I am afraid so, Virginie. I have learned, Louise, that
some of your neighbours have their suspicions, and that a letter
of denunciation has already been sent, so it will be absolutely
necessary to make a move. I have suppressed the first letter, but
the writer will probably not let the matter drop, and may write to
Danton or Marat next time, so we must go without delay. You cannot
change your lodging, for they would certainly trace you; besides,
at the present time the regulations about lodgers are so strict that
no one would dare receive you until the committee of the district
have examined you and are perfectly satisfied. Therefore, I think
we must go alone. Marie is wanted here, and I think she will be
far safer nursing Victor than she would be with us; besides, now
she has been freed by Robespierre's orders, I do not think there
is any fear of her arrest even if her identity were discovered.
Lastly, it would be safer to travel three than four. Three girls
travelling with a young fellow like me would be sure to attract
attention. It will be difficult enough in any case, but it would
certainly be worse with her with us."

"But we are to see her, Harry?" Jeanne said. "Surely we are not to
go away without seeing Marie!"

"Certainly not, Jeanne; I am not so cruel as that. This evening,
after dark, we will meet in the gardens of the Tuileries. Louise,
will you bring them down and be with them near the main entrance?
I will bring Marie there at six o'clock. And now I must be off; I
have to break the news to Marie that Victor is in the same house
with her and ill. I did not tell her last night. She will be better
able to bear it after a good night's sleep."

Marie was up and dressed when Harry arrived, and was sitting by
the fire in the little kitchen.

"I have just left your sisters, Marie," Harry said, "and you may
imagine their delight at the news I gave them. You are to see them
this evening in the gardens of the Tuileries."

"Oh, Harry, how good you are! How much you have done for us!"

Harry laughed lightly.

"Not very much yet; besides, it has been a pleasure as well as a
duty. The girls have both been so brave, and Jeanne has the head
of a woman."

"She is nearly a woman now, Harry," Marie said gently. "She is some
months past sixteen, and though you tell me girls of that age in
England are quite children, it is not so here. Why, it is nothing
uncommon for a girl to marry at sixteen."

"Well, at anyrat