w the house; Armand by the same token knows it too. Marie de
Marmontel and her brother are there, and several others; the old
Comte de Lezardiere, the Abbe de Firmont; their names spell suffering,
loyalty, and hopelessness. I was lucky enough to convey them safely
to that hidden shelter. They trust me implicitly, dear heart. They are
waiting for me there, trusting in my promise to them. Dear heart, you
will go, will you not?"

"Yes, Percy," she replied. "I will go; I have promised."

"Ffoulkes has some certificates of safety by him, and the old clothes
dealer will supply the necessary disguises; he has a covered cart which
he uses for his business, and which you can borrow from him. Ffoulkes
will drive the little party to Achard's farm in St. Germain, where other
members of the League should be in waiting for the final journey to
England. Ffoulkes will know how to arrange for everything; he was always
my most able lieutenant. Once everything is organised he can appoint
Hastings to lead the party. But you, dear heart, must do as you wish.
Achard's farm would be a safe retreat for you and for Ffoulkes: if...
I know--I know, dear," he added with infinite tenderness. "See I do not
even suggest that you should leave me. Ffoulkes will be with you, and
I know that neither he nor you would go even if I commanded. Either
Achard's farm, or even the house in the Rue de Charonne, would be quite
safe for you, dear, under Ffoulkes's protection, until the time when I
myself can carry you back--you, my precious burden--to England in mine
own arms, or until... Hush-sh-sh, dear heart," he entreated, smothering
with a passionate kiss the low moan of pain which had escaped her lips;
"it is all in God's hands now; I am in a tight corner--tighter than ever
I have been before; but I am not dead yet, and those brutes have not
yet paid the full price for my life. Tell me, dear heart, that you have
understood--that you will do all that I asked. Tell me again, my dear,
dear love; it is the very essence of life to hear your sweet lips murmur
this promise now."

And for the third time she reiterated firmly:

"I have understood every word that you said to me, Percy, and I promise
on your precious life to do what you ask."

He sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction, and even at that moment there
came from the guard-room beyond the sound of a harsh voice, saying
peremptorily:

"That half-hour is nearly over, sergeant; 'tis time you interfered."

"