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They parted on the very best of terms did these two the aristocrat and the Revolutionary actuated by a mutual esteem tempered in each case with gratitude. When at last Des Cadoux had taken a sympathetic leave of Ombreval and departed, Caron ordered the Vicomte to be brought before him again, and at the same time bade his men make ready for the road.
She answered him with renewed insistence, and unexpectedly she received an ally in M. des Cadoux an elderly gentleman who had been observing the flogging with disapproval, and who had followed her into the courtyard. "He is too brave a man to die like this, Bellecour," put in the newcomer. "I doubt if he can survive the punishment he has already received.
The first of these was he whose gentle voice La Boulaye had recognised old M. des Cadoux, the friend of the Marquis de Bellecour. His companion, to the Deputy's vast surprise, was none other than the bearded courier who had that morning delivered him at Boisvert the letter from Robespierre. What did these two together, and upon such manifest terms of equality?
"Garin," he commanded briefly, "remove the Citizen Ombreval." When he had been obeyed, and Garin had conducted the Vicomte from the room, La Boulaye turned again to Des Cadoux. They were alone, saving the two soldiers guarding the door. The old man rose, and making the sign of the cross, he stepped forward, calm and intrepid of bearing.
It is addressed to Mademoiselle de Bellecour, at Treves, and encloses Ombreval's farewell epistle to that lady." "But, gladly, Monsieur," exclaimed Des Cadoux. And then, as if to cover his sudden access of emotion, of which he was most heartily ashamed, he fumbled for his snuff-box, and, having found it, he took an enormous pinch.
Yet I would ask you, in the name of courage, to give him the slender chance he may have." "I promised him he should be flogged to death " began the Marquis, when Des Cadoux and Mademoiselle jointly interrupted him to renew their intercessions. "But, sangdieu," the Marquis protested "you seem to forget that he has killed one of my servants."
"You'll be repeating that charming story once too often," Des Cadoux cautioned him. "Pish, you timorous one!" he laughed, and resumed his tale. "I am from Artois, then. I have some property there, and it lately came to my ears that this assembly of curs they call the Convention had determined to make an end of me.
A moment it rested on the supercilious, high-bred countenance of the Vicomte d'Ombreval, standing with so proprietary an air beside her, then it passed to the kindly old face of Des Cadoux, and he recalled how this gentleman had sought to stay the flogging of him.
I think that it might prove more convenient to both of us if you were to have me shot as soon as there is light enough." La Boulaye's eyes rested in almost imperceptible kindness upon Des Cadoux. Here, at least, was an aristocrat with a spirit to be admired and emulated. "You are choosing the lesser of two evils, Citizen," said the Deputy. "Precisely," answered Des Cadoux.
"And now, Citizen Cadoux," said La Boulaye, turning to the old nobleman, "I shall be glad if you will honour me by sharing my breakfast while Citizen Ombreval is at his writing." Des Cadoux looked up in some surprise. "You are too good, Monsieur," said he, inclining his head. "But afterwards?" "I have decided," said La Boulaye, with the ghost of a smile, "to deal with your case myself, Citizen."
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