t
Noel never thought of that.

He experienced a moment of intense delight: nothing appeared hopeless to
him now.

But he had the presence of mind to free himself from her embrace.

"Let us go," he said; "the one great danger is, that I do not know from
whence the attack comes. How they have discovered the truth is still a
mystery to me."

Juliette remembered her alarming visitor of the afternoon; she
understood it all.

"Oh, what a wretched woman I am!" she cried, wringing her hands in
despair; "it is I who have betrayed you. It occurred on Tuesday, did it
not?"

"Yes, Tuesday."

"Ah, then I have told all, without a doubt, to your friend, the old man
I supposed you had sent, Tabaret!"

"Has Tabaret been here?"

"Yes; just a little while ago."

"Come, then," cried Noel, "quickly; it's a miracle that he hasn't been
back."

He took her arm, to hurry her away; but she nimbly released herself.

"Wait," said she. "I have some money, some jewels. I will take them."

"It is useless. Leave everything behind. I have a fortune, Juliette; let
us fly!"

She had already opened her jewel box, and was throwing everything of
value that she possessed pell mell into a little travelling bag.

"Ah, you are ruining me," cried Noel, "you are ruining me!"

He spoke thus; but his heart was overflowing with joy.

"What sublime devotion! She loves me truly," he said to himself; "for my
sake, she renounces her happy life without hesitation; for my sake, she
sacrifices all!"

Juliette had finished her preparations, and was hastily tying on her
bonnet, when the door-bell rang.

"It is the police!" cried Noel, becoming, if possible, even more livid.

The young woman and her lover stood as immovable as two statues, with
great drops of perspiration on their foreheads, their eyes dilated, and
their ears listening intently. A second ring was heard, then a third.

Charlotte appeared walking on tip-toe.

"There are several," she whispered; "I heard them talking together."

Grown tired of ringing, they knocked loudly on the door. The sound of a
voice reached the drawing-room, and the word "law" was plainly heard.

"No more hope!" murmured Noel.

"Don't despair," cried Juliette; "try the servants' staircase!"

"You may be sure they have not forgotten it."

Juliette went to see, and returned dejected and terrified. She bad
distinguished heavy foot-steps on the landing, made by some one
endeavouring to walk softly.

"There