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fairly taken by surprise to undo the fastenings himself； and so； bidding
him follow us at his peril； we slipped out one by one。 We softly closed
the door behind us。 And lo！ we were at last freefree and in the streets
of Paris； with the cool night air fanning our brows。 A church hard by
tolled the hour of two； and the strokes were echoed； before we had gone
many steps along the ill…paved way； by the solemn tones of the bell of
Notre Dame。
We were free and in the streets； with a guide who knew the way。 If
Bezers had not gone straight from us to his vengeance； we might thwart
him yet。 I strode along quickly； Madame d'O by my side the others a
little way in front。 Here and there an oil… lamp； swinging from a pulley
in the middle of the road； enabled us to avoid some obstacle more foul
than usual； or to leap over a pool which had formed in the kennel。 Even
in my excitement； my country…bred senses rebelled against the sights； and
smells； the noisome air and oppressive closeness of the streets。
The town was quiet； and very dark where the smoky lamps were not
hanging。 Yet I wondered if it ever slept； for more than once we had to
stand aside to give passage to a party of men； hurrying along with links
and arms。 Several times too； especially towards the end of our walk； I
was surprised by the flashing of bright lights in a courtyard； the door of
which stood half open to right or left。 Once I saw the glow of torches
reflected ruddily in the windows of a tall and splendid mansion； a little
withdrawn from the street。 The source of the light was in the fore…court；
hidden from us by a low wall； but I caught the murmur of voices and stir
of many feet。 Once a gate was stealthily opened and two armed men
looked out； the act and their manner of doing it； reminding me on the
instant of those who had peeped out to inspect us some hours before in
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Bezers' house。 And once； nay twice； in the mouth of a narrow alley I
discerned a knot of men standing motionless in the gloom。 There was an
air of mystery abroad； a feeling as of solemn stir and preparation going on
under cover of the darkness； which awed and unnerved me。
But I said nothing of this； and Madame d'O was equally silent。 Like
most countrymen I was ready to believe in any exaggeration of the city's
late hours； the more as she made no remark。 I supposedshaking off the
momentary impressionthat what I saw was innocent and normal。
Besides； I was thinking what I should say to Pavannes when I saw him…
in what terms I should warn him of his peril； and cast his perfidy in his
teeth。 We had hurried along in this wayand in absolute silence； save
when some obstacle or pitfall drew from us an exclamationfor about a
quarter of a mile； when my companion； turning into a slightly wider street；
slackened her speed； and indicated by a gesture that we had arrived。 A
lamp hung over the porch； to which she pointed； and showed the small
side gate half open。 We were close behind the other three now。 I saw
Croisette stoop to enter and as quickly fall back a pace。 Why？
In a moment it flashed across my mind that we were too late that the
Vidame had been before us。
And yet how quiet it all was。
Then I breathed freely again。 I saw that Croisette had only stepped
back to avoid some one who was coming outthe Coadjutor in fact。 The
moment the entrance was clear； the lad shot in； and the others after him；
the priest taking no notice of them； nor they of him。
I was for going in too； when I felt Madame d'O's hand tighten
suddenly on my arm； and then fall from it。 Apprised of something by this；
I glanced at the priest's face； catching sight of it by chance just as his eyes
met hers。 His face was whitenay it was ugly with disappointment and
rage； bitter snarling rage； that was hardly human。 He grasped her by the
arm roughly and twisted her round without ceremony； so as to draw her a
few paces aside； yet not so far that I could not hear what they said。
〃He is not here！〃 he hissed。 〃Do you understand？ He crossed the
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river to the Faubourg St。 Germain at nightfallsearching for her。 And he
has not come back！ He is on the other side of the water； and midnight
has struck this hour past！〃
She stood silent for a moment as if she had received a blow silent
and dismayed。 Something serious had happened。 I could see that。
〃He cannot recross the river now？〃 she said after a time。 〃The
gates〃
〃Shut！〃 he replied briefly。 〃The keys are at the Louvre。〃
〃And the boats are on this side？〃
〃Every boat！〃 he answered； striking his one hand on the other with
violence。 〃Every boat！ No one may cross until it is over。〃
〃And the Faubourg St。 Germain？〃 she said in a lower voice。
〃There will be nothing done there。 Nothing！〃
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CHAPTER VII
A YOUNG KNIGHT…ERRANT。
I would gladly have left the two together； and gone straight into the
house。 I was eager now to discharge the errand on which I had come so
far； and apart from this I had no liking for the priest or wish to overhear
his talk。 His anger； however； was so patent； and the rudeness with which
he treated Madame d'O so pronounced that I felt I could not leave her with
him unless she should dismiss me。 So I stood patiently enoughand
awkwardly enough too； I daresayby the door while they talked on in
subdued tones。 Nevertheless； I felt heartily glad when at length； the
discussion ending Madame came back to me。 I offered her my arm to
help her over the wooden foot of the side gate。 She laid her hand on it； but
she stood still。
〃M。 de Caylus；〃 she said； and at that stopped。 Naturally I looked at
her； and our eyes met。 Hers b