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"I applaud the wisdom of your resolve Cit Cecile. The world, as I have said, is censorious." She looked at him a second, then she laughed, but it was laughter of the lips only; the eyes looked steely as daggers and as capable of mischief. "Adieu, Citizen La Boulaye," she murmured mockingly. "Au revoir, Citoyenne Deshaix," he replied urbanely.
My followers will account me more than generous and themselves more than satisfied. As for me, La Boulaye by St. Guillotine, I am tempted to emigrate also and set up as an aristocrat myself in Prussia or England, for in that little box there is something more than a fortune. I asked you to-day whether you were minded to lay information against me in Paris.
"I am here, Monsieur" she answered, as without more ado, and heedless of her mother's fresh remarks, she stepped from the carriage. La Boulaye proffered his wrist to assist her to alight, then reclosed the door, and led her slowly towards the stable. "Where are the soldiers?" she whispered. "Every soul in the inn is asleep," he answered.
His insistent and impatient questions elicited the information that probably Verennes would be found at Fevrier's. And so to Fevrier's famous restaurant in the old Palais Royal went La Boulaye, and there he had the good fortune to find not only Billaud Varennes, but also the Deputy Carnot. Nor did fortune end her favours there.
In an instant Garin had leapt to the ground and with the others crowding about him, their bridles over their arms and their horses in a bunch behind them, he was bending under the dripping hedge to examine the body that lay supine in the sodden road. A vigorous oath escaped him when he assured himself that it was indeed La Boulaye. "Is he dead?" cried the men in chorus.
Diable! Have not I ridden in the rain these six hours past?" La Boulaye paid no heed to him; he was too inured to this sort of insolence since the new rule had levelled all men. But Charlot turned slowly to regard the fellow.
He discussed the matter with La Boulaye, and it was now that Caron had occasion to congratulate himself upon his wisdom in having elected to remain behind. The Captain proposed to recall the fifty men that were watching the roads from France, and to spread them along the River Sambre, as far as Liege, to seek information of the way taken by the fugitives.
Now for all that he believed himself to have become above emotions where Mademoiselle de Bellecour was concerned, he felt his pulses quicken at the very thought that this might be she at last. "What manner of woman, Brutus?" he asked. "A pretty woman, Citizen," answered Brutus, with a grin. "It is the Citoyenne Deshaix." La Boulaye made an impatient gesture.
"We will follow presently M. la Boulaye and I Charlot," Duhamel had said, as the sturdy bridegroom was departing. "We shall be there to shake Madame by the hand and wish her joy of you." When at last they were alone in the schoolmaster's room, the old man turned to La Boulaye, the very embodiment of a note of interrogation. The secretary told him all that had passed.
Charlot Tardivet the bridegroom of Bellecour and Captain Charlot of Dumouriez' army are different men-very different." He strode back to the table, filled his goblet, and gulped down the wine. Then he crossed to the fire and stood with his back to La Boulaye for a spell. When next he faced his companion all signs of emotion had cleared from his countenance.
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