Probably，knowingyouilla—bed，theyabusedtheoccasionbygettingdrunk，andprobablytheyarestillsleepingitoff。Theplaceissilentenough。\"
ButTardivetscarcelyheardhim。Fromhiswindowhewasstaringintotheyardbelow，toothunderstruckbyitsemptinesstoevenhaverecoursetoprofanity。Stabledoorandporte—cocherealikestoodopen。Heturnedsuddenlyandmadeforhiscoat。Seizingit，hethrusthishandinonepocketafteranother。Atlast：
\"Treachery！\"hecried，andlettingthegarmentfalltotheground，heturneduponLaBoulayeafacesotransfiguredbyangerthatitlookedlittleliketheusuallygood—humouredcountenanceofCaptainTardivet\"Mykeyshavebeenstolen。BySt。Guillotine，I’llhavethethiefhanged。\"
\"Didanybodyknowthatthekeyswereinyourpocket？\"askedtheingenuousCaron。
\"Itoldyoulastnight。\"
\"Yes，yes；Irememberthat。Butdidanybodyelseknow？\"
\"Theostlerknew。Hesawmelockthedoors。\"
\"Why，then，letusfindtheostler，\"urgedCaron。\"Putonsomeclothesandwewillgobelow。\"
MechanicallyCharlotobeyedhim，andashedidsohegavehisfeelingsventatlast。Frombetweensetteethcamenowaflowofoathsandimprecationsassteadyastheflowofwaterfromthegargoyleoverhead。
Atlasttheyhasteneddownthestairstogether，andinthecommon—roomtheyfoundthesleepingcompanymuchasLaBoulayehadleftitthenightbefore。Inanaccessofrageatwhathesaw，andattheampleevidencesofthedebauchthathadreducedthemtothiscondition，CharlotbeganbykickingthechairfromunderMotherCapoulade。Thenoiseofherfallandthescreamwithwhichsheawokeservedtoarouseoneortwoothers，wholiftedtheirheadstogazestupidlyaboutthem。
ButCharlotwasbusystirringtheotherslumberers。Hehadfoundawhip，andwiththishewasnowlayingvigorouslyabouthim。
\"Up，youswine！\"heblazedatthem。\"Afoot，youdrunkenscum！\"
Hiswhipcracked，andhisimprecationsranghighandlurid。AndLaBoulayeassistedhiminhislabourswithkicksandcuffsandatonguenolessvituperative。
Atlasttheywereontheirfeet—apale，bewildered，shamefacedcompany—receivingfromtheinfuriatedCharlotthenewsthatwhilsttheyhadindulgedthemselvesintheirdrunkenslumberstheirprisonershadescapedandcarriedoffthetreasurewiththem。Thenewswasreceivedwithagroanofdismay，andseveralturnedtothedoortoascertainforthemselveswhetheritwasindeedexact。
Thedrearyemptinessoftherain—washedyardaffordedthemmorethanampleconfirmation。
\"Whereisyourpigofanostler，MotherCapoulade？\"demandedtheangryCaptain。
Quiveringwithterror，sheansweredhimthattherascalshouldbeintheshedbythestables，whereitwashiswonttosleep。Outintotherain，despitethescantinessofhisattire，wentCharlot，followedcloselybyLaBoulayeandoneortwostragglers。Theshedprovedempty，asCaroncouldhavetoldhim—andso，too，didthestables。Here，atthespotwhereMadamedeBellecour’scoachmanhadbeenleftbound，theCaptainturnedtoLaBoulayeandthoseothersthathadfollowedhim。
\"Itistheostler’swork，\"heannounced。\"Therewasknaveryandtreacherywritlargeuponhisuglyface。Ialwaysfeltit，andthisbusinessproveshowcorrectweremyinstincts。Theroguewasbribedwhenhediscoveredhowthingswerewithyou，yougreasysots。Butyou，LaBoulaye，\"hecriedsuddenly，\"wereyoudrunk，too？\"
\"NotI，\"answeredtheDeputy。
\"Then，nameofaname，howcamethatlumberingcoachtoleavetheyardwithoutawakeningyou？\"
\"Youaskmetoexplaintoomuch，\"wasLaBoulaye’scoolevasion。
\"Ihavealwaysaccountedmyselfalightsleeper，andIcouldnothavebelievedthatsuchathingcouldreallyhavetakenplacewithoutdisturbingme。Butthefactremainsthatthecoachhasgone，andIthinkthatinsteadofstandinghereinidlespeculationastohowitwent，youmightfindmoreprofitableemploymentinconsideringhowitistobroughtbackagain。Itcannothavegoneveryfar。\"
IfanyrayofsuspicionhadbeguntoglimmerinCharlot’sbrain，thatsuggestionofLaBoulaye’swasenoughtoutterlyextinguishit。
Theyreturnedindoors，andwithoutmoreadoTardivetsethimselftoplanthepursuit。Heknew，heannounced，thatPrussiawastheirdestination。HehaddiscovereditatthetimeoftheircapturefromcertainpapersthathehadfoundinaportmanteauoftheMarquise’s。
HediscussedthematterwithLaBoulaye，anditwasnowthatCaronhadoccasiontocongratulatehimselfuponhiswisdominhavingelectedtoremainbehind。
TheCaptainproposedtorecallthefiftymenthatwerewatchingtheroadsfromFrance，andtospreadthemalongtheRiverSambre，asfarasLiege，toseekinformationofthewaytakenbythefugitives。Assoonasanyoneofthepartiesstruckthetrailitwastosendwordtotheothers，andstartimmediatelyinpursuit。
Now，hadCharlotbeenpermittedtospreadsuchanetasthis，theMarquisemustinevitablyfallintoit，andCaronhadpledgedhiswordthatsheshouldhaveanopenroadtoPrussia。WithamapspreaduponthetablehenowexpoundedtotheCaptainhowlittlenecessitytherewasforsoelaborateascheme。ThenearestwaytoPrussiawasbyCharleroi，Dinant，andRochefort，intoLuxembourg，and—hecontended—itwasnotonlyunlikely，butincredible，thattheMarquiseshouldchooseanybuttheshortestroadtocarryheroutofBelgium，seeingthedangersthatmustbesetheruntilthefrontiersofLuxembourgwerepassed。
\"Andso，\"arguedLaBoulaye，\"whywastetimeinrecallingyourmen？
Thinkofthecaptivesyoumightmissbysuchanact！Itwereinfinitelybetteradvised。toassumethatthefugitiveshavetakentheCharleroi—Dinantroad，andtodespatch，atonce，say，half—a—dozenmeninpursuit。\"
Tardivetponderedthematterforsomemoments。
\"Yomareright，\"heagreedatlast。\"Iftheyhaveresolvedtocontinuetheirjourney，ahalf—dozenmenshouldsufficetorecapturethem。Iwilldespatchtheseatonce……\"
LaBoulayelookedupatthat。
\"Iftheyhaveresolvedtocontinuetheirjourney？\"heechoed。\"Whatelseshouldtheyhaveresolved？\"
Tardivetstrokedhisreddishhairandsmiledastutely。
\"Inorganisingapursuit，\"aidhe，\"thewisepursuerwillalwaysputhimselfintheplaceofthefugitives，andseektoreasonastheywouldprobablyreason。Now，whatmorelikelythanthattheseladies，ortheircoachman，orthatrascallyostler，shouldhavethoughtofdoublingbackintoFrance？Theymightnaturallyarguethatwe；
shouldneverthinkofpursuingtheminthatdirection。Similarlyplaced，thatishowIshouldreason，andthatisthecourseIshouldadopt，makingforPrussiathroughLorraine。PerhapsIdotheirintelligencestoomuchhonour—yet，tome，itseemssuchanobviouscourse。\"’
LaBoulayegrewcoldwithapprehension。Yetimpassivelyheasked：
\"Butwhatofyourmenwhoareguardingthefrontiers？\"
\"Pooh！Adetourmightcircumventthem。TheMarquisemightgoasfarnorthasRoubaixorComines，orasfairsouthasRocroy，orevenCharlemont。Nameofaname，butitismorethanlikely！\"heexclaimed，withsuddenconviction。\"Whatdoyousay，Caron？\"
\"Thatyourave，\"answeredLaBoulayecoldly。
\"Well，weshallsee。Iwilldespatchamessagetomymen，biddingthemspreadthemselvesasfarnorthasComiinesandasfarsouthasCharlemont。ShouldthefugitiveshavemadesuchadetourasI
suggestedtherewillbeampletimetotakethem。\"
LaBoulayestillcontemnedthenotionwithafineshowofindifference，butTardivetheldtohispurpose，andpresentlydespatchedthemessengersashehadproposed。AtthatCaronfelthispulsesquickeningwithanxietyforMademoiselle。Theseastutemeasuresmustinevitablyresultimhercapture—forwasitnotatRoubaixthathehadbiddenherawaithim？Therewasbutonethingtobedone，torideouthimselftomeetheralongtheroadfromSoigniestoOudenarde，andtoescortherintoFrance。Sheshouldgoostensiblyashisprisoner，andhewasconfidentthatnotallthebrigandsofCaptainTardivetwouldsufficetotakeherfromhim。
Accordingly，heannouncedhisintentionofresuminghisinterruptedjourney，andorderedhismentosaddleandmakeready。Meanwhile，havingtakenmeasurestorecapturetheMarquiseshouldshehavedoubledbackintoFrance，CharlotwasnoworganisinganexpeditiontoscourtheroadtoPrussia，againstthepossibilityofherhavingadheredtoheroriginalintentionofjourneyingthatway。Thushewasdeterminedtotakenorisks，andleavehernoloopholeofescape。
Tardivetwouldhavesethimselfattheheadofthesixhorsemenofthisexpedition，butthatLaBoulayeinterfered，andthistimetosomepurpose。HeassuredtheCaptainthathewasstillfarfromrecovered，andthattospendadayinthesaddlemighthavethegravestofconsequencesforhim。
\"Iftheoccasiondemandedit，\"heconcluded，\"Ishouldmyselfurgeyoutochancethematterofyourhealth。Buttheoccasiondoesnot。
Thebusinessisofthesimplest，andyourmencandoasmuchwithoutyouastheycouldwithyou。\"
Tardivetpermittedhimselftobepersuaded，andCaronhadagaingoodcausetocongratulatehimselfthathehadremainedbehindtoinfluencehim。Heopinedthatthemen，failingtopickupthetrailatCharleroi，wouldprobablygoonasfarasDinantbeforeabandoningthechase；thentheywouldreturntoBoisverttoannouncetheirfailure，andbythattimeitwouldbetoolatetoreorganisethepursuit。Ontheotherhand，hadTardivetaccompaniedthem，uponfailingtofindanytraceoftheMarquiseatCharleroi，LaBoulayecouldimaginehimpushingnorthalongtheSambre，andpressingthepeasantryintohisservicetoformanimpassablecordon。
Andso，havingwonhiswayinthisatleast，andseenthesixmensetoutunderthecommandofTardivet’strustedGuyot，CarontookhisleaveoftheCaptain。Hewasontheverypointofsettingoutwhenacourierdasheduptothedoorofthe\"Eagle，\"andcalledforacupofwine。AsitwasbroughthimheaskedthehostesswhethertheCitizen—deputyLaBoulaye，CommissionertothearmyofDumouriez，hadpassedthatway。UponbeinginformedthattheDeputywaseventhenwithintheinn，thecouriergotdownfromhishorseanddemandedtobetakentohim。
Thehostessledhimintothecommon—room，andpointedouttheDeputy。Thecourierheavedasighofrelief，andremovinghissoddencloakhebadethelandladygetitdriedandpreparehimasstoutamealasherhostelryafforded。
\"Nameofaname！\"heswore，ashepitchedhisdrippinghatintoacorner。\"Butitisgoodtofindyouatlast，Citizen—deputy？I
hadexpectedtomeetyouatValenciennes。Butasyouwerenotthere，andasmyletterswereurgent，Ihavebeencompelledtorideforthepastsixhoursthroughthatinfernaldeluge。Enfin，hereyouare，andhereismyletter—fromtheCitizen—deputyMaximilienRobespierre—andhereI’llrestmeforthenextsixhours。\"
Biddingthefellowbyallmeansrestandrefreshhimself，LaBoulayebroketheseal，andreadthefollowing：
DearCaron，MycouriershoulddeliveryouthisletterasyouareonthePointofreenteringFrance，onyourreturnfromthemissionwhichyouhavedischargedwithsomuchglorytoyourselfandcredittomewhorecommendedyouforthetask。ImakeyoumycomplimentsonthetactandadroitnessyouhaveemployedtobringthisstubbornDumouriezintosomesemblanceofsympathywiththeConvention。
Andnow，myfriend，Ihaveanothertaskforyou，whichyoucandischargeonyourhomewardjourney。Youwillmakeaslightdetour，passingintoArtoisandridingtotheChateaud’Ombreval，whichissituatedsomefourmilessouthofArras。HereIwishyounotonlytoPossessyourselfofthepersonoftheci—devantVicomted’Ombreval，bringinghimtoParisasyourPrisoner，butfurther，tomakeaverysearchinginvestigationofthataristocrat’spapers，securinganydocumentsthatyoumayconsiderofanaturetreasonabletotheFrenchRepublic，OneandIndivisible。
TheletterendedwiththeusualgreetingsandRobespierre’ssignature。
LaBoulayesworesoftlytohimselfashefoldedtheepistle。
\"Itseems，\"hemutteredtoCharlot，\"thatIamtoturncatch—pollintheserviceoftheRepublic。\"
\"ToatrueservantoftheNation，\"putinthecourier，whohadoverheardhim，\"alltasksthatmaytendtotheadvancementoftheRepublicshouldbeeagerlyundertaken。Diable！HavenotIriddenintherainthesesixhourspast？\"
LaBoulayepaidnoheedtohim；hewastooinuredtothissortofinsolencesincethenewrulehadlevelledallmen。ButCharlotturnedslowlytoregardthefellow。
Hewasatallmanofratherslenderstature，butindifferentlydressedingarmentsthatweresplashedfromheadtofootwithmud，andfromwhichasteamwasbeginningtoriseashestoodnowwithhisbacktothefire。Charloteyedhimsonarrowlythatthefellowshiftedhispositionanddroppedhisglanceinsomediscomfort。
Hisspeech，thoughroughofpurport，hadnotbeenungentleofdelivery。Buthisfacewasdirty—thesuresignofanardentpatriot—hishairhunguntidyabouthisface，andheworethatlatestabominationoftheultra—revolutionist，adenseblackbeardandmoustache。
\"Myfriend，\"saidCharlot，\"althoughwearereadytoacknowledgeyouourequal，weshouldlikeyoutounderstandthatwedonottakelessonsindutyevenfromourequals。Bearyouthatinmindifyouseektohaveapeacefultimewhileyouarehere，foritsohappensthatIamquarteredatthisinn，andhaveamoreimportantwaywithmethanthisgood—naturedDeputyhere。\"
ThefellowdartedCharlotamalevolentglance。
\"Youtalkofequalityandyououtrageequalityinabreath，\"hegrowled。\"Ihalfsuspectyouofbeingaturncoataristocrat。\"Andhespatostentatiouslyontheground。
\"Suspectwhatyouwill，butvoicenosuspicionshere，elseyou’llbecomeacquaintedwiththemightyshortmethodsofCharlotTardivet。
Andasforaristocrats，myfriend，therearenonesorabidasthenewly—converted。Iwonderhowlongitissinceyoubecameapatriot？\"
BeforethefellowcouldmakeanyanswerthecorporalincommandofLaBoulaye’sescortenteredtoinformCaronthatthemenwereinthesaddle。
AtthattheDeputyhurriedlytookhisleaveofTardivet，andwrappinghisheavycloaktightlyabouthimhemarchedoutintotherain，andmounted。
AfewmomentslatertheyclatteredbrisklyoutofBoisvert，thethickgreymudflyingfromtheirhorses’hoofsastheywent，andtooktheroadtoFrance。ForacoupleofmilestheyrodesteadilyalongundertheunceasingrainandintheteethofthatbleakFebruarywind。
Thenatacross—roadLaBoulayeunexpectedlycalledahalt。
\"Myfriends，\"hesaidtohisescort，\"wehaveyetalittlebusinesstodischargeinBelgiumbeforewecrossthefrontier。\"
WiththatheannouncedhisintentionofgoingNorth，andsobrisklydidhecausethemtoride，thatbynoon—ashortthreehoursafterquittingBoisvert—theyhadcoveredadistanceoftwenty—fivemiles，andbroughtuptheirsteaminghorsesbeforetheHoteldeFlandresatLeuze。
Atthis，theonlypost—houseintheplace，LaBoulayemadeinquiriesastowhetheranycarriagehadarrivedfromSoigniesthatmorning，toreceiveanegativeanswer。Thisnowisesurprisedhim，forhehardlythoughtthatMademoisellecouldhavehadtimetocomesofar。Shemust，however，bedrawingnearer，andhedeterminedtorideontomeether。FromLeuzetoSoigniesisadistanceofsomeeightornineleaguesbyaroadwhichmayroughlybesaidtobethebasisofatrianglehavingitsapexatBoisvert。
Afterhismenhadhurriedlyrefreshedthemselves，LaBoulayeorderedthemtohorseagain，andtheynowcanteredout，alongthisroad，toSoignes。ButasmileaftermilewascoveredwithouttheircominguponanysignofsuchacarriageasMademoiselleshouldbetravellingin，LaBoulayealmostunconsciouslyquickenedthepaceuntilintheendtheyfoundthemselvescareeringalongasfastastheirjadedhorseswouldbearthem，andspeculatingmightilyupontheDeputy’soddbehaviour。
Soigniesitselfwasreachedtowardsfouro’clock，andstilltheyhadnotmetherwhomLaBoulayeexpected。Here，inastateofsomewonderandevenofsomeanxiety，CaronmadestraightfortheAubergedesPostes。Biddinghismendismountandseetothemselvesandtheirbeasts，hewentinquestofthehost，andhavingfoundhim，bombardedhimwithquestions。
InreplyheelicitedtheinformationthatatnoonthatdayacarriagesuchashedescribedhadreachedSoigniesinaverysorrycondition。Oneofthewheelshadcomeoffontheroad，andalthoughtheMarquise’smenhadcontrivedtoreplaceitandtorudelysecureitbyanimprovisedpin，theyhadbeencompelledtoproceedatawalkforsomefifteenmilesofthejourney，whichaccountedforthelatenessoftheirarrivalatSoignies。TheyhadremainedattheAubergedesPostesuntilthewheelhadbeenproperlymended，anditwasnotmorethananhoursincetheyhadresumedtheirjourneyalongtheroadtoLiege。
\"Butdidboththecitoyennesdepart？\"criedLaBoulaye，inamazement，anduponreceivinganaffirmativereplyitatonceenteredhismindthattheMarquisemusthaveinfluencedherdaughtertothatend—perhapsevenemployedforce。
\"Didthereappeartobeanysignsofdisagreementbetweenthem？\"
washisnextquestion。
\"No，Citizen，Iobservednothing。Theyseemedinperfectaccord。\"
\"Theyoungeronedidnotbyanychanceinquireofyouwhetheritwouldbepossibletohireaberline？\"askedCarondesperately。
\"No，\"thelandlordansweredhim，withwonderingeyes。\"Sheappearedasanxiousashermotherfortherepairingofthecoachinwhichtheycame，thattheymightagaindepartinit。\"
LaBoulayestoodamomentinthought，hisbrowsdrawntogether，hisbreathingseemingsuspended，forintohissoulasuspicionhadofasuddenbeenthrust—ahideoussuspicion。Abruptlyhedrewhimselfuptothefullofhisactivefigure，andthrewbackhishead，hisresolvetaken。
\"CanIhavefreshhorsesatonce？\"heinquired。\"Ineedeight。\"
Thelandlordthoughtfullyscratchedhishead。
\"Youcanhavetwoatonce，andtheothersixinahalf—hour。\"
\"Verywell，\"heanswered。\"Saddlemeoneatonce，andhavetheothersevenreadyformymenassoonaspossible。\"
Andwhilstthehostsenttheostlertoexecutetheorder，Caroncalledforacupofwineandacrustofbread。Munchinghiscrustheenteredthecommon—roomwherehismenwereattablewithasteamingragoutbeforethem。
\"Garin，\"hesaidtothecorporal，\"inahalf—hourthelandlordwillbeabletoprovideyouwithfreshhorses。YouwillsetoutatoncetofollowmealongtheroadtoLiege。Iamstartingimmediately。\"
Garin，withtheeasyfamiliarityoftheRepublicansoldier，badehimtakesomethoughtofhisexhaustedcondition，andsnatchatleastthehalf—hour’srestthatwastobetheirs。ButLaBoulayewasoutoftheroombeforehehadfinished。Acoupleofminuteslatertheyheardaclatterofdepartinghoofs，andLaBoulayewasgonealongtheroadtooLiegeinpursuitoftheladiesofBellecour。
CHAPTERXIII
THEROADTOLIEGE
\"Ofwhatareyouthinking，littlefool？\"askedtheMarquisepeevishly，herfatfacepuckeredintoahundredwrinklesofill—humour。
\"Ofnothinginparticular，Madame，\"thegirlansweredpatiently。
TheMarquisesniffedcontemptuously，andglancedthroughthewindowofthecoachuponthedreary，rainsoddenlandscape。
\"DoyoucallthesometimesecretaryCitizen—cutthroatLaBoulaye，nothinginparticular？\"sheasked。\"Mafoi！Iwonderthatyoudonotdieofself—contemptafterwhatpassedbetweenyouatBoisvert。\"
\"Madame，Iwasnotthinkingofhim，\"saidSuzanne。
\"Moreshametoyou，then，\"wasthesourretort，fortheMarquisewasbentupondisagreeingwithher。\"Haveyouaconscience，Suzanne，thatyoucouldhaveplayedsuchaDelilahpartandnevergiveathoughttothemanyouhavetricked？\"
\"YouwillmakemeregretthatItoldyouofit，\"saidthegirlquietly。
\"Youarereadyenoughtoregretanythingbuttheactitself。Perhapsyou’llberegrettingthatyoudidnottakeaberlineatSoignies，asyoupromisedthecitizen—scoundrelthatyouwould，andsetouttojoinhim？\"
\"Itishardlygeneroustotauntmeso，Madame，Idoverybitterlyregretwhathastakenplace。ButyoumightdomethejusticetorememberthatwhatIdidIdidasmuchforothersasformyself。
Asmuch，indeed，foryouasformyself。\"
\"Forme？\"echoedtheMarquiseshrilly。\"Tiens，thatisdrollnow！
Forme？Wasitformethatyoumadelovetothecitizen—blackguard？
Areyousodeadtoshamethatyoudareremindmeofit？\"
Mademoisellesighed，andseemedtoshrinkbackintotheshadowsofthecarriage。Herfacewasverypale，andhereyeslookedsorelytroubled。
\"ItissomethingthattomydyingdayIshallregret，\"shemurmured。
\"Itwasvile，itwasunworthy！YetifIhadnotusedtheonlyweapontomyhand—\"Sheceased，theMarquisecaughtthesoundofasob。
\"Whatareyouweepingfor，littlefool？\"shecried。
\"AsmuchasanythingforwhathemustthinkofmewhenherealiseshowshamefullyIhaveusedhim。\"
\"Anddoesitmatterwhatthecanaillethinks？Shallitmatterwhatthecitizen—assassinthinks？\"
\"Alittle，Madame，\"shesighed。\"HewilldespisemeasIdeserve。
IalmostwishthatIcouldundoit，andgobacktothatlittleroomatBoisvert。theprisonerofthatfearfulman，Tardivet，orelsethat—\"Againshepaused，andtheMarquiseturnedtowardsherwithagasp。
\"Orelsethatwhat？\"shedemanded。\"Mafoi，itonlyremainsthatyoushouldwishyouhadkeptyourpromisetothisscum。\"
\"Ialmostwishit，Madame。Ipledgedmywordtohim。\"
\"Youtalkasifyouwereaman，\"saidhermother；\"asifyourwordwasathingthatboundyou。Itisawoman’sprerogativetochangehermind。AsforthisRepublicanscum—\"
\"Youshallnotcallhimthat，\"wastherejoinder，sharplydelivered；
forSuzannewasrousedatlast。\"Heistwentytimesmorenobleandbravethananygentleman，thatIhaveevermet。Weoweourlibertytohimatthismoment，andsufficientlyhaveIwrongedhimbymyactions—\"
\"Fool，whatareyousaying？\"criedtheenragedMarquise。\"He，morenobleandbravethananygentlemanthatyouevermet？He—thiskennel—bredcitizen—ruffianofarevolutionist？Areyoumad，girl，or—\"TheMarquisepausedamomentandtookadeepbreaththatwasasagaspofsuddenunderstanding。\"Isitthatyouareinlovewiththiswretch！\"
\"Madame！\"Theexclamationwasladenwithblendedwonder，dignity，andhorror。
\"Well？\"demandedMadamedeBellecourseverely。\"Answerme，Suzanne。
AreyouinlovewiththisLaBoulaye？\"
\"Istheretheneedtoanswer？\"quoththegirlscornfully。\"SurelyyouforgetthatIamMademoiselledeBellecour，daughteroftheMarquisedeBellecour，andthatthismanisofthecanaille，elseyouhadneveraskedthequestion。\"
WithanexpressionofsatisfactiontheMarquisewassinkingbackinthecarriage，whenofasuddenshesatboltupright。
\"Someoneisridingverydesperately，\"shecried，anoteofalarmringinginhervoice。
Abovethethudofthecoach—horses’hoofsandtherumbleoftheirvehiclesoundednowtheclatterofsomeonegallopingmadlyintheirwake。Mademoisellelookedfromthewindowintothegatheringdusk。
\"Itwillbesomecourier，Madame，\"sheansweredcalmly。\"Noneotherwouldrideatsuchapace。\"
\"IshallknownorestuntilwearesafelyinaChristiancountryagain，\"theMarquisecomplained。
Thehoof—beatsgrewnearer，andthedarkfigureofahorsemandashedsuddenlypastthewindow。Simultaneously，aloud，harshcommandtohaltrangoutupontheeveningair。
TheMarquiseclutchedatherdaughter’sarmwithonehand，whilstwiththeothershecrossedherself，asthoughtheirassailantweresomeemissaryofthepowersofevil。
\"MotherinHeaven，deliverus！\"shegasped，turningsuddenlydevout。
\"MonDieu！\"criedMademoiselle，whohadrecognisedthevoicethatwasnowharanguingthemenonthebox—theirdriverandtheostlerofthe’EagleInn。’\"ItisLaBoulayehimself。\"
\"LaBoulaye？\"echoedtheMarquise。Then，inafrenzyofterror：
\"Therearethepistolsthere，Suzanne，\"shecried。\"Youcanshoot。
Killhim！Killhim！\"
Thegirl’slipscametightlytogetheruntilhermouthseemednomorethanastraightline。Hercheeksgrewwhiteasdeath，buthereyeswerebraveandresolute。Sheputforthherhandandseizedoneofthepistolsasthecarriagewithafinaljoltcametoastandstill。
Aninstantlaterthedoorwasdraggedopen，andLaBoulayestoodbowingintherainwithmockceremoniousnessandaverycontemptuoussmileonhissternmouth。Hehaddismounted，andflungthereinsofhishorseovertheboughofatreebytheroadside。TheMarquiseshudderedatsightofhim，andsoughttoshrinkfartherbackintothecushionsofthecarriage。
\"Citoyenne，\"hewassaying，verybitterly，\"whenImademycompactwithyouyesternight，Ididnotreckonuponbeingcompelledtorideafteryouinthisfashion。Ihavesomeknowledgeofthewaysofyourpeople，oftheirfullwordsandemptydeeds；butyouIwasfoolenoughtotrust。Byexperiencewelearn。Imustaskyoutoalight，Citoyenne。\"
\"Towhatpurpose，Monsieur？\"sheasked，inavoicewhichshestrovetorendercoldandsteady。
\"Tothepurposethatyourpartofthebargainbecarriedout。YourmotherandyourtreasureweretofindtheirwayintoPrussiauponconditionthatyoureturnwithmetoFrance。\"
\"Itwasabargainofcoercion，Monsieur，\"sheansweredattemptingtobrazenitout。\"Iwasawomaninadesperatesituation。\"
\"Surelyyourmemoryisatfault，Citoyenne，\"heanswered，withapolitenessthatwasinitselfamockery。
\"YoursituationwassolittledesperatethatIhadofferedtoeffecttherescuebothofyourmotherandyourselfwithoutaskinganyguerdon。Yourmiserabletreasurealoneitwasthathadtobesacrificed。Youwillrecallthatthebargainwasofyourownproposing。\"
Therewasapause，duringwhichhestoodwaitingforherreply。
Herblueeyesmadeanattempttomeethissteadygaze，butfailed。
Herbosomroseandfellintheintensityofheragitation。
\"Iwasawomandistraught，Monsieur。Surelyyouwillnotholdmetowordsutteredinanhourofmadness。ItwasabargainIhadnorighttomake，forIamnolongerfreetodisposeofmyself。IambetrothedtotheVicomteAnatoled’Ombreval。Thecontracthasalreadybeensigned，andtheVicomtewillbemeetingusatTreves。\"
Itwasasifshehadstruckhim，andamazementlefthimsilentamoment。Inadim，subconsciouswayheseemedtonoticethatthenameshementionedwasthatofthemanhewasbiddentoarrest。
Then，withanoath：
\"Icarenaughtforthat，\"hecried。\"AsGodlives，youshallfulfilyourwordtome。\"
\"Monsieur，Irefuse，\"sheanswered，withfinality。\"Letmerequestyoutoclosethedoorandsufferustoproceed。\"
\"Yourmotherandyourtreasuremayproceed—itwasthuswebargained。Butyoushallcomewithme。Iwillbenogirl’sdupe，nowoman’sfool，Citoyenne。\"
Whenhesaidthatheutteredthefulltruth。Therewasnoloveinhisvoiceorinhisheartatthatmoment。Thandesireofhernothingwasfurtherfromhismind。Itwashispridethatwasupinarms，hiswoundeddignitythatcriedouttohimtoavengehimselfuponher，andtopunishherforhavingnomiserablydupedhim。Thatshewasunwillingtogowithhimonlyservedtoincreasehispurposeoftakingher，sincethemoreunwillingshewasthemorewouldshebepunished。
\"Citoyenne，Iamwaitingforyoutoalight，\"hesaidperemptorily。
\"Monsieur，IamverywellasIam，\"sheansweredhim，andleaningslightlyfromthecoach—\"Driveon，Blaise，\"shecommanded。
ButLaBoulayecockedapistol。
\"Drivesomuchasayard，\"hethreatened。\"andI’lldriveyoutothedevil。\"Then，turningoncemoretoSuzanne：\"Neverinmylife，CitoyennehaveIemployedforcetoawoman，\"hesaid。\"Itrustthatyouwillnotputmetothepainofcommencingnow。\"
\"Standback，Monsieur，\"washerimperiousanswer。Butheedlessheadvanced，andthrustinghisheadunderthelintelofthecarriagedoorheleanedforward，toseizeher。Then，beforehecouldsomuchasconjecturewhatshewasabout，herhandwentupgraspingaheavyhorse—pistolbythebarrel，andshebroughtthebuttofitdownwithadeadlyprecisionbetweenhisbrows。
Hereeledbackwards，threwuphisarms，andmeasuredhislengthinthethickgreymudoftheroad。
Hereyeshadfollowedhimwithalookofhorror，anduntilshesawhimlyingstillonhisbackdidsheseemtorealisewhatshehaddone。
\"Mydear，bravegirl，\"murmuredhermother’svoicebutsheneverheardit。Withasobsherelaxedhergraspofthepistolandletitfallfromthecarriage。
\"ShallIdriveon，Mademoiselle？\"inquiredBlaisefromthebox。
Butwithoutansweringhimshehadsteppeddownintothemud，andwasstandingbare—headedintherainbesidethebodyofCaron。
Silently，shestoopedandgropedforhisheart。Itwasbeatingvigorouslyenough，shethought。Shestoopedlowerandtakinghimunderthearms，shehalfbore，halfdraggedhimtothesideoftheroad，asifthethin，barehedgewerecapableofaffordinghimshelter。Thereshestoodamomentlookingdownathim。Thenwithasobshesuddenlystooped，andcarelessoftheeyesobservingher，shekissedhimfulluponthemouth。
Asecondlatershefledlikeafrightenedthingbacktothecarriage，and，closingthedoor，shecalledinastrangledvoicetoodriveon。
Shepaidlittleheedtothepraisethatwasbeingbestoweduponherbyhermother—whohadseennothingofthekiss。Butshelaybackinhercornerofthecoach，andnowherlasheswerewetatthethoughtofCaronlyingoutthereintheroad。Nowhercheeksgrewredwithshameatthethoughtthatshe，thenobly—bornMademoiselledeBellecour，shouldhaveallowedevenpitytohavesofarovercomeherastohavecausedhertotouchwithherlipsthelipsofalow—bredrevolutionist。
CHAPTERXIV
THECOURIER
ItwaswellforLaBoulayethathehadtetheredhishorsetoatreebeforeapproachingthecoach。Thatsolitarybeaststandingbytheroadsideinthedeepeninggloomattractedtheattentionofhisfollowers，when—ahalf—hourorsolater—theyrodethatway，makingforLiege，asLaBoulayehadbiddenthem。
Attheirapproachtheanimalneighed，andGarin，hearingthesound，reinedinandpeeredforwardintothegloom，todescrythehorse’sheadandbackoutlinedabovetheblurofthehedge。Hismenhaltedbehindhimwhilstheapproachedtheriderlessbeastandmade—aswellashecouldinthedarkness—anexaminationofthesaddle。
Oneholsterhefoundempty，atwhichheconcludedthattherider，whoeverhehadbeen，hadmetwithtrouble；fromtheotherhedrewaheavypistol，which，however，gavehimnoclue。
\"Getdown，\"heorderedhismen，\"andsearchtheroadshereabouts。
I’llwagerahorsetoahorseshoethatyouwillfindabodysomewhere。\"
Hewasobeyed，andpresentlyacryfromoneofthesearchersannouncedadiscovery。Itwassucceededbyanotherexclamation。
\"Sacrenom！\"sworethetrooper。\"ItistheCitizen—deputy！\"
InaninstantGarinhadleapttothegroundandwiththeotherscrowdingabouthim，theirbridlesovertheirarmsandtheirhorsesinabunchbehindthem，hewasbendingunderthedrippinghedgetoexaminethebodythatlaysupineinthesoddenroad。AvigorousoathescapedhimwhenheassuredhimselfthatitwasindeedLaBoulaye。
\"Ishedead？\"criedthemeninchorus。
\"No—notdead\"grumbledthecorporal。\"Butthereisalumponhisbrowthesizeofanegg，andGodknowshowlonghehasbeenlyinghereinthisbedofmud。\"
Theyhadnorestoratives，andtheonlythingwastoconveyhimtothenearesthabitationanddemandshelter。Theyheldashortcouncilonthematter，andintheendGarinbadefourofthemtakehimupandcarryhiminacloak。Sometwomilesbacktheyhadpassedahouse，andthitherthecorporalnowbadethemretracetheirsteps。
Theymadeanoddprocession；firstwenttwomountedtroopersleadingthehorsesoftheothers，thenthefouronfoot，carryingtheDeputyinacloak，andlastly，Garinridingintherear。
Inthismannertheywentbackalongthedarkroad，andforcloseuponahalf—hour—fortheirprogresswasslow—theytrudgedalonginsilence。Atlasttherewasashortexclamationfromoneoftheriders，ashalfamileawayanilluminatedwindowbeamedinvitingly。
Encouragedbyit，theyquickenedtheirstepsalittle。ButalmostatthesametimeLaBoulayestirredonthecloak，andthemenwhocarriedhimheardhimspeak。Atfirstitwasanincoherentmutter，thenhiswordscamemoredistinctly。
\"Hold！Whereareyoucarryingme？Whothedevilareyou？\"
ItwasGarin’svoicethatcameinstantlytoreassurehim。Caronessayedtositup，butfindingitimpracticable，heshortlybadehismensethimdown。Theyhalted。GarindismountedandcametotheDeputy’sside，anditwasfoundthathisconditionwasnonesograveafterall，forhewasabletostandunaided。When，however，heattemptedtowalk，hereeled，andwouldofacertaintyhavefallen，butthatGarinputouthisarmtosupporthim。
\"Steadythere，Citizen，\"thecorporaladmonishedhim。
\"Getmyhorse！\"hecommandedbriefly。
\"But，nameofaname！youarenotfittoride，\"Garinprotested。
LaBoulaye，however，wouldlistentonoreason。WiththerecoveryofhisfacultiescametheconsiderationofhowmiserablySuzannehaddupedhim，andofhowshehaddealtwithhimwhenhehadovertakenher。Heburnednowtobeavenged，andatallcostshewouldrideafterandrecaptureher。Heannounced，therefore，tothecorporalthattheymustpushontoLiege。Garingaspedathisobstinacy，andwouldhavesoughttohavedissuadedhim，butthatLaBoulayeturnedonhimwithafiercenessthatsilencedhisexpostulations。
ItwaslefttoNaturetoenforcewhatGarincouldnotachieve。WhenLaBoulayecametoattempttomounthefounditimpossible。Hewasstiffandnumbfromhislongexposureintherain，andwhenhemovedwithanyvigourhisheadswamdizzilyandthrobbedwithpain。
Atlasthewasforcedtorealise—withinwardgirding—thathemustrelinquishhisdetermination，andheacknowledgedhimselfreadytotakethecorporal’sadviceandmakeforthehousewhoselightedwindowshonelikeabeaconinthedarknessthathaddescended。Heevenallowedthemtoprevailuponhimtoliedowninthecloakagain，andthustheycarriedhimtheremainderoftheway。Inhishearthestillborethehopethatshortrest，restoratives，andfreshclotheswouldfithimforthepursuitoncemore，andthatifhesetoutwithinthenextfewhourshemightyetcomeupwithMademoisellebeforeshehadpassedbeyondhisreach。Shouldthemorningstillfindhimunequaltothetaskofgoingafterher，hewoulddespatchGarinandhismen。
Atlasttheyreachedthecottage—itwaslittlemore—andGarinrappedonthedoorwithhiswhip。Itwasopenedbyawoman，whotoldthem，inanswertothecorporal’srequestforshelter，thatherhusbandwasfromhome，andthatshehadnoaccommodationforthem。ItwouldseemthatthewomanhadhousedsoldiersoftheRepublicbefore，andthatherexperienceshadnotbeenofanaturecalculatedtoencourageherinthepractice。ButLaBoulayenowstaggeredforwardandpromisedhergenerouspaymentifshewouldreceivethem。
\"Payment？\"shecried。\"Inworthlessassignatsthatnobodywilltakefromme。Iknowthewaysofyou。\"
\"Notinassignats，\"LaBoulayepromisedher，\"butincoin。\"
Andhavingmollifiedhersomewhatwiththatassurance，heproceededtourgehertoadmitthem。Yonderwasashedwherethehorsescouldbestabledforthenight。Butstillthewomandemurred。
\"Ilacktheroom，\"shesaid，withsomefirmness。
\"Butatleast，\"putinGarin，\"youcouldhousetheCitizenhere。
Hehasbeenhurt，andheisscarcelyabletostand。Come，woman，ifyouwillconsenttothat，weotherscanliewiththehorsesintheshed。\"
Thisintheendtheygainedbyrenewedpromisesofgoodpayment。
Shebrewedabrothforthem，andforLaBoulayeshefoundasuitofherabsenthusband’sclothes，whilsthisownwetgarmentswerespreadtodrybeforethefire。Somebrandy，too，shefoundandbroughthim，andthedraughtdidmuchtorestorehim。
Whentheyhadsupped，Garinandthetrooperswithdrewtotheouthouse，leavingLaBoulayeinsolepossessionofthecottagehearth。Andthere，inasuitoftheabsentfarmer’sgreyhomespun，hislegsencasedincoarsewoollenstockingsandsabotsuponhisfeet，sattheyoungDeputyalonewithhisunpleasantthoughts。Thewomanhadbroughthimapipe，and，althoughthehabitwasforeigntohimasarule，hehadlighteditandfoundthesmokingsomewhatsoothing。Ruefullyhepassedhishandacrosshisbandagedbrow，andinponderingoverallthathadtakenplacesinceyesternightatBoisvert，hischeeksgrewflushedatoncewithangerandwithshame。
\"Tohavebeensoduped！\"
Andnow—hismindgrowingclearerasherecoveredinvigour—itoccurredtohimthatbyto—morrowitwouldbetoolatetogivepursuit。OnceshecrossedtheSambreatLiege，orelsewhere，whocouldtellhimbywhatroadshewouldelecttocontinueherjourney？
Hehadnotsufficientmenathisdisposaltosendoutpartiesalongeachofthepossibleroads。ThatherultimatedestinationwasTrevesheknew。Butoncethereshewasbeyondhisreach，atsafetyfromthetalonsoftheFrenchRepublic。
Hesatonandthought，whattimehisbrowscameclosertogetherandhisteethfastenedviciouslyuponthestemofthepipe。Bythetablesatthewoman，knittingindustriously，andeverandanonglancinginquiryatherstern，thoughtfulguest，andtheclickofherneedleswastheonlysoundthatdisturbedthestillnessoftheroom。Outsidethewindwaswailinglikethedamned，andtherainwhichhadrecommencedwithnewvigour，rattlednoisilyuponthepanes。
Suddenlyabovethedinoftheelementsashoutsoundedinthenight。
TheDeputyraisedhishead，andglancedtowardsthewoman。Amomentlatertheyheardthegatecreak，andstepsuponthepaththatledtothecottagedoor。
\"Yourhusband？\"inquiredLaBoulaye。
\"No，monsieur。HehasgonetoLiege，andwillnotreturnuntilto—morrow。Idonotknowwhoitcanbe。\"
Therewasalarmonherface，whichLaBoulayenowsethimselftoallay。
\"Atleastyouarewellprotected，Citoyenne。Mymenarecloseathand，andwecansummonthemiftherebetheneed。\"
Reassuredsherose，andatthesamemomentaknocksoundedonthedoor。Shewenttoopenit，andfromhisseatbythehearthLaBoulayeheardagentle，mincingvoicethatwasoddlyfamiliartohim。
\"Madame，\"itsaid，\"wearetwopoor，lostwayfarers，andwecraveshelterforthenight。Wewillpayyouhandsomely。\"
\"IamdesolatedthatIhavenoroom，Messieur，\"sheanswered，withcourteousfirmness。
\"Pardi！\"interpolatedanothervoice。\"Weneednoroom。Abundleofstrawandacornerisallweseek。Ofyourcharity，Madame，isthisanightonwhichtoleaveadogoutofdoors？\"
AlightofrecollectionleapedsuddenlytoLaBoulaye’seyes，andwithasuddengasphestoopedtothehearth。
\"ButIcannot，Messieurs，\"thewomanwassaying，whenthesecondvoiceinterruptedher。
\"Iseeyourhusbandbythefire，Madame。Letushearwhathehastosay。\"
Thewomancolouredtotherootsofherhair。Shesteppedbackapace，andwasabouttoanswerthemwhen，chancingtoglanceinLaBoulaye’sdirection，shepaused。Hehadrisen，andwasstandingwithhisbacktothefire。Therewasablacksmudgeacrosshisface，whichseemedtoactasamask，andhisdarkeyesglowedwithanintensityofmeaningwhicharrestedherattention，andsilencedtheanswerwhichwasrisingtoherlips。
Inthebriefpausethenew—comershadcrossedthethreshold，andstoodwithintherusticchamber。ThefirstofthesewashewhosegentlevoiceLaBoulayehadrecognised—oldM。desCadoux，thefriendoftheMarquisdeBellecour。Hiscompanion，totheDeputy’svastsurprise，wasnoneotherthanthebeardedcourierwhohadthatmorningdeliveredhimatBoisverttheletterfromRobespierre。
Whatdidthesetwotogether，anduponsuchmanifesttermsofequality？That，itshouldbehisbusinesstodiscover。
\"Comein，Messieurs，\"hebadethem，assumingtheroleofhost。\"Weareunusedtostrangers，andMathildethereistimidofrobbers。
Drawnearthefireanddryyourselves。Wewilldothebestwecanforyou。Wearepoorpeople，Messieurs；verypoor。\"
\"Ihavealreadysaidthatwewillpayyouhandsomelymyfriend，\"
quothDesCadoux，comingforwardwithhiscompanion。\"Doyourbestforusandyoushallnotregretit。Haveyouaughttoeatinthehouse？\"
Thewomanwasstandingbythewall，herfaceexpressingbewildermentandsuspicion。Suspiciousshewas，yetthatglanceofLaBoulaye’shadruledherstrangely，andshewascontenttonowawaitdevelopments。
\"Wewillseewhatwecando，\"answeredLaBoulaye，ashemaderoomforthembythehearth。\"Come，Mathilde，letustrywhatthelarderwillyield。\"
\"IamafraidthatMadamestillmistrustsus，\"deploredDesCadoux。
LaBoulayelaughedforanswerashegentlybutfirmlydrewhertowardsthedoorleadingtotheinteriorofthehouse。Hehelditforhertopass，whattimehiseyesweresetinanintentbutpuzzledglanceuponthecourier。TherewassomethingaboutthemanthatwasnotwhollystrangetoLaBoulaye。Thatmorning，whenhehadspokeninthegruffaccentsofoneoftherabble，nosuspicionhadenteredtheDeputy’smindthathewasotherthanheseemed，forallthathenowrecalledhowTardivethadfoundthefellow’spatriotismalittletoopatriotic。Nowthathespokeinthevoicethatwasnaturallyusualtohim，itseemedtoLaBoulayethatitcontainedanotethathehadheardbefore。
Stillpuzzled，hepassedoutoftheroomtobequestionedsharplybythewomanofthehousetouchinghismotivesforpassinghimselfoffasherhusbandandinvitingthenew—comerstoenter。
\"Ipromiseyoutheirstaywillbeaverybriefone，\"heanswered。
\"Ihavesuspicionstoverifytheendstoserve，asyoushallsee。
Willyoudomethefavourtogooutbythebackandcallmymen？
Tellthecorporaltomakehiswaytothefrontofthehouse，andtoholdhimselfinreadinesstoenterthemomentIcallhim。\"
\"Whatareyouabouttodo？\"sheaskedandtheface，ashesawitbythelightofthecandlesheheld，woreanexpressionofsullendisapproval。
Hereassuredherthattherewouldbenobloodshed，andsuggestedthatthemenweredangerouscharacterswhomitmightbeillforhertoentertain。Andsoatlasthewonhisway，andshewenttodohiserrand，whilsthereenteredthekitchenHefoundDesCadouxbythefire，intentupondryingasmuchofhimselfaspossible。Theyoungermanhadseizeduponthebottleofbrandythathadbeenleftonthetable，andwasintheactoffillinghimselfasecondglass。Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthemindofeitherthanasuspicionoftheidentityofthisrustically—cladandgrimy—facedfellow。
\"Mathildewillbehereinamoment，\"saidCarondeferentially。
\"Sheisseekingsomethingforyou。\"
Hadhetoldthempreciselywhatshewasseekingtheyhadbeen，possibly，lessatease。
\"Letherhasten，\"criedthecourier，\"forIamfamished。\"
\"Havepatience，Anatole，\"murmuredtheever—gentleCadoux。\"Thegoodwomandidnotexpectus。\"
Anatole！ThenamebuzzedthroughCaron’sbrain。Towhomdiditbelong？Heknewofsomeonewhoboreit。Yetquestionhimselfthoughhemight，hecouldatthemomentfindnoanswer。Andthenthecouriercreatedadiversionbyaddressinghim。
\"Fillyourselfaglass，monbonhomme，\"saidhe。\"Ihaveatoastforyou。\"
\"Forme，Monsieur，\"criedLaBoulaye，withsurprisedhumility。\"Itweretoogreatanhonour。\"
\"Doasyouarebidden，man，\"returnedthisveryperemptorycourier。
\"There；nowletusseehowyourfavourruns。Cry’LongLivetheKing！’\"
Holdingthebrandy—glass，whichthemanhadforceduponhim，LaBoulayeeyedhimwhimsicallyforasecond。
\"ThereisnotoastIwouldmoregladlydrink，\"saidheatlast，\"ifIconsidereditavailing。But—alas—youproposeitover—late。\"
\"Diable！Whatmayyoumean？\"
\"Why，thatsincetheKingisdead，itshallprofituslittletocry，’LongLivetheKing！’\"
\"TheKing，Monsieur，neverdies，\"saidCadouxsententiously。
\"Sinceyouputitso，Monsieur，\"answeredLaBoulaye，asifconvinced，\"I’llhonourthetoast。\"Andwiththecrytheyaskedofhimhedrainedhisglass。
\"Andso，myhonestfellow，\"saidDesCadoux，producinghiseternalsnuff—box，\"itseemsthatyouareaRoyalist。Wedidbuttestyouwiththattoast，myfriend。\"
\"Whatshouldapoorfellowknowofpolitics，Messieurs？\"hedeprecated。\"Theseareoddtimes。Idoubtmetheworldhasneverseentheirlike。Nomanmaysafelyknowhisneighbour。Nowyou，sir，\"hepursued，turningtotheyoungerman，\"youhavetheairofasans—culotte，yetfromyourspeechyouseemanhonestenoughgentleman。\"
Thefellowlaughedwithunction。
\"Theairofasans—culotte？\"hecried。\"Myfaith，yes。Somuchso，thatthismorningIimposedmyselfasacourierfromParisuponnolessanastutesleuth—houndoftheConventionthantheCitizen—deputyLaBoulaye。\"
\"Isitpossible？\"criedCaron，hiseyesopeningwideinwonder。\"Buthow，Monsieurs？Forsurelyacouriermustbearletters，and—\"
\"SodidI，sodidI，myfriend，\"theotherinterrupted，withvainglory。\"Iknockedapatrioticcourierovertheheadtoobtainthem。
Hewasgenuine，thatothercourier，andIpassedmyselfoutofFrancewithhispapers。\"
\"Monsieurisamusinghimselfattheexpenseofmycredulity，\"LaBoulayecomplained。
\"Mygoodman，Iamtellingyoufacts，\"theotherinsisted。
\"Buthowcouldsuchathingbeaccomplished？\"askedCaron，seatinghimselfatthetable，andrestinghischinuponhishand，hisgazesofullofadmirationastoseemawestruck。
\"How？Iwilltellyou。IamfromArtois。\"
\"You’llberepeatingthatcharmingstoryoncetoooften，\"DesCadouxcautionedhim。
\"Pish，youtimorousone！\"helaughed，andresumedhistale。\"IamfromArtois，then。Ihavesomepropertythere，anditlatelycametomyearsthatthisassemblyofcurstheycalltheConventionhaddeterminedtomakeanendofme。Butbeforetheycouldcarryouttheirdesign，thosesonsofdogs，mytenants，incitedbythechoiceexamplessetthembyothertenantry，madeadescentonmyChateauonenight，anddidthemselvesthepleasureofburningittotheground。ByamiracleIescapedwithmylifeandlayhiddenforthreeweeksinthehouseofanoldpeasantwhohadremainedfaithful。
