hat are we going to do? I do not know! But something
must be done. The death of this just man would be too great a crime. God
will not permit it."

She suddenly paused, with clasped hands, and eyes uplifted to heaven, as
if seeking divine inspiration.

"And the King," she resumed; "will the King consent to such a crime? No.
A king can refuse mercy, but he cannot refuse justice. I will go to him.
I will tell him all! Why did not this thought come to me sooner? We must
start for Paris without losing an instant. Maurice, you will accompany
me. One of you gentlemen will go at once and order post-horses."

Thinking they would obey her, she hastened into the next room to make
preparations for her journey.

"Poor woman!" the lawyer whispered to the abbe, "she does not know that
the sentence of a military commission is executed in twenty-four hours."

"Well?"

"It requires four days to make the journey to Paris."

He reflected a moment, then added:

"But, after all, to let her go would be an act of mercy. Did not Ney, on
the morning of his execution, implore the King to order the removal of
his wife who was sobbing and moaning in his cell?"

The abbe shook his head.

"No," said he; "Madame d'Escorval will never forgive us if we prevent
her from receiving her husband's last farewell."

She, at that very moment, re-entered the room, and the priest was trying
to gather courage to tell her the cruel truth, when someone knocked
violently at the door.

One of the officers went to open it, and Bavois, the corporal of
grenadiers, entered, his right hand lifted to his cap, as if he were in
the presence of his superior officer.

"Is Mademoiselle Lacheneur here?" he demanded.

Marie-Anne came forward.

"I am she, Monsieur," she replied; "what do you desire of me?"

"I am ordered, Mademoiselle, to conduct you to the citadel."

"Ah!" exclaimed Maurice, in a ferocious tone; "so they imprison women
also!"

The worthy corporal struck himself a heavy blow upon the forehead.

"I am an old stupid!" he exclaimed, "and express myself badly. I meant
to say that I came to seek mademoiselle at the request of one of the
condemned, a man named Chanlouineau, who desires to speak with her."

"Impossible, my good man," said one of the officers; "they would
not allow this lady to visit one of the condemned without special
permission----"

"Well, she has this permission," said the old soldier.

Assuring himself, with a glance, tha