pplied the match. I
heard a fumbling at the lock, then the door was thrown wide open. All
was darkness in the hall without, save for a spluttering candle which
Bamboir held over his head, as he and his fellow, deadly pale, stood
peering forward. Suddenly they gave a cry, for I threw the sheet from my
face and shoulders, and to their excited imagination La Jongleuse stood
before them, all in flames. As I started down on them, the coloured fire
flew up, making the room all blue and scarlet for a moment, in which I
must have looked devilish indeed, with staring eyes, and outstretched
chalky hands, and wailing cries coming from my robe.

I moved swiftly, and Bamboir, without a cry, dropped like a log (poor
fellow, he never rose again! the apoplexy which the surgeon promised had
come), his comrade gave a cry, and sank in a heap in a corner, mumbling
a prayer, and making the sign of the cross, his face stark with terror.

I passed him, came along the corridor and down one staircase, without
seeing any one; then two soldiers appeared in the half-lighted hallway.
Presently also a door opened behind me, and some one came out. By now
the phosphorus light diminished a little, but still I was a villainous
picture, for in one hand I held a small cup from which suddenly sprang
red and blue fires. The men fell back, and I sailed past them, but I had
not gone far down the lower staircase when a shot rang after me, and a
bullet passed by my head. Now I came rapidly to the outer door, where
two more sentinels stood. They shrank back, and suddenly one threw down
his musket and ran; the other, terrified, stood stock-still. I passed
him, opened the door, and came out upon the Intendant, who was just
alighting from his carriage.

The horses sprang away, frightened at sight of me, and nearly threw
Bigot to the ground. I tossed the tin cup with its chemical fires full
in his face, as he made a dash for me. He called out, and drew his
sword. I wished not to fight, and I sprang aside; but he made a pass at
me, and I drew my pistol and was about to fire, when another shot came
from the hallway and struck him. He fell, almost at my feet, and I
dashed away into the darkness. Fifty feet ahead I cast one glance hack,
and saw Monsieur Cournal standing in the doorway. I was sure that his
second shot had not been meant for me, but for the Intendant--a wild
attempt at a revenge, long delayed, for the worst of wrongs.

I ran on, and presently came full