The Crossing

of the Sieu

me to the exclusion of all others, so strongly is vanity ingrained in us. After all, what did it matter what she thought,-Madame la Vicomtesse d'Ivr

soft voices came from the galleries. Despite the Terror, despite the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, despite the Rights of Man and the wars and suffering arising therefrom, despite the scourge which might come to-m

sky. There was the lodge, with its iron gates shut, and the wall which Nick had threatened to climb. As I passed the great square of the new barracks, a sereno (so the night watchmen were called) was crying the hour. I came to the rambling market-stalls, casting black shadows on the river road,-empty now, to be filled in the morning

OLI

a-ro-line, Qui

n, dé, tois, C

i-é ma chére? M

to m'ou-lé, c'e

é ca - a c'est to m'o

de Carondelet. Even as I sat on the bench in the shadow of the willows, watching the sentry who paced before the arched entrance, I caught sight of a man stealing along the banque

distinct. And yet I could have taken oath that the square, diminutive figure, with the head set forward on

se, passed the sentry, and stood for an instant on the edge of the shadow. One wore a long Spanish cloak, and the other a uniform that

ich borders the Place d'Armes, and then crossed to Toulouse again by Chartres. The three were nowhere to be seen. I paused on the corner for t

d prepared some concoction which she poured out of a bottle, and which I took with the docility of a child. Monsieur Vigo had called, and t

esse d'Ivry-le-Tour if he will come to Monsieur

ortured me as I tossed in the heat. Had the man been Gignoux? If so, he was in league with Carondelet's police. I believed him fully capable of this. And if he knew Nick's whereabouts and St. Gré's, they would both

ruly (I thought with remorse) she

he glass of my window. Glancing at my watch,-which I had bought in Philadelphia,-I saw that the hands pointed to half after seven. I had scarcely finished m

nsieur," she said,

ere it was, with its solid green gates between the lions, its yellow walls with the fringe of peeping magnolias and oranges, with its green-latticed gallery from which Monsieur Auguste had let himself down after stealing the miniature. I knocked at the wicket, the same gardienne answered the call, smiled, led me through the

" I asked, as I

wered, a smile tempering the gravity of her f

I answered, my voice betrayi

sse shrugged her

he would have a strong desire to go away again. This is undoubtedly what has happened. In any event, I

le Antoinet

last night I questioned Antoinette, and I discovered that by a

s he?" I

the hedge of the garden at Les ?les at eleven o'clo

is to

hy I sent for you, Monsieur." She glanced at m

smiled, the affair was

ur de St. G

icomtesse, who had better use for her words than to waste them at such a time, left me, went to the balcony,

ith Antoinette and me to Le

" I an

ess that made her smile. Th

," she said. "You did not ob

t?" I asked, with a t

ois told my messenge

s si

iefly. "Come, there are some things which I w

hearted girl whom we had heard singing "Ma luron" in the garden, but a woman now with a strange beauty that astonished me. Hers was the dignity that comes from unselfish service, the calm that is far from resignation, though the black veil caught up on her chapeau de paille gave her the air of a Sister of Mercy. Antoinette had inherited the energies as well as the featu

ed, relieved the situation. She kn

e start. I was about to tell you, Mr. Ritchie," she continued, turning to me, "that Auguste has given no hint i

I have no reason to th

sse, firmly, "I was merely going to suggest the p

d, with a force that revealed

said, flashing a glance upon us. "

er hand upon

r us to be prepared against any surprise. Remember that I do not

it is not like him," exclaim

like him, Mademo

rom behind the girl, ga

n to defend himself against the imputation that he was to make use of this money in any way. I wish you to realize, Antoinette, before you de

r see him again. He may be ill, he may be starving-and I know that he is in trouble

well to start," sa

en the four of us were picking our way down the Rue Chartres at an easy amble. Turning to the right beyond the cool garden of the Ursulines, past the yellow barracks, we came to the river front beside the fortifications. A score of negroes were sweating there in the sun, swinging into position the long logs for the palisades, nearly completed. They were like those of Kaskask

way. Behind him was a diminutive five-sided brick fort with a dozen little cannon on top o

your passport," murmure

d by De Lemos, and duly countersigned by the off

uch as I had never known, to make me forget the presence of the women at my side, the very errand on which we rode. From time to time I was roused into admiration of the horsemanship of Madame la Vicomtesse, for the restive Texas pony which she rode was stung to madness by the flies. As for Antoinette, she glanced neither right nor left through her veil, but rode unmindful of the way, heedless of heat and discomfort, erect, motionless save for the

ght have saved her this." She looked up at

s him," I

Vicomtes

, sacrificed her happiness for them both. If I see him, I believe I shall shake him. And if he doesn't fall down on his knees to her, I shall ask the Baron to hang him. We must bring him to his senses, Mr. Ritchi

onfidence you repose in

f for the quaint awkwardness in my speech that amused h

may thank God for it. How sweet the shrubs are! Your chief business in life seem

y turn t

I exclaimed. "My services

around at night," she

the doorway. She was very pale, but her lips were set with excitement and her eyes shone strangely. She wa

we are wasting time,

been complimentary to Auguste, the Vicomtesse

ou, mignonne," sh

ette, appealingly. "He may n

, dryly, with a glance at me. "You shall not go a

th Mrs. Temple. There was no sound save the languid morning notes of the birds and the humming of the bees among the flowers as Antoinette went tremblingly down the path and paused, liste

ame la Vicomtesse, beckoning me, passed quickly through the gap in the hedge and went towards them. I followed with André. Auguste rose with an oath, and the

merica!" he cried in F

m here." He would have come towards her, but t

le Vicomte-H

istening tensely

ting for his King, I hope,

efugee," he said with a bow and

ur de St. G

back, for he had not perceived me. He recov

extraordinary interest in m

detriment of other persons

family matter," said Augus

ncerned, Monsieur," I answered,

often the best weapon of an adventurer. He turned from me di

lone with Antoi

" said the

it," sai

onsieur Auguste de St. Gré," she continued with quiet contempt. "It is not for love of Antoinette that you have sought this meeting. It is because

lèn

en, and was standing behind Auguste. She

o get to France. Perhaps we could borrow more until

e ado she took the bag from Antoinette's unresisting hands and

until the negotiations are f

uste, beside himself. "Th

ful, sir

toinette, putting h

them?" he demand

e whose sorrow has put her beyond it. Her speech had a dignity and force which might

give your brother, who is starving and in peril of his life, eight

, Auguste," said

ction. This man"-pointing at me-"is a Federalist, and M

r de Carondelet, Auguste. Do you believe for a moment that, in your father's absence, I would have allowed Antoinette

d his friends have already brought

omtesse made a swift gesture, and I stopped, I know not why. She gave an exclamation so sharp that he flinched physically, a

e whom you would not sell without compunction for your pleasure. There are things that a woman should not mention, and yet I would tell them without shame to your face

swift transitions which thrilled me had gone to the sobbing Antoinette and taken her in her arms, murmuring endearments of which our language is not capable. I,

ere I might expect shelter and

rom Hélène with a cry, but he t

ht. I appeal to you, Mr. Ritchie,"-he was still talking in French-"I appeal to you, who are a man of affairs,"-and he swept me a bow,-"if a captain would risk taking a fugitive to

nor myself who answered him. We turned by common impulse to Antoinette, and she wa

she cried, "you kn

is shoulder

take from the poor to help you-until you defamed a good man. You cannot make me believe," she cried, unheeding the colo

of thinking that he means

of which I had not thought her capable. She was indeed a superb creature then, a personag

all go to the Ursulines, and I thank God I shall never see you again. I thank God I shall no longer be your sister. Give Monsie

it mechanically. Then Madame La Vicomtesse motioned to André to leave, and gave me a glance, and it was part of the deep understanding of her I had tha

that a ship is lying at the English Turn some five lea

vilish retort on his lips which he

nd livres Monsieur; it w

on of what you aske

s intimate position in my family?"

in hand. You are in no situation to demand terms; you must take or leave what is offered

started p

," he cried. Strangely enough,

ron de Carondelet are no doubt known to you, and you are aware that your family or your friends cannot save you if you are arrested. You may have thi

and added the taunt, "and well versed

de St. Gré ac

hands with a gest

itive, an outcast. And I should like

at it was the first. His sudden docility made me s

are complete. When I leave you I step into

lied. "And

ght. He had not the astuteness to be a rogue; oddly, he

marque's," he an

tioningly at t

de St. Gré's," said she; "he has a house

ill save money by keeping Mr. Temple in Louisiana instead of gi

on this, for it was a

cern of yours," said

ged his

re are no further conscientious scruple

pirogue," I answered, "when

o," said Madame

ility, Madame," said the S

ay, Monsieu

n path with a grand air. I looked at the Vicomtess

que's." And then she whispered, "

e and there to avoid a fallen tree or a sink-hole where the water still remained. At length we came out in the glare of the sun and crossed the dusty

ieur is satis

opened it as if to assure himself that he was not tricked at the last. At the sight of the

in France, I shall assure him that Madame is in good hands

and all. But Madame la Vicomtesse made him a co

y good of yo

led rage, "I am in no condition to repay your kindnesses. But I have no

the eyes of the Vicomtesse upon me, I dared not look at

ouse." With that he leaped into his boat, seized the paddle, and laughed as he headed into the current. How long I sto

asant person