sharp embrace--"

The blasphemy of burlesquing a far greater Scene of Sorrows occurred
to drunken Carmagnole dancers. The notion was applauded, carried into
effect at once.

A tall sansculotte reached over betwixt the guards and placed a Crown
of Thorns on the girl's brow. Another dashed a cupful of vinegar in
the girl's face.

"Can't you see she's helpless?" said a centurion, pointing to her
pinioned arms. He yanked off the chaplet and threw it back in the
crowd. They roared with merriment at the farce....

But, in the stable yard of the Northern cavalry, Danton from a
horseblock was addressing the fiery spirits who knew and loved him.

"Will you dare with Danton?" he cried. "Will you risk Death to open a
Nation's eyes?"

The head Cavalryman embraced the Thunderer and kissed him on both
cheeks.

"We are with you to the last man--to the last ounce of our strength to
save this girl and boy!" he said while the others cheered.

Danton had got a gallant white mount, the Captain was on a noble black
Arabian charger; the others had leaped astride their ever ready army
steeds--the ride with the reprieve was in full course!

CHAPTER XXVII

THE FAREWELL

Louise, guided by her faithful attendant Pierre, had left the
courtroom directly after the condemnation. Leaning heavily upon him,
the blind girl had staggered out, or pressed by the awful knowledge
that her sister Henriette was doomed to die. "Oh, take me to her!" she
had cried.

There was only one thing to do: to follow the route of the death
tumbrils, in the slight hope of overtaking her. The crippled Pierre
could not walk fast, and the steps of Louise had to be most carefully
directed. Now and again Pierre could see the death carts a long way
ahead, he tried to hasten their steps, but presently the transports of
death were out of sight again.

A traffic tie-up and street delay that halted the tumbrils just beyond
the scene of the bacchanalian Feast of Reason, gave them their
opportunity. Here the revelers had burlesqued Henriette as the "Woman
of Sorrows," and here the guardsman had thrown off the chaplet and
rebuked the crowd.

During the halt Pierre and his companion came up with what speed they
could; he led Louise to the back of the death cart, and placed her
hands on the bound and standing figure of poor little Henriette.

"It is your sister!" said Pierre softly.

Gently the blind girl's fingers traveled up to the wet face of her
little f