 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, read by Karen Savage, Waco, Texas, March 2007. The Scarlet Pimpernel. By Baroness Orzee. CHAPTER XVI. Richmond A few minutes later she was sitting, wrapped in cosy furs, near Sir Percy Blakeney on the box-seat of his magnificent coach, and the four splendid bays had thundered down the quiet street. The night was warm in spite of the gentle breeze which fanned Marguerite's burning cheeks. Soon London houses were left behind, and rattling over old Hammersmith Bridge, Sir Percy was driving his bays rapidly towards Richmond. The river wound in and out in its pretty delicate curbs, looking like a silver serpent, beneath the glittering rays of the moon. Long shadows from overhanging trees spread occasional deep poles right across the road. The bays were rushing along at breakneck speed, held but slightly back by Sir Percy's strong, unerring hands. These nightly drives after balls and suppers in London were a source of perpetual delight to Marguerite, and she appreciated her husband's eccentricity keenly, which caused him to adopt this mode of taking her home every night to their beautiful home by the river, instead of living in a stuffy London house. He loved driving his spirited horses along the lonely, moonlit roads, and she loved to sit on the box-seat with the soft air of an English late summer's night fanning her face after the hot atmosphere of a ball or supper-party. Five was not a long one, less than an hour sometimes, when the bays were very fresh, and Sir Percy gave them full reign. Tonight he seemed to have a very devil in his fingers, and the coach seemed to fly along the road beside the river. As usual he did not speak to her, but stared straight in front of him, the ribbons seeming to lie quite loosely in his slender, wide hands. Marguerite looked at him tentatively once or twice. She could see his handsome profile, and one lazy eye with its straight, fine brow and drooping heavy lid. The face in the moonlight looked singularly earnest, and recalled to Marguerite's aching heart those happy days of courtship, before he had become the lazy nincompoop, the effete fop, whose life seemed spent in card and supper-rooms. But now, in the moonlight, she could not catch the expression of the lazy blue eyes. She could only see the outline of the firm chin, the corner of the strong mouth, the well-cut, massive shape of a forehead. Truly nature had meant well by Sir Percy. His faults must all be laid at the door of that poor, half-crazy mother, and of the distracted, heartbroken father, neither of whom had cared for the young life which was sprouting up between them, and which, perhaps, their very carelessness was already beginning to wreck. Marguerite suddenly felt intense sympathy for her husband. The moral crisis she had just gone through made her feel indulgent towards the faults, the delinquencies of others. How thoroughly a human being can be buffeted and overmastered by fate had been born in upon her with appalling force. Had anyone told her a week ago that she would stoop to spy upon her friends, that she would betray a brave and unsuspecting man into the hands of a relentless enemy, she would have laughed the idea to scorn. Yet she had done these things. A non-perhaps the death of that brave man would be at her door. Just as two years ago the Marquis de Saint-Syl had perished through thoughtless words of hers. But in that case she was morally innocent. She had meant no serious harm. Fate merely had stepped in. But this time she had done a thing that obviously was base, had done it deliberately, for a motive which, perhaps, high moralists would not even appreciate. As she felt her husband's strong arm beside her, she also felt how much more he would dislike and despise her if he knew of this night's work. Thus human beings judge of one another with but little reason and no charity. She despised her husband for his inanities and vulgar, unintellectual occupations, and he, she felt, would despise her still worse, because she had not been strong enough to do right for right's sake and to sacrifice her brother to the dictates of her conscience. Buried in her thoughts, Marguerite had found this hour in the breezy summer night all too brief, and it was with a feeling of keen disappointment that she suddenly realized that the bays had turned into the massive gates of her beautiful English home. So Percy Blakeney's house on the river has become a historic one, palatial in its dimensions, it stands in the midst of exquisitely laid out gardens, with the picturesque terrace and frontage to the river. Built in Tudor days, the old red brick of the walls looks eminently picturesque in the midst of a bower of green, the beautiful lawn with its old sundial adding the true note of harmony to its foregrounds, and now, on this warm early autumn night, the leaves slightly turned to russets and gold, the old garden looked singularly poetic and peaceful in the moonlight. With unerring precision, Sir Percy had brought the four bays to a standstill immediately in front of the fine Elizabethan entrance hall. In spite of the late hour, an army of grooms seemed to have emerged from the very ground as the coach had funded up, and were standing respectfully round. Sir Percy jumped down quickly, then helped Marguerite to alight. She lingered outside for a moment whilst he gave a few orders to one of his men. She skirted the house and stepped onto the lawn, looking out dreamily into the silvery landscape. Nature seemed exquisitely at peace in comparison with the tumultuous emotions she had gone through. She could faintly hear the ripple of the river, and the occasional soft and ghostlike fall of a dead leaf from a tree. All else was quiet round her. She had heard the horses prancing as they were being led away to their distant stables, the hurrying of servants' feet as they had all gone within to rest. The house also was quite still. In two separate suites of apartments, just above the magnificent reception rooms, lights were still burning. They were her rooms, and his, well divided from each other by the whole width of the house, as far apart as their own lives had become. Involuntarily she sighed. At that moment she could really not have told why. She was suffering from unconquerable heartache. Deeply and achingly she was sorry for herself. Never had she felt so pitiably lonely, so bitterly in want of comfort and of sympathy. With another sigh she turned away from the river towards the house, vaguely wondering if, after such a night, she could ever find rest and sleep. Suddenly, before she reached the terrace, she heard a firm step upon the crisp gravel, and the next moment her husband's figure emerged out of the shadow. He too had skirted the house, and was wandering along the lawn towards the river. He still wore his heavy driving-coat with the numerous lapels and collars he himself had set in fashion. But he had thrown it well back, burying his hands, as was his want, in the deep pockets of his satin britches. The gorgeous white costume he had worn at Lord Grenville's Ball, with the jabbo of priceless lace, looked strangely ghostly against the dark background of the house. He apparently did not notice her, for after a few moments' pause he presently turned back towards the house, and walked straight up to the terrace. Sir Percy? He already had one foot on the lowest of the terrace steps, but at her voice he started and paused, then looked surgeonly into the shadows when she had called him. She came forward quickly into the moonlight, and as soon as he saw her he said, with that air of consummate gallantry he always wore when speaking to her, at your service, madame. But his foot was still on the step, and in his whole attitude there was a remote suggestion, distinctly visible to her, that he wished to go, and had no desire for a midnight interview. The air is deliciously cool, she said, the moonlight peaceful and poetic, and the garden inviting. Will you not stay in it a while? The hour is not yet late. Or is my company so distasteful to you that you are in a hurry to rid yourself of it? Nay, madame. He rejoined placidly. But as on the other foot the shoe happens to be, and I'll warrant you'll find the midnight air more poetic without my company. No doubt the sooner I remove the obstruction the better your ladyship will like it. He turned once more to go. I protest you mistake me, Sir Percy," she said hurriedly, and drawing a little closer to him. The estrangement which, alas, has risen between us, was none of my making remember. Begad, you must pardon me there, madame," he protested coldly. My memory was always of the shortest. He looked her straight in the eyes with that lazy nonchalance which had become second nature to him. She returned his gaze for a moment. Then her eyes softened as she came up quite close to him to the foot of the terrace steps. Of the shortest, Sir Percy. Faith, how it must have altered! Was it three years ago or four that you saw me for one hour in Paris on your way to the East? When you came back two years later you had not forgotten me. She looked divinely pretty as she stood there in the moonlight, with the fur cloak sliding off her beautiful shoulders, the gold embroidery on her dress shimmering around her. Her childlike blue eyes turned up fully at him. He stood for a moment, rigid and still, but for the clenching of his hand against the stone balustrade of the terrace. You desired my presence, madame," he said frigidly. I take it that it was not with the view to indulging in tender reminiscences. His voice certainly was cold and uncompromising. His attitude before her, stiff and unbending. Woman-leader Corum would have suggested Marguerite should return coldness for coldness, and should sweep past him without another word, only with a curt nod of her head. But womanly instinct suggested that she should remain. That keen instinct which makes a beautiful woman conscious of her powers long to bring to her knees the one man who pays her no homage. She stretched out her hand to him. Nay, Sir Percy, why not? The present is not so glorious, but that I should not wish to dwell a little in the past. He bent his tall figure, and, taking hold of the extreme tip of the fingers which he still held out to him, he kissed them ceremoniously. If faith, madame," he said, then you will pardon me if my dull wits cannot accompany you there. Once again he attempted to go. Once more her voice, sweet, childlike, almost tender, called him back. Sir Percy, your servant, madame. Is it possible that love can die? she said, with sudden, unreasoning vehemence. Me thought that the passion which you once felt for me would outlast the span of human life. Is there nothing left of that love, Percy, which might help you to bridge over that sad estrangement? His massive figure seemed, while she spoke thus to him, to stiffen still more. The strong mouth hardened. A look of relentless obstinacy crept into the habitually lazy blue eyes. With what object I pray you, madame? he asked coldly. I do not understand you. Yet is simple enough, he said with sudden bitterness, which seemed literally to surge through his words, though he was making visible efforts to suppress it. I humbly put the question to you, for my slow wits are unable to grasp the cause of this, your ladyship's sudden new mood. Is it that you have the taste to renew the devilish sport, which you played so successfully last year? Do you wish to see me once more a love-sick supplement at your feet, so that you might again have the pleasure of kicking me aside like a troublesome lap-dog? She had succeeded in rousing him for the moment, and again she looked straight at him, for it was thus she remembered him a year ago. Percy, I entreat you, she whispered. Can we not bury the past? Pardon me, madame, but I understood you to say that your desire was to dwell in it. Nay, I spoke not of that past, Percy, she said, while a tone of tenderness crept into her voice. Rather did I speak of a time when you loved me still, and I—oh, I was vain and frivolous. Your wealth and position allured me. I married you, hoping in my heart that your great love for me would be getting me a love for you. But alas! The moon had sunk low behind a bank of clouds. In the east a soft grey light was beginning to chase away the heavy mantle of the night. He could only see her graceful outline now, the small, queenly head with its wealth of reddish golden curls, and the glittering gems forming the small, star-shaped red flower which she wore as a diadem in her hair. Twenty-four hours after our marriage, madame, the marquis de Saint Cyr and all his family perished on the guillotine, and the popular rumour reached me that it was the wife of Sir Percy Blakeney who helped to send them there. Nay, I myself told you the truth of that odious tale, not till after it had been recounted to me by strangers with all its horrible details. And you believed them then and there, she said with great vehemence, without a proof or question. You believed that I, whom you vowed you loved more than life, whom you professed you worshipped, that I could do a thing so base as these strangers chose to recount. You thought I meant to deceive you about it all, that I ought to have spoken before I married you. Yet had you listened, I would have told you that up to the very morning on which Saint Cyr went to the guillotine, I was straining every nerve, using every influence I possessed to save him and his family. But my pride sealed my lips when your love seemed to perish as if under the knife of that same guillotine. Yet I would have told you how I was duped. I, I, whom that same popular rumour had endowed with the sharpest wits in France, I was tricked into doing this thing by men who knew how to play up on my love for an only brother and my desire for revenge. Was it unnatural?" Her voice became choked with tears. She paused for a moment or two, trying to regain some sort of composure. She looked appealingly at him, almost as if he were her judge. He had allowed her to speak on in her own vehement, impassioned way, offering no comment, no word of sympathy. And now, while she paused, trying to swallow down the hot tears that gushed to her eyes, he waited, impassive and still. The dim grey light of early dawn seemed to make his tall form look taller and more rigid. The lazy, good-natured face looked strangely altered. Marguerite, excited as she was, could see that the eyes were no longer languid, the mouth no longer good-humoured and inane. A curious look of intense passion seemed to glow from beneath his drooping lids. The mouth was tightly closed, the lips compressed, as if the will alone held that surging passion in check. Marguerite Blakeney was, above all, a woman, with all a woman's fascinating foibles, all a woman's most lovable sins. She knew in a moment that for the past few months she had been mistaken, that this man who stood here before her, cold as a statue, when her musical voice struck upon his ear, loved her, as he had loved her a year ago, that his passion might have been dormant, but that it was there, as strong, as intense, as overwhelming as when first her lips met. She had heard his in one long maddening kiss. Pride had kept him from her, and womanlike, she meant to win back that conquest which had been hers before. Suddenly it seemed to her that the only happiness life could ever hold for her again would be in feeling that man's kiss once more upon her lips. Listen to the tale, Sir Percy," she said, and her voice was low, sweet, infinitely tender. Our man was all in all to me. We had no parents, and brought one another up. He was my little father and I his tiny mother. We loved one another so. Then one day, do you mind me, Sir Percy? The Marquis de Saint-Syl had my brother Armand thrashed, thrashed by his lackeys, that brother whom I loved better than all the world, and his offence, that he, a plebeian, had dared to love the daughter of the aristocrat. For that he was way-laden thrashed, thrashed like a dog within an inch of his life. Oh, how I suffered! His humiliation had eaten into my very soul. When the opportunity occurred, and I was able to take my revenge, I took it. But I only thought to bring that proud Marquis to trouble and humiliation. He plotted with Austria against his own country. Chance gave me knowledge of this. I spoke of it. But I did not know. How could I guess? They trapped and duped me. When I realized what I had done, it was too late. It is perhaps a little difficult, madame. said Sir Percy, after a moment of silence between them. To go back over the past. I have confessed to you that my memory is short. But the thought certainly lingered in my mind that, at the time of the Marquis's death, I entreated you for an explanation of those same noisome popular rumours. If that same memory does not even now play me a trick, I fancy that you refused me all explanation then, and demanded of my love a humiliating allegiance it was not prepared to give. I wished to test your love for me, and it did not bear the test. You used to tell me that you drew the very breath of life but for me, and for love of me. And to probe that love, you demanded that I should forfeit my honour, he said, whilst gradually his impassiveness seemed to leave him, his rigidity to relax. That I should accept without murmur or question as a dumb and submissive slave every action of my mistress. My heart overflowing with love and passion I asked for no explanation. I waited for one, not doubting, only hoping. Had you spoken but one word, from you I would have accepted any explanation and believed it. But you left me without a word, beyond a bold confession of the actual horrible facts. Proudly you returned to your brother's house and left me alone, for weeks, not knowing now in whom to believe, since the shrine which contained my one illusion lay shattered to earth at my feet. She need not complain now that he was cold and impassive. His very voice shook with an intensity of passion when she was making superhuman efforts to keep in check. I, the madness of my pride, she said sadly. Hardly had I gone already, I had repented. But when I returned, I found you—oh, so altered!—wearing already that mask of somnolent indifference which you have never laid aside until—until now. She was so close to him that her soft, loose hair was wafted against his cheek. Her eyes, glowing with tears, maddened him. The music in her voice sent fire through his veins. But he would not yield to the magic charm of this woman whom he had so deeply loved, and at whose hands his pride had suffered so bitterly. He closed his eyes to shut out the dainty vision of that sweet face, of that snow-white neck and graceful figure, round which the faint rosy light of dawn was just beginning to hover playfully. Nay, madame, it is no mask, he said, icily. I swore to you, once, that my life was yours. For months now it has been your plaything. It has served its purpose. But now she knew that the very coldness was a mask. The trouble, the sorrows she had gone through last night, suddenly came back into her mind. But no longer with bitterness, rather with the feeling that this man, who loved her, would help her bear the burden. Sir Percy, she said impulsively, Heaven knows you have been at pains to make the task, which I had set to myself, difficult to accomplish. You spoke of my mood just now. Well, we will call it that, if you will. I wished to speak with you, because—because I was in trouble and had need of your sympathy. It is yours to command, madame. How cold you are, she sighed. Faith, I can scarce believe that, but a few months ago, one tear in my eye had set you well-nigh crazy. Now I come to you with a half-broken heart, and—and— I pray you, madame," he said, whilst his voice shook almost as much as hers. In what way can I serve you? Percy, Armand is in deadly danger. A letter of his, rash, impetuous as were all his actions, and written to Sir Andrew Folks, has fallen into the hands of a fanatic. Armand is hopelessly compromised. Tomorrow, perhaps, he will be arrested. After that, the guillotine, unless— Oh, it is horrible, she said with a sudden wail of anguish, as all the events of the past night came rushing back to her mind. Horrible! And you do not understand. You cannot. And I have no one to whom I can turn, for help, or even for sympathy. Percy! Tears now refuse to be held back. All her trouble, her struggles, the awful certainty of Armand's fate overwhelmed her. She tottered, ready to fall, and, leaning against the stone balustray, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed bitterly. At first mention of Armand Saint-Just's name, and of the peril in which he stood, Sir Percy's face had become a shade more pale, and the look of determination and obstinacy appeared more marked than ever between his eyes. However, he said nothing for the moment, but watched her, as her delicate frame was shaken with sobs, watched her until, unconsciously, his face softened, and what looked almost like tears, seemed to glisten in his eyes. And so, he said with bitter sarcasm, the murderous dog of the revolution is turning upon the very hands that fed it. Begad, madame! He added very gently, as Marguerite continued to sob hysterically. Will you dry your tears? I never could bear to see a pretty woman cry, and I— Instinctively, with sudden overmastering passion at the sight of her helplessness and of her grief, he stretched out his arms, and the next would have seized her and held her to him, protected from every evil with his very life, his very heart's blood. But pride had the better of it in this struggle once again. He restrained himself with a tremendous effort of will, and said coldly, though still very gently, will you not turn to me, madame, and tell me in what way I may have the honour to serve you? She made a violent effort to control herself, and turning her tear-stained face to him, she once more held out her hand, which she kissed with the same punctilious gallantry, but Marguerite's fingers this time lingered in his hand for a second or two longer than was absolutely necessary, and this was because she had felt that his hand trembled perceptibly, and was burning hot, whilst his lips felt as cold as marble. Can you do ought for our mind? she said sweetly and simply. You have so much influence at court, so many friends. Nay, madame, should you not seek the influence of your French friend, M. Chauvelin? His extends, if I mistake not, even as far as the republican government of France. I cannot ask him, Percy. Oh, I wish I dared to tell you. But—but—he has put a price on my brother's head, which—she would have given worlds if she had felt the courage then to tell him everything. All she had done that night—how she had suffered and how her hand had been forced—but she dared not give way to that impulse. Not now, when she was just beginning to feel that he still loved her, when she hoped that she could win him back. She dared not make another confession to him. After all, he might not understand. He might not sympathize with her struggles and temptation. His love still dormant might sleep the sleep of death. Perhaps he divined what was passing in her mind. His whole attitude was one of intense longing—a veritable prayer for that confidence, which her foolish pride whiffed held from him. When she remained silent, he sighed, and said with marked coldness—Faith, madame, since it distresses you, we will not speak of it. As for Armand, I pray you have no fear. I pledge you my word that he shall be safe. Now have I your permission to go. The hour is getting late, and you will at least accept my gratitude? She said, as she drew quite close to him, and speaking with real tenderness. With a quick, almost involuntary effort he would have taken her then in his arms, for her eyes were swimming with tears which he longed to kiss away. But she had lured him once, just like this, then cast him aside like an ill-fitting glove. He thought this was but a mood, a caprice, and he was too proud to lend himself to it once again. It is too soon, madame. He said quietly, I have done nothing as yet. The hour is late, and you must be fatigued. Your women will be waiting for you upstairs. He stood aside to allow her to pass. She sighed, a quick sigh of disappointment. His pride and her beauty had been in direct conflict, and his pride had remained the conqueror. Perhaps, after all, she had been deceived just now. What she took to be the light of love in his eyes might only have been the passion of pride, or, who knows, of hatred instead of love. She stood looking at him for a moment or two longer. He was again as rigid, as impassive as before. Pride had conquered, and he cared not for her. The gray light of dawn was gradually yielding to the rosy light of the rising sun. Birds began to twitter. Nature awakened, smiling in happy response to the warmth of this glorious October morning. Only between these two hearts there lay a strong, impossible barrier, built up of pride on both sides, which neither of them cared to be the first to demolish. He had bent his troll figure in a low, ceremonious bow, as she finally, with another bitter little sigh, began to mount the terrace steps. The long train of her gold-embroidered gown swept the dead leaves off the steps, making a faint harmonious shh, shh, shh, as she glided up, with one hand resting on the balustrade, the rosy light of dawn making an aureole of gold round her hair, and causing the rubies on her head and arms to sparkle. She reached the tall glass doors which led into the house. Before entering, she paused once again to look at him, hoping against hope to see his arms stretched out to her, and to hear his voice calling her back. But he had not moved. His massive figure looked the very personification of unbending pride, of fierce obstinacy. Hot tears again surged to her eyes. As she would not let him see them, she turned quickly within, and ran as fast as she could up to her own rooms. Had she but turned back then, and looked out once more onto the rose-lit garden, she would have seen that which would have made her own suffering seem but light and easy to bear. A strong man, overwhelmed with his own passion and his own despair. Pride had given way at last. Obstinacy was gone. The will was powerless. He was but a man, madly, blindly, passionately in love, and as soon as her light footsteps had died away within the house, he knelt down upon the terrace steps, and in the very madness of his love he kissed, one by one, the places where her small foot had trodden, and the stone balustrade there where her tiny hand had rested last. When Marguerite reached her room, she found her maid terribly anxious about her. CHAPTER 17 When Marguerite reached her room, she found her maid terribly anxious about her. Your ladyship will be so tired, said the poor woman, whose own eyes were half-closed with sleep. It is past five o'clock. Ah, yes, Louise. I dare say I shall be tired presently, said Marguerite kindly, but you are very tired now, so go to bed at once. I'll get into bed alone. Now, don't argue, Louise, but go to bed. Give me a wrap, and leave me alone. Louise was only too glad to obey. She took off her mistress's gorgeous bald dress, and wrapped her up in a soft, billowy gown. Does your ladyship wish for anything else? She asked, when that was done. No, nothing more. Put out the lights as you go out. Yes, my lady. Good night, my lady. Good night, Louise. When the maid was gone, Marguerite drew aside the curtains, and threw open the windows. The garden and the river beyond were flooded with rosy light. Far away to the east, the rays of the rising sun had changed the rose into vivid gold. The storm was deserted now, and Marguerite looked down upon the terrace where she had stood a few moments ago, trying in vain to win back a man's love, which once had been so holy hers. It was strange that through all her troubles, all her anxiety for Armand, she was mostly conscious at the present moment of a keen and bitter heartache. Her very limbs seemed to ache with longing for the love of a man who had spurned her, who had resisted her tenderness, remained cold to her appeals, and had not responded to the glow of passion which had caused her to feel and hope that those happy, olden days in Paris were not all dead and forgotten. How strange it all was! She loved him still, and now that she looked back upon the last few months of misunderstandings and of loneliness, she realized that she had never ceased to love him. That deep down in her heart she had always vaguely felt that his foolish inanities—his empty laugh, his lazy nonchalance—were nothing but a mask, that the real man, strong, passionate, willful, was there still. The man she had loved, whose intensity had fascinated her, whose personality attracted her, since she always felt that behind his apparently slow wits there was a certain something which he kept hidden from all the world, and most especially from her. A woman's heart is such a complex problem. The owner thereof is often most incompetent to find the solution of this puzzle. Did Marguerite Blakeney, the cleverest woman in Europe, really love a fool? Was it love that she had felt for him a year ago when she married him? Was it love she felt for him now that she realized that he still loved her, but that he would not become her slave, her passionate, ardent lover once again? Nay, Marguerite herself could not have told that, not at this moment at any rate. Perhaps her pride had sealed her mind against a better understanding of her own heart. But this she did know, that she meant to capture that obstinate heart back again, that she would conquer once more, and then that she would never lose him. She would keep him, keep his love, deserve it, and cherish it, for this much was certain, that there was no longer any happiness possible for her without that one man's love. Thus the most contradictory thoughts and emotions rushed madly through her mind. Absorbed in them she had allowed time to slip by. Perhaps tired out with long excitement she had actually closed her eyes and sunk into a troubled sleep, wherein quickly fleeting dreams seemed but the continuation of her anxious thoughts, when suddenly she was roused from dream or meditation by the noise of footsteps outside her door. Nervously she jumped up and listened. The house itself was as still as ever. The footsteps had retreated. Through her wide open window the brilliant rays of the morning sun were flooding her room with light. She looked up at the clock. It was half past six, too early for any of her household to be already a stir. She must have dropped asleep quite unconsciously. The noise of the footsteps, also of hushed, subdued voices, had awakened her. What could they be? Gently, on tiptoe, she crossed the room and opened the door to listen. Not a sound. That peculiar stillness of the early morning when sleep with all mankind is at its heaviest. But the noise had made her nervous, and when suddenly at her feet on the very doorstep she saw something white lying there—a letter evidently—she hardly dared touch it. It seemed so ghostlike. It certainly was not there when she came upstairs. Had Louise dropped it? Or was some tantalising spook at play, showing her fairy letters were nonexisted? At last she stooped to pick it up, and, amazed, puzzled beyond measure, she saw that the letter was addressed to herself in her husband's large, business-like looking hand. What could he have to say to her, in the middle of the night, which could not be put off until the morning? She tore open the envelope and read. A most unforeseen circumstance forces me to leave for the North immediately, so I beg your ladyships pardon if I do not avail myself of the honour of bidding you good-bye. My business may keep me employed for about a week, so I shall not have the privilege of being present at your ladyship's water-party on Wednesday. I remain your ladyship's most humble and most obedient servant, Percy Blakeney. Marguerite must suddenly have been imbued with her husband's slowness of intellect, for she had perforce to read the few simple lines over and over again, before she could fully grasp their meaning. She stood on the landing, turning over and over in her hand with this curt and mysterious epistle, her mind a blank, her nerves strained with agitation and a presentiment she could not very well have explained. So Percy owned considerable property in the North, certainly, and he had often before gone there alone and stayed away a week at a time. But it seemed so very strange that circumstances should have arisen between five and six o'clock in the morning that compelled him to start in this extreme hurry. Vainly she tried to shake off an unaccustomed feeling of nervousness. She was trembling from head to foot. A wild, unconquerable desire seized her to see her husband again at once, if only he had not already started. Forgetting the fact that she was only very lightly clad in a morning-wrap, and that her hair lay loosely about her shoulders, she flew down the stairs, right through the hall, towards the front door. It was, as usual, barred and bolted, for the indoor servants were not yet up, but her keen ears had detected the sound of voices and the pawing of a horse's hoof against the flagstones. With nervous, trembling fingers, Marguerite undid the bolt one by one, bruising her hands, hurting her nails, for the locks were heavy and stiff. But she did not care. Her whole frame shook with anxiety at the very thought that she might be too late, that he might have gone without her seeing him and bidding him Godspeed. Past she had turned the key and thrown open the door. Her ears had not deceived her. A groom was standing close by, holding a couple of horses. One of these was Sultan, Supersy's favourite and swiftest horse, saddled ready for a journey. The next moment, Supersy himself appeared round the further corner of the house, and came quickly towards the horses. He had changed his gorgeous ball-costume, but was, as usual, irreproachably and richly apparelled in a suit of fine cloth, with lace jabbo and ruffles, high top boots, and riding-bridges. Marguerite went forward a few steps. He looked up and saw her. A slight frown appeared between his eyes. You are going? She said quickly and feverishly. Wither. As I have had the honour of informing our ladyship, urgent, most unexpected business calls me to the north this morning, he said, in his usual cold, drolly manner. But your guests to-morrow. I have prayed your ladyship to offer my humble excuses to his royal highness. You are such a perfect hostess, I do not think I shall be missed. But surely you might have waited for your journey, until after our water-party. She said, still speaking quickly and nervously, surely this business is not so urgent, and you said nothing about it, just now. My business, as I had the honour to tell you, madame, is as unexpected as it is urgent. May I therefore crave your permission to go? Can I do aught for you in town, on my way back? No. No, thanks. Nothing. But you will be back soon. Very soon. Before the end of the week? I cannot say. He was evidently trying to get away, whilst she was straining every nerve to keep him back for a moment or two. Percy, she said, will you not tell me why you go to-day? Surely I, as your wife, have the right to know. You have not been called away to the north, I know it. There were no letters, no couriers from there before we left for the opera last night, and nothing was waiting for you when we returned from the ball. You are not going to the north, I feel convinced. There is some mystery, and, nay, there is no mystery, madame, he replied, with a slight tone of impatience. My business has to do with our mind. There. Now have I your leave to depart? With our mind. But you will run no danger? Danger? I? Nay, madame, your solicitude does me honour. As you say, I have some influence. My intention is to exert it before it be too late. Will you allow me to thank you at least? Nay, madame, he said coldly, there is no need for that. My life is at your service, and I am already more than repaid. And mine will be at yours, Sir Percy, if you will but accept it, in exchange for what you do for our mind. She said, as, impulsively, she stretched out both her hands to him. There! I will not detain you. My thoughts go with you. Farewell! How lovely she looked in this morning's sunlight, with her ardent hair streaming round her shoulders. He bowed very low and kissed her hand. She felt the burning kiss, and her heart thrilled with joy and hope. You will come back, she said tenderly. Very soon, he replied, looking longingly into her blue eyes. And—you will remember, she asked, as her eyes, in response to his look, gave him an infinity of promise. I will always remember, madame, that you have honoured me by commanding my services. The words were cold and formal, but they did not chill her this time. Her woman's heart had read his beneath the impassive mask his pride still forced him to wear. He bowed to her again, then begged her leave to depart. She stood on one side whilst he jumped onto Sultan's back, then, as he galloped out of the gates, she waved him a final adieu. A bend in the road soon hid him from view. His confidential groom had some difficulty in keeping pace with him, for Sultan flew along in response to his master's excited mood. Marguerite, with a sigh that was almost a happy one, turned and went within. She went back to her room, for suddenly, like a tired child, she felt quite sleepy. Her heart seemed all at once to be in complete peace, and, though it still ached with undefined longing, a vague and delicious hope soothed it as with a balm. She felt no longer anxious about Armand. The man who had just ridden away, bent on helping her brother, inspired her with complete confidence in his strength and in his power. She mavelled at herself for having ever looked upon him as an inane fool. Of course, that was a mask worn to hide the bitter wound she had dealt to his faith and to his love. His passion would have overmastered him, and he would not let her see how much he still cared, and how deeply he suffered. But now all would be well. She would crush her own pride, humble it before him, tell him everything, trust him in everything, and those happy days would come back when they used to wander off together in the forests of Fontainebleu, when they spoke little, for he was always a silent man, but when she felt that against that strong heart she would always find rest and happiness. The more she thought of the events of the past night, the less fear had she of Chauvelin and his schemes. He had failed to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Of that she felt sure. Both Lord Fancourt and Chauvelin himself had assured her that no one had been in the dining-room at one o'clock except the Frenchman himself, and Percy—yes, Percy—she might have asked him had she thought of it. Anyway, she had no fears that the unknown and brave hero would fall in Chauvelin's trap. His death, at any rate, would not be at her door. Armand certainly was still in danger, but Percy had pledged his word that Armand would be safe, and somehow, as Marguerite had seen him riding away, the possibility that he could fail in whatever he undertook never even remotely crossed her mind. When Armand was safely over in England, she would not allow him to go back to France. She felt almost happy now, and drawing the curtains closely together again to shut out the piercing sun, she went to bed at last, laid her head upon the pillow, and, like a wearied child, soon fell into a peaceful and dreamless sleep. The day was well advanced when Marguerite woke, refreshed by her long sleep. Louise had brought her some fresh milk and a dish of fruit, and she partook of this frugal breakfast with hearty appetite. Thoughts crowded thick and fast in her mind as she munched her grapes. Most of them went galloping away after the tall, erect figure of her husband, whom she had watched riding out of sight more than five hours ago. In answer to her eager inquiries, Louise brought back the news that the groom had come home with Sultan having left Sir Percy in London. The groom thought that his master was about to get on board his schooner, which was lying off just below London Bridge. Sir Percy had ridden thus far, had then met Briggs, the skipper of the daydream, and had sent the groom back to Richmond with Sultan and the empty saddle. This news puzzled Marguerite more than ever. Where could Sir Percy be going just now in the daydream? On Arman's behalf he had said, Well, Sir Percy had influential friends everywhere. Perhaps he was going to Greenwich, or—but Marguerite ceased to conjecture. All would be explained anon. He said that he would come back, and that he would remember. A long, idle day lay before Marguerite. She was expecting a visit of her old school fellow, little Suzanne de Tournay. With all the merry mischief at her command, she had tended her request for Suzanne's company to the gomp des in the presence of the Prince of Wales, last night. His royal highness had loudly applauded the notion, and declared that he would give himself the pleasure of calling on the two ladies in the course of the afternoon. The gomp des had not dared to refuse, and then and there was entrapped into a promise to send little Suzanne to spend a long and happy day at Richmond with her friend. Marguerite expected her eagerly. She longed for a chat about old school days with the child. She felt that she would prefer Suzanne's company to that of any one else, and together they would roam through the fine old garden and rich deer park, or stroll along the river. But Suzanne had not come yet, and Marguerite, being dressed, prepared to go downstairs. She looked quite a girl this morning, in her simple muslin frock, with a broad blue sash round her slim waist, and the dainty crossover fissue into which, at her bosom, she had fastened a few late crimson roses. She crossed the landing outside her own suite of apartments, and stood still for a moment at the head of the fine oak staircase, which led to the lower floor. On her left were her husband's apartments, a suite of rooms which she practically never entered. They consisted of bedroom, dressing, and reception room, and at the extreme end of the landing of a small study which, when subversive did not use it, was always kept locked. His own special and confidential valet, Frank, had charge of this room. No one was ever allowed to go inside. My lady had never cared to do so, and the other servants had, of course, not dared to break this hard and fast rule. Marguerite had often, with that good-natured contempt which she had recently adopted towards her husband, chaffed him about this secrecy which surrounded his private study. Laughingly, she had always declared that he strictly excluded all prying eyes from his sanctum, for fear they should detect how very little study went on within its four walls. A comfortable armchair for Supercy's sweet slumbers was, no doubt, its most conspicuous piece of furniture. Marguerite thought of all this on this bright October morning, as she glanced along the corridor. Frank was evidently busy with his master's rooms, for most of the doors stood open, that of the study amongst the others. A sudden burning childish curiosity seized her to have a peep at Supercy's sanctum. This restriction, of course, did not apply to her, and Frank would, of course, not dare to oppose her. Still she hoped that the valet would be busy in one of the other rooms, that she might have that one quick peep, in secret, and unmolested. Gently, on tiptoe, she crossed the landing, and, like Bluebeard's wife, trembling half with excitement and wonder, she paused for a moment on the threshold, strangely perturbed and irresolute. The door was ajar, and she could not see anything within. She pushed it open tentatively. There was no sound. Frank was evidently not there, and she walked boldly in. At once she was struck by the severe simplicity of everything around her. The dark and heavy hangings, the massive oak furniture, the one or two maps on the wall, in no way recall to her mind the lazy man about town, the lover of race-courses, the dandified leader of fashion, that was the outward representation of Supercy Blakeney. There was no sign here at any rate of hurried departure. Everything was in its place, not a scrap of paper lit at the floor, not a cupboard or drawer was left open. The curtains were drawn aside, and through the window the fresh morning air was streaming in. Facing the window and well into the centre of the room stood a ponderous business-like desk, which looked as if it had seen much service. On the wall to the left of the desk, reaching almost from floor to ceiling, was a large, full-length portrait of a woman, magnificently framed, exquisitely painted, and signed with the name of Boucher. It was Percy's mother. Marguerite knew very little about her, except that she had died abroad, ailing and body as well as in mind, while Percy was still a lad. She must have been a very beautiful woman once, when Boucher painted her, and as Marguerite looked at the portrait she could not but be struck by the extraordinary resemblance which must have existed between mother and son. There was the same low square forehead, crowned with thick, fair hair, smooth and heavy, the same deep-set, somewhat lazy blue eyes beneath firmly marked, straight brows, and in those eyes there was the same intensity behind that apparent laziness, the same latent passion which used to light up Percy's face in the olden days before his marriage, and which Marguerite had again noted last night at dawn, when she had come quite close to him, and had allowed a note of tenderness to creep into her voice. Marguerite studied the portrait, for it interested her. After that she turned and looked again at the ponderous desk. It was covered with a mass of papers, all neatly tied and docketed, which looked like accounts and receipts arrayed with perfect method. It had never before struck Marguerite, nor had she alas, founded worthwhile to inquire, as to house her Percy, whom all the world had credited with a total lack of brains, administered the vast fortune which his father had left him. Since she had entered this neat, orderly room, she had been taken so much by surprise, that this obvious proof of her husband's strong business capacities did not cause her more than a passing thought of wonder. But it also strengthened her in the now certain knowledge that, with his worldly inanities, his foppish ways and foolish talk, he was not only wearing a mask, but was playing a deliberate and studied part. Marguerite wondered again, why should he take all this trouble? Why should he, who was obviously a serious, earnest man, wish to appear before his fellow men as an empty-headed nincompoop? He may have wished to hide his love for a wife who held him in contempt, but surely such an object could have been gained at less sacrifice and with far less trouble than constant, incessant acting of an unnatural part. She looked round her quite aimlessly now. She was horribly puzzled, and a nameless dread before all this strange, unaccountable mystery had begun to seize upon her. She felt cold and uncomfortable suddenly in this severe and dark room. There were no pictures on the wall, save the fine Boucher portrait, only a couple of maps, both of parts of France, one of the north coast, and the other of the environs of Paris. What did Sir Percy want with those, she wondered. Her head began to ache. She turned away from this strange bluebeard's chamber which she had entered, and which she did not understand. She did not wish Frank to find her here, and with a fast look round she once more turned to the door. As she did so, her foot knocked against a small object which had apparently been lying close to the desk on the carpet, and which now went rolling right across the room. She stooped to pick it up. It was a solid gold ring with a flat shield on which was engraved a small device. Marguerite turned it over in her fingers, and then studied the engraving on the shield. It represented a small, star-shaped flower of a shape she had seen so distinctly twice before, once at the opera, and once at Lord Guemville's Ball. CHAPTER XIX. THE SCARLET PIMPANEL. At what particular moment the strange doubt first crept into Marguerite's mind, she could not herself have said. With the ring tightly clutched in her hand, she had run out of the room, down the stairs, and out into the garden, where, in complete seclusion, alone with the flowers and the river and the birds, she could look again at the ring, and study that device more closely. Stupidly, senselessly now, sitting beneath the shade of an overhanging sycamore, she was looking at the plain gold shield, with the star-shaped little flower engraved upon it. Bah! It was ridiculous. She was dreaming. Her nerves were overraught, and she saw signs and mysteries in the most trivial coincidences. Had not everybody about town recently made a point of affecting the device of that mysterious and heroic scarlet pimpanel? Did she herself wear it embroidered on her gowns, set in gems and enamel in her hair? What was there strange in the fact that Supercy should have chosen to use the device as a seal-ring? He might easily have done that. Yes, quite easily. And besides, what connection could there be between her exquisite dandy of a husband, with his fine clothes and refined, lazy ways, and the daring plotter who rescued French victims from beneath the very eyes of the leaders of a blood-thirsty revolution? Her thoughts were in a whirl, her mind a-blank. She did not see anything that was going on around her, and was quite startled when a fresh young voice called to her across the garden. Cherie? Cherie, where are you? And little Suzanne, fresh as a rosebud with eyes dancing with glee and brown curls fluttering in the soft morning breeze, came running across the lawn. They told me you were in the garden. She went on, prattling merrily, and throwing herself with a pretty girlish impulse into Marguerite's arms. So I ran out to give you a surprise. You did not expect me quite so soon, did you, my darling little Margot Cherie? Marguerite, who had hastily concealed the ring and the folds of her kerchief, tried to respond gaily and unconcernedly to the young girl's impulsiveness. Indeed, sweet one, she said with a smile, it is delightful to have you all to myself, and for a nice, whole, long day. You won't be bored. Oh, bored? Margot, how can you say such a wicked thing? Why, when we were in the duo convent together, we were always happy when we were allowed to be alone together, and to talk secrets. The two young girls had linked their arms in one another's, and began wandering around the garden. Oh, how lovely your home is, Margot, darling, said little Suzanne enthusiastically, and how happy you must be. I, indeed, ought to be a happy, authentised sweet one, said Marguerite, with a wistful little sigh. How sadly you say it, Cherie. Ah, well, I suppose now that you are a married woman, you won't care to talk secrets with me any longer. Oh, what lots and lots of secrets we used to have at school. Do you remember? Some we did not even confide to Sister Teresa of the Holy Angels, though she was such a dear. And now you have won all important secret, eh, little one? said Marguerite merrily, which you are forthwith going to confide in me. Nay, you need not blush, Cherie, she added, as she saw Suzanne's pretty little face crimson with blushes. Faith there's not to be ashamed of. He is a noble and true man, and one to be proud of as a lover, and as a husband. Indeed, Cherie, I am not ashamed, rejoined Suzanne softly, and it makes me very, very proud to hear you speak so well of him. I think Mama will consent, she added thoughtfully, and I shall be all so happy. But, of course, nothing is to be thought of until Papa is safe. Marguerite started, Suzanne's father, the Comte Tournée, one of those whose life would be jeopardised if Chauvelin succeeded in establishing the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel. She had understood all along from the Comtesse, and also from one or two of the members of the League, that their mysterious leader had pledged his honour to bring the fugitive Comte Tournée safely out of France. Whilst little Suzanne, unconscious of all, save her own all-important little secret, went prattling on, Marguerite's thoughts went back to the events of the past night. Armand's peril, Chauvelin's threat, his cruel either-or, which she had accepted, and then her own work in the matter, which should have culminated at one o'clock in Lord Grenville's dining-room when the relentless agent of the French government would finally learn who was this mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel who so openly defied an army of spies and placed himself so boldly and for mere sport on the side of the enemies of France. Since then she had heard nothing from Chauvelin. She had concluded that he had failed, and yet she had not felt anxious about Armand, because her husband had promised her that Armand would be safe. But now, suddenly, as Suzanne prattled merrily along, an awful horror came upon her for what she had done. Chauvelin had told her nothing, it was true, but she remembered how sarcastic and evil he looked when she took final leave of him after the ball. Had he discovered something then? Had he already laid his plans for catching the daring plotter red-handed in France and sending him to the guillotine without compunction or delay? Marguerite turned sick with horror, and her hand convulsively clutched the ring in her dress. Yes. You are not listening, Chaurie," said Suzanne reproachfully as she paused in her long, highly interesting narrative. Yes, yes, darling, indeed I am," said Marguerite with an effort, forcing herself to smile. I love to hear you talking, and your happiness makes me so very glad. Have no fear. We will manage to propitiate Mama. So Andrew Folks is a noble English gentleman. He has money and position. The contest will not refuse her consent. But, now, little one, tell me, what is the latest news about your father? Oh! said Suzanne with mad glee, the best we could possibly hear. My Lord Hastings came to see Mama early this morning. He said that all is now well with Papa, and we may safely expect him here in England in less than four days. Yes, said Marguerite, whose glowing eyes were fastened on Suzanne's lips as she continued merrily. Oh! we have no fear now. You don't know, Chaurie, that that great and noble Scarlett Pimpernel himself has gone to save Papa. He has gone, Chaurie, actually gone, added Suzanne, excitedly. He was in London this morning. He will be in Calais, perhaps tomorrow, where he will meet Papa. And then, and then, the blow had fallen. She had expected it all along, though she had tried for the last half hour to delude herself and to cheat her fears. He had gone to Calais, had been in London this morning. He, the Scarlett Pimpernel. Percy Blakeney, her husband, whom she had betrayed last night to Chauvelin. Percy. Percy, her husband, the Scarlett Pimpernel. Oh! how could she have been so blind? She understood it all now, all at once, that party played, the mass-key war, in order to throw dust in everybody's eyes. And all for the sheer sport and devilry, of course, saving men, women and children from death, as other men destroy and kill animals for the excitement, the love of a thing. The idle, rich man wanted some aim in life. He and the few young bucks he enrolled under his banner had amused themselves for months in risking their lives for the sake of an innocent few. Perhaps he had meant to tell her when they were first married. And then the story of the Marquis de Sancio had come to his ears, and he had suddenly turned from her, thinking, no doubt, that she might some day betray him and his comrades who had sworn to follow him. And so he had tricked her, as he tricked all others, whilst hundreds now owed their lives to him, and many lives owed him both life and happiness. The mask of an inane fob had been a good one, and the part consummately well played. No wonder that Chauvelin's spies had failed to detect, in the apparently brainless nincompoop, the man whose reckless, daring, and resourceful ingenuity had baffled the keenest French spies, both in France and in England. Even last night, when Chauvelin went to Lord Gremville's dining-room to seek that daring Scarlett Pimpernel, he only saw that inane Sir Percy Blakeney fast asleep in a corner of the sofa. Had his astute mind guessed the secret then? Here lay the whole, awful, horrible, amazing puzzle. In betraying a nameless stranger to his fate in order to save her brother, had Marguerite Blakeney sent her husband to his death? No, no, no, a thousand times no. Surely fate could not deal a blow like that. Nature itself would rise and revolt. Her hand, when it held that tiny scrap of paper last night, would surely have been struck numb, and it committed a deed so appalling and so terrible. But what is it, Cherie? said little Suzanne, now genuinely alarmed, for Marguerite's colour had become dull and ashen. Are you ill, Marguerite? What is it? Nothing. Nothing, child. She murmured, as in a dream. Wait a moment. Let me think. Think. You said the Scarlett Pimpernel had gone to-day. Marguerite! Cherie! What is it? You frighten me. It is nothing, child, I tell you, nothing. I must be alone a minute, and, dear one, I may have to curtail our time together today. I may have to go away. You'll understand? I understand that something has happened, Cherie, and that you want to be alone. I won't be a hindrance to you. Don't think of me. My maid Lucille has not yet gone. We will go back together. Don't think of me. She threw her arms impulsively round Marguerite. Child as she was, she felt the poignancy of her friend's grief, and with the infinite tact of her girlish tenderness, she did not try to pry into it, but was ready to efface herself. She kissed Marguerite again and again, then walked sadly back across the lawn. Marguerite did not move. She remained there, thinking, wondering what was to be done. Just as little Suzanne was about to mount the terrace steps, a groom came running round the house towards his mistress. He carried a sealed letter in his hand. Suzanne instinctively turned back. Her heart told her that, here, perhaps, was further ill news for her friend, and she felt that poor Marguerite was not in a fit state to bear any more. The groom stood respectfully beside his mistress. Then he handed her the sealed letter. What is that? asked Marguerite. Just come by, run them a lady. Marguerite took the letter mechanically, and turned it over in her trembling fingers. Who sent it? she said. The runner said, my lady, replied the groom, that his orders were to deliver this, and that your ladyship would understand from whom it came. Marguerite tore open the envelope. Already her instinct told her what it contained, and her eyes only glanced at it mechanically. It was a letter by Armand Saint-Juste to her Andrew folks. The letter which Chauvelin's spies had stolen at the fisherman's rest, and which Chauvelin had held as a rod over her to enforce her obedience. Now he had kept his word. He had sent her back Saint-Juste's compromising letter, for he was on the track of a scarlet pimpinale. Marguerite's senses reeled. Her very soul seemed to be leaving her body. She tottered, and would have fallen but for Suzanne's arm around her waist. With superhuman effort she regained control over herself. There was yet much to be done. Bring that runner here to me," she said to the servant, with much calm. He has not gone. No, my lady. The groom went, and Marguerite turned to Suzanne. And you, child, run within. Tell Lucille to get ready. I fear that I must send you home, child, and—stay—tell one of the maids to prepare a travelling dress and cloak for me." Suzanne made no reply. She kissed Marguerite tenderly and obeyed without a word. The child was overawed by the terrible, nameless misery in her friend's face. A minute later the groom returned, followed by the runner who had brought the letter. Who gave you this packet? asked Marguerite. A gentleman, my lady, replied the man, at the Rose and Thistle Inn opposite Sharing Cross, he said you would understand. At the Rose and Thistle? What was he doing? He was waiting for the coach, your ladyship, which he had ordered. The coach? Yes, my lady. A special coach he had ordered. I understood from his man that he was posted straight to Dover. Enough. You may go. She turned to the groom. My coach and the four swiftest horses in the stables to be ready at once. The groom and runner both went quickly off to obey. Marguerite remained standing for a moment on the lawn, quite alone. Her graceful figure was as rigid as a statue. Her eyes were fixed. Her hands were tightly clasped across her breast. Her lips moved as they murmured with pathetic, heartbreaking persistence. What's to be done? What's to be done? Where to find him? Oh, God! Grant me light. But this was not the moment for remorse and despair. She had done, unwittingly, an awful and terrible thing, the very worst crime in her eyes that woman ever committed. She saw it in all its horror. Her very blindness in not having guessed her husband's secret seemed now to her another deadly sin. She ought to have known. She ought to have known. How could she imagine that a man who could love with so much intensity as Percy Blakeney had loved her from the first? How could such a man be the brainless idiot he chose to appear? She at least ought to have known that he was wearing a mask, and having found that out, she ought to have torn it from his face whenever they were alone together. Her love for him had been poultry and weak, easily crushed by her own pride, and she too had worn a mask in assuming a contempt for him whilst, as a matter of fact, she completely misunderstood him. But there was no time now to go over the past. By her own blindness she had sinned. Now she must repay, not by empty remorse, but by prompt and useful action. Percy had started for Calais, utterly unconscious of the fact that his most relentless enemy was on his heels. He had set sail early that morning from London Bridge. Provided he had a favourable wind, he would no doubt be in France within twenty-four hours. No doubt he had reckoned on the wind and chosen this route. Chauvelin, on the other hand, would post a dover, charter a vessel there, and undoubtedly reach Calais much about the same time. Once in Calais, Percy would meet all those who were eagerly waiting for the noble and brave Scarlett Pimpinel, who had come to rescue them from horrible and unmerited death. With Chauvelin's eyes now fixed upon his every movement, Percy would thus not only be endaturing his own life, but that of Suzanne's father, the old Comte Tournée, and of those other fugitives who were waiting for him and trusting in him. There was also Armand, who had gone to meet the Tournée, secure in the knowledge that the Scarlett Pimpinel was watching over his safety. All these lives, and that of her husband, lay in Marguerite's hands. These she must save if human pluck and ingenuity were equal to the task. Unfortunately, she could not do all this quite alone. Once in Calais, she would not know where to find her husband, whilst Chauvelin, in stealing the papers at Dover, had obtained the whole itinerary. Above every thing, she wished to warn Percy. She knew enough about him by now to understand that he would never abandon those who trusted in him, that he would not turn his back from danger and leave the Comte Tournée to fall into the blood-thirsty hands that knew of no mercy. But if he were warned, he might form new plans, be more wary, more prudent. Unconsciously, he might fall into a cunning trap, but once warned, he might yet succeed. And if he failed, if indeed Fate and Chauvelin, with all the resources at his command, proved too strong for the daring plotter after all, then at least she would be there by his side, to comfort, love, and cherish, to cheat death perhaps at the last by making it seem sweet. If they died both together, locks in each other's arms, with the supreme happiness of knowing that passion had responded to passion, and that all misunderstandings were at an end. Her whole body stiffened, as with a great and firm resolution. This, she meant to do, if God gave her wits and strength. Her eyes lost their fixed look. They glowed with inward fire at the thought of meeting him again so soon, in the very midst of most deadly perils. They sparkled with the joy of sharing these dangers with him, of helping him perhaps, of being with him at the last, if she failed. The childlike sweet face had become hard and set. The curved mouth was closed tightly over her clenched teeth. She meant to do or die, with him and for his sake. A frown, which spoke of an iron will and unbending resolution, appeared between the two straight brows. Already her plans were formed. She would go and find Sir Andrew Folk's first. He was Percy's best friend, and Marguerite remembered with a thrill with what blind enthusiasm the young man always spoke of his mysterious leader. He would help her where she needed help. Her coach was ready. A change of raiment and a farewell to little Suzanne, and she would be on her way. Without haste, but without hesitation, she walked quietly into the house. The friend. Less than half an hour later, Marguerite, buried in thoughts, sat inside her coach, which was bearing her swiftly to London. She had taken an affectionate farewell of little Suzanne, and seen the child safely started with her maid and in her own coach back to town. She had sent one courier with a respectful letter of excuse to his royal highness, begging for a postponement of the august visit on account of pressing and urgent business, and another honour head to bespeak a fresh relay of horses at Favisham. Then she had changed her muslin frock for a dark travelling costume and mantle, had provided herself with money, which her husband's lavishness always placed fully at her disposal, and had started on her way. She did not attempt to delude herself with any vain and futile hopes. The safety of her brother Armand was to have been conditional on the imminent capture of the scarlet pimpinel. As Chauvin had sent her back Armand's compromising letter, there was no doubt that he was quite satisfied in his own mind that Percy Blakeney was the man whose death he had sworn to bring about. No. There was no room for any fond illusions. Percy, the husband whom she loved with all the ardour which her admiration for his bravery had kindled, was in immediate, deadly peril through her hand. She had betrayed him to his enemy, unwittingly to his true, but she had betrayed him, and if Chauvin succeeded in trapping him, who so far was unaware of his danger, then his death would be at her door. His death! When with her very heart's blood she would have defended him and given willingly her life for his. She had ordered her coach to drive her to the crown Inn. Once there she told her coachman to give the horses food and rest. Then she ordered a chair and had herself carried to the house in Paul Mall, where Sir Andrew Folks lived. Among all Percy's friends, who were enrolled under his daring banner, she felt that she would prefer to confide in Sir Andrew Folks. He had always been her friend, and now his love for little Suzanne had brought him closer to her still. Had he been away from home, gone on the mad errand with Percy, perhaps, then she would have called on Lord Hastings or Lord Tony, for she wanted the help of one of these young men, or she would indeed be powerless to save her husband. Sir Andrew Folks, however, was at home, and his servant introduced her ladyship immediately. She went upstairs to the young man's comfortable bachelor's chambers, and was shown into a small, though luxuriously furnished, dining-room. A moment or two later Sir Andrew himself appeared. He had evidently been much startled when he heard who his lady-visitor was, for he looked anxiously, even suspiciously, at Marguerite, whilst performing the elaborate bows before her, which the rigid etiquette of the time demanded. Marguerite had laid aside every vestige of nervousness. She was perfectly calm, and having returned the young man's elaborate salute, she began very calmly. Sir Andrew, I have no desire to waste valuable time in much talk. You must take certain things I am going to tell you for granted. These will be of no importance. What is important is that your leader and comrade, the scarlet pimpenel—my husband, Percy Blakeney—is in deadly peril. Had she the remotest doubt of the correctness of her deductions, she would have had them confirmed now, for Sir Andrew, completely taken by surprise, had grown very pale, and was quite incapable of making the slightest attempt at clever parrying. No matter how I know this, Sir Andrew, she continued quietly, thank God that I do, and perhaps it is not too late to save him. Unfortunately, I cannot do this quite alone, and therefore have come to you for help. Lady Blakeney—said the young man, trying to recover himself—I—will you hear me first, she interrupted. This is how the matter stands. When the agent of the French government stole your papers that night in Dover, he found amongst them certain plans which you or your leader meant to carry out for the rescue of the comte d'Ornay and others. The scarlet pimpenel—Percy, my husband—has gone on this errand himself to-day. Chauvelin knows that the scarlet pimpenel and Percy Blakeney are one and of the same person. He will follow him to Calais, and there will lay hands on him. You know as well as I do the fate that awaits him at the hands of the revolutionary government of France. No interference from England, from King George himself, would save him. Robb Spear and his gang would see to it that the interference came too late. But not only that, the much-trusted leader will also have been unconsciously the means of revealing the hiding-place of the comte d'Ornay and of all those who even now are placing their hopes in him. She had spoken quietly, dispassionately, and with firm, unbending resolution. Her purpose was to make that young man trust and help her, for she could do nothing without him. I do not understand, he repeated, trying to gain time, to think what was best to be done. I—but I think you do, Sir Andrew. You must know that I am speaking the truth. Look these fats straight in the face. Percy has sailed for Calais. I presume for some lonely part of the coast, and Chauvelin is on his track. He has posted for Dover, and will cross the channel probably to-night. What do you think will happen?" The young man was silent. Percy will arrive at his destination. Unconscious of being followed, he will seek out the D'Ornay and the others, among these is Armand Saint-Just, my brother. He will seek them out, one after another, probably, not knowing that the sharpest dyes in the world are watching his every movement. When he has thus unconsciously betrayed those who blindly trust in him, when nothing can be gained from him, and he is ready to come back to England, with those whom he has gone so bravely to save, the doors of the trap will close upon him, and he will be sent to end his noble life upon the guillotine. Still, Sir Andrew was silent. You do not trust me, she said passionately. Oh, God! Can you not see that I am in deadly earnest? Man, man!" she added, while with her tiny hands she seized the young man suddenly by the shoulders, forcing him to look straight at her. Tell me, do I look like that vilest thing on earth, a woman who would betray her own husband? God forbid, Lady Blakeney, said the young man at last, that I should attribute such evil motives to you. But—but what? Tell me, quick man, the very seconds are precious! Will you tell me?" he asked, resolutely, and looking searchingly into her blue eyes. Whose hand helped to guide Monsieur Chauvelin to the knowledge which you say he possesses? Mine, she said quietly, I own it, I will not lie to you, for I wish you to trust me absolutely. But I had no idea how could I have of the identity of a scarlet pimpenel, and my brother's safety was to be my prize if I succeeded, in helping Chauvelin to track the scarlet pimpenel. She nodded. It is no use telling you how he forced my hand. Our man does more than a brother to me, and—and how could I guess? But we waste time, Sir Andrew. Every second is precious. In the name of God, my husband is imperil. Your friend, your comrade—help me to save him. Sir Andrew felt his position to be a very awkward one. The oath he had taken before his leader and comrade was one of obedience and secrecy, and yet the beautiful woman who was asking him to trust her was undoubtedly an earnest. His friend and leader was equally undoubtedly in imminent danger, and— Lady Blakeney, he said at last, God knows you have perplexed me so that I do not know which way my duty lies. Tell me what you wish me to do. There are nineteen of us ready to lay down our lives for the scarlet pimpenel if he is in danger. There is no need for lives just now, my friend, she said dryly. My wits and four swift horses will serve the necessary purpose, but I must know where to find him. See! she added, while her eyes filled with tears. I have humbled myself before you. I have owned my fault to you. Shall I also confess my weakness? My husband and I have been estranged, because he did not trust me, and because I was too blind to understand. You must confess that the bandage which he put over my eyes was a very thick one. Is it small wonder that I did not see through it? But last night, after I led him unwittingly into such deadly peril, it suddenly fell from my eyes. If you will not help me, Sir Andrew, I would still strive to save my husband. I would still exert every faculty I possess for his sake. But I might be powerless, for I might arrive too late, and nothing would be left for you but lifelong remorse, and—and for me—a broken heart. But Lady Blakeney, said the young man, touched by the gentle earnestness of this exquisitely beautiful woman, do you know that what you propose doing is man's work? You cannot possibly journey to Calais alone. You would be running the greatest possible risks to yourself, and your chances of finding your husband now, were I to direct you ever so carefully, are infinitely remote. Oh, I hope there are risks, she murmured softly. I hope there are dangers too. I have so much to atone for, but I fear you are mistaken. Chauvelin's eyes are fixed upon you all. He will scarce notice me. Quick, Sir Andrew, the coach is ready, and there is not a moment to be lost. I must get to him. I must—she repeated with almost savage energy—to warn him that that man is on his track. Can't you see? Can't you see that I must get to him, even—even if it be too late to save him, at least—to be by his side, at the least? Faith, madame, you must command me. Gladly would I or any of my comrades lay down our lives for your husband. If you will go yourself—nay, friend, do you not see that I would go mad if I let you go without me? She stretched out her hand to him. You will trust me. I await your orders, he said simply. Listen, then. My coach is ready to take me to Dover. Do you follow me as swiftly as horses will take you? We meet at nightfall at the fisherman's rest. Chauvelin would avoid it, as he is known there, and I think it would be the safest. I will gladly accept your escort to Calais. As you say, I might miss the Percy where you to direct me ever so carefully. We'll charter a schooner at Dover and cross over during the night. Disguised if you will agree to it as my lackey, you will, I think, escape detection. I am entirely at your service, madame. Rejoin the young man earnestly. I trust to God that you will cite the daydream before we reach Calais. With Chauvelin at his heels, every step the scarlet pimpinale takes on French soil is fraught with danger. God grant it, Sir Andrew. But now farewell. We meet tonight at Dover. It will be a race between Chauvelin and me across the channel to-night, and the prize—the life of the scarlet pimpinale. He kissed her hand, and then escorted her to her chair. A quarter of an hour later she was back at the crown inn, where her coach and horses were ready and waiting for her. The next moment they thundered along the London streets, and then straight on to the Dover Road at maddening speed. She had no time for despair now. She was up and doing and had no leisure to think. With Sir Andrew Folks as her companion and ally, hope had once again revived in her heart. God would be merciful. He would not allow so appalling a crime to be committed, as the death of a brave man, through the hand of a woman who loved him and worshipped him, and who would gladly have died for his sake. Marguerite's thoughts flew back to him, the mysterious hero whom she had always unconsciously loved, when his identity was still unknown to her. Laughingly, in the olden days, she used to call him the shadowy king of her heart. And now she had suddenly found that this enigmatic personality whom she had worshipped, and the man who loved her so passionately, were one and the same. What wonder that one or two happier visions began to force their way before her mind? She vaguely wondered what she would say to him when first they would stand face to face. She had had so many anxieties, so much excitement during the past few hours, that she allowed herself the luxury of nursing these few more hopeful, brighter thoughts. Gradually the rumble of the coach-wheels with its incessant monotony acted soothingly on her nerves. Her eyes, aching with fatigue, and many shed and unshed tears, closed involuntarily, and she fell into a troubled sleep. CHAPTER XXI. SUSPENSE It was late into the night when she at last reached the fisherman's rest. She had done the whole journey in less than eight hours, thanks to innumerable changes of horses at the various coaching stations, for which she always paid lavishly, thus obtaining the very best and swiftest that could be had. Her coachman, too, had been indefatigable. The promise of special and rich reward had no doubt helped to keep him up, and he had literally burned the ground beneath his mistress's coach-wheels. The arrival of Lady Blakeney in the middle of the night caused a considerable flutter at the fisherman's rest. Sally jumped hastily out of bed, and Mr. Jelly-Band was at great pains how to make his important guest comfortable. Both of these good folk were far too well drilled in the manners up attaining to innkeepers, to exhibit the slightest surprise at Lady Blakeney's arrival, alone, at this extraordinary hour. No doubt they thought all the more, but Marguerite was far too absorbed in the importance—the deadly earnestness of her journey to stop and ponder over trifles of that sort. The coffee-room, the scene lately of the dastardly outrage on two English gentlemen, was quite deserted. Mr. Jelly-Band hastily relit the lamp, rekindled a cheerful bit of fire in the great half, and then wheeled a comfortable chair by it into which Marguerite gratefully sank. Will your ladyship stay the night? asked Pretty Miss Sally, who was already busy laying a snow-white cloth on the table, preparatory to providing a simple supper for her ladyship. No, not the whole night, replied Marguerite. At any rate, I shall not want any room but this, if I can have it to myself for an hour or two. It is at your ladyship's service, said honest Jelly-Band, whose rubricant face was set in its tightest folds, lest it should betray before the quality that boundless astonishment which the very worthy fellow had begun to feel. I shall be crossing over at the first turn of the tide, said Marguerite, and in the first schooner I can get, but my coachmen and men will stay the night, and probably several days longer, so I hope you will make them comfortable. Yes, my lady. I'll look after them. Shall Sally bring your ladyship some supper? Yes, please. Put something cold on the table, and as soon as Sir Andrew Folks comes, show him in here. Yes, my lady. Honest Jelly-Band's face now expressed distress in spite of himself. He had great regard for Sir Percy Blakeney, and did not like to see his lady running away with young Sir Andrew. Of course, it was no business of his, and Mr. Jelly-Band was no gossip. Still, in his heart, he recollected that her ladyship was, after all, only one of them foreigners, what wonder she was immoral like the rest of them. Don't sit up, honest Jelly-Band, continued Marguerite kindly, nor you either, Mr. Sally, Sir Andrew may be late. Jelly-Band was only too willing that Sally should go to bed. He was beginning not to like these goings on at all. Still, Lady Blakeney would pay handsomely for the accommodation, and it certainly was no business of his. Sally arranged a simple supper of cold meat, wine, and fruit on the table. Then, with a respectful curtsy, she retired, wondering in her little mind why her ladyship looked so serious when she was about to elope with her gallant. Then commenced a period of weary waiting for Marguerite. She knew that Sir Andrew, who would have to provide himself with clothes befitting a lackey, could not possibly reach Dover for at least a couple of hours. He was a splendid horseman, of course, and would make light in such an emergency of the seventy-odd miles between London and Dover. He would, too, literally burn the ground beneath his horse's hooves, but he might not always get very good remounts, and in any case he could not have started from London until at least an hour after she did. She had seen nothing of Chauvelin on the road. Her coachman, whom she questioned, had not seen any one answering the description his mistress gave him of the wizened figure of the little Frenchman. Evidently, therefore, he had been ahead of her all the time. She had not dared to question the people at the various inns where they had stopped to change horses. She feared that Chauvelin had spies all along the route who might overhear her questions, then out-distance her, and warn her enemy of her approach. Now she wondered at what in he might be stopping, or whether he had had the good luck of chartering a vessel already, and was now himself on the way to France. That thought gripped her at the heart, as with an iron vice, if indeed she should not be too late already. The loneliness of the room overwhelmed her. Everything within was so horribly still. The ticking of the grandfather's clock, dreadfully slow and measured, was the only sound which broke this awful loneliness. Marguerite had need of all her energy, all her steadfastness of purpose, to keep up her courage through this weary midnight waiting. Everyone else in the house but herself must have been asleep. She had heard Sally go upstairs. Mr. Jelly-Band had gone to see to her coachman and men, and then had returned and taken up a position under the porch outside, just where Marguerite had first met Chauvelin about a week ago. He evidently meant to wait up for Sir Andrew Folks, but was soon overcome by sweet slumbers, for presently, in addition to the slow ticking of the clock, Marguerite could hear the monotonous and dulcet tones of the worthy fellow's breathing. For some time now she had realized that the beautiful warm October's day, so happily begun, had turned into a rough and cold night. She had felt very chilly, and was glad of the cheerful blaze in the hearth, but gradually, as time wore on, the weather became more rough, and the sound of the great breakers against the admiralty pier, though some distance from the inn, came to her as the noise of muffled thunder. The wind was becoming boisterous, rattling the leaded windows and the massive doors of the old-fashioned house. It shook the trees outside and roared down the vast chimney. Marguerite wondered if the wind would be favorable for her journey. She had no fear of the storm, and would have braved worse risks sooner than delay the crossing by an hour. A sudden commotion outside roused her from her meditations. Evidently it was Sir Andrew Folks, just arrived in mad haste, for she heard his horse's hoofs, thundering on the flagstones outside, then Mr. Jelly-Band's sleepy yet cheerful tones bidding him welcome. For a moment, then, the awkwardness of her position struck Marguerite, alone at this hour, in a place where she was well known, and having made an assignation with a young cavalier equally well known, and who arrived in disguise. What food for gossip to those mischievously inclined? The idea struck Marguerite cheerfully from its humorous side. There was such quaint contrast between the seriousness of her errand, and the construction which would naturally be put on her actions by honest Mr. Jelly-Band, that, for the first time since many hours, a little smile began playing round the corners of her childlike mouth, and when presently Sir Andrew, almost unrecognizable in his lackey-like garb, entered the coffee-room, she was able to greet him with quite a merry laugh.—'Faith, Monsieur, my lackey,' she said, I am satisfied with your appearance. Mr. Jelly-Band had followed Sir Andrew looking strangely perplexed. The young galant's disguise had confirmed his worst suspicions. Without a smile upon his jovial face, he drew the cork from the bottle of wine, set the chairs ready, and prepared to wait. Thanks, honest friend,' said Marguerite, who was still smiling at the thought of what the worthy fellow must be thinking at that very moment, we shall require nothing more, and here's for all the trouble you have been put to on our account. She handed two or three gold pieces to Jelly-Band, who took them respectfully and with becoming gratitude.—'Stay, Lady Blakeney,' interposed Sir Andrew, as Jelly-Band was about to retire, I am afraid we shall require something more of my friend Jelly's hospitality. I am sorry to say we cannot cross over to-night. Not cross over to-night,' she repeated in amazement, but we must, Sir Andrew, we must! There can be no question of cannot, whatever it may cost, we must get a vessel to-night. But the young man shook his head sadly. I am afraid it is not a question of cost, Lady Blakeney. There is a nasty storm blowing from France. The wind is dead against us. We cannot possibly sail until it is changed." Marguerite became deadly pale. She had not foreseen this. Nature herself was playing her a horrible, cruel trick. Percy was in danger, and she could not go to him, because the wind happened to blow from the coast of France. But we must go. We must! she repeated, with strange, persistent energy. You know we must go. Can't you find a way? I have been down to the shore already, he said, and had a talk to one or two skippers. It is quite impossible to set sail to-night. So every sailor assured me. No one—he added, looking significantly at Marguerite—no one could possibly put out of Dover to-night. Marguerite at once understood what he meant. No one included Chauvelin as well as herself. She nodded pleasantly to Jelly-Band. Well, then, I must resign myself, she said to him. Have you a room for me? Oh, yes, your ladyship. A nice, bright, airy room. I'll see to it at once. And there is another one for Sir Andrew, both quite ready. That's brave now, my nonest Jelly, said Sir Andrew gaily, and clapping his worthy host vigorously on the back. You unlock both those rooms and leave our candles here on the dresser. I vow you are dead with sleep, and her ladyship must have some supper before she retires. There, have no fear, friend of the rueful countenance, her ladyship's visit—though at this unusual hour—is a great honour to thy house, and Sir Percy Blakeney will reward thee doubly if thou ceased well to her privacy and comfort. Sir Andrew had no doubt guessed the many conflicting doubts and fears which raged in honest Jelly-Band's head, and as he was a gallant gentleman he dried by this brave hint to allay some of the worthy innkeeper's suspicions. He had the satisfaction of seeing that he had partially succeeded. Jelly-Band's rubricant countenance brightened somewhat at the mention of Sir Percy's name. I'll go and see to it at once, sir," he said, with alacrity, and with less fragility in his manner. Has her ladyship everything she wants for supper? Everything, thanks, honest friend, and as I am famished and dead with fatigue, I pray you see to the rooms. Now tell me," she said eagerly, as soon as Jelly-Band had gone from the room, tell me all your news. There is nothing else much to tell you, Lady Blakeney, replied the young man. The storm makes it quite impossible for any vessel to put out of Dover this tide. But what seems to you at first a terrible calamity is really a blessing in disguise. If we cannot cross over to France to-night, Chauvelin is in the same quandary. He may have left before the storm broke out. God grant he may," said Andrew Merrily, for very likely then he'll be driven out of his course. Who knows? He may now even be lying at the bottom of the sea, for there is a furious storm raging, and it will fare ill with all small craft which happen to be out. But I fear me we cannot build our hopes upon the shipwreck of that cunning devil, and all of his murderous plans. The sailors I spoke to all assured me that no schooner had put out of Dover for several hours. On the other hand, I ascertained that a stranger had arrived by coach this afternoon, and had, like myself, made some inquiries about crossing over to France. Then Chauvelin is still in Dover. Undoubtedly. Shall I go waylay him and run my soul through him? That were indeed the quickest way out of the difficulty. Nay, Sir Andrew, do not jest. Alas! I have often since last night caught myself wishing for that fiend's death. But what you suggest is impossible. The laws of this country do not permit of murder. It is only in our beautiful France that wholesale slaughter is done lawfully, in the name of liberty and of brotherly love. Sir Andrew had persuaded her to sit down to the table, to partake of some supper and to drink a little wine. This enforced rest of at least twelve hours until the next tide, was sure to be terribly difficult to bear in the state of intense excitement in which she was. Obedient in these small matters like a child, Marguerite tried to eat and drink. Sir Andrew, with that profound sympathy born in all those who are in love, made her almost happy by talking to her about her husband. He recounted to her some of the daring escapes the brave Scarlett Pimpernell had contrived for the poor French fugitives, whom a relentless and bloody revolution was driving out of their country. He made her eyes glow with enthusiasm by telling her of his bravery, his ingenuity, his resourcefulness when it meant snatching the lives of men, women and even children from beneath the very edge of that murderous, ever-ready guillotine. He even made her smile quite merrily by telling her of the Scarlett Pimpernell's quaint and many disguises through which he had baffled the strictest watch set against him at the barricades of Paris. This last time, the escape of the comte de cette urnée and her children, had been a veritable masterpiece. Blakeney disguised as a hideous old market-woman in filthy cap and straggling grey locks was a sight fit to make the gods laugh. Marguerite laughed heartily as Sir Andrew tried to describe Blakeney's appearance, whose gravest difficulty always consisted in its great height, which in France made disguise doubly difficult. Thus an hour wore on. There were many more to spend in enforced inactivity in Dover. Marguerite rose from the table with an impatient sigh. She looked forward with dread to the night in the bed upstairs, with terribly anxious thoughts to keep her company, and the howling of the storm to help chase sleep away. She wondered where Percy was now. The daydream was a strong, well-built, sea-going yacht. Sir Andrew had expressed the opinion that no doubt she had gotten the lee of the wind before the storm broke out, or else perhaps had not ventured into the open at all, but was lying quietly at Gravesend. Briggs was an expert skipper, and Sir Percy handled a schooner as well as any master mariner. There was no danger for them from the storm. It was long past midnight when at last Marguerite retired to rest. As she had feared, sleep sedulously avoided her eyes. Her thoughts were of the blackest during these long, weary hours, whilst that incessant storm raged which was keeping her away from Percy. The sound of the distant breakers made her heart ache with melancholy. She was in the mood when the sea has a saddening effect upon the nerves. It is only when we are very happy that we can bear to gaze merrily upon the vast and limitless expanse of water, rolling on and on with such persistent, irritating monotony to the accompaniment of our thoughts, whether grave or gay. When they are gay, the waves echo their gaiety, but when they are sad, then every breaker, as it rolls, seems to bring additional sadness, and to speak to us of hopelessness and of the pettiness of all our joys. THE SCARLET PIMPONEL by Baroness Orsey CHAPTER XXII CALLAY The weariest nights, the longest days, sooner or later must perforce come to an end. Marguerite had spent over fifteen hours in such acute mental torture, as well nigh drove her crazy. After a sleepless night, she rose early, wild with excitement, dying to start on her journey, terrified lest further obstacles lay in her way. She rose before anyone else in the house was a stir, so frightened was she, lest she should miss the one golden opportunity of making a start. When she came downstairs, she found Sir Andrew Folks sitting in the coffee-room. He had been out half an hour earlier, and had gone to the Admiralty Pier, only to find that neither the French packet nor any privately charted vessel could put out of Dover yet. The storm was then at its fullest, and the tide was on the turn. If the wind did not abate or change, they would perforce have to wait another ten or twelve hours until the next tide, before a start could be made. And the storm had not abated, the wind had not changed, and the tide was rapidly drawing out. Marguerite felt the sickness of despair when she heard this melancholy news. Only the most firm resolution kept her from totally breaking down and thus adding to the young man's anxiety, which evidently had become very keen. Though he tried to hide it, Marguerite could see that Sir Andrew was just as anxious as she was to reach his comrade and friend. This enforced inactivity was terrible to them both. How they spent that wearisome day at Dover, Marguerite could never afterwards say. She was in terror of showing herself, lest Chauvelin's spies happen to be about. So she had a private sitting-room, and she and Sir Andrew sat there hour after hour, trying to take, at long intervals, some perfunctory meals, which little Sally would bring them, with nothing to do but think, to conjecture, and occasionally to hope. The storm had abated just too late. The tide was by then too far out to allow a vessel to put off to sea. The wind had changed and was settling down to a comfortable northwesterly breeze, veritable godsend for a speedy passage across the France. And there those two waited, wondering if the hour would ever come when they could finally make a start. There had been one happy interval in this long, weary day, and that was when Sir Andrew went down once again to the pier, and presently came back to tell Marguerite that he had charted a quick schooner, whose skipper was ready to put to sea the moment the tide was favourable. From that moment the hours seemed less wearisome. There was less hopelessness in the waiting, and at last, at five o'clock in the afternoon, Marguerite, closely veiled and followed by Sir Andrew Folks, who, in the guise of her lackey, was carrying a number of impedimenta, found her way down to the pier. Once on board the keen fresh sea-air revived her. The breeze was just strong enough to nicely swell the sails of the foam-crest as she cut her way merrily towards the open. The sunset was glorious after the storm, and Marguerite, as she watched the white cliffs of Dover gradually disappearing from view, felt more at peace, and once more almost hopeful. Sir Andrew was full of kind attentions, and she felt how lucky she had been to have him by her side in this her great trouble. Naturally the grey coast of France began to emerge from the fast-gathering evening mists. One or two lights could be seen flickering, and the spires of several churches to rise out of the surrounding haze. Half an hour later Marguerite had landed upon French shore. She was back in that country where, at this very moment, men slaughtered their fellow-creatures by the hundreds, and sent innocent women and children in thousands to the block. The very aspect of the country and its people, even in this remote sea-coast town, spoke of that seething revolution, three hundred miles away in beautiful Paris, now rendered hideous by the constant flow of the blood of her noblest sons by the wailing of the widows and the cries of fatherless children. The men all wore red caps in various stages of cleanliness, but all with the tricolor cockade pinned on the left side. Marguerite noticed with a shudder that, instead of the laughing merry countenance habitual to her own countrymen, their faces now invariably wore a look of sly distrust. Every man nowadays was a spy upon his fellows. The most innocent word, uttered in jest, might at any time be brought up as a proof of aristocratic tendencies, or of treachery against the people. Even the women went about with a curious look of fear and of hate lurking in their brown eyes, and all watched Marguerite as she stepped on shore, followed by Sir Andrew, and murmured as she passed along, Sacres Aristons, or else, Sacres Anglais. Otherwise their presence excited no further comment. Calais, even in those days, was in constant business communication with England, and English merchants were often seen on this coast. It was well known that in view of the heavy duties in England, a vast deal of French wines and brandies were smuggled across. This pleased the French bourgeois immensely. He liked to see the English government and the English king, both of whom he hated, cheated out of their revenues. And an English smuggler was always a welcome guest at the tumble-down taverns of Calais and Boulogne. So perhaps, as Sir Andrew gradually directed Marguerite through the tortuous streets of Calais, many of the population, who turned with an oath to look at the strangers clad in English fashion, thought that they were bent on purchasing dutiable articles for their own fog-ridden country, and gave them no more than a passing thought. Marguerite, however, wondered how her husband's tall, massive figure could have passed through Calais unobserved. She marvelled what disguise he assumed to do his noble work, without exciting too much attention. Without exchanging more than a few words, Sir Andrew was leading her right across the town, to the other side from that where they had landed, and the way towards Cap Griné. The streets were narrow, tortuous, and mostly evil-smelling, with a mixture of stale fish and damp cellar odours. There had been heavy rain here during the storm last night, and sometimes Marguerite sank ankle-deep in the mud, for the roads were not lighted safe by the occasional glimmer from a lamp inside a house. But she did not heed any of these petty discomforts. We may meet Blake near the Chagri, Sir Andrew had said, when they landed, and she was walking as if on a carpet of rose-leaves, for she was going to meet him almost at once. At last they reached their destination. Sir Andrew evidently knew the road, for he had walked unerringly in the dark, and had not asked his way from any one. It was too dark then for Marguerite to notice the outside aspect of this house. The Chagri, as Sir Andrew had called it, was evidently a small wayside inn on the outskirts of Calais, and on the way to Griné. It lay some little distance from the coast, for the sound of the sea seemed to come from afar. Sir Andrew knocked at the door with the knob of his cane, and from within Marguerite heard a sort of grunt, and the muttering of a number of oaths. Sir Andrew knocked again, this time more peremptrally. More oaths were heard, and then shuffling steps seemed to draw near the door. Presently this was thrown open, and Marguerite found herself on the threshold of the most dilapidated, most squalid room she had ever seen in all her life. The paper, such as it was, was hanging from the walls and strips. There did not seem to be a single piece of furniture in the room that could by the wildest stretive imagination be called whole. Most of the chairs had broken backs, others had no seats to them, one corner of the table was propped up with a bundle of faggots there where the fourth leg had been broken. In one corner of the room there was a huge hearth over which hung a stock-pot, where they not altogether unpalatable, odor of hot soup emanating therefrom. On one side of the room, high up in the wall, there was a species of loft before which hung a tattered blue-and-white-checked curtain. A rickety set of steps led up to this loft. On the great bare walls with their colourless paper, all stained with varied filth, there were chalked up at intervals in great bold characters, the words Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité. The whole of this sordid abode was dimly lighted by an evil-smelling oil-lamp which hung from the rickety rafters of the ceiling. It all looked so horribly squalid, so dirty and uninviting, that Marguerite hardly dared to cross the threshold. Sir Andrew, however, had stepped unhesitatingly forward. English traveller Citoyan, he said, boldly, and speaking in French. The individual who had come to the door, in response to Sir Andrew's knock, and who, presumably, was the owner of this squalid abode, was an elderly, heavily built peasant, dressed in a dirty blue blouse, heavy sabote, from which wisps of straw protruded all round, shabby blue trousers, and the inevitable red cap with a tricolour cockade, that proclaimed his momentary political views. He carried a short wooden pipe, from which the odor of rank tobacco emanated. He looked with some suspicion, and a great deal of contempt at the two travellers muttering, Sacres anglais, and spat upon the ground to further show his independence of spirit, but nevertheless he stood aside to let them enter, no doubt well aware that these same Sacres anglais always had well-filled purses. Oh, Ludd! said Margarita, she advanced into the room, holding her handkerchief to her dainty nose. What a dreadful hole! Are you sure this is the place? I, tis the place, sure enough, replied the young man, as, with his lace-edged, fashionable handkerchief, he dusted a chair for Margarita to sit on. But I vow I never saw a more villainous hole. Faith, she said, looking round with some curiosity and a great deal of horror, at the dilapidated walls, the broken chairs, the rickety table—it certainly does not look inviting. The landlord of the Chagri, by name Brogar, had taken no further notice of his guests. He concluded that presently they would order supper, and in the meanwhile it was not for a free citizen to show deference, or even courtesy, to any one, however smartly they might be dressed. By the hearth sat a huddled-up figure clad, seemingly mostly in rags. That figure was apparently a woman, although even that would have been hard to distinguish except for the cap, which had once been white, and for what looked like the semblance of a petticoat. She was sitting mumbling to herself, and from time to time, stirring the brew in her stockpot. Hey, my friend! said Sir Andrew at last, we should like some supper. The citoyenne here, he added, is concocting some delicious soup, I'll warrant, and my mistress has not tasted food for several hours. It took Brogar some few minutes to consider the question. A free citizen does not respond too readily to the wishes of those who happen to require something of him. Sacrés-Aristo! he murmured, and once more spat upon the ground. Then he went very slowly up to a dresser which stood in a corner of the room. From this he took an old pewter soup-tureen, and slowly, and without a word, he handed it to his better half, who, in the same silence, began filling the tureen with the soup out of her stockpot. Marguerite had watched all these preparations with absolute horror. Were it not for the earnestness of her purpose, she would incontinently have fled from this abode of dirt and evil smells. Faith, our host and hostess are not cheerful people, said Sir Andrew, seeing the look of horror on Marguerite's face. I would I could offer you a more hearty and more advertising meal. But I think you will find the soup eatable, and the wine good. These people wallow in dirt, but live well as a rule. Nay, I pray you, Sir Andrew," she said gently, be not anxious about me. My mind is scarce inclined to dwell on thoughts of supper. Brogar was slowly pursuing his gruesome preparations. He had placed a couple of spoons, also two glasses, on the table, both of which Sir Andrew took the precaution of wiping carefully. Brogar had also produced a bottle of wine and some bread, and Marguerite made an effort to draw her chair to the table, and to make some pretence at eating. Sir Andrew, as befitting his role of lackey, stood behind her chair. Nay, madam, I pray you," he said, seeing that Marguerite seemed quite unable to eat. I beg of you to try and swallow some food. Remember, you have need of all your strength. The soup certainly was not bad. It smelt and tasted good. Marguerite might have enjoyed it, but for the horrible surroundings. She broke the bread, however, and drank some of the wine. Nay, Sir Andrew, she said, I do not like to see you standing. You have need of food just as much as I have. This creature will only think that I am an eccentric Englishwoman eloping with her lackey, if you'll sit down in partake of this semblance of supper beside me. Indeed, Brogar, having placed what was strictly necessary upon the table, seemed not to trouble himself any further about his guests. The maire Brogar had quietly shuffled out of the room, and the man stood and lounged about, smoking his evil-smelling pipe, sometimes under Marguerite's very nose, as any free-born citizen who was anybody's equal should do. Confound the brute, said Sir Andrew with native British wrath, as Brogar lent up against the table, smoking and looking down superciliously at these two sagres anglais. In heaven's name, man, admonished Marguerite hurriedly, seeing that Sir Andrew, with British-born instinct, was ominously clenching his fist. Remember that you are in France, and that in this year of grace this is the temper of the people. I'd like to scrag the brute," muttered Sir Andrew savagely. He had taken Marguerite's advice and sat next to her at table, and they were both making noble efforts to deceive one another by pretending to eat and drink. I pray you," said Marguerite, keep the creature in a good temper, so that he may answer the questions we must put to him. I'll do my best, but big gad, I'd soon have scrag him than question him. Hey, my friend! he said pleasantly in French, and tapping Brogar lightly on the shoulder. Do you see many of our quality along these parts? Many English travellers, I mean. Brogar looked round at him, over his near shoulder, puffed away at his pipe for a moment or two, as he was in no hurry, then muttered, uh, sometimes. Ah! said Sir Andrew carelessly. English travellers always know where they can get good wine, eh, my friend? Now tell me, my lady was desiring to know if by any chance you happen to have seen a great friend of hers, an English gentleman, who often comes to Calais on business. He is tall, and recently was on his way to Paris. My lady hoped to have met him in Calais. Marguerite tried not to look at Brogar, lest she should betray before him the burning anxiety with which she waited for his reply. But a free-born French citizen is never in any hurry to answer questions. Brogar took his time. Then he said very slowly, Tall Englishman? Today? Yes. Yes. Today, muttered Brogar sullenly. Then he quietly took Sir Andrew's hat from a chair close by, put it on his own head, tugged at his dirty blouse, and generally tried to express in pantomime that the individual in question wore very fine clothes. Sacré-aristo! He muttered that tall Englishman. Marguerite could scarce repress a scream. It's Sir Percy right enough, she murmured, and not even in disguise. She smiled in the midst of all her anxiety, and through her gathering tears at the thought of the ruling passion strong in death, of Percy running into the wildest, maddest dangers, with the latest cut coat upon his back, and the laces of his jabot unruffled. Oh, the foolhardiness of it! she sighed. Quick, Sir Andrew! Ask the man when he went. Ah, yes, my friend, said Sir Andrew, addressing Brogar with the same assumption of carelessness. My lord always wears beautiful clothes. The tall Englishman you saw was certainly my lady's friend. And he has gone, you say. He went. Yes. But he's coming back. Here. He ordered supper. Sir Andrew put his hand with a quick gesture of warning upon Marguerite's arm. It came none too soon. For the next moment her wild, mad joy would have betrayed her. He was safe and well. Was coming back here presently. She would see him in a few moments, perhaps. Oh, the wildness of her joy seemed almost more than she could bear. Here, she said to Brogar, who seemed suddenly to have been transformed in her eyes into some heaven-born messenger of bliss. Here, did you say the English gentleman was coming back here? The heaven-born messenger of bliss spat upon the floor to express his contempt for all and sundry arrestor who chose to haunt the chagri. Uh! he muttered. He ordered supper. He will come back. Sacré anglais! he added, by way of protest against all this fuss for a mere Englishman. But where is he now? Do you know, she asked eagerly, placing her dainty white hand upon the dirty sleeve of his blue blouse. He went to get a horse and cart, said Brogar leconically, as with a surly gesture he shook off from his arm that pretty hand which princes had been proud to kiss. At what time did he go? But Brogar had evidently had enough of these questionings. He did not think that it was fitting for a citizen, who was the equal of anybody, to be thus catechised by these sacrés arrestor, even though they were rich English ones. It was distinctly more fitting to his newborn dignity to be as rude as possible. It was a sure sign of civility to meekly reply to civil questions. I don't know, he said, surly. I have said enough. Voyons les arrestos. He came to-day. He ordered supper. He went out. He'll come back. Voilà. And with this parting assertion of his rights as a citizen, and a free man, to be as rude as he well pleased, Brogar shuffled out of the room, banging the door after him.