elvet-covered cushion of the box. Then at
the first movement of St. Just towards him he was ready in an instant to
re-open the subject under discussion.

With a quick nod of his head he called his young friend's attention back
to the men in the auditorium.

"Your good cousin Antoine St. Just is hand and glove with Robespierre
now," he said. "When you left Paris more than a year ago you could
afford to despise him as an empty-headed windbag; now, if you desire to
remain in France, you will have to fear him as a power and a menace."

"Yes, I knew that he had taken to herding with the wolves," rejoined
Armand lightly. "At one time he was in love with my sister. I thank God
that she never cared for him."

"They say that he herds with the wolves because of this disappointment,"
said de Batz. "The whole pack is made up of men who have been
disappointed, and who have nothing more to lose. When all these wolves
will have devoured one another, then and then only can we hope for the
restoration of the monarchy in France. And they will not turn on one
another whilst prey for their greed lies ready to their jaws. Your
friend the Scarlet Pimpernel should feed this bloody revolution of ours
rather than starve it, if indeed he hates it as he seems to do."

His restless eyes peered with eager interrogation into those of the
younger man. He paused as if waiting for a reply; then, as St. Just
remained silent, he reiterated slowly, almost in the tones of a
challenge:

"If indeed he hates this bloodthirsty revolution of ours as he seems to
do."

The reiteration implied a doubt. In a moment St. Just's loyalty was up
in arms.

"The Scarlet Pimpernel," he said, "cares naught for your political aims.
The work of mercy that he does, he does for justice and for humanity."

"And for sport," said de Batz with a sneer, "so I've been told."

"He is English," assented St. Just, "and as such will never own to
sentiment. Whatever be the motive, look at the result!

"Yes! a few lives stolen from the guillotine."

"Women and children--innocent victims--would have perished but for his
devotion."

"The more innocent they were, the more helpless, the more pitiable,
the louder would their blood have cried for reprisals against the wild
beasts who sent them to their death."

St. Just made no reply. It was obviously useless to attempt to argue
with this man, whose political aims were as far apart from those of the
Scarlet Pimpernel as was the