\"CitizenBellecour，\"hesaid，andhisvoice，likehisface，seemedtohavechangedsincelasttheMarquishadheardit，andtohavegrownmoredeepandmetallic，\"youmaymarvel，nowthatyoubeholdtheCommissionerwhosentacompanyofsoldierstorescueyouandyourChateaufromthehandsofthemoblastnight，whatpurposeI
soughttoservebyextendingtoyouaprotectionwhichnoneofyourordermerits，andyouleastofany，inmyeyes。\"
\"Thetimesmayhavewroughtsadandoverwhelmingchanges，\"answeredtheMarquis，withcoldcontempt，\"butithasnotyetsoutterlyabasedusthatwebringourselvestospeculateuponthepurposesoftherabble。\"
AfaintcrimsonflushcreptintoCaron’ssallowcheeks。
\"Indeed，Iseehowlittleyouhavechanged！\"heansweredbitterly。
\"Youareofthosethatwillnotlearn，Citizen。Thefaultlieshere，\"headded，tappinghishead，\"anditwillremainuntilweremovetheoneswiththeother。Butnowforthebusinessthatbringsme，\"heproceeded，morebriskly。\"Fouryearsago，CitizenBellecour，youlaidyourwhipacrossmyfaceinthewoodsoutyonder，andwhenIspokeofseekingsatisfactionactionyouthreatenedmewithyourgrooms。Iwillnotspeakofyourotherbrutalitiesonthatsameday。Iwillconfinemyselftothatfirstaffront。\"
\"Bebrief，sir，\"criedtheMarquisoffensively。\"Sinceyouhavetheforcetocompelustolistentoyou，letmebegthatyouwillatleastdisplaythegenerosityofdetainingusnolongerthanyouneed。\"
\"Iwillbeasbriefasitlieswithinthepossibilityofwords，\"
answeredCaroncoldly。\"Iamcome，CitizenBellecour，todemandofyouto—daythesatisfactionwhichfouryearsagoyourefusedme。\"
\"Ofme？\"criedtheMarquis。
\"Throughthepersonofyourson，theVicomte，asIaskedforitfouryearsago，\"saidCaron。\"Youareamoldman，Citizen，andIdonotfightoldmen。\"
\"Iamyetyoungenoughtocutyouintoribbons，youdog，ifIweremindedtodishonourmyselfbymeetingyou。\"AndturningtoOmbrevalforsympathy，heventedalowlaughofcontemptuouswonder。
\"Insolence！\"sneeredOmbrevalsympathetically，whilstMademoisellestoodlookingonwithcheeksthatweregrowingpaler，forthatthiseventwouldendbadlyforeitherherfatherorherbrothersheneverdoubted。
\"CitizenBellecour，\"saidCaron，stillverycoldly，\"youhaveheardwhatIpropose，ashaveyoualso，Citizen—vicomte。\"
\"Formyself，\"begantheyouth\"Iam—\"
\"Silence，Armand！\"hisfathercommanded，layingahanduponhissleeve。\"Understandme，citizen—deputy，orcitizen—commissioner，orcitizen—blackguardorwhateveryoucallyourvileself，youarecomeonafruitlessjourneytoBellecour。NeitherInormysonissolosttothedutywhichweoweourrankastosomuchasdreamofaccedingtoyourpreposterousrequest。Ithink，sir，thatyouhadbeenbetteradvisedtohaveleftthemobtoitsworklastnight，ifyoubutrestraineditforthispurpose。\"
\"Isthatyourlastword？\"askedLaBoulaye，stillcalmlyweatheringthatstormofinsults。
\"Myverylast，sir。\"
\"Therearemorewaysthanoneoftakingsatisfactionforthataffront，CitizenBellecour，\"rejoinedLaBoulaye，\"andifthecoursewhichInowpursueshouldprovemoredistastefultoyouthanthatwhichIlastsuggested，theblameofitmustrestwithyou。\"Heturnedtothebluecoatatthedoor。\"Citizen—soldier，mywhip。\"
Therewasasuddenmovementamongthearistocrats—ahorrifiedrecoiling—andevenBellecourwasshakenoutofhissplendidarrogance。
\"Insolentcur！\"exclaimedOmbrevalwithwitheringscorn；\"towhatlengthsispresumptiondrivingyou？\"
\"Tothelengthofahorsewhip，\"answeredLaBoulayepleasantly。
HereceivedthewhipfromthehandsofthesoldierandhenowadvancedtowardsBellecour，unwindingthelashashecame。
Ombrevalbarredhiswaywithanoath。
\"ByHeaven：youshallnot！\"hecried。
\"Shallnot？\"echoedLaBoulaye，hislipscurling。\"Youhadbeststandaside—youthataresteepedinmuskandfierceness。\"AndbeforethesternandthreateningcontemptofLaBoulaye’sglancetheyoungnoblemanfellback。ButhisplacewastakenbytheVicomtedeBellecour，whoadvancedtoconfrontCaron。
\"MonsieurlaBoulaye，\"heannounced，\"Iamreadyandwillingtomeetyou。\"AndconsideringthegrimalternativewithwhichtheRepublicanshadthreatenedhim，theoldMarquishadnotthecouragetointerfereagain。
\"Ah！\"ItwasanexclamationofsatisfactionfromtheCommissioner。
\"Iimaginedthatyouwouldchangeyourminds。Ishallawaityou，Citizen，inthegardeninfiveminutes’time。\"
\"Ishallnotkeepyouwaiting，Monsieur，\"wastheVicomte’sanswer。
VeryformallyLaBoulayebowedandlefttheroomaccompaniedbytheofficerandfollowedbythesoldier。
\"MonDieu！\"gaspedtheMarquise，fanningherselfasthedoorclosedaftertheRepublicans。\"OpenmeawindoworIshallstifle！Howtheplacereekswiththem。Iamacalmwoman，Messieurs，but，onmyhonour，hadheaddressedanyofyoubyhisodioustitleof’citizen’again，IswearthatIhadstruckhimwithmyownhands。\"
Thereweresomethatlaughed。ButMademoisellewasnotofthose。
Hereyestravelledtoherbrother’spalefaceandweaklyframe，andherglancewassuchaglanceaswebenduponthebeloveddead，forinhimshesawonewhowasgoinginevitablytohisdeath。
CHAPTERVII
LABOULAYEDISCHARGESADEBT
AlongthenorthernsideoftheChateauranaterraceborderedbyaredsandstonebalustrade，andbelowthistheItaliangarden，socalledperhapsinconsequenceoftheoddlyclippedbox—trees，itsonlyfeaturethatsuggestedItaly。Atthefarendofthisgardentherewasastripofeventurfthatmighthavebeendesignedforafencingground，andwhichCaronknewofold。ThitherheledCaptainJuste，andthereinthepalesunshineofthatFebruarymorningtheyawaitedthearrivaloftheVicomteandhissponsor。
Buttheminuteswentbyandstilltheywaited—five，ten，fifteenminuteselapsed，yetnoonecame。Justewasonthepointofreturningwithintoseekthereasonofthisdelaywhenstepssoundedontheterraceabove。Buttheywereaccompaniedbytherustleofagown，andpresentlyitwasMademoisellewhoappearedbeforethem。Thetwomeneyedherwithastonishment，whichinthecaseofLaBoulaye，wastemperedbyanotherfeeling。
\"MonsieurlaBoulaye，\"saidshe，herglancewanderingtowardstheCaptain，\"mayIspeakwithyoualone？\"
OutwardlyimpassivetheCommissionerbowed。
\"Yourservant，Citoyenne，\"saidhe，removinghiscockedhat。
\"Juste，willyougiveusleave？\"
\"Youwillfindmeontheterracewhenyouwantme，Citizen—deputy，\"
answeredtheofficer，andsaluting，hedeparted。
ForamomentortwoafterhewasgoneSuzanneandCaronstoodconfrontingeachotherinsilence。Sheseemedsmittenwithasuddenawkwardness，andshelookedawayfromhimwhattimehewaited，hatinhand，thechillmorningbreezefaintlystirringaloosestrandofhisblackhair。
\"Monsieur，\"shefalteredatlast，\"Iamcometointercede。\"
AtthatafaintsmilehoveredasecondontheRepublican’sthinlips。
\"AndisthenoblesseofFrancefallensolowthatitsendsitswomentointercedeforthelivesofitsmen？But，perhaps，\"headdedcynically，\"ithadnotfartofall。\"
Hercheeksreddened。Hisinsulttoherclassacteduponherasaspurandovercametheirresolutenessthatseemedtohavebesether。
\"Toinsultthefallen，sir，isworthyofthenewregime，whoserepresentativeyouare，Enfine！Wemusttakeit，Isuppose，aswetakeeverythingelseinthesedisorderedtimes—withabentheadandameeksubmission。\"
\"FromthelittlethatIhaveseen，Citoyenne，\"heanswered，verycoldly，rousedinhisturn，\"itratherseemsthatyoutakethingsonyourkneesandwithappealsformercy。\"
\"Monsieur，\"shecried，andhereyesnowmethisinfearlessanger，\"ifyoupersistinthesegratuitousinsultsIshallleaveyou。\"
Helaughedinrudeamusement，andputonhishat。Thespellthatforamomentherbeautyhadcastoverhimwhenfirstshehadappearedhadbeenattenuating。Itnowbrokesuddenly，andashecoveredhimselfhiswholemannerchanged。
\"Isthisinterviewofmyseeking？\"heasked。\"ItisyourbrotherIamawaiting。Nameofaname，Citoyenne，doyouthinkmypatienceinexhaustible？Theci—devantVicomtepromisedtoattendmehere。
Itwastheboastofyourorderthatwhateversinsyoumightbeguiltyofyouneverbrokeyourword。Haveyoulosteventhatvirtue，whichservedyouasacloakforuntoldvices？Andisyourbrotherfledintothewoodswhilstyou，hissister，comeheretointercedewithmeforhiswretchedlife？Pah！Intheolddaysyouarousedmyhatredbyyourtyranniesandyourinjustices；to—dayyouwearyanddisgustmebyyourineffablecowardices，fromthatgentlemaninPariswhonowcallshimselfOrleans—Egalitedownwards。\"
\"Monsieur，\"shebeganButhewasnotyetdone。Hischeekswereflushedwithareflectionoftheheartwithin。
\"Citoyenne，Ihaveadebttodischarge，andIwilldischargeitinfull。Intercessionsarevainwithme。Icannotforget。Sendmeyourbrotherwithintenminutestomeetmehere，mantoman，andheshallhave—allofyoushallhave—thechancethatliesinsuchanencounter。ButwoeuntoeverymanatBellecourifheshouldfailme。Citoyenne，youknowmymind。\"
Butsheoverlookedthenoteofdismissalinhisvoice。
\"Youspeakofadebtthatyoumustdischarge，\"saidshe，withnowhitlessheatthanhehadexhibited。\"Yourefertothedebtofvengeancewhichyoulooktodischargebymurderingthatboy，mybrother。Butdoyounotowemeadebtalso？\"
\"You？\"hequestioned。\"Myfaith！Unlessitbeadebtofscorn，Iknowofnone。\"
\"Aye，\"shereturnedwistfully，\"youareliketherest。Youhavealongmemoryforinjuries，butashortoneforbenefits。Haditnotbeenforme，Monsieur，youwouldnotbeherenowtodemandthisthatyoucallsatisfaction。HaveyouforgottenhowI—\"
\"No，\"hebrokein。\"Iwellrememberhowyousoughttostaythemwhentheywerefloggingmeintheyardthere。Butyoucametoolate。Youmighthavecomebefore，forfromthebalconyaboveyouhadbeenwatchingmytorture。Butyouwaitedoverlong。Iwascastoutfordead。\"。
Sheflashedhimasearchingglance，asthoughshesoughttoreadhisthoughts，andtoascertainwhetherheindeedbelievedwhathewassaying。
\"Castoutfordead？\"sheechoed。\"Andbywhosecontrivance？Bymine，M。laBoulaye。Whentheywerecuttingyoudowntheydiscoveredthatyouwerenotdead，andbutthatIbribedthementokeepitsecretandcarryyoutoDuhamel’shouse，theyhadcertainlyinformedmyfatherandyouwouldhavebeenfinishedoff。\"
Hiseyesopenedwidenow，andintothemtherecameatroubledlook—thelookofonewhoisendeavouringtograspanelusiverecollection。
\"Mafoi，\"hemuttered。\"ItseemstocometomeasifIhadheardsomethingofthesortinadream。Itwas—\"Hepaused，andhisbrowswereknitamoment。Thenhelookedupsuddenly，andgraduallyhisfacecleared。\"Why，yes—Ihaveit！\"heexclaimed。\"ItwasinDuhamel’shouse。WhileIwaslyinghalfunconsciousonthecouchIheardoneofthementellingDuhamelthatyouhadpaidthemtocarrymethereandtokeepasecret。\"
\"Andyouhadforgottenthat？\"sheasked，withthefaintestnoteofcontempt。
\"Notforgotten，\"heanswered，\"foritwasneverreallytheretoberemembered。ThatIhadheardsuchwordshadmorethanonceoccurredtome，butIhavealwayslookeduponitastherecollectionofsomethingthatIhaddreamt。Ihadneverlookeduponitasathingthathadhadarealhappening。\"
\"How，then，didyouexplainyourescape？\"
\"IalwaysimaginedthatIhadbeenassumeddead。\"
Therewasabriefspellofsilence。Then—
\"Andnowthatyouknow，Monsieur—？\"
Sheleftthequestionunfinished，andheldoutherhandstohiminagestureofsupplication。Hisfacepaledslightlyandoverclouded。
Herinfluence，againstwhichsolonghehadsteeledhimself，reinforcedbythedebtinwhichshehadshownhimthathestoodtowardsher，wasprevailingwithhimdespitehimself。Stirredsuddenlyoutofthecoldnessthathehadhithertoassumed，hecaughttheoutstretchedhandsanddrewherastepnearer。Thatwashisundoing。Strongmanthoughheunquestionablywas，likemanyanotherstrongmanhisstrengthseemedtofallfromhimatawoman’stouch。Hehadledsoaustereandsternalifeduringthepastfouryears；ofwomenhehadbuthadthemostpassingofglances，andintercoursewithnonesaveanoldfemalewhoactedashishousekeeperinParis。Andherewasawomanwhowasnotonlybeautiful，butthewomanwhoyearsagohadembodiedallhisnotionsofwhatwasmostperfectinwomanhood；thewomanwhoeversince，anddespiteallthatwaspast，hadreignedinhisheartandmindalmostinspiteofhimself，almostunknowntohim。
Thetouchofherhandnow，theclosenessofherpresence，thefaintperfumethatreachedhimfromher，andthatwastohimasasymbolofherinherentsweetness，thelargeblueeyesmeetinghisinexpectation，andtheimploringhalf—poutofherlips，wereallseductionsagainstwhichhehadnotbeenhumanhadheprevailed。
Verywhiteintheintensityofthelong—quiescentpassionshehadresuscitated，hecried：
\"Mademoiselle，whatshallIsaytoyou？\"
Thefouryearsthatweregoneseemedsuddenlytohaveslippedaway。
ItwasasiftheystoodagainbythebrookintheparkonthatAprilmornwhenfirsthehaddaredtowordhispresumptuouslove。EventhevocabularyoftheRepublicwasforgotten，andtheinterdictedtitleof\"Mademoiselle\"fellnaturallyfromhislips。
\"Saythatyoucanbegenerous，\"sheimploredhimsoftly。\"Saythatyoupreferthedebtyouowetotheinjuryyoureceived。\"
\"Youdonotknowthesacrificeyouask，\"heexclaimedstillfightingwithhimself。\"Ihavewaitedfouryearsforthis，andnow—\"
\"Heismybrother，\"shewhispered，insowonderfulatonethatwordswhichofthemselvesmayhaveseemednoargumentatallbecamethecrowningargumentofherintercession。
\"Soit！\"heconsented。\"Foryoursake，Mademoiselle，andinpaymentofthedebtIoweyou，IwillgoasIcame。IshallnotseetheCitizen—marquisagain。Butdoyoutellhimfrommethatifhesetsanyvalueonhislife，hehadbestshakethedustofFrancefromhisfeet。Toolongalreadyhashetarried，andatanymomentthosemayarrivewhowillmakehimemigratenotonlyoutofFrancebutoutoftheworldaltogether。Besides，thepeasantrythathasrisenoncemayriseagain，andIshallnotbeheretoprotecthimfromitsviolence。Tellhimhehadbestdepartatonce。\"
\"Monsieur，Iamgrateful—very，verydeeplygrateful。Icansaynomore。MayHeavenrewardyou。IshallpraythegoodGodtowatchoveryoualways。Adieu，Monsieur！\"
Hestoodlookingatheramomentstillretaininghisholdofherhands。
\"Adieu，Mademoiselle，\"hesaidatlast。Then，veryslowly—asifsothatrealisinghisintentshemightfrustrateitwereshesominded—heraisedherrighthand。Itwasnotwithdrawn，andsohebentlow，andpressedhislipsuponit。
\"Godguardyou，Mademoiselle，\"hesaidatlast，andiftheywerestrangewordsforaRepublicanandaDeputy，itmustberememberedthathisbearingduringthepastfewmomentshadbeensingularlyunlikeaRepublican’s。
Hereleasedherhand，andsteppingback，doffedhishat。Withafinalinclinationofthehead，sheturnedandwalkedawayinthedirectionoftheterrace。
AtadistanceLaBoulayefollowed，solostinthoughtthathedidnotobserveCaptainJusteuntilthefellow’svoicebrokeuponhisear。
\"Youhavebeenlongenough，Citizen—deputy，\"wasthesoldier’sgreeting。\"Itakeitthereistobenoduel。\"
\"Imakeyoumycomplimentsupontheacutenessofyourperception，\"
answeredLaBoulayetartly。\"Youareright。Thereistobenoencounter。\"
Juste’sairwasslightlymocking，andwordsofnotoverdelicatebanterrosetohislips，tobeinstantlyquelledbyLaBoulaye。
\"Letyourdrumsbeatarally，Citizen—captain，\"hecommandedbriskly。
\"WeleaveBellecourintenminutes。\"。
Andindeed，inlessthanthattimetheblue—coatswereswingingbrisklydowntheavenue。IntherearrodeLaBoulaye，hiscloakwrappedabouthim，hissquarechinburiedinhisneck—cloth，andhisminddeepinmeditation。
>FromawindowoftheChateautheladywhowasthecauseoftheyoungRevolutionist’smentalabsorptionwatchedthedepartingsoldiers。
OneithersideofherstoodOmbrevalandherfather。
\"Myfaith，littleone，\"saidBellecourgood—humouredly。\"Iwonderwhatmagicyouhaveexercisedtoridusofthatinfernalcompany。\"
\"Womenhavesometimesapowerofwhichmenknownothing，\"washercrypticanswer。
Ombrevalturnedtoherwithascowlofsuddensuspicion。
\"Itrust，Mademoiselle，thatyoudidnot—\"hestoppedshort。Histhoughtswereofaqualitythatdefiedpoliteutterance。
\"ThatIdidnotwhat，Monsieur？\"sheasked。
\"ItrustyourememberedthatyouaretobecometheVicomtessed’Ombreval\"heanswered，constructinghissentencedifferently。
\"Monsieur！\"exclaimedBellecourangrily。
\"IwaschieflymindfulofthefactthatIhadmybrother’slifetosave，\"saidthegirl，verycoldly，hereyerestinguponherbetrothedinaglanceofsomuchcontemptthatitforcedhimintoanabashedsilence。
Inhermindshewascontrastingthissupercilious，vacillatingweaklingwiththestern，strongmanwholodeyonder。Asighflutteredacrossherlips。Hadthingsbutbeendifferent。HadOmbrevalbeentheRevolutionistandLaBoulayetheVicomte，howmuchbetterpleasedmightshenothavebeen。Butsinceitwasnotso，whysigh？ItwasnotasifshehadlovedthisLaBoulaye。
Howwasthatpossible？Washenotofthecanaille，baselyborn，andaRevolutionist—theenemyofherorder—inaddition？Itwereamadnesstoevendreamofthepossibilityofsuchathing，forSuzannedeBellecourcameoftooproudastock，andknewtoowelltherespectthatwasduetoit。
CHAPTERVIII
THEINVALIDSATBOISVERT
TherehadbeenfrictionbetweentheNationalConventionandGeneralDumouriez，who，thoughafinesoldier，wasaremarkablyindifferentRepublican。TheConventionhadunjustlyorderedthearrestofhiscommissariatofficers，Petit—JeanandMalus，andinotherwaysirritatedamanwhosepatiencewasneverofthelongest。
Ontheeve，however，ofwarwithHolland，thegreatonesinParishadsuddenlyperceivedtheirerror，andhadsought—despitethemanyenemies，fromMaratdownwards，thatDumouriezcountedamongtheirnumbers—toconciliateageneralwhoseservicestheyfoundthattheycouldnotdispensewith。ThisconciliationwasthebusinessuponwhichtheDeputyLaBoulayehadbeendespatchedtoAntwerp，andasanambassadorheprovedsignallysuccessful，asmuchbyvirtueoftheexcellenttermshewasempoweredtoofferasinconsequenceofthesympathyanddiplomacyhedisplayedinofferingthem。
ThegreatRepublicanGeneralstarteduponhiscampaignintheLowCountriesasfullysatisfiedasunderthecircumstanceshecouldhopetobe。MalusandPetit—Jeanwerenotonlyenlargedbutreinstated，hewaspromisedabundantsuppliesofalldescriptions，andhewasassuredthattheRepublicapprovedandendorsedhisplanofcampaign。
LaBoulaye，hismissionsatisfactorilydischarged，turnedhomewardsoncemore，andwithanescortofsixmenandacorporalheswiftlyretracedhisstepsthroughthatblackened，war—ravagedcountry。
TheyhadsleptanightatMons，andtheywerewithinashortthreeleaguesofFrenchsoilwhentheychancedtoridetowardsnoonintothelittlehamletofBoisvert。Probablytheywouldhavegonestraightthroughwithoutdrawingrein，butthat，astheypassedtheAubergedel’Aigle，LaBoulayeespieduponthegreenfrontingthewaysidehostelryacompanyofahalf—dozensoldiersplayingatbowlswithcannon—balls。
ThesightbroughtCarontoasuddenhalt，andhesathishorseobservingthemandwonderinghowitchancedthatthesemenshouldfindthemselvessofarfromthearmy。Threeofthemshowedsignsofhavingbeenrecentlywounded。Onecarriedhisarminasling，anotherlimpedpainfullyandbytheaidofastick，whilsttheheadofthethirdwasswathedinbandages。Butmostremarkableweretheybyvirtueoftheirclothes。Onefellow—heofthebandagedhead—woreacoatofyellowbrocadedsilk，which，inspiteofarentintheshoulder，andsundrystainsofwineandoil，wasunmistakablyofacomparativenewness。Beneaththisappearedthenankeensandblackleggingsofasoldier。Anothercoveredhisgreasylockswithathree—corneredhat，richlylacedingold。A
thirdflauntedunderhisraggedbluecoatagold—broideredwaistcoatandaBrusselscravat。Avaluableringflashedfromthegrimyfingerofafourth，who，insteadofthemilitarywhitenankeens，woreapairofblacksilkbreeches。Therewasone—heoftheinjuredarm—resplendentinaredingoteofcrimsonvelvet，whilstheofthelimpsupportedhimselfuponagold—headedcaneofebony，whichwasinludicrousdiscordwiththetatteredbluecoat，thephrygiancap，andthetoesthatpeepedthroughhisbrokenboots。
Theypausedintheirgametoinspect，intheirturn，thenewcomers，andtoLaBoulayeitseemedthattheirglanceswerenotfreefromuneasiness。
\"Apicturesquecompanyonmylife，\"hemusedaloud。Thenbeckonedtheoneinthecrimsoncoat。
\"Hola，Citizen，\"hecalledtohim。
Thefellowhesitatedamoment，thenshuffledforwardwithasullenair，andstoodbyCaron’sstirrup。
\"InGod’sname，whatareyouandwhoareyou？\"theDeputydemanded。
\"WeareinvalidedsoldiersfromthearmyofDumouriez，\"themanansweredhim。
\"Butwhatareyoudoinghere，atBoisvert？\"
\"Weareinhospital，Citizen。\"
\"Yonder？\"askedLaBoulayederisively，pointingwithhiswhiptothe\"EagleInn。\"
Thefellownodded。
\"Yes，Citizen，yonder，\"heansweredcurtly。
LaBoulayelookedsurprised。Thenhiseyesstrayedtotheothersonthegreen。
\"Butyouarenotallinvalids？\"hequestioned。
\"Manyofusareconvalescent。\"
\"Convalescent？Butthosethreebravesyonderaresomethingmorethanconvalescent。TheyareaswellasIam。Whydotheynotrejointhetroops？\"
Thefellowlookedupwithascowl。
\"Wetakeourordersfromourofficer，\"heansweredsourly。
\"Ah！\"quoththeDeputy。\"Thereissomeoneinchargehere，then？
Whomayitbe？\"
\"CaptainCharlot，\"thefellowanswered，withanimpudentair，whichclearlyseemedtoask：\"Whathaveyoutosaytothat？\"
\"CaptainCharlot？\"echoedLaBoulaye，inastonishment，forthenamewasthatofthesometimepeasantofBellecour，whohadsinceriseninlife，andwho，asanofficer，hadinafewmonthsacquiredabrilliantfamefordeedsofdaring。\"CharlotTardivet？\"heinquired。
\"IsthereanyotherCaptainCharlotinthearmyoftheRepublic？\"
thefellowaskedinsolently。
\"Isheinvalidedtoo？\"inquiredCaron，withoutheedingthesoldier’soffensivenessofmanner。
\"HewasseverelywoundedatJemappes，\"wastheanswer。
\"AtJemappes？But，voyonsmyfriend，Jemappeswasfoughtthreemonthsago。\"
\"Why，soalltheworldknows。Whatthen？TheGeneralsentCaptainCharlotheretorestandbecured，givinghimchargeoftheinvalidedsoldierswhocamewithhimandofotherswhowerealreadyhere。\"
\"Andofthese，\"criedLaBoulaye，hisamazementgrowing，\"havenonereturnedtoDumouriez？\"
\"HaveInotsaidthatweareinvalids？\"
Caroneyedhimwithcoldcontempt。
\"Howmanyofyouarethere？\"heasked。Andforallthatthemanbegantomislikethisquestioning，hehadnotthehardihoodtorefuseananswertothesterntonesofthatsternmanonhorseback。
\"Somefifty，orthereabouts。\"
LaBoulayesaidnothingforamoment，thentouchingthefellow’ssleevewithhiswhip。
\"Howcameyouintothismasquerade？\"heinquired。
\"Mafoi，\"answeredtheman，shrugginghisshoulders，\"wewereinrags。Thecommissariatwasdemoralised，andsupplieswerenotforthcoming。Wehadtotakewhatwecouldfind，orelsegonaked。\"
\"Andwheredidyoufindthesethings？\"
\"Diable！Willyourquestionsnevercometoanend，Citizen？WouldyounotbebetteradvisedinputtingthemtotheCaptainhimself？\"
\"Why，soIwill。Whereishe？\"
Inthedistanceacloudofdustmightbeperceivedabovethelong，whiteroad。ThesoldierespieditasLaBoulayeputhisquestion。
\"Iammuchatfaultifhedoesnotcomeyonder。\"Andhepointedtothedust—cloud。
\"Ithink，\"saidLaBoulaye，turningtohismen，\"thatwewilldrinkacupofwineatthe’EagleInn。’\"
Meanthoughtheplacewas，itwasequippedwithastable—yard，towhichadmittancewasgainedbyaporte—cochereontheright。
Wheelinghishorse，LaBoulaye，withoutanotherwordtothesoldierhehadbeenquestioning，rodethroughit，followedbyhisescort。
Thehostess，whocameforwardtoreceivethem，wasatall，bonywomanofveryswarthycomplexion，withbeadyeyesandteethprominentasarat’s。Butifill—favoured，sheseemed，atleast，well—intentioned，inadditiontowhichthetricolourscarfofofficeroundLaBoulaye’swaistwasathingthatcommandedrespectandservility，howevermuchitmightbetheinsigniaofaGovernmentofliberty，equality，andfraternity。
Shebadetheostlercarefortheirhorses，andshebroughtthemherbestwine，seekingunderanassumedgenialitytoconcealtheunrestbornofherspeculationsastowhatmighthappendidCaptainCharlotreturneretheDeputydeparted。
Charlotdidreturn。Scarceweretheyseatedattheirwinewhentheconfusedsoundsthatfromthedistancehadbeenswellingtookmoredefiniteshape。ThehostesslookeduneasyasLaBoulayeroseandwenttothedooroftheinn。Downtheroadmarchednowanumerouscompanyfromwhich—tojudgebytheiroddappearance—theplayersatbowlshadbeendrawn。Theynumberedcloseuponthreescore，andinthecentreofthemcameagreatlumberingvehicle，whichpuzzledLaBoulaye。Hedrewawayfromthedoorandpostedhimselfatthewindow，sothatunobservedhemightascertainwhatwastoward。Intothecourtyardcamethatcompany，pele—mele，anoddmixtureofragsandgauds，yetaverylustyparty，vigorousoflimbandloudofvoice。Withthemcamethecoach，andtherewassuchapressaboutthegatesthatLaBoulayelookedtoseesomeofthemcrushedtodeath。
Butwithafewshoutsandoathsandthreatsatoneanothertheygotthroughinsafety，andtheunwieldycarriagewasbroughttoastandstill。
Theywereclamouringaboutitsdoors，andtoLaBoulayeitseemedthattheywereonthepointofquarrellingamongthemselves，somewantingtoenterthecoachandothersseekingtorestrainthem，whenthroughtheporte—cochererodeCharlotTardivethimself。
Hebarkedoutasharpwordofcommand，andtheygrewsilentandstill，testifyingtoadisciplinewhichsaidmuchforthestrengthofcharacteroftheircaptain。Hewasstrangelyaltered，wasthisTardivet，andhisappearancenowwasworthyofhisfollowers。Underagaudily—laced，three—corneredhathishairhungdishevelledandunkempt，likewispsofstraw。Heworeacoatoffloweredblacksilk，withaheavygoldedging，andaverybrightplum—colouredwaistcoatshowedabovethebroadtricolourscarfthatsashedhismiddle。Hisbreecheswerewhite（orhadbeenwhiteinorigin），anddisappearedintoapairofverylustrouslacqueredbootsthatrosehighabovehisknees。Acavalrysabreofordinarydimensionshungfromamilitarybelt，andapistol—butt，peepingfromhissash，completedtheastonishingmotleyofhisappearance。Fortherest，hewasthesametallandwell—knitfellow；buttherewasmorestrengthinhissquarechin，moreintelligenceinthekeenblueeyes，and，alas！morecoarsenessinthemouth，whichbristledwithareddishbeardofsomedays’growth。
LaBoulayewatchedhimwithinterest。HehadbecomeintimatewithhimintheolddaysinParis，whitherTardivethadgone，andwhere，firedbythewrongshehadsuffered，hehadbeenoneoftheapostlesoftheRevolution。WhenthefrontiersofFrancehadbeenindangerTardivethadtakenuparms，andbythelustrewhichhehadsheduponthenameofCaptainCharlotashewascometobecalledthroughoutthearmy—hehadeclipsedthefameofCitizenTardivet，theerstwhileprophetofliberty。Greatchangestheseintheestateofonewhohadbeenasimplepeasant；butthenthetimesweretimesofgreatchanges。WasnotSanterre，thebrewer，becomeagreatgeneral，andwasnotRobespierre，theobscurelawyerofArras，bywayofbecomingadictator？Wasit，therefore，wonderfulthatCharlotshouldhavepassedfrompeasanttopreacher，frompreachertosoldier，andfromsoldierto—what？
AshrewdsuspicionwasbeingborneinuponLaBoulaye’smindashestoodbythatwindow，hismenbehindhimwatchingalso，withnolessintentnessandsomeuneasinessforthemselves—fortheymislikedthelookofthecompany。
InfivesecondsCharlothadrestoredorderinthehumanchaoswithout。Infiveminutestherewerebuttenmenleftintheyard。
TheothersweregoneatCharlot’sbidding—abidding，couchedinwordsthatwenttoconfirmLaBoulaye’ssuspicions。
\"Youwillgetbacktoyourpostsatonce，\"hehadsaid。\"Becausewehavemadeonerichcaptureisnoreasonwhyyoushouldneglecttheopportunitiesofmakingothersnolessrich。You，Moulinet，withtwentymen，shallpatroltheroadtoCharleroi，andgetasnearFranceaspossible。YouBoligny，stationyourselfintheneighbourhoodofConde，withtenmen，andguardtheroadfromValenciennes。You，Aigreville，spreadyourtwentymenfromCondetoTournay，andwatchthefrontiersclosely。Makeaninspectionofanycapturesyoumaytake，andwastenotimeinbringinghitherworthlessones。Nowgo。Iwillseethateachman’sshareofthisisassuredhim。March！\"
Thereweresomeshoutsof\"VivelaRepublique！\"someof\"ViveleCaptaineCharlot！\"andsotheypouredoutoftheyard，andlefthimtogiveafewhurrieddirectionstothetenmenthatremained。
\"Sadinvalidsthese，asIlive！\"exclaimedLaBoulayeoverhisshouldertohisfollowers。\"Ha！Thereismyfriendoftheredredingote！\"
ThefellowwiththebandagedheadhadapproachedCharlotandwastuggingathissleeve。
\"Letbe，yougreasyrascal，\"theCaptainsnappedathim，toadd：
\"Whatdoyousay？ADeputy？Where？\"Thefellowpointedwithhisthumbinthedirectionofthehostelry。
\"Sacrednameofaname！\"growledCharlot，and，turningsuddenlyfromthementowhomhehadbeenissuingdirections，hesprangupthestepsandenteredtheinn。AshecrossedthethresholdofthecommonroomhewasconfrontedbythetallfigureofLaBoulaye。
\"Imakeyoumycompliments，Charlot，\"wasCaron’sgreeting，\"uponthevigoroushealththatappearstoprevailinyourhospital。\"
Tardivetstoodamomentwithinthedoorway，staringattheDeputy。
Thenhisbrowcleared，andwithalaugh，atonceofwelcomeandamusement，hestrodeforwardandputouthishand。
\"MygoodCaron！\"hecried。\"TomeetyouatBoisvertisapleasureIhadnotlookedfor。\"
\"Areyousoverysure，\"askedLaBoulayesardonically，ashetooktheoutstretchedhand，\"thatitisapleasure？\"
\"Howcoulditbeelse，oldfriend？BySt。Guillotine！\"headded，clappingtheDeputyontheback，\"youshallcometomyroom，andwewillbroachabottleofgreenseal。\"
Insomemeasureofwonder，LaBoulayepermittedhimselftobeledupthecrazystairstoamostuntidyroomabove，whichevidentlydiddutyastheCaptain’sparlour。Aheavybrasslamp，hangingfromtheceiling，afewuntrustworthychairsandadealtable，stainedandunclean，weretheonlyarticlesoffurniture。ButinalmosteverycornertherewereuntidyheapsofgarmentsOfallsortsandconditions；strewnaboutthefloorwereotherarticlesofapparel，afewweapons，asaddle，andthreeorfourboots；hereanemptybottle，lyingonitsside，yonderacoupleoffullonesbythehearth；anoddbookortwoandaninfinityofplayingcards，casttheremuchasasowerscattershisseedsupontheground。
Theremaybeahundredwaysofapprehendingthecharacterofaman，butnoneperhapsismorereliablethantheappearanceofhisdwelling，andnodiscerningpersonthatsteppedintoCaptainTardivet’sparlourcouldlongremainindoubtofitsinhabitant’spursuitsandhabits。
WhenDameCapouladehadwithdrawn，afterbringingthemtheirwineandcastingafewlogsuponthefire，LaBoulayeturnedhisbacktothehearthandconfrontedhishost。
\"Whyareyounotwiththearmy，Charlot？\"heaskedinatonewhichmadethequestionsoundlikeademand。
\"Havetheynottoldyou，\"rejoinedtheotherairily，engrossedinfillingtheglasses。
\"IunderstandyouweresentheretorecoverfromawoundyoureceivedthreemonthsagoatJemappes，andtotakechargeofotherinvalidedsoldiers。Butseemingly，yourinvalidsdonotnumbermorethanahalf—dozenoutofthefiftyorsixtymenthatarewithyou。Howisitthen，thatyoudonotreturnwiththesetoDumouriez？\"
\"BecauseIcanserveFrancebetterhere，\"answeredCharlot，\"andatthesametimeenrichmyselfandmyfollowers。\"
\"Inshort，\"returnedLaBoulayecoldly，\"becauseyouhavedegeneratedfromasoldierintoabrigand。\"
Charlotlookedup，andforjustasecondhisglancewasnotwithoutuneasiness。Thenhelaughed。Heunbuckledhisswordandtosseditintoacorner，throwinghishatafterit。
\"Itwaseveryourwaytotakeextremeviews，Caron，\"heobserved，withacertainwhimsicalregretoftone。\"That，nodoubt，iswhathasmadeastatesmanofyou。YouhadchosenmorewiselyhadyouelectedtoservetheRepublicwithyourswordinstead。Come，myfriend，\"andhepointedtothewine，\"letuspledgetheNation。\"
LaBoulayeshruggedhisshouldersslightly，andsighed。Intheendhecameforwardandtookthewine。
\"LonglivetheRepublic！\"wasCharlot’stoast，andwithaslightinclinationoftheheadLaBoulayedrainedhisglass。
\"Itislikelytolivewithoutyou，Charlot，unlessyoumendyourconduct。\"
\"Diable！\"snappedtheCaptain，atriflepeevishly。\"CanyounotunderstandthatinmyownwayIamservingmycountry。Youhavecalledmeabrigand。ButyoumightsaythesameofGeneralDumouriezhimself。Howmanycitieshashenotsacked？\"
\"Thatisthewayofwar。\"
\"Andsoisthis。HemakeswarupontheenemiesofFrancethatdwellincities，whilstI，inasmallerway，makewaruponthosethattravelincoaches。Iconfinemyselftoemigres—thesedamnedaristocratswhomitiseverygoodFrenchman’sdutytoaidinstampingout。Overthefrontierstheycomewiththeirjewels，theirplate，andtheirmoney—chests。Towhombelongsthiswealth？ToFrance。
Toolongalreadyhavetheywithheldfromthesonsofthesoilthatwhichbelongsequallytothem，andnowtheyhavetheeffronterytoattempttocarrytheserichesoutofthecountry。WouldanytrueRepublicandaretoreproachmeforwhatIdo？IambutseizingthatwhichbelongstoFrance，andheredividingitamongthegoodpatriotsthatarewithme，thesoldiersthathavebledforFrance。\"
\"Aspeciousargument，\"sneeredLaBoulaye。
\"SpeciousenoughtosatisfytheConventionitselfifeverIshouldbecalledtotask，\"answeredCharlot，withheat。\"DoyouproposetodrawtheattentionoftheExecutivetomydoings？\"
LaBoulaye’sgreyeyesregardedhimsteadilyforamoment。
\"KnowyouofanyreasonwhyIshouldnot？\"heasked。
\"Yes，Caron，Ido，\"wasthereadyanswer。\"IamwellawareoftheextentofyourpowerwiththeMountain。InParisIcanseethatitmightgohardwithmeifyouweremindedthatitshould，andyouwereabletoseizeme。Ontheotherhand，thatsuchargumentsthatIhaveadvancedtoyouwouldbeacceptabletotheGovernmentIdonotdoubt。Butwhilsttheywouldapproveofthisthatyoucallbrigandage，IalsodonotdoubtthattheywouldclaimthattheprizesIhaveseizedarebyrightthepropertyoftheConvention，andtheymightcompelmetosurrenderthem。Thustheywouldpassfrommyhandsintothoseofsomestatesman—brigand，who，underthepleaofseizingthesetreasuresforthecoffersofthenation，wouldtransferthemtohisown。Wouldyouratherhelpsuchanonetoprofitthanme，Caron？Haveyousofarforgottenhowwesufferedtogether—almostintheself—samecause—atBellecour，intheolddays？Haveyouforgottenthefriendshipthatlinkeduslater，inParis，whentheRevolutionwasinitsdawn？HaveyouforgottenwhatIhaveenduredatthehandsofthisinfernalclassthatyoucanfeelnosympathyforme？Caron，itisameasureofrevenge，andasthereisaHeaven，averymildone。
Metheyrobbedofmorethanlife；themIdeprivebutoftheirjewelsandtheirplate，turningthemdestituteupontheworld。
Bethinkyouofmygirl—wife，Caron，\"headded，furiously，\"andofhowshediedofgriefandshameashortthreemonthsafterourhideousnuptials。GodinHeaven！WhenthememoryofitreturnstomeImarvelatmyownforbearance。ImarvelthatIdonottakeeverymanandwomanofthemthatfallintomyhandsandflogthemtodeathastheywouldhavefloggedyouwhenyousought—alastosolittlepurpose—tointerveneonmybehalf。\"
Hegrewsilentandthoughtful，andtheexpressionofhisfacewasnotnice。Atlast：\"HaveIgivenyoureasonenough，\"heasked，\"whyyoushouldnotseektothwartme？\"
\"Why，yes，\"answeredLaBoulaye，\"morethanwasnecessary。IamdesolatedthatIshouldhavebroughtyoutore—openasorrowthatIthoughtwashealed。\"
\"Soitis，Caron。HowitisIdonotknow。Perhapsitismynature；perhapsitisthatinyouthsorrowisseldomlong—enduring；
perhapsitisthestrenuouslifeIhavelivedandthechangesthathavebeenwroughtinme—for，afterall，thereisalittleinthisCaptainTardivetthatislikethepeasantpoorMarietooktohusband，fouryearsago。Iamnolongerthesameman，andamongtheotherthingsthatIhaveputfrommearethesorrowsthatwereoftheoldCharlot。Butsomememoriescannotaltogetherdie，andifto—dayInolongermournthatpoorchild，yettheknowledgeofthedebtthatlies’twixtthenoblesseofFranceandmeiseverpresent，andIneglectnoopportunityofdischargingapartofit。
Butenoughofthat，Caron。Tellmeofyourself。Itisafulltwelvemonthsincelastwemet，andinthattime，fromwhatIhaveheard，youhavedonemuchandgonefar。Tellmeofit，Caron。\"
Theydrewtheirchairstothehearth，andtheysattalkingsolongthattheearlyFebruarytwilightcamedownuponthemwhiletheywerestillattheirreminiscences。LaBoulayehadintendedreachingValenciennesthatnight；butratherthanjourneyforwardinthedarkhenowproposedtolieatBoisvert，aresolutioninwhichhedidnotlackforencouragementfromCharlot。
CHAPTERIX
THECAPTIVES
AmidthesordidsurroundingsofCharlot’sprivatequarterstheCaptainandtheDeputysuppedthatevening。Thesuppersortedwellwiththehouse—agreasy，ill—cookedmealthatprovedlittleinvitingtothesomewhatfastidiousLaBoulaye。Butthewine，plundered，nodoubt，incommonwiththegobletsoutofwhichtheydrankit—wasmorethangood，andwhilstLaBoulayeshowedhisappreciationofit，Charlotabuseditlikeasoldier。Theysatfacingeachotheracrossthelittledealtable，whosestainswerenowhiddenbyacloth，andtolightthemtheyhadfourtaperssetinsilvercandlesticksofmagnificentworkmanship，andmostwondrousweight，whichTardivetinformedhisguesthadbeenthepropertyofaci—devantprinceoftheblood。
AsthenightworeonCaptainCharlotgrewboisterousandmoreconfidential。Hecameatlengthtospeakofthelastcapturetheyhadmade。
\"Ihavetakenprizes，Caron，\"saidhe，\"whichakingmightnotdespise。Butto—day—\"Heraisedhiseyestotheceilingandwaggedhishead。
\"Well？\"quothLaBoulaye。\"Whataboutto—day？\"
\"Ihavemadeacaptureworthmorethanalltheothersputtogether。
Itwasanindifferent—lookingberline，andmymenwerewithinanaceofallowingittopass。ButIhaveanose，moncher\"—andhetappedtheorganwithludicroussignificance—\"and，bonDieu，whataffair！Icansmellanaristocrataleagueoff。DownuponthatcoachIswoopedlikeahawkuponasparrow。Withinitsattwowomen，thicklyveiled，andIgiveyoumywordthatinasenseIpitiedthem，fornotadoubtofit，buttheywereintheactofcongratulatingthemselvesupontheirescapefromFrance。Butsentimentmaybecomefatalifpermittedtointerferewithenterprise。StiflingmyregretsIdesiredthemtoalight，andtheybeingwiseobeyedmewithoutdemur。
Iallowedthemtoretaintheirveils。Isoughtthesightofthingsotherthanwomen’sfaces，andabriefsurveyofthecoachshowedmewheretobestowmyattention。Iliftedthebackseat。Itcameuplikethelidofthechestitwas，andbeneathitIdiscoveredenoughgoldandsilverplatetooutweighinvaluealmosteverythingthatI
hadevertaken。Butthatwasbynomeansall。Underthefrontseattherewasachestofgold—louisd’orstheywere，sometwoorthreethousandatleast—and，besidesthat，alittleiron—boundboxofgemswhichinitselfwasworthmorethanalltherestofthecontentsofthattreasure—casketofacoach。Itellyou，Caron，Idroppedthelidofthatseatinsomehaste，forIwasnotmindedthatmymenshouldbecomeaswiseasI。Isteppeddownandbade，thewomenre—enter，andhitherunderstrongescortIhavebroughtthem。\"
\"Andthesetreasures？\"askedLaBoulaye。
\"Theyarestillinthecoachbelow，withthewomen。Ihavetoldthesethattheyshallspendthenightthere。To—morrowIshallseetothemandgivethemtheirliberty—whichisamoregenerousproceedingthanmightbefallthematthehandsofanother。Whentheyaregonecomesthedivisionofthespoil。\"Heclosedoneeyeslowly，inaveryponderouswink。\"TomymenIshallrelegatethegoldandsilverplateaswellasthemoney。FormyselfIshallonlyretainthelittleiron—boundbox。Myfollowerswillaccountmemorethangenerousandthemselvesmorethansatisfied。Asforme，LaBoulaye—bySt。Guillotine，IamtemptedtoemigratealsoandsetupasanaristocratmyselfinPrussiaorEngland，forinthatlittleboxthereissomethingmorethanafortune。Iaskedyouto—daywhetheryouweremindedtolayinformationagainstmeinParis。Myfaith，Iamlittleconcernedwhetheryoudoornot，forIthinkthatbeforeyoucanreachParis，CaptainCharlotTardivetwillbenomorethananameintheRepublicanarmy。AbroadI
shallcallmyselfCharlotduTardivet，andIshallsleepinfinelinenandliveontrufflesandchampagne。Caron，yourhealth！\"
Hedrainedhisglass，andlaughedsoftlytohimselfashesetitdown。
\"Doyoutrustyourmen？\"askedLaBoulaye。
\"Eh？Trustthem？Nameofaname！Theyknowme。Ihaveplacedthetenmostfaithfulonesonguard。Theyanswertotherestofuswiththeirnecksforthesafetyoftheircharge。Comehither，Caron。\"
Herosesomewhatunsteadily，andlurchedacrosstothewindow。LaBoulayefollowedhim，andgazingoutunderhisindication，hebeheldthecoachbytheblazeofafirewhichthemenhadlightedtokeepthemfromfreezingattheirpost。
\"Doesthatlooksecure？\"
\"Why，yes—secureenough。Butifthosefellowsweretotakeitintotheirheadsthatitwouldbemoreprofitabletosharetheprizeamongtenthanamongsixty？\"
\"Secreanom！！\"sworeCharlotimpatiently。\"Youdomywitspoorcredit。Forwhatdoyoutakeme？HaveIgonethroughsomuch，thinkyou，withoutlearninghowlittlemenaretobetrusted？Faugh！
Lookattheporte—cochere。Thegatesareclosed—aye，andlocked，moncher，andthekeysarehere，inmypocket。Doyouimaginetheyaretobebrokenthroughwithoutarousinganyone？Andthen，thehorses。Theyareinthestablesoverthere，andagain，thekeysareinmypocket。Sothat，yousee，Idonotleaveeverythingtothehonestyofmytenmostfaithfulones。\"
\"Youhavelearnedwisdom，notadoubtofit，\"laughedtheDeputy。
\"Inahardschool，Caron，\"answeredtheCaptainsoberly。\"Aye，nameofaname，inamonstroushardschool。\"
Heturnedfromthewindow，andthelightofthetapersfallingonhisface，showeditheavilyscoredwithlinesofpain，testifyingtotheuglymemorieswhichtheDeputy’slightwordshadevoked。Thensuddenlyhelaughed，half—bitterly，halfhumourously。
\"La，la！\"saidhe。\"Thething’spast。CharlotTardivetthebridegroomofBellecourandCaptainCharlotofDumouriez’armyaredifferentmen—verydifferent。\"
Hestrodebacktothetable，filledhisgoblet，andgulpeddownthewine。ThenhecrossedtothefireandstoodwithhisbacktoLaBoulayeforaspell。Whennexthefacedhiscompanionallsignsofemotionhadclearedfromhiscountenance。Itwasagainthecallous，recklessfaceofCaptainCharlot，renderedatriflemorerecklessandatriflemorecallousbythewine—flushonhischeeksandthewine—glitterinhiseye。
\"Caron\"saidhe，withahalf—smile，\"shallwehavetheseladiesintosupper？\"
\"Godforbid！\"ejaculatedLaBoulaye。
\"Nay，butIwill，\"theotherinsisted，andhemovedacrosstothewindow。
Ashepassedhim，LaBoulayelaidadetaininghanduponhisarm。
\"Notthat，Charlot，\"hebeggedimpressively，hisdarkfaceveryset。
\"Plunderthem，turnthemdestituteupontheworld，ifyouwill，butremember，atleast，thattheyarewomen。\"
Charlotlaughedinhisface。
\"Itissomethingtoremember，isitnot？Theyremembereditofourwomen，thesearistocrats！\"
TherewassomuchuglytruthintheCaptain’swords，andsuchasuggestionofjust，ifbitter，retributioninhismentalattitude，thatLaBoulayereleasedhisarm，atalossforfurtherargumentswherewithtocurbhim。
\"Paydi！\"Charlotcontinued，\"Ihaveamindforafrolic。Doesnotjusticegivemetherighttoclaimthatthesearistocratsshallamuseme？\"
Withanoathheturnedabruptly，andpulledthecasementopen。
\"Guyot！\"hecalled，andavoicefrombelowmadeanswertohim。
\"Youwillmakemycomplimentstothecitoyennesinthecoach，Guyot，andtellthemthattheCitizen—captainTardivetrequeststhehonouroftheircompanytosupper。\"
Thenhewenttothedoor，andcallingDameCapoulade，hebadehersettwofreshcovers；inwhichhewasexpeditiouslyobeyed。LaBoulayestoodbythefire，hispalefaceimpassivenowandalmostindifferent。CharlotreturnedtothewindowtolearnfromGuyotthatthecitoyennesthankedtheCitizen—captain，butthattheyweretiredandsoughttobeexcused，askingnothingbetterthantobeallowedtoremainatpeaceintheircarriage。
\"Sacrednameofaname！\"hecroaked，atriflethickly，forthewinehehadtakenwasmasteringhimmoreandmore。\"Aretheydefyingus？
Sincetheywillnotacceptaninvitation，compelthemtoobeyacommand。Bringthemupatonce，Guyot。\"
\"Atonce，Captain，\"wastheanswer，andGuyotwentaboutthebusiness。
Charlotclosedthewindowandapproachedthetable。
\"Theyarecoquettishthesescenteddames，\"hemocked，ashepouredhimselfoutsomewine。\"YouarenotdrinkingCaron。\"
\"Itisperhapswisethatoneofusshouldremainsober，\"answeredtheDeputyquietly，forinspiteofacertainsympathywiththefeelingsbywhichCharlotwasactuated，hewasindeadantipathytothisbaitingofwomenthatseemedtoward。
Charlotmadenoanswer。Hedrainedhisgobletandsetitdownwithabang。Thenheflunghimselfintoachair，andstretchingouthislong，bootedlegshebegantohumtherefrainofthe\"Marseillaise。\"
Thusafewmomentswentby。Thentherecameasoundofstepsuponthecreakingstairs，andthegruffvoiceofthesoldierurgingtheladiestoascendmorespeedily。
Atlastthedooropenedandtwowomenentered，followedbyGuyot。
Charlotlurchedtohisfeet。
\"Youhavecome，Mesdames，\"saidhe，forgettingthemodeofaddressprescribedbytheConvention，andclumsilyessayingtomakealeg。
