obeyed. The men never even thought to wonder that after
insisting on an escort of twenty he should drive off with two prisoners
and only two men to guard them. If they did wonder, it was not theirs
to question. Those two troopers are spending an uncomfortable night
somewhere in the forest of Boulogne, each tied to a tree, and some two
leagues apart one from the other. And now," he added gaily, "en voiture,
my fair lady; and you, too, Armand. 'Tis seven leagues to Le Portel, and
we must be there before dawn."

"Sir Andrew's intention was to make for Calais first, there to
open communication with the Day-Dream and then for Le Portel," said
Marguerite; "after that he meant to strike back for the Chateau d'Ourde
in search of me."

"Then we'll still find him at Le Portel--I shall know how to lay hands
on him; but you two must get aboard the Day-Dream at once, for Ffoulkes
and I can always look after ourselves."

It was one hour after midnight when--refreshed with food and
rest--Marguerite, Armand and Sir Percy left the half-way house.
Marguerite was standing in the doorway ready to go. Percy and Armand had
gone ahead to bring the coach along.

"Percy," whispered Armand, "Marguerite does not know?"

"Of course she does not, you young fool," retorted Percy lightly. "If
you try and tell her I think I would smash your head."

"But you--" said the young man with sudden vehemence; "can you bear the
sight of me? My God! when I think--"

"Don't think, my good Armand--not of that anyway. Only think of the
woman for whose sake you committed a crime--if she is pure and good, woo
her and win her--not just now, for it were foolish to go back to Paris
after her, but anon, when she comes to England and all these past days
are forgotten--then love her as much as you can, Armand. Learn your
lesson of love better than I have learnt mine; do not cause Jeanne Lange
those tears of anguish which my mad spirit brings to your sister's eyes.
You were right, Armand, when you said that I do not know how to love!"

But on board the Day-Dream, when all danger was past, Marguerite felt
that he did.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of El Dorado, by Baroness Orczy

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