Brutus.

La Boulaye searched a drawer of his writing-table for the blank passport
he required. Having found it, he hesitated for a moment how to fill it
in. At last he decided, and set down three names--Pierre, Francois,
and Julie Michael, players, going to Strasbourg--to which he added
descriptions of himself, the Vicomte, and Mademoiselle. He reasoned that
in case it should ultimately prove impossible for him to accompany them,
the passport, thus indited, would still do duty for the other two. They
could easily advance some excuse why the third person mentioned was not
accompanying them. From this it will be seen that La Boulaye was far
from having abandoned hope of effecting his escape, either by his own
resourcefulness or by the favour of Robespierre himself, whose kindness
for him, after all, was a factor worth reckoning upon.

To Mademoiselle he now wrote as follows:

I am sending you the laissez-passer filled in for the three of
us. I am unfortunately unable to bring it myself as my
abstraction of the order of release has already been discovered,
and I am being detained pending the arrival of Robespierre. But
I am at my own lodging, and I have every hope that, either by
the use of my own wit, or else by the favour of my friend
Robespierre, I shall shortly be able to join you. I would
therefore ask you to wait a few days. But should I presently
send you word not to do so any longer, or should you hear of
events which will render it impossible for me to accompany you,
you can then set out with Ombreval, travelling under the guise
described in the passport, and informing any questioners that
the other person mentioned has been forced by ill health to
interrupt his journey. As I have said, I have every hope of
winning through my present difficulties; but should I fail to
do so, my most earnest prayer will be that you may make your
way out of France in safety, and that lasting happiness may be
your lot in whatever country you may elect to settle. You may
trust the bearer implicitly, patriotic though he may appear.

He subscribed the letter with his initials, and, having enclosed the
passport and sealed the package, he gave it to Brutus, with the most
minute instructions touching its delivery.

These instructions Brutus carried out with speed and fidelity. He was
allowed to quit the house without so much as a question, which left his
plan for readmittance the greater li