In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster BoyHenty, G. A. (George Alfred)
History
In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy
Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)
France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799 -- Fiction; Historical fiction
So, trembling with loathing and disgust, she had followed him,
resolved that if Harry's plan to rescue her failed she would kill
herself rather than be the wife of this man.
When they reached the house Elise opened the door.
"So you have come, poor lamb!" she said. "Thanks to the good God
that all has turned out well. You will be safe here, my child. We
are rough people, but we will take care of you as if you were our
own."
So saying she led the girl to the little sitting-room which they
had prepared for her, for they had that afternoon taken the other
two rooms on the floor they occupied, which were fortunately to
let, and had fitted them up as a bed-room and sitting-room for her.
There was already a communication existing between the two sets
of apartments, and they had only to remove some brickwork between
the double doors to throw them into one suite. Telling Marie to
sit down, Elise hurried off and returned with a basin of bouillon.
"Drink this, my dear, and then go straight to bed; your friend will
be here in good time in the morning, and then you can talk over
matters with him." She waited to see Marie drink the broth, and
then helped her to undress.
"She will be asleep in five minutes," she said when she rejoined
her husband and Harry. "She is worn out with excitement, but a
night's rest will do wonders for her. Don't come too early in the
morning, Monsieur Sandwith; she is sure to sleep late, and I would
not disturb her till she wakes of herself."
"I will be here at nine," Harry said, "and will go round before
that and tell her sisters. They will be wondering they have seen
nothing of me to-day, but I was afraid to tell them until it was
all over. The anxiety would have been too great for them."
It was fortunate that Robespierre went out early on the following
morning to attend a meeting at the Jacobins, and Harry was therefore
saved the necessity for asking leave to absent himself again. At
eight o'clock he was at Louise Moulin's.
"What is it, Harry?" Jeanne exclaimed as he entered. "I can see
you have news. What is it?"
"I have news," Harry said, "and good news, but you must not excite
yourselves."
"Have you found a way for getting Marie out?"
"Yes, I have found a way."
"A sure, certain way, Harry?" Virginie asked. "Not only a chance?"
"A sure, certain way," Harry replied. "You need have no more fear;
Marie will certainly be freed."
The two girls stood speechless with delight. It never occurred to
them to doubt Harry's words when he spoke so confidently.
"Have you told us all, Harry?" Jeanne asked a minute later, looking
earnestly in his face. "Can it be? Is she really out already?"
"Yes," Harry said, "thank God, dears, your sister is free."
With a cry of delight Virginie sprang to him, and throwing her
arms round his neck, kissed him in the exuberance of her happiness.
Louise threw her apron over her head and burst into tears of
thankfulness, while Jeanne put her hand on his shoulder and said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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