-good honest
gentleman, who afterwards proved his fidelity and truth--he said that
he would die to uphold this sacred ceremony. And so he made a little
speech, as if he had a pulpit round him, and he wound up with a
benediction which sent my dear girl to tears and soft trembling:

"The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine upon
you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace now
and for evermore."

A moment afterwards the door closed, and for ten minutes I looked into
my wife's face, and told her my plans for escape. When Gabord opened the
door upon us, we had passed through years of understanding and resolve.
Our parting was brave--a bravery on her side that I do not think any
other woman could match. She was quivering with the new life come upon
her, yet she was self-controlled; she moved as in a dream, yet I knew
her mind was alert, vigilant, and strong; she was aching with thought
of this separation, with the peril that faced us both, yet she carried a
quiet joy in her face, a tranquil gravity of bearing.

"Whom God hath joined--" said I gravely at the last.

"Let no man put asunder," she answered softly and solemnly.

"Aho!" said Gabord, and turned his head away.

Then the door shut upon me, and though I am no Catholic, I have no shame
in saying that I kissed the feet on the crucifix which her lips had
blessed.

XXI. LA JONGLEUSE

At nine o'clock I was waiting by the window, and even as a bugle sounded
"lights out" in the barracks and change of guard, I let the string down.
Mr. Stevens shot round the corner of the chateau, just as the departing
sentinel disappeared, and attached a bundle to the string, and I drew it
up.

"Is all well?" I called softly down.

"All well," said Mr. Stevens, and, hugging the wall of the chateau, he
sped away. In another moment a new sentinel began pacing up and down,
and I shut the window and untied my bundle. All that I had asked for was
there. I hid the things away in the alcove and went to bed at once, for
I knew that I should have no sleep on the following night.

I did not leave my bed till the morning was well advanced. Once or twice
during the day I brought my guards in with fear on their faces, the
large fat man more distorted than his fellow, by the lamentable sounds I
made with my willow toys. They crossed themselves again and again, and
I myself appeared devout and troubled. When we walked abroad during
the afte