He is an honest man, she
Hiiys; and besides, they are very poor, and a little
n.oiioy will be a great help to them. She says she
would not propose it unless she wa^ quite, quite sure
ot thorn tor li anything happened to us she would be
ft wretched woman all her life."

"Thank Ood," Harry said fervently, "that one sees
Uftyhght at last! ."^ have felt so helpless lately! Dan-
gm «oemed to be thickening round you, and I could
do nothing; and now, Jeanne, you have found a way
out tor us where I never should have found

tuyuali.

one for

278

PROVIDENCE.

" It is God who has done it, not me," Jeanne said
reverently. " I did not begin to go about among the
poor people here with any thought of making friends,
but because they were so poor and miserable; but He
must have put it into my heart to do it, in order that
a way of escape might be made for ua"

^#^

e," Jeanne said
out among the
Tiaking friends,
erable; but He
t, in order that

CHAPTER XIII.

IN THE HANDS OF THE REDS.

|HE next morning Harry went out, as usual,
immediately after breakfast, for a walk for
two or three hours. This he did partly to
allow the girls to tidy the rooms, an office which had
naturally fallen to them since the commencement of
their old nurse's illness; partly because in active exer-
cise he found some relief from the burden of his
anxieties. To-day he felt more anxious tha.i ever.
The conversation with Marthe Pichon had afforded
good grounds of hope that in a day or two a fair pros-
pect of escape would be open to them; but this only
seemed to make the present anxiety all the sharper.
The woman had promised to get disguises, and make
the arrangements with her friends at the village below
during the course of the day, and by night, if all went
well, they might start. He told himself that he had
no reason for supposing that the vague suspicions
which were, he knew, afloat would suddenly be con-
verted into action. He determined to take his place that
afternoon with the committee as usual, and endeavour
to allay their doubts by assuming a violent attitude.

280

ARRESTED.

if i

■If ^i

He felt, however, that the day would be more trying
tlian any he had passed, and that he would give a great
deal if the next twenty-four hours were over. Scarcely
lioeding where he walked he was out longer than usual,
and It was nearly three hours after he started before
he approached the town again by the road along the
river bank. Just when he came to the first houses a
won)an, who was standing there knitting, came up to
him.

"You are the citizen who lives with his two sisters
next door to La Mfere Pichon, are you not?"

Harry assented hurriedly, with a strange presenti-
nient of evil.

"La Mere Pichon bids me tall you," the woman said,
"tliat half an hour after you started this morning six
men, with an oiBcial with the red scarf, came to the
house and arrested your listers and carried them off
They are watching there for your return."

Harry staggered as if struck with a blow.

" Poor young man," the woman said compassionately

seemg the ghastly pallor of his face, "but I pity you!

The street is furious that these wretches should have

carried off that sweet young creature, who was so good

to everyone; but what could we do? We hissed the

men, and we would have pelted them had we not been

afraid of striking your sisters. When they had gone

La Mhre Pichon said to some of us, 'The best thing we

can do for that angel is to save her brother from being

caught also. So do one of you post yourself on each

road leading to the house, and warn him in time. He

.generally walks beyond the town. I heard one of hia

3 more trying
Id give a great
>ver. Scarcely
;er than usual,
itartcd before
•ad along the
first houses a
g, came up to

is two sisters

t?"

nge presenti-

I woman said,

i morning six

came to tlie

ied them off

>w.

passionately,
1 1 pity you.
should have
> was so good
e hissed the
we not been
ey had gone
est thing we
rfrom being
self on each
n tima He
'd one of hia

DESPAIR.

281

..sters say so.' So some of us camo out on all the
roads, and two remained, one at each end of the street
m case we should n.iss you. La Mtre said, whoever
met you was to tell you to be on this road, by the river
just outside the town, after dark, and she would brined
you some clothes, and take you where you would
be safe; but till then you were to go away again, and
keep far from the town. Do you understand?" she
asked. laying her hand on his arm. for he seemed
dazed and stupid with the shock he had received.

"I understand." he said in a low voice. "Thank
you all for your warning. Yes, I will be here this

evenmof.

So saying he turned and moved away. walkin<r „n.
steadily ^ if he were drunk. The woman lo°oked
after him pityingly, and then, shaking her head and
muttering execrations against the "Reds," she made
her way home to tell Mere Pichon that she had fulfilled
ner mission.

Harry walked on slowly until some distance from
the town, and then threw himself down on a bank by
the road and lay for a time silent and dospairincr. At
last tears came to his relief, and his broad sho^'ulders
shook with a passion of sobbing to think that just at
the moment when a chance of escape was opened-
just when all the dangers seemed nearly past-the
giHs should have fallen into the hands of the enemy
and he not there to strike a blow in their defence. To
think of Jeanne-his bright, fearless Jeanne-and
clinging httle Virginie, in the hands of these human
tigers. It was maddening! But after a time the

■

I 'ii

282

FUIvSH DliTKRM [NATION.

passion of weeping calmed down, and Harry sat uj.
suddenly,

"I am a fool," he said as he rose to his feet; "a nict
sort of fellow for a protector, lying here crying like a
girl when I had begun to fancy I was a man; wasting
my time here when I know the only hope for the girls
is for me to keep myself free to help them. I need
not lose all hope yet. After Marie has been saved,
why shouldn't I save my Jeanne ? I am better oft" than
I was then, for we have friends who will help. These
women whose hearts Jeanne has won will aid if they
can, and may get some of their husbands and brothers
to aid. The battle is not lost yet, and Jeanne will
know I shall move heaven and earth to save her."

Harry's fi' of crying, unmanly as he felt it, had
afforded him an immense relief, for he hardly knew
himself how great the strain had been upon him of
late, and with a more elastic step he strode away into
the country, and for hours walked on, revolving plan
after plan in his mind for rescuing the girls. Although
nothing very plausible had occurred to him he felt
brighter in mind, though weary in body, when, just
after nightfall, he again approached the spot where lie
had that morning received so heavy a blow. He was
not disheartened at the difficulty before him, for he
knew that he should have some time yet to hit upon a
plan, and the jails were so crowded with prisoners that
he might fairly reckon upon weeks before there was
any actual necessity for action. Martha Pichon was
waiting for him.

"Ah, monsieur," she began, "but this is a terrible

AFLOAT.

Harry sat uf,

J feet; "a nice
crying like a
man; wasting
B for the girls
hem. I need
3 been saved,
)etter oft' than

help. These

11 aid if they

and brothers

Jeanne will
ave her."
s felt it, had
hardly knew
upon him of
de away into
ivolving plan
Is. Although

hiin he felt
y, when, just
pot where he
Dw.. He was

him, for he
bo hit upon a
•risoners that
re there W8.s

Pichon was

is a terriblo

283

(lay! Oh, if I had but known a day or two earlier

they could have moved in time, and now they are

in the power of those wolves; but we will try to save

them. We have been talking it over. We will all

go to the tril.unal, and we will take our husbands

and our children with us, and we will demand their

release. We will not let them be murdered. And

now here are the clothes, but you need not put them on

now. There will be a boat here in a few minutes. We

have told some of the sailors how tliey misjudged you,

and they are sorry, now it is too late, thatthey would

not listen when you spoke to them. However, they

will do all they can for you. I have sent a message

by a boy to my sister to say that I shall be down this

evening, so they will be expecting us. Ah, here is the

boat!"

The splash of oars was heard, and a boat rowed
along close to the bank.

"Is that you, Pierre?"

" It is us, sure enough, Uhre Pichon. Is all right?"

" Yes, we are both here."

In another minute the boat was rowed alongside,
and Harry and the woman got on board. There°were
few words spoken as the two men rowed vigorously
down stream. In three quarters of an hour some lights
were seen on the opposite bank, and the boat was
headed towards them and soon reached a little cause-
way.

" I shall not be more than twenty minutes," Mhve
Pichon said as she got out.
"Ail right, we will wait!" was the reply, and mount-

i :-

" WHAT iP YOU SAY. PIERRE?"

■ '

^■''

■l!

■ ' 1
: !

■Vl -

^Hf

\[1

mi,

ing the cau.soway La Mfere Pichon led tlio way to the
farthest cottage in tlie little fi>shing-villago. 'a lieht
was burning within, and lifting the latch she entered,
followed by Harry. A fisherman and his wife were
sitting by the tire.

" Here, sister Henriette and brother Pierre," Martha
said; "you have heard from me how a dear angel, who
lived ne.Kt door to me, has nursed and tended my littlo
Julie, and by the blessing of the Virgin brought her
round from her illness; and those wretches, the Reds, have
carried hor otK to-day with her sister, and you know
what it is to fall into their hands. This is her brother,
and T am going to ask you to give him shelter and let
him stay here with you. I have brought him a suit of
clothes with me, and xio one will guess that he is not
the son of some comrade of yours. He will pay you
well for .sheltering him till we can put him on board
Adolphe's lugger and send him across the water. If it
had not been that the Reds had come to-day I should
have brought his sisters with him. I was just starting
to arrange it with you when those wretches came and
took them away, and it may be that we may bring
them yet. Mademoiselle says that they would pay a
hundred crowns to you, and that is not a I'm to be
earned every day."

"No, indeed," her sister said briskly; "that will buy
Pierre a new boat, and a good one, ouch as he can go
out to sea in; besides, as you say, after what his sister
did for Julie we are bound to help them. What do
)0u say, Pierre?"

* ier.;'b faceliad expressed anything but satisfaetion

.iii^

ACCEPT.'

le way to tlie
igc. A light
\ slic entered,
lis wife were

erre," Martha
iir angel, who
ded my littlo

brought her
;he Reds, have
d you know
i her brotlier,
lelter and let
him a suit of
lat he is not
vill pay you
lim on board

water. If it
day I should
just starting
les came and
i may bring
would pay a
a siin\ to be

hat will buy
IS he can go
lat his sister
.. What do

; satisfuction

285

until the money was mentioned, but it then changed
'■ntiroly. The times were bad- his boat wan old and
uust-aworthy— a hundred crowns was a fortune to
him.

"I have risked my life often." he said, "to earn five
crowns, therefore I do not say no to the offer. Mon-
sieur, I accept; for a hundred crowns I will run the
risk of keeping you here, and your sisters too if they
should come, until you can cross the water."

"Very well then." Marthe Pichon said. "Tlmfs
settled, now I shall be off at once. They will be
watching the street for monsieur, and to-morrow,
when they find he has not come back, they will be
asking questions, so the sooner I am back the better."
^ " We cannot give you nmch accommodation, mon-
sieur," the fisherman said. " There is only the loft up-
stairs, and, for to-night, the sails to sleep on; but we
will try and make you more comfortable to-morrow."

•I care nothing for comfort," Harry answered, "so
make no change for me. Just treat me as if I were what
I shall seem to be— a young fisherman who has come to
work with you for a bit. I will row with you and
help you Willi your nets. Your sister has promised to
send a boy every day with all the news she can gather.
Now, if you have a piece of bread I will gladly eat it,
for I have touched nothing since breakfast. '

" We can do better than that for you," the woman
replied, and in a few minutes some fish were frying over
the fire, Fortun.itely the long hours he had be°en on
his feet had thoroughly tired Harry out. and after
eating his supper he at once ascended 'to the loft, threw

"^srawwBssrr

286

YOU WILL PASS ANYWHERE."

I I i

II!

himself on the heap of sails, and in a few minutes was
sound asleep. The next morning he dressed himself
in the hsherman's clothes with which he had been
provided, and went down stairs.

"You will do," Pierre said, looking at him; "but your
hands and face are too white. But I was tanning my
sails yesterday, and there is some of the stuff left in
the boiler; if you rub your hands and face with that
you will do well."

Harry took the advice, and the effect was to give
him the appearance of a lad whose face was bronzed
by long exposure to the sea and air.

"You will pass anywhere now," Pierre said approv-
ingly. "I shall give out that you belong to St. Nazaire,
and are the son of a friend of mine whose fishing-boat
was lost in the last gale, and so you have come to°work
for a time with me; no one would ask you any more.
Besides, we are all comrades, and hate the Reds, who
have spoilt our trade by killing all our best customers,
so if they come asking questions here they won't rret a
word out of anyone." '^

For ten days Harry lived with the fisherman. Adolphe
had returned in his lugger the day after his arrival
there, and came over the next evening to see him.
He said that it would be some little time before the
lugger sailed again, but that if he was ready to start
before she sailed he would manage to procure him a
passage in some other craft. He said that he had
already been talking to some of the sailors on the
wharves, and that they had promised to go to the Tri-
bunal when the girls were brought up before it, and

V minutes waa
ressed himself

he had been

im;"but your
IS tanning my
e stuff left in
:ace with that

) was to give
was bronzed

! said approv-
St. Nazaire,
e fishing-boat
come to work
ou any more.
he Reds, who
ist customers,

Y won't get a

aan. Adolpho
r his arrival
to see him.
e before the
s&dy to start
ocure liim a
that he had
ilors on the
to the Tri-
efore it, and

"I HAVE BAD NEWS." 287

that he would manage to get news from a friend
employed m the prison when that would be.

Harry frequently went up in a boat to Nantes with
Pierre with the fish they had caught. He liad no fear
ct being recognized, and did not hesitate to land, thouo-h
lie seldom went far from the boat. Adolphe was gener-
ally there, and he and two ov three of his comrades
who were in the secret, always hailed him a^ an old
•icqnanitance, so that had any of the spies of the Re-
A'olut.onists been standing there, no .suspicion that
Harry was other than he seemed would have entered
their minds

One evening, three weeks after Harry's arrival at
he hut, Adolphe came in with his head bound up by a
Liandao'e, ^ "^

"What is the matter, Adolphe?" Harry exclainied.
"I have bad news for you, monsieur. I learned this
morning that mesdemoiselles were to-day to be brou-ht
before the Tribunal, and we filled the hall with wonten
and two or three score of sailors. Mesdemoiselles were
brought out. The young one seemed frightened, but
the elder was as calm and brave as if .she feared no-
thing. They were asked their names, and she said-

; 'I am Jeanne de St. Caux, and this is my sister
Virginia W e have committed no crime.'
"Carrier himself was there, and he said:
"•You are charged with being enemies of France,
with being here in disguise, and with trying to leave
France contrary to the laws against emigration, and
with being m company with one who, under false nrp.
tences. obtained admission to the Committee of Safety

'i'

V> i

288

A HOPELESS STRUGGLE.

here, Imt who is an enemy and traitor to France.
What do you say?'

" ' I do not deny that we were in disguise,' she said
in her clear voice. 'Nor do I deny that we should
have escaped if we could. And as you treat us as
enemies, and our lives here are in danger, I cannot see
that we were to blame in doing so. I deny that we
are enemies of France, or that the gentleman who was
with us was so either. He did not obtain a place on
the committee by fraud, for he was really the secretary
of Monsieur Robespierre, and he could not refuse the
post when it was offered to him.'

" Then we thought it was time to speak, and the
women cried out for mercy, and said how good she had
been to the poor; and we men cried out too. And
then Carrier got into a passion, and said they were
traitors and worthy of death, and that they should die.
And we shouted we would not have it, and broke into
the Tribunal and surrounded mesdemoiselles, and then
the guards rushed in and there was a fight. We beat
them off and got outside, and then a regiment came
up, and they were too strong for us, though we
fought stoutly, I can tell you, for our blood was up;
but it was no use. The dear ladies were captured
again, and many of us got severe wounds. But the
feeling was strong, I can tell you, among the sailors
when the news spread through the town, for some of
the women got hurt, too, in the inek'e, and I think
we could get five hundred men together to storm the
jail."

ITarry was bitterly disai)pointed, for he had hoped

tor to France.

that the intercession of the

"I CANNOT BLAME TIIEM."

> availed
done so

.. ,, . , women might h

with the judges, and doubtless would ha
had not Carrier himself been present. However he

woundpHf .''T ™'"'^ ^' ^^■^^'•^^"^^ ^'"ong the
wounded, for he always carried half his money con
cealed m a belt under his clothes. The other haff was

cal'Tf rU"'" ''''''' ^^ '^' lodgings, so thar:
case 01 his being caiitured the girls would «till l,.,

funds available for their escape.' As o tt p "spects

of stoiming the jail he did not feel sanguine itC

trongly guarded, and there were three re 'ments o

troops in the town, and these could be broth no

attended "■ " " '"' "^™''^- "^ "'S'" "e

Two days later Adolphe again returned, and wa,

"I can hardly blame them, monsieur. For though

would do so too. It IS a terrible thing for men with
wives and families to brave the anger of'these monsTel

"I cannot blame them." Harrv —V "A
even if_they succeeded there wolia't a ttiir;:i

290

TERRIBLE NEWS.

• I

\i J .

geance for it afterwards. No; if the girls are to be
rescued it must be by some other way. I have been
quiet so long because I hoped that the intercession of
the women would have saved them. As that has failed
I must set to work. I have thought of every method,
but bribery seems the only chance. Will you speak
to the man you know in the prison, and sound him
whether it will be possible to carry out any plan in
that way?"

" I will speak again to him," Adolphe said. "But I
have already sounded him, and he said that there were
so many guards and jailers that he feared that it would
be impossible. But I will try again."

The next day, soon after dinner, Adolphe came again,
and there was a white scared look upon his face which
filled Harry with alarm.

"What is it, Adolphe? What is your news?"

"Monsieur, I can hardly tell it," Adolphe said in a
low awe-stricken voice. "It is too awful even for these
fiends."

" What is it, Adolphe? Tell me. If they have been
murdered I will go straight to Nantes and kill Carrier
the first time he leaves his house, though they may
tear me to pieces afterwards."

" They are not murdered yet," Adolphe said ; " but
they are to be, and everyone else." And this time the
sailor sat down and cried like a child.

At last, in answer to Harry's entreaties, he raised
his head and told the story. The Revolutionary
Committee had that day been down at the wharf, and
had taken for the public service four old luggers past

t .'■
»■•■

! girls are to be
'f. I have been
e intercession oi'
s that has failed
if every method,
Will you speak
and sound him
3ut any plan in

e said. " But I

that there were

ed that it would

Iphe came again,
ti his face which

ir news?"
lolphe said in a
il even for tliese

they have been
and kill Carrier
ough they may

Iphe said; "but
id this time the

aties, he raised

Revolutionaiy

the wharf, and

Id luggers past

"THEY HAVI TO BE SAVED." ^

«»vice which were lying on the mud, and they had

:::» 1';' t'e :id"' :i'"i.r;°° '-" "■" *=

tinnlr 41 • r ^^^'^' '^"^ ^"'^t they were going to
l|ack^ the aristocrats on board the luggers a^nd Snk

Harry gave a cry of horror, in which the fishernmn
and Ins wife jomed, the latter pouring out voluble
curses agamst Carrier and the Reds

on'lltl" T-"'^^ V'"^ ''''' ^^'^"*' '^« «^«k down
lH8 nands for some minutes, while the fisherman and

iJo not go away, I shall be back presently. I mus

th nk by myself." went out bareheaded into t'ile nZ

fcjvas haU an hour before he returned. " "

Now. Adolphe." he said, "I can think a^ain Now

hew are they to be saved V ° '

" It i?r°l ''^'' 7"^^^"^'" Ad^lpl^e said hesitatingly.
it does not seem to me—" ® "^

ft Jrlvf «f^'? ^'" ^" '""''^" ^'"^ interrupted him in
ft Stave, steady voice. " The question is how r>

Yes. monsieur," Adolphe agreed hesitatingly. " that

won on. "to do my best whatever you may dedde

I Will tl "" '"' '° ^^^'^"^ ^^^^"^"^- ^- ^^^'- -^'

''I know I can rely upon you, Adolphe. As far as I

mMee there are but two ways. One i.s for me o ,o

to Urr,ors house, find the monster, place a pistol at

!l'

292

•'THAT IS THE QUESTION."

I? I

his head, compel him to order them to be released,
stand with him at the prison door till they come out,
embark with him and them in a boat, row down the
river, and put to sea,"

"And then, monsieur?" Adolphe asked after a pause,
seeing that Harry was speaking to himselt' rather than
to him.

"Yes, that is the question that I cannot answer,"
Harry replied. " I can see all the rest as if it were
passing. I can feel Carrier trembling in my grasp, and
shrinking as the pistol touches his forehead. I can hear
him giving his orders, I can see the crowd falling back
as I walk with him through the street, I can hear him
crying to the people to stand aside and let us pass, I
can see us going down the river together; but what am
I to do in a boat with two ladies at sea?"

"Could you not embark in a lugger?" Adolphe ex-
claimed, carried away by the picture which Harry
seemed to be describing as if he saw it. "Why not
start in a lugger at once? I might have the Trois Freres
ready, and the men will all stand by you; and when
we are once outside the river we will throw Carrier
over to the fishes and make for England,"

" Thank you, Adolphe. If the other plans seem im-
possible we will try that, but only as a last resource;
for 1 know the chances are a hundred to one against
its success. I should have no fear as to Carrier him-
self, but as I went through the streets some one else
might place a musket at the back of my head and
shoot me. If I could get him alone it would be dif-
ferent. You could go with me; I would force him to

to be released,

they come out,

, row down the

(1 after a pause,
self rather than

annot answer,"
jt as if it were
ti my grasp, and
ead. I can hear
ivd falling back
I can hear him
d let us pass, I
!r; but what am
?"

'?" Adolphe ex-
! which Harry
it. "Why not
;he Trois Freres
you; and when

throw Carrier
d."

plans seem im-
1 last resource;
[ to one against
;o Carrier him-
\ some one else

my head and
-J would be dif-
d force him tQ

tttE OtttER PLAN.

sign the order of release; you could take it; and I
would stand over him till you had time to embark
with them; then I would blow out his brains and
make my way down to the river. But there would be
no chance of finding him alone. Monsters like this
are always fearful of assassination."
"And what is monsieur's other plan?"
"The other plan is to get on board the boat in which
they are to be placed-you might find out which it is
from your friend in prison-hide down in the hold
untd the guards leave her; then join them; and when
she smks fasten them to a spar and drift dov^n the
nver with then, till out of sight of the town, when
Pierre could row off and pick them up "

"They sa,y there are to be soldiers on each side of
the nver, Adolphe said despondently, "to shoot down
any who may try to swim to shore. But there would
not be many who would try. Most of them, they say
will be women and children; but the heads would be
seen as you drifted down."

"Yes; but we must think of something, Adolphe-
think, man, thmk-and you, Pierre, think; if you were
in a sinking ship, and you wanted son.ething which
would hide you from the yes of people a hundred
yards away, what would you take?"

"But you would be seen on anything you climbed
on to or clung to, monsieur."

" But we need not climb on to it," Harry said. « I
can take pieces of cork with me and wrap round them
so as to keep their faces just afloat. I should only
want something that would hide their faces "

294

"I HAVE AN IDKA."

"A hatch might do," Pierre said.

"The very thing!" Harry exclaimed with a fresh ring
of animation and hopefulness in his voice; "the very
thing! Of course there would be a hatchway to the
forecastle of the lugger. We might get bhat loosened
beforehand, so that it would float ofE What is the
size of such a hatch?"

" Some four feet square, monsieur."

"That will be enough," Harry said; "but how high
would a hatch float out of water, because there must
be room between the top of the water for us to
breathe as we lie on our backs. Four inches would be
enough. Are the sides buoyant enough to keep the
top tliat much out of water?"

"1 do not think so, monsieur," Pierre said with a
shake of the head, " It would float nearly level with
the water."

"But see here, monsieur," Adolphe said eagerly; "I
liave an idea! The hatches are covered with tar-
paulin. If you could hide in the forecastle during the
night you might cut away all the top underneath the
tarpaulin and prop it up, so that if anyone trod on it
in the morning they would not notice what had been
done. Then when they have pushed off" you could
knock away the props, the board would tumble down,
and there would be only the tarpaulin cover on the
sides. It would float then quite four inches out of
water, and that in the middle of the stream would look
almost level with it."

"I will try it," Harry said; "there is a chance of
success."

!i-i

th a fresh ring

ice; "the very

tchway to the

bhat loosened

What is the

but how high
se there must
ier for us to
ches would be
1 to keep the

e said with a
rly level with

d eagerly; " I
red with tar-
tle during the
iderneath the
one trod on it
hat had been
off you could
tumble down,
cover on the
inches out of
ra would look

} a chance of

"WE WILL I'KAY FOR YOUR SOULS." 295

"It is a terrible risk, monsieur," Pierre said.
"I know it," Harry replied; "but it is just possible-
The chances are a hundred to one against it, but it
may succeed. Well, Pierre, do you be with your boat
on the river just below the point where the town can
be seen. If you see a hatch floating down row to it.
If we are beneath it, well and good; if not—"

"If not, monsieur," the fisherman's wife said solemnly
" we will pray for your souls."

"Adolphe will send down to you in the morning the
two fisher-girls' dresses his wife had prepared for the
ladies. Have some brandy in the boat and your little
charcoal stove, and keep water boiling. They will want
it. And now good-bye, my good friends ! Pray for us to-
night. Now, Adolphe, let us hasten back to the town,
for there is much to be done. And first of all you
must see your friend in the prison; find out if mesde-
moiselles are on the list of those to be murdered. I
have no doubt they will be, for after the emeute there
has been about them they are almost sure to be amoncr
the first victims. But above all, find out, if you can°
which vessel they are to be placed in."

"But if I cannot find that out, monsieur; if there is
no arrangement made at all— though I should think
there would be, for the butchers will like to have
everything done in order—"

" Then I will get you to find a dozen men you can

trust to volunteer to row the boats to put them on

board. And you must be sure to take the boat in

which they are to the lugger we have prepared."

"I will try," Adolphe said, "though I would rather

296

"all is Lost, YoU see!"

■ ; ?

If ;

III

It i
fi-
ll

cut off my hand than pull . n oar to take those poor
creatures out to be murdered. But I will do it, mon-
sieur. But except for that I warrant me they will not
get a sailor in Nantes to put his hand to an oar to aid
their accursed work."

It was four o'clock when they arrived at Nantes.
Adolphe went straight to the prison, while Larry
walked along the quay. When he came abrcist the
centre of the town a number of sailors and fishermen
were standing talking in low tones, and looking with
horror at four luggers moored in a line in the centi'e
of the river. A number of men drawn from the scum
of the town were painting them white, while a strong
body of troops were drawn up on ihe quay in readi-
ness to put a summary stop to any demonstration of
hostility on the part of the sailors. These did not
indeed venture to express openly their detestation of
the proceedings, but the muttered execrations and
curses that rose from the little group showed how
deep were their feelings.

Harry joined a little knot of three or four men who
had been, with Adolphe, in the habit o greeting him
when he landed.

"All is lost, you see!" one of them said in a tone of
deep commiseration. " There is nothing left but ven-
geance — we will take that one of these days — but that
is a poor consolation for you now."

"All is not quite lost," Harry said. "I have yet
one hope."

"We dare not try force," one of the other men said.
** They have marched three more regiments of Eeds in

ike those poor
vill (Jo it, mon-
e they will not

an oar to aid

r'ed at Nantes.

while L/ivry

ne abreast the

and fishermen

1 looking with
) in the centre
from the scum
while a strong
quay in readi-
nionstration of
Those did not
• detestation of
[ecrations and
) showed how

four men who
greeting him

id in a tone of
; left but ven-
iays — but that

"I have yet

ther men said,
nts of Reds in

"1 HAVE GOT TIIR NRW.S 1 WANTRD." 20?

to-day. What can we do against them without anna?
I could cry to think that we are so helpless in the face
of these things."

"No; I know force is useless," Harry said. "Still I
have just one hope left. It is a desperate one, and I
cannot tell you what it is now; out to-night, maybe,
Adolphe may ask you to help us. I expect him here soon."'
. ^ In half an hour Adolphe returned, and Harry at once
joined him,

" I have got the news I wanted," he said. " Mesde-

moiselles are to be in the first batch brought out.

Boats have already been bought by the Reds to row

them out, and men hired. They were forced to buy

the boats, for not a man would let his craft for such a

purpose. It would be accursed ev^r afterwards, no

sailor would ever put a foot on board. The first boats

will go to tlie ship lying lowest in the stream; then

they will come back and take the next batch cut to

the vessel ne.vt above; and so until all are on board.

There will be fifty placed on board each lugger; and I

hear, monsieur, that is only the first of it, and that the

drownings will go on until the prisons are cleared."

" Thank God we know that much, Adoli^he ! Now, in
the first place, I want you to get me some tools— a
sharp saw, a chisel, a large screw-driver, and half a
dozen large screws; also, two beams of wood to fasten
across the hatchway and keep the boards up after I
have sawn through them; also, I want three bundles
of cork— flat pieces will be the best if you can get
them, but that doesn't matter much. I may as well
have an auger too. When you go back to your house

I? 5

t ■■

298

THE EVE OF THE ENTERPniSE.

will you go in next door and ask our old landlady,
M^re Leflo— "

" She died three days tt^o," the man said.

"Then go into the house without asking, and in the
farthest corner to the right-hand side of the kitchen
scratch away the earth, and you will find a little bag
of money. If I fail to-morrow, keep it for yourself;
if I succeed, bring it to me at Pierre's. When does your
lugger sail for England?"

"In three days, monsieur. I have already sounded
the captain, and I think he will take you. And what
shall I do next?"

"At nine o'clock this evening have a boat with the
things on board half a mile below the town. Give a
low whistle, and I will answer it. Wrap some flannel
round the rowlocks to muffle the sound. It will be a
dark night, and there's a mist rising already from the
river. I do not think there's much chance of our
meeting any boats near those vessels."

" No, indeed," Adolplie agreed. " It makes me shiver
to look at them. There will be no boat out on the river
to-night except ours. Will you not come home with
me, monsieur, until it is time to start? You will need
supper, for you must keep up your strength."

Harry accepted the sailor's invitation; and after par-
taking of a meal with Adolplie and his wife, who was
informed of the attempt which was about to be made,
he sat looking quietlv into the fire, arranging in
his mind all the details of the enterprise, uttering
many a silent but fervent prayer that he might be
permitted to save the lives of the two girla

ON TMK RIVER.

299

old landlady,

lid.

ng, and in the
»f the kitchen
id a little bug
i for yourself;
^hen does your

ready sounded
u. And what

boat with the
town. Give a
p some flannel
It will be a
sady from the
chance of our

tkes me shiver
ut on the rivet
ne home with
You will need
>gth."

and after par-
wife, who wasi
it to be made,

arranging in
jrise, uttering

he might be
rls.

Adolphe wunt in and out making his preparations.
At half-past eight he said, touching Harry on the
shoulder: " It is time to start, monsieur. I have got the
bag of money. Kvcrything is in the boat, and"l saw
the men start with it. It is time for us to go and
meet them."

Marthe burst into tears as she said good-bye to
1 farry.

" I shall spend all night on my knees," .she said
"praying (Jod and the Holy Virgin to aid you and
save those dear angels. Here is a packet, monsieur,
with some food for you to eat in the morning, and a
bottle of good wine. You will want strength for your
adventure."

Three or four minutes after Harry and Adolphe had
gained the appointed spot they heard a low whistle
on the water. Adolphe whistled in return, and in
another^ minute a dark object appeared through the
mist. They took their i)laces in the stern, and the
boat rowed quietly off again. So well were the oars
muffled that Harry could hear no sound save an almost
imperceptible splash each time they dipped into the
water.

The town was very still and scarce a sound was
heard. The awe of the horrible event which was
about to take place hung over the town, and although
there was drinking and exultations among the rufiians
in the back lanes, even these instinctively avoided the
neighbourhood of the river.

So thick was the fog that they were some little time
before they found the white luggers. When they did

iji

! I

30D

THE WHITE LUGGER.

j i

;; I

so they rowed to that moored lowest down the stream
and made fast alongside. Noiselessly the tools and
beams were handed on board. Then Harry said:

" That is all, Adolphe."

" Not at all, monsieur. We are not going to leave you
till the work is done. We have settled that four sets
of hands can work better than one, and besides, we
may hit on some idea. No one can say."

Finding it useless to remonstrate, Harry let the good
fellows have their way. Tlie men had already re-
moved their boots, and noiselessly made their way
to the hatch of the forecastle.

" Ah, it is just as well I brought a file with me,"
Adolphe said in a low voice, as he knelt down and felt
the hatch. " It is fastened down with a staple and
padlock. They are old, but you might have some
trouble in breaking them. But let us see first. No, it
moves. Now, a wrench all together."

As he spoke the staple came up through the rotten
wood of the deck. The hatch was then lifted,

"Lower it down corner- ways into the fo'castle,"
Adolphe said. "We can work all the bettor at it there.
Jacques, do you get that sail up out of the boat and
throw it over the hatch. It isn't likely anyone will
come out here through the fog; but it's just as well not
to run any risk.

As soon as all were below, and the sail spread over
the opening above, Adolphe produced a dark lantern
from the great pocket of his fisherman's cloak, together
with two or three candles. These were lit at the
lantern, and the party then set to work.

ivn the stream
the tools and
Ti-y said:

g to leave you
that four sets
d besides, we

J let the good
i already re-
de their way

file with me,"
3own and felt
a staple and
it have some
s first. No, it

igh the rotten

lifted,

the fo'castle,"

;er at it there.

the boat and

'■ anyone will

1st as well not

il spread over
dark lantern
loak, together
re lit at the

"IT WILL LOOK AWASH WITH THE WATER." 301

Two saws had been brought on board, and a piece
three feet square was cut out of the top of the hatch,
leaving six inches of wood all round. Great pains were
taken not to saw througli the tarpaulin cover.

"Now, the next tiling to do," Harry said, " is to fix
the beams so as to hold the wood in its place again."
Four pieces of wood, each three inches long, were
screwed against the combing of the hatchway in such
a position that when the beams were placed upon
them they were exactly level with the top, and sup-
ported the piece cut out from the hatchway in its
original position.

"That will do rarely," Adolphe said, when it was
finished and the hatchway experimentally placed in its
position. " Now, all you have to do is just to knock
the ends of the beams off their ledges. The bit we
have cut out will fall down, and you will be able
easily enough to lift the hatchway from its place. It
is no great weight now."

"It will do capitally," Harry agreed, "and when it
floats the tarpaulin will certainly be three inches above
the water. Yes, I have no fear of that part of the ad-
venture going wrong. You don't think that it will
be noticed from the shore, Adolphe?"

"Not it," Adolphe answered confidently. "Why, from
the shore it will look awash with the water. No one will
ever dream that there could be a soul alive underneath
it. I begin to think you will do it, monsieur At
first it seemed hopeless. Now I really do think there
IS a chance. I should feel pretty confident if it was
you and two of us who had to do it; but the difficulty

' i ' i i it

* I

':i T :}

■ ^

i i

302

THE WORK COMl'LETED.

will be to get the young ladies under it, and then to
get them to lie quiet there."

"That is the difficulty," Harry admitted. "I am
sure of the eldest. Her nerves are as good as mine ; what
1 fear is about the younger."

" I'll tell you what, monsieur," one of the other men
said ; " if you take my advice you will have a piece of
rope in readiness and tie it round her arms so as to
prevent her struggling."

" That would be the best way," Harry agreed. "Yes,
if I see she won't be calm and do as 1 tell her, tliat is
what I will do."

"Now, monsieur, I will bore a couple of auger-
holes through the bulkhead here so that you can see
what is going on in the hold. They have got the hatch
off tliere. I suppose it wasn't padlocked, and they will
no doubt go down to bore the holes the last thing.
Like enough they have bored them already, and will
only have to knock out the plugs. I will just go and
see anyhow. If that is so you may set your mind at
rest that none of them will come down here in the

morning.

So saying, taking the dark lantern he climbed up
on deck, and descended the hold.

"That's it," he said when he returned; "there are
six holes bored with plugs in them, so they won't
be coming down here. When we go up we will put
the staple into its hole again, so that it will look all
right. Now, monsieur, we will just have one nip of
brandy apiece out of this bottle, and then we will he
off, It's just gone midnight, and it were best we

it, and then to

ittcd. "I am
I as mine; what

the other men
lave a piece of
arms so as to

agreed. " Yes,
ell her, that is

auger-

pie of

it you can see
got the hatch
and they will

he last thing.

eady, and will

i}'. just go and
your mind at

n here in the

le climbed up

"I THINK HE WILL SUCCEED." 303

should leave you to sleep for a few hours. You will
want your strength in the morning, unless, of course,
you would rather we stopped with you for a bit."

" No, thank yon, Adolphe, I don't think I shall sleep;
I shall sit and think out every detail."

" Then good night, monsieur. May the good God
bless you and aid you to-morrow, and I think he will!
I do think you are the bravest man I ever met."

" I am not brave for myself, Adolphe, but for them."

The three men shook hands with Harry, and one
after another in husky voices gave him their good
wishes. Then they ascended to the deck, put on the
hatch, pressed the staple down through its holes in the
deck, got into the boat, cast off the head-rope, and got
out the oars.

"Mon Dieu, what courage!" one of them exclaimed.
" His hand is as steady, and his voice as firm as if he
were going fishing to-morrow."

" I think he will succeed," Adolphe said, " anyhow, we
will have our boat out below the bend of the river,
and lend a hand to Pierre to get them out."

d; "there are

30 they won't

D we will put

; will look all

ve one nip of

en we will be

vere best we

if i

ft i-

If J

III i^

CHAPTER XIV.

THE NOYADES.

HEN left alone Harry blew out the other
candles, but left that in the lantern burning,
and threw himself down on the locker and
thought over every detail of the work for the next day.
As he had said, the great danger was of Virginie
struggling and being too frightened to follow his in-
structions. Certainly he could fasten a rope round her,
but even then it might be difficult to manage her. The
next danger was, that other persons might cling to the
hatchway. Harry felt the long knife which was con-
cealed in his breast.

"God grant I may not have to use it!" he said;
" but, if it must be, I shall not hesitate. They would
simply destroy us without saving themselves, that is
certain; therefore, I am justified in defending the girls,
as I would against any other enemy."

He knelt down and prayed for some time. Then he
replaced the piece they had cut out from the hatch,
and fixed the beams beneath it, and then lay down
again. He was worn out by the excitement of the
day, and in spite of his anxiety about the morrow he
presently fell off to sleep.

s^;^^^

^ ^r*'^^^*^*^ J

out the other
antern burning,
the locker and
or the next day.
i^as of Virginie
o follow his in-
rope round her,
anage her. The
ght cling to the
which was con-

je it!" he said;
3. They would
mselves, that is
mding the girls,

time. Then he
:rom the hatch,
then lay down
litement of the

the morrow he

THE SIGNAL-GUN.

306

It was long before he woke. When he did so he

and could tell that the sun was already up

Ho ate the food which Marthe had put into his
pocke just as he was starting; saw that the bundles

il tC '''? Tt "' ^""^' ""^ '^' r^P-^^ attached

i« tant. 1 hen there was nothing to do but to wait.
J he tune passed slowly. Presently he heard the sound
01 .Iru.ns and bugles, and knew that the troops were
taking up their positions on the quays. At last-it
«amned „,any hours to him-he heard the splash of
Tu Z T''''"''^ ' '^'^^' '^'''^ ^' ^ b^^t rai along.

md of f "rT ^"^'^ '^"" "^^^ ^^^-«' -d the
«. nd ot feet above as persons mounted on to the deck.

iimnedrnte y af erwards another bun.p as the second
boat took the place of the first

mB. as far as Harry could hear, did not leave the
if „^''' ''^' ^ ^^^^<^ J^"m of talking on deck
pmicipally in women's voices, and frequently perls'

«tK t H 'r '^'^'' ^"' ""''-y ^ulaVdhr

ielf t hat the beams gave a solid support to it.

than f 1 T ^""^P^^'^^^^' ^« ^^" ^ Harry could judge,
li.n the boom of a cannon was heard, and immediately

T r '^ *'^'^' P^^^-^' ^"^ ^>""bed up on deck again
tl IT Tr f^"'" ^'^^ ''^"P^"» "°i««' ^»d Harry knew

a« '^ Wnated the six jets of water for a minute o,

: I I

30G

"IT IS A WHOLESALE EXECUTION."

« f

* .

Uld

two. Then, saying to himself, "It is time," he knocked
the beams from their ledges, allowed the square of
wood to fall, lifted the hatch, and pushed it off its
combing, and then clambered on to the deck with the
corks and ropes. There were some fifty persons on
board, for the most part women and children, but with
two or three men among them. They were gathered
near the stern, and were apparently watching the scene
ashore with astonishment. He hurried aft, having no
fear that at this distance from the shore his figure
would be recognized from the rest, and, if it were, it
mattered not. Two or three turned round as the sup-
posed sailor came aft, exclaiming:

"What does this mean? Why are we put here on
board these white ships? What are they going to do

with us?"

"Alas, ladies," he said, "they have put you here to
die; they have bored holes m the ships' bottoms, and
in a few minutes they will sink. It is a wholesale

execution."

As he began to speak one of the ladies in the stern
pushed her way through the rest.

" Oh, Harry, is it you!" she exclaimed as he finished.
"Is it true, are we to die together?"

"We are in God's hands, Jeanne, but there is hope
yet. Bring Virginie forward with me."

At Harry's first words a panic had seized all around;
one or two ran to the hatchway and looked down into
the hold, and screamed out that the water was rushing
in; then some cried to the distant crowd to send to
save them; others ran up and down as if demented;

rioN."

ne," he knocked
d the square of
(ushed it off' its
le deck with the
fifty persons on
lildren, but with
y were gatliered
iteliing the scene
d aft, liaving no
shore his figure
,nd, if it were, it
ound as the sup-

we put here on
they going to do

put you here to
lips' bottoms, and
t is a wholesale

adies in the stern

led as he finished.

Dut there is hope
le.

seized all around;
looked down into
vater was rushing
crowd to send to
1 as if demented;

r-AST INSTRUCTIONS.

307

while some threw themselves on their knees. But the
panic soon passed away, all liad for weeks looke.l
death in the face, and though tlie unexpected form in
which it appeared had for the moment shaken them,
they soon recovered. JMotliers clasped thuir daughters
to their b-easts for a last farewell, and then alFwith
bowed heads kneeled and listened in silence to an old
man who began to pray aloud.

Jeanne, witliout another word, had taken Virginie's
hands and accompanied Harry forward to the fore
part of the deck.

"Jeanne, [ am going to try to save you and Virginie,
but everything dejiends ui)on your being coofand
brave. I need not urge you, because I am sure of you.
Virginie, will you try to be so for Jeanne's sake and
your own? If yo,, do not we must all die together."

" What are we to do, Harry ?" Jeanne .said^steadily,
while Virginie clung to her sister sobbing bitterly

"F.-sten this bundle of corks between Virginie's
shoulders high U[)— yes, there,"

While Jeanne was doing this, Harry fastened a rope
to a ring in the side of the hatch, tlien he tied the
corks on to Jeanne's shoulders, and adjusted the third
bundle to his own. "Now, Jeanne," he said, " I will tell
you vvhat we are going to do. You see this hatch-
when the vessel sinko it will float, and we must float
on our backs with our faces underneath it so that it
will hide us from the sight of the wretches on shore;
and even if they put out in boats to kill any who may
be swimming or clinging to spars, they will not sus-
pect that there is anyone under this. We may not sue-

Ml i

HI
1*1

308

"I LOVE YOU.'

ceed; an accident may betray us, but there is a possi-
bility. At any rate, dear, we shall live or die together."

"I am content," Jeanne said quietly.

"You know, Jeanne/' Harry said, putting his hands
on the girl's shoulders, "that I love you; I should never
have told you so until I got you home if it hadn't been
for this; but though I have never said it, you know I
love you."

"I know, Harry, and I love you too with all my
heart; so nuicli th^^t I can feel almost happy that we
are ooinix to die toijethei'. We are affianced now, dear,
come what will." And she lifted her face to his.

He gave her one long kiss, then there was a crash.
Impatient at the length of time the vessels were in
sinking, those ashore had opened lire with cannons
upon thein, and the shot had struck the lugger just
above the water.

With a little cry Virginie fell senseless on the deck.

"That's the best thing that could have happened,"
Harry said as Jeanne stooped over her sister. "Lie
down on the deck, dear, or you may be struck; they
are firing with muskets now. I am going to lie down
too," he said in answer to her look, " but I shall first
twist this cord round Virginie so as to keep her arms
by her side, otherwise when the water touches her she
may come to her senses and struggle. That's all right."

Then he lay down on the deck between the girls
with his head against the hatch, and holding the rope.

"Put your head on my shoulder, Jeanne, and I will put
my arm round you; I will hold Virginie the same way the
other side. Hold tight by me for a moment as we sink, I

BENEATH THE HATCH.

there is a possi-
or die together."

iitting his hands
i; I should never
if it hadn't been
d it, you know 1

too with all my
t happy that we
anced now, dear,
face to his.
lere was a crash.

vessels were in
re with cannons

the lugger just

(less on the deck,
have happened,"
her sister. "Lie
be struck; they
joing to lie down
but I shall first
io keep her arms
L- touches her she
That's all right."
etween the girls
holding the rope,
ine, and I will put
the same way the
aent as we sink, I

309

may have to use my arms to get the hatch over our
face.s. Do not breathe while you are under tlio water for
we shall, no doubt, go down with the lugger, althou-h
I shall try to keep you afloat; when you are un.fer
the hatch you will find you will float with your mouth
well out of water, and will be able to breathe, the corks
will keep you up."

"I understand, Harry; now let us pray until the
time comes."

_ Shot after shot struck the lugger, then Harry felt her
give a sudden lurch. There was a wild cry and the ne.xt
moment she went down stern first. She was so nearly
even with the water when she sank, that there was
less downward suck than Harry had expected, and
striking out with his feet his head was soon above
the surface. The cord had kept the hatch within a
couple of feet of him, and with some difliculty, owin- to
the buoyancy of the corks, he thrust himself and "the
girls under it. The tarpaulin was old and rotten, and
the light penetrated in several places, and Harry could
see that, in the position in which they were lying, the
faces of both girls were above the water.

It was useless to speak for their ears were sub-
merged; but a slight motion from Jeanne responded
to a pressure of his arm, and he knew that she was
sensible although she had not made the slightest motion
from the moment the vessel sank. Virg^inie had not
as he feared would be the case, recovered her senses
with the shock of the immersion, but lay insensible on
his shoulder. He could see by the movement of
Jeanne's lips that she was praying, and he too thanked

310

If ^

SUSI'ENSE.

5 ': ! i

Cod that He liu<l given success to the plan so far,
and pra3'e(l for protection to the end.

With every minuto that passed his hopes rose;
everytliiiig had answered beyond liis expectation.
The other victims had apparently not even noticed
what he was doirjg, and therefore had not, as he
feared might be the cfise, interfered with his pre-
parations, nor had any of them striven to gain a hold
on the hatchway. Tiie sinking of the vessels, and
the tearing up of the water by the shot, would render
the surface disturbed and broken, and decrease the
chances of the floating hatch attracting attention. After
ten minutes had passed he fc^' certain that they must
be below the point where the troops were assembled.

The tide was running out strong, for the time for
the massacre had been fixed at an hour which would
ensure tlie bodies being swept down to the sea. Half
an hour would, he thought, take them past the bend,
where their friends would be waiting for them. The
time seemed endless, for although Harry felt the col''.-
ness of the water but little for himself, he knew that
it must be trying indeed for Jeanne. As far as he
could see her face it was as white as her sister's; but
he had hold of one of her hands now, and knew that
she was still conscious.

At last he heard the sound of oars. It might not be
one of the friendly boats; but the probability was
that it was one or other of them. Had they seen any
other fisherman's boat near the point they would have
rowed high up so as to intercept the hatch before it
reached the stranger. Harry could not hear voices; for

i to the plan so far,

end.

sseil his hopes rose;
ond his expectation,
tly not even noticed
fore had not, as he
rfered witli his prc-
itriven to gain a hold
■ of the vessels, and
be shot, would render
en, and decrease the
cting attention. After
rtain that they must
jps were assembled.
mg, for the time for
m hour which would
wn to the sea. Half

them past the bend,
ting for them. The

Harry felt the coM-
imself, he knew that
anne. As far as he
e as her sister's; but
now, and knew that

irs,

It might not be

the probability was

Had they seen any

int they would have

the hatch before it

not hear voices; for

i '

f .J
*

lis I I 'll !■■ ■iii iiiif iiiip^mei

JEANNK AND VIRGIMK KESCIKI) FROM THE MASSACRE.

6AVKD.

311

M THE MASSACRE.

although tlio water had conveye(l tlie sound of the
onra a considerable distance, he could liear no sound in
the air.

The oars came nearer and nearer, and by the quick-
ness with wliich tlio strokes followed each otlKu- he
knew tliat two ]>oats were at liand. Then the hatcli
was suddenly lifted, and us Harry raised his head
above water there was a loud cheer, and he saw Adolphe
and Pierre, one on each side, stretch out their ai-nis to
him. The girls were first lifted into Pierre's boat, for
Jeanne was as incapable of movement as her sister,
tlien Harry was drag^^ed in, the rough sailors shak-
ing his hand and patting him on the shoulder, while
the tears ran down their cheeks.

"Give them .some hot brandy and water," were his
first words. Pieno ' a kettle boiling. A glass of
hot licjuor was placLu lo Jeanne's lips.

At first she couJd not swallow, but after a few drops
had passed her lips she wa.s able to take a sip, and
would then ha\ e stopped, but Harry insisted upon her
flrinking the whole contents of the glass.

" You must do as you are told, Jeanne," he said in
her ear " You belong to me now, you know. It can
do you no harm chilled as you are, and may savr you
from illness."

In the meantime Pierre had poured several sp( onfuls
of nearly neat brandy between Virginie's lips. Adolphe,
and one of the men with him, had changed over
into Pierre's boat, and were rowing lustily down the
river.

Aa soon as Jeanne was able to sit up she began to

Pi i

lii

If 1
fill

312

A WARM WELCOME.

chafe one of Virginie's hands, while Harry took the
other.

" Take off her shoes, Pierre, and soak a swab with
the hot water and put it to her feet."

But with all these efforts it was not until they were
close to Pierre's village that Virginie opened her eyes
When they arrived at the little causeway the two girls
were wrapped up in the peasants' cloaks which Pierre
had brought with him. Jeanne took Harry's arm, while
Adolphe lifted Virginie and carried her up. Henriette
was standing at the door as Jeanne staggered in with
Harry.

" That is right, mademoiselle. Thank God who has
brought you straight through the danger. Now, do
not stop a moment, but come in here and get into bed
It is all ready for you. The blankets have been before
the fire until the moment you landed; they will soon
give you warmth. Hurry in, mademoiselle; I will un-
dress your sister. And do you, Monsieur Sandwith
hurry up to the loft and get on dry clothes."

Harry soon rejoined the party in the kitchen. The
strong glass of hot spirits he had drunk had sent the
blood quickly through his veins, and he felt in a crbw
of warmth. *

"Now," he said, "my friends, I can thank you all
for the aid you have given us. It is to you we owe
our lives, for without your aid I never should have
succeeded."

" Say nothing about it, monsieur. We are happy to
have saved such a brave young man, and to have
rescued two victims from those monsters."

"CONSIDER IT AS GOOD AS DONE." 313

"Do you think there is any danger of anyone here tak-
ing the news of our landing to the town?" Harry asked.
"They must have seen us come up to the cottage."

" There s no fear, Pierre said confidently. "There
is not a man or won.da here who would not tear the
scelerats to pieces if they had the chance. Have they
not spoiled our market by killing all our best cus-
tomers? And now how are we to ei •>. our livino-, I
should like to know? Why, not even the poorest beg-
gar in Nantes would buy fish out of the river for
months after this. No, you need have no fear of them.
They may guess who you are, but it is no business of
theirs, and they will hold their tongues."

"At anyrate, Pierre, you had better distribute a few
crowns among them, to help them live till the fishing
is good again."

"That I will do, monsieur. It is quite safe; but it
is as well to make it even safer."

In half en hour Pierre's wife came in from the inner
room, and said that both girls were sound asleep.

" Now, Adolphe, it only remains for you to arrange
with your captain for our passage."

" That I will do this afternoon," Adolphe said con-
fidently. " Consider it as good as done."

After Adolphe had started for the town, Harry was
persuaded by Pierre to lie down for a bit; but he soon
gave up the idea of going to sleep. His brain was in
a whirl from the events of the last twenty-four hours,
and above all he felt so brimming over with happiness
that the girls had been saved that he soon found it
impossible to lie still. He therefore went down again

l! .

III ,i

: i

: 1 1

: I

; 1

314

I CAN UNDERSTAND YOU, MONSIEUR."

and joined Pierre, who was doing some repairs to his
boat.

" It is no use my trying to sleep, Pierre. I am too
delighted that everything has turned out right. I want
to break out into shoutinjj and singfinsf."

" I can understand, monsieur. Yes, yes. After great
trouble great joy. I know it myself. I was once adrift
in a boat for threa weeks. I was on a voyage to Guada-
loupe when we were blown in a hurricane on a ' key,'
as they call the low sandy islands out there. It was
in fact no more than a sand-bank. More than half of
those on board were drowned; but eight of us got
ashore, and we managed to haul up a woman with
her child of two years old in her arms.

" We thought at first the mother was dead, but she
came round. The ship went to pieces and we saved
nothing. The currents swept everything away but a
1 oat, which had been thrown up beyond the reach of
the waves. For two days we had no food or water,
and suffered terribly, for the sun had shone down
straight on our heads, and we envied those who had
died at once. The woman set us a good example.
She spent her time tending her child and praying to
God; and we sailors, who are rough, you know — but
who know that God protects us, and never go for a
long voyage without going to the chapel and paying
for a mass for our safety — we prayed too, and the
third morning there were three turtles asleep on the
shore. We turned them over on their backs, and there
was meat for us for a long time.
•* We killed one and drank the blood, and eat our

MONSIEUR."

some repairs to hia

p, Pierre. I am too
id out right. I want
ying."

es, yes. After great

L I was once adrift

a voyage to Guada-

urricane on a ' key,'

out there. It was

More than half of

ut eight of us got

up a woman with

'Ills.

r was dead, but she
eces and we saved
ything away but a
eyond the reach of
. no food or water,
1 had shone down
fied those who had
3 a good example,
ild and praying to
jh, you know — but
ind never go for a
chapel and paying
•ayed too, and the
irtles asleep on the
jir backs, and there

ulood, BTiti eat Our

A HAPPY SUGGESTION.

315

first meal raw. Then we cut up the rest of the flesh
and hung it up in the sun to dry. That very night
we sew the clouds banking up, and knew it was gohig
to rain.

"'Now,' our mate said, 'if we had but a barrel we
could catch water and start in our boat, but without
that the water will last only a day or two; for if we
kill all the turtles and fill their shells, it will evaporate
in a day under this hot sun, and it may I e weeks
before tb-re is rain again, and we might as well have
die' :, >nce.'

i -y- shame,' the woman said. ' You are doubtinfr
the good God again, after he has saved your life and
has sent you food and is now going to send you water.
Do you think he has done all th.., for nothing? There
must be some way out of the difficulty if we could but
think of it.'

"She sat looking at the turtle for two or three
minutes, and then said:

" 'It is easy. Why have you not thought of it? See
there. Cut oft' one of their heads, and then you can
get your arm in, if you take the biggest. Then cut
out all the meat and bones piece by piece, and there is
a great bottle which will hold gallons.'

" We shouted for joy, for it was a.s she said, though
I am sure none of us would ever have thought of it
if God had not given her the idea. We soon set to
work and got the shell ready. The rain storm came
quickly. We bad turned the boat over, the oars had •
been washed away, but the mast and sail were lashed

-^ ^,,v Vilr^aruo. tt C UittUt; B, ll^/UO IIOUOW 111 tlie ^UtlU

316

"THERE IS THE SHIP."

'! i

if i

I I-

, i ^

f: 1

1 v^i
"HI .

1
1

Ml, ...

and stretched out the sail, and by the time this was
clone and the men were ready with the turtle-shell
the rain came. When it rains in those parts it comes
down in bucketfuls. and we soon had enough in the
sail to drink our Till and to fill up the turtle-shell to
the top.

"The next morning w.e got the boat afloat, put the
other turtle in, with our stock of dried flesh and our
shell of water, and set sail. But our luck seemed gone
We lay for days scarce moving through the water
with the sail hanging idle and the sun blazing down
upon us. We had not been careful enoucrh of the
water at first, making sure that in three or'four days
we should sight land, and when after three days we
pu ourselves on short rations, there was scarce a
gallon of water left.

"It was a week after that before we saw a sail Two
ot the men had jumped overboard raving mad, the rest
were lying well-nigh senseless in the bottom of the
boat Only the woman was sitting up, holding her
child m her arms. She was very weak, too; but she
had never complained, never doubted for a moment
Her eyes went from the child's face over the sea to
look for the help she felt would come, and back again
and at last she said quite quiet and natural:

'"There is the ship. I knew it must come to-day
for my child could not live through another ni^ht'

"We thought she was dreaming or ofl^ her head
But one of us made a shift to stand up and look, and
when he screamed out 'A sail! a sail!' two of us who
were strong enough looked out nUn Th-re -^

"A NARROW ESCAPE INDEED." 317

fttid sailing, as we could soon see, on a line as directly
for us aa if they had our bearings, and had been sent
to fetch as.

" It was not until evening that she came up, though
Hhe was bringing a light breeze along with her. And
when we were lifted on to her deck, and had water
held to our lips, and knew that we were safe, we felt,
1 expect, much the same as you do now, monsieur,
that it was the good Goa himself who had assuredly
saved us from death. That was my last voyage, for
Henrietta was waiting for me at home, and I had pro-
mised her that after we had gone to church together
I would go no more to distant countries, but would
settle down here as a fisherman."

"That was a nai-row escape indeed, Pierre," Harry
mid as he worked away with the tar brush. "That
idea of the turtle was a splendid one, and you may
well say that God put it into the woman's head, for
without it you could never have lived till the ship
found you."

In the meantime Henriette had made her rounds to
the cottages to see what remarks had been made as to
the coming of her visitors. She saw that everyone had
guessed that the girls who had been picked up by
Pierre were victims of the massacre, but no one sup-
posed that it was the result of intention.

" Ah, Mere Gounard, but your good man was for-
tunate to-day," one of the women said. " My man did
not go out, We heard what was doing at Nantes, and
he ha<l not the heart to go; besides, who would buy
tish caught to-day? If he had thought of it he would

I i I

318 ««WE WOULD TRAR HIM IN PIECES."

have gone too, an-l perliaps he would have picked up
somebody, as you have done. Poor things, what an
escape for them!"

"It is wonderful that they have come round," Hen-
nette said "It was lucky n.y husband had some
brandy m the boat. He thought for a ti.ne he would
never bring the youngest round. They are only youn^r
guis. What harm could they have done that thos^
monsters at Nantes should try to murder them There
IS no fear, I hope, that any in the village will say a
word about it." ^

"What!" the woman said indignantly, "do you think
that anyone here would betray a conu-ade to the Redsr
Why. we would tear him in pieces."

"No, no," Henriette said; "I never thought for a
moment that anyone would do it intentionally: but
the boys might let slip a word carelessly which mWU
bring them down upon us." °

"We will take care of that," the woman said. "Make
your mind easy. Not a soul outside the village will
ever know of it." ''

"And," Henriette added, "one of them has some
money hidden upon her, and she told me just before I
came out, when 1 was saying that the tillage would
have a bad tiu.e now the fishing was spoiled-that as
she hoped to cross to England in a few days, and would
have no need of the money, for it seen.s that she can
get plenty over there, she will give five crowns to each
house in the village as a thank-oirerin^^-.'

"Well that is not to be despised." the woman said.
We shall have a hard time of it for a bit, and that

r IN PIECES."

vould have picked up
Poor things, what an

ve come round," Hen-
"■ husband had some
'' for a time he would
They are only young
lave done that those
murder them. There

"HOW IS VIRGINIKl"

319

he vill

village will

say a

lantly, "do you think
;onuade to the Reds •

s."

lever thought for a
t intentionally; but
'elessly which might

woman said. "Make
side the village will

of them has some
)ld me just before I
fc the village would
'■as spoiled— that as
i-'W days, and would
seems that she can
five crowns to each
i-ino-.'

I," the woman said,
for a bit, and that

will carry us on through it. You are sure she can
spare it; because we would rather starve than take it
if she cannot."

Henriette assured her that her visitor said she could
afford it well.

" Well, then, it's a lucky day for the village, Mere
Gounard, that your husband i>icked them up."

" Well, I will go back now," Henriette said. " Will
you go round the village and tell the others about
silencing the children. I must get some broth ready
by the time these poor creatures wake."

The next morning Jeanne appeared at breakfast in
her dress as a fish-girl, but few words were spoken
between her and Harry, for the fisherman and his wife
were present,

"How is Virginie?" he asked.

" She's better, but she is weak and languid, so I told
her she must stop in bed for to-day. Do not look
anxious. I have no doubt that she will be v/ell enough
to be up to-morrow She has been sleeping ever since
she went to bed yesterday, and when she woke she had
a basin of broth. I think by to-morrow she will be
well enough to get up But it will be some time
before she is herself again. It is a terrible strain for
her to have gone through, but she was very brave all
the time we were in prison. She had such confidence
in you, she felt sure that you would manage some-
how to rescue us."

After breakfast Jeanne strolled down with Harry to
the river-side.
"I feel strange with you, Harry," she said. " Before

320

"IT NEVER ENTERED MY MIND."

:'t:'' !

S !'

[I ' ■'

i'.l

you seemed almost like a brothrr, and now it is so dif-
ferent."

"Yes; but liappier?" Harry asked gently.

"Oh, so much happier, Harry! But there is one
thmg I want to tell you. It might seem strange to
you that I should tell you I loved you on my own
account without your speaking to the head of the
family."

" But there was no time for that, Jeanne," Harry said
smiling.

"No," Jeanne said simply. "I suppose it would
have been the same anyhow; but I want to tell you
Harry, that in the first letter which she sent me when
she was m the prison, Marie told me, that as she mi-lit
not see me again, she thought it right I should kn°ow
that our father and mother had told her that nioht we
left home that they thought I cared for you.° You
didn't think so, did you, Harry?" she broke off with
a vivid blush. " You did not think I cared for you
before you cared for me?"

" No, indeed, Jeanne," he said earnestly. " It never
entered my mind. You ,-,oe, lear, up to the beginnino-
of that tmie I only felt as a hoy. and in England lads
of eighteen or nineteen seldom think about such things
at all. It was only afterwards, when somehow the
danger and the anxiety seemed to make a man of me
when I saw how brave and thoughtful and unselfish you
were, that I knew I loved you, and felt that if you
could some day love me, I should be the happiest fel-
low alive. Before that I thought of you as a dear little
girl who was inclined to make rather too much of uie

■w^

Y MIND."

and now it is so dif-

ed gently.

! But there is one
jht «eem strange to
ed you on my own
;o the head of the

Jeanne," Harry said

suppose it would
I want to tell you,
1 she sent me when
e, that as she migiit
jht I should know
1 her that night we
fed for you. You
she broke off with
k I cared for you

nestly. " It never
p to the beginning
i in England lads

about such thincrs
hen somehow the
ake a man of me,
1 and unselfish you
I felt that if you

the happiest fel-
'ou as a dear little
r too much of me

A MYSTERY SOLVED.

321

because of that dog business. And did you really care
for me then? j »> ^

" I never thought of it in that way. Harry, any more
than you did, but I know now that my mother was
right, and that I loved you all along without knowing
It My dear father and mother told Marie that thev
thought I was fond of you, and that, if at any time
you should get fond of me too and ask for my hand
they gave their approval beforehand, for they were
sure that you would make me happy. So they told
Mane and Ernest, who, if ill came to them, would be
the heads of the family, that I had their consent to
marry you. It makes me happy to know this. Harry "
1 am very glad, too, dear," Harry said earnestly.
It IS very satisfactory for you, and it is very pleasant
to me to know that they had such a good opinion of
me, and that they were ready to trust you to me. Ah ' "
he said suddenly, "that was what was in the letter 'l
wondered a little at the time, for somehow after that
Jeanne, you were a little different with me. I thought
at hrst I might somehow have offended you But I
did not think that long." he went on. as Jeanne uttered
an indignant exclamation, "because if anythin- offended
you, you always spoke out frankly. Still I wondered
over It for some time, and certainly I was never near
guessing the truth."

; I could not help being a little different," Jeanne
said shyly. "I had never thought of it before, and
though I am sure it made me happy, I could not feel
quite the same with you, especially as I knew that
you never thought of me like that."

(381)

Jiiii 1

322

"I SHOULD BE IN THE WAY."

"But you thought of me so afterwards, Jeanne?"

" Sometimes just for a moment, but I tried not to
think of it, Huny. We were so strangely placed, and
it made it easier for you to be a brother, and I felt sure
you would not speak till we were safolv in England,
and I was in Ernest's care. But," she said with a little
laugh, " you were nearly speaking that evening in the
cottage when you felt so desjuiiring."

"Very nearly, Jeanne; I did so want comfort."

And so they talked happily together for an hour.

" I wonder Pieire does not come down to his boat,"
Harry said at last. " There were several more things
wanting doing to it. Why, there he is calling. Surely
it can never be dinner-time; but that's what he says.
It doesn't seem an hour since breukfas*,"

Jeanne hurried on into the hut.

" Why, Pierre," Harry said to the fisherman, who
was waiting outside for him, "I thought you were
going on with your boat."

" So I was, monsieur, but Henriette told me I should
be in the way."

"In the way, Pierre!" Harry repeated in surprise.

"All, monsieur," Pierre said with a twinkle in his
eye, " you have been deceiving us. My wife saw it in
a moment when the young lady came to breakfast.

"'Brother! 'she said to me when you went out; 'don't
tell me! Monsieur is the young lady's lover. Brother
and sister don't look at each other like that. Why, one
could see it with half an eye.'"

"Your wife is right, Pierre; mademoiselle is my
tianctle. I am really an Englishman. She and her

■ .u

WAY."

wards, Jeanne?"
but I tried not to
•angely placed, and
her, and I felt sure
safely in England,
le said with a little
ihat evening in the

•ant comfort."
her for an hour.
Jown to his boat,"
jvcral more thino;,s
1 is calling. Surely
at's what he say.s.
['a

"BROTHERS DO NOT OiTEN DO SO." 323

A>>

16 fisherman, who
ihought you were

;e told nic I should

ated in sur2)rise.
a twinkle in his
My wife saw it in
le to breakfast.
)u went out; 'don't
^'s lover. Brother
ke that. Why, one

idemoiselle is my
in, She and her

nurse

or died
called

sister had

sonie three weeks since; but I have alwaysW

their brother, because it made it easier for her."

" C^uite right, monsieur; but my wife and I are clad
to see that it is otherwise, and that, after all you have
risked for that pretty creature, you are going to be
Imppy together. My wife was not surprised. Women
are sharper than men in these matters, and she said
to me, when she heard what you were going to do to
save them, 'I would wager. Pierre, that one of these
mesdemoiselles is not monsieur's sister. Men will do
a great deal for their sister, but I never heard of a man
throwing away his life as he is going to do on the
mere chance of savino- one.' "

"I should have done just the .same had it been one
of my sisters," Harry said a little indignantly.

"Perhaps you would, monsieur. I do not say no," the
fisherman said, shaking his head; " but brothers do not
often do so."

As, op was put to the conversation by Henriette
putting her head outside the door and demandincr
angrily what they were stopping talking there for
when the fish was getting cold.

In the evening Adolphl and his wife came in.

"Ah. mademoiselle," the woman said as she embraced
Jeanne with tears in her eyes, "how thankful I am to
see you again! I never thought I should do so. My
heart almost stopped beating yesterday when I heard
the guns. I and my little one were on our knees

pravinof fn iha rrnnA n„j £ - i\ 1 1 -

J 1 '" ' ° '''^" "'^ ^^^^ ^^^y who had

Bftved her life, Adolphe had spoken hopefully, but it

324

J I:

; f

, '

BFi

A FRESH DANGER.

hro.f wTT*!/' ""' *''"^ '^ ^^"'^ ^'' ^"d When he
brought back tlie new« that he had left you all safely
here, I could hardly believe it was true."

"And I must thank you al«o, nimlemoiselle." Adolphe
said, "for saving tlm life of my little one. I never
expected to see her alive aoain, and when the lugger
.nade fast to the wharf I was at.aid to g. home.Tnd
I hung about till Marth. h td heard we were in and
came down to n.e with Julie in her arms, looking
almost herself agam. Ah, nmdemoiselle. you cannot
^11 how ,ny heart leaped with joy, and how I felt when
Marthe told me how much you had done for u.s, and
how glad I was when she told n,e that there was a way
ot paying some part of my debt to you."

"You have been able to pay more than your debt"
Jeanne said gently; "if I saved one life you hav'e
helped to save three."

"No we shall be only quits, mademoiselle, for what
would Marthe s life and mine be worth if the child had

"There are fresh notices stuck up," he went on.
warning all masters of ships, fishermen, and others
against taking passengers on board, and saying that
the penalty of assisting the enemies of France to es-
cape from justice is death."

"That is rather serious," Harry said.

"It is nothing." Adolphe replied confidently. "After
yesterday's work there is not a sailor or fisherman
in the port but would do all he could to help people to
escape from the hands of the butchers, and once on
Ooard It Will holp yo^, Yqu maj. be sure ^he sailpr^

I! ;

.\_

1<1 be, and when he
J left you all safely

true."

leinoiselle," Adolphe
little one. I never
«I when the lugger
lid to gu home, and
ird we were in and

her arms, looking
oiselle, you cannot
tnd how I felt when
d done for us, and
at there was a way
you."

'6 than your debt,"
one life you have

Jmoiselle, for what
th if the child had

up," he went on,
Jrmen, and others,
, and saying that
i of France to es-

id.

nfidently. "After
ilor or fisherman
to help people to
ers, and once on
e sure ^he aailgr^

"MB IS IN IT HEART AND SOUL* 325

will do their best to run away if they can, or to hide
any on board, should they be ovorliauled, now thoy
know that thoy will be guillotincl if anyone is found.
However, our captain hr, mwh the agreiMiient. and ho
is a man of his word; besides, \e hates the Reds I
have been helping shin t',., cask to-day, and we have
stowed them so as to ^,•.'•e r.ace into which your
sisters can crawl and thf auance be stopped up with
casks, if we should be overhauled. As for ^ m, monsieur,
you will pass anywhere as one of the crew, and we have
arranged that one of the men shall at the last moment
stay behind, so tliat the number will be right, and you
will answer to his name. We have thought matters
over, you see, and I can tell you that the captain does
It ftiore because he hates the Reds than for the money.
The day before he would give me no answer. He said
he thought the risk was too great; but when I saw
him last night he was a diflferent man altogether. His
face was as white as a sheet, and his eyes" seemed on
fire, and he said. ' I will take your friends, Adolphe. I
would take them without a penny. I should never sleep
again if. owing to me. they fell into the hands of these
monsters.' So you see he is in it heart and soul."

After half an hour's talk Adolphe and Marthe took
their leave. Both refused the reward which Harry had
promised, but Harry insisted, and at last Jeanne said:
"You can refuse for yourselves, but you will make
me unhappy if you do not take it. Put it by for
Julie; it will help swell her dot when she marries, and
will set her husband up in a good fishimr-boat if

takes to a sailor.'

sh(

326

! I I

ON BOARD tHE LUGGER.

So It was arranged, and Adolphe and his wife went
off invoking blessings on the heads of the fugitives.

w ffl Tu *^' P"''^^ *°"^ ^^''' P^^^^« i« the boat
with the fisherman. Virginie was still weak, but wa^
able to walk with Harry's help. Half an hour later a
lugger was seen coming down with the wind and tide
She carried a small white flag flying on the mizzen.
That IS her, the fisherman said; "that is the sicmal "
He rowed out into the middle of the river. In a few
minutes the lugger came dashing along, her course took
her witlun a few feet of the boat, a rope was thrown
and m an instant the boat was tearing through the
water alongside her. Half a dozen hands were stretched
out, the gids and Harry sprang on board, the rope
waa cast off, and the fisherman, with a cheery "God
speed you/ put out his oars again and rowed to shore

^^^

• L

3GER.

e and his wife went
ids of the fugitives.
V places in the boat
1 still weak, but was
Half an hour later a
1 the wind and tide,
(ig on the mizzen.
; "that is the signal."
the river. In a few
ong, her course took
a rope was thrown,
earing through the
ands were stretched
an board, the rope
^ith a cheery "God
tnd rowed to shore.

CHAPTER XV.

ENGLAND.

|0 below, mcsdemoiselles," the captain of the
lugger said as soon as they had put foot on
the deck. " If anyone on the shore were to
see us as we ran down, and notice women on deck, he
would think it strange. At anyrate it's best to be on
the safe side."

So saying he led the way to his cabin below.

"It is a rough place, mesdemoiselles,"he said, removing
his cap, "but it is better than the prisons at Nantes. I
am sorry to say that when we get down near the forts
I shall hav^ to ask you to hide down below the casks.
I heard last night that in future every boat goincr out
of the river, even if it is only a fishing-boat, is to be
searched. But you needn't be afraid; we have con-
structed a hiding-place, where they will never find you
unless they unloaded the whole lugger, and that there
is no chance of their doincr."

" We do not mind where we hide, captain," Jeanne
said. " We have been hiding for the last six months,
and we are indeed grateful to you for having consented
to take us with you."

328

"YOt; ARE ANDRE LEBCEUF."

FrisV^llZ: .":: '^ y. '-' 'hat the Troi.

be th. risk rfrri ir^ :-;::", "■?''-''*^^-"

Wish to escape to England "AttttTilTru:

;:i:rindtn z c:fz to'T-' r ^"°■■

n.yse,f ho. holes i„ hoTlnl tlfSf ^Itd cI™"

demoiselles, during thet^a / nd'/t T""' """•

make yourselves a: eomfortl&e as iVoarlhT "'"
the boy with coffee. Now if vou In ^\''^""'

will go on deek and look ato h^eou "e^"""' ""' '

Mere Tofln n i , , ^ ^^ '^""'^'^ ^^^^ lodged with
Mere Leflo, and had done so much for thn.. i
snfferincr He wn^ ih.. f , °^^ ^^^^^ were

i^. ne was therefore cord a ly received h.r *i
sadors, to each of whom the captain Tnl f^ !'
promised double pay for thl T^ / ^'''^^^^'

through safely. ^ ^ *^' "^"^^^e if they got

A^^^'U^^r'I^l^f^' -^' "^^-^ you are
this morn n. for J' : ''' '^/"^'^^ ^ <^°1 ^ «wim of it

wharf whenCltLr;,^e^^LdT'^^^^-°" ^^^

' — ''le nad die cai>tain s list

EBOSUF.'*

le last that the Trois
lin said. "Whatever
e any fugitives who
f'st I was against the
ople were taxed too
ay with the nobles
who work for their
Jodshed and murder,
IS sickened me alto-
rois Freres, I would
ler if I had Carrier
ig securely fastened
your disposal, mes-
d I trust you will
oucan. Ah, here is
will permit me, I
Jourse,"

ting with Adolphe,
om he had already
srod, and as several
ley too had heard
n who lodged with
or those who were
J received by the
tain had already
age if they got

'd, "that you are
a cold swim of it
mmissary on the
the captain s list

KfiARINO tHE FORTS.

32d

of the crew, and saw that each man was on board and
searched high and low to see that there was no one else.
So Andre, instead of slipping off home again, had to
go with us. When we were out of sight of the
town the captain steered as near the bank as he could
and Andrt^ jumped over and swam ashore. It is all
the better as it has turned out, because the commissary
signed the list of the crew and put a seal to it."

In four hours the Trois Freres was approaching the
forts at the mouth of the river, and the captain came
down to the cabin, in which Harry was chatting with
the two girls.

"Now, mesdemoiselles," he said, "it is time for you
to go to your hiding-place, for it will take us nearly
half an hour to close it up again. As soon as the Reds
have left us we will let you out."

The hatch was lifted and they descended into the
hold of the vessel, which waj full of kegs to within
three feet of the deck. The captain carried a lan-
tern.

"Please follow me, mesdemoiselles, you must crawl
along here."

The girls followed him until they wore close to the
bulkhead dividing the hold from the forecastle. Two
feet from this there was a vacant space.

"Now, mesdemoiselles, if you will give me your hands
I will lower you down here. Do not be afraid— your
feet will touch the bottom; and I have had some hay
put there for you to sit upon. Adolphe, you had better
go down first with that Iflnfprn of your° to recei"e
them."

I I

■ '■

I :

II 1

330

THE HIDING-PLACE.

The girls were lowered down and fnnn^ i-U i

■•Tl"s IS to form the roof, mesdemoiselles," he said

will leave the hatchway oLnArT '^^}^'''

able?" ^ ^ '^^^ y^" comfort-

steady pressure nfrl . 1 _. Ho^-ever, the warm,

captot . * =''"'°^' """'"« "' fro» 'he port.

«.m„te, the gunboat ran alongsidr ' " ^™

bhow me your papers," an officer -'1,1
on board followed b/haif a dotr :„:.3 * Th ?;'
tarn went down into his eabin ,.j,<: 'ZJ"!'
papera ougnt up the

tHE SEARCH.

331

"That is all right," the officer said glancing at them;
now, where is the list of your crew?"

"This is it," the captain said taking it from his
rocket; "a commissary at Nantes went through them
on starting and placed his seal to it as you see."

"Form the men up, and let tliem answer to their
names," the officer said. The men for.ied in line
And the officer read out the names; Harry answerin<r
for Andre Lebanif. "That is all right, so far," u.e
officer said. "Now, sir, I must, a-^cordina to my
orders, search your vessel to see that no one is con-
cealed there."

"By all means," the captain said, "you will find
the iTois Freves carries noticing contraband except her
cargo. I have already taken off the hatch, as you
m-e, m order to save time." T)^.. forecastle and cabin
were first searched closely. ,.,3ral of the sailors
tlicn descended into the hold. Two lanterns were
handed down to them.

"It looks all clear, sir," one of the sailors said to
their officer. The latter leaped down on to the kc-s
and looked round. *

•Yes, it looks all right, but you had better shift
mm of the keg. and see that all is solid." Some
of the kegs were moved from their position, and in
a few places some of the second tier were al.'.o lifted
Ihe ofhcer hnuself superintended the search.

"1 y.ink J can let you go on now. Captain Grig-
naud, he said. « Your men can stow the cargo acrain
A good voyage to you, and may you meet with no
«.ngli3h eruisers by the way."

IM '

!! :!

(. '^1

RELEASiNO THE GiRm.

The captain at once orave orders for tlie sails to be
run up agai... and bj Jo time the officer and his men
had climbed over the bulwarks into the gunboat the
Tro^s Freres ha,d already wa; upon her. Tb. captain
then gave the order for the men to go below and stow
the c^ks again. Adolphe and Hurry were the first to
i.^ap down and before the vessels were two hundred
y.y^ apari they had removed the two uppermost tiers
:f keg. next to the bulkhead, mA were able to speak
tO the girls.

"Are you all right down thciY, Jeanne?" Harry
asked. ^

"Yes quite right. Harry, though the air is rather
close. Virginie has fainted; she was frightened when
she heard them moving the kegs just over our heads;
bu^t^she will come round a^ soon as you get her on

The la^t tier was removed, and Harry lowered him-
self into the hold; he and Jeanne raised Virginie until
Adolphe and one of the other sailors could reach her
Jeanne was lifted on to the cross beams, and was soon
beside her sister, and Harry quickly clambered up.

Ihey must not come on deck yet," the captain said
speaking down the hatchway. "We are too close to
the gunboat, and from the forts with their glasses
they can see what is passing on our deck. Don't
replace the kegs over the hole again, Adolphe; we may
be overhauled again, and had better i.ave it open in
case of emergencies."

VJrcrinie was carried unde- th. pen hatchway
som-; vrtter was handed down U ■• - ^ - v^x^ ^-l-i i'

AT SEA.

333

It on her face, and this with the fresh air speedily
brought her round. When the lugger wa. a mile
below the forts, the captain said that they could now
safely come up, and they were soon in possession
of thecabm again. Before evening the lugger was
out of sight of land. The wind wa.s blowing freshly
and she raced along leaving a broad track of foam
behind her. The captain and crew were in hi<.h
spirits at having succeeded in carrying off the fu^i-
tives from under the noses of their enemies, and "at
the progress the lugger was making.

"We shall not be far from the° coast of England
by to-morrow night," the captain said to Harry, "that
18 It we have the luck to avoid meeting any of the
English cruisers. We don't care much for the revenue
cutters for there is not one of them that can over-
haul the Trow Freres in a wind like this. They have
all had more than one try. but we can laugh at them-
biit It would be a different thing if we fell in with one
ot the Channel cruisers; in a light wind we could keep
away from them too, but with a brisk wind like this
we should have no chance with them; they carry
too much sail for us. There is the boy carrying in
ti.e supper to your sisters; with their permis.sion, you
and I will sup with them."

The captain sent in a polite message to the airls
and on the receipt of the answer that they w1)uld
be very pleased to have the captain's company, he
and Harry went down. The meal was an excellent
one, but the girls ate but little, for they were both
beginning to feel the effects of the motion of the

S34

HARRY TELLS HIS STORY.

vessel, for they had, wlien once fairly at sea, kept on
deck. The captain perceiving that they ate but little
proposed to Harry that coliee should be served on
deck, so that the ladies might at once lie down for
the night.

"Now, captain," Harry said as the skipper lit his pipe,
"I daresay you would like to hear how we came to be
fugitives on board your ship."

"If you have no objection to tell me, I should
indeed," the captain replied; "I have been wondering
all day how you young people escaped the search for
suspects so long, and how you came to be at Nantes,
where, as Adolphe tells me, your sister was an angel
among the poor, and that you yourself were a member
of the Revolutionary Committee; that seemed to me
the most extraordinary of all, but I wouldn't ask any
questions until you yourself volunteered to enlicrhten

Harry thereupon related the whole story of their
adventures, concealing only the fact that the girls were
not his sisters; as it was less awkward for Jeanne that
this relationship should be supposed to exist.

"Sapriste, your adventures have been marvellous,
monsieur, and I congratulate you heartily. You have
a rare head and courage, and yet you cannot be above
twenty."

"I am just nineteen," Harry replied.

"Just nineteen, and you succeeded in getting your
friend safely out of that mob of scoundrels In the
Abbaye. got your elder sister out of La Force, you
fooled liobespierre and th© Revolutionists in Nantes,

:ORY.

irly at sea, kept on

. they ate but little

lould be served on

once lie down for

'■ skipper lit his pipe,
how we came to be

tell me, I should
ve been wonderinor
iped the search for
le to be at Nantes,
ister was an anirel
self were a member
ihat seemed to me
[ wouldn't ask any
.eercd to enlighten

lole story of their
that the girls were
ird for Jeanne that

to exist.

been marvellous,
■artily. You have
lu cannot be above

d in getting your
scoundrels in the
of La Force, vou
ionists in Nan tea,

A LETTER TO MARIE.

335

and you carried those two girls safely through France,
rescued them from the white lugg.r. and got them on
board the Trois Frerea! it sounds like a miracle."

" The getting them on board the Trois Freres was,
you must remember, my sister's work. I had failed
and was in despair. Suspicions were already aroused
and we should assuredly have been arrested if it had
not been that she had won the heart of Adolphe's
wife by nursing her child in its illness."

"That is so," the captain agreed; "and they must
have good courage too that they didn't betray them-
selves all that time. And now I tell you what I will
do, monsieur. If you will write a letter to your sister
m Paris, saying that you and the other two have
reached England in safety, I will when I return
send it by sure hand to Paris. To make all safe you
had better send it to the people she is staying with,
and word it so that no one will understand it tf they
were to read it. Say, for example:

"•My dear Sister,— You will be glad to hear that
the consignment of lace has been safely landed in
England.' Then you can go on saying that 'your
mother is better, and that you expect to be married
soon, as you have made a good profit out of the lace,'
and so on; and just sign your name— 'Your brother-
Henri.'

" I can trust the man who will deliver it in Paris,
but it is just as well always to be on the safe side. If
your letter , opened and read, anyone will suppose
that it is written by a sailor belonging to one of the
Nantes luggers."

■

i I

f j

t'l r

■

■ ;'

.
1

f '

Jiil

1':;

■ I :•■ ■'!

. j

■

!
1

^j^^Vjim^

336

AN ENGLISH FRIGATE.

Harry thanked the captain warmly for the offer
and said tli. ,:.. .c.u.r would ixuleed beau immense
comfort to his sister and friend.

"I will tell the man that he is to ask if there is any
answer." the captain said. "And if your sister is L
sharp as you are she will write the same sort of letter
and I will bring it across with me to England the first
voyage I make after I get it."

Harry slept down in the forecastle with the crew
the captain keeping on deck all night. He was awoke
oy an order shouted down the forecastle for all hands
to come on deck; and hurrying up with 'he rest found
that the sun had just risen. The day was beautifully
hne and to Harry '.s surprise he found that those on
deck had already lowered the great lugsails.

"What is it, captain?" he asked.
_ " There is a sail there I don't like." the captain said.
It 1 am not mistaken that is an English frigate "
There were .n-eral sails in sight, but the one to
which tlie capt m pointed was crossing ahead of the
lugger. Her hull could not be seen, and inde,,! from
the deck only her topsails and royals were visible
aL'jvi; the water.

"I hope she will not see us," the captain said. "We
are low in the wnf • and these stun.,, masts could
not be seen ai that distance even by a look-out at the
mast-head.

"We are -ead^ somewhat astern of her, and every
minute will take her further awn If she does not
see us in a quarter of an hour, we shall '.e safe. If she
dQes, there is nothing for it but to run back towards

OATE.

warmly for the offer,
xideed be an immense

to ask if there is any
d if your sister is as
he same sort of letter,
e to England the first

castle with the crew,
light. He was awoke
recastle for all hands
p with he rest found
J day was beautifully
found that those on
at lugsails.

ke," the captain said.
English frigate."
ght, but the one to
•ossing ahead of the
en, and indeed from
royals were visible

5 oaptaiji said. "We

stump masts could

t)y a look-out at the

Ti of her, and every
f. If she does not
hall he safe. If she

"» run KqoU ^^-.T. 1-

"ARE WE BRVOND DANOER?" 337

ttt wUh'«r' /r''""" '«'™^"«'"' 'ong 3ta,.t
tnat with H„s wind slie would never catch ,„ R„.

t:T :?:tT„r;?--'~^

watCh,, on •n,lZ:^^lZ:^'"' "' '"^

again hoisted and the r , V" ''°"' "'" ""^'^ "««
war «,,„ , *'"' ^""^ ^'■"■'x proceeded on her

c It,n, n , T"^ """Pamtively near se> eral J'
elmntmen, bu these paid n„ attention to her SI „

-iorw::x^„tr:r-^h'::-?-'»"*

d.'ck an.l th. h^'^^^ta at. Ih ; girls soon came on

;i:;:r^'-'"="^''»*'^'Hewind:a^tr:',:

»y tr„d°Jll d"^" 1. ''"'"S -""e„-that is to
ay Duyond all danger ot meeting a Frei.ch ve.«el-of-

n I ve^K ::fr'' ^-^r' "^ ="""°' «^ " «-'^ f-

VeJ I tZt '°°"-8"' P'''^"'^ "P ^y o-'-crui,- . ,

»>-<., I think we are quite out of daii.er 'n,„.. ■
only one chance against us " ° '"" " "

"And what is that, Harry?" Jeanne asked.
-It IS not a serious one," Harrv rpnUori . « •* •

Buteve:th::::rui:;-Znt,t^"t:' -r^^f- ■

-.0 douW the captah, would'let ^.-^:.e7^::: ^

338

THR i^OAST OF ENGLAND.

we could be picked uj) by the cutter in pursuit of
us."

"I don't think that vvoul'i be a good plan," Jeanne
said; " because they might not stop to pick us up, and
then we might have a long way to reach the shore-
No, 1 think it will be better to stay on board, Harry;
for, as you say, if she does have to run away for a
time, she is sure to come back again to unload her
cargo. But of course do whatever you think best."

"I think your view is tlie best, Jeanne. However, I
hope the opportunity will not occur, and that the
Trots Frerea will run her cargo without interference.
The cajjtain tells me he is making for a point on the
Dorsetshire coast, and that he is expected. Of courae he
could not say the exact day he would be here. But he
told them the day on which, if he could get his carg(j
on buai J, he should sail, and they will be looking out
for him "

i{«l'bi'e sunset the English coast was visible.

"We could not have timed it better," the captain
said. " It will be getting dark before they can make
us out even from the clifts."

Every sail was now scrutinized by the captain
through his glass, but he saw nothing that looke(3
suspicious. At nine o'clock in the evening the lugger
was within three miles of the coast.

" Get ready the signal lanterns," the captain ordered.
And a few minutes later three lanterns were hoisted,
one above the other. Almost immediately two lights
were shown in a line on the top of the cliff.

■There is our answer," the captain said "There is

VND.

itter in pursuit of

good plan," Jeanne
) to pick us up, and
to reacli tlie shore-
,y on board, Harry;
to run away for a
jaiu to unload her
you think best."
eanne. However, I
;cur, and that the
ithout interference,
for a point on the
ected. Of couree he
Id be here. But he
could get his cargo
will be looking out

vas visible.

)etter," the captain

:ore they can make

d by the captain
•thing that looke<3
evening the lugger

the captain ordered,
terns were hoisted,
ediately two lights
the cliff,
in said. " There 19

THE RMUOOLERS' TRICKiS. 339

nothing to bo done to-night. Tlmt means ' The revenue
.nen are on the look-out; come back to-morrow

"But they are always on the look-out, are they
not? Hjury asked. ^

"Ves," the captain said; "but when our friends on
shore know we are coming thoy try to throw them off
the .scent It will be whispered about to-morrow that
a run IS hkely to be made ten miles along the coast,
and they will Uke care that this comes to the eara
oi he revenue officer. Then to-morrow evening after
du..k a hshing-boat will go out and show some lights
two nulos off shore at the point named, and a rocket
wil be sent up from the cliff That will convince them
that the news is true, and the revenue officers will
hurry away in that direction with every man they can
get togetlier. Then we shall run in here and land our
cargo There will be plenty of carts waiting for us
and before the revenue men are back the kegs will be
stowed safely away miles inland. Of coui-se things
go wrong sometimes and the revenue officers are not
to be fooled, but in nine cases out of ten we manage
to run our cargoes without a shot being fired. Now°I
must get offshore again."

The orders were gi ven, and the Troi^ Freves was soon
runnmg out to sea. They stood far out and then
lowered the sails ani drifted until late in the after-
noon, when tliey again made sail for the land. At ten
o clock the signal lights were again exhibited, and this
tnne the answer was made by one light low dnwn hv
U»e waters edge. "^ '^

340

ON ENGLISH SOIL.

" The coast is clear," the captain said, rubbing his
liands. " We'll take her in as close as she will go. the
less distance there is to row the better."

The Trois Freres was run on until within a hundred
yards of the shore, then a light anchor was dropped.
The two boats had already been lowered and were
towed alongs, e, and the work of transferring the
cargo at oiieo began,

"Do you go in the first boat, monsieur, with the
ladies," the captain said. " The sooner you are ashore
the better. There is no saying whether we may not
be disturbed and obliged to run out to sea again at a
moment's notice."

Harry at once handed him over the amount pro-
mised as payment for the passage. There was a hearty
good-bye said to Adolphe, who was again thanked most
warmly for the services he had rendered. Then Harry
handed the girls into the boat, which was by this time
filled nearly to the gunwale with kegs, and in five
minutes they were ashore.

"Thank God!" he exclaimed, as after wading throuo-h
the shallow water he stood on the shore, while tvvo°of
the sailors carried the girls and put them beside him.
" Thank God, I have got you safe on English soil at
last. I began to despair at one time."

"Thank God indeed," Jeanne said reverently; "but
I never quite despaired, Harry. It seemed to me He
had protected us through so many dangers, that He
must mean that we should go safely through them all,
and yet it did seem hopeless at one time."

"We had better stand on one side, girls, or rather

CARRYING OFF THE TUBS. 34 1

we had better push on up the cliff These people are

down, besides, the coastguard might arrive at any

momeii . and then there would be a fight. So let U3
• get well away from them."

But they had difficulty in making their way up the
cliff, for the path was filled with men carryin^up tubs
or coming down for more after placing them fn the
cai-ts which were waiting to convey them inland. At

ast they got to the top. One of the carts was already
laden, and was on the point of driving off when Harry
asked the man if he could tell him of any farmhouse
near where the two ladies who had landed with him
could pass the night.

J Masters place is two miles away," the man said;

doubt'no^."" '' ^"^ ^^^^ ^' ^^' ^' ^'^^ ^^^^ y*"" ^"' ^

The girls at once agreed to the proposal, and in

three-quarters of an hour the cart drew up at a farm-

"Is it all right, Bill?" a man asked, opening the door
as the cart stopped.

"Yes, it be all right. Not one of them revenue chaps
nigh Uie place. Here be the load of tubs; they was the
nrst that came ashore."

"Who have you got here?" the farmer asked as
ilarry came forward with the girls.

"These are two young ladies who have crossed in
the lugger, Harry replied. "They have narrowly
escaped being murdered in France by the Revolu-
tionists, and have gone throu,-h a terrible time Aa

S42

SAD NEWS.

! t

they have nowhere to go to-night, I thought perhaps
you would kindly let them sit by your fire till

morning.

"Surely I will," the farmer said. "Get ye in, get
ye in. Misti-ess, hero are two young French ladies who
have escaped from those bloody-minded scoundrels in
Paris. I needn't tell you to do what you can for
them."

The farmer's wife at once came forward and received
the girls most kindly. They had both picked up a
little English during Harry's residence at the chateau,
and feeling they were in good hands, Harry again went
out and lent his assistance to the farmer in carrying
the tubs down to a place of concealment made under
the flooring of one of the barns.

The next day the farmer drove them in his gig to a
town some miles inland. Here they procured dresses
in which they could travel without exciting attention,
and took their places in the coach which passed through
the town for London next day.

That evening Harry gently broke to the girls the
news of their brothers' death, for he thouuht that it
would otherwise come as a terrible shock to them on
their arrival at his home. Virginie was terribly upset,
and Jeanne cried for some time, then she said:

" Your news does not surprise n)e, Harry. I have
had a feeling all along that you knew something, but
were keeping it from me. You spoke so very seldom
of them, and when you did it seemed to me that what
you said was not s})oken in your natural voice. I felt
sure that had you known notlung you would have

thouglit perhaps
by your fire till

" Get ye in, get
French ladies who
icled scoundrels in
i^hat you can for

ward and received
both picked up a
iCe at the chateau,
Harry again went
armer in carrying
linent made under

em in his rt]<y to a
r procured dresses
exciting attention,
ch passed through

e to the girls the
e thouo'ht that it
shock to them on
vas terribly upset,
1 she said:
3, Plarry. I have
iw something, but
ke so veiy seldom
1 to me that what
,ural voice. I felt
you would have

HOME.

343

;11!

often talked to us of meeting them in London, and of
the happiness it would be. I would not ask, because I
was sure you had a good reason for not telling us; but
I was quite sure that there was something."

" I thought it better to keep it from you, Jeanne,
until the danger was all over. In the first place you
had need of all your couragt and strength; in the next
place it was possible that you n\ight never reach Eng-
land, and in that case you would never have suffered
the pain of knowing anything about it."

"How thoughtful you are, Harry!" Jeanne mur-
mured. "Oh how much we owe you! But oh how
strange and lonely we seem — everyone gone except
Marie, and we may never see her again ! "

"You will see her again, never fear," Plarry said
confidently. "And you will not feel lonely long, for
I can promise you that before you have been long
at my mother's place you will feel like one of the
family."

" Yes; but I shall not be one of the family," Jeanne
said.

" Not yet, Jeanne. But mother will look upon you
as her daughter directly I tell her t])ab you have pro-
mised to become so in reality some day."

Harry's reception, when with the two girls he drove
up in a hackney coach to the house at Cheyne Walk,
was overwhelming, and the two French girls were at
first almost bewildered by the rush of boys and girls
who tore down the steps and threw themselves upon
Harry's neck,

" You will stifle me between you all," Harry said,

Iff ^

hi !

344

'Hi

A MOTHERLY RECEPTION.

after he had responded to the embraces. "Where are
lather and mother ?" ^^^

fhp7''?"'-'l°"^' ''"'' "^°"^«^ '' '■" tJ^e garden No

appeared at the door, having hurried in when one of

'I am worth a great many dead men yet, mother

you .0 oC''^roXz2::'::^T:^

"That vvill vve willingly," Mrs, Sandwit'h .,aid turn

el . Cof„? ™' ''r''"^ "'^'" ""'> -therly W d.
sake of ,^r, ■"■ "^ ''T' ""'' ""^'«°""' home for the

aocu,,tomed to their way present vn„ 5 '"V-"
English?" oy presently. Do you speak in

"Enough to understand," Jeanne said- "but n„,
enough to speak much. Thank you Lw or

::r>" "' ^° ''""'''■ '- - "- ^" «™ne™n Z
Harry, do take them all out in the garden for a

ces. "Where are

p," she sobbed as

THE girls' fortune. 345

«horfc time They are all talking at once, and this is a
perfect babel."

And thus having cleared the room she sat down to
taJk to the two girls, and soon made them feel at home
with her by her unaffected kindness. Dr. Sandwith
soon afterwards ran out to the excited chattering c^roup
m the garden, and after a few minutes' happy" talk
with him, Harry spoke to him of the visitors who were
closeted with his mother.

# I'u "^^t ^°'' **" ""^^^ *^^™ ^eel it is their home,
father. They will be no burden pecuniarily, for there
are money and jewels worth a large sum over here "

" Of course I know that," Dr. Sandwith said, "seein<r
that, as you know, they were consigned to me. and
the marquis w.-ote to ask me to act as his agent The
money is invested in stock, and the jewels are in the
hands of my bankers. I had begun to wonder what
would become of it all, for I was by no means sure
that the whole family had not perished, as well as
yourself."

" There are only the three girls left," Harry said.
^ "In that case they will be well off", for the marquis
inclosed me a will, saying that if anything should
happen to him. and the estates should be altogether
Jo«t, the money and proceeds of the jewels were°to be
divided equally among his children. You must have
gone through a great deal, old boy. You are scarcely
nineteen, and you look two or three and twenty."

" I shall soon look young again, father, now I have
got my mind clear of anxiety. But I have had a tryincr
iime of it, I can tell you; but it's too long a story k

■ •\ ' I

346 JEANNE INTERUUPTS HARRY's STORY.

go into now, I will tell you all the whole yarn this
evening. I want you to go in with me now to the
girls and make them at home. All this must be just
as trymg for them at present as the dangers they have
gone through."

The young ones were all forbidden to follow, and
after an hour spent with his parents and the girls in
the dming-room, Harry was pleaded to see that the
latter were beginning to feel at their ease, and that the
strangeness was wearing off.

That evening, before the whole circle of his family
Harry related the adventures that they had cone
through, subject, however, to a great many interrup-
tions from Jeanne.

"But I am telling the story, not you, Jeanne," he
said at last. "Some day when you begin to talk
t-nglish quite well you shall give your version of
it.

"But he is not telling it right, madamo," Jeanne pro-
tested, "he keep all the best part back. He says about
the dangers, but he says noting about what he do him-
self." Then she broke into French, "No, madame, it is
not just. It IS not right; I will not suffer the tale to be
told so. How can it be the true story when he says no
word of his courage, of his devotion, of the way he
watched over us and cheered us, no word of his grand
heart, of the noble way he risked his life for us for
our sister, for our parents, for all? Oh, madame I
c-mnot tell you what we all owe to him;" and Jeanne
who had risen to her feet in her earnestness, burst into
passionate te&ra This put an end to the storv for the

HARRTS NEWS.

347

evening, for Mrs. Sandwith saw that Jeanne required
rest and quiet, and took the two giils up at once to the
bed-room prepared for tliem. From this Jeanne did
not descend for some days. As long as the strain was
upon her she had })orne herself bravely, but now that
it was over she collapsed completely.

After the young ones had all gone off to bed, Harry
said to his father and mother:

" I have another piece of news to tell you now. I am
afraid you will think it rather absurd at my age, with-
out a profession or anything else, but I am "engaged
to Jeanne. You see," he went on, as his parents
both uttered an exclamation of surprise, "we have
gone through a tremendous lot together, and when
people have to look death in the face every day it
makes them older than they are; and when, as in this
case, they have to depend entirely on themselves, it
brings them very closely together. I think it might have
been so had these troubles never come on, for somehow
we had taken very much to each other, though it might
have been years before anything came of it. Her poor
father and mother saw it before I knew it myself, and
upon the night before they were separated told her
elder sister and brother that, should I ever ask for
Jeiinne's hand, they approved of her marrying me.
But although afterwards I came to love her with all
my heart, I .should never have spoken had it not
been that I did so when it seemed that in five minutes
we should neither of us be alive. If it hadn't been
for that I should have brought her home and waited
till 1 was makmg my own way in life."

348

•'GOD BLESS THEM BOTH I

I do not blame you, Harry, my boy," his father said
Jieartily. « Of course you are very young, and under
ordmary circumstances would not have been thinkin^r
about a wife for years to come yet; but I can see that
your Jeanne is a girl of no ordinary character, and it
IS certainly for her happiness that, being here with her
sister alone among strangers, she should feel that she
IS at home. Personally she is .harming, and even
m point of fortune you would be considered a lucky
tellow. What do you say, mother?"

"I say God bless them both!" Mrs. Sandwith said
earnestly. "After the way in which Providence has
brought them together, there can be no doubt that
they were meant for each other."

"Do you know I half guessed there was somethin^v
more than mere gratitude in Jeanne's heart when she
flamed out just now; did not you, mother?"

Mrs. Sandwith nodded and smiled. "I was sure
there was," she said.

" I did not say anything about it when we came in "
Harry said, " because I thought it better for Jeanne to
have one quiet day, and you know the young ones will
laugh awfully at the idea of my being engaged "

" Never you mind, Harry," his father safd;"' let those
laugh that win. But you are not thinking of gettincr
married yet, I hope." ° & »

"No, no, father; you cannot think I would live on
Jeanne's money?"

" And you still intend to go into the army, Harry?"
" No, father; I have had enough of bloodshed for the

rest

xny life. I have been thinking it over a good

THE CHOICE OF A PROFESSION.

349

would live on

deal, and I have determined to follow your example
and become a doctor."

" That's right, my boy." Dr. Sandwith said heartily.
"I have always regretted you had a fancy for the
army, for I used to look forward to your becoming my
right hand. Your brothers, too, do not take to the
profession, so I began to think I was going to be
alone in my old age. You have made me very happy,
Harry, and your mother too, I am sure. It will be
delightful for us having you and your pretty French
wife settled by us; will it not, mother?"

" It will indeed," Mrs. Sandwith said in a tone of
deep happiness. " You are certainly overworked and
need a partner terribly, and who could be like Harry?"
"Yes, I have been thinking of taking a partner
for some time, but now I will hold on alone for an-
other three years. By that time Harry will have
passed."

The next morning the young ones were told the
news. The elder girls were delighted at the thought
of Jeanne becoming their sister, but the boys went
into fits of laughter and chaffed Harry so unmercifully
for the next day or two that it was just as well tha't
Jeanne was up in her room. By the time she came
clown they had recovered their gravity. Mrs. Sand-
with and the girls had already given her the v/armest
welcome as Harry's future wife, and the boys received
her so warmly when she appeared that Jeanne .soon felt
that she was indeed one of the family.

Three years later, on the day after Harry passed his
final examination, Jeanne and he were married, and set

350

MAUIK AND VFROINIE.

'It

If .

, . ;

; i ! i

l,i i

m^ t

JUj .

Uopoiidi.nt on Jeanne's fortune ^

Vic?o7h^llT"''^ """"'''""'^ "°" f"™ Jf-ie.
■ctoi had steadily recovered Ids stronjvth and niemoi-v

and a, soon a, the reign of terror had°con" t„ » e" d'
™d the pnests were able to show themselves r„„, tS
l...in g.plaoes m n,a„y an out-of-the-way villa -e in Z
country, Marie and Vic-tor were quietly ma fed Z
France was at war wiH. nil v.. ^

«;I escaped the wave of destruetion, he had obUin d
omnnss.on, and joined Bonaparte when he went t^
-ake the command of the army of Italv hI h„? ,

bytdeed TT™" ^''-'-° -C^he"! „ ait t
by a deed of desperate va.our, and wa, already h
o^nmand of a regiment, when, soon after Jean, 'smar
lage, Mane came over to England by way of Holland
to stay for a time with her sisten,. She was dSed
at findmg Jeanne so happy, and saw enough befo? she
returned to France to feel assured that'be o tvery
bng V rrg.n,e would follow Jeanne's example, and wIS
also become an Englishwoman, for she and Hlrrv's
next brother Tom had evidently some sort of undTr
tandmg between them. It was not until many 1
aU of Cr "'T ™'^" "^^ "8""' »hen, a^fth
— ana ota^ed for some weeks with

THE OLD CHATEAU.

861

i to Cheyne Walk,
id Harry, at first
on a.s. his, partner,
le was not wholly

ews from Marie,
igth and nieinorj',
I come to an end,
iselvcs from their
vay village in the
ly niarried. But
now, and Victor,
was a thorouo-h
old fripnds who
he had obtained
^^hen he went to
ly. He had at-
n the campaiffu
was already in
3r Jeanne's mar-
way of Holland
e was delighted
ough before she
at before very
nple, and would
e and Harry's
sort of under-
til many years
i^hen, after the
v^ent over with
> weeks with

General De Gisons and his wife ;it tlie old chateau near
Dijon. This the general li;id purclia.sed back from the
per.sons into whose hands it had fallen at the Revolu-
tion with the money which he had ) ived as his
wife's dowry.

THE END,