He then took off his _robe de chambre_ which he wore in prison; and I
dressed him in the loose gown I had made up for the occasion, and long
enough to hide his feet; and even when he had my bonnet on, I had the
satisfaction of seeing that he did not look much taller than I did. I
now wrapt his robe tight round me, put all my hair under his night-cap
and with my handkerchief at my eyes awaited the gaoler's summons; while
Pendarves dropped the veil, and covered his face with his handkerchief
as if in grief. But the anxious heavings of my bosom and the mournful
ones of his were only too real. Every thing favoured us; the wind was
high, and, by blowing the door to, blew out the lamp which the gaoler
held: therefore the only light was from a dim lamp in the passage. At
the door stood the trembling Juan.
"There, take care of her; for she totters as if she was drunk," said the
gaoler; "I warrant you she will never come again."
In five minutes more Seymour was in the cart, and very shortly after he
reached our cottage in safety, and was, as me, lying in my bed in the
Champs Elisées. I, meanwhile, went to bed, and made no answer, but by
groans to the "Good night" and brutal consolations of the gaoler, when
he came to lock me up, without the smallest suspicion who I was. But
when I heard myself actually locked up for the night, I threw myself on
my knees in a transport of devout gratitude.
The next morning I rose after short and troubled rest, seating myself
with my back to the door, that I might remain undiscovered as long as I
could, in order to give my husband more time to get away. But I could no
longer retard the awful moment; for my gaoler came to summon me before
the tribunal.
"I am quite ready!" said I, turning slowly round. I leave you to imagine
his surprise, his indignation, his execrations, and his abuse. I forgave
him, for the poor wretch feared for his place, if not for his life.
"Yes: you shall go before the tribunal," said he, seizing me with savage
fury. "But no, I must first send after your rascally husband."
He then locked me in; and I saw no more of him for two hours, when I
heard a great noise in the passage, down which my cell when open looked,
and presently the door was unlocked by the gaoler himself, who exclaimed
with a malignant smile, "Your husband is taken, and brought back! Look
out, and you will see him!"
I _did_ look out, I did see him, unseen by him at first, and I saw him
walking up the passage with La Beauvais weeping on his arm, and one of
hers thrown across his shoulder.
An involuntary exclamation escaped me; and I retreated back into the
cell. I have since heard that Henroit and his guards, De Walden and
Juan, were in the passage; but I only saw my husband and La Beauvais;
and leaning against the wall I hid my face in my hands, oppressed with a
thousand contending and bewildering sensations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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