ill forever
stand between us."

On hearing these words, Philip sprang wildly to his feet, then sank back
in his chair and, concealing his face in his hands, broke into
passionate sob.

The girl's powers of endurance were almost exhausted; but she still
retained energy enough to attempt to put an end to this trying scene.

"The hour when the master of the house usually returns is fast
approaching," she resumed. "He must not find you here. I will take you
to Coursegol's room; you will be safe there."

But Philip would not heed her. He wept like a child, and, in a voice
broken with sobs, he cried:

"Ah, the sacrifice you demand is too much to ask of any human creature!
God does not require it of us. If after creating us for each other it is
His will that we should live forever apart and be eternally miserable,
why has He united us to-night? Is not our meeting providential? Dolores,
your decision cannot be irrevocable."

It required all her courage and determination to repress the loving
words that rose to her lips from her overflowing heart.

"Come, Philip," she pleaded, striving to give a maternal tone to her
voice.

"But promise me----"

"Ah well! to-morrow,----" she said, quietly, doing her best to calm him.

She succeeded. Philip rose, ready to follow her. She had already taken a
candle from the table when footsteps were heard in the adjoining room.

"Good Heavens! it is Vauquelas! We are lost!"

"He will not enter here, perhaps," whispered Philip.

With a gesture, Dolores imposed silence: then she waited and listened,
hoping that Vauquelas would pass on to his own room without pausing. Her
hopes were not realized. Vauquelas rapped twice at the door.

"May I come in, Citoyenne Dolores?"

"No, I am in bed."

"Get up quickly then, and open the door. A man was seen to leap over the
wall that separates the garden from the street. He must be prowling
about the house. They are in pursuit of him. The police are coming."

"I am getting up," replied Dolores, anxious to gain time, and racking
her brain to discover some means of escape for Philip.

"The night is very dark," he whispered. "I will go into the garden and
conceal myself there until the soldiers have searched the house and
gone."

Dolores nodded her approval, and went on tip-toe to the glass door to
open it and let Philip out. She turned the knob, softly opened the door,
and stepped aside to let him pass. The next instant she uttered a cry of