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Updated: June 26, 2025
"What, still here, Madame, and the gate beyond open," he took my hand, and lifted it to his lips. "My congratulations; your work was well done, and our lives thank you. Madame Cassion, this is my comrade, Francois Boisrondet, whose voice I was never more glad to hear than this night. I commend him to your mercy." Boisrondet, a mere shadow in the night, swept the earth with his hat.
He smiled, but not pleasantly, and resumed his seat at the desk. "I propose closing your mouth, Mademoiselle, and placing you beyond temptation. Monsieur Cassion, have the lieutenant at the door enter." I stood in silence, wondering at what was about to occur; was I to be made prisoner? or what form was my punishment to assume?
Now and then I heard some voice name Cassion as we passed, recognizing his face in the torch glow, but there was no sign that he was popular. Once a man called out something which caused him to stop, hand on sword, but he fronted so many faces that he lost heart, and continued, laughing off the affront. Then we came to the guard lines, and were beyond reach of the mob.
I looked up as he turned away, and disappeared. Cassion stared after him, smothering an oath, and evidently disappointed at so tame an ending of the affair, for it was his nature to bluster and boast. Yet as his lips changed to a grin, I knew of what the man was thinking he had mistaken De Artigny's actions for cowardice, and felt assured now of how he would deal with him.
I knew then that all the happiness of life centered in this one fact; while between us arose the shadow of Cassion, my husband. True I loved him not; true I was to him wife only in name; true our marriage was a thing of shame, yet no less a fact, no less a barrier.
You have sought me for assistance, counsel perhaps, but this state of affairs has so taken me by surprise that I do not think clearly. You have a plan?" "Scarcely that, Monsieur. I would ascertain the truth, and my only means of doing so is through a confession by Francois Cassion." "And he is too cold-blooded a villain to ever acknowledge guilt.
Still it was surely better to confide in him to the extent I had than permit him to rage about blindly, and in open hostility to Cassion. I seated myself just within the tent, my eyes on the scene as revealed in the fire-glow, and reflected again over the details of my hastily born plan.
We must encourage him to talk by saying nothing which will put him on guard." "But he is already aware that you have learned the truth." "Of that I am not certain. It was the conversation between La Barre and Colonel Delguard which gave me the real cue. Of this Cassion may not have heard, as he entered the room later. I intended to proceed on that theory, and win his confidence, if possible.
In all else we stand equal, and I accept insult from no living man. 'Tis well that you know this, Monsieur." The hat was back upon his head, and he had turned away before Cassion found answering speech. It was a jaunty, careless figure, disappearing amid the trees, the very swing of his shoulders a challenge, nor did he so much as glance about to mark the effect of his insolent words.
"By affording him opportunity to escape during the night; first accepting his pledge never to see you again." "Think you he would give such pledge?" Cassion laughed sarcastically. "Bah, what man would not to save his life! It is for you to speak the word." I stood silent, hesitating to give final answer. Had I truly believed De Artigny's case hopeless I might have yielded, and made pledge.
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