"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。
返回顶部