JARCEAL

aifairs of the utmost mmportance to coms- municate to Marceau had been ushered imto the saloon. s Marccau entered the roont, his head bent tosvards Blanche, who lcant upon his arm, he did not percenve him. Suddenly he felt her tremble. Tle looked up. Blanche and he were face to facc with Delmar. He approached them slowly, his cyes fixed on Blanche, a smile upon his Lips. With his forchead beaded with cold b\\cat' Marccau vegarded him advance as Don Juan 1u‘aldul the statuc ol the commandant.

• You have a brother, citizeness 27 he

sard to Blanche. She stammered. Delmar contimued—

“If my memory and your face do not deccive me, we breakfasted together at Chollet. How isit [ have not scen vou sinee in the ranks of the Republican army 27

Blanche felt as if she were going to fall, for the eye of Delmeanr pierced her through and through. Then he turned to Marceau 1t was Delmar's turn to tremble. The voung ceneral had his hand upon the hilt of his a‘\wrd which he ped convulsively. Delmar's face resumed its habitual expres- ston ; he appearcd to have totally forgotten what he was about to say, and al\mo Marccau by the arm he drew him into the niche ot a window, and talked to him a few minutes about the situation 1 La Vendde, and told him he had come to consult with Carricr on certain rigorous measurces about to be inflicted on the Rovalists. Then he quitted the room, passing Blanche, who had fallen cold and white mto a len, with a bow and a smile.

Two hours after Marceau received orders

to rcjoin his army, though his leave of

absence did not expire for tfteen days. He believed this to have some connection with the scene which had just passed. e must obey, however 5 to hesttate were to be lost. Marceau p]multul the order to Blanche, fe regarded her sadly. Two tears rolled down hgr pade checks, but she was stlent. “Blanche,” he said, * war makes us mur- derous and cruel; 1t is possible that we shall sce cach other no more.” Tle took her hand., Promise me, if T Hadl, that you will renember me sometimes, and T opromise

vou, Blanche, that it between my ife and death T have the time to pronounce onc name — once alone—at shall be vours”

Blanche was specchless for tears, but in her oyves were a thousand promises motrc tender than that which Marceau denvanded. With one hand she pressed Marceau's, and

SO LNISONTN.

pointed with the other to his rose, which she wore 1 hier haar,

I shall never leave me,”

An hour after he was on the road to rejoin his army. Kach step he took on the road they had journcyed together recalled her to his mind, and the danger she ran appeared more nwnucing now that he was away from her side. Fach mstant he felt ready to rein in his horse and gallop back to Nantes. If Marccau had oot been so intent upon his own thoughts he would have pereetved at the extremity of the road and coming towards him, a horscman whoe,after stopping an instant to assurc himsclt he was not mistaken, had put his horse at a callop and joined him. He recognised (reneral Dumas. The two iriends Jeapt from their horses and cast themsclves mto cach other's arms. At the same mstant a man, his hair streaming with perspiration, his face bleeding, his Ll()lhll]” rent, sprang over the hedge dfld halt fainting, tell at the feet of the two hlcnds, c,,\dcnnnng——

• She 1s arrested

[t was Tinguy.

she ~and.

“Arrested ! Who?o Blanche 7 erted Marceau. The peasant made an aflirmative sigu.

Ie could no longer speak. IMe had run five leagues, crossing helds and hedges 1n his flmhl t() Join \Imuau

l\Luu au starcd at hom stupidlIv,

“Arrested ! Blanche arrestad ! he re- peated continually, whilst his friend apphed his gourd full of wine to the clenched teeth of the peasant.

Alexandre,” cried Marceau, @ I shall return to Nantes ; I must follow her, for my o hife, m)/ future, my happiness, all 1z with her! s tu,th chatterced violently, and his body trembled convulavely.

“ et him beware who has dared to put his hand on Blanche, [ love her with all the strength of my soul ; existence 15 1o longer ])O“a\l])lp for me without her. Oh

that T was to leave her! Blanche arrested | Andwhere has she been taken 27

Tincuy, to whom ths question was addressed, (‘(‘nnmcnu'd to recover. “lo

the prison of Boullavs"" he answered.

The words were har dl\ out of s mouth when the two riends were gallopimg back {o Nantes.

Marceau knew he had net an mstant to lose t he directed s steps at o once to Carrier’s house. But peither menaces nor pravers could obtain an interview from the deputy of the “Mountain.”