"Reassure yourself, Nicole; everything is for the best," he said. Then, unable to meet the persistent search of her eyes, he admitted grudgingly: "Javogues is dead." She inclined her head. "When you kill a man, you know it. There is an intuition. What do they say of me?" "Everything turned out miraculously," Dossonville answered joyfully. "My men were on guard. No one entered. Javogues did not betray you. The belief is that you stabbed him to save yourself." Without noticing the revolt in her eyes, he continued eagerly: "You are in no danger. I have routed the Tapedures for the present. In a week I'll transfer you to the Madelonnettes, where I have Barabant safely tucked away. There you can wait until the tide sets against the Terrorists, and--" He stopped, perceiving his blunder, while Nicole, smiling a little at his confusion, said: "Why do you stop?" As he began again lamely, she interrupted: "No, Dossonville, you see as well as I that it cannot be. Why does every one wish to save me?" "I do not understand." "Yes, Dossonville, you do, and you see your mistake. You would make me out a murderess. I am not a murderess. I gave my life to the Nation in exchange for Javogues's. I killed him to save Barabant, to save a hundred others who would perish if he had lived. As a patriot, I killed him to deliver the Nation of a monster. Only my life can justify the deed. Don't you see?" She took his hands in hers, saying: "Dear friend, bring me before the tribunal and I will bless you." "And Barabant?" Dossonville said desperately. She shook her head. In her present exaltation all that seemed like another life which she had renounced for martyrdom. "And Barabant?" repeated Dossonville. "Tell him I did it to save him. He will venerate my memory." She added slowly: "Then I will hold a place in his heart that no woman can ever take. That will be for the best." "Nicole, listen to me," cried Dossonville. "Listen, for what I say is true. Denounce yourself, and you will drag Barabant to his death. Once admit your reasons for killing Javogues, and Barabant dies as your accomplice." "Oh, oh!" Recoiling before this immense, inexorable obstacle to her purpose, Nicole fell to her knees, imploring him with her hands: "No, no, Dossonville, you are telling me that to save me." "Yes, to save you; but it is true. Decide for yourself, but your confession sends to the guillotine every friend you have!" "Dossonville! Dossonville! You are plunging a dagger into my heart!" "Listen, Nicole; I swear to you it is the truth," he said, raising her from the floor to a chair. "Denounce yourself now, nothing can save him. I say no more; decide for yourself." Leaving her limp with despair, he departed, well satisfied that the leaven would work and that time and reflection would temper her resolve. * * * * *