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Two days ago I would have accepted the diamonds; to-day I would be ashamed to do so. It is wonderful how love changes one." Croustillac was suddenly interrupted in the midst of his philosophical reflections. Colonel Rutler, by the uncertain light of the moon, had seen the adventurer walking arm in arm with Blue Beard; he had heard her last words "my husband; wait for me here."
"A thousand devils! you have waited rather long to say this to me, colonel. But, as the wine is drawn, it must be quaffed." "Come, I did not deceive myself, you are a brave man." "Ah, as to that, is the man whom you seek also strong and brave?" "Well," said Rutler, after some minutes of reflection, "consider a little the first husband of the widow a man tall and slender."
I can never consent to do that." "Your highness forgets that it means perpetual imprisonment for you if you do not place yourself at the head of this movement?" "It is because it means for me the escape from a danger that I do not choose to sacrifice you, sir. When I learned that you were taken prisoner by Rutler I was going to rush to your assistance in order to release you."
Colonel Rutler was robust and tall; his face wore an expression of audacity, bordering on cruelty; his hair, lying in close, damp meshes, was of a deep red; his mustache of the same color hid a large mouth overshadowed by a hooked nose, resembling the beak of a bird of prey. Rutler, a faithful and resolute man, served his master with blind devotion.
"So the duchess is ignorant " "Of everything, sir; the poor woman is ignorant of everything. Surprised by Colonel Rutler, while she was asleep, I left word in quitting Devil's Cliff, that my absence would extend over but a day or two. But circumstances have suddenly changed. There are no more dangers that I am going to run. I know my wife, sir; glory and danger, she would partake all.
Rutler held the arm of Croustillac under his left arm, and had his hand constantly on his dagger; not that he doubted the word of his prisoner, but the slaves at Devil's Cliff might wish to rescue their master. Croustillac and Rutler were not more than a few steps from the house when from an obscure path a woman advanced dressed in white.
While the Duke of Monmouth and his wife, informed by Father Griffen of the infamous treachery of Croustillac, were seeking to escape this new danger, we will return to the adventurer, who, carelessly leaning on the arm of De Chemerant, climbed the steep ascent of Devil's Cliff. Colonel Rutler, furious at having been thwarted in his attempt, was led away by a guard of two soldiers.
"The serpent is furious; it is his tail which is beating the earth thus," said John in a feeble voice. "Colonel, let us commend our souls to God!" "Let us cry out and terrify the serpent," said Rutler. "No, no, it would but precipitate itself at once upon us," replied John. The two men remained for some moments a prey to the most horrible suspense.
Who but you would be dressed in this coat with the red sleeve, as shown by James Syllon, who painted you in this costume?" "And I thought this costume so fantastic," reflected Croustillac. "It is not for me to express surprise at finding you wearing these garments which must often recall memories so cruel," continued Rutler, with a gloomy air. "Cruel memories!" repeated Croustillac.
I desired to offer you this token of our friendship; it was in bringing it to you that I overheard your conversation with Colonel Rutler. Accept it, it will be a double souvenir of our friendship and of your generosity." "Give it to me! oh, give it to me!" cried the Gascon, and then, pressing it to his lips, he said, "I am more than paid for what I have done for you, for the duke "
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