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。