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Updated: June 6, 2025
Of course, the task of lowering a man from this ledge, at dead of night, was perilous in the extreme. Before allowing the baron to descend, honest Bavois took every possible precaution to save himself from being dragged over the verge of the precipice by the weight he would be obliged to sustain.
Now he was the sole protector of Marie-Anne, who, pale and overcome with fatigue and emotion, trembled on his arm. But no Corporal Bavois still lingered by his side. "And you, my friend," he asked, sadly, "what are you going to do?" "Follow you," replied the old soldier. "I have a right to a home with you; that was agreed between your father and myself!
"I advise you for the future not to hurl at me the slightest taunt respecting the life I am leading with Bavois, when we are in the presence of my three worthy friends. I do not object to listen to you when we are alone." "You are wrong in taking my innocent jests seriously." "Wrong or right, that does not matter. Why do you never attack your proselyte?
The baron had fled, taking with him the man who had been left to guard him Corporal Bavois, of the grenadiers. The amazement was as intense as the indignation, but the fright was still greater. There was not a single officer who did not tremble on thinking of his responsibility; not one who did not see his hopes of advancement blighted forever.
Finding that the Venetian government was postponing his appointment from day to day, Bavois entered the service of the French ambassador. The decision made it necessary for him not only to cease his visits to M. de Bragadin, but even to give up his intercourse with De la Haye, who was the guest of that senator.
From the window, Abbe Midon and Mme. d'Escorval watched the little cortege, organized for the purpose of deceiving the Duc de Sairmeuse's spies, as it moved rapidly away. Corporal Bavois, with his head bound up with bloodstained linen, had taken the baron's place upon the litter. This was one of the troubled epochs in history that try men's souls.
"I will confer with this man," said he. "What is his name?" "He is called Bavois, and he is a corporal in the first company of grenadiers." "Bavois," repeated Martial, as if to fix the name in his memory; "Bavois. He was the brave soldier left on guard at Escorval after the troops left the house." "This promises well," said Martial.
The bars were cut, and the ropes, which had been drawn through an opening in the wall, were coiled under the window. The decisive moment had come. Bavois took the counterpane from the bed, fastened it over the opening in the door, and filled up the key-hole.
His duties at the chateau were over, as M. d'Escorval had been arrested, and nothing remained for Corporal Bavois but to rejoin his regiment. He declared that he would not allow these ladies to travel at night, and unattended, on the road where they might be exposed to many disagreeable encounters, and that he, in company with two grenadiers, would escort them to their journey's end.
"My plan is simplicity itself," replied Martial. "Sixty and forty are one hundred. It is necessary to procure one hundred feet of strong rope. It will make a very large bundle; but no matter. I will twist it around me, envelop myself in a large cloak, and accompany you to the citadel. You will send for Corporal Bavois; you will leave me alone with him in a quiet place; I will explain our wishes."
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