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“Reasswre yourselves,” said the priest “1t s Towhom they seek. Te s | must die.”
The soldiers surrounded him.
“ My children,” he cried, ina lowd voiee, addressig himscell to the young pair. * On vour knees 3 for with one foot in the tombh 1 cive vou my last benediction, and that ob a dving person is sacred.” Te drew, as he spoke, acrucitix from his breast, and extended ot towards them : hims=elt about to die, 1t was for them he praved,
There was a solemn silence.
Then the soldiers swrrounded him, the door clored, and all disappeared.
Blanche threw her arms about Marceau's neck. |
“Ohy b vou leave me, and they come to ~cek mecand vou are not here to aid me! Oh, Marccau, think o me upon the scallold Tar from vou, weeping, and calling ! do
vou, without responsc ! not go b Towill cast mvselt at their feet ;
A
I will (el them T oam not outlty, that, if
they will leave me in prison withe you all iy ke, Towall bless them !
“1am sure to osave vou, Blanche; | answer foryour life. Infess than two days [ =hall be here with vour pardon, and then,
mstead of a prison and a cell, a hfe of
happiness, a life of liberty and love !
The door opened, the gaoler appearcd. Blanche clung more closcly to her lover's breast, but cach instant was precious, and he gently unwound her arms from about hin,
Y
and promised to retwrn before the close of
the second day.
“Love mefor ever,” he said, rushing out of the ccll. |
“Tor ever,” said Blanche, half fainting, and showing him 1 her hair the red rose that he had given her. Then the door closed upon him like the gate of the Infcrno.
CHAPTER 1.
Marcrar found his companion waiting for him at the porter’s lodec. He called for ik and paper.
“AWhat are vou about to dao fricnd.
“Tam gomge (o write Lo Carrier, Lo de. mand a respite of two days, and to tell hinm his own lite depends on Blanche's
“AMWrcetched man ' cried his {riend, snatching the unhnished Tetter away from ham. “ You threaten him, vou who are in his power, vou who have sct hiis orders to rejom your army at dehiance. Belore an
S aslked his
from 1ts president ?
howr passcs vouw will be arrested, and what then can vou do for vourscl or her 2"
Marceau Tet his head 1all between his hands, and appearcd to reflect deeply,
“You wre right,” he cried, rvisine sud- denly s and he drew his riend into the strect.
A group ol people were gathered vound a post-chaisce.
“ I this evening is hazy,” whisperald a voice at Marceau's car, 1 do not know what would prevent twenty strong fellows from entering the town and frecing the prisoners. It is a pity that Nantes is so badly guarded.”
Marcean trembled, turned, and recognised
Tinguy, darted a olance of mtelligence at him, and sprang into the curiave, S Paris DT he caldled to the postitlion, and the horses darted forward with the rapidity ol ightning. At cight o'clock the carriage cntered Paris,
Marceau and his friend sceparated at the squarce ob the Palais-1cgalite, and Marceau took hisway alone on foot through the Ruc Saint-Honordé, descended at the side of Saint-Roch, stopped at No. 200, and asked for Robespicrre. e was informed that he had the "T'héatre de s la Nation. Marceau proceeded there, astonished to have to seck 1 such a place the austere member of the Committee ol Public Welfare, 1o cntered, and recognised Robespicrre half hidden 1 the shadow of a box. As he arrived outside the door he met him coming oul. Marceau presented himesclf, and gave him his name.
“What can I do lor you 7" prerre.
“I destre ancmterview with vou.”
“lere, or at my house 7
“ AU your house.”
“Come, then”
And these two men, moved by feclines soopposite, walked alone side by side, Robespierre indifferent and calm, Marceau passtonate and excited. This was the man who held within his hands the fate of Blanche.
Theyv arrved at Robesprorre’s house, cn- tereds and ascended a0 nirow stadrease, which led them to a chamber on the third Hoor. N bust of Rousscau, a table, on wlich Loy open the Contrat Social and Toanile,” A chest of drawers, and some chairs, com- pleted the furmiture of the apartiment.,
lere s Ciosar's palace,” said Robes-
prerrecstnhine ;5 what have vou to demand . )
cone o
satd Robes-