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She would have been told by Blangin, who was watching M. de Boiscoran like a spy, and by his wife, who prepared his meals, through what anguish he had passed since his imprisonment. Stunned at first, he had soon recovered; and on Friday and Saturday he had been quiet and confident, talkative, and almost cheerful. But Sunday had been a fatal day.
It was a hard task to get through this old wall, and Jacques would never have been able to accomplish it alone. The thickness was even less than what Blangin had stated it to be; but the hardness was far beyond expectation. Our fathers built well. In course of time the cement had become one with the stone, and acquired the same hardness. It was as if they had attacked a block of granite.
You must make your bargain with him, but, of course, without letting him know that I know any thing. In this way, happen what may, I shall not be in danger." The plan was really a good one; only Blangin ought not to have claimed the honor of inventing it: the idea came from his wife. "Well," replied Jacques, "that is settled.
A quarter of an hour after that, Blangin reappeared, holding a lantern and an enormous bunch of keys in his hands. "I have seen Trumence to bed," he said. "You can come now, madam." Dionysia was all ready. "Let us go," she said simply. Then she followed the jailer along interminable passages, through a vast vaulted hall, in which their steps resounded as in a church, then through a long gallery.
"If you lose your place, M. Blangin, I, Dionysia de Chandore, promise you another place twice as good." "Madame!" "You do not doubt my word, M. Blangin, do you?" "God forbid, madam! But it is not my place only. If I did what you want me to do, I should be severely punished." The marchioness judged from the jailer's tone that Dionysia was not likely to prevail over him, and so she said,
As a matter of course, it had been necessary to take the marchioness into their confidence; but neither she, nor the Misses Lavarande, nor M. Folgat, had raised an objection. Down to the prison, grandfather and grandchild had not exchanged a word; but, when they reached it, Dionysia said, "I see Mrs. Blangin at the door: let us be careful." They came nearer. Mrs. Blangin saluted them.
Then putting up his notes, he added, "I shall not be absent more than three or four days; and, as soon as I return, we will draw up our plan of defence. Till then, my dear client, keep up your courage." They called Blangin to open the door for them; and, after having shaken hands with Jacques de Boiscoran, M. Folgat and M. Magloire went away. "Well, are we going down now?" asked the jailer.
Blangin came up in haste, her mouth full of hypocritical assurances of good will, vowing that she was heart and soul at her dear mistress's command, recalling with delight the happy days when she was in M. de Chandore's service, and regretting forevermore. "I know," the young girl cut her short, "you are attached to me. But listen!"
"Blangin is taking all possible precautions against detection, although he is quite prepared for the worst. He has arranged it this way: To-morrow evening, at six o'clock, you will pass by the jail. The door will stand open, and Blangin's wife, whom you know very well, as she has formerly been in your service, will be standing in the door.
"You would cause me fearful pain, dear papa: but it would be all in vain; for I must resist your prayers, as I must resist your orders." "Inexorable!" cried the old gentleman. "She is immovable!" And suddenly changing his tone, he cried, "But, after all, I am master here." "Dear papa, pray!" "And since nothing can move you, I will speak to Mechinet, I will let Blangin know my will."
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