his frock and cap from her to me, and had her
call out to the guard that she had forgotten something and must return
to the kitchen for it. 'Very well, beauty,' said the guard ironically,
and I came out in a great hurry, and was on my way downstairs before he
could take a second look at me. The landing is a dark place, and my
figure so much like Brigitte's that her clothes make it look quite the
same. There is another man on guard, at the bottom of the stairs, but he
was as easily deceived as the one above. I ran across the two
court-yards, and through the kitchen passage to the servants' stairs,
and nobody glanced twice at me. Brigitte, of course, must stay with
Madame till I return,--and now, Monsieur, it is time I was back, and I
have said nothing of what I came to say."

"You have said much that is important. But 'tis true, you'd best say the
rest quickly,--your return may be dangerous enough."

"Oh, I shall go so fast that nobody will have time to suspect me. As for
the guards, it is their duty to keep me in. Should they see it is I who
was out, they will be very glad to have me in again, and to hold their
tongues, for the Count's punishments are not light. But as to Madame's
message--she would have tried to convey it by Brigitte, had I not
declared I would come at all hazards,--for the truth is, I have
something to say on my own responsibility, also."

"But Madame's message?" I demanded eagerly.

"She begs that you will go away while you can. So brave a young
gentleman should not stay here to risk the Count's vengeance."

I felt joy at this concern for my safety.

"If I am a brave man," I answered, "I can only stay and help her."

"I am glad you are of that mind, Monsieur, for it is what I think. That
is what _I_ had to say to you."

"Then the only question is, how can I be of use to the Countess? She
must be released from this imprisonment."

"There I agree with you again. She ought to be taken away--far out of
reach of the Count's vengeance--before he has time to make her plight
worse than it is, or carry out any design against her life. But even if
she remained as she is, her health would not long endure it."

"Now that matters have come to this pass, no doubt she is willing to run
away."

"Not yet, Monsieur. That is for me to persuade her. But if we form some
plan of escape now, I hope I can win her consent before the time comes
to carry it out."

"I trust so. When she repelled the idea of escape