The Light That Lures
facing each other, one doing all the
quarreling with a market woman over some petty transaction regarding vegetables. I assure you, Monsieur de Lafayette, I never used such coarse language t
rsonal affairs in Virginia, and ended with the account of
the narrative, now he rose slowly, and, cr
protestations, you are not pleased to s
thought often; there is exactly that courage and daring in you which I then perceived would one day assert themselves. Richard Barrington has grown into just the kind of man I expected, and on that account I am delighted
e much altered when I hear him
nd gently pushed Ri
the end may be. On every side of us are enemies, but we are our own worse foes. We are split into factions, fighting and disputing with one another; the very worst o
y my sword
ment I am likely to be seized by some of the very men who have been my supporters, some trumped up ch
diate danger?" a
with the army. I came secretly, having affairs to settle in case of the worst happening. I may find it necessary to c
, that I would do a
f. By bringing mademoiselle here you have not brought her into a p
d my
ething. Now set your fertile brain to work, Richard
Brusl
e entered. She had washed the stains from her face, and changed
o you," said the Marquis. "I have been explaining to Monsieur Barrington that this
been without news at
lle, that you dislike me. You would call me a renegade from my order. It is true. I had dreams
said Jeanne, quietly. "Had I had my own way I should not have fled from Paris. We
k are powerless. Be advised. Let me, with the help of my friend here, do my best to get you safely back to Beauvais. After last night's adventure, you wi
ton informed you of my pu
ha
our advice, which I know is honestly given. I thank you for having me here, even for so short a time
frie
eur No
Conciergerie some
e Lentvil
e. "She was caught in her endeavor
aid Jeanne, but not
Seine remembered that he once called them idlers, accused them of
killed
own house. There i
ded from Jeanne's face, and the tears came into h
mte de Morlieux,"
ese windows bearing him to the Temple. He is accused, I believe, of assisting the King's flight
ge, wondering if it were necessary for Monsieur le Marquis to give her such precise i
recollect, then, that I have done something for the poor. I never
d works so easily," Lafayette answered. "Belie
oman already; if necessary, I can sink to a lower level. Of my own will I sh
mademoiselle. I have
d Barrington, quickl
t any rate, it
is not a prison
at any moment,
eceived?" Barri
as in the Conciergerie, but he speedily convinced the authorities that a
rington, who met her
," he said quietly, answeri
broken by the heavy opening
h him, mademoiselle, so we will leave you for a little while. I can only hope that his
sudden conviction came to her that she had at least one friend in Paris, who was able and willing to help her. She was encourag
auline had not been with him to hear it. She was such a jealous little termagant. He e
ann
me, Lucien.
moment he had no thought for Pauline. Yet he felt there was something
ourney. Last night, strangely enough, I heard of y
f me! At the
at I heard. It was a strange place
red. "It is not so very long since I left Pari
touched the tri-color which he wore. "You a
ety lay in appearing to be a good patriot, and grew serious as he told her with lowered voice that, und
did not send for you. Do you imagine I would
or me if you were in da
e was from the first very fearful for my safety, and to ease his mind I showed him the trinket and told him of
me into his possession? I t
they came while I was yet in bed. I had to dress with tw
uzet fo
ruly, Jeanne, you seem as hard to convince as if you were really a market wom
ze of deceit that full belief is difficult," s
friendship with me, so well do I play the part of patriot
knowledge of you is intimate
story, Jeanne. I ma
ure at the Lion d'Or and her rescue by Barrington. It was simply told, yet dramatically, and Lucien's face
ed teeth, it was the only thought in his mind at t
ased her. This was
heard of me last
e high road, and the star stolen; that no message could possibly have reached you at
eded," she
ut delay, Jeanne. These scoundrels
te has advised me to
eguard, but his day is over. He clings too persistently to a rock which the rising t
ust
ien started. He was inclined to resent such
loquence in the word as
ich has made this meeting
ned. "One gets skeptical in these days, and I have your safety to thin
them com
and Barrin
u were in Paris, monsieur,"
rget he has seen me. Under the circumstances it seemed
bt. You may certainly co
m fearful of delay. Doubtless you agree with me, Monsieur Bruslar
d for Beauvais. He is dead, poor fellow, but he has unwillingly played into the hands of others. For some days at least I believe it would be most dangerous for mademoise
suspicion how mademoiselle was rescued, and it is hardly possible there should not be, my house i
ucien answered. "She will be safe at my lod
u sure
you think I would run the r
own, Monsieur Bruslart, and we know that
other plan?" B
out of Paris at once
t your disposal, monsi
d help, but for all you have done for this lady. Jeanne, wh
hands, Lucie
house, I believe, Monsieur de Lafayette. We will go that
the way," answe
but I may be only too glad to do so presently. Naturally you will be anxious to kno
be mine," Barr
ll you show us th
oor, and Jeanne crossed
she said. "For what I did at Bea
mademoiselle. Please believe
ough which she had passed. A tangle of thoughts was in his brain,
gton. It was the loose end in the
She is the w
s the villainy
aid his han
be that he is not the
woman, and
to send a trusted servant with you to find you a secure lodging. This house is no sa