Scarcelyawayfarerpassedbeneathme：sofew，indeed，thatI
hadnofearofbeingdetectedfrombelow。AndyetunlessIwasmistaken，afurtivestep，asubduedwhisperwerebornetomeoneverybreeze，fromeveryquarter。Andthenightwasfullofphantoms。
Perhapsallthiswasmerenervousness，theoutcomeofmyposition。AtanyrateIfeltnomoreofitwhenCroisettejoinedme。Wehadourdaggers，andthatgavemesomecomfort。Ifwecouldoncegainentrancetothehouseopposite，wehadonlytobeg，orinthelastresortforceourwaydownstairsandout，andthentohastenwithwhatspeedwemighttoPavannes’dwelling。
Clearlyitwasaquestionoftimeonlynow;whetherBezers’bandorweshouldfirstreachit。AndstruckbythisIwhisperedMarietobequick。Heseemedtobelongincoming。
Hescrambleddownhandoverhandatlast，andthenIsawthathehadnotlingeredabovefornothing。Hehadcontrivedaftergettingoutofthewindowtoletdowntheshutter。Andmorehehadatsomerisklengthenedourrope，andmadeadoublelineofit，sothatitranroundahingeoftheshutter;andwhenhestoodbesideus，hetookitbyoneendanddisengagedit。Good，cleverMarie！
"Bravo！"Isaidsoftly，clappinghimontheback。"Nowtheywillnotknowwhichwaythebirdshaveflown！"
Sothereweallwere，oneofus，Iconfess，trembling。Weslideasilyenoughalongthebeamtotheoppositehouse。Butoncethereinarowonebehindtheotherwithourfacestothewall，andthenightairblowingslantwise——wellIamnervousonaheightandIgasped。Thewindowwasagoodsixfeetabovethebeam，Thecasement——itwasunglazed——wasopen，veiledbyathincurtain，andalas！protectedbythreehorizontalbars——stoutbarstheylooked。
Yetwewereboundtogetup，andtogetin;andIwaspreparingtorisetomyfeetonthegiddybridgeasgingerlyasIcould，whenMariecrawledquicklyoverus，andswunghimselfuptothenarrowsill，muchasIshouldmountahorseonthelevel。Heheldouthisfoottome，andmakinganeffortIreachedthesamedizzyperch。Croisetteforthetimeremainedbelow。
Anarrowwindow—ledgesixtyfeetabovethepavement，andthreebarstoclingto！Icoweredtomyholdfasts，envyingevenCroisette。Mylegsdangledairily，andtheblackchasmofthestreetseemedtoyawnforme。ForamomentIturnedsick。I
recoveredfromthattofeeldesperate。Irememberedthatgoforwardwemust，barsornobars。Wecouldnotregainouroldprisonifwewould。
Itwasequallyclearthatwecouldnotgoforwardiftheinmatesshouldobject。OnthatnarrowperchevenMariewashelpless。
Thebarsofthewindowwereclosetogether。Awoman，achild，coulddisengageourhands，andthen——Iturnedsickagain。I
thoughtofthecruelstones。Igluedmyfacetothebars，andpushingasideacornerofthecurtain，lookedin。
Therewasonlyonepersonintheroom——awoman，whowasmovingaboutfullydressed，lateasitwas。Theroomwasamereattic，thecounterpartofthatwehadleft。Abox—bedwithacanopyroughlynailedoveritstoodinacorner。Acoupleofchairswerebythehearth，andallseemedtospeakofpovertyandbareness。Yetthewomanwhomwesawwasrichlydressed，thoughhersilksandvelvetsweredisordered。Isawajewelgleaminherhair，andothersonherhands。Whensheturnedherfacetowardsus——awild，beautifulface，perplexedandtear—stained——I
knewherinstantlyforagentlewoman，andwhenshewalkedhastilytothedoor，andlaidherhanduponit，andseemedtolisten——
whensheshookthelatchanddroppedherhandsindespairandwentbacktothehearth，ImadeanotherdiscoveryIknewatonce，seeingherthere，thatwewerelikelybuttochangeoneprisonforanother。WaseveryhouseinParisthenadungeon？Anddideachroofcoveritstragedy？
"Madame！"Isaid，speakingsoftly，toattractherattention。
"Madame！"
Shestartedviolently，notknowingwhencethesoundcame，andlookedround，atthedoorfirst。Thenshemovedtowardsthewindow，andwithanaffrightedgesturedrewthecurtainrapidlyaside。
Oureyesmet。Whatifshescreamedandarousedthehouse？What，indeed？"Madame，"Isaidagain，speakinghurriedly，andstrivingtoreassureherbythesoftnessofmyvoice，"weimploreyourhelp！Unlessyouassistuswearelost。"
"You！Whoareyou？"shecried，glaringatuswildly，herhandtoherhead。Andthenshemurmuredtoherself，"MonDieu！whatwillbecomeofme？"
"Wehavebeenimprisonedinthehouseopposite，"Ihastenedtoexplain，disjointedlyIamafraid。"Andwehaveescaped。Wecannotgetbackifwewould。Unlessyouletusenteryourroomandgiveusshelter——"
"Weshallbedashedtopiecesonthepavement，"suppliedMarie，withperfectcalmness——nay，withapparentenjoyment。
"Letyouinhere？"sheanswered，startingbackinnewterror;
"itisimpossible。"
Sheremindedmeofourcousin，being，likeherpaleanddark—
haired。Sheworeherhairinacoronet，disorderednow。Butthoughshewasstillbeautiful，shewasolderthanKit，andlackedherpliantgrace。Isawallthis，andjudginghernature，Ispokeoutofmydespair。"Madame，"Isaidpiteously，"weareonlyboys。Croisette！Comeup！"Squeezingmyselfstillmoretightlyintomycorneroftheledge，Imaderoomforhimbetweenus。"See，Madame，"Icried，craftily，"willyounothavepityonthreeboys？"
St。Crois’sboyishfaceandfairhairarrestedherattention，asIhadexpected。Herexpressiongrewsofter，andshemurmured，"Poorboy！"
Icaughtattheopportunity。"Wedobutseekapassagethroughyourroom，"Isaidfervently。Goodheavens，whathadwenotatstake！Whatifsheshouldremainobdurate？"Weareintrouble——indespair，"Ipanted。"So，Ibelieve，areyou。Wewillhelpyouifyouwillfirstsaveus。Weareboys，butwecanfightforyou。"
"WhomamItotrust？"sheexclaimed，withashudder。"Butheavenforbid，"shecontinued，hereyesonCroisette’sface，"that，wantinghelp，Ishouldrefusetogiveit。Comein，ifyouwill。"
Ipouredoutmythanks，andhadforcedmyheadbetweenthebars——atimminentriskofitsremainingthere——beforethewordswerewelloutofhermouth。Buttoenterwasnoeasytaskafterall。
Croisettedid，indeed，squeezethroughatlast，andthenbyforcepulledfirstoneandthentheotherofusafterhim。Butonlynecessityandthatchasmbehindcouldhavenervedus，Ithink，togothroughaprocesssopainful。WhenIstood，atlengthonthefloor，Iseemedtobeonegreatabrasionfromheadtofoot。Andbeforealady，too！
ButwhatajoyIfelt，nevertheless。AfigforBezersnow。Hehadcalledusboys;andwewereboys。Butheshouldyetfindthatwecouldthwarthim。Itcouldbescarcelyhalf—an—houraftermidnight;wemightstillbeintime。Istretchedmyselfandtrodtheleveldoorjubilantly，andthennoticed，whiledoingso，thatourhostesshadretreatedtothedoorandwaseyeingustimidly——half—scared。
Iadvancedtoherwithmylowestbow——sadlymissingmysword。
"Madame，"Isaid，"IamM。AnnedeCaylus，andthesearemybrothers。Andweareatyourservice。"
"AndI，"shereplied，smilingfaintly——Idonotknowwhy——"amMadamedePavannes，Igratefullyacceptyouroffersofservice。"
"DePavannes？"Iexclaimed，amazedandoverjoyed。MadamedePavannes！Why，shemustbeLouis’kinswoman！Nodoubtshecouldtelluswherehewaslodged，andsoridourtaskofhalfitsdifficulty。Couldanythinghavefallenoutmorehappily？"YouknowthenM。LouisdePavannes？"Icontinuedeagerly。
"Certainly，"sheanswered，smilingwitharareshysweetnessthistime。"Verywellindeed。Heismyhusband。"
CHAPTERV。
APRIESTANDAWOMAN。
"Heismyhusband！"
Thestatementwasmadeinthepurestinnocence;yetnever，asmaywellbeimagined，didwordsfallwithmorestunningforce。Notoneofusansweredor，Ibelieve，movedsomuchasalimboraneyelid。Weonlystared，wantingtimetotakeintheastonishingmeaningofthewords，andthenmoretimetothinkwhattheymeanttousinparticular。
LouisdePavannes’wife！LouisdePavannesmarried！Ifthestatementweretrue——andwecouldnotdoubt，lookinginherface，thatatleastshethoughtshewastellingthetruth——itmeantthatwehadbeenfooledindeed！Thatwehadhadthisjourneyfornothing，andrunthisriskforavillain。ItmeantthattheLouisdePavanneswhohadwonourboyishadmirationwasthemeanest，thevilestofcourt—gallants。ThatMademoiselledeCaylushadbeenhissportandplaything。AndthatweintryingtobebeforehandwithBezershadbeenstrivingtosaveascoundrelfromhisdue。Itmeantallthat，assoonaswegraspeditintheleast。
"Madame，"saidCroisettegravely，afterapausesoprolongedthathersmilefadedpitifullyfromherface，scaredbyourstrangelooks。"Yourhusbandhasbeensometimeawayfromyou？Heonlyreturned，Ithink，aweekortwoago？"
"Thatisso，"sheanswered，naively，andourlasthopevanished。
"Butwhatofthat？Hewasbackwithmeagain，andonlyyesterday——onlyyesterday！"shecontinued，claspingherhands，"weweresohappy。"
"Andnow，madame？"
Shelookedatme，notcomprehending。
"Imean，"Ihastenedtoexplain，"wedonotunderstandhowyoucometobehere。Andaprisoner。"Iwasreallythinkingthatherstorymightthrowsomelightuponours。
"Idonotknow，myself，"shesaid。"Yesterday，intheafternoon，IpaidavisittotheAbbessoftheUrsulines。"
"Pardonme，"Croisetteinterposedquickly，"butareyounotofthenewfaith？AHuguenot？"
"Oh，yes，"sheansweredeagerly。"ButtheAbbessisaverydearfriendofmine，andnobigot。Oh，nothingofthatkind，Iassureyou。WhenIaminParisIvisitheronceaweek。Yesterday，whenIlefther，shebeggedmetocallhereanddeliveramessage。"
"Then，"Isaid，"youknowthishouse？"
"Verywell，indeed，"shereplied。"Itisthesignofthe’HandandGlove，’onedooroutoftheRuePlatriere。IhavebeeninMasterMirepoix’sshopmorethanoncebefore。Icamehereyesterdaytodeliverthemessage，leavingmymaidinthestreet，andIwasaskedtocomeupstairs，andstillupuntilIreachedthisroom。Askedtowaitamoment，IbegantothinkitstrangethatIshouldbebroughttosowretchedaplace，whenIhadmerelyamessageforMirepoix’searaboutsomegauntlets。I
triedthedoor;Ifounditlocked。ThenIwasterrified，andmadeanoise。"
Weallnodded。Wewerebusybuildinguptheories——oritmightbeoneandthesametheory——toexplainthis。"Yes，"Isaid，eagerly。
"Mirepoixcametomethen。’Whatdoesthismean？’Idemanded。
Helookedashamedofhimself，buthebarredmyway。’Onlythis，’
hesaidatlast，’thatyourladyshipmustremainhereafewhours——twodaysatmost。Noharmwhateverisintendedtoyou。
Mywifewillwaituponyou，andwhenyouleaveus，allshallbeexplained。’Hewouldsaynomore，anditwasinvainIaskedhimifhedidnottakemeforsomeoneelse;ifhethoughtIwasmad。
Toallheanswered，No。AndwhenIdaredhimtodetainmehethreatenedforce。ThenIsuccumbed。Ihavebeenheresince，suspectingIknownotwhat，butfearingeverything。"
"Thatisended，madame，"Ianswered，myhandonmybreast，mysoulinarmsforher。Here，unlessIwasmistaken，wasonemoreunhappyandmoredeeplywrongedeventhanKit;onetoowhoowedhermiserytothesamevillain。"Werethereninegloversonthestairs，"Ideclaredroundly，"wewouldtakeyououtandtakeyouhome！Whereareyourhusband’sapartments？"
"IntheRuedeSaintMerri，closetothechurch。Wehaveahousethere。"
"M。dePavannes，"Isuggestedcunningly，"isdoubtlessdistractedbyyourdisappearance。"
"Oh，surely，"sheansweredwithearnestsimplicity，whilethetearssprangtohereyes。Herinnocence——shehadnotthegermofasuspicion——mademegrindmyteethwithwrath。Oh，thebasewretch！Themiserablerascal！Whatdidthewomensee，I
wondered——whathadweallseeninthisman，thisPavannes，thatwonforhimourhearts，whenhehadonlyastonetogiveinreturn？
IdrewCroisetteandMarieaside，apparentlytoconsiderhowwemightforcethedoor。"Whatisthemeaningofthis？"Isaidsoftly，glancingattheunfortunatelady。"Whatdoyouthink，Croisette？"
Iknewwellwhattheanswerwouldbe。
"Think！"hecriedwithfieryimpatience。"WhatcananyonethinkexceptthatthatvillainPavanneshashimselfplannedhiswife’sabduction？Ofcourseitisso！HiswifeoutofthewayheisfreetofollowuphisintriguesatCaylus。HemaythenmarryKitor——Cursehim！"
"No，"Isaidsternly，"cursingisnogood。Wemustdosomethingmore。Andyet——wehavepromisedKit，yousee，thatwewouldsavehim——wemustkeepourword。WemustsavehimfromBezersatleast。"
Mariegroaned。
ButCroisettetookupthethoughtwithardour。"FromBezers？"
hecried，hisfaceaglow。"Ay，true！Sowemust！Butthenwewilldrawlots，whoshallfighthimandkillhim。"
Iextinguishedhimbyalook。"Weshallfighthiminturn，"I
said，"untiloneofuskillhim。Thereyouareright。Butyourturncomeslast。Lotsindeed！Wehavenoneedoflotstolearnwhichistheeldest。"
Iwasturningfromhim——havingveryproperlycrushedhim——tolookforsomethingwhichwecouldusetoforcethedoor，whenhehelduphishandtoarrestmyattention。Welistened，lookingatoneanother。Throughthewindowcameunmistakeablesoundsofvoices。
"Theyhavediscoveredourflight，"Isaid，myheartsinking。
Luckilywehadhadtheforethoughttodrawthecurtainacrossthecasement。Bezers’peoplecouldtherefore，fromtheirwindow，seenomorethanours，dimlylightedandindistinct。Yettheywouldnodoubtguessthewaywehadescaped，andhastentocutoffourretreatbelow。ForamomentIlookedatthedoorofourroom，half—mindedtoattackit，andfightourwayout，takingthechanceofreachingthestreetbeforeBezers’folkshouldhaverecoveredfromtheirsurpriseandgonedown。ButthenIlookedatMadame。Howcouldweensurehersafetyinthestruggle？
WhileIhesitatedthechoicewastakenfromus。Weheardvoicesinthehousebelow，andheavyfeetonthestairs。
Wewerebetweentwofires。Iglancedirresolutelyroundthebaregarret，withitsslopingroof，searchingforabetterweapon。I
hadonlymydagger。Butinvain。Isawnothingthatwouldserve。"Whatwillyoudo？"MadamedePavannesmurmured，standingpaleandtremblingbythehearth，andlookingfromonetoanother。CroisettepluckedmysleevebeforeIcouldanswer，andpointedtothebox—bedwithitsscantycurtains。"Iftheyseeusintheroom，"heurgedsoftly，"whiletheyarehalfinandhalfout，theywillgivethealarm。Letushideourselvesyonder。Whentheyareinside——youunderstand？"
Helaidhishandonhisdagger。Themusclesofthelad’sfacegrewtense。Ididunderstandhim。"Madame，"Isaidquickly，"youwillnotbetrayus？"
Sheshookherhead。Thecolourreturnedtohercheek，andthebrightnesstohereyes。Shewasatruewoman。Thesensethatshewasprotectingothersdeprivedheroffearforherself。
Thefootstepswereonthetopmoststairnow，andakeywasthrustwitharaspingsoundintothelock。Butbeforeitcouldbeturned——itfortunatelyfittedill——wethreehadjumpedonthebedandwerecrouchinginarowattheheadofit，wherethecurtainsofthealcoveconcealed，andonlyjustconcealedus，fromanyonestandingattheendoftheroomnearthedoor。
Iwastheoutermost，andthroughachinkcouldseewhatpassed。
One，two，threepeoplecamein，andthedoorwasclosedbehindthem。Threepeople，andoneofthemawoman！Myheart——whichhadbeeninmymouth——returnedtoitsplace，fortheVidamewasnotone。Ibreathedfreely;onlyIdarednotcommunicatemyrelieftotheothers，lestmyvoiceshouldbeheard。Thefirsttocomeinwasthewomancloselycloakedandhooded。MadamedePavannescastonherasingledoubtfulglance，andthentomyastonishmentthrewherselfintoherarms，minglinghersobswithlittlejoyouscriesof"Oh，Diane！oh，Diane！"
"Mypoorlittleone！"thenewcomerexclaimed，soothingherwithtendertouchesonhairandshoulder。"Youaresafenow。Quitesafe！"
"Youhavecometotakemeaway？"
"Ofcoursewehave！"Dianeansweredcheerfully，stillcaressingher。"Wehavecometotakeyoutoyourhusband。Hehasbeensearchingforyoueverywhere。Heisdistractedwithgrief，littleone。"
"PoorLouis！"ejaculatedthewife。
"PoorLouis，indeed！"therescueranswered。"Butyouwillseehimsoon。Weonlylearnedatmidnightwhereyouwere。YouhavetothankM。leCoadjuteurhereforthat。Hebroughtmethenews，andatonceescortedmeheretofetchyou。"
"Andtorestoreonesistertoanother，"saidthepriestsilkily，asheadvancedastep。HewastheverysamepriestwhomIhadseentwohoursbeforewithBezers，andhadsogreatlydisliked！
IhatedhispalefaceasmuchnowasIhadthen。Eventheerrandofgoodonwhichhehadcomecouldnotblindmetohisthin—
lippedmouth，tohismockhumilityandcraftyeyes。"Ihavehadnotasksopleasantformanydays，"addedhe，witheveryappearanceofadesiretopropitiate。
But，seemingly，MadamedePavanneshadsomethingofthesamefeelingtowardshimwhichIhadmyself;forshestartedatthesoundofhisvoice，anddisengagingherselffromhersister’sarms——itseemeditwashersister——shrankbackfromthepair。
Shebowedindeedinacknowledgmentofhiswords。Buttherewaslittlegratitudeinthemovement，andlesswarmth。Isawthesister’sface——abrilliantlybeautifulfaceitwas——brightereyesandlipsandmorelovelyauburnhairIhaveneverseen——evenKitwouldhavebeenplainanddowdybesideher——Isawithardenstrangely。Amomentbefore，thetwohadbeeninoneanother’sarms。Nowtheystoodapart，somehowchilledanddisillusionised。
Theshadowofthepriesthadfallenuponthem——hadcomebetweenthem。
Atthiscrisisthefourthpersonpresentassertedhimself。
Hithertohehadstoodsilentjustwithinthedoor：aplainman，plainlydressed，somewhatoversixtyandgrey—haired。Helookeddisconcertedandembarrassed，andItookhimforMirepoix——
rightlyasitturnedout。
"Iamsure，"henowexclaimed，hisvoicetremblingwithanxiety，oritmightbewithfear，"yourladyshipwillregretleavinghere！Youwillindeed！Noharmwouldhavehappenedtoyou。
Madamed’Odoesnotknowwhatsheisdoing，orshewouldnottakeyouaway。Shedoesnotknowwhatsheisdoing！"herepeatedearnestly。
"Madamed’O！"criedthebeautifulDiane，herbrowneyesdartingfireattheunluckyculprit，hervoicefullofangrydisdain。
"Howdareyou——suchasyou——mentionmyname？Wretch！"
Sheflungthelastwordathim，andthepriesttookitup。"Ay，wretch！Wretchedmanindeed！"herepeatedslowly，stretchingouthislongthinhandandlayingitliketheclawofsomebirdofpreyonthetradesman’sshoulder，whichflinched，Isaw，underthetouch。"Howdareyou——suchasyou——meddlewithmattersofthenobility？Mattersthatdonotconcernyou？Trouble！Iseetroublehangingoverthishouse，Mirepoix！Muchtrouble！"
Themiserablefellowtrembledvisiblyunderthecovertthreat。
Hisfacegrewpale。Hislipsquivered。Heseemedfascinatedbythepriest’sgaze。"Iamafaithfulsonofthechurch，"hemuttered;buthisvoiceshooksothatthewordswerescarcelyaudible。"Iamknowntobesuch！NonebetterknowninParis，M。
leCoadjuteur。"
"Menareknownbytheirworks！"thepriestretorted。"Now，now，"hecontinued，abruptlyraisinghisvoice，andliftinghishandinakindofexaltation，realorfeigned，"istheappointedtime！Andnowisthedayofsalvation！andwoe，Mirepoix，woe！
woe！tothebackslider，andtohimthatputtethhishandtotheploughandlookethbackto—night！"
Thelaymancoweredandshrankbeforehisfiercedenunciation;
whileMadamedePavannesgazedfromonetotheotherasifherdislikeforthepriestweresogreatthatseeingthetwothusquarrelling，shealmostforgaveMirepoixhisoffence。"Mirepoixsaidhecouldexplain，"shemurmuredirresolutely。
TheCoadjutorfixedhisbalefuleyesonhim。"Mirepoix，"hesaidgrimly，"canexplainnothing！Nothing！Idarehimtoexplain！"
AndcertainlyMirepoixthuschallengedwassilent。"Come，"thepriestcontinuedperemptorily，turningtotheladywhohadenteredwithhim，"yoursistermustleavewithusatonce。Wehavenotimetolose。"
"Butwhatwhatdoesitmean！"MadamedePavannessaid，asthoughshehesitatedevennow。"Istheredangerstill？"
"Danger！"thepriestexclaimed，hisformseemingtoswell，andtheexaltationIhadbeforereadinhisvoiceandmanneragainassertingitself。"Iputmyselfatyourservice，Madame，anddangerdisappears！IamasGodto—nightwithpowersoflifeanddeath！Youdonotunderstandme？Presentlyyoushall。Butyouareready。Wewillgothen。Outoftheway，fellow！"hethundered，advancinguponthedoor。
ButMirepoix，whohadplacedhimselfwithhisbacktoit，tomyastonishmentdidnotgiveway。Hisfullbourgeoisfacewaspale;
yetpeepingthroughmychink，Ireadinitadesperateresolution。Andoddly——veryoddly，becauseIknewthat，inkeepingMadamedePavannesaprisoner，hemustbeinthewrong——I
sympathisedwithhim。Low—bredtrader，toolofPavannesthoughhewas，Isympathisedwithhim，whenhesaidfirmly：
"Sheshallnotgo！"
"Isaysheshall！"thepriestshrieked，losingallcontroloverhimself。"Fool！Madman！Youknownotwhatyoudo！"Asthewordspassedhislips，hemadeanadroitforwardmovement，surprisedtheother，clutchedhimbythearms，andwithastrengthIshouldneverhavethoughtlayinhismeagreframe，flunghimsomepacesintotheroom。"Fool！"hehissed，shakinghiscrookedfingersathiminmalignanttriumph。"ThereisnomaninParis，doyouhear——orwomaneither——shallthwartmeto—
night！"
"Isthatso？Indeed？"
Thewords，andthecold，cynicalvoice，werenotthoseofMirepoix;theycamefrombehind。Thepriestwheeledround，asifhehadbeenstabbedintheback。IclutchedCroisette，andarrestedthecrampedlimbIwasmovingundercoverofthenoise。
ThespeakerwasBezers！Hestoodintheopendoor—way，hisgreatformfillingitfromposttopost，theoldgibingsmileonhisface。Wehadbeensotakenup，actorsandaudiencealike，withthealtercation，thatnoonehadheardhimascendthestairs。Hestillworetheblackandsilversuit，butitwashalfhiddennowunderadarkridingcloakwhichjustdisclosedtheglitterofhisweapons。Hewasbootedandspurredandglovedasforajourney。
"Isthatso？"herepeatedmockingly，ashisgazerestedinturnoneachofthefour，andthentravelledsharplyroundtheroom。
"SoyouwillnotbethwartedbyanymaninParis，to—night，eh？
Haveyouconsidered，mydearCoadjutor，whatalargenumberofpeoplethereareinParis？Itwouldamusemeverygreatlynow——
andI’msureitwouldtheladiestoo，whomustpardonmyabruptentrance——toseeyouputtothetest;pittedagainst——shallwesaytheDukeofAnjou？OrM。deGuise，ourgreatman？OrtheAdmiral？SaytheAdmiralfoottofoot？"
Rageandfear——rageattheintrusion，fearoftheintruder——
struggledinthepriest’sface。"Howdoyoucomehere，andwhatdoyouwant？"heinquiredhoarsely。Iflooksandtonescouldkill，wethree，tremblingbehindourflimsyscreen，hadbeenfreedatthatmomentfromourenemy。
"Ihavecomeinsearchoftheyoungbirdswhosenecksyouwereforstretching，myfriend！"wasBezers’answer。"Theyhavevanished。Birdstheymustbe，forunlesstheyhavecomeintothishousebythatwindow，theyhaveflownawaywithwings。"
"Theyhavenotpassedthisway，"thepriestdeclaredstoutly，eageronlytogetridoftheotherandIblessedhimforthewords！"IhavebeenheresinceIleftyou。"
ButtheVidamewasnotonetoacceptanyman’sstatement。"Thankyou;IthinkIwillseeformyself，"heansweredcoolly。
"Madame，"hecontinued，speakingtoMadamedePavannesashepassedher，"permitme。"
Hedidnotlookather，orseeheremotion，orIthinkhemusthavedivinedourpresence。Andhappilytheothersdidnotsuspectherofknowingmorethantheydid。Hecrossedthefloorathisleisure，andsaunteredtothewindow，watchedbythemwithimpatience。Hedrewasidethecurtain，andtriedeachofthebars，andpeeredthroughtheopeningbothupanddown，Anoathandanexpressionofwonderescapedhim。Thebarswerestanding，andfirmandstrong;anditdidnotoccurtohimthatwecouldhavepassedbetweenthem。Iamafraidtosayhowfewinchestheywereapart。
Asheturned，hecastacasualglanceatthebed——atus;andhesitated。Hehadthecandleinhishand，havingtakenittothewindowthebettertoexaminethebars;anditobscuredhissight。
Hedidnotseeus。Thethreecrouchingforms，thestrainedwhitefaces，thestartingeyes，thatlurkedintheshadowofthecurtainescapedhim。Thewildbeatingofourheartsdidnotreachhisears。Anditwaswellforhimthatitwasso。IfhehadcomeuptothebedIthinkthatweshouldhavekilledhim，I
knowthatweshouldhavetried。Allthebloodinmehadgonetomyhead，andIsawhimthroughahaze——largerthanlife。TheexactspotnearthebuckleofhiscloakwhereIwouldstrikehim，downwardsandinwards，aninchabovethecollar—bone，——thisonlyIsawclearly。Icouldnothavemissedit。Butheturnedaway，hisfacedarkening，andwentbacktothegroupnearthedoor，andneverknewtheriskhehadrun。
CHAPTERVI。
MADAME’SFRIGHT。
Andwebreathedagain。Theagonyofsuspense，whichBezers’
pausehadcreated，passedaway。Butthenightalreadyseemedtousasaweekofnights。Anageofexperience，anaeonofadventurescutusoff——aswelayshakingbehindthecurtain——fromCaylusanditslife。Parishadproveditselfmoretreacherousthanwehadevenexpectedtofindit。Everythingandeveryoneshifted，andworeonefaceoneminute，andoneanother。WehadcometosavePavannes’lifeattheriskofourown;wefoundhimtobeavillain！HerewasMirepoixowninghimselfatreacherouswretch，aconspiratoragainstawoman;wesympathisedwithhim。
Thepriesthadcomeuponaworkofcharityandrescue;weloathedthesoundofhisvoice，andshrankfromhim，weknewnotwhy，seemingonlytoreadadarksecret，agloomythreatineachdoubtfulwordheuttered。Hewasthestrangestenigmaofall。
Whydidwefearhim？WhydidMadamedePavannes，whoapparentlyhadknownhimbefore，shudderatthetouchofhishand？Whydidhisshadowcomeevenbetweenherandhersister，andestrangethem？sothatfromthemomentPavannes’wifesawhimstandingbyDiane’sside，sheforgotthatthelatterhadcometosave，andlookedonherindoubtandsorrow，almostwithrepugnance。
WelefttheVidamegoingbacktothefireplace。Hestoopedtosetdownthecandlebythehearth。"Theyarenothere，"hesaid，ashestraightenedhimselfagain，andlookedcuriouslyathiscompanions。Hehadapparentlybeentoomuchtakenupwiththepursuittonoticethembefore。"Thatiscertain，soIhavethelesstimetolose，"hecontinued。"ButIwould——yes，mydearCoadjutor，IcertainlywouldliketoknowbeforeIgo，whatyouaredoinghere。Mirepoix——Mirepoixisanhonestman。IdidnotexpecttofindyouinHIShouse。Andtwoladies？Two！Fie，Coadjutor。Ha！Madamed’O，isit？Mydearlady，"hecontinued，addressingherinawhimsicaltone，"donotstartatthesoundofyourownname！Itwouldtakeahundredhoodstohideyoureyes，orbleachyourlipstothecommoncolour;Ishouldhaveknownyouatonce，hadIlookedatyou。Andyourcompanion？Pheugh！"
Hebrokeoff，whistlingsoftly。ItwasclearthatherecognisedMadamedePavannes，andrecognisedherwithastonishment。ThebedcreakedasIcranedmynecktoseewhatwouldfollow。Eventhepriestseemedtothinkthatsomeexplanationwasnecessary，forhedidnotwaittobequestioned。
"MadamedePavannes，"hesaidinadry，huskyvoice，andwithoutlookingup，"wasspiritedhitheryesterday;anddetainedagainstherwillbythisgoodman，whowillhavetoanswerforit。
Madamed’Odiscoveredherwhereabouts，andaskedmetoescortherherewithoutlossoftimetoenforcehersister’srelease。"
"Andherrestorationtoherdistractedhusband？"
"Justso，"thepriestassented，acquiringconfidence，Ithought。
"AndMadamedesirestogo？"
"Surely！Whynot？"
"Well，"theVidamedrawled，hismannersuchastobringthebloodtoMadamedePavannes’cheek，"itdependsonthepersonwho——touseyourphrase，M。leCoadjuteur——spiritedherhither。"
"Andthat，"Madameherselfretorted，raisingherhead，whilehervoicequiveredwithindignationandanger，"wastheAbbessoftheUrsulines。Yoursuspicionsarebase，worthyofyouandunworthyofme，M。leVidame！Diane！"shecontinuedsharply，takinghersister’sarm，andcastingadisdainfulglanceatBezers，"letusgo。Iwanttobewith，myhusband。Iamstifledinthisroom。"
"Wearegoing，littleone，"Dianemurmuredreassuringly。ButI
noticedthatthespeaker’sanimation，whichhadbeenasasoultoherbeautywhensheenteredtheroom，wasgone。AstrangestillnesswasitfearoftheVidame？hadtakenitsplace。
"TheAbbessoftheUrsulines？"Bezerscontinuedthoughtfully。
"SHEbroughtyouhere，didshe？"Therewassurprise，genuinesurprise，inhisvoice。"Agoodsoul，and，IthinkIhaveheard，afriendofyours。Umph！"
"Averydearfriend，"Madameansweredstiffly。"Now，Diane！"
"Adearfriend！Andshespiritedyouhitheryesterday！"
commentedtheVidame，withtheairofonesolvingananagram。
"AndMirepoixdetainedyou;respectableMirepoix，whoissaidtohaveawell—filledstockingunderhispallet，andstandswellwiththebourgeoisie。Heisintheplot。Thenataverylatehour，youraffectionatesister，andmygoodfriendtheCoadjutor，entertosaveyou。Fromwhat？"
Noonespoke。Thepriestlookeddown，hischeek。lividwithanger。
"Fromwhat？"Bezerscontinuedwithgrimplayfulness。"Thereisthemystery。FromtheclutchesofthisprofligateMirepoix，I
suppose。FromthedangerousMirepoix。Uponmyhonour，"withasuddenringofresolutioninhistone，"Ithinkyouaresaferhere;Ithinkyouhadbetterstaywhereyouare，Madame，untilmorning！AndriskMirepoix！"
"Oh，no！no！"Madamecriedvehemently。
"Oh，yes！yes！"hereplied。"Whatdoyousay，Coadjutor？Doyounotthinkso？"
Thepriestlookeddownsullenly。Hisvoiceshookashemurmuredinanswer，"Madamewillpleaseherself。Shehasacharacter，M。
leVidame。Butifsheprefertostayhere——well！"
"Oh，shehasacharacter，hasshe？"rejoinedthegiant，hiseyestwinklingwithevilmirth，"andsheshouldgohomewithyou，andmyoldfriendMadamed’O，tosaveit！Thatisit，isit？No，no，"hecontinuedwhenhehadhadhissilentlaughout，"MadamedePavanneswilldoverywellhere——verywellhereuntilmorning。
Wehaveworktodo。Come。Letusgoanddoit。"
"Doyoumeanit？"saidthepriest，startingandlookingupwithasubtlechallenge——almostathreat——inhistone。
"Yes，Ido。"
Theireyesmet：andseeingtheirlooks，Ichuckled，nudgingCroisette。Nofearoftheirdiscoveringusnow。Irecalledtheoldproverbwhichsaysthatwhenthievesfallout，honestmencomebytheirown，andspeculatedonthechanceofthepriestfreeingusonceforallfromM。deBezers。
Butthetwowereill—matched。TheVidamecouldhavetakenuptheotherwithonehandanddashedhisheadonthefloor。Anditdidnotendthere。Idoubtifincraftthepriestwashisequal。
BehindafrankbrutalityBezers——unlesshisreputationbeliedhim——concealedanItalianintellect。Underacynicalrecklessnessheveiledararecunningandaconstantsuspicion;
enjoyinginthatrespectacombinationofapparentlyoppositequalities，whichIhaveknownnoothermantopossessinanequaldegree，unlessitmightbehislatemajesty，HenrytheGreat。A
childwouldhavesuspectedthepriest;aveteranmighthavebeentakeninbytheVidame。
Andindeedthepriest’seyespresentlysank。"Ourbargainistogofornothing？"hemutteredsullenly。
"Iknowofnobargain，"quoththeVidame。"AndIhavenotimetolose，splittinghairshere。Setitdowntowhatyoulike。Sayitisawhimofmine，afad，acaprice。OnlyunderstandthatMadamedePavannesstays。Wego。And——"headdedthis，asasuddenthoughtseemedtostrikehim，"thoughIwouldnotwillinglyusecompulsiontoalady，IthinkMadamed’Ohadbettercometoo。"
"Youspeakmasterfully，"thepriestsaidwithasneer，forgettingthetonehehadhimselfusedafewminutesbeforetoMirepoix。
"Justso。Ihavefortyhorsemenovertheway，"wasthedryanswer。"forthemoment，Iammasterofthelegions，Coadjutor。"
"Thatistrue，"Madamed’Osaid;sosoftlythatIstarted。ShehadscarcelyspokensinceBezers’entrance。Asshespokenow，sheshookbackthehoodfromherfaceanddisclosedthechestnuthairclingingabouthertemples——deepblotsofcolourontheabnormalwhitenessofherskin，"Thatistrue，M。deBezers，"shesaid。"Youhavethelegions。Youhavethepower。Butyouwillnotuseit，Ithink，againstanoldfriend。YouwillnotdousthishurtwhenI——Butlisten。"
Hewouldnot。Intheverymiddleofherappealhecuthershort——brutethathewas！"NoMadame！"heburstoutviolently，disregardingthebeautifulface，thesupplicatingglance，thatmighthavemovedastone，"thatisjustwhatIwillnotdo。I
willnotlisten！Weknowoneanother。Isnotthatenough？"
Shelookedathimfixedly。Hereturnedhergaze，notsmilingnow，buteyeingherwithacuriouswatchfulness。
Andafteralongpausesheturnedfromhim。"Verywell，"shesaidsoftly，anddrewadeep，quiveringbreath，thesoundofwhichreachedus。"Thenletusgo。"Andwithout——strangestthingofall——bestowingawordorlookonhersister，whowasweepingbitterlyinachair，sheturnedtothedoorandledthewayout，ashrugofhershouldersthelastthingImarked。
Thepoorladyheardherdepartingstephowever，andsprangup。Itdawneduponherthatshewasbeingdeserted。
"Diane！Diane！"shecrieddistractedly——andIhadtoputmyhandonCroisettetokeephimquiet，therewassuchfearandpaininhertone——"Iwillgo！Iwillnotbeleftbehindinthisdreadfulplace！Doyouhear？Comebacktome，Diane！"
Itmademybloodrunwildly。ButDianedidnotcomeback。
Strange！AndBezerstoowasunmoved。Hestoodbetweenthepoorwomanandthedoor，andbyagesturebidMirepoixandthepriestpassoutbeforehim。"Madame，"hesaid——andhisvoice，sternandhardasever，expressednojotofcompassionforher，rathersuchanimpatientcontemptasapulingchildmightelicit——"youaresafehere。Andhereyouwillstop！Weepifyouplease，"headdedcynically，"youwillhavefewertearstoshedto—morrow。"
Hislastwords——theycertainlywereoddones——arrestedherattention。Shecheckedhersobs，beingfrightenedIthink，andlookedupathim。Perhapshehadspokenwiththisinview，forwhileshestillstoodatgaze，herhandspressedtoherbosom，heslippedquicklyoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim。Iheardamutteringforaninstantoutside，andthenthetrampoffeetdescendingthestairs。Theyweregone，andwewerestillundiscovered。
ForMadame，shehadcleanforgottenourpresence——ofthatIamsure——andthechanceofescapewemightafford。Onfindingherselfaloneshegazedashorttimeinalarmedsilenceatthedoor，andthenrantothewindowandpeeredout，stilltrembling，terrified，silent。Sosheremainedawhile。
ShehadnotnoticedthatBezersongoingouthadomittedtolockthedoorbehindhim。Ihad。ButIwasunwillingtomovehastily。SomeonemightreturntoseetoitbeforetheVidameleftthehouse。Andbesidesthedoorwasnotoverstrong，andiflockedwouldbenoobstacletothethreeofuswhenwehadonlyMirepoixtodealwith。SoIkepttheotherswheretheywerebyanudgeandapinch，andheldmybreathamoment，strainingmyearstocatchtheclosingofthedoorbelow。Ididnothearthat。
ButIdidcatchasoundthatotherwisemighthaveescapedme，butwhichnowrivetedmyeyestothedoorofourroom。Someoneinthesilence，whichfollowedthetramplingonthestairs，hadcautiouslylaidahandonthelatch。
Thelightintheroomwasdim。Mirepoixhadtakenoneofthecandleswithhim，andtheotherwantedsnuffing。Icouldnotseewhetherthelatchmoved;whetherornoitwasrising。Butwatchingintently，Imadeoutthatthedoorwasbeingopened——
slowly，noiselessly。Isawsomeoneenter——afurtiveglidingshadow。
ForamomentIfeltnervous——thenIrecognisedthedarkhoodedfigure。ItwasonlyMadamed’O。Bravewoman！ShehadevadedtheVidameandslippedbacktotherescue。Ha，ha！WewoulddefeattheVidameyet！Thingsweregoingbetter！
Butthensomethinginhermanner——asshestoodholdingthedoorandpeeringintotheroom——somethinginherbearingstartledandfrightenedme。Asshecameforwardhermovementsweresostealthythatherfootstepsmadenosound。Herdarkshadow，movingaheadofheracrossthefloor，wasnotmoresilentthanshe。Anundefineddesiretomakeanoise，togivethealarm，seizedme。
Half—wayacrosstheroomshestoppedtolisten，andlookedround，startledherself，Ithink，bythesilence。Shecouldnotseehersister，whosefigurewasblurredbytheoutlinesofthecurtain;
andnodoubtshewaspuzzledtothinkwhathadbecomeofher。
ThesuspensewhichIfelt，butdidnotunderstand，wassogreatthatatlastImoved，andthebedcreaked。
Inamomentherfacewasturnedourway，andsheglidedforwards，herfeaturesstillhiddenbythehoodofhercloak。Shewasclosetousnow，bendingoverus。Sheraisedherhandtoherhead——toshadehereyes，asshelookedmoreclosely，Isupposed，andIwaswonderingwhethershesawus——whethershetooktheshapelessnessintheshadowofthecurtainforhersister，orcouldnotmakeitout——Iwasthinkinghowwecouldbestappriseherofourpresencewithoutalarmingher——whenCroisettedashedmythoughtstothewinds！Croisette，withatremendouswhoopandacrash，boundedovermeontothefloor！
Sheutteredagaspingcry——acryofintense，awfulfear。Ihavethesoundinmyearsevennow。Withthatshestaggeredback，clutchingtheair。Iheardthemetallicclangandringofsomethingfallingonthefloor。Iheardanansweringcryofalarmfromthewindow;andthenMadamedePavannesranforwardandcaughtherinherarms。
Itwasstrangetofindtheroomlatelysosilentbecomeatoncealivewithwhisperingforms，aswecamehastilytolight。I
cursedCroisetteforhisfolly，andwasimmeasurablyangrywithhim，butIhadnotimetowastewordsonhimthen。Ihurriedtothedoortoguardit。Iopeneditahand’sbreadthandlistened。
Allwasquietbelow;thehousestill。Itookthekeyoutofthelockandputitinmypocketandwentback。MarieandCroisettewerestandingalittleapartfromMadamedePavannes，who，hangingoverhersister，wasbyturnsbathingherfaceandexplainingourpresence。
InaveryfewminutesMadamed’Oseemedtorecover，andsatup。
Thefirstshockofdeadlyterrorhadpassed，butshewasstillpale。Shestilltrembled，andshrankfrommeetingoureyes，thoughIsawher，whenourattentionwasapparentlydirectedelsewhere，glanceatoneandanotherofuswithastrangeintentness，ashudderingcuriosity。Nowonder，Ithought。Shemusthavehadaterriblefright——onethatmighthavekilledamoretimidwoman！
"Whatonearthdidyoudothatfor！"IaskedCroisettepresently，myangercertainlynotdecreasingthemoreIlookedatherbeautifulface。"Youmighthavekilledher！"
IncharityIsupposedhisnerveshadfailedhim，forhecouldnotevennowgivemeastraightforwardanswer。Hisonlyreplywas，"Letusgetaway！Letusgetawayfromthishorriblehouse！"
andthishekeptrepeatingwithashudderashemovedrestlesslytoandfro。
"Withallmyheart！"Ianswered，lookingathimwithsomecontempt。"Thatisexactlywhatwearegoingtodo！"
ButallthesamehiswordsremindedmeofsomethingwhichintheexcitementofthesceneIhadmomentarilyforgotten，andthatwasourduty。Pavannesmuststillbesaved，thoughnotforKit;
rathertoanswertousforhissins。Buthemustbesaved！Andnowthattheroadwasopen，everyminutelostwasreproachtous。
"Yes，"Iaddedroughly，mythoughtsturnedintoamoreruggedchannel，"youareright。Thisisnotimefornursing。Wemustbegoing。MadamedePavannes，"Iwenton，addressingmyselftoher，"youknowthewayhomefromhere——toyourhouse！""Oh，yes，"shecried。
"Thatiswell，"Ianswered。"Thenwewillstart。Yoursisterissufficientlyrecoverednow，Ithink。Andwewillnotriskanyfurtherdelay。"
Ididnottellherofherhusband’sdanger，orthatwesuspectedhimofwrongingher，andbeinginfactthecauseofherdetention。Iwantedherservicesasaguide。Thatwasthemainpoint，thoughIwasgladtobeabletoputherinaplaceofsafetyatthesametimethatwefulfilledourownmission。
Sheroseeagerly。"Youaresurethatwecangetout？"shesaid。
"Sure，"IrepliedwithabrevityworthyofBezershimself。
AndIwasright。Wetroopeddownstairs，makingaslittlenoiseaspossible;withtheresultthatMirepoixonlytookthealarm，andcameuponuswhenwewereattheouterdoor，bunglingwiththelock。ThenImadeshortworkofhim，checkinghisscaredwordsofremonstrancebyflashingmydaggerbeforehiseyes。I
inducedhiminthesamefashion——hewasfairlytakenbysurprise——toundothefasteningshimself;andso，biddinghimfollowusathisperil，weslippedoutonebyone。Wesoftlyclosedthedoorbehindus。Andlo！wewereatlastfree——freeandinthestreetsofParis，withthecoolnightairfanningourbrows。A
churchhardbytolledthehouroftwo;andthestrokeswereechoed，beforewehadgonemanystepsalongtheill—pavedway，bythesolemntonesofthebellofNotreDame。
Wewerefreeandinthestreets，withaguidewhoknewtheway。
IfBezershadnotgonestraightfromustohisvengeance，wemightthwarthimyet。Istrodealongquickly，Madamed’Obymysidetheothersalittlewayinfront。Hereandthereanoil—
lamp，swingingfromapulleyinthemiddleoftheroad，enabledustoavoidsomeobstaclemorefoulthanusual，ortoleapoverapoolwhichhadformedinthekennel。Eveninmyexcitement，mycountry—bredsensesrebelledagainstthesights，andsmells，thenoisomeairandoppressiveclosenessofthestreets。
Thetownwasquiet，andverydarkwherethesmokylampswerenothanging。YetIwonderedifiteverslept，formorethanoncewehadtostandasidetogivepassagetoapartyofmen，hurryingalongwithlinksandarms。Severaltimestoo，especiallytowardstheendofourwalk，Iwassurprisedbytheflashingofbrightlightsinacourtyard，thedoorofwhichstoodhalfopentorightorleft。OnceIsawtheglowoftorchesreflectedruddilyinthewindowsofatallandsplendidmansion，alittlewithdrawnfromthestreet。Thesourceofthelightwasinthefore—court，hiddenfromusbyalowwall，butIcaughtthemurmurofvoicesandstirofmanyfeet。Onceagatewasstealthilyopenedandtwoarmedmenlookedout，theactandtheirmannerofdoingit，remindingmeontheinstantofthosewhohadpeepedouttoinspectussomehoursbeforeinBezers’house。Andonce，naytwice，inthemouthofanarrowalleyIdiscernedaknotofmenstandingmotionlessinthegloom。Therewasanairofmysteryabroad，afeelingasofsolemnstirandpreparationgoingonundercoverofthedarkness，whichawedandunnervedme。
ButIsaidnothingofthis，andMadamed’Owasequallysilent。
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