"There!" said the vindictive gaoler, ushering in Pendarves, as if he felt how painful a _tête-à-tête_ between us now would be; "there, citizen! I shall shut you up with your wife, till I know what is to be done with her. But perhaps you would like the other _citoyenne_ better?" "Peace!" cried Pendarves, "and leave us alone!" "Helen!" said my husband. "Mr. Pendarves!" "I see how it is, Helen; nor can I blame you: appearances were against me. But I must and will assure you, that that person's appearing at such a time, and her behaviour, were as unexpected as they were unwelcome." Still I spoke not: no, not even to inquire why I had the misery of seeing him return; and ere I had broken this painful but only too natural silence, and had only just resumed my woman's gown, the door was again thrown open, and an officer of the National Convention came to say, that I was allowed to return home for the present, till further proceedings were resolved upon. "Take notice, sir," said Pendarves, "that this lady's only fault has been too great a regard for an unworthy husband; and that what you may deem a crime, the rest of Europe will call a virtue." The officer smiled; and wishing my husband good night, I followed where he led. At the gate I found De Walden, who accompanied me home, having first been assured by the officer that I should be under surveillance. "And is it thus, rash Helen, you use your best friends, and risk an existence so valuable?" cried De Walden. "Spare me, spare me your reproaches," said I: "I am sufficiently humbled already." "Not _humbled_--those only are humbled who could injure such a creature. Helen, I was in the passage at the prison, and I saw all that passed. "Now then, while this recollection is fresh on your mind, let me ask you if you think yourself justified in staying here where you are now exposed to insult and to danger, for the sake of one who at a moment which would have bound another man more tenderly than ever, could so meet and so offend your eyes?" I was still silent. "Now then hear my proposal. I have the greatest reason to believe that I can secure an escape both for you, Alice, and myself, through the _barriere_ this very night on the road to Switzerland, There, my dear friend, I offer you a home and a parent! My mother will be your mother, my uncle your uncle; and well do I know, that could my revered Mrs. Pendarves look down on what is passing here, she would be happier to see you under the protection of my family than under any other protection on earth!" "No, my dear friend, no; your just resentment and your wishes deceive you. My mother valued her child's fame and her child's virtues equal with her safety." "Your fame could not suffer. I would not live even near you, Helen. I am as jealous of your fame as any mother could be: besides that _principle_ would make me shun you.--No, Helen; I would see you safe in Switzerland, and then sail for America."